It is our aim to Rescue, Rehabilitate and Loan.

We receive many applications to LOAN a horse, pony or donkey. It is an unenviable task deciding whether an Equine will benefit being in the private home being offered. Applicants are required to fill in our 18 point questionnaire and read through our Guidelines before any consideration can be given. After studying their answers we then consider whether we have anything suitable for their requirements-also if the home they are offering is adequate for the needs of the Equine. If we think we may have a suitable equine we invite the applicant to ride, associate and spend time with the selected animal. We always point out that MOST of our animals have a traumatic past history and so each animal needs time to re-adjust. If initial

introductions seem to be going well we then visit the proposed premises to make sure it relates to their answers in the questionnaire.

We often get asked WHY we always have so many equines in residence when so many folk apply. The answer is that most applicants are not prepared to spend time and possibly money - many want the perfect animal NOW. Very occasionally an animal is born at the Sanctuary or a very good loan home has to return one of our animals. We then have a very loanable animal without background problems. Suddenly a multitude of folk want this "paragon of virtue" - each person feeling they should have it.

Although we carefully vet each applicant-sadly it has happened that we loan out an animal that just will not settle into a different environment BUT so has to return to the Sanctuary but if we abandon LOANING then we could not take in any more needy animals.

Before any animal goes into a Loan Home the loaner has to sign a legal agreement. The main criteria states the animal will always remain SHRT's property. The Loaner cannot move the animal to another premises without our permission. They may not breed from our animal. We also have a set nominal donation and a yearly renewal fee of £20.

We must have access to our animal at all times and we have the right to remove our animal without giving a reason. It is our belief that should anyone loan their car, favourite book or animal they do this because the trust is appropriate. If the trust breaks down and the Loaner breaks the terms of the Agreement then it is prudent to remove your property. Trustee, Joanna, handles the loaning system-occasionally, despite persistent reminders from Joanna and/or correspondence from the Trust, a loaner breaches the terms of the Agreement-in the interest of the welfare of SHRT animals we do remove our animals-this is often unpleasant so we have to have broad shoulders.

If you would be interested in loaning an animal your first step is to complete our questionnaire and return it to the Trust together with a stamped addressed envelope. Only after this has been returned to the Trust will any consideration be given to the request.  Please do not just arrive at the Trust hoping to be able to see our equines.

Application to Loan (PDF)