The following are requirements and regulations for adopting a horse from Back in the Saddle Horse Adoption, Inc. (BITS). Before you send in your application to adopt a
horse, you should read over all the following content and make sure your personal qualifications, facilities and time availability meet the below requirements, and that you
can abide by our regulations. Contact us if you have any questions or need clarification of any of the requirements or regulations. Please sign below, keep a copy for your records,
and send us a signed copy along with your completed adoption application.
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for adoption, an applicant must:
Be 21 years of age or older; if 18–21, must have a co-adopter that is a family member who will be financially responsible for the horse.
Have no prior violations of adoption regulations or convictions of inhumane
treatment to animals. Any violations or convictions after placement of horse will result in immediate removal of the horse from the adopter’s care.
Be able to show proof of financial ability to properly house, feed, and provide
veterinary and farrier care for the horse(s). Must identify the farrier and veterinarian that will provide care for the horse.
Have had prior experience with horses or show how you plan to learn, either with
the use of a trainer or mentor. The same rule holds true for the rider, primary caretaker and handler if they are different from the adopter.
FACILITIES
Facilities must meet minimum requirements and be constructed before the application is approved. Requirements may vary, depending on the geographical location of the
adopter and the needs/background of the individual horse. Therefore, approval will be done on a case-by-case basis. The following are minimum requirements:
Paddock/Pasture
An outside paddock with adequate space for turnout.
Fence must be at least 4 feet high.
Fencing material should be at least 4 wood rails or rounded pipes, or poles, 2x6
inch wooden planks or similar materials that do not pose a hazard to the horse. Small mesh, heavy gauge, woven wire fencing with a 2x6 inch board along the top,
center and bottom is acceptable. No barb wire or T-posts without protective caps
are acceptable.
Shelter
Run-in shed in paddock or a box stall. Shelter or stall space should be at least 12 X 12 feet per horse.
Transportation
You must provide your own vehicle or make private arrangements.
Standard covered stock trailers and horse trailers large enough for 2 or more
horses are acceptable, contingent on final approval prior to loading. No 1-horse trailers will be allowed.
AFTER ADOPTION
Required level of care
The level of care of adoption horses should be well within or above the standards recommended by the equine industry.
The horse must have all annual shots and maintain a current negative Coggins.
The horse must be wormed at least every 8 weeks or maintained using a daily feed-through wormer.
The horse must have daily turnout when the weather permits.
A vet must be called for illness and injury.
The horse must be trimmed or shod every 6-8 weeks.
Each horse must have at least 20 gallons of fresh drinking water every day. A
stagnant pond or creek cannot be considered a primary drinking source.
Each horse must be fed hay, grain, and supplements according to its needs.
Each horse must have its teeth floated on an annual basis, or as recommended by
the equine dentist.
The horse must never be worked beyond its physical limitations.
Other conditions of adoption
You cannot sell or transfer the horse to another person. If you find that you cannot keep the horse for any reason, you must return the horse
to BITS at your expense.
You must contact BITS immediately for any of the following situations:
1) Prior to the Horse being moved to a new facility (30-days notice must be given).
2) Serious illness or injury that requires veterinarian involvement.
3) If the adopted horse dies (with the attending vet’s death certificate).
4) If there is any question that you can no longer care for the horse or meet all the requirements of the adoption.
5) If your personal or financial situation changes (e.g., divorce, loss of job, illness).
You must provide updates and/or pictures of the horse when asked by a BITS
representative. Proof of inoculations or veterinary care must also be provided if requested.
Your facilities may be inspected prior to or after adoption. Horses may be inspected at any time.
RETURN OF HORSES
Horses may be returned in the first four (4) months for a credit of the adoption fee
towards the adoption of another horse. NO CASH REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.
If the horse is returned after the first four months, you will be responsible for
paying $175 per month board until the horse is placed in a new adoptive home.
Horses returned to BITS at anytime must be transported at the expense of the
adopter returning the horse.
Horses must be returned in the same condition that they were adopted. Adopters
who fail to do so may be charged for the cost of rehabilitating the horse and
will prohibited from adopting another horse.
PAYMENT
Cash, check, money order, or Pay Pal will be accepted. A returned check fee of
$30 will be charged on any returned checks. The program must receive in full all fees before horse may be transported.
The adoption fee for each horse will be posted on our website. We do not trade horses. Horses that have higher adoption fees may be eligible for payments options depending on Board approval. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
Once a horse has been paid for, you must make arrangements to have the horse
moved immediately or you will be charged a boarding fee of $15 per day.
By signing below, I state that I have read and understand the requirements and regulations for adopting a horse from Back in the Saddle Horse Adoption, Inc.
Signature:________________________________________________________ Date:___________________________
Print:____________________________________________________________ Date:___________________________