Walter, a male quarterhorse/Tennessee walker cross found wandering the streets of Millstone in October 2011, has been put up for adoption since no one has come forward to claim him, according to Lisa Post of Helping Hearts Equine Rescue.
He’s 18 years old and in need of a new home.
“He is suitable for an advanced beginner on up,” Post said. “He’s got wonderful ground manners, though he does start getting wiggly and anxious at mealtime. That is something I see with virtually every starvation case. That behavior subsides after a while when they finally realize they won’t miss a meal.”
Post, founder and president of Helping Hearts Equine Rescue in Millstone, has rehabilitated and found homes for dozens of formerly unwanted equines since establishing her nonprofit animal welfare organization in 2008.
She describes Walter as calm and mild under saddle and as a nice, personable and sweet horse.
“Initially he was a bit wiggly to mount and wanted to stop at the door of the ring, but regular schooling is easily correcting those behaviors,” Post said. “He can be a bit dominant in the field, works it out in a general population, but should not be paired with an overly submissive horse because he’ll bully her.”
The rescue has kept him up to date on vaccines, Coggins tests, farrier and dentist visits and dewormings and has set his adoption fee at $300.
To adopt or foster Walter or another horse at Helping Hearts Equine Rescue, review the adoption and foster information here and then email hheartsequine@optonline.net or call 732-786-9015.
The rescue reviews and approves applications on a case-by-case basis to ensure the best match of horse and adopter. Approved applicants receive a conditional adoption contract. After 12 months and receiving proof of proper veterinary examinations, the nonprofit will completely transfer ownership of the adopted horse to the applicant.
Helping Hearts Equine Rescue also seeks tax-deductible monetary donations and gift certificates to local feed and supply stores to help care for its rescued horses.
Unfortunately, stories like that of Walter are playing out in nearly every state in the country. Anyone wanting or needing a horse, should check with local rescues because many of them are filled to capacity and a person willing to give a good home to a abandoned or unwanted horse is a welcome sight, indeed.