Meet our adoptable rescue horses
Prior to being “cleared” for adoption, horses in our care have completed a 2-3 month evaluation process which allows us to learn their personality, herd ranking, and quirks once they settle in to a foster family’s home. (Follow us on social media for updates on our newest intakes before they are cleared for adoption.)
Adoptable horses have received vaccinations, deworming, farrier care and have a current negative Coggins, in addition to a training evaluation and riding/driving time dependent on their soundness or limitations. Horses continue being handled or ridden throughout their time in rescue and lead, load, tie and have basic ground manners regardless of whether or not they are able to be ridden.
Please note: We require an approved adoption application prior to scheduling a visit with the horse you are interested in. As a foster-based rescue, this is out of respect for our fosters’ privacy and time as well as yours. Please visit our Adoption FAQ if you have questions.
We almost always have horses in the intake process and incoming horses who are not posted here (yet). You may apply to adopt and be approved at any time. We hold your application for 1 year, at which time you may email us with interest or we may reach out to you with a potential match before they are ever posted to this site.
Buttercup - 2005 Paso-type mare
Buttercup is seeking a very special ‘last’ home.
She is 14 hands, barefoot, easy keeper and has a fairly typical Paso-type personality. She observes everything carefully, is independent, and has past handling trauma from a self-proclaimed horsemanship expert. She is not for beginners, dreamers, or pushovers for this reason.
Buttercup requires a mare-only herd. She likely has ovarian issues that were not diagnosed when she was young, and she is at an age we would not put her through surgery. Being with mares and no shared fence lines with the boys has resolved previous issues (constant heat cycles and over the top herd-bound behavior).
She enjoys groundwork, liberty and games. She will accept tack and has been ridden but it would take an experienced, quiet, confident and patient person to do so safely.
She is not ‘adoptable’ in the traditional sense, but is eligible for sanctuary companion placement. This means we will cover her vet care for life and you will have a friend for your lonely mare and one to interact with every day.
If you would like to help us cover the costs associated with intake, please visit this page.
More Details About Our Process
- We adopt within 200 miles of zip code 37048, Cottontown TN, with a few exceptions. (See FAQs)
- We require an in-person meeting to ensure an appropriate match between horse and adopter.
- You must go through our approval process, including submitting references, prior to meeting the horse or ‘test rides’ – this is out of respect for everyone’s time. Providing complete and accurate information helps us process your application faster and match you accurately with available horses.
- Horses are up to date on routine care including vaccinations and Coggins, and complementary therapies if our team feels they are needed (IE massage, chiropractic, MagnaWave, acupuncture, etc.)
- PPE’s from adopter’s veterinarian are always welcome. We will work with you but do ask that vetting is done within 7 days of committing to adopt whenever possible.
- Our adoption agreement is a lifetime safety net with no breeding, no auction, no slaughter terms. We will always take back or assist with re-homing any Safe Harbor adoptee.
- Nearly every horse in our care is available for sponsorship. Full sponsors have the option to meet their sponsored horse. Go here for sponsorship or email us with questions.