Screening Process - Please read!
Our horses are not for sale. They are placed in screened private homes (we do not place horses in for-profit lesson, therapy, or other programs) with the intent that they remain there until their passing. Our placement agreements are legally binding using the same terms as a full adoption; "foster" is for your benefit and allows you to track and deduct the horse's yearly expenses.
Homes are responsible for hauling the horse to their location along with expenses incurred while the horse is in their care, i.e., grain, hay, farrier, vet, etc. Foster care expenses are tax deductible.
Horses are placed in fully screened homes within 4 hours of our location (Hughesville, MD 20637) in the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Homes must agree to sign a lifetime agreement and meet or exceed Maryland's Standards of Care. No barbed or single-strand electric wire will be approved; a 4-5 strand high-tensile fence is acceptable but must be electrified and well maintained. A permanent structurally sound three-sided 10x10 shelter space must also be available per horse.
To complete our screening process, email us at [trfsanctuary@gmail.com] with responses to the foster application questions below, and attach clear photos of the shelter and fencing where the horse(s) will reside. Please note we call all references.
AVAILABLE HORSES (current as of 29 May 2025)
To It and From It "Tootsie"
Located in Manchester, MD
To It and From It is a FL-bred 2009 model 16.1hh bay Thoroughbred mare by Simon Pure out of the Vision and Verse mare Clown Factor. She raced from 2013 to 2015. She is WTC capable and can do small courses, but will pull up lame with too much jumping, so she will be placed as a flat/dressage/pleasure mount. She can be ridden outside or in the ring. She is barefoot and needs front shoes for regular work. We believe she was a dressage or eventing horse with extensive training under saddle. She needs an intermediate rider. She is up-to-date on shots and coggins.
Romeo
Located in Eldersburg, MD
This adorable aged 14.2hh gelding is looking for a retirement home. We have him on our intake list, but he's lived with a family all his life, so we want to try and find him a like-kind situation first.
His owners can no longer care for him, so we're stepping up to help. He is being placed as a companion only.
Here is what we know: "I've only had him with a gelding, but he was pastured in a mixed mare/gelding field before I had him. He's so laid back with other horses. Never herd boss or fought with anyone I brought home, which included yearlings. He's such a sweetie."
Yira "Cali"
Located in Hughesville, MD
(on left)
Cali has a current coggins and is UTD on shots. She has not been tested under saddle, but she's a stunning mover with loads of potential. She is not ready for retirement and is bored now that she is feeling well. She would be a fun partner for the right person. She needs an advanced rider since her training is unknown, and one with experience restarting OTTBs.
Yira, 2017, War Command - Tina Donizetti (IRE), by Monsun (GER), raced 2019-2023, 19 starts (1 win), $33,855 in lifetime earnings.
Ricky and Evan
Located in Bridgeville, Delaware
Currently with Sea Bridge Equine Rescue
Ricky (Appaloosa) and Evan (Donkey) are a bonded pair looking for a companion-only home where they can stay together. They require no special maintenance and are happy out on 365/24/7 turnout with the proper shelter and support.
Spy in the Sky "Tank"
Located in Berryville, VA
Spy in the Sky "Tank" is a 2002 model 16.2hh registered Standardbred gelding. He has been through it all and is happily hanging out in a field with friends, so he is looking for the same. He has not been ridden in some time, so we are placing him as a companion only. That being said, if his new person wants to take him on a trail, he's probably up for the adventure. When ridden, he was fine solo or in a group, but no crowds or commotion. He has excellent brakes and rides comfortably in a hackamore but will stop with a vocal cue. He is terrific at the mounting block. He requires a confident, calm handler and prefers women. If you are not the boss, he will test you.
He knows what he should/shouldn't be doing and does his best to avoid getting in trouble, but he has RAE (Resting Angry Ears), so his boundaries will be tested, so a confident person is a must. He picks his people and will let you know if you aren't his person. He stands in the crossties and gets along well with others. He is fine outside with the proper shelter.
He loves a warm blanket and grooming. He is excellent about being groomed; you can touch him all over, and he picks up all his feet well. Excellent ground manners. It is easy to put a halter on and bridle him.
Dusty Lane Marko "Marko" and Polo
Located in Gettysburg, PA
Being placed as a bonded pair, these two friends are seeking a new permanent home to call their own.
Dusty Lane Marko is a 24YO (2000) 16hh unraced standardbred gelding. He is a former Amish buggy horse and still working on his under saddle steering. He does have cushings and some arthritis in his back, but it doesn't slow him down—he can be a handful sometimes and enjoys outings with his favorite people. He would also be happy as a trail mount or lawn ornament/pasture pet. He loves being groomed and getting head, neck, and butt rubs. He is barefoot and stands nicely for vet, farrier, and grooming. He is suitable for riders intermediate and up. UTD on shots (5-way, WNV & rabies), farrier, and worming. He would be fine outside 365/24/7 with proper shelter and blanketing.
Polo is a 14YO 12.2hh grade pony gelding. He is well broke to ride but requires an experienced rider unless he is being led around. He is cautious around new people, so he will need someone sweet, gentle, and patient. He seems to love little girls. He stands for the farrier. He is a typical fat, rotten pony, but once he warms up and picks his person, he is a pocket pony. He wears a grazing muzzle. UTD on shots (5-way, WNV & rabies), farrier, and worming. He would be fine outside 365/24/7 with proper shelter and blanketing.
Dutton
Located in Hughesville, MD
Dutton is a 15-year-old Dutch Harness horse. He was surrendered to us in poor condition and has fully recovered. He is ready for his next adventure. He is huge, ~16.3hh, but a gentle giant. He is green but willing and a nice mover. He will do what is asked. He requires an intermediate rider due to his lack of formal under-saddle training.
Foster Application
Full Legal Name:
Property Address where horse(s) will reside:
Mailing Address (if different):
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Which horse(s) are you interested in?
What is the intended use of the horse?
Do you have other horses? What kind? Where are they kept?
Do you own/rent your residence?
Where do you intend to keep the horse?
- Owned property
- Leased property*
- Boarding facility**
*If leased, do you have a written lease? How long is its term (in years)? Will you make the owner aware this is a fostered horse and provide them with our contact information?
**If boarding facility, please provide us with the barn manager's name and number.
How many acres will the horse be kept on?
What type of fencing does it have?
What will the horse(s) turnout schedule be?
If you plan to ride the horse(s), please describe your expertise in riding, handling, training, care, and rehabilitation.
Who will ride the horse? What is their age and riding level?
Who will be responsible for feeding/training/general care?
Who will take care of the horse when you are out of town if you are the party responsible?
How much do you anticipate spending yearly on grain, hay, farrier, and veterinary care?
Can you financially provide the horse with this care/these services?
What would you do with the horse if you had to move?
Have you ever been issued a warning/citation or been convicted for a violation against animals? If so, please explain.
Have you ever rehomed, sold, sent a horse to auction, or surrendered a horse? If so, please explain.
What is the name and number of your veterinarian? *
What is the name and number of your farrier? *
- Your vet and farrier reference MUST have seen your horse(s) at their current location within the last year, and your account must be active and in good standing.
- Please note we do our research and check social media pages and posts, check case search sites in your state and surrounding states, call all references, review pictures, and look up addresses.
- Horse(s) can be boarded or kept at home, but the screening process is the same - no exceptions.
