At 07:54:13 on 01.07.11, Flicka wrote:
Princess Anne gave a speech at World Horse Welfare this week to support their re-home a horse month. Re-homing a rescue horse is not only good for the horse lucky enough to be chosen but also frees up space so that another horse can be taken in. What do you think of re-homing? Have you ever thought about it, looked into it, or found yourself a horse this way?. It would be good to discuss the pro's and con's.
http://tinyurl.com/6fcxaac

At 20:27:19 on 01.07.11, NMH wrote:
I've certainly thought about it, & when my beloved old one goes, would seriously consider it, to have a horse for company for my young mare, & that my husband can hack & do pleasure rides on. I'd be interested to heat of anyones' experiences of it. WHF is a charity I've supported for years, & they have a home not far from me; that's probably where i'd try. In the current climate I like the idea of giving a horse a home that a charity is caring for- we are hearing more about redundant horses in the recession & the charities do a brilliant job. One thing I wonder is, do you have to wait ages to get a 'match'? That could be off-putting; whenever I've bought a horse it has felt I was in a bit of a rush!! When I've looked on the charities' websites, there are lots of 'companions' or 12.2s, not so many all-rounders in popular sizes like 14.2-15.2 hands.

At 21:10:11 on 01.07.11, zoelovesanimals wrote:
I have always always wanted to have a rescue horse! Would feel like i am giving something back to them! coz they do so much for us, and i can't bear the thought of any animal that has had to suffer. I would love to get a companion for Polly between 12hh - 14hh If we moved to a private yard which was a bit cheaper that would be one of the first things i would do! Infact before i got Polly we had considered just getting a shetland! and had looked on redwings, bluecross and world horse welfare!

At 21:42:23 on 01.07.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I really wanted to rehome a horse when i was looking but they hardly ever have horses big enough for me that are suitable to be ridden every day, they are mostly companions or small ponies less than 15hh :( but i guess i was lucky they had nothing or i wouldn't have gotten grenville :D

At 21:33:15 on 02.07.11, Angelalain wrote:
Were you there Flicka? Cos I was and if I'd known (and you were there) we could have met up!!! I sat and had my lunch with the farrier and the vet cos I didn't know anyone despite the fact its only 3 miles from my home. As to rehoming, we've had ILPH Chester for 14 years now, and he's never going back. He's done all PC teams, Affiliated dressage up to elementry, and now we hack. I will go back when I need another, but they do tend to have more companions than riding horses.

At 16:09:15 on 04.07.11, Dazzle wrote:
A few years ago I needed a companion horse, I wasn't fussed about size, shape or breed. Rang Horse Welfare and was told I would be rung back, waited, rang again and was told I'd very definately hear from them. Further month went by still nothing, again was told I was on the list and to date still nothing so NHM it has been quite a wait. Actually I don't need a companion as the old horse has now died! I think I was just unlucky.

At 16:10:32 on 04.07.11, Dazzle wrote:
I was going to add, before I pressed the wrong button, that a friend applied to Ada Cole and found an absolutely cracking cob.

At 12:46:10 on 05.07.11, Janie wrote:
I have recently rescued a wonderful mare called Ryvita (Rita) form Equine Rescue and Re-homing a not for profit organisation that helps save horses going to the 'factory' in Ireland too see the rescued horses before and after pictures is fantastic, you do have to pay a fee and travel for the horses and you go through the adoption process but it is so worthwhile, I wouldn't be without my Rita.
http://www.equinerescueandrehoming.co.uk

At 13:42:59 on 05.07.11, AnnMurray wrote:

No, Once a horse comes here to live, He orShe is here for life.

(Click here for larger view)

At 19:43:17 on 05.07.11, michele wrote:
Yes if I wanted a ridden or companion horse I would definitely try all the rehoming centres first. I do have a rescue pony from the RSPCA. Smartie in the pic is a 9hh shetland pony who I got as a companion for my ridden horse Hardy. He had been at the sanctuary for 13 months. Alot of people were interested in him until they found out he suffered from laminitus. I adopted him on the spot and it was the best thing I ever did. He took awhile to come out of himself (he had been badly neglected) but when he did oh wow!!! He is truelly amazing. However with rescue centres there seem to be 2 major problems with regards adopting riding horses 1. Alot of rehoming centres only rehome their animals within a certain mile radius to the sanctuary and one of the reasons is cost. But surely it is far more feesable to have the added one off cost of home checking etc out of their radius and finding a horse/pony a good home. Alot of people lose out because of this as most centres are based down south so potential homes up north dont stand a chance. 2. Alot of these horses/ponies rescued have been so badly neglected/abused that they are only suitable for companions and therefore the ratio for companion ponies far outways those of ridden horses. HOWEVER saying that if I wanted another riding horse the rescue centres are the first place I would look