Give a Horse a Second Chance : Adopting and Caring for Rescue Horses

by J. R. Wise

• ISBN13: 9781592289776
• ISBN10: 1592289770
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Lyons Press

Summary

Every year hundreds of thousands of people adopt feral mustangs and other untrained horses as well as rescue previously abused animals. Give a Horse a Second Chance helps the reader decide which gift horses are within their ability to help, and then how to go about giving the animal a happy, healthy, and useful environment and life.

Author Biography

Jane R. Wise, who has trained and cared for many rescue animals, has written articles for Trail Rider and other equestrian periodicals. She lives in Milan, Indiana.

Table of Contents

Introduction	v
Chapter One: Adopting Horses from Rescue Organizations	1
A Second Chance for Missy	1
Why Adopt a Horse?	4
Locating a Legitimate Equine Adoption Facility	5
The Adoption Process	10
Choosing a Horse	12
Supporting Equine Rescue Organizations	25
References and Sources of Additional Information	27
Chapter Two: Caring for Rescue Horses	29
Homecoming: Immediate Concerns	29
Dealing with Malnutrition	40
Signs of Illness	42
Dealing with Injuries	48
Evaluating General Health	50
Skin and Coat	58
Evaluating General Soundness	62
Leg Soundness	66
Tendon Injuries	68
Joint Problems	75
Cannon Injuries	78
Hoof Problems	81
References and Sources of Additional Information	89
Chapter Three: Caring for Equine Senior Citizens	91
The Endurance Ride	92
General Considerations	94
Common Senior Horse Health Problems	99
Feeding Senior Horses	103
Feeding Senior Horses with Health Problems	105
Concentrate on Feeding	108
Worse-Case Scenario: Euthanasia	111
References and Sources of Additional Information	112
Chapter Four: Disposition, Behavior, and Training	115
Evaluating a New Horse	115
Handling Problem Horses	130
Factors Affecting Equine Disposition and Behavior	143
Chapter Five: Saying Good-bye: Finding a New Home for Your Horse	155
Selling Your Horse	156
Lease Agreements	156
Finding Homes for Horses with Health and Safety Issues	158
Finding Homes for Older Horses	159
Surrendering a Horse to a Rescue Facility	159
Appendix I: Dan Bowman: Natural Horsemanship Trainer and Clinician	161
Appendix II: List of Horse Rescue Organizations and Adoption Facilities	171
Thoroughbreds	171
Standardbreds	173
PMU Foals	174
Mustangs	175
Rescue Organizations by State	176
National Agencies	186