OUR HORSES
If you're interested in adopting, please think about why you want a horse and whether you're committed to caring for that horse for its entire life - for better or for worse; for richer, for poorer; through sickness and health; to love and to cherish til death do you part.
All joking aside, we understand that many people want a horse that they’ll be able to ride, but please consider the following:
Horses are big animals that can live well into their 30's. They're herd animals who need the company of their own kind and don't do well alone or isolated in small pens. Their digestive system is designed to take in fibre continuously, otherwise the constant production of acid in their stomach can cause painful ulcers. Slow feed hay nets are one of the best inventions to come along. Horses also rely on fibre to stay warm in winter, and need about 30 pounds of forage a day.
Their hooves are designed to expand and contract in order to absorb shock and pump blood back up the leg. This acts as a second heart. Nailing on an iron shoe causes all these vital functions to cease. Horses need constant movement as well, with round the clock turnout in at least an acre or two of land. Many people have got creative with smaller acreages and set up track systems to encourage movement and make the horses' lives more interesting. Google "paddock paradise" for more info.
Training methods have evolved over the years from outright abuse where horses were roped and tied, thrown to the ground, and terrorized until their spirits were broken, to modern day "roundpenning" techniques where the horse is "dominated" until it submits. Most training methods promoted today preach that the human must "be the boss," move the horse's feet, keep him out of your space, dictate his every move... These methods have left many people feeling uninspired and disconnected from their horse. And many horses have simply said, "I'm out of here!" and over the fence they went. These are the horses you'll see at the auction, labelled as dangerous and untrainable.
Only very recently has a revolution started in the horse world, where trust and rapport is the foundation for the horse's entire education, and where horses are seen as companions and friends with a right to their own lives, and not merely a piece of sports equipment to be used at the owner's convenience. Someone with no experience with horses can learn to communicate with them in a way that makes horses feel safe and valued, instead of dominated and forced. No sticks or round pens required!
If all the above resonates with you, if you're willing to learn to trim and look after your horse's hooves (markups for hoof trimming are included in adoption fees), if you understand there are better ways to train that don't involve bits, spurs or whips and you're willing to be involved in an online support group; if you’re aware of the deep bonds horses make with each other and can see how devastating it is for them to be torn from their friends, bought and sold, and passed on multiple times during their lives; and if above all you want to experience a relationship for life with an amazing animal, who when allowed to be happy and live as close to its nature as possible, will give back more than you ever could imagine, please send in an application!
FORMS
Please submit to bchorseangels@gmail.com
HORSE ADOPTION APPLICATION
Please complete and email with a photo of property where horse will be kept.
Full Legal Name:
Email:
Phone #:
Home Address:
Address where horse will be kept, if different from above:
Do you board / own / rent (please specify) property where horse will be kept?
My age is (please select one):
Under 20
20-25
25-40
40-55
Over 55
Are you interested in a particular horse?
What is intended use for horse?
Please describe property:
Size
Turnout area
Shelter
Fencing
Will horse be kept with other horses?
Do you currently have other horses?
If yes, how many (age,sex)?
How many years have you owned horses?
Have you sold horses in the past? If so, please explain:
Please briefly describe your horse experience and the amount of time you've been around horses:
Will you be training your horse yourself or using a trainer?
Are there any trainers whose methods you follow?
If sending your horse to a trainer
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Do you have experience with feral horses? If so, please describe:
Do you have experience with foals? If so, please describe:
Do you have experience with studs? If so, please describe:
Have you ever started a horse under saddle? If so, please describe:
Do you do any of your own hoof trimming? If yes, please describe:
Farrier
Name:
Phone:
Vet
Name:
Phone:
Reference
Name:
Phone:
Please tell us anything else you’d like us to know.
I have read and agree to the terms of the adoption agreement:
I agree to provide photo ID if requested:
Thank you for your interest in adopting a rescue horse!
SPONSORSHIP FORM
Your Name:
Email:
Mailing Address:
Name you’d like to appear as sponsor (if different from your own):
Name of horse you’d like to sponsor:
Sponsorship Amount (choose one):
Full sponsorship $100
Half sponsorship $50
Part sponsorship $25
Thank you for your interest in sponsoring a horse!
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT
The details of this contract reflect my desire that both the new owner and adopted horse have a happy life together. I feel an ongoing commitment to see that my rescued horses find a safe, permanent home.
This agreement is put in place to protect the horse and prevent the indiscriminate sale of the horse to auction or slaughter. The horses that have entered into my care have been rescued from the slaughter house, and i feel a moral obligation to ensure that they do not end up in that position again.
ADOPTER INFORMATION
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Email:
HORSE INFORMATION
Name/ID Number:
Breed:
Age:
Physical Description:
Adoption Fee:
FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED HORSE, I THE ABOVE NAMED ADOPTER, AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
1. I agree not to sell or give the horse to auction or slaughter, and not to abandon or dispose of the horse in any way.
2. To provide adequate housing, veterinary and farrier care, and humane treatment at all times for the horse in order to maintain a healthy body and mind.
3. Upon signing this agreement, I agree to pay in full the adoption fee (stated above).
4. If the horse is no longer wanted, or can no longer be kept, the adopter must notify BC Horse Angels, and provide the option to have the horse returned at no cost. If the decision is made that the horse may be sold to a new party, that party must agree to enter into and sign a new adoption agreement with BC Horse Angels Inc.
5. I agree not to breed mares. I agree to geld stallions, unless an exception has been made for health reasons for a specific case. In that case I agree to prevent the stallion from breeding mares. If stud colts are adopted, I agree to geld as soon as age / health appropriate, and to provide proof of gelding with photos and veterinary contact.
6. I hereby give BC Horse Angels permission to share photos taken by them or provided by myself, as well as the city in which the horse is located, on their website, facebook, and other public places deemed appropriate regarding the placement of the horse I am adopting. I agree to provide photos and updates as requested.
7. I agree to allow BC Horse Angels access to the horse I am adopting for checks on health and condition every three months if requested, with 48 hours notice.
8. Although all the information BC Horse Angels has on the aforementioned horse is shared with the adopter, I understand that Belinda Lyall and BC Horse Angels are in no way responsible for the accuracy of information received about the horse. I, the adopter, agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Belinda Lyall and BC Horse Angels from any liability as a result of the adoption.
9. I understand that this contract is entered in the Province of British Columbia and will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of this province even if the horse is located in another province.
I AGREE TO THE TERMS ABOVE SET FORTH BY THE CONTRACT.
SIGNATURE:
WITNESS NAME:
WITNESS SIGNATURE:
DATE: