Thank you for your interest in adopting a rescue horse from DER! Our goal is to find our available horses a loving, safe and compatible home.

1. Since all adoptions require a farm visit, we only adopt out within a three-hour radius from Dorset, VT. Please do a map check from your property to Dorset, VT to see if you are within that range. This range is a little flexible, but not by much.
2. You must be at least 18 years old to adopt a horse. If you are under 18, your parent will need to fill out and also sign the adoption contract and they will be legally responsible for the horse.
3. Each adopted horse must have an equine companion at their new home to be turned out with. Horses are herd animals and are happiest with a buddy.
4. The horse must have 24/7 access to a barn or a three-sided run-in shed to block the prevailing winds and protect them from the weather. The shelter must be large enough to house all of the animals in bad weather.
5. The horse must always have access to a clean water trough that is heated in the winter.
6. You must have safe and sturdy fencing. Some examples of fencing we will not approve are barbed wire fencing, fiberglass rods or plastic step-in fence posts as these are not tall enough or sturdy enough to be used on their own. T-posts are acceptable but must have plastic caps. Livestock fencing that has 4”x 4” is not safe as they can get their legs or feet caught. Some of our favorite fencing includes (but is not limited to) wood fence posts with 3-5 wooden rails, or electric braided wire fencing with wooden posts. We require a minimum of 2 lines of electric fence.
7. The adopter must be physically able to handle the adopted horse for their basic care (must be able to safely catch, halter, lead the horse and pick up all four feet).
8. You must have horse experience. We generally do not adopt out to first time horse owners UNLESS they are boarding the horse at a full-care boarding facility, are working closely with a trainer and are receiving regular lessons. This is for the safety of the horse and the adopter. You don’t have to board your horse forever but is always a good idea until you are very familiar with basic horse care and become a more confident horse handler and/or rider. 
9. The adopted horse must reside within 40 miles of adopter’s home.
10. We require the adopted horse stay up to date on these basic vaccines: Eastern/Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, Rabies, Influenza and Rhino.
11. Our adopted horses leave with a strict NO BREEDING policy. Why? Because there is a large overpopulation of horses and overbreeding is a major cause of horse slaughter.
12. If you have ever been convicted of any type of animal cruelty related charges, you are not eligible to adopt.
13. You must have a veterinarian and farrier that will vouch for you. Please include their contact information in your adoption application.
14. We require that the adopted horse stays up to date with regular feet trimming (6-10 weeks depending on the time of year), deworming (minimum of 4 times per year), and annual dental care.
15. The adopted horse must have a minimum of 8 hours of turn out time daily. A sense of freedom to move is extremely important to a horse’s mental state and physical health and we are adamant that all our horses get that on a daily basis.
16. Turnout size requirements:
    1. The minimum turnout size requirement for two full size horses is 1/2 acre. For each additional horse, the minimum space requirement will increase by an additional 1/8 acre per horse.
    2.  Miniature horses and small ponies require less space than a full size horse. The minimum turnout requirement for two mini horses is 5,000 square feet. For each additional mini, the minimum space requirement will increase by 500 square feet per mini. You must have a dry lot (no grass) paddock available to put the minis in as needed. Too much grass can cause health issues in minis such as founder, metabolic issues and obesity. Occasionally there are exceptions depending on the specific horse’s needs.