Once horses have finished racing, they often have a very limited options for their future. Some are bred from, some become the family pet, but many are sent to the dogs because their owners have no other way of disposing of them. Now the SPPHA has stepped in and is making it possible for these horsess to find homes, and for people to obtain a STB who otherwise wouldn't be able to.

The SPPHA set up an adoption program which helps people do exactly that, adopt a STB. Many owners are much happier for their horse to have a good home and life than to have their head cut off and so donate their horses to the SPPHA to go through this program.

People interested in adopting a STB can contact the horse placement officer Judy Lawyer on 02 - 43693485 and talk with her about it. You will be sent a form which asks you questions such as prefered sex/age/height/colour, where the horse will be kept, supervision, what you intend to use the horse for, your experince and any other criteria you wish to add.

Although some of this may seem silly, it is done to try and make the best match between you and the horse. It is no use giving a fiery 3yo colt to someone with not much experince who just wants to ride round their yard, nor would it be satisfactory for someone who is an aspiring eventer to end up with a horse with back or leg problems.

After you have filled in the form and sent it back, the horse hunt starts. It is not a case of first in, best dressed, but rather the horses are picked individually to suit people. For this reason it may take a while to find you perfect horse depending on how strict you criteria is.

Once a suitable horse is found, you then take it on a free lease for 12 months during which time it is regularly checked by a SPPHA member just make sure everything is going okay and the horse is being looked after. If at the end of the 12 months, you are happy to take the horse, the ownership is transferred to you. However, if for some reason the horse is not right for you during the time, it is simply a matter of surrendering the horse for re-adoption.

The only thing you are forbidden to do with the horse is race it. It is also asked that the horses are not used for commercial purposes such as riding schools or trail riding establishments. This is because they have been donated in good faith by the trainers. The idea is to help ordinary people make a special partnership with a special horse and give everyone a chance.

Sometimes horses are donated that don't immediantly fit any one's criteria. These horses are not rejected, but rather fostered until a home comes up. If you or anyone you know can help with this, or can assist with transporting horses either from trainers, or to their owners, please contact Judy. I'm sure she will be most happy to hear from you because this program only works if people care and help. Don't feel guilty if you can't though. No one will eat you :)

Also, any of you who have contact with trainers and can inform them of this program, or know of horses that are looking for homes, please contact the SPPHA. They are always looking for horses, especially quiet ones. They are snapped up really quick!

The interaction with the original owner of the horse is more than just a handing over of the horse and papers. Understandably, many people wish to keep in regular contact with the horses' new owners, and some may have preferences on what the horse does. All these things are taken into account, so don't be afraid to contact them about your beloved pet because you worry you'll never see them again.

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