THE ADOPTION APPLICATION

"Anything worth having is worth working for, the more you have to work for it, the more you appreciate it"

CLICK HERE TO GET A PRINTABLE ADOPTION APPLICATION

CLICK HERE TO GET THE REFERENCE SHEET IF YOU ARE GIVING A REFERENCE FOR SOMEONE

A bit about the application: When downloading it, don't get discouraged. Its only 11 pages long now (only 7 pages of questions to fill out) and can be easily completed in 2 hours by an experienced horse person, longer if you have less experience. If you are not boarding, using your horse as a professional lesson horse or working trail horse, and if the adopter and the rider are the same then the only appendix you need is the reference sheet, you can disregard the statements of understanding for the land/farm/stable owner when the horse is not staying on a farm that is owned by the adopter.

Don't feel that you must write a book on the written test, just simple bulleted type answers will do. All test questions must be answered but any references, mentors, other horse people or professionals can be used to gain information. This is as much as a learning tool as a test and all adopters must do the test. Even our university vets and the Olympic riders who have adopted from us have completed the written test. The good part about it is once its done, you never do it again. Yea!! It's important to know we aren't adoption nazi's, we would much rather have a one page application and contract too because this costs us time and money to go through such lengths to make sure we are getting good homes for our horses but we do it for the horses and their welfare.

The application below is not intended for printing but can be used for viewing the application. Please use the link above to get an adobe formatted application.

Adoption Application and Checklist  (please read carefully!)

Adopters must be 21 years old, make at least $25,000. gross income, have stable employment, financially and personally stable and be out of college, have horse experience or a solid plan to learn, have the desire for a life long companion, a long term plan for the horse, have the quality time to give, the time/money for the required daily care and have adequate facilities (similar to what the horse is accustomed to). The adopter and co-applicant are considered personally, financially, physically responsible for the horse.  Any person under 21 must be listed as a primary handler/rider, they can not be considered the adopter or co-applicant.  Read the Adoption Contract before doing the application to make sure you can abide by the contract.  Don’t get discouraged, we promise this is easier than it looks.  This application consists of Sections 1 thru 3 and Appendices A and B.  Appendix A: Reference checks to send to the farrier, vet and horse reference Appendix B: Facility Form, Filled out when your adoption horse is staying on land/farm or facility you do not own. To be signed by the facility/land/barn owner.  Plan for 2 hours to complete, more for the less experienced.  Please print clearly in black or navy blue ink only. Fill out every question that applies to you and sign.  Mail, fax, email or hand out copies of your reference sheets.  Maintain a completed copy of the application for yourself.  We must have the original application and signature.  Applications can take from one to three days to approve.  Fax the application to 304-873-3121 and send the original by US Mail to the address listed above with the application fee of $30. (returned if we can not approve you, personal checks can be accepted for the application fee). All test questions should be answered. All items of your application are strictly private.  Send photos of your horse facility and other horses (at the very least we need the barn inside and out, run ins, paddocks, pastures, fencing, this adoption horses stall and pictures of other horses you currently own), send them with your application, not separate. Send an SASE envelope if you want these pictures returned. Do not send your application in parts or partially completed, do not fax pictures.  

 

It is the goal of Second Wind Adoption Program, Inc. (SWAP) to attempt to place each horse in the home best suited to the needs of the individual horse. In addition, horses adopted from SWAP cannot be resold or given away and the contract defines in detail the minimum care required and use of the horse.  The horse cannot be relocated from the original approved facility without the permission of SWAP HQ.  In the event that the placement does not work out for any reason, SWAP requires that the horse be returned to SWAP HQ in West Union, WV.

 

Before any horse may be adopted from SWAP the following procedures must be followed:

 

                1. The adoption application must be completed and signed along with this cover letter and returned to SWAP HQ. The adopter will provide a regional map showing directions to their home, work location and horse facility and provide pictures of other horses they currently own (if any) and all of their horse facilities and the application fee. A VHS video of the intended rider is highly recommended for riders under age 21 or anytime the rider will not be able to ride the horse prior to the adoption or anytime the rider/horse is not going to be under the a trainers consistent guidance. 

 

                    2.  Upon review and approval of the adoption application, by an official of SWAP, the prospective adopter will be contacted by SWAP to schedule a formal interview and a potential tour of the SWAP facilities or a visit to a SWAP adoption horse.

 

                    3.  If the personal interview is satisfactory, SWAP can choose at their discretion to visit the adopters facilities or to send a SWAP representative located in their area. In addition, SWAP will also conduct interviews of the references provided by the potential adopter on the adoption application.

 

                    4.  Upon completion of the above, SWAP may decide to schedule working sessions with the potential horse and the adopter to determine if it is a suitable match. This is totally at SWAP’s discretion and may not be required for adult or advanced riders. For beginner or child riders a video may suffice. 

 

                    5.  Upon completion of the sessions it will be determined whether or not the potential horse and adopter are compatible. SWAP may require at any time additional sessions, may approve final adoption and/or deny adoption. If the adopter requests a vet check, it can be done at anytime during this process. SWAP reserves the right to deny adoption for any reason in its sole discretion.

 

When all requirements are met and preliminary adoption procedures have been satisfied, SWAP will require the following at the time of adoption:

 

                    1.  Completion of a permanent adoption contract. Fill out, sign and fax to 304-873-3121 and mail the original to SWAP HQ.

 

                    2.  Make Payment in full of a non-refundable adoption fee which is based upon each individual horse, and set by SWAP HQ in its sole discretion. On SWAP’s complete discretion, monthly payments can be set up with a credit card or debit card for horses that have adoption fees over $2000. but one half of the entire fee is required up front and if any adopter is more than 15 days late on any payment the horse will be recovered and the adopter will lose all money invested in the horse in adoption fees or otherwise.

 

                    3.  Upon final adoption of the horse, SWAP reserves the right to transport the adopted horse to the adopter’s facility for a nominal fee.

 

                    5.  SWAP reserves the right to conduct unscheduled follow-up checks on the adopted horse and the facility at SWAP's discretion. Upon placement of a horse, the adopter is required to submit an annual health statement from the adopter's veterinarian and farrier due to SWAP every June.

 

Thank you very much for contacting SWAP and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Celeita A. Kramer, Executor

Second Wind Adoption Program

 

I have read, understand and agree to the above procedures.

 

____________________________________          _______________________

Potential Adopter                                                     Date 

 

Today’s Date: ________ ___           Name of the horse you are applying for (if known):  _____________

How did you hear about us? ____________________________________

1A. Adopter’s personal information

Adopter’s Full name: ____________________________________(first) _________________ (middle name) _______________________________(last)

List other names used (maiden name, former married names, previous names used) ___________________________________________________________________________

Adopter's age: __________  date of birth: ________________ (month/day/year)

Full Street address: _________________________________________________________

        City: __________________________________ State: _________ Zip code: ____________

County you reside in: _______________________  Number of years at this residence: ______

List each state you have resided in ___________________________________________

Do you own the farm where horse will reside? ________ (If no, the owner needs to sign App. B)

Does someone live full time on the farm where the horse will reside? ______________________

Home phone:  ________________________ cell phone :___________________________

Home e-mail: _________________________________________________

If you move, divorce (if married) or change jobs, will you be taking the horse with you? _________

Number of people (and ages) in your immediate family that will be handling the horse, who will be riding the horse?__________________________________________________________________

Describe any health, mental, physical, family or work issues, which could restrict your ability to care for, handle, ride or drive your adoption horse? ______________________________________

Have you ever been accused of, charged or convicted of a crime, fraud/theft, inhumane treatment of animals, spouse/child abuse or have you ever killed a domestic animal? ______ If yes, please describe the offense, the date, location (county, state) and the disposition of the offense. __________________________________________________________________________________

Adopter’s profession: _______________________Employer/Company Name: __________________

Supervisors phone number: _______________________ Your work phone: ____________________

Adopter’s gross income per year:  _____25k to 49k  _____ 50k to 99k  _____ 100k +

Select one: Single or Divorced _____ Married _____ (number of  years married _____)

If this horse is being applied for by 2 people co-adopting, who would be taking the horse in the unlikely event of divorce or break up of the partnership should occur? _______________________

Check all that apply about your financial situation: ____ debt free except mortgage/vehicle  ____ less than 50% of my paycheck goes toward bills, living expenses ____ never more than 30 days late on bills ____ have filed bankruptcy in the last 10 years, if yes, date filed and state filed ___________ have never lost any possessions because of non-payment

 

1B. Fill out when the adopter must depend on a second person's salary to pay household, horse related bills or when there are 2 people from the same immediate family adopting together.

Co-Applicant’s Full name: ____________________________________(first) _________________ (middle name) ________________________________________(last)

Address (if different) ________________________________________________________________

Co-Applicant's age: ______ date of birth: _____________________ (month/day/year)

Relationship to the adopter: ____________________________

Co-Adopter’s gross income per year:  _____25k to 49k  _____ 50k to 99k  _____ 100k +

 (Check all that apply) Describe your financial situation: ____ debt free except mortgage/vehicle

____ less than 50% of my paycheck goes toward bills, loans, living expenses ____ never more than 30 days late on bills ____ have filed bankruptcy in the last 10 years,  if yes, date filed and state filed _____

 

1C. Horse History (all questions should be answered with regards to what the adopter has done as an adult, while you were the primary care giver and financially responsible for the horse).

Have you ever owned horses? _______ How many horses have you owned (total)? ________

How many horses do you own now (include all horses you are financially responsible for but do not own)? ___________ Why are you looking for another horse?  __________________________________

What is the shortest time and longest time you've owned a horse? ______________________________

Have you ever sold or given away a horse?  _________ If yes, how many _________ Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever bought or sold horses for a living or a hobby? __________ Have you ever had a horse die or be put down in your care or while you owned it? Yes    No, If yes, explain the circumstances: _____________________________________________________________________________________

What is the planned use of the animal, be specific please (who, what, when, how often, if competing or showing, describe the competition, level jumping, riding discipline, how often and at what level the primary rider is competing at now) _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the most important characteristics you are looking for in a horse (color, breed, sex, age, size, temperament, training level, riding discipline)?______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

How many hours per day will this horse be ridden or worked? ________ (max) per week? _______________________# of hours you spend with the horses you currently own: _________

How much do you anticipate spending yearly for feed? ______________________________

Medical care?___________ De-Worming? ___________ Trims and shoeing? _____________

How often will you de-worm this adoption horse? ____________________________________

Have Hooves trimmed? ______________ Have Teeth Floated? _________________

What vaccinations will your adoption horse receive and how often?

_______________________________________________________________________

Please tell us why you would like to adopt a horse vs. buying? _______________________________________________________________________

 What is the approximate number of hours you will spend with the horse daily? _______ (summer) _______ (winter)

Describe in detail your planned riding for the adoption horse (length of time, intensity, time of warm up, cool down, walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, jumping or any particular things you do each time you ride) _______________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________

1E. References:  Please print off, fax, email or mail Appendix A to each of the references listed below.

Vet name: ______________________________________Phone number: __________________________

Farrier name: ___________________________________Phone number: __________________________

Horse-related reference (someone who knows you and your horses, no family please)

Name: ________________________________________ Phone number: __________________________

 

Riding and Training History of the Primary handler/rider

Is the adopter also the primary handler/rider? ___________ , if no, what is the full name of primary handler: __________________________ Primary handlers/riders age (if different): ______

How many years experience (riding/driving) does the primary handler have? ____________  

What breeds of horses has the primary handler ridden consistently (at least 3 times a week for over a year) ______________________________________

 Has the primary handler ridden anything other than school/lesson horses or professional trail horses?    Yes     No How much riding over the last year?  Monthly  _____ weekly _____ twice weekly _____ 3 x week _____ 4 x week or more _____

Has the primary handler ridden hotter breeds (TB or Arabs) other than school horses on a consistent basis?    Yes     No  Has the primary handler ever had formal training?   Yes     No   If yes, what kind of training and how long?___________________________________________________________________  Will the primary handler be under the direction of a trainer?   Yes   No If so, what is the trainers name? ____________________________ phone number? ___________________________ What is the primary handler/riders height? __________ weight?__________ What is the weight of the heaviest rider? ________ Is the primary handler a beginner, intermediate or advanced rider/handler and why? ____________________________________ If never owned horses, if owned but never had formal training or if the primary handler had any break in riding or training, list plans to get the training required to care for and ride a horse? How much riding has the primary handler/rider done over the last year?_______________________________________________________________________________

 If there has been a break in your riding or equine training, how long has the break been? ____ (years)

Summarize the riding/handler of the primary handler/rider, education or formal  training (how much riding, type of riding, age, training and breed of horses). What riding/driving discipline(s) have they concentrated on? Describe the formal training or experience in the following areas (Clinics, shows, organized horse events, technical equine schools or equine college, employment in the horse industry, horse 4-H, Pony Club or BHS, Riding or driving lessons, personal study, research or books read about horses, videos viewed and instructor qualifications, trainers worked with, schools attended, levels achieved in each discipline):_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

1D. Please check all areas the Primary handler/rider has formal training with or enough experience to do today: De-worming  ______ Vaccinations ______ Pulling shoes _______ Giving the farrier or vet guidance about the needs of your horse _____ Wrapping legs ______ Evaluating and treating problem feet ______  Preventing colic ____  Treating symptoms of colic _____ Understands the types of founder and how to prevent them _____  Recognizes the symptoms of founder and knowledgeable about treatment ____ Preventing Puncture wounds ______ Treating Puncture wounds ____ Preventing soft tissue injuries ______ Treating bowed tendons and other soft tissue injuries _____  Preventing hard tissue injuries _____ Preventing abscesses, thrush or stone bruises ______ Treating abscesses, thrush or problem feet _____ Preventing or treating rain rot _____  Treating leg injuries and lameness ____  Performing emergency first aid until the vet arrives _____ Keeping a horses weight up (no ribs or hip bones showing) ______  Getting a skinny horse back up to a healthy weight _______ Working through health issues with horses  ____ Identifying lameness and traveling problems and identifying which leg its in by watching the horse travel ____   Identifying where the problem is by palpation, feeling heat or swelling ____ Fitting bits, bridles and saddles to different horses ____ Building confidence in sensitive or frightened horses ____ Building respect in over confident, sullen or spoiled horses ____ Developing teamwork with a horse ___ Lunging on a line or free lunging ____ Determining jobs a particular horse would be good at _____  Techniques of natural horsemanship ____ Understand techniques of shoeing, natural trimming and foot care _____ Ground Training horses ____ Matching up horses to people and vise versa ____ Setting a horse up for success in most situations ____  Transitional training for TB racehorses off the track ____ Transitional training for STB harness racing horses from the track ____ Training for gaited horses ____ Settling in and acclimating a horse to its new environment? ____  Training youngsters (weanling through 3 year olds) ____  Breeding/foaling experience ____  Handling Mares and foals _______  Imprinting foals _____ Training horses in Dressage _____ Hunter/jumper ______ Western/Stock Saddle _____ Eventing  ____ Giving riding or driving lessons ____ Training horses for Driving ____ Training for trail riding or hacking ____ Transporting horses ____ Working through training issues with horses ____  Teaching children about horses ____  Teaching beginners (regardless of age) about horses ____ Have Competed or Shown horses, ____.

 

Section 2. Facilities: Everyone needs to fill out section 2. Appendix B must also signed by the owner if the land, facilities or barn your horse is staying at is owned by someone other than the adopter. *Attach photos of the facilities, fencing, paddocks, pasture, inside the barn, indoor and outdoor rings, stalls and run in sheds Attach a copy of a state map that shows the location of this stable/farm and the location of your home and work.  Get assistance with the land/farm/barn owner if necessary.

1.       What is the name of your farm/stable: _____________________________ Describe your situation: keeping the horse at the family farm owned by the adopter, leasing a farm, boarding with full board, boarding with partial board or keeping the horse in a co-op barn where several people share in the cost and work? ________________________________________________________

2.       Do you reside at the farm where the horse will be boarded? __________If no, how far is it from your home in miles? ________ work? ________  Full address of this farm/stable (if different from your home address): Street ___________________________________________________________

        City ____________________ State _________ Zip code______________ County in which this farm    resides: ________________________ Write out complete directions to the facility from the nearest interstate:  From Interstate # ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

3.       Do you make all the decisions about the care of your horse _________ Do you make all the decisions about who boards or trains at this facility? _________ How many acres of fenced flat clear cut pasture is used daily for turn out (total)? __________ (Acres) Describe your fence height, condition, age and construction materials. ______________________________________________

Is there a covered shed or run in located in the corral/paddock/pasture available to this horse, where the horse can get out of the weather or sun? _______ Give dimensions ________’ x _______’ How many horses will be sharing that covered shed at one time? _________ Do you have a barn that will be used on a daily basis for this horse? _______ Will this horse have an individual stall of its own in this barn, that will not be shared with another horse and will be used on a daily basis? _________   Describe your shelter/barn (size, construction materials, condition and age, height above horses head), describe the stall size for this adoption horse. _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.       How many large animals are living on this farm now (horses, cows, llama, sheep, etc)  ______ What is the maximum number of large animals you will have living on this property? ________

5.       Do you ever feed your horses in the pasture or loose? _______ If so, how often?  ______________ Are there any times of year when you turn out 24 hours a day? _____  If yes, what months or how often do you do 24/7 turn out? _________________________________________________________

6.       Will there be boarding horses (where owners are paying to stay there) turned out with your adoption horses? _______ Will all these horses be turned out together or will they have separate paddocks for turn out? _________________________________________________________

7.       How do you separate horses that don’t get along during turn out? __________________________

8.       Do you do same sex turn out? _________ How many hours per day will your horse be turned out? _______________ How many days per week will your horses have turn out? _______________

9.       How many horses will be turned out together at one time with this adoption horse? ____ In what size paddock/pasture? ______ (acres).   Are there any busy roads bordering this facility (with excessive traffic or vehicles that go faster than 25 miles per hour)? Yes No, If yes, what steps have you taken to protect the horses from this road and what type of fence do you have bordering this road?___________________________________________________________________________

10.    Do you blanket or rug horses in winter? ________  If Yes, at what temperature? _______

11.    Are horses brought into the barn during winter nights, summer days and inclement weather? __________ If No, what is your turn out plan? ____________________________ If your barn is set up as a run in shed, how do you contain horses during sickness, injury or harsh weather, etc? ___________________________________

12.    Do you feed grain and hay on a daily basis?  _______ How much grain or concentrated horse feed (in pounds or quarts) do you feed daily to each horse on an average? ________________________  How much hay (in flakes or bales of hay) do you feed daily to each horse per day on the average? _______________ Describe the type, name brand of concentrated feeds, amount of protein and fat, type hay and you will provide ___________________________________________ Describe the type of watering system you will provide for both inside and outside _____________________________ Describe the type of bedding you use for stalls ______________________ (answer questions 14 – 16 if the stable/land/farm is not adopter owned and have the owner sign Appendix B)

13.    Barn Phone Number: _______________________ Owner Phone Number: ______________________

14.