F.A.Q.s
I have seen a Totem horse that I want and I just want to come and see it, why are you insisting that I fill out an application form first?
We do not sell our horses, so it is not a case of just coming to view - instead we try to match horse and owner - which is best all around. By getting all the information on a form, it allows us to make the best possible match for both parties. If we have one then the potential adopter will then be asked to come and view any suitable animals.
I have been told I have to have a home visit, what if I fail?
We visit your home or the place where the horse will be in order to ensure that everything is safe and that you have thought about how you will introduce your new arrival to existing equines. Home visits are rarely failed. However, if we have concerns we may ask you to make changes/improvements before we will allow the horse to come to you - or it may be that we decide based on your circumstances that another equine would be a more suitable choice.
Will I own the horse and what about the passport?
Totem retains ownership of all equines for the first two years but you will be given the passport to keep with the animal to record vaccinations, other details and in order to travel the animal. After two years, if both parties are happy then the animals passport will be signed over to you.
If I loan a Totem horse and do not want it anymore, can I pass it to someone I know?
The loan agreement is with you, so the animal cannot be passed on during the first two years but comes back to Totem. However, if you know someone that is interested in adopting them then you need to contact us, at the time you return the animal, please tell us about that person and ask them to get in touch. We will them assess them as we would with any potential home.
I am struggling with time/money and want to put my loan equine on working livery - can I?
As a general rule we do not re-home animals to homes where they will be on working livery - but we will judge each case on its merit and would need to know more before we would agree. You would also need to sign a new contract.
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I am under 18 but very experienced and want to adopt a horse - can I?
Legally, you need to be 18 or over to loan a horse, so if you are interested please ask your parent/guardian to get in touch and fill out an application form.
I have a loan equine who is currently lame and I do not want to have to pay for livery for an animal I cannot ride - can I give it back?
Our equines can always come back to us, with notice,in the first two years, as per the contract, but if you return an animal to us then you will not be allowed to simply readopt it once it is sound again as horse ownership is a commitment not just about being able to ride.
Why do you ask for an adoption fee if I am only loaning and will never own the animal? You can loan a horse from a private home for free?
The adoption fee is evidence of a commitment towards taking on an equine, an expensive animal to keep and covers rehab costs. You do not own the animal from the start but as long as you continue to care for it properly, it can be yours for life,after two years and unlike a private loan we will not ask for it back, when you have invested time and money into it. However, some of our equines are re-homed as four-years-olds - so you could have them for 30 plus years, much longer than many people own an equine. We think our adoption fee is a small price to pay - especially as on average it costs us around £2000 to get an equine to a stage where it is ready for a loving new home.
Why do adoption fees vary - are you saying some rescue horses are worth more than other?
We are not selling horses but as with a lease agreement, we think it is only fair that the adoption fee reflects the amount of training that animal has had and what it may be capable of in the future.
We do not sell our horses, so it is not a case of just coming to view - instead we try to match horse and owner - which is best all around. By getting all the information on a form, it allows us to make the best possible match for both parties. If we have one then the potential adopter will then be asked to come and view any suitable animals.
I have been told I have to have a home visit, what if I fail?
We visit your home or the place where the horse will be in order to ensure that everything is safe and that you have thought about how you will introduce your new arrival to existing equines. Home visits are rarely failed. However, if we have concerns we may ask you to make changes/improvements before we will allow the horse to come to you - or it may be that we decide based on your circumstances that another equine would be a more suitable choice.
Will I own the horse and what about the passport?
Totem retains ownership of all equines for the first two years but you will be given the passport to keep with the animal to record vaccinations, other details and in order to travel the animal. After two years, if both parties are happy then the animals passport will be signed over to you.
If I loan a Totem horse and do not want it anymore, can I pass it to someone I know?
The loan agreement is with you, so the animal cannot be passed on during the first two years but comes back to Totem. However, if you know someone that is interested in adopting them then you need to contact us, at the time you return the animal, please tell us about that person and ask them to get in touch. We will them assess them as we would with any potential home.
I am struggling with time/money and want to put my loan equine on working livery - can I?
As a general rule we do not re-home animals to homes where they will be on working livery - but we will judge each case on its merit and would need to know more before we would agree. You would also need to sign a new contract.
.
I am under 18 but very experienced and want to adopt a horse - can I?
Legally, you need to be 18 or over to loan a horse, so if you are interested please ask your parent/guardian to get in touch and fill out an application form.
I have a loan equine who is currently lame and I do not want to have to pay for livery for an animal I cannot ride - can I give it back?
Our equines can always come back to us, with notice,in the first two years, as per the contract, but if you return an animal to us then you will not be allowed to simply readopt it once it is sound again as horse ownership is a commitment not just about being able to ride.
Why do you ask for an adoption fee if I am only loaning and will never own the animal? You can loan a horse from a private home for free?
The adoption fee is evidence of a commitment towards taking on an equine, an expensive animal to keep and covers rehab costs. You do not own the animal from the start but as long as you continue to care for it properly, it can be yours for life,after two years and unlike a private loan we will not ask for it back, when you have invested time and money into it. However, some of our equines are re-homed as four-years-olds - so you could have them for 30 plus years, much longer than many people own an equine. We think our adoption fee is a small price to pay - especially as on average it costs us around £2000 to get an equine to a stage where it is ready for a loving new home.
Why do adoption fees vary - are you saying some rescue horses are worth more than other?
We are not selling horses but as with a lease agreement, we think it is only fair that the adoption fee reflects the amount of training that animal has had and what it may be capable of in the future.
