Foster a horse in Minnesota
Did you know that foster homes make horse rescue possible? Everyone wins when you foster! By fostering a horse, you not only provide a temporary safe and loving home to a horse or pony in need, but you free up space at the rescue headquarters to take in horses who don’t have anywhere else to go. You and your foster horse get one-on-one time, and that’s something many horses who come to us have never had, or haven’t had in a long time.
GRG Ranch Horse Rescue welcomes people who have a bit of extra space, and the time and willingness to take care of a horse, to give fostering a try. It’s also a fantastic way to get to know a horse over a period of time if you are considering adopting. We love it when people end up deciding to adopt their foster horse!
How much does it cost to foster a horse?
GRG Ranch provides for the costs of pre-approved routine veterinary care, and for the costs of mandatory, emergency veterinary care in the event of a life-threatening situation. Horses are all Coggins tested negative, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines. We greatly appreciate it when fosters are willing and able to pay for things like hoof care (trimming and/or shoeing), dental care, and other basic necessities for their foster horses, as it makes more funds available to help other horses.
How does fostering work?
We will do our best to match you up with a horse that fits with your situation and desires, whether it’s a senior pony, a young horse, mare or gelding, rideable equine, or pasture pet. Your role is to take care of your foster horse as though they are your own, spending time with them via grooming, leading, exercising, and socializing with other horses and people as is safe and practical. Throughout the time you are fostering a horse, we will continue to promote the horse for adoption, unless you intend to adopt. You are also welcome to tell everyone about your foster horse! It just may lead to an adoption.
The time period is flexible–some horses are in their foster homes for only a few weeks or months before they’re adopted, and some stay longer, depending on their needs and the foster home’s ability to house them long or short term.
Apply to foster a horse
If you’d like to foster a horse, we are happy to work with you on making all the necessary arrangements for you to give one of our wonderful horses a temporary home. If you have questions, we’re here to help. We are truly grateful for help in all forms from the horse-loving community, so don’t hesitate to reach out and inquire about fostering: grgranchhorserescue@gmail.com
What is a forever foster?
The GRG Ranch Horse Rescue Forever Foster program is designed for horses and ponies we take in who are companion-only (meaning that they can’t be ridden) and/or for those who need ongoing special care.
A Forever Foster is similar to adoption in that it's intended to be a permanent home. Horses who go home under the Forever Foster program are no longer available for adoption, and the foster person takes over all financial responsibility for the horse’s care. One benefit of the Forever Foster program is that your expenses are tax deductible.
Like a standard foster arrangement, GRG Ranch Horse Rescue maintains legal ownership of the equine, and we have a very close working relationship with the foster caregiver. This is to ensure that the horse's needs and care are properly met and maintained, as we are also there to provide ongoing support to ensure it's a successful partnership.
We ask that Forever Foster caregivers agree to welfare visits from us, and that you send update photos on a regular basis of the horse.
Our goal is to invite the community in to assist with taking care of these very special horses, many who had long lives as riding horses or lesson ponies, and some who have medical requirements that weren’t being met. With lots of love and a bit of special care, these horses thrive and get to live beautiful, happy lives in a home.