Our Hidden Pastures Program is like witness protection for animals. While we try to keep the bulk of the animals in our care at the rescue, sometimes we need space for new intakes or a place for a horse to finish rehabilitating while we work with those that are ready. Because of the circumstances most of our horses come from, we keep our fosters private.
What does it involve?
Fosters through our Hidden Pastures Program are responsible for the day to day maintenance and care of the animal(s) on their property. We take care of any vetting or farrier work needed. If possible, the foster provides feed and hay. If not, we will provide. We just ask for understanding that we are a nonprofit and work by donations, so there may be times when it is difficult to come up with the funds.
Depending on your experience and/or comfort level, animals may have already been through a 30 quarantine period, seen by a vet, and vaccinated.
Depending on your experience and/or comfort level, animals may have already been through a 30 quarantine period, seen by a vet, and vaccinated.
What are the benefits?
What are the requirements?
Fosters must have secure and safe fencing with some form of shelter from weather. We do not send horses out solo, there must be another horse or equine companion. Some experience is required and will depend on the horse and its needs. We would never want to pair someone with a horse who was more than they could handle. It is imperative that any instructions that are given (medications, gaining weight, farrier or vetting, do's and don'ts specific to that horse) are followed. Ignoring instructions, denying or substituting medication without permission, skipping farrier or veterinary work, or anything detrimental or dangerous to the horse will result in removal of the horse from the foster.
We have families who foster for all sorts of reasons. Some no longer have horses but want some to eat the grass in their pasture during the summer. Others don't want to add another horse permanently, but they want to give their remaining horse companionship. Some want to work on their training skills. It's tax deductible! Also, if you fall in love with your foster and cannot bear to part with him/her, their adoption fee will be waived because of your dedication to their care.