Bright Futures Farm

44793 Harrison Road

Spartansburg, PA  16434

Phone: 814.827.8270

 email:info@brightfuturesfarm.org

LETTER TO PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS

Thank you for your interest in our adoption program.  Bright futures farm believes every horse deserves a good home, and these horses in particular deserve a second chance at a new life and new career.  Many of our horses that are up for adoption are off the track Thoroughbreds.  Rather than take a chance that the horse ends up at auction or slaughter by selling it outright, the owner asks us to find the horse a new home.  We then work with the horse on the ground, and evaluate the horse under saddle to see what type of work he can do/likes, and what type of person he would be best suited to.  We only want these horses to leave our program once…to find the right home the first time, so we do the best we can to find the right fit between horse and adopter through our application and interview process.

This entire process is based upon the honesty and complete disclosure of all parties.  We encourage the former owner to list all of the horse’s traits, both bad and good so that we may work with the horse before placing him to do as much as possible to ensure that the horse is mannerly and respectful of the people working with him.

We encourage you, the potential adopter, to also fully disclose your level of experience riding and handling and caring for a horse, plans for the horse, facilities to keep the horse and financial ability to care for the horse beyond a level of “minimum” care.  This ensures that we can suggest a horse for you that best suits your individual situation and the abilities of you and that particular horse.  Our adoption application may seem extensive to you and perhaps invasive at times.  Over the years we have met people who consciously provide us with fraudulent information about their abilities, intentions and finances.  We don’t want one of our horses in a situation where the adopter has to ask themselves if they can afford the farrier “now” of if the horse can wait another month.  We don’t want one of our horses in a situation where the adopter can’t afford basic veterinary care or feed through the winter.  Conversely, we ask a number of questions that may be common knowledge to many of you.  However, some of you have never owned a horse before, and we need to know that you can recognize problems and address them before they become a chronic or life threatening situation.

Horses leave our program at various levels of schooling.  We will provide you with a disclosure telling you everything we know about the horse you are interested in adopting.  We keep most of the horses we acquire in our program long enough prior to adoption that we have a very good idea of their abilities and personalities/issues.  You must realize however, that many of these horses come to us from unknown backgrounds.  We learn a great deal from interacting with each horse on a daily basis, but there could be issues both mental and physical that we have not encountered.  We work with horses at our main facility on the ground and at least evaluate them under saddle prior to leaving unless we tell you otherwise.  They are taught ground manners, and voice commands.  We teach both eyes, not just the near side of the horse.  We also begin to desensitize the horses to sounds and objects that they could encounter on a trail ride, in an arena or at your home or stable while they are here.

Finally, we are looking for life long homes for these horses.  Adoption, as defined in our placement contract, is not a transfer of ownership.  When you adopt a horse from Bright Futures Farm, you will be required to provide photos as per the contract, or within two weeks of our request for same.  You will be required to have your vet provide us with a written report of when

they saw the horse each year, and for any emergency visits.  You are required to have your horse seen by a vet at least once a year and an equine dentist at least once a year.  You must be able to provide a receipt from the dentist to us annually as well as from your vet.  Your must provide farrier care for your horse at intervals not to exceed eight weeks, and more frequently if the horse requires such.

You cannot sell, trade, lease or give this horse away.  The horse is always the property of Bright Futures Farm.  If your circumstances should change in the future and you can no longer keep, or no longer want the horse you adopted from us, you must return the horse to us per the terms stated in the placement contract.  This is the only way we can ensure the horses safety for the remainder of his life.

We want to find homes for these horses where they will be doted on and loved the rest of their lives.  Most of them have been through far more negative situations than anyone or any animal should face.  They need a home where they will not be abused or neglected, and where there will be someone to spend some time with them each day…not where they will be turned out in a field and brought in only when you want to ride.  These horses are each a member of our family and we want only what is best for them. 

If this is the kind of situation you can provide for a horse, then please complete the placement application and all other corresponding documents.  A list of what you will need is on the last page of the application.  All documentation is part of a legal binding contract that you have engaged in with Bright Futures Farm.  If you feel you cannot comply with our rules for any reason, we can certainly refer you to a number of other organizations that may be of assistance to you.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity in offering a home to a horse in need. 

Please sign below to acknowledge that you have read and understand the information contained in this document.  If you choose a horse from Bright Futures Farm, Inc. and care of that horse is transferred to you through our Placement Program, this document and your understanding of and agreement to the information contained herein becomes part of the contract you engage in with Bright Futures Farm, Inc. for that particular horse.

____________________________________ Date:__________

Applicant

Co-applicant (if single) or Spouse’s signature required below if your application is approved.  (See Placement Application for more information regarding spouse and co-applicant).

____________________________________ Date:_________

Spouse or co-applicant

Sincerely,

Beverlee Dee

Beverlee Dee

Bright Futures Farm