Weekly Update

After speaking with one of the administrators at Habitat for Horses, I have switched gears one last (i hope!) time. Right now, one of their biggest needs is for money to pay for a trainer to come work with the horses. The trainer will cost $6k for 3 months, but will be able to work with 8-10 horses per month. A horse with training can be adopted out for a higher fee, and is much more likely to remain in its adopted home. I am going to try to get a more exact number than "much more likely," but at this point, Im not sure if HfH has any sort of measurement of that statistic.

Below is my re-vamped answer to Question 17 of the Bernice Barbour Foundation application: Describe the project for which funding is being requested:

Habitat for Horses placed 350 horses in forever homes in 2009 as part of their adoption program, but hundreds more are still waiting for their chance at a new life because of the at-times prohibitive cost of training. A horse with professional training and evaluation is far more likely to remain in its forever home, and can be adopted out for a higher adoption fee. Habitat for Horses is seeking funding to hire a trainer for three months, at the cost of $2000 per month. The trainer will be able to work exclusively at Habitat for Horses and will be able to train eight to ten horses per month. Adoption fees for rideable equines – horses that the farm has deemed both physically and mentally sound for work – range from $250 to $1000, with the average being around $450. If the average adoption fee for a rideable equine can be raised from $450 to $650 based on 30 to 90 days of professional training, the additional revenue generated could be used to support the salary of a full time trainer for the farm. Habitat for Horses requests a grant in the amount of $6000 to hire a professional trainer for three months, which will in turn lead to a more sustainable adoption program.