Equine Foster Care: Do You Have What it Takes?

Have you ever dreamed of nursing an abused or neglected horse back to health and finding him a forever home? Learn what it takes to make that dream come true.

- BARB CRABBE, DVM

Conservative estimates say there are 150,000 unwanted horses in the United States. Yet a study published in 2017 by the ASPCA suggested there could be as many as 1.24 million households with the ability and willingness to adopt a horse. These numbers don’t add up. It’s clear that a lack of connection between horses in need and individuals willing to provide care is a big part of the unwanted horse problem. Could you be part of the solution? Let’s find out.

In this article, you’ll learn how a horse becomes unwanted, what problems those horses might have, and what you can do to help. If you’ve ever dreamed of saving the life of a horse in need, here’s your guide to becoming an equine foster parent.

Why Does a Horse Become Unwanted?

As a horse lover, it’s hard to imagine how a horse becomes unwanted. Yet every day more horses enter the unwanted horse pipeline and find themselves on the road to neglect and abuse. The American Association of Equine Practitioners defines an unwanted horse as one that is “no longer wanted by their current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or fail to meet their owner’s expectations.” Here’s how it happens:

Medical: A wide variety of medical problems can cause a horse to become unwanted, such as chronic lameness that makes him unrideable, a disease such as Cushing’s that requires ongoing medication, or an allergy that demands careful management. If a horse’s medical needs exceed an owner’s capacity (or desire) to care for him, that owner may seek to rehome the horse, or will simply abandon him.