Whiskey is the July featured Adopt-a-Horse by the Clark County Executive Horse Council’s program
For those looking for a dog or a cat the humane shelter is one of the most ubiquitous places to go, but what about for someone looking to adopt a horse?
There’s a program for that in Clark County, with this month’s featured horse being a paint mare named Whiskey.
Whiskey is 10 or 11 years old and is the July Horse of the Month for Clark County Executive Horse Council’s Adopt-a-Horse program. Originally coming into the program in December 2015, the horse has gone from being “scared and thin with overgrown hooves” to “people obsessed,” according to a program release.
Apart from people, Whiskey also gets along with other horses, the release stated, and has spent a year under the saddle though she is still considered green. Her ability to learn quickly was noted and the release suggested Whiskey “would be perfect for a step-up horse for a young confident rider.”
Whiskey is but one of more than 100 horses that have gone through the program that takes neglected equines and sticks them with volunteer fosters before a permanent adopter is found. A program of the horse council, Adopt-a-Horse was founded nearly a decade ago by Pat Brown and Lori Harris.
Brown said the horses taken into the program come through Clark County Animal Control when the agency believes a case requires relinquishment of a horse.
The foster volunteers have a fairly extensive application process, Brown said, including a physical check of the property. Adopt-a-Horse can supply feed, farrier care, medical services, parasite control and training at no cost to foster homes, though Brown said many in the program pay some or all of their own way.
Those that do pay their own way help to offset costs that as an all-volunteer organization come strictly from donations and fundraising proceeds.
Once the horse is in a good state of health Brown said the program tries to give the animal some “tune-up” training to see where they are at skill-wise before adopting the animals out.
The horses are not first-come, first-served. Brown said the program tries to match up the animal with the right owner to prevent a failed adoption.
Horses can be in the program anywhere from a few months to a few years, Brown said. Usually it depends on the desirability of a horse. She said a draft horse that they had “maybe four months” as being one of the types people are likely to fight over. Whiskey has been under foster care for about a year and a half.
“She’s really a sweet horse, and she’s so pretty. I can’t believe she hasn’t been adopted yet,” Brown remarked.
