Unrideable horses are often a challenge for equine rescue organizations. These horses typically can’t be ridden due to old injuries or chronic lameness, but they’re still comfortable turned out in the pasture and can have a good quality of life in the right home. If they get along with other equines, these horses are often adopted as companion animals to keep retired senior horses company, help babysit weanlings, or simply fill out a small herd.
For obvious reasons, there is less of a demand for companion-only horses than riding horses. One Massachusetts-based equine rescue organization is striving to find good homes for its unrideable residents by waiving the adoption fee—which is normally $200—for companion horses.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) will run an equine Adoptathon from November 15-30. The MSPCA currently has 13 companion horses at its Nevins Farm in the town of Methuen, and some have been there for years awaiting a forever home.
To ensure that the horses end up in a good home, prospective adopters must provide three references, including at least one veterinary reference. The MSPCA will schedule a home visit to see adopters’ facilities in person before they are allowed to bring a horse home.
The Adoptathon kicks off with an Equine Open House on Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 5-8:00 p.m. Outside of that time, visitors can meet the horses by contacting the Nevins Farm staff and scheduling an appointment.
Find out more at mspca.org.
Leslie Potter is a writer and editor based in Lexington, Kentucky. www.lesliepotterphoto.com
Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.
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