Would this be considered buying or adopting?

Question

I feel like a complete r****d for asking but in my eyes the horse world is completely different from the rest of the pet world.

I worked at a ranch where my boss bought a yearling and had him gelded, trained, and then put him up for sale. I wanted to open a small rescue that had some horses (mostly mustangs fresh off the range and rescued thoroughbreds). Ok so here is where I'm confused. If it was a wild horse that was gentled (and possibly completely trained using some method) or a rescued thoroughbred would it be considered selling or adopting out?

Answer 1

well since you are a rescue most people adopt them out but for a small fee like 100-1,000 dollars depends on the horse  

Answer 2

well it depends if you want the option of getting the horse back if they don't want it anymore. if yes then it's adopting, if no then you're selling

Answer 3

If you are looking at potential owners through an adoption application, and checking vet references, doing a home visit as to where the animal is going, charging an adoption fee that might cover your expenses on it, and making them sign an adoption contract, that stated the animal would not be sold etc and would come back to you if something happened where they could not care for it anymore, then you would consider it an adoption - if you are giving them complete ownership of the animal regardless of what they do with it later on, then you're just selling horses.  Research Equine rescues, and talk to the owners/volunteers of these rescues and you'll learn a lot from them.  Also, remember, you're not going to make money at rescue, the costs going out for vetting is way higher than what you're going to get back as an adoption fee.    If you're a 501(c) THEN, you can ask for donations to help fund your rescue etc,  but otherwise, you're basically on your own.    The decision to become a rescue, and then building your reputation as a REPUTABLE rescue that vets their animals, etc, etc, etc  is very time consuming and one "goof up" can really hurt your reputation in the rescue world,  those of us in rescue are as cynical of humans as they come, but then again, we are the ones out there in the trenches seeing the abuse and neglect first hand.  Best of luck to you, oh, and you might find some good rescues in your area by going to www.petfinder.com and clicking on shelters and rescues - that will give you a starting point .....also, look deeply into your heart and ask yourself this....can I make a difference in this animals life, and am I doing it for money or for the animal....when you come to that answer, you'll know what direction you need to take.  

Answer 4

I think the difference is who retains ownership rights to the horse.  Did you just pay for it and it's yours?  Then that's buying, even if you have rescued it from some bad situation.  If there are conditions attached to your "donation", like a two year probationary period, or they can come inspect how the horse is doing and take it away if not cared for (thereby retaining ownership rights to the horse) then it is adopting.  

I have two ponies from two different rescues.  One was mine years ago, I sold him, then and I found him there.  They didn't charge me to take him back, but I did sign their regular contract that says they still own him and can come do annual inspections (which they haven't done in the last 7 years), and that if I ever wanted to get rid of him that I had to send him back there instead of selling him.  I "adopted" him back in 2001.

Last summer, I adopted a pony from another rescue.  At this one, it is a probationary period of two years when they still own the pony, can come inspect, remove him, etc., and if all goes well after two years, then I can apply to have his ownership transferred to me at that time.