ONLINE ADOPTION APPLICATION

Please fill out the application below if you would like to adopt a horse from the Appalachian Horse Project. If an area has an asterisk (*), you must fill in an answer. When you “SUBMIT” using the button at the bottom, the application will be forwarded to the AHP Welfare Director who will review it as well as have one or more board members review it. You will be contacted when the application has been evaluated, which normally takes no longer than a week.

Terms OF ADOPTION

Appalachian Horse Project suggests that you attend basic horsemanship classes when you have minimal or no prior horse experience. Sometimes, we can provide references for clinicians who offer such classes.

Adopters must be over the age of 21; otherwise a parent/legal guardian must be the primary adopter and have proven financial ability to provide for the horse(s).

Appalachian Horse Project works to place horses which match what a potential adopter wants to do with a horse (pleasure ride, trail, companion, etc.) as well as horse care experience.

There is NO guarantee of adoption and Appalachian Horse Project may refuse adoption for any reason.

APPLICATIONS MAY BE REVIEWED BY BOARD MEMBERS. ALL FINAL DECISIONS ON ADOPTIVE HOMES ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PRESIDENT OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.APPALACHIAN HORSE PROJECT
ADOPTION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL RULES

Adopted horses MUST NEVER be neglected, abandoned, or inhumanely treated (i.e., you must provide regular farrier and veterinary care, de-worming program, proper nutrition and exercise, etc.). Adopters will have no charges or convictions of inhumane treatment to animals.

It is recommended that adopters with little or no horse experience take basic horsemanship classes BEFORE they adopt any horse. Classes can include basic horse care and/or riding instruction by a professional trainer. Classes and/or riding instruction are at the adopter’s expense. Appalachian Horse Project can provide referrals.

The adopter agrees that the horse cannot be sold, traded, leased, or given away* or used for any commercial purpose (including breeding) for six months. *However, in the event an adopter cannot keep the horse(s) for six months, the adopter is responsible for locating a suitable new home which must meet with Appalachian Horse Project’s approval. Appalachian Horse Project will assist in finding a suitable new home. The new owner must abide by Appalachian Horse Project’s rules of adoption.

APPALACHIAN HORSE PROJECT RULES OF ADOPTION

The horse(s) must never be sent to an open auction or sold to a kill buyer and never offered “for free” on the internet or other advertising.

Horses are herd animals; therefore, Appalachian Horse Project recommends at least one other horse at the new adoptive home.

The adopter is responsible for all expenses incurred for horse care; there are no reimbursements from Appalachian Horse Project. Adoption fees ARE NOT refundable or tax deductible.

Out of state adopters have additional requirements with regard to Coggins test, health certificates, visiting, providing safe/qualified transport and photo/video of facility.

HORSE CARE

The adopter agrees to provide nutritious amounts of food and water, a safe shelter, and humane treatment at all times. If boarding, the adopter agrees that all of the required provisions for care are met; otherwise the adopter is subject to a breach of the adoption requirements and the horse may be removed. The adopter will allow Appalachian Horse Project to come onto the property where the horse is located with prior notification.

If the horse is located at your property, a minimum of 2.5 total acres for one horse is preferred with shelter that can accommodate each horse -- a divided run-in shed or other feeding setup will be available so that each horse can be fed separately without interference from a more dominant horse(s)

The adopter will not place the horse with an abusive trainer or an unskilled rider unless such rider is being provided with professional riding instruction.

The adopter will not allow the horse to run at large; adequate fencing must be provided and kept in good repair (prefer no barbed wire unless electric wiring is also provided).

Appalachian Horse Project requires their adopters to be financially able to care for not only the basic care and needs of the horse(s), but also for any and all emergency veterinary needs for the horse. Appalachian Horse Project does understand that some illness and injuries are so severe that the quality of life of the horse is compromised. A veterinarian humanely euthanizing the horse best handles these situations.

Appalachian Horse Project must be notified immediately if the horse dies. A veterinarian’s statement/cause of death may be requested along with permission to contact the vet.

PAYMENT

Payment must be made by cash, money order, or cashier check made payable to Appalachian Horse Project. The adoption fee is paid at the time of adoption and is non-refundable for any reason.

Adopter(s) has hereby read, understood and agrees to abide by the above requirements for adoption of the Appalachian Horse Project horse(s).