Rehoming Through Our Guardianship Scheme

Rehoming a Pony from Lluest Horse and Pony Trust

Thank you for your interest in rehoming a pony from Lluest Horse and Pony Trust. Taking on the care of an equine is a significant responsibility, both financially and in terms of time, and it’s vital to carefully consider the commitment required. Our priority is always the welfare of the horses and ponies we care for, and we work hard to ensure every prospective home is a good fit before finalising any rehoming contracts.

The Rehoming Process

The length of the rehoming process varies depending on the individual horse or pony. This application form helps us assess your suitability, so please provide as much detail as possible. Our rescues come from diverse backgrounds: some were saved from heartbreaking circumstances, others were born at the Trust, and some came to us because their previous owners could no longer meet their needs. Each equine has unique requirements, and finding the right match is essential to their long-term happiness and security.

Riding and Experience Requirements

If you are seeking a ridden horse or pony, please note that most of our equines are recently backed and still green. They require experienced riders to continue their schooling, with a minimum riding standard equivalent to BHS Level 1. We rarely have suitable horses or ponies for adult beginners, though lead rein ponies for children may occasionally be available.

Financial Commitment

We ask for a minimum donation starting at £150 for a companion or young pony and £300 for a ridden horse or pony. These donations directly support the ongoing care of the animals at Lluest. One of the many benefits of rehoming through us is that we provide full transparency about the health and behavior of our equines, so there are no surprises once your new friend comes home. We also offer ongoing support and advice to all our Guardians.

Guardian Responsibilities

As a Guardian, you will need to meet the five welfare needs of your Lluest equine:

Hoof care: Professionally trimmed or shod every 6-8 weeks.
Vaccinations: Ensuring they are kept up to date.
Worming: Following a regular worming program set out by your vet.
Dental care: Teeth checked at least annually or more frequently if needed.
Equine company: Must have at least 1 suitable equine companion.
General welfare: Providing a loving, safe, and suitable environment.

Insurance Requirements

You will be responsible for all veterinary care, including routine and emergency treatments, and we strongly advise obtaining veterinary insurance. Third-party liability insurance is a minimum requirement and can be included in memberships such as BHS Gold.

Rehoming a rescue pony is a rewarding experience, and your support ensures these incredible animals can live happy and secure lives. Thank you for considering becoming a Guardian to one of our equines!

Please Visit the NEWC website to read the Codes of practice, these outline best practice and how to meet the needs of the equines in your care, these are the standards required from our Guardian Homes.

Most of our horses and ponies have had a lot of time spent on training and assessment and will also be up to date with worming, dentist, farrier, and tetanus vaccine. By rehoming from us not only are you offering a rescue pony a safe happy home, but you are creating space, time and money for us to help other horses and ponies, thus you are helping to save more than one life.

Sven happy in his guardian home.

Rehoming Process

If you are interested in becoming Guardian to a horse or pony you will first need to fill out a Lluest Loan Application Form and send it back to us, along with a reference from a vet, farrier, BHS approved yard owner or instructor. This will help us decide if we have a suitable horse or pony to match your experience and facilities. The more information you can give us at this stage the quicker the process, video’s and pictures of you riding can be useful for us to also assess your ability if you’re seeking a ridden horse or pony. Please get in touch if you are having trouble with references.
Once we have matched you with a suitable horse or pony we’ll invite you to come and meet the team and your chosen equine. We can then answer any questions you may have to ensure that you’re confident about the commitment of becoming a Guardian to one of our equines. Depending on the equine we may ask you to take part in an initial riding or handling assessment to ensure you are a perfect match for your new horse or pony.
A home visit is carried out by us to ensure your facilities are suitable for the particular needs of your prospective equine. If any adjustments are needed we are always happy to discuss these with you. The main things we look for are safe fencing, any access to dangerous plants or trees, hazards in the environment, access to clean drinking water, the companion being suited and access to a field shelter or stables for emergencies.
If the first visit and home check goes well you may be asked to come and visit again. If you are wanting to rehome a ridden pony you will ride them again, subsequent visits maybe deemed necessary until we are happy and fully satisfied that you are fully capable of riding them and continuing with their ongoing education.
We will introduce you to our formal agreement and request that you sign the document. We will also require see 2 forms of ID your driving licence or passport with your current address on and utility bill or similar dated within the last 3 months. After the agreement has been signed and the minimum donation paid, arrangements are then made to move your new horse or pony to their new home. You can arrange suitable safe transport for the horse or pony yourself or we may be able to transport at an agreed cost.
You will then become part of our Guardian Home network with access to support and advice whenever needed. You can expect our re-homing team to visit you at regular intervals to ensure that all is well and both you and your horse or pony are enjoying each other’s company. You can of course contact us at any time should you have any questions or require further advice and support.
We strongly suggest you read the codes of practice on the NEWC website, the codes fully outline responsibilities and gives guidance on best practice care, you can read them here.