Sanctuary at Home FAQs

Frequently asked questions about our rehoming scheme

You should find an answer to your question here, but if not don’t hesitate to get in touch.

  • The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is looking for Sanctuary at Home carers from across the South West of England.   This includes the counties of Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.  We’ll also consider homes in South Wales and Hampshire.

  • You must be 18 years or over to become a Sanctuary at Home carer.  An adult must apply on behalf of a child or children who would like to become a Sanctuary at Home carer for a rescued horse or pony.

  • We welcome both novice and experienced Sanctuary at Home carers and all those in between, because our horses and ponies have all been rescued and have their different needs too.

  • Horses and ponies rehomed through our Sanctuary at Home scheme always remain in the ownership of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in order that we can safeguard the ongoing welfare of the equine.

  • Horses that live out must have access to good shelter and the ability to stay warm and dry in extreme weather. As with all horses though, it will depend on their individual needs.    Your first step is to complete an application form and tell us as much as you can about you, the sort of horse or pony you are looking for and the sort of home you can offer so we can find a special match for you.

  • We only rehome our horses in an environment where they will have equine company in the same paddock. Horses are herd animals and interaction with other horses is very important to them and allows them to exhibit beneficial natural behaviour.

  • Our home visits can be over the phone and in person.  The frequency of these depends on your individual circumstances.  For example, if you are a new Sanctuary at Home carer, we will visit after four to six weeks to ensure you are all settling in. As part of the application process, we will provide more information on what you can expect.

    You also have access to friendly advice and support from our dedicated team whenever you need it.

  • Your home visit will usually last 20-30 minutes. Our staff member will need to see the horse for a short health check as well as any grazing, stabling or field shelters they have access to. You will be able to ask questions as well as tell us how you’ve been getting on together.

  • You will need to keep us updated with your new address and contact details so we can contact you regarding your sanctuary horse. If you want to move your horse to a new premises, (whether on a temporary or permanent basis) you will need to let us know in advance and they should not be moved to premises we have not seen.

  • In most cases, we don’t provide tack and rugs, unless the horse or pony has a medical reason that requires specialist equipment.

  • Our Sanctuary at Home carers are responsible for arranging all transport, but if you feel you will have any difficultly with this, please let us know during the application process.

  • Having suitable public liability insurance is necessary to safeguard you against any potential claims resulting from the actions of any horses in your care. This is the only type of insurance we ask you to have in place. Anything further – such as veterinary insurance  is your choice to put in place if you wish.

  • You’ll need the ability to commit to any routine or unexpected vet costs.  There may be individual horses or ponies we need to rehome where we will provide some financial assistance towards veterinary costs.  This is at our discretion and based on the needs of the horse or pony, and we would discuss this with you during the application process.

  • Horses and ponies rehomed through our Sanctuary at Home scheme always remain in the ownership of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in order that we can safeguard the ongoing welfare of the equine.  Your reference assists us in determining your suitability to become a Sanctuary at Home carer.

  • Becoming a Sanctuary at Home carer means rehoming horses and ponies from our charity and helping provide a sanctuary at home for as many years as you can on a loan basis.

    Many of our Sanctuary at Home carers tell us this gives them peace of mind should their circumstances change, and they can no longer provide sanctuary at home. The horse or pony can come back to us if they ever need to, and we ask for as much notice as possible should this situation occur.

  • We ask for a one-off rehoming fee of £50 for a companion pony. The rehoming fee for ridden ponies will be discussed on application. By becoming a Sanctuary at Home carer, you join a group of very special people who support The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in the most amazing way.

Learn More About Rehoming

Become a Carer

Find out how to become a Sanctuary at Home Carer.
Read more

Meet the Carers

Meet our amazing team of Sanctuary at Home Carers.
Read more

Meet the Ponies

See who is currently available for rehoming, and apply today.
Read more

Explore Further

Visit Our Sanctuary

Connect with our rescued horses and ponies, hear their back stories and meet the knowledgeable grooms who care for them.
Read more

Get Some Advice

We provide advice and support to horse owners or people who are thinking about getting a horse or pony. We also offer support to smaller equine welfare sanctuaries and other equine professionals.
Read more

Support the Charity

We rely entirely on donations and legacy gifts to carry out our work. A donation today can help to sustain our ability to offer sanctuary for horses and ponies.
Read more