Frequently Asked Questions

What do we do?

How do we do it?

How do we adopt?

How are we funded?

Keep reading to find out the answers to our most frequently asked questions...

What is the mission or purpose of the rescue: 

We are a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Cave Creek, Arizona.  Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home horses in need. We are a 100% volunteer organization with our volunteers pouring their dedication and determination into providing daily care for all of our horses. Our Arizona horse rescue facility can accommodate up to 15 rescued horses on any given day.

Where does the rescue obtain the bulk of its operating funds: 

The bulk of our funds come in from events and donations. 

How or where does the rescue obtain its horses: 

Horses come in from surrenders, abandonment, the sheriff’s office, divorce, loss of job and/or funds cases. We also get horses surrendered to us due to their old age and/or the inability of owners to continue to care for their horses.

What happens to a horse once it enters the rescue: 

Once a horse arrives at the rescue, they are on a minimum 2 week hold for evaluation, veterinary services and, farrier services. Some rehabilitation takes longer, and all horses are given the time needed to adjust, rehabilitate, and be nursed back to health.

Does the rescue utilize foster homes: 

We do not foster out horses. Fosters hold numbers in our total intake and affect us from being able to provide the kind of 24/7 care we desire.

What are your quarantine procedures:

When they first arrive at the rescue, all horses are stalled separately for 3-4 days; away from other horses. All horses brought to the rescue are required to be current on vaccinations and worming before arriving.

What are your horse evaluation or rehabilitation procedures: 

Horses are evaluated in a stall for 3-4 days for introduction to herd. We monitor, water and food intake, and stool samples are taken for sand evaluation. Every part of a horse is captured in photos, their temperature taken, weight, and height documented, and complete care is given immediately once entering the rescue.

What is your policy for stallions:

Stallions are normally placed within other rescues when we receive calls. If we have no other options, then all stallions are taken to our presidents’ house, gelded and cared for until hormones are no longer seen in their behavior. This is for the safety of our herd and volunteers. **As a rescue we do not promote breeding.

What is your policy for mares, as far as breeding: 

We do not promote or allow breeding. If we take in a mare that is pregnant, we provide full care during the gestation process. If the mare foals or it is near the time, adoptions are put on hold until the baby and mother are healthy and able to be weaned. If adopted pregnant, then the foal is under a 6-month adoption process the day the foal is born. This process is followed closely, and our vet does all initial checks for the health of the mother and foal. Adopters are vetted to be fit to have a foal on property and how to properly care for the foal.

How long does this rescue keep a horse prior to re-homing: 

The average rescue horse is at our facility from six to eighteen months. Some are less than others.

How are the horses forever homes found: 

We share and promote all adoptable horses on our web-page, Facebook page and other equestrian pages.

What is the screening process for potential homes: 

Anyone interested in adopting a horse must submit an application for a potential adoption. The target horse property is assessed prior to adoption approvals to make sure all equine can be properly cared for, with appropriate stalls, adequate food and water, and shade and turn out areas. Zoning for the property is checked to make sure the adopter is within legal livestock status per the state.

What criteria would exclude someone from adopting a horse from this rescue: 

All criteria inspected during our property assessment is listed below and all potential adopters must meet each criterion to be able to adopt from us:

12x12 Minimum stall w/shade Adequate turn out for herd

Adequate water/food supply State zoning approval

Approved veterinarian and farrier services Minimum 1-year horse owner experience

What happens to a horse deemed “unadoptable” or when the rescue is unable to re-home: 

All equine are adoptable unless their health is causing pain or discomfort and cannot be corrected. All horses are evaluated by professional trainers, veterinarians, and farriers and a final evaluation/recommendation is given by professionals. Then all board members are brought in to make a final best-case decision for said equine.

What is the rescue’s policy on euthanasia, and when/how does the rescue determine if it is necessary: 

As unfortunate events happen, all decisions for every horse is made by a certified veterinarian and approved after discussion by our board of directors. If a horse is euthanized, we use a company for removal and the horse is buried humanely.

Describe the re-homing agreement: 

All horses are adopted out under a contract. Contract details can be found on our Adopt or Forms page within this website.

Does the rescue consider "re-homing" a horse, a "sale" or an "adoption": 

We NEVER sell a horse. All horses are adopted and followed up with through our process for six months. Selling a horse means we cannot follow the process, and the buyer can do whatever they want. Adopting a horse gives us the ability to follow the process and make sure that all horses are given forever loving homes with proper care.

What are the procedures and methods used for follow-up once a horse is re-homed: 

Follow ups are done at 30-60-90 days by phone or email. Two weeks prior to the adoption completion (at 6 months), we make an on-site visit to follow up and see that the horse is being cared for properly. Any and all injuries, or any harm must be reported to our board of directors within 24 hours of incident. Even after the adoptions are complete, we have done well maintaining a friendly relationship with previous adopters. We are always available to help out our adopters. 

What will happen to the horses, in the care of the rescue, if the President or someone else on the Board of Directors is unable to continue to assist with rescue operations, for example, due to disability, death, finances, etc.: 

The entire Board of Directors are kept current on the daily operations of running the rescue. Our communication is great within our rescue. All policies, procedures, and daily operations are documented to make it easy for anyone to fill in at any time. Our rescue is running proficiently and with 100% commitment by all to ensure our equine are cared for in any situation. Any and all changes to any document of operations is maintained in a shared communication application by the Board of Directors.