Terms and conditions

The SPPHA adoption happens in two stages. The first stage is a one-year free lease and the second stage is when the horse becomes the property of the adopter, subject to two vet checks. The idea is that there should be a trial period for both the horse and the adopter, allowing the adopter to return an unsuitable horse and allowing us to repossess a horse that is not being looked after properly. Note that it is a criminal offence to sell a horse before the ownership has been transferred.

The SPPHA runs the adoption program for the purpose of putting Standardbred horses into caring, loving homes. Most of the horses placed through the program are not yet trained to saddle, but are trained to harness, and most are very easy to re-train by anyone with some experience, commonsense and patience. The temperament of the breed in general makes the Standardbred suitable for almost any use and the majority are easily handled by a sensible beginner.

Please complete your details and answer the questions on the application form as honestly as possible as this information will help us to select the horse that best suits your needs.

	Any full SPPHA member can apply for adoption of a horse. There is a non-refundable application fee to help cover administration costs.
	Please note that completing this application does not guarantee that you will be able to adopt a horse from the SPPHA – all adopting owners are assessed for suitability, and the final decision is at the discretion of the SPPHA.
	The SPPHA does not in any way warrant that the horse is healthy or suitable for your intended purpose; this is for you to judge. You are free to have the horse checked by a vet and/or horse trainer at your own expense and may return the horse at any time subject to notice.
	One very important condition: the horse you get cannot ever be entered in a harness race. That is an absolute condition of the donation from the original owner.

If there is any attempt to break this, the horse will be repossessed immediately.

	As long as the horse is on free lease, which is at least one year or until transfer of registration has been completed (only after the the second vet check has been approved), it remains the property of the SPPHA and cannot be sold, hired out or given away; if you are not happy with the horse, you must return it to us.
	You must have a vet carry out a check of the horse at 6 and 12 months into the lease period and send the result to us. You will be reminded. This is so that we can verify that the horse is receiving satisfactory care and feeding.
	When the second vet check has been approved, you can apply to have the registration of the horse transferred to you. The registration fee is $40 including GST. The horse then becomes your absolute property.