Adoption Information

Considering opening your heart and home to a deserving horse? At Hawke's Haven, we're dedicated to matching the right horse with the right owner. Explore our adoption process and discover how you can provide a loving, forever home.

The journey to adoption

From arrival to adoption, each horse at Hawke's Haven undergoes a comprehensive journey of care and rehabilitation. This ensures they're physically healthy, emotionally confident, and ready for a loving, long-term home. Their journey consists of:

  1. Arrival & Intake: Initial health and temperament assessment. Immediate medical needs addressed.
  2. Stabilization & Basic Care: Focus on nutrition, shelter, and gentle handling to build trust.
  3. Rehabilitation (Physical & Emotional): Tailored exercise programs and socialization.
  4. Assessment for Adoption: Temperament evaluation and suitability assessment.
  5. Adoption Preparation: Profiles created and screening of potential adopters.
  6. Adoption & Follow-Up: Ongoing support to help the horse settle and thrive.

Arrival → Stabilization → Rehab → Adoption Assessment → Placement → Follow-Up

What we look for in a perfect home

At Hawke's Haven, the "perfect home" is about safety, care, compatibility, and long-term commitment. We seek adopters who can provide:

  1. Safety & Facilities: Secure fencing, appropriate shelter, and safe turnout areas.
  2. Experience & Knowledge: Understanding of horse behaviour and care basics, suited to the horse's temperament and needs.
  3. Commitment & Time: Daily care, investment in ongoing needs, and long-term dedication (10–25+ years).
  4. Compatibility: Matching the horse's energy, training, and personality to the owner's lifestyle.
  5. Attitude & Care Philosophy: Patience, empathy, and a focus on the horse’s well-being.

The perfect home is safe, knowledgeable, committed and compassionate, where the horse’s physical, emotional and behavioral needs will continue to be met. It’s a place where the horse can thrive, build confidence and enjoy a long, happy life.

Post-adoption support

Our care continues even after adoption – supporting every horse and owner for a lifetime of health, happiness, and confidence. Our Post-Adoption Support Package includes:

  1. Follow-Up Check-Ins: Scheduled updates to monitor the horse’s adjustment.
  2. Training & Handling Advice: Continuing rehabilitation exercises and tips for confidence-building.
  3. Health & Care Guidance: Nutritional recommendations, vet and farrier advice.
  4. Community & Resources: Access to our network of experienced owners and trainers, plus educational resources.

Adoption fees

Adoption fees help cover the costs associated with rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming horses. These may include veterinary care, farrier services, nutrition, training, and administrative costs.

Fee for each individual horse up for adoption will vary depending on the horse itself and what we personally put into them financially and physically.

We offer some flexibility through sliding scale fees, fee waivers in certain cases, and sponsorship programs.