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ERN - Will Adoption Work For You?
Reprinted from Spring, 1997 USPC News with permission of The United States Pony Clubs
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IDEA Exchange ... USPC News
Need A Horse?
Will Adoption Work for You?
Standardbred Retirement Foundation
by Susan Moody, C-3, Essex Pony Club
One way to find out if adoption is for you is through the
Standardbred Retirement Foundation, Inc. (SRF). The SRF is a
private, nonprofit, tax exempt organization created to care for,
rehabilitate, and encourage the lifetime placement of non-competitive
trotters and pacers and ensure their proper care with follow0up, while
providing education and encouragement to the race horse industry
regarding acceptable alternatives to its present practices. The SRF
is the proud recipient of the ARCI International Animal Welfare Award.
To the SRF, adopting a horse is like adopting a child. An
application has to be filled out and daily care, housing for the
horse, and pasture arrangements must be reviewed. If a potential
adopter needs a little help to learn more about taking care of their
horse, the SRF will make suggestions on how to network to obtain
trainers, riding instruction and basic healthy care instruction.
The Standardbred Retirement Foundations is always looking for
good homes for their loving horses. Luckily, experienced USPC members
usually have what it takes to meet the criteria for adoption and the
process can move along quickly and smoothly.
The SRF locates new opportunities for horses by placing them
in good homes for use as pleasure riding and driving companions in
every discipline. Horses are adopted for a variety of activities
including English and Western Pleasure, Dressage, Jumping, 4-H and
Pony Club, trail riding, Search and Rescue, Polo, therapeutic and
handicapped riding, driving programs, and the mounted police park
patrol. Each year more than one hundred placements are made and the
SRF continues its commitment to the horses through a follow-up
program. None of the horses in the program can be used for commercial
purposes.
The Standardbred is a cross between an English Thoroughbred
and a Morgan, making even tempered, willing athletes. Many
Standardbreds have competed successfully in the show ring at AHSA
Hunter/Jumper, and Dressage shows and USET driving competitions.
Standardbreds, as well as other breeds of adopted horses need foster
homes until they are adopted. Adopting or fostering a retiree is a
fantastic way to help the horses who need a second chance at life.
Many of these horses have finished their racing careers between 2 and
8 years old leaving plenty of room to learn new things. Many people
feel adopted horses make great companion horses. Their disciplined
track life has taught them to be sensible and not easily surprised by
commotion.
For more information about adopting a Standardbred, contact
information is at the bottom of this page.
Don't be afraid to ask...
If you are considering adopting a horse, here are some
questions you should ask the organization, to help protect yourself
and know the condition of the horse you receive. When you adopt a
horse you are taking on a lifetime responsibility. Make sure your
adoption agency is too.
* How long has the placement agency been in business?
* Are they available 24 hours a day in case of an emergency?
* Do they have a newsletter with helpful information for the
care and training?
* How are the horses in the program screened for medical
history and temperament?
* What happens a few years down the road if the adopter can't
take care of the horse?
* Do they have success stories of horses that have been
adopted through them?
* Do they have a professional trainer on their staff to
answer any training questions?
* Is there a chance that an owner could show up to reclaim a
horse?
This information was originally written for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation;
here's how to contact them:
Standardbred Retirement Foundation
P.O. Box 763
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 462-8773 - phone
(732) 431-9503 - fax
E-mail: srfmail@bellatlantic.net
website: SRF Web Site