Horse Rescue and Sanctuary Course
This short course, offered by Equine Guelph on TheHorsePortal.ca, is intended to provide support for those who are looking to rescue a horse to help provide a better home, currently caring for rescued horses, or are considering setting up a horse rescue sanctuary. It is so important that we develop the information that is needed for helping horses – even more so than general horse ownership requires, as rescued horses have different and often very complicated health and welfare issues that need specialized knowledge. This course helps you take the first step in gaining that important knowledge in order to provide the best outcome for the horses in your care. Each unit will cover a specific priority topic and provide you with critical care information as well as resources on where you can go to continue your learning in this important area of care for our horse population.
Course Introduction
Welcome to the Course!
Where do Rescue Horses Come From?
What Does a Rescue Horse Look Like on Arrival?
What You Need — Knowledge, Skills and Financial Readiness
One Horse or a Rescue Sanctuary? Understanding the Scale of Commitment
Ontario’s Legal Framework for Horse Welfare
Your Course Roadmap – What Comes Next
Unit 1 – Basic Health Management
1.1 Introduction – Caring for New Arrivals
1.2 Monitoring your Horses
1.3 Preventive Health Care
1.4 Be Prepared for an Emergency
1.5 Special Considerations
1.6 – Putting it All Together – Your Arrival Protocol
Unit 2 – Nutrition
2.1 Water Requirements
2.2 General Feed Requirements
2.3 Supplementary Feeds
2.4 Calculating Bodyweight and Feed Requirements
2.5 Nutrition of Special Populations
2.6 Overfeeding, Obesity and Laminitis
2.7 What Happens During Starvation
2.8 Re-feeding the Starved Horse
Unit 3 – Basic Hoof Care
3.1 Understanding the Equine Hoof
3.2 The Arrival Hoof Assessment
3.3 Common Hoof Conditions in Rescue Horses
3.4 Laminitis in Depth
3.5 Environment, Nutrition and Management
3.6 Special Considerations
3.7 Case Study
Unit 4 – Caring for Seniors, Miniature Horses, Donkeys and Mules
4.1 The Geriatric Horse
4.2 Special Needs of Miniature Horses
4.3 Special Needs of Donkeys and Mules
4.4 Receiving Special Equids at a Rescue Facility
Unit 5 – What Facilities Do I Need?
5.1 Why Facility Design is a Welfare Issue
5.2 Shelters
5.3 Stalls
5.4 The Main Barn – Design for a Rescue Facility
5.5 The Attached Covered Arena
5.6 Barn Types
5.7 Proposed Site Plan – 10 to 15 Horses
5.8 Permits, Zoning, Regulatory Compliance
Unit 6 – Pastures, Paddocks and Fencing
6.1 Outdoor Shelter and Shade in Pastures and Paddocks
6.2 Pasture Management
6.3 Toxic Plants in Ontario Horse Pastures
6.4 Pasture and Paddock Fencing Safety
6.5 Paddock and Small Pasture Management
Unit 7 – End of Life: A Necessary Aspect of Planning
7.1 Reframing the End of Life
7.2 Quality of Life Assessment
7.3 Recommended Practices
7.4 Methods of Euthanasia
7.5 Special Considerations
7.6 Carcass Disposal – Plan Before You Need It
7.7 Factors Affecting Horses During Transport
7.8 Planning Ahead
Unit 8 – Our Role in Protecting the Health and Welfare of Equids
8.1 The Bottom Line – Why It All Comes Back to Welfare
8.2 Rehoming and Adoption — Giving Horses a Second Chance
8.3 Full-Circle Responsibility — Your Place in the Bigger Picture
8.4 Compassion Fatigue — Protecting Yourself and Your Team
8.5 Financial Sustainability — Keeping the Doors Open
Finishing Up – What’s Next?
Continuing Education – This Course is a Beginning
Final Activities and Resources
