Please review this page for more information on our adoption guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption process.<\/p>\n
Have a question that’s not listed here? Contact us at\u00a0 cantermichigan@canterusa.org<\/a> and we’ll be happy to help!<\/p>\n Ready to adopt? View our adoptable horses<\/a> to find your perfect match and complete an Adoption Approval Form<\/a>. To view all the horses in the CANTER Michigan program, visit The Backside<\/a>.<\/p>\n General Adoption Questions<\/a> \t\t\tWhy should I adopt a CANTER off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB)?<\/p>\n CANTER OTTBs have already been let down from the track and are ready to thrive in new homes. Prior to adoption, CANTER OTTBs are acclimated to post-track life (including turnout, grazing, handling, etc.) and have received preliminary retraining in walk, trot and canter under saddle. CANTER\u2019s trainers assess their personalities and suitability for future careers to ensure a successful future with a well-matched partner. They also receive expert veterinary and farrier care and rehabilitation for any injuries they may have sustained while racing or in training. CANTER is fully transparent about its horses\u2019 medical histories and will provide all available records upon request. CANTER also checks in with adopters regularly to provide support and resources for any challenges that arise in the horses\u2019 training.<\/p>\n \t\t\tHow much does it cost to adopt a CANTER OTTB?<\/p>\n The price of a horse is determined by soundness, training, potential abilities, height, vices and personality. Average prices of horses range from $800 to $3,000. CANTER\u2019s adoption fees are typically much lower than the sale prices of similar horses with equivalent training. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, all adoption fees paid to CANTER go directly to provide care for the horses in the program.<\/p>\n \t\t\tHow long does it take to get approved by CANTER?<\/p>\n Once you submit an application, a CANTER Adoption Application Specialist will review it and reach out to your references. The process usually only takes a few business days, but you may experience delays if we are unable to connect with one or more of your references.<\/p>\n \t\t\tIs completing an adoption application a guarantee of approval or adoption?<\/p>\n No. Potential adopters must successfully complete a reference check before approval. Once approved, CANTER reserves the right to place our OTTBs in homes and with adopters in the best interest of the horses.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan minors adopt horses from CANTER?<\/p>\n Potential adopters must be at least 18 years of age to adopt a CANTER horse. Those under the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian complete the application for them.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDo I have to be re-approved if I don\u2019t adopt the horse I originally applied for?<\/p>\n No. CANTER adoption approvals are valid for all of the applicable CANTER affiliate\u2019s horses unless your references (stable, trainer, veterinarian and\/or farrier) change. In this case, please email cantermichigan@canterusa.org<\/a> with your new reference information.<\/p>\n \t\t\tI was approved by a CANTER affiliate in a different state. Am I approved to adopt from any CANTER affiliate?<\/p>\n No. Each CANTER affiliate has its own adoption and approval process, so approvals made by one affiliate are not guaranteed to transfer to other affiliates. When possible, we will do our best to share reference information between affiliates to speed up the process, but each affiliate application may require a separate application process and reference check.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I adopt a CANTER horse if I don\u2019t live in the same state as the horse?<\/p>\n Yes! Approved adopters in other states can adopt CANTER OTTBs. Visiting the training farm and doing a test ride prior to adoption is encouraged, but not required. If you\u2019re unable to travel to the farm for a test ride, CANTER\u2019s trainer will discuss the horse\u2019s details and your experience with you via phone to ensure a good match.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDoes CANTER allow trials prior to adoption?<\/p>\n No, CANTER does not offer trials on its OTTBs. The Conditional Lifetime Adoption Agreement<\/a> includes a provision that outlines the option to return a horse to CANTER within 30 days of adoption. Please review the Adoption Agreement for details.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I put down a deposit to \u201chold\u201d a horse?<\/p>\n No. CANTER OTTBs will remain listed for adoption until the Conditional Lifetime Adoption Agreement<\/a> is signed and the adoption fee is paid.<\/p>\n \t\t\tHow do I get more information about a horse I\u2019m interested in adopting?<\/p>\n Please email cantermichigan@canterusa.org<\/a> with questions. If you are a CANTER Michigan approved adopter, you can reach out directly to the trainer indicated on the horse\u2019s adoption listing for more information.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I set up an appointment to see a horse before I\u2019m approved?<\/p>\n No. All potential adopters must be approved by CANTER prior to viewing or trying horses.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDo CANTER OTTBs have Jockey Club papers?<\/p>\n CANTER OTTBs are registered Thoroughbreds with Jockey Club papers. CANTER retains its horses\u2019 digital Jockey Club certificates (or hard-copy papers for horses foaled prior to 2018), but adopters will be given a copy of their horse\u2019s papers. In some cases, CANTER is unable to get a horse\u2019s Jockey Club certificate from the original owner, but all adopters will be provided with their horse\u2019s Jockey Club number.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I race a horse adopted from CANTER?<\/p>\n No. Adopters must sign a Conditional Lifetime Adoption Agreement<\/a> stipulating the horse will never be entered to race for the remainder of its life. Racing secretaries are also prohibited from entering CANTER horses in races.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I breed a horse adopted from CANTER?<\/p>\n All colts and stallions are castrated prior to being listed for adoption. Mares adopted from CANTER may not be bred for racing purposes. Qualified adopters may breed mares adopted from CANTER for non-racing purposes only.<\/p>\n \t\t\tWhat kind of training do CANTER OTTBs receive?<\/p>\n Prior to adoption, CANTER OTTBs receive preliminary training under saddle in walk, trot and canter with English tack. Some may have additional experience (e.g., riding with western tack, trail experience, introduction to low jumps, etc.), but horses do not have any training beyond the basics unless otherwise specified.<\/p>\n \t\t\tWhat medical\/farrier care and vaccinations do CANTER OTTBs receive?<\/p>\n CANTER OTTBs receive regular veterinary examinations and routine farrier care, including shoes if needed. If injury or lameness issues occur, the horse will be evaluated and treated as needed, including any necessary radiographs. CANTER OTTBs also receive routine vaccinations: eastern\/western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE\/WEE), rabies, tetanus, West Nile virus (WNV), and a flu\/rhinovirus combo vaccine. CANTER also provides a valid Coggins test. Any additional vaccinations (e.g., strangles) are the responsibility of the adopter.<\/p>\n \t\t\tAre CANTER OTTBs sound for jumping, eventing, etc.?<\/p>\n CANTER has OTTBs with a variety of suitability. Some retired from racing sound or with only minor injuries and have no limitations while others may be suited for flat work or companion homes only. The horse\u2019s adoption listing will contain information on its medical history and suitability. Medical records and x-rays (if available) are provided to adopters upon request. While CANTER\u2019s trainers do their best to assess the horses in the program, we cannot make any guarantees about soundness.<\/p>\n \t\t\tAre pre-purchase examinations allowed?<\/p>\n Yes! CANTER recommends that adopters have a pre-purchase examination completed by a licensed veterinarian prior to adoption. This examination must be arranged and paid for by the adopter.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I adopt a CANTER OTTB if I\u2019ve never owned a horse before?<\/p>\n Yes, first-time horse owners can adopt CANTER OTTBs. If you are a first-time horse owner, you should be working with a trainer and keeping the horse at a stable with an established veterinarian and farrier history.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDo I have to have experience with OTTBs to adopt a horse from CANTER?<\/p>\n We do not require adopters to have experience with OTTBs. However, if you do not have experience retraining OTTBs, you should be working closely with a trainer.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDo I have to be working with a trainer?<\/p>\n Potential adopters are not required to be working with a trainer provided they have adequate experience handling and riding OTTBs. However, CANTER always encourages adopters to have a relationship with a trainer as an additional resource if they encounter any challenges in the retraining process.<\/p>\n \t\t\tWhat level of rider\/handler is appropriate for CANTER OTTBs?<\/p>\n CANTER OTTBs have been recently retired from the racetrack and receive only preliminary retraining. They require handlers and riders with extensive horse experience and are recommended for experienced riders or intermediate riders working with a trainer.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I adopt a CANTER OTTB if I don\u2019t have a veterinarian and\/or farrier?<\/p>\n CANTER requires a positive, current reference from both a veterinarian and farrier with whom adopters have established relationships. If you are a first-time horse owner, you must be working with a trainer and\/or boarding at a facility that has an established history that can be used as your reference.<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I keep the horse at home, or do I have to board the horse?<\/p>\n Adopters can keep CANTER OTTBs at a home farm as long as they successfully complete the reference-check process. CANTER will require photos of the facilities (including barns\/shelters, stalls, pastures and fencing) and any other horses on the property as part of the approval process. There must be at least one additional horse on the property so the CANTER OTTB is not kept alone.<\/p>\n \t\t\tWhat are CANTER\u2019s requirements for facilities?<\/p>\n The facility where the CANTER horse will be kept must be in good repair and safe as evaluated by the veterinarian and farrier references. There must be adequate space for the number of horses on the property. Horses must have access to clean water at all times. Horses may be kept outside, but must have access to safe shelter. Fencing must be in good condition and adequate to contain a large, energetic horse. Barbed wire fencing is not permitted. If the horse will be kept in a stall, the space must be large enough to accommodate a Thoroughbred. <\/p>\n \t\t\tDoes CANTER do site visits?<\/p>\n No, CANTER does not require a site visit for approval. However, we do require photos of the facilities (including barns\/shelters, stalls, pastures and fencing) where the horse will be kept.<\/p>\n \t\t\tHow and when do I pay for the horse?<\/p>\n The horse\u2019s adoption fee must be paid before the horse is moved from the farm. The fee may be paid by cash, check, MasterCard or Visa.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDoes CANTER provide transportation for adopted horses?<\/p>\n No. Adopters must arrange transportation from the CANTER farm to the stabling location. All horses must be picked up in a trailer large enough for a Thoroughbred. If you need help with transportation, your CANTER representative will do their best to provide you with resources and\/or recommendations.<\/p>\n \t\t\tDoes CANTER provide health certificates?<\/p>\n If you require a health certificate for your CANTER OTTB, please contact the horse\u2019s trainer or your adoption representative and CANTER will arrange for the certificate to be completed by one of our veterinarians. The cost of the health certificate is the responsibility of the adopter.<\/p>\n \t\t\tHow long do I have to pick up my horse after adoption?<\/p>\n Once the adoption fee has been paid, CANTER will pay for the board of the horse for three days. After three days, the adopter will be charged $15 per day for board.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\tCan I rehome my CANTER OTTB?<\/p>\n CANTER requires a Rehome Bill of Sale to be signed by both parties before the horse can be sold, leased, traded or given away. Per the Conditional Lifetime Adoption Agreement<\/a>, CANTER horses may never be sold at auction or to a dealer. CANTER retains the right of first refusal for all adopted horses. <\/p>\n \t\t\tWhat updates am I required to provide to CANTER after adoption?<\/p>\n CANTER requires updates from adopters after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of adoption, including photos.\u00a0After two years, updates are not mandatory, but are encouraged. Adopters must also notify CANTER if they move the horse from the stabling facility approved during the application process.<\/p>\n \t\t\tWhat if I can no longer keep my CANTER OTTB?<\/p>\n In the event that you are no longer able to care for your adopted horse, CANTER representatives will work with you to help you find an appropriate placement. The horse may be listed for adoption on the CANTER website and social media pages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Adoption Guidelines & Frequently Asked Questions Please review this page for more information on our adoption guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption process. Have a question<\/p>\n
\nAdoption Process<\/a>
\nHorse Information<\/a>
\nAdopter Requirements<\/a>
\nFacility Requirements<\/a>
\nPayment & Transportation<\/a>
\nPost-Adoption<\/a><\/p>\nGeneral Adoption Questions<\/a><\/h4>\n
Adoption Process<\/a><\/h4>\n
Horse Information<\/a><\/h4>\n
Adopter Requirements<\/a><\/h4>\n
Facility Requirements<\/a><\/h4>\n
Payment & Transportation<\/a><\/h4>\n
Post-Adoption<\/a><\/h4>\n