How Do I Adopt A Horse?
The first thing that any potential adopter must do is submit an adoption application.  Submitting an adoption application does NOT obligate you to adopt a horse. It simply shows us that you're seriously interested, and when applicable, helps us create a wait list of potential adopters.

Do I Own the Adopted Horse?
The first year that a horse is adopted, they continue to remain in the ownership of Friends of Ferdinand, Inc.  This allows FFI to ensure that the adoption home is a good, long-term fit for both the horse and the adopter.  After the first year in the new home, the ownership of the horse is transferred to the adopter.

Can I Give an FFI Horse Back to FFI?
Before we take a horse back, we will work with you to try to resolve the issues you are facing.  However, if the horse is in danger of falling into a neglectful situation and you are no longer able to care for that horse, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it We will work with you to ensure the horse is safe.

Why Is There an Adoption Fee?
Adoption fees vary in price based on the skills and potential of each individual horse.  Adoption fees are used to cover expenses of future horses brought into the program.  In other words, by adopting an FFI horse, you are helping to rehab and rehome another horse that may be at riskfor neglect, abuse or slaughter.

Where Can I Visit FFI Adoption Horses?
If you've found a horse in our listings that has a status of "Available For Adoption," the first thing you need to do is submit an adoption application.  Once your application is received and approved, an FFI volunteer will contact you to discuss your desired horse.  At that time, they will also give you the contact information for the horse's foster home.  The foster homes know more about the individual horses than anyone else, since they care for them on a daily basis.  Because of this, the foster homes play a large role in approving adoption homes.  Our goal is to find a perfect match between horse and adopter to ensure a long term, successful home.

Adoption Horses vs. Track Listings
Horses donated to Friends of Ferdinand were at-risk for abuse, neglect and slaughter. Horses owned by Friends of Ferdinand are not for sale, but are available for adoption. Our adoption policies ensure, to the best of our ability that our horses are never at-risk again. We strive to place our horses in loving, productive homes where they learn new skills.

Horses listed in the Track Listing are for private sale, not for adoption. Adoption policies, fees and contracts do not apply to horses advertised on the Track Listing pages. These horses are owned by their Race owners, not Friends of Ferdinand.  Information given in Track Listing ads is information given to FFI volunteers by the owner, trainer, or agent. Friends of Ferdinand is not responsible for misinformation or inaccurate descriptions. Buyer Beware.

What Benefit Do I Get from Adopting vs Buying?
When you adopt an FFI horse, you are getting a horse with some known history behind it.  FFI horses are vet checked and have been evaluated for physical soundness.  Since our goal is a long term home for the horse, we are very open about any of the soundness issues or special needs that our horses may have.  Once your application has been received and approved, you'll be able to meet your desired foster horse.  We want to see how you handle them (including riding) to ensure a good home.  In short, FFI horses have more than just a race record.  Because of the love and attention they receive in their foster homes, they have learned that there is more to life than racing.  For potential adopters, that means you can rest assured that FFI will match you to the right horse for your skill level and desire.

Horses purchased directly from the track listings may or may not have been turned out with a herd, so they may not understand herd dynamics.  They also cannot be vet checked by your vet if they are at the track.  Only sanctioned track veterinarians can examine a horse at the track.  You also cannot ride the horse at the track.  While many horses simply need time off from racing, it can be a risk to purchase a horse directly from the track listings.  Buyer beware.