BEHS was formed in February 2005. Many of BEHS’ officers, directors and volunteers have been involved with rescue work for much longer.

Yes. Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organization so monetary donations and donations of goods are tax-deductible. EIN: 84-163775

Bluebonnet accepts donations of hay, grain, de-wormers, vaccinations and other medical supplies as well as feed supplements and medications. These items will be used to care for horses in the rescue. You can also donate new and used tack, farm/ranch equipment and horse/stock trailers which may be used for the horses in the rescue or sold at a fundraiser to raise money. Donations of horse or ranch themed art, home decor, jewelry or clothing will be sold at a BEHS fundraiser to raise money to care for the horses. Other donations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Please e-mail us for more information.

You can make a monetary donation through our donation form using Paypal or you can mail in a donation to BEHS at P.O. Box 632, College Station, Texas 77841-0632.

Adoption is a wonderful way to get a horse. Bluebonnet horses have gone on to make great companions, trail horses, children’s horses and show horses. When you adopt, not only do you get a great horse but also you know you are helping a formerly abused or neglected horse find a great home. When you adopt, you get a horse who has current vaccinations and a current Coggins test. The horse has had his teeth examined and floated if needed and is current on de-wormer and farrier work. The horse has been evaluated to the best of our abilities, and if your adopted horse doesn’t work out, you can return him for a full refund of your adoption fee in the first 30 days and a partial refund during the first year.

Bluebonnet does not allow adopters to breed their adopted horses or sell them or give them away. However there are no restrictions on the type of riding, showing, competing or work adopters can do with their horse as long as the horse is properly cared for.

It varies. Some adoptions take as little as a few days to complete while others may take several weeks. If the adopter is flexible with when he can schedule the home visit, the adoption often occurs very quickly.

Adopters must have a safe place to keep their horse. Fences should be in good repair and the horse needs access to shelter and plentiful water. The adopter should have another horse to serve as a companion to the adopted horse or be prepared to adopt a companion.

Bluebonnet requires potential adopters to be approved before going to meet the horses they are interested in. This protects the rescue from liability issues.

Adoption fees vary. Non-ridable/companion only horses do not have an adoption fee. Other fees are based on the horse’s health, abilities, training and age. Adoption fees are not negotiable.

The membership fee helps cover the cost of getting adopters approved. We used to charge a processing fee, but we changed that to a membership fee instead. Memberships are good for twelve months (instead of a calendar year) and members receive free admission to some events and discounted admission to others.

We adopt horses throughout Texas.  We will also consider adoptions parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma that border Texas.

We take donated horses when we have space. We are unable to take horses without current, negative Coggins, blind horses, or horses with neurological disease. If you would like us to consider your horse, please fill out our intake request form.

We do have a program to accept willed horses. They must be accompanied by a $10,000 bequest per horse and either must be located in Texas or the Executor of your will or Trustee of your trust must make arrangements to transport the horse to Texas.

We ask that all potential foster homes  join the rescue and apply to become a foster home. Foster homes must be able to provide safe fencing, shelter (in many situations trees can provide adequate shelter), water and hay and grain for their fostered horses. Potential foster homes who have little horse experience or little experience rehabilitating horses are mentored by more experienced foster homes.

Click here to complete the Fostering Application.

Bluebonnet reimburses for or pays for pre-approved veterinary care, pre-approved medications and supplements, and pre-approved corrective farrier work. Foster homes should contact the Fostering Coordinator to receive preapproval. We reimburse for paste dewormers and routine hoof trims. We also pay a stipend per month per horse (paid out quarterly) to help with the cost of hay and grain. Any expenses not covered by the stipend may be tax-deductible since we are a nonprofit.

Over time, BEHS plans to reimburse for more expenses as the organization brings in more funds.

If a horse already has a foster home, we do not move him to a new home so that they can test him out before adoption. Exceptions may be made if the current foster home has requested that the horse be moved.  The adoption contract does include a trial period of 30 days:  if an adopted horse is returned for any reason during those 30 days the adopter may receive a full refund of the adoption fee.

We don’t make demands on our foster homes – they can foster as much or as little as they like. If you prefer only to be available for natural disasters or similar emergencies, you can do that. You’ll be placed on the fostering email list once approved to foster and you can volunteer in any situation or for any horse you feel comfortable with.

The rescue will cover the cost of disposal. We may need your assistance locating disposal options.

BEHS’ Euthanasia Procedure Policy states that in a life-threatening emergency the foster home should attempt to contact the emergency contact person for euthanasia approval. If the foster home cannot reach any of the listed emergency contacts, he or she shall attempt to contact an officer or director for approval. If he or she cannot reach the emergency contacts, an officer, or a director, the foster home may authorize euthanasia if the attending veterinarian feels the equine needs to be euthanized immediately to prevent suffering. The foster home must then either email or call and leave a message for the emergency contact person within four hours.

There really is no average time. Some horses are with their foster homes only a few weeks while others have stayed with a foster home for years. Generally horses with severe behavioral problems stay in foster care much longer than those with physical problems that can be fixed.

Yes!  Since Bluebonnet is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization, expenses incurred on behalf of your foster horses may be tax deductible.  This includes hay, grain, fly spray, halters, leads, shavings, etc.  You cannot deduct additions to your property such as stalls, fences, barns, etc. – even if they are used for fostering horses – since these are permanent additions to your property.  Save your receipts and keep a list of expenses for your accountant when it is tax time.

Yes!  We have plenty of horses who need a place to live and people who will feed them, but who don’t need to be ridden or trained.  In fact, a lot of our foster homes don’t ride or train but are still great foster homes.  If we have a horse needing training or riding, we’ll include that in his description.

Yes!  We do have horses who need to be moved from a current foster home or who are being returned that are easy to handle and well known in the rescue. Our less experienced foster homes can foster these guys.

Definitely.  Everyone has to start somewhere, and we’re happy to provide mentoring and education on rehabilitation and refeeding.

When horses come in from sheriff’s departments/seizures, they may not be current.  If you aren’t comfortable taking one of those, just let the Fostering Coordinator know.  When horses come in who aren’t current on coggins and/or vaccinations, Bluebonnet does pay for their veterinary work and we make it a priority to get it done ASAP.

You can arrange for a monthly or annual contribution to Bluebonnet by completing our donation form.

Yes. You can bequest a monetary gift or other types of gifts in your will. Please discuss this with your estate planning attorney.