E.H.P.P.S.

Pitsea Hall Lane, Basildon

Essex SS16 4UH

Tel: 01268 584603

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Fostering Home Fostering Policies Application Form Fostering Stages EHPPS Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society Registered Charity No. 297893

STAGE 1 - How Do I Apply To Foster A Horse?

You can either download a Fostering Application Form from this website or write to us requesting a Form, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. PLEASE NOTE THAT A COMPLETED FOSTERING APPLICATION FORM IS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH A HORSE OR PONY BY THE SOCIETY.

STAGE 2 - What Happens Next?

Your completed application is passed to our Fostering Division, who will assess your application. If the application is accepted, we will then review the list of horses/ponies available for re-homing, and attempt to match you to a horse/pony. Each horse has a profile of the type of fosterer we think it will need, and this will be consulted as part of this process.  

 f the Fostering Division is unable to match your application at the time it is received, you will be informed by letter within 48 hours of receipt of such application. Your details will then be placed on our waiting list.  

If and when a suitable horse or pony becomes available that matches your application, we will contact you by telephone to discuss the horse/pony with you. If you are interested in going forward onto the next stage of the fostering process, an appointment will be made for you to come in and meet the horse/pony.

STAGE 3 - Testing your Knowledge and Experience

At this pre-arranged appointment, and before you meet the horse/pony concerned, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire on basic horse care. If, at this stage, we feel you do not have the relevant experience, we will not proceed any further with our assessment of you. Our decision on this will be final. The welfare of our horses and ponies remain our primary concern at all times.

STAGE 4 – Meeting the Horse/Pony

On successful completion of the Questionnaire, you will be introduced to the horse/pony we think is a match for you. You will see the horse/pony tacked up and ridden by one of our team. Should you still wish to go ahead with your application, we shall then expect to see you walk, trot and canter the horse/pony on both reins at this appointment. This is, of course, dependant upon the fitness of the animal and/or ground conditions at the time.

STAGE 5 – Handling the Horse/Pony

After this, you will be able to spend some time with the horse or pony, grooming them and getting them to know them a little better. All potential fosterers are given the opportunity of coming back to ride the horse/pony at another pre-arranged appointment should they request this.

STAGE 6 – Is this the Horse/Pony for You?

We will then discuss whether you think the horse or pony is suitable for you, and whether we think you are suitable for the particular horse or pony. If all is well, you will then have five days to think about whether or not you would like to go ahead and foster the horse or pony. If we have not received a response from you by the end of this period, we will assume that you are no longer interested, and alternative fostering arrangements will be made. If you decide you wish to proceed with the application, we move onto the Home Assessment.

STAGE 7 - The Home Assessment

The next stage is the Home Assessment. One of our Fostering Officers will arrange to visit you to carry out an assessment on the place where you would like to keep a horse, and also to meet you in your own environment. Should there be a problem with the Home Assessment, and the Society feels that this is sufficient reason to refuse to consider your Fostering Application further, you will be informed as soon as possible after the Home Assessment has taken place. We like to be as transparent about the reasons for our decisions as possible, and will therefore inform you fully of the reason for your rejection. If, at a later date, you feel you have addressed the issue that prevented you from being considered as a fosterer, we would be only too happy to reconsider you.

STAGE 8 - Setting Up A Fostering Agreement

If the Home Assessment is successful, you will be invited to enter into a legal Fostering Agreement with the Society. It is at this stage that you:

1) make your donation to the Society

2) become a Member of the Charity (one of EHPPS' fostering requirements)

3) take your foster horse/pony to your appointed livery yard.

 

These stages are carried out strictly by pre-arranged appointment.