“Foster based” means that we rely on individuals with property and the heart to help a horse in need. We do not have a central location, nor do we own real estate.

Where are your foster farms located?

We have a core group of fosters in the Sumner County (Tennessee) area, but fosters are located from the Franklin/Bowling Green, Kentucky area, south to Shelbyville/Tullahoma/Pulaski, west to Adams/Ashland City, and east to Lebanon/Watertown. While we adopt within a 200-mile radius, we tend to like fosters to be a bit closer for the sake of volunteers and our veterinary team.

What are your requirements for fostering?

While it seems simple to say “land and a heart to help” - that’s really the best starting point. We can mentor those new to horses, although we strongly prefer those with horse experience. We don’t expect or need fosters to ride their foster animals, but we do need them to know basic safety on the ground, and recognize early signs of colic or other illness, lameness, and potential bad habits so that these can be immediately addressed. We always try to pair more experienced volunteers with less experienced fosters whenever possible so that everyone can learn from each other. Regular handling is expected; we do not have horses sitting in rescue for years going feral for lack of attention. All horses are kept on farrier, veterinary, and deworming schedules.

Much like adoption requirements, safe fencing is a requirement for fosters. We do not allow full barbed wire fencing (top strand is acceptable.) Uncapped T-posts are not permitted due to the number of catastrophic injuries they cause.

We provide reimbursement for approved expenses, or some fosters prefer to donate their foster’s care as a tax deduction.

I’m interested in fostering; what are the next steps?

Complete our foster application. Fosters are encouraged to attend the volunteer orientation at their next convenience. Your references will be checked and our foster coordinators will conduct a site visit. You’ll receive a foster handbook with additional information. Then, we will add you to our call-down list and you will be contacted as we have intakes that fit your requests and parameters for foster animals.

If you have questions that are not answered here, please email us.