Our small, but dedicated band of Heroes working for Horses, takes in equine for rehab or to simply care for until they are adopted out, whenever that may be. We often keep the same horse for over a year. Trust, once broken, takes mainly time to heal. For our sound, healthy, broke to ride horses, we ask that Foster Care Providers treat our equine like their own, to ride them, show them, ...you name it; we want them to do it! Every skill a foster horse learns puts it one more step away from endangerment of slaughter and one more step closer to adoptability.

Many rescue horses arrive with mild behavioral problems, all of which stem from trust issues. Several scenarios create these problems, the most common being a simple lack of any groundwork invested in the horse. Donkeys always seem to come to us "wild" but like Patches, who became known as "Itchy-Scratchy" after a little foster "tender loving" care, they come around with a little time and attention. The most common issues rescue equine have are not wanting to give up their feet (ranges from not at all to will give, but not for long), difficult to catch, underweight, and spooky/jumpy. The number one issue is that the horse is simply not broke to ride. Another common issue is mild lameness. Mild lameness occurs most often with older, gentle retired riding horses.

When you foster for USESR, YOU choose the level of training your foster equine will need. You have small children and need a gentle horse? We need you! You have all geldings and do not wish to foster mares? We still need you! We can't promise to keep you busy if you choose just one or two types of equine to foster. Please remember that kid-gentle, broke to ride, sound equine do not need to be rescued; you probably won't be fostering any of those kinds of animals.

Fostering is an excellent way to make a difference in the lives of many equine over a period of time. It's a great way to teach your children that just because something is a little damaged, that doesn't mean you throw it away. That was the theme of the movie, "Seabiscuit", which made us all stand up and cheer!

Requirements for becoming a Foster Care Provider(FCP) are:

• Shelter, at least a 3-sided shelter &/or enough man-made shelter to cover all equine or other shelter-seeking animals who share space with the foster equine.
• Sufficient water to last all animals that will be drinking it for at least two days, year round.
• Feed & hay securely stored where weather and animals cannot reach them.
• Any kind of fencing, but it must be safe and able to contain the equine.
• Adequate turnout time for your fostered equine.
• A willingness to invest your time in rehabilitating simple behavioral issues.
• Experience is preferred but not necessary.
• Foster Care Providers must allow prospective adopters to view/visit the fostered animal and must tell the truth at all times when describing the level of training, disposition, and health of the fostered equine.
• You need not be a member of USESR in order to foster.
  However, you must be registered as a Foster Care Provider. A copy of your drivers license, copy of a recent pay stub, and copy of a recent utility bill are a required part of the registration process.
  • Note: Your personal information will not be used for anything. It will be locked up until you cease to be a Foster Care Provider, at which time it will be shredded thinly and disposed of. We feel that we have no choice except to do this. We operate over a wide range of miles in multiple states. We have a solemn duty to protect and oversee the continued safety of horses enrolled in our rescue program. We use Foster Care Contracts for many reasons, one of which is because we have had Foster Care Providers attempt to claim ownership of our fostered horses. Additionally, horses are easily stolen, but not easily recovered. We applaud the work done by organizations such as Stolen Horse International, but we do not wish to become one of their clients. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to having you join our Foster Care Family!

Providing foster care to various breeds, ages, and endearing personality types of equine will supply you with an education that no amount of casual learning can ever come close to!

You may print out your Foster Care Registration here.HTML  |  MS Word  |  PDF . Be sure to review our Foster Care Provider Contract. It is not necessary to print or sign this contract now, as it is specific to the equine you foster. You should, however, be familiar with what the contract says prior to choosing to foster for USESR/HnT.