Application process

How often is the site updated?

Our rehoming pages are updated on a weekly basis, usually on a Wednesday afternoon, so please do keep checking back if you can’t see a horse who’s right for you straight away. We generally advise checking once a week to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to apply, as ridden horses are often extremely popular and can receive a large number of applications very quickly.

How do your categories work?

We currently have 15 different Rehoming Categories which are grouped into four Search Categories to help you find the right horses to add to your stable.

Some Rehoming Categories appear in more than one Search Category. The following table will help you decide which Search Category to use as well as providing definitions for each of our 15 Rehoming Categories.

Please note that we don’t allow any of our horses to be used for breeding.

Search category
Rehoming category
Definition
Icon for Non-ridden companion Non-ridden
companion
Companion
Strictly not to be ridden or driven
 
Companion with potential
A companion who may have the potential to be brought into work by the rehomer
Icon for Prospect Prospect
Ride or drive prospect
May have the potential to be suitable for ridden or driven work – see individual horse’s profile for more information
 
Project horse/pony
A horse or pony which is usually a long-term project requiring a highly experienced rehomer – see individual horse’s profile for more information
Icon for Ridden or driven Ridden or
driven
Lead rein/Companion
Primarily a companion but able to be used for light lead rein duties
 
Lead rein
Suitable for use only on a lead rein
 
Lead rein/First ridden
Suitable for a child on or just off the lead rein
 
First pony
Suitable for a child just off the lead rein
 
Second pony
Suitable for a more experienced child, may be more forward-going
 
Hack
Suitable for hacking only
 
Pleasure Competition
Suitable for novice to intermediate riding club-type competition
 
Competition
Suitable for advanced riding club-type and affiliated competition
 
Ride and drive
Suitable for both ridden and driven work
 
Driving
Suitable for driven work
Icon for Youngster Youngster
Youngster
To be handled regularly until ready to be brought into work

Can you add me to a waiting list?

We no longer hold a waiting list as, due to the sheer volume of applications we receive, we found this not to be an effective system. Instead, we ask potential rehomers to monitor the website and apply for any individual horse which is of interest. However, we hope people will be able to register for email alerts in future. Our rehoming pages are updated on a weekly basis, usually on a Wednesday afternoon, so please do keep checking back if you can’t see the horse who’s right for you straight away.

When will you get back to me about my application?

You’ll receive an email straight away to confirm that your application has submitted successfully – this email will include the name of the individual horse and is in addition to the email you will receive when you complete the registration phase. Our team will aim to assess your application and get back to you in around two weeks. If you don’t hear from our team, please do check your junk email! A number of our horses and ponies – especially those which can be ridden – receive a huge number of applications. In this situation, the team will work through the applications in the order of receipt.

How do you choose the right home for a horse?

All the applications will be reviewed and we will short-list those which appear to be the most suitable – this will be based on a combination of factors relevant to the individual horse, including things such as the applicant’s past experience, future aspirations and facilities (so make sure to include all relevant information in your application to help the team assess it thoroughly). The team will chat with those short-listed to discuss their application in more detail and the person who appears the best match will be invited to the farm to meet the horse. Some of our horses receive a huge number of applications and our team will always pick the best home for that particular horse. This inevitably means that whilst one lucky person will be over the moon to be taking that horse home, there will unfortunately be a great many disappointed people too. However, if your application for one horse isn’t successful please don’t be disheartened – we would welcome further applications from you.

Do you rehome to first-time horse owners?

We look for the best match for each individual horse and would not rule out someone without previous experience of sole responsibility for the care of a horse provided they had appropriate experience and a suitable support network in place.

Do you rehome donkeys?

Although we do rehome donkeys, they only come into our care very occasionally and are always extremely popular.

Do you rehome horses to be used for breeding?

We do not allow any of our horses to be used for breeding.

How long does the rehoming process take?

The nature of the rehoming process makes it quite variable – for ridden horses, youngsters or projects you may be asked to visit the farm more than once to meet them. If this goes well, a home check will then need to be organised. The time from the point of application to when the horse is taken home does vary a lot but, in most cases, will be measured in weeks rather than months. However, in cases where you need a companion pony urgently, we will do our best to help find your horse a new friend ASAP (please do call us on 01953 497238 if you are in this situation).

Can companions be rehomed quickly if needed urgently?

If you need a companion pony urgently we will do our best to help find your horse a new friend ASAP (please do call us on 01953 497238 if you are in this situation).

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Can't find the answer?

If you have any further questions or need to get in touch with us please get in touch with our rehoming team who will be happy to help.

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