The year 2016 was difficult for JT and the horses owned. One had to be put down due to elderly age (27). The first-owned and admittedly the favorite, a Missouri Foxtrottin' Paint - he was struck by lightning three months after the elderly one was gone. So this left one horse; one horse left in the 'Lower '48' while JT was in Alaska for two years.
Fast-forward and the current horse now has a companion horse. Originally JT had planned to adopt but was convinced fostering was a win-win. Having never fostered before, it wasn't a daunting the task of taking care of a horse, but of taking care of one which might have special needs. In this case, the fostered horse needs A LOT of love, which JT and the remaining horse do have.
Sometimes it takes getting out of our comfort zone to recognize not every situation is perfect; not every available horse is ideal; but when it feels right (you'll know), then fostering can be a wonderful experience for the rescue facility who is strapped to maintain many horses and is happy to send one out; and to the recipient who realizes, as cliché as it sounds, the horse wasn't rescued, but the new owner was. :-)
Fast-forward and the current horse now has a companion horse. Originally JT had planned to adopt but was convinced fostering was a win-win. Having never fostered before, it wasn't a daunting the task of taking care of a horse, but of taking care of one which might have special needs. In this case, the fostered horse needs A LOT of love, which JT and the remaining horse do have.
Sometimes it takes getting out of our comfort zone to recognize not every situation is perfect; not every available horse is ideal; but when it feels right (you'll know), then fostering can be a wonderful experience for the rescue facility who is strapped to maintain many horses and is happy to send one out; and to the recipient who realizes, as cliché as it sounds, the horse wasn't rescued, but the new owner was. :-)