Meet our adoptable horses
Prior to being “cleared” for adoption, horses in our care have completed a 2-3 month evaluation process which allows us to learn their personality, herd ranking, and quirks once they settle in to a foster family’s home. Adoptable horses have received vaccinations, deworming, farrier care and have a current negative Coggins, in addition to a training evaluation and riding/driving time dependent on their soundness or limitations. Horses continue being handled or ridden throughout their time in rescue and lead, load, tie and have basic ground manners regardless of whether or not they are able to be ridden.
Please note: We require an approved adoption application prior to scheduling a visit with the horse you are interested in. As a foster-based rescue, this is out of respect for our fosters’ privacy and time as well as yours. Please visit our Adoption FAQ if you have questions.
Zippin With Quincy
Zippin With Quincy (aka Zippy) is a registered Quarter Horse mare just out of a 30-day tune up with a professional trainer. See her video. Zippy would most appreciate an intermediate rider with good hands, but she would likely be fine with an advanced beginner who is not intimidated by her businesslike walk and work ethic.
Just turning 20, she has the miles of a much younger horse. She was started as a 2-year-old, trail ridden for a few years, and then basically served as a pasture pet for 12 years. Zippy is kind and easy to handle. She can be an “easy keeper” so one eye on her weight will be important if her adopter has lush pastures.
Zippy is currently shod on the front due to long toes/low heels at intake, but we anticipate she can likely comfortably transition to barefoot within her next couple farrier visits.
Check our Facebook for updates on Zippy and get your application in today. She’s one of those easygoing horses that will be happy having a family to pay attention to her and take down the trail, perhaps even sort the occasional cow or competitive trail challenge.
Zippy’s adoption fee is $1500.
Manhattan’s Praise Worthy
Paisley is a 23-year-old registered American Saddlebred mare (4/24/00) who was dumped for free on Craigslist to a person brand new to horses in the middle of the winter - a combination which nearly resulted in death.
Paisley came to us a BCS 1, but has rehabbed well and maintains her weight on her current feeding program. She requires high fat feed and alfalfa pellets or hay. She loves attention and a fixed routine and her adopter should understand it will take her some time to settle into a new home. She needs a private pasture where she can share a fence line but not be turned out with others. We are happy to discuss the “whys” of her upkeep with truly interested parties.
She is a typical Saddlebred ex-show horse, and requires an experienced handler who won’t be upset by her snort-n-blow. Paisley was shown in halter as a young horse and was trained to ride, although due to arthritis and previous life care, she is no longer sound to ride.
Paisley loves cookies, drinking Squirt from the can, and the occasional cup of apple cider. She currently lives outdoors 24/7 except in bad weather. We would consider placing her with a sanctuary foster or adopting her to the perfect retirement home. Please email us for additional information or fill out an adoption application to indicate your interest.
Finnius Jerome Fogg
Finnius Jerome Fogg (aka Finn) is a 20 year old registered AQHA quarter horse gelding who competed in team penning with his first owner. Finn has not been ridden in 12 years, and is unfortunately not sound to ride at this time (diagnostics and radiographs available), although he is more than happy to run about his pasture and interact with his herd mates.
Finn has great ground manners and is easy to groom and handle - plus he has the classic quarter horse good looks and color! He is currently on a corrective shoeing plan and daily Equioxx - he is obviously uncomfortable without this anti-inflammatory, so perspective adopters should understand this is a maintenance requirement, not a “maybe” at the present time. (He could be a candidate for Adequan and he seems to respond positively to Pentosan, so those are other options for a prospective adopter to consider.)
Finn is otherwise an easy keeper, needing only a ration balancer to maintain his pleasantly plump physique. Finn has lived with mares, geldings, and donkeys. He can go with Zippy for a nominal fee, if desired, or we would place him in the perfect companion/retirement home.
Currently in intake…
Nuclear Cam: Coming 20 year old Standardbred (pacing-bred) gelding who raced for 8 seasons and has been under saddle for several years. Gaited standardbred lovers, keep an eye on this guy’s recovery! Currently in weight gain rehabilitation in need of 150-200 pounds and several farrier visits as he has not been on a regular schedule in recent months. Vaccinations and Coggins updated the week of February 5. He will be evaluated and cleared for adoption when at an appropriate weight.
Buttercup: Approximately 16 year old, 14.3 hand grade (quarter horse/walking horse cross is best guess) who is currently gaining weight and having her groundwork refreshed after being a companion horse for the past 7 years. Buttercup was a well-started but green trail horse before becoming a companion to two elderly geldings, so we will be restarting her under saddle once she is back to a healthy weight. We will likely look to adopt her to a mare-only home (or someone who keeps their pastures separated) as she seems to bond to the boys a bit too much.
Horses in the intake process take on many forms. Oftentimes, initial vetting and farrier care take place prior to transporting to a foster home. Once fosters commit and transportation is arranged, horses are brought in and spend several days or weeks settling into their new situation, learning new routines, and being evaluated for basic manners, temperament, and “good citizen” knowledge.
If you would like to help us cover the costs associated with intake, please visit this page.
Horses will be added to the website as they are cleared for adoption. This means they are a BCS 4 or better, have been fully vetted and rehabilitated, and have had training evaluations on the ground and under tack as appropriate.
You may apply to adopt at any time, even if we do not currently have a horse that fits your wish list. We often network horses into new homes through our Friends Helping Friends program, and we always reach out to approved adopters first when our horses become officially available.
More Details About Our Process
- We adopt within 200 miles of zip code 37048, Cottontown TN, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions include 5 years of documented ownership, references, and photos of current equine and facility.
- We require an in-person meeting to ensure an appropriate match between horse and adopter.
- You must go through our approval process, including submitting references, prior to meeting the horse or ‘test rides’ – this is out of respect for everyone’s time. Providing complete and accurate information helps us process your application faster and match you accurately with available horses.
- Horses are up to date on routine care including vaccinations and Coggins, and complementary therapies if our team feels they are needed (IE massage, chiropractic, MagnaWave, acupuncture, etc.)
- PPE’s from adopter’s veterinarian are always welcome. We will work with you but do ask that vetting is done within 7 days of committing to adopt whenever possible.
- Our adoption agreement is a lifetime safety net with no breeding, no auction, no slaughter terms. We will always take back or assist with re-homing any Safe Harbor adoptee.
- Nearly every horse in our care is available for sponsorship. Full sponsors have the option to meet their sponsored horse. Go here for sponsorship or email us with questions.
Courtesy listings will be shared in this space.
Safe Harbor “Friends Helping Friends” is an owner-assistance placement program for horses seeking new homes. Owners may share on our Facebook group and email us, and we will network the horse here, by email, and to our social media audience.
Safe Harbor “alumni” seeking new pastures are noted as such. All courtesy listings require an approved adoption application. Safe Harbor alumni require our transfer of ownership contract. Others are noted as to owner’s desires.
Safe Harbor makes no claims or warranties as to the soundness or suitability of any courtesy-listed horses.
These horses are not in our care or custody. Owners set their own fees.