Step One
When we take in a new horse, our first step is to quarantine them for a minimum of 2 weeks if they have had their physical exams and blood in that time. We don’t know what they may be carrying, this keeps our current horses in care, safe from becoming ill as well.
Step Two
Decompress, decompress, decompress!
We are not in rescue with the hopes to adopt horses out as quick as possible. It is very important that we give each horse the time to fully decompress so we can get to know them. We want to know what they love, and what they hate. We also want to make sure that they’ve got a solid foundation from the ground, and that we are not rehoming unhandled horses. If the horse requires more or has behavioural issues, they will be sent to a local trainer for assessment and further work. We do not adopt out mares in foal, we wait until the foal is born and has been weaned. We absolute do not adopt out colts, and will wait until they have been gelded, for them to become available.
Step Three
Once we have assessed any issues physically with the horse, we have our vet come for a full physical exam and blood work if necessary. When you adopt from us, you can be sure your new horse has been extensively vetted, according to their needs. All horses leave here vaccinated, dewormed & up to date with dentals. Horses get their hooves trimmed as soon as they are more comfortable being handled. They are kept on a regular schedule with our amazing farrier. Adoptions are not done on a first come first serve basis. An interview will be done, followed by a meet and greet with the horse. If all goes well, a home check on where the horse will be kept will be done virtually. An adoption contract must be done and adoption fee received before the horse can leave to its new home.
Our Mission
When we started Hopeful Hooves in November 2021, our primary goal was to help a few horses per year. We had on those rose colored glasses, and thought it would be easy, help a few horses, put them up for adoption and find them good forever homes. In the last 3 years, those glasses have come off, with the painful realities of horse rescue. Many horses come to us needing a lot of mental and physical rehabilitation. Often times, we try, but the damage has been done, and we need to lay them to rest. As HHERS has grown, so has our team, and the ability to help more horses in need. To date, we have rescued 63 horses! This number, being exponentially larger than we could’ve ever imagined. Our primary goal now, is to help the horses who need us most. We found a passion and love for physical rehabilitation. A significant amount of the horses we deal with, have come malnourished and emaciated. They’ve come with new wounds, and old wounds. Our mission is to take these difficult cases on, and give them a future with a good quality of life. Because of our background in senior dog rescue, its no surprise, that a very large number of the horses who come to our rescue, are seniors. Often times we don’t have as much time as we’d like with them, but we cherish the time that we do have.