Fostering | New Start Stbds

Fostering A Standardbred

Interested in becoming a Foster Home?

Fostering an equine through our horse rescue program is a pivotal part of our mission.

As a foster, you'll provide temporary care, love, and support to a horse in need. The process involves an initial assessment to match you with a suitable equine based on your experience, space, and available resources. Once matched, we provide guidance, support, and necessary supplies to ensure the well-being of the fostered horse.

Fostering offers a crucial bridge between rescue and permanent adoption, allowing horses to experience a loving home environment while they await their forever home. It's a rewarding experience that directly contributes to the rehabilitation and eventual placement of these incredible animals.

Our foster program runs on a number of different styles that cater to the needs of each horse, each foster home and the situation that the horse may be coming from. Please note if you are interested in becoming a foster home, the more funds we pay each month towards foster care, the less horses we can help. So if you are able to cover part or all costs mentioned below, you are eligible for a tax receipt in return for the amount you cover.

SHORT-TERM FOSTER CARE: Up to 3 months in length and expected that a horse is worked with 1-2 times per week on groundwork and under saddle basics. This involves a foster home providing shelter, food, basic medical care, and socialization for a limited period, typically until the horse is adopted or transferred to a long-term foster home. Foster homes may be reimbursed for hay, grain, supplements, and farrier, up to $300/month. Veterinary care is covered.

LONG-TERM FOSTER CARE: Up to 12 months in length. This involves a foster home providing shelter, food, basic medical care, and socialization for a longer period, typically until the horse is adopted or transferred into one of our training fosters. Foster homes may be reimbursed for hay, grain, supplements, and farrier, up to $200/month. Veterinary care is covered.

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE: Specialized foster homes must be equipped to handle challenges and provide invaluable support by offering tailored care, training, or rehabilitation to help the horse recover and thrive. This may be for horses in need of rehabilitation or stall rest; or horses with behavioural issues that need enhanced caution (i.e. stallions). Foster homes may be reimbursed for hay, grain, supplements, and farrier, up to $400/month. Veterinary care is covered.

RETIREMENT FOSTER CARE: Retirement foster homes offer a permanent sanctuary for older or retired horses that are no longer suitable for riding or rehoming due to age or health issues. These homes provide a comfortable and loving environment for horses to live out their remaining years in peace. Foster homes may be reimbursed for hay, grain, supplements, and farrier, up to $150/month. Veterinary care is covered.

EMERGENCY FOSTER CARE: In the case of neglect, abuse, or other emergencies, temporary foster homes provide immediate shelter and care for displaced horses. Emergency foster homes play a crucial role in providing safe placement until more permanent arrangements can be made. Foster homes may be reimbursed for hay, grain, supplements, and farrier, up to $350/month. Veterinary care is covered.

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FOSTER TO ADOPT

Our foster-to-adopt situation for a horse is an arrangement where someone temporarily fosters a horse with the intention of potentially adopting them in the future. Our foster-to-adopt opportunities are 3 months in length (although the home can decide yes or no before that 3 months is up!)

This approach allows someone to assess whether the horse is a good fit for their home and lifestyle, while also giving the horse time to adjust to its new environment. During the fostering period, the foster family provides care, love, and support to the horse, and they work closely with us to monitor the horse's well-being and behaviour. If the answer is "yes" to the situation, then the home would sign the adoption agreement and take on full responsibility of the horse. If the answer is "no", then the foster would be reimbursed the costs spent on the horse during the foster period, and the horse would either be picked up by the program, or would go under a regular foster contract until they are rehomed.

Foster-to-adopt means that you do not pay an adoption fee up front, but you are responsibility for the daily care costs of the horse. Anything that is covered by the organization during the foster to adopt period, is then made into a reduced adoption fee, if the home chooses to adopt. Homes are asked to keep their receipts of what they spend during the trial time, if the home is not a good fit, then reimbursement of those costs (hay, feed, shavings, supplements, farrier, vet) would be reimbursed.

To avoid a home potentially doing this just for a couple months with a horse and getting their money back - homes are only allowed to use our foster to adopt program once within a 365 day period. We don't want to be unnecessarily bouncing horses around!