Skip to content
Horse face 11

Foster a horse

Our aim is to put any of our rehabilitated horses or ponies that are suitable for re-homing into experienced and knowledgeable foster homes.

There are a few core residents who will remain with us permanently due to medical problems and / or age (too young or too old) who will not be considered for fostering purposes.

Every horse or pony successfully fostered ensures that the animal is receiving one-to-one care (something we simply can’t do with the amount of horses that we have to deal with).  Equally important is that every time we re-home a horse through our fostering scheme, another space becomes available for us to help another needy case.

Fostering stages Horses for foster

Our small dedicated team of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to nurse and care for our animals.

We look for loving, experienced, long term foster homes for our horses and ponies.

When we re-home a horse or pony from the Sanctuary, we do so under a Fostering Agreement. This means that, although you will be completely responsible for the horses’ everyday care and exercise, you will not be the legal owner of the horse.   EHPPS retains ownership of the horse at all times.

If your Fostering Application with is us successful, you will be asked to sign a Fostering Agreement, which means that you agree to abide by all the terms of the Fostering Agreement.  In addition, you will be asked to complete Equine Log Sheets for the horse whilst in your care, which detail when the horse is wormed, seen by the farrier, dentist, vet etc. It is a strict condition of our fostering criteria that all fostered horses and ponies are fully covered on a recognised equine insurance plan. The insurance must cover veterinary treatments and public liability in particular. The horse/pony will be checked by one of our Fostering Officers every six months for the rest of its’ life, with more frequent checks at the beginning of any fostering arrangement, to ensure that no problems are arising.

Whenever we re-home any of our horses or ponies, we ask for a fostering donation, which goes towards the continued care of the rescue horses and ponies under the Society’s care. The level of donation depends on the size of the horse and its abilities.

Fosterers are responsible for every day care and exercise of their foster  horse.

Every horse that goes on foster creates a space for another need equine in need of our help.

Fostering stages

  • How do I apply for a foster horse? Plus

    You can either download our fostering application form or write to us requesting a form, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

    Your completed application is passed to our fostering division, who will assess your application. If the application is accepted, we will then review the list of horses/ponies available for re-homing, and attempt to match you to a horse/pony. Each horse has a profile of the type of fosterer we think it will need, and this will be consulted as part of this process.

    It is our policy not to re-home any horse or pony under the age of two years.
    We do not allow our fostered horses to be bred from.
    We do not allow fosterers to enter into a private loan arrangements with third parties with our horses/ponies
    Fostering applicants must be aged 18 years or over

  • What happens next? Plus

    Once your completed foster application form has been received it is passed on to our fostering division who will assess your application.  If it is accepted, we will then review our horses and ponies available for re-homing in an attempt to match your requirements.  Each horse has a profile of the type of owner we think it will need and this will be consulted as part of the process.

    If we are unable to match your application at the time it is received, you will be informed by email or letter within 48 hours of receipt of the application.  Your details will then be placed on our waiting list.  If and when a suitable horse or pony becomes available we will contact you to discuss the horse with you.  If you are interested in going forward to the next stage of the fostering process, an appointment will be made for you to come to the sanctuary and meet the horse.

  • Testing your Knowledge and Experience Plus

    At this pre-arranged appointment we will discuss the basic requirement of the horse you are looking to foster. Does the horse have any ongoing medical conditions and are you able to cope with the conditions they may have? Are you confident and experienced enough to take on a youngster?

    If at this stage we feel you do not have the relevant experience, support or will not be able to cater to the horses requirements then we will not proceed any further with other foster process. Our decision on this will be final. The welfare of our horses an ponies remains our primary concern at all times.

  • Meeting the potential foster horse/pony Plus

    You will then be introduced to your potential foster horse/pony.

    For rideable animals you will see the horse/pony tacked up and ridden by one of our team. Should you still wish to proceed then we shall expect to see you walk, trot and canter on both reins on the horse/pony (dependent on what stage it’s at in its ridden training). This is also dependent on the fitness of the horse and/or the ground conditions at the time.

    For companion horses (non rideable) we will need to see you handling the horse, leading and picking out feet etc.

  • Handling the horse/pony Plus

    After this, you will be able to spend some time with the horse or pony, grooming them and getting them to know them a little better. All potential fosterers are given the opportunity of coming back to ride the horse/pony at another pre-arranged appointment should they request it.

  • Is this the horse/pony for you? Plus

    We will then discuss whether you think the horse or pony is suitable for you, and whether we think you are suitable for the particular horse or pony. If all is well, you will then have five days to think about whether or not you would like to go ahead and foster the horse or pony.  If we have not received a response from you by the end of this period, we will assume that you are no longer interested, and alternative fostering arrangements will be made. If you decide you wish to proceed with the application, we move onto the home assessment.

  • The home assessment Plus

    The next stage is the home assessment. One of our fostering officers will arrange to visit you to carry out an assessment on the place where you would like to keep a horse, and also to meet you in your own environment.

    Should there be a problem with the home assessment, and the society feels that this is sufficient reason to refuse to consider your fostering application further, you will be informed as soon as possible after the home assessment has taken place.

    We like to be as transparent about the reasons for our decisions as possible, and will therefore inform you fully of the reason for your rejection. If, at a later date, you feel you have addressed the issue that prevented you from being considered as a fosterer, we would be only too happy to reconsider you.

  • Setting up a fostering agreement and what happens next Plus

    If the home assessment is successful, you will be invited to enter into a legal fostering agreement with the society. It is at this stage that you:

    1. make your donation to the society;
    2. become, and remain, a member of the charity for the duration of your fostering term (one of EHPPS’ fostering requirements); and
    3. take your foster horse/pony to your appointed livery yard.

    It is your responsibility to arrange transport for your new horse or pony to the place where you would like to keep them. Once you have your new horse home, you can start to enjoy yourselves together.  During the first six months that your foster horse/pony is with you, one of our fostering officers will carry out three checks. After the first two years of foster, fostering checks will be carried out once a year for the rest of the horses life.

    At each foster check the fostering log sheets you have been completing will need to be handed, completed to the fostering officer carrying out the check.  They will need to see the passport and a copy of your up-to-date equine insurance policy will also be required by your fostering officer at this stage.

  • What if something goes wrong? Plus

    If you feel you are experiencing a behavioural problem with a horse or pony you have fostered from us, then please call us on 01268 584603 and we will arrange for one of our officers to come out and see you. If, for instance, you are experiencing financial problems, or have a family illness that is going to prevent you from being able to look after your fostered horse or pony in the long term, please contact s to arrange their return to the sanctuary.  Any horse or pony returned to the sanctuary must be returned with all equine log sheets fully completed and up-to-date. If you have allowed the horses vaccinations to lapse then you will be billed for the three courses and veterinary call out fees required to restart.

    If you have any queries regarding fostering, please call 01268 584603 or email administrator@ehpps.org.uk

Important information

  • Our horses and ponies’ welfare remains our primary concern at all times.  
  • It is vitally important to us where our animals are placed in foster homes and is not a process that we rush.  
  • Therefore, the fostering processes are carried out strictly by pre-arranged appointments only.
  • EHPPS uses the expertise of our staff to train and fully assess all our youngsters in readiness for fostering. This gives them the best possible start in life.
  • The training takes as long as each individual horse or pony requires. It is vitally important to us that our horses are not only in expert hands, but that they are treated with patience and kindness at all times.
  • Our staff also assess any rideable horses and ponies that are returned from foster. This process gives us a clear picture of any vices or problems the horse may have developed which the team can then rectify.
  • If we are unable to match your application at the time it is received, you will be informed by letter within 48 hours of receipt of such application. Your details will then be placed on our waiting list.  
  • It is vitally important to us that horse and rider/handler are properly matched.  
  • Our trainers provides a full written assessment of freshly backed and schooled horses.

Horses for foster

533011762 1138900118133494 5863884575630576817 n

Millie

Companion

Breed: Thoroughbred
Colour: Bay
Gender: Mare
Height: 16.3hh
Date of Birth: 6th April 2012
Conditions: Stomach ulcers, crib biting, wind sucking
Foster Donation: £100

Read more
Image3

Tilly

Companion

Breed: Hanoverian
Colour: Dark Bay
Gender: Mare
Height: 15.1hh
Date of Birth: 30th April 2001
Conditions: Kissing spine
Foster Donation: £100

Read more
Image1

Hope

***RESERVED***

Companion

Breed: Welsh Cross
Colour: Spotted Pony
Gender: Mare
Height: 12hh
Date of Birth: 2020
Conditions: Laminitis
Foster Donation: £100

Read more
IMG 6774

Neville

***RESERVED***

Companion

Breed: Cob
Colour: Piebald
Gender: Gelding
Height: 13HH
Date of Birth: 2012
Conditions: COPD
Foster Donation: £100

Read more

Apply for fostering

Do you have some love to give to one of our rescue horses or ponies? We have many non-rideable horses and ponies who would make excellent companions and would just adore the chance of becoming part of an experienced and loving family.

If you would like to proceed with a fostering application, the form can be downloaded here.

***A completed fostering application form is not a guarantee that we will place one of our horses or ponies with you***

Application form

Millie

Companion

Breed: Thoroughbred
Colour: Bay
Gender: Mare
Height: 16.3hh
Date of Birth: 6th April 2012
Conditions: Stomach ulcers, crib biting, wind sucking
Foster Donation: £100

💗 Personality

Millie is an incredibly loving girl who absolutely adores fuss, attention and being around her people. 🥰 She is a real sweetheart and enjoys being groomed, fussed over and made to feel special.

Millie does, however, suffer from severe separation anxiety. She becomes very distressed if one of her friends is taken away from her and prefers not to be separated from her chosen companion.

She also doesn’t enjoy being brought into the stable unless everyone else is coming in too. In smaller groups of horses, Millie can become very attached to the whole group, meaning if one is taken away for riding, she can become extremely stressed.

Interestingly, since being in our large herd at the sanctuary, we’ve recently seen Millie keeping more to herself. This is unusual for our girl, as she normally finds herself a best friend and sticks closely by their side. ❤️

🌿 Experience & Handling

Millie is good to rug, good for the farrier and absolutely loves grooming and attention.

She would benefit from someone who understands her anxiety and can give her a calm, consistent environment where she doesn’t feel she has to worry about her companion leaving.

Millie also suffers from stomach ulcers, so she needs a foster home that understands her condition and the importance of managing her carefully.

Her ulcer treatment is covered by the sanctuary and will continue to be covered while she is in foster care. 🩵

🏡 Millie’s Ideal Home

We feel Millie’s perfect home would be as a field companion to one other horse, where the two can live together without the need for regular separation.

If you have a horse who is looking for a quiet life and a new best friend, Millie could be the perfect companion. 🥹💕

She would also enjoy gentle in-hand walks and spending time with her chosen friend.

We truly believe that, in the right environment, Millie could become much more relaxed and settled, which may also help with the stress-related behaviours and her ulcer issues.

Millie is such a sweet, loving lady who deserves a home where she can finally feel safe, settled and secure with her best friend by her side. 🥹🩷

Could you offer Millie the understanding home she deserves?

4d066dfe 76b5 42bb 835d 803c8b0824d0 429508157 927379848919065 5118874952688052856 n D41e41ad f256 447e b74a a869e688c1e5 533011762 1138900118133494 5863884575630576817 n

Tilly

Companion

Breed: Hanoverian
Colour: Dark Bay
Gender: Mare
Height: 15.1hh
Date of Birth: 30th April 2001
Conditions: Kissing spine
Foster Donation: £100

Story: Tilly came into our care in October 2024 when her most recent owner was unable to continue with her care. This veteran mare had competed in her younger days but had now started displaying pain related behavioural issues under saddle. Having taken her on in less-than-ideal circumstances, her owner didn’t want her to end up in the wrong hands and asked us if we could help.

Personality: A sweet but anxious mare. Has become firmly attached to another horse within our herd but this may be due to anxiety levels from being part of such a large herd.

Experience: We know this lady was previously ridden and competed and has been a broodmare at some point.  Recent attempts by her previous owner to get her going under saddle have led to pain related behaviours which has since been diagnosed as kissing spines.  Although she has received an injection to ease her discomfort, she is advertised as a companion only.

Type of home: Tilly is seeking a home as a companion for another retired horse or pony. She has been there, done that, got the T-shirt and would just like to see out her days relaxed and happy.

Image3 Image0 Image1 Image2

Hope

***RESERVED***

Companion

Breed: Welsh Cross
Colour: Spotted Pony
Gender: Mare
Height: 12hh
Date of Birth: 2020
Conditions: Laminitis
Foster Donation: £100

Story: Hope arrived to us on the 15th August. She was taken from a not so ideal situation and the people that took her in cared for her to the best of their abilities and then came to the hard decision of having to do what was best for her and sign her over to the sanctuary. 

On Hope’s arrival at the sanctuary she was a bit foot sore so she was assessed by our vet and farrier and it was advised to perform X-rays of her feet. 
These showed evidence of chronic laminitis in both her front feet with significant changes to her pedal bones. This had been made worse by the fact that she had very thin soles. 

We have worked over several months to increase Hope’s solar depth and comfort with remedial farriery and “Squish pads” and subsequent xrays have shown much improvement. 

She is now bare foot again, comfortable and on no pain relief but requires regular farriery and trims to ensure this is sustained. She may also be at risk from laminitic “flair-ups” in the future so her diet and management should be appropriate for this. 

She had mildly elevated liver enzymes and a month of liver assist when she first came in but has been fine since.

Personality: Hope is a very sensitive soul, she can be very skittish at times. She doesn’t like someone being heavy handed with her. She needs lots of time and patience with handling. She’s good for the vet and farrier if taken at her pace. She can sometimes be difficult to catch if you’re in a rush. 

Type of home: Hope needs very restricted grazing and she needs someone who is very used to laminitis and knows the signs when she maybe having issues. She was wearing special shoes to help with her with her rotated pedal bone. After lots correctional shoeing she now bare foot. It will be beneficial for her to have an insulin check in the spring prior to her going out on the grass to assess her risk. She is currently living out 24/7 with no issues. She will still need to be treated as a lami risk even without showing signs currently. Our farrier has suggested her having hoof boots if your yard is really stoney or if you wanted to take her for walks etc.

Image1 Image3 Image2 Image0

Neville

***RESERVED***

Companion

Breed: Cob
Colour: Piebald
Gender: Gelding
Height: 13HH
Date of Birth: 2012
Conditions: COPD
Foster Donation: £100

Personality: Neville is a very laid back boy. He is a typical chunky cob that loves his food. He has been out in a mixed herd and doesn’t seem bothered by mares or geldings. He likes to be with another laid back pony. He is good for the vet and farrier but can get a little fidgety at times but a bucket of feed soon distracts him, he is a super easy to handle boy but sometimes gets pushy and strong but when told no he does listen. His breathing can get worse in the summer months and in different environments this can cause flare ups. He is a very in your face pony and loves a fuss and to be the centre of your attention. If he isn’t he can get grumpy to the other horse getting your attention.

Type of home: Someone to have fun with him take him on in hand walks and show him how fun life can be and give him the love he deserves. Also someone that can watch for any breathing concerns and if there is a flare up on his breathing they are willing to help him with this (COPD can get worse in the summer and dusty environments).

IMG 6774 52cbffeeeff2e5dfe801c5c27e8e8591 IMG 6783 Ffc4f3b89a4c2acb683aa3b3433211aa

Your Cart