Adopt a Horse

The Thoroughbred Adoption Network website and the TRF Makers Mark Secretariat Center service all eligible Thoroughbred adoption organizations. If you are interested in adopting a horse that is listed by an organization other than the TRF, please refer to the Adoption policies and applications of the organization listing that horse. You will find links to other organizations on our "Participating Organizations" page.

The TRF tries to make the adoption process as easy and as inexpensive as possible, yet must take necessary precautions to make sure that the horse in question will be turned over to a suitable, caring home.

To start, you must fill out an application form(PDF), which you can acquire by clicking here and e-mailing back to us or you may call our Kentucky office at (859) 246-3080, and they can mail or fax you a form. We require references, as well as some personal information on the applicant. Once the form has been received, a TRF employee or volunteer may visit your farm or the place where you plan to board the horse to make sure the facilities are adequate. You must have secured stabling arrangements before an adoption can be finalized.

Upon approval of the adoption application, we will look for a horse that best suits your needs and desires. While we normally have a number of horses available for adoption, we take great pains to find the right horse for you. The process may take a month or longer.

The tax-deductible adoption fee, which is non-refundable, can run from a low of $500 to a high of $3,000. While all horses are priceless to us, we try to base the fee on the condition and potential of the horse. For instance, a young, healthy horse who may turn into an outstanding dressage prospect would require a larger donation fee than an older, infirm horse who can be little more than a pasture pet.

After the adoption has been completed, the TRF will require that your veterinarian report to us twice yearly concerning the horse's condition and vaccination history. We will also require that you notify us if you and/or the horse has moved. You cannot sell or transfer your horse without prior approval of the TRF. Our Kentucky office (859) 246-3080 will be glad to answer any other questions you may have.