HORSE PROGRAM FAQ

Q: Where do your horses come from?
A: We get horses from a variety of situations: some that were no-sales at auction; some we redeem from the feed lot, having been sold to these slaughter-destined holding pens; from owners unable to keep their horses due to economic hardship or behavioral issues that they couldn't or wouldn't deal with; some impounded by animal control agencies who have in turn asked us to rescue them.

Q: How are you funded?
A: Utah Animal Adoption Center is entirely funded by individual donations and some private foundation grants. We receive no government assistance of any kind. Please consider making a donation to Utah Animal Adoption Center to help us save and improve the lives of horses right here in Utah, a state overpopulated with unwanted, neglected horses. To contribute, make a donation via Pay Pal on line; donate with credit cards at 801-486-6210; or mail to Utah Animal Adoption Center Horse Program, 880 S. 500 West, Bountiful, UT 84010.

Q: How much to adopt a horse?
A: Our rescue charity assumes considerable financial responsibility for every horse we rescue. We pay for all hay, veterinary and farrier care, dentals, supplements and any emergency care or treatment the horses need while in our program, which can be a year or more. It costs us about $1,000 a year to provide this care for each horse in our program. As such, we do charge an adoption fee, which ranges from $250 for pasture pals (horses who cannot be ridden due to age or injury but are still gentle, social companions for you and/or another horse) to $750 for sound, rideable horses.

Q: Where can we meet the horses available for adoption?
A: Utah Animal Adoption Center does not have a central facility or shelter for our horses...though that is our dream wish: for someone to donate 20-40 acres of horse property along the Wasatch Metro Area, to serve as a sanctuary for our rescued horses awaiting adoption! For now, all of our 30+ horses are living in private foster homes located from Herriman to West Jordan to Sandy to West Bountiful to Logan! To inquire about a specific horse or to schedule an appointment to meet one or more, please call Cheryl at 801-486-6210 or Misti at 435-714-1516.

Q: What are your requirements to adopt a horse?
1. First and foremost, our goal is that our rescued horses are adopted to families who will commit to keeping them the rest of their natural lives, not only while they are "use-able" and ride-able, but in age and sickness, too, until it is time that, due to poor quality of life and comfort, for you to have them humanely put down by a veterinarian. Horses can live 35+ years. Our horses are never to be sold, given, traded, bred. If for some reason in the future you can no longer honor your commitment to keep your adopted horse, it must be returned to Utah Animal Adoption Center.

2. We also require and trust that you have the financial means (horses are very expensive to own and care for) to provide for your horse, preferably with horse property that you own, and thus you are the ultimate person responsible for their care.

3. We require safe, non-climb fencing. Pole panels, split rail, chain link at least 5' high, or field fence is best, not barbed wire, which poses a very real and un-necessary, preventable risk to horses who lean against it and even try to run through it, to tragic results.

4. We also require constant access to fresh water even in winter (ice is not a sufficient water source)...

5. and basic shelter from extreme weather in winter and summer.

6. Pre-placement home visits are conducted, to ensure the safety and whereabouts of our horses.

7. For some of our horses that have been surrendered to us because of potentially dangerous, learned behavior issues, we may require that the adopters invest in (in addition to the adoption fee payable to us) Parelli Natural Horsemanship self-teaching Level One Partnership Kit< and Level Two Harmony Kit, comprised of DVDs, lesson books, specially weighted, designed rope-knot halter, lead rope, and carrot stick with savvy string. This is so you can continue the foundation that we've started with the horse, for you to have the optimal opportunity for success with your newly adopted horse and, indeed, with any horse.

Q: Why do you endorse and even sometimes require that adopters do Parelli Natural Horsemanship with their horses?
A: For some, not all of our horses, we may require that the new adoptive home invest in Parelli tools and dvd's and continue the foundation of Parelli Natural Horsemanship training that we have started with the horse, as we have seen and experienced success with overcoming the horse's particular issues or challenges, and arming yourself with the tools, savvy and knowledge to help ensure the adoption will be a success...and that you and the horse will be happy and thrive together.

We have found that the PNH curriculum and step-by-step lesson plans bring the fun and respect back to horsemanship, empowers horse people to build their own partnership/bond with their horses. rather than the risky act of sending their horse off to a "professional" trainer. At least 3 of the horses in our program now are with us because of mistreatment by "professional trainers."

In addition, it gives our PNH Level 2 graduate volunteers a common "language" with which to play with our rescued horses: seven dominance games that teach the horse to yield away from steady and rhythmic pressure first on the ground, then from the saddle) and saddling and riding exercises, riding with a rope hackamore. All these prior preparations help establish a bond and partnership, with the human as the alpha leader to be trusted and respected always, while teaching the human to remain passively persistent (never aggressive or angry), teaches patience, something we could all stand to learn more of in our relationships with horses...and other humans for that matter! We ride with just rope hackamores, as it is the human's responsibility to first learn to be soft and giving in our hands, not unfairly leaning on or tugging on a horse's mouth: no harsh bits, spurs, other hardware that just succeed in forcing a horse to do something, rather than teaching him to WANT to do it for you.)

The Parelli Level One pack and tools (DVD's, lesson plan, rope halter and special-weight lead rope, carrot stick and string for issuing cues from a safe distance: all available from Parelli.com for about $200) gives you a lifetime of at-home learning resources at your fingertips for you to use on every horse you own). We have all experienced amazing success with it ourselves in re-habbing and re-starting horses that have come to us because of traditional, excessive, harsh training experiences in the first place. Because we see Parelli (or similar natural horsemanship, no excessive hardware, bits, spurs, etc) work to help our horses overcome specific fears, mistrust, poor confidence and behaviors, we believe our adopters should continue with it in order to have the best chance for a successful adoption and a lifelong home for the horse that we've committed so much to, to end the cycle of "incorrigible" horses being sent from home to home, auction, to auction, or worse.

Q: Do you need volunteers to help with the horses?
A: We always need foster homes and volunteers who can transport horses and hay. Other volunteer opportunities are limited at this time. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Q: How do I become a foster home for a horse?
A: For our foster homes, Utah Animal Adoption Center provides hay and either pays for or reimburses all vet, farrier and other expenses...unless the foster home wishes to donate these items (for which we'd be grateful.) We have the same facility and care requirements of fosters as for people wanting to adopt a horse: basic shelter, safe fencing (no barbed wire, please), constant access to fresh water, you provide daily feed, care and TLC!

Q: I need to find a home for my horse. Can you take him?
A: Utah Animal Adoption Center is a non-profit charity, with limited financial and foster home resources. Depending on the circumstances, health and temperament of the horse, and if we have an appropriate, available foster home, we may be able to help you find a home for your horse or take him into our program. We do kindly request a placement assistance donation to provide our professional, lifesaving placement and adoption services.

Q: Do you have job openings available to work with the horses?
A: Our horse-rescue and adoption program is entirely run by volunteers.