To provide a safe and comfortable retirement alternative for aged and infirm horses to live out their lives, and offer educational opportunities to the public on senior horse care and mangement.
Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc. provides a safe comfortable retirement alternative for aged and infirm horses.
Once admitted to the program, horses are cared for and owned by Mitchell Farm. They are handled, groomed, fed and allowed to graze and be stalled as conditions dictate. Medical and farrier concerns are paid for by MFER, Inc. The horses are sheltered and loved as long as they have an acceptable quality of life,
MFER, Inc. educates the public on subjects pertaining to senior horse care and alternatives to slaughter and livestock auctions. An informed equestrian community is sensitive to conditions at livestock auctions and transport to slaughter. They can also promote alternative situations for horses that are no longer useful. Understanding the unique needs of older horses enables horse owners to maintain them as useful for a longer period of time.
Horses are preferred to be at least 20 years old, but are accepted on an individual basis. They must be pasture sound and in reasonably good health. Each must have a veterinary certificate stating that it is free from communicable diseases, a negative coggins within six months and current rabies and tetanus vaccinations.
Horse owners must sign a contract relinquishing all rights of ownership to Mitchell Farm.