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Rescue and Adoption

"Saving one Friesian will not change the world, but surely for that one Friesian,

the world will forever change"

 Scott Kelnhofer

Rescue & Surrender

Whatever the reason, a Friesian Horse may need rescue. Whether the causes are economic, intervention by civil authorities, or abandonment, Friesian horses are entitled to be cared for and treated with the dignity deserving of their nobility.

To initiate the surrender process, please fill out the below application.

How to Surrender a Friesian

Please fill out the surrender application (link below). We will review your application and determine if your horse is a good candidate for our program. Horses requiring rehabilitation work can only be accepted if we have available space at Fenway Farms in Wisconsin.  

Requirements 

Due to space limitations at our facility, all surrendered horses must be able to be adopted out. Our availability for horses requiring rehabilitation is limited. We are currently unable to accept horses with megaesophagus or delayed gastric emptying/gastroparesis. We require incoming horses to have diagnostics performed at the foundation's expense to ensure they are adoptable.

 

Exclusions

Due to limited resources, we only accept purebred Friesian horses. We do not purchase horses. We do not accept horses that originate from auctions unless they have already completed a quarantine outside of Fenway facilities and have tested free of infectious diseases.

Beautiful Friesian Horse Looking Straight Ahead
Friesian Horse Looking at Owner

Our Adoption 
Program

The Fenway Foundation works to save, adopt, and/or rehabilitate these wonderful horses. The long-range plan for all horses sent to the Fenway Foundation is the complete rehabilitation of rescued horses and the placement of the horse in a safe and loving environment. Any dollars acquired in the adoption of the rescued horses are entirely reinvested into the Foundation. All horses placed by the Foundation are monitored by our team on a continuing basis to ensure their continued care and well-being. Foundation horses are never permitted to be placed for sale; their placement is designed for the horse’s long-term stability.

The majority of horses in our adoption program have medical limitations and cannot be ridden, driven, or bred, but still make wonderful companions or pasture pets. 

How to apply to adopt a Friesian

Please fill out our adoption application (link below). The application includes forms for references and instructions for attaching photos of the accommodations you have for a horse. Once you have completed the application, please submit it, along with your references and photos. 

Please keep in mind that we review the completed applications we have on file first when placing a horse. Our goal is always to select the home that will be the best fit for the horse.

Adoption Fees

Our adoption fees vary from horse to horse.  These fees cover their transportation to their new home and some of their medical expenses. Our typical adoption fees range from $1,500 - $5,000. However, some horses may be lower or higher than that, depending on their age, ability, etc.

Adoption Application

Our Satellite Facilities

Due to the size of North America, some rescued Friesians are incapable of traveling great distances. In those situations, a “satellite rescue” facility will be used to get the horse back on its feet, both figuratively and literally. The Foundation will assist with financial and medical advisory support. When necessary, Foundation representatives will travel to the satellite operation to assist in the horse’s recovery. When appropriate, the horse will be moved to the Foundation facility for oversight of its full recovery.

If you are interested in applying to become one of our satellite facilities, please see the below application.

Friesian Horse Relaxing in Snow
Friesian Horse Looking to the side
Continuing Care Program

One of our primary functions is to publish and otherwise broadly communicate our findings so as to maximize the distribution of what we have learned.

As a responsible horse owner, you provide your horse with food, water, shelter, veterinary care, and love. To ensure that your beloved horse will continue to receive this care should something unexpected happen to you, it’s critical to plan ahead and the Foundation is here to help.

 

When this unfortunate event happens, advanced planning will ensure that continuing care will be in place for your Friesian horses. Below is a form that addresses these planning issues and legally enables the Fenway Foundation to assume responsibility for your beloved Friesian Horses.

 

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Foundation to clarify any concerns you might have.

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