In this Agreement, the term HHERR stands for and is abbreviated for
Helping Hands Equine Rehab and Rescue

These Guidelines are set up for the safety and well‑being of the adopted horse(s).  We want this to be a positive experience, and will do everything we can to make it one.  Please ask any and all questions.   

1) Helping Hands Equine Rehab and Rescue has an Adoption Application that all potential adopters must fill out.  This Application is available on our website, and also can be emailed.  We also require and check references from the adoptive parties’ veterinarian, farrier, and a personal/professional horse related reference.  You must provide this information before the adoption can take place, unless otherwise noted.   Pictures must also be sent in of the place the horse will be staying.   This can include, but is not limited to stables, stalls, paddocks, run-ins, shelters, fencing, pasture, and other horses.

2) All horses adopted from HHERR must be given adequate food, shelter, medical care, and farrier care.  This includes maintaining the horse’s weight, giving the appropriate vaccinations in the spring, de-worming every 2-3 months, regular farrier work every 6-8 weeks, shelter from inclement weather, quality forage and also grain and supplements if it is needed and recommended.  HHERR reserves the right to remove the adopted horse from any potentially harmful situation, or any possible case of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or any other situation where the horse is suffering.

3) Should a life threatening situation arise, HHERR must be notified prior to any decision concerning euthanasia, unless prior notice is not possible.  In emergency cases such as these, a professional veterinarian's advice is to be sought. 

The following require notifying HHERR within 24 hours:

A) Serious injury or illness that could be life threatening.
B) Death of a horse.

A statement from a veterinarian stating the apparent cause of death must be received within (10) Days of the death of any adopted horse.  HHERR reserves the right to approve or deny recommendations to euthanize a horse, unless it is an absolute emergency.   A certificate of death must be received from a licensed veterinarian for all deceased horses within 14 days of the horse’s death. 

4)  Waiver:  The Adopter assumes full liability for himself or herself and fully releases and discharges Helping Hands Equine Rehab and Rescue managers, staff, volunteers, and all prior owners of the adopted horse from any and all claims or actions of the horse adopted under these guidelines.  This is to include the horse’s training level, soundness, temperament, general condition, and so forth. 

5) Every horse that is adopted from HHERR may not be resold, traded, given away, used for breeding unless otherwise noted in the contract, leased to another party, barn or facility, or disposed of during the entire joint ownership period.  This includes taking the horse to a sale barn or auction.  If for some reason the horse can no longer be kept, or cared for, the adoptive party is to contact HHERR immediately so we may find other arrangements for the horse.

6)  Pictures must be sent in every 6 months, April and October, to ensure the horse's level of care.  These pictures must be taken outdoors where we would be able to see the noticeable changes in the seasons.  Pictures must be Registration type photos, left and right sides, front and back, including their legs. 

7) If a horse comes to HHERR with Registration Papers, they will not be relinquished until full ownership is granted.    The adoptive party is entitled to receive a copy of the horse’s registration papers if they so choose.   Only under certain circumstances will papers be relinquished.   An example would be if the adoptive party decided to professionally show the horse.   Some shows require the horse’s original registration papers.

8)  All horses that come to HHERR are usually donated by an individual or family.  Sometimes the previous owner wishes to know who the horse has been adopted to so they may contact the adoptive family.  As an HHERR adopter, you have the right to refuse contact from the previous owner.   If you do not wish to speak with them or have contact with them, that is your choice.  We do not give out adopters information to anyone, including the previous owner, unless the adoptive party gives HHERR permission.

HHERR may or may not grant full ownership of the adopted horse after a certain length of time.  The Joint Ownership period between the Adoptive Party and HHERR varies.  HHERR will evaluate the Adoption Case and use its own discretion in determining full ownership.   If the adoptive party can no longer care for the horse or they no longer want the horse for whatever reason, HHERR is to be contacted immediately so that other arrangements for the horse can be made.

It is to be understood that there is an Adoption Fee for every horse, unless the horse is marked as a free, payable at the time of the adoption, unless other arrangements are made.  All fees paid are non-refundable and are considered a donation.  It is to be understood that the adoption fee cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances, even if it is decided to stop the adoption process or the horse must be returned, regardless of the reason.   This also includes any and all monies paid for medical, training, farrier, and so forth.  

HHERR reserves the right to reject any adopted horse that the adoptive family wishes to return.   This is mainly in the case that HHERR is full and can not accept the horse back.   If for some reason an adopted horse does not work out for the adopted family, HHERR is to be contacted about other options.

When a horse is donated, we can only go by what the former owner tells HHERR about the horse.   HHERR does their best to evaluate each horse that comes in.   HHERR does not always have the personnel or funds available to fully evaluate each horse medically, or for training in each discipline with riders of different levels.   It is to be understood that horses adopted from the HHERR Program can include no guarantee regarding their training level, soundness, or temperament, as horses will act differently in each situation and new people they are exposed to.  

The adopter plays a critical role as a team with HHERR to keep the adopted horse(s) safe and cared for, that it will not be abused, neglected, over used or misused.  The relationship between HHERR, the horse, and the adopter is coveted, cherished and must be nurtured, one built on fellow respect, love and a sense of long term responsibility to the horse.