Rehabilitation

The most rewarding and sometimes the most heart breaking is the rehabilitation part of the work our volunteers undertake.

What happens to horses and ponies which have been surrendered?

There are two stages of care a horse or pony goes through once they have been taken into care.  The first phase is known as Short Term Care and the second phase is Long Term Care.

Short Term Care

A trained PHHWV Representative or selected member is chosen to care for the surrendered animal.  The type of care that horses will need in this initial phase of their rehabilitation does vary from case to case.  However they will need feeding at least twice a day – sometimes more.  They need to be monitored very closely for the first two to three weeks.  During short term care they will need to be seen by the vet, farrier and horse dentist.  They need to be handled and monitored in order to assess if they are suitable for Long Term Care. Short Term Care can lasts for a minimum of six weeks to six months or even longer just depending on the horse in question.  The organisation is there to support carers during this process; we rely on the regular feedback along the way.  PHHWV generally covers the cost of the initial vaccinations, farrier, dentist and vet (if required) visits and the carer assumes responsibility of all costs after that including feeding.  However each case can vary depending on the horse’s needs.

What is expected from a member who takes on a horse/pony for Short Term Care?

• Must be a current financial member and remain financial while the horse is in their care.
• Undertake a training session with [PHHWV Educator Level III].
• To have your own property and have sound knowledge and experience of horses and the care they require.
• You would need to have a yard suitable to hold a horse for the first week and then a smaller paddock with shelter where it can be kept on its own for at least four to six weeks.
• To keep notes and provide regular updates to your allocated contact on how the horse or pony is doing.
• Committed to the rehabilitation process

We are very careful in taking on horses and ponies.  However on occasions there is a need during the Short Term Care phase to euthanise a horse or pony.  This is generally due to an underlying medical problem that will prevent the horse or pony leading a healthy stress-free life.  It may also be due to behavioural problems that render the horse or pony a danger to itself and others.  We do our best to avoid these situations and screen horses and ponies very carefully before having them surrendered – but sometime it takes time for situations to become clear.

Long Term Care

Once a horse or pony has been deemed suitable for Long Term Care they are advertised in our monthly e-mail updates and newsletters.  All PHHWV horses remain the property of the organisation and are leased, rather than sold to new homes.  This enables PHHWV to monitor the standard of care and ensure that it does not fall below that which is outlined in the leasing agreement.  The newsletter is circulated to all our members giving each member the opportunity to express interest should they wish to take on a horse or pony.  As you can imagine we get many requests from people wanting to adopt a horse or pony on a long term basis.  This way is the fairest way of ensuring we find the right home.

If a member has taken on a horse or pony on a short term basis they do have first option should they wish to keep it long term.

What is expected from a member who takes on a horse/pony for Long Term Care?

• Must be a current financial member and remain financial while the horse is in their care.
• The Lessee is responsible for all costs involved in caring for horse/pony.
• The horse/pony must be kept in good condition and proper care must be provided i.e. regular worming, vaccinations, feet and teeth care, and safe environment in which to live.
• The horse must receive veterinary care when required at the lease holders’ expense.
• The Lessee must provide an annual progress report on the horse/pony.
• Must advise where the horse or pony is to be kept.
• Mares may not be bred with.

The horse/pony remains the property of PHHWV.  If the above criteria are not adhered to the horse/pony will be taken back.

 

Horse Rehabilitation Cases

Charlie's Story
	I volunteered to be a short term carer for PHHWV in early 2003 - I had recently lost my own horse to bowel cancer and felt caring for a less fortunate horse would help both me and the horse. A month after volunteering Nicky dropped a 16.1hand bay thoroughbred gelding at my property; initially for short term care. He looked like a walking skeleton; hip bones sticking out, every rib was visible, his back looked distorted and his coat was long and coarse. Read More ...
Mathew's Story
	PHHWV Matthew (Matt) is one of the 11 Portland horses that formed one of the largest rescue efforts PHHWV has completed to date.  An undernourished mature stallion at the time of rescue, Matt’s story is one of the many successes that have eventuated from that day.  We hope that this story gives you an insight into the some of the challenges, work, effort and enjoyment that PHHWV volunteers experience with the successful rescue and rehabilitation of a neglected horse. Read More ...
Aladdin's Story
	On the 20 August 2000, I rolled up to Nicola Fanning’s house with my parents to see a 15 year old grey Arab gelding who needed re-homing. PHHWV had rescued him only weeks before, where his situation of neglect had come about after his owners had taken off and left him in an agistment paddock, three years later, with his owners obviously long gone. PHHWV received a phone call from the owner of the paddock in which the horse had been left, enquiring as to what should be done with the horse as he was selling up. Read More ...
Anastasia's Story
	Anastasia (or Lilly as we then called her) came to us as a rose-grey Arabian mare who had been handled somewhat but was fairly green when it came to understanding where her place was in the scheme of things! We spent much time with the little Arabian mare in the first few weeks just handling her and getting her accustomed to being led (not leading us), having her feet handled etc…though admittedly she never really gave us too much grief! Read More ...
Bear's Story
	How apt his name is. Like a bear he is brown (bay), soft and furry. He has brown eyes and sometimes comes across a bit grizzly. However, unlike a wild bear he has an unmistakably soft, gentle side that is reflected in his lovely big, soft brown eyes. His nicker is soft, gentle and kind and he is the most willing horse I have ever known. When we took Bear home to our paddock he lived on the other side of the fence from my horse and his friend for some time. However, this did not decrease the hard time he was going to have for the next three months until he established his place in the herd. Read More ...