If you are interested in adopting one of the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge horses for the fall, please review our adoption process this year. The last few Challenges have been a bit unusual with COVID-19, but we’re going back to our normal, pre-COVID Expo adoption procedures. We know we have a lot of folks interested in the Challenge horses and we have tried to work out a procedure that is fair, clear, and not too overwhelming to the Adoption Team.
If you are interested in adopting a Challenge horse – even if you do not know which horse you are interested in yet – you will need to complete an adoption application. You can read about how adoption works and access our application at https://www.bluebonnetequine.org/adopt-a-hhorse/. Please do not be intimidated by the word application – we’re just gathering some info on your needs and experience so we can help you make the best match possible. We want you and your adopted horse(s) to be happy! If you are already an approved adopter, you can skip this step – you do not need to reapply.
Once you have submitted your complete adoption application, the Adoption Coordinator, Sharon Jacobson, will touch base with you. If you are interested in a particular Challenge horse, you can let her know which horse(s) you are interested in and you will be placed on their “Interest list”. If you are already approved, please contact Sharon at adoption@bluebonnetequine.org to let her know which horse(s) you are interested in. You can be on the list for two horses at a time and can be first in line for only one horse at a time. If you change your mind about adoption, are no longer able to adopt, or are interested in a different horse, please contact Sharon at adoption@bluebonnetequine.org to let her know.
Training Challenge competitors will have until October 1, 2021 to adopt their Challenge horses. After October 1, Sharon (the Adoption Coordinator) will start contacting potential adopters to let them know they’re first in line for a horse. If you are first in line for a horse, Sharon will give you a time during the Expo that you need to visit the horse – we will not be doing pre-Expo adoptions or visits this year. If you do not visit by the time Sharon gives you, the horse will be available to other adopters. If you visit a horse at the Expo and decide he/she is not a good fit, you may visit other horses who are available for adoption at the Expo. It isn’t unusual for someone to come see one horse but end up adopting a completely different horse instead!
At the Expo, the Training Challenge competitors will be available to show you the horses and answer questions about them during designated times (we will finalize that schedule when the event is closer). For rideable horses, you will be able to test ride the horse in a round pen and we strongly encourage you to wear a riding helmet when you do so. Proper footwear is also required. If you decide to adopt the horse, you will need to visit Sharon to sign the adoption contact and pay the adoption fee. You will then be able to take your horse home once he/she is done competing.
We may also have other horses available for adoption who are not in the Challenge. We will have volunteers who can show those horses to you, and if you adopt a non-Challenge horse you can take him/her home once you have signed the contact and paid the fee.
Adopted horses may be taken home up until 8pm Saturday night or between 8am and 10am on Sunday morning. If you will need to leave your adopted horse Saturday night, please make sure to bring feed and water buckets for him and make sure he has been feed and watered Saturday evening.