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Because kill pens are full of horses people thought they gave to a good home...
Equine Alliance for Solutional Welfare
Advocates to Elimate Slaughter, Promote Lifetime Guardianship.
Suggested Screening Questions
Questions to Ask
1. Potential Home:
A- The signs/causes of horse medical emergencies
such as:
Colic
Founder/Laminitis
and how the potential new adopter would respond.
(Colic should be well known by the applicant and how
to address this emergency. )
B- Adopter to confirm they are willing to sign and abide by a contract if approved.
C- What is the size of the fenced property where the horse will be living, and how many horses will be in that area.
D-To describe the provided shelter and the fencing of
the area the horse will be kept.
F- The amount and type of feed, provided to the horse
and how often.
2. Veterinarian:
A- How long have they cared for the potential new
adopter's horses? (It is of concern if it has been less
than two years, or if they see the horse less than twice
a year.)
B- How would they describe the potential new
adopter's level of horse handling experience -
Rate on a scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent ( 3 or lower
requiring further explanation.)
C- How would they describe the potential new adopter's
current horse's condition on the Henneke scale 1-7.
( Should be a 5.)
D- Does the potential new adopter keep up to date with
regular vaccines and care, and do they contact for
emergencies when appropriate?
E-Do you feel like the location is safe, and can
accommodate another horse?
F- Have you ever had any issues with payment?
G - Generally, are they the same horses you care for or
do you see horses come and go from the owner's
care?
H-Are you aware of any abuse or neglect of animals?
I-Would you give them your horse?
3.Farrier:
A- How long have they worked with the potential new adopter's horses, and how often do they
trim/shoe for the applicant?
B- Describe the adequacy of the location the
potential new adopter keeps any current
horse/s. Ex; Fencing safe, no debris laying
around, adequate shelter, large enough for
the number of horses,
C- Describe the potential new adopter's horse-
handling abilities. Rate on a scale of 1-5 (3 or
lower requiring further explanation.)
D- Has the potential new adopter's mentioned
what they want to do with the new horse?
E-Have you ever had an issues with payment?
Generally, are they the same horses you care for
or do you see horses come and go from the
owner's care? Are you aware of any abuse or
neglect of animals? Would you give them your
horse?
F- If you needed a home for your horse, would you
give it to them?
4. Trainer:
A- How long have you trained the potential
new adopter?
B- Describe the potential new adopter's horse handling
abilities on a scale from 1-5 (3 requiring further
explanation)
C-Describe the potential adopters horse riding abilities
on a scale from 1-5 (3 requiring further explanation)
D- What are your primary riding disciplines?
E- What will the potential new adopter's horse be
used for?
5.Personal Reference:
A- How long have you known the potential
new adopter, and in what capacity.
B- Describe the potential new adopter's horse
handling experience.(If reference is a
knowledgeable horse handler) Rate on a scale
of 1-5 with 3 or lower requiring further
explanation.
C- Describe where the potential new adopter keeps
their horses Ex; Fencing, Shelter, Etc.
D- Has the potential new adopter had horses before?
If so, what happened to them.
E- Do you know what the potential new adopter's
plans to use the horse for.
F - How would you rate the potential new adopter's
care of their animals from 1-5?
G - Do you have any concerns about the safety of the
animals on their property. Are you aware of any
abuse or neglect?
H -If you needed a home for your horse, Would you
give it to them.
6. Neighbor Reference:
A- How close do you live to the potential new adopter,
and how many years have they lived there?
B- Does the potential new adopter have animals on
their property? Can you see them from your
home?
C- How would you rate the care of their animals?
Please rate on a scale of 1-5, (3 or lower require
further explanation)
D- Do you have any concerns about the safety of the
animals on their property?Are you aware of any
abuse or neglect?
E- Have any animals been removed from the
property by authorities?
F-Are the animals long term residents or does the
applicant have different animals regularly?
G- Do you know if they lease, rent, or own the
property?
7. Boarding Facility:
A- How many acres are fenced? What is the approximate size of the farm?
B- Describe the shelter and fencing of the facility.
C- If full boarding, what hay and grain do you use?
D- If full board, how are the horses watered and how
often is it checked?
E- If the potential new adopter is a current boarder, how
would you rate their horse handling ability on a
Scale 1-5?
F- Do you own or lease the facility, if facility is leased get
the name of the owner.
G- Will they sign a lien release agreeing that:
In the event of delinquency of payment by the
potential new adopter, no lien shall be placed on the
horse by the barn. The barn should contact the
organization who will take the horse back.
Why?
1A
To understand the level of horse care knowledge of the applicant. Many are unfamiliar with Laminitis, all should know to recognize that any odd behavior can mean colic. Colic is the number one cause f death in horses. Always check their temperature-should be under 102, remove all grain and hay, walk the horse. They should be willing to call a veterinarian.
For Laminitis, acute hoof lameness can cause the rotation of the horse's coffin bone, heat in the foot, standing under themselves and that it can be caused by rich grass when the horse has not been on much, too much sugar content in their feed, pounding a hard surface, fever.++++ Cold hose and call your veterinarian immediately.
1B
To ensure the applicant is willing to follow the terms of the contract.
1C
Ensure the horses(s) have adequate shelter and fencing.
1D
Horses need access to a three sided shelter, and secure fencing. Barbed wire has a history of being dangerous unless weaved within trees and bushes and not exposed.
1F
Verifies knowledge of feeds and proper feeding habits. Horses are grazing animals, ideally they should have grass or hay at will. Feed should be measured by weight, not by size of the scoop. Some feeds mesured by volume will weigh much less than others.
2A
To learn the applicant's relationship history and to learn about the appicant's care and property.
2B
Helps understand and verifiy an applicants ability and handling of horses.
2C
Verifies if the applicant is a good home with proper care practices (an applicants horse should be in good condition for it's age and history, etc) From a nonbiased, expert opinion.
2D
Further verifies applicant has good horse care practices or not.
2E
Verifies the location the applicant has in mind is safe and adequate for the horse, or reveals potential issues.
2F
No issue speaks to the applicants character and ability to afford the care of a horse.
2G-2I
Determines if there may be past or present concerns for the applicant's care of animals.
3A
To learn the applicant's relationship history, it shows consistent farrier care. In general, horses shoud have farrier care every 6 weeks and as needed. There should be evidence of consistent care by the same farrier for about 2 years.
3B
Provide evidence of the safety of the home, appropriate size for the number of horses.
3D
Helps understand the use of the horse and does it match up with the information the applicant gave to you.
3E
No issue speaks to the applicants character and ability to afford the care of a horse.
4A
Indicates the amount of time the applicant has been training, to determine their riding level and knowledge.
4B-4C
Verifies applicant's horse experience and knowledge.
4D
Helps understand what the applicant plans to do/train with the horse - check for honesty.
4E
Check on honesty and consistency in the use of the horse as per what the applicant has informed you of.
5A
Helps understand how they serve as a character reference.
5B
Verifies applicants horse experience and knowledge - If the reference has horse experience.
5C
Provides another first hand account of the area the horse will be kept - if the space is appropriate and safe, and confirm what the applicant has reported to you.
5D
Provides more history on the applicant's past with horses, and if they have been truthful when answering the screening/application questions.
5E
Helps to understand the applicant's intent in adopting, and honesty.
5F
Further verifies the applicants animal care abilities.
5G
Determines if there may be past or present concerns for the applicant's care of animals.
6A
Helps confirm if they can actually provide information accuratly.
6B
Confirms what applicant has shared and if they can lay eyes on the horses.
6C
Better confirms the applicants care of their animals. And finds out if the applicant is steady long term home for animals.
6D
Determines if there may be past or present concerns for the applicant's care of animals.
6E
Determines if there may be past or present concerns for the applicant's care of animals.
7C-7D
If an applicant is doing full board, confirms knowledge of feed and hay, and adequate care.
7E
Help determine applicants horse handling abilities.
7G
A lien release ensures the horse will never be put at risk of being used as collateral in the case of monetary issues/disputes by either the facility or the applicant.
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