BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 I admit I never thought about what happens to Disney horses when they're retired, but I'm happy to hear this! Wildlife Wednesday: Adopt a Retired Horse Through the Disney Equine Adoption Programposted on January 14th, 2015 by Mark Beatty, Worldwide Ranch Animal Operations Manager Did you know The Walt Disney Company maintains 200 horses worldwide at the Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in Paris? These horses provide opportunities for guests to ride in horse-drawn street cars, arrive at their wedding in Cinderella’s Carriage, delight in a child’s first pony ride, watch the Wild West come to life or enjoy a quiet wagon, carriage or trail ride. On average, our horses live with us at Disney for about 7-10 years. Their time as a member of the Disney team is based on many factors including their age when they arrive, their ability to acclimate to their surroundings and their overall health. Just like other animals at the Disney Parks, horses receive top-notch care while they are a member of our family, but did you ever wonder what life for a horse is like after Disney? It gives me great pride to share that life after Disney is just as green on the other side of the fence. For decades, the Disney Equine Adoption Program has paired our retired horses with new adoptive families. This program has proven that our horses and ponies have plenty of magic to share even after their Disney career. In order to identify the best potential adoptive families, the Disney Equine Adoption Program has various guidelines and policies in place. These guidelines help ensure we find people who are committed to a lifetime of care and enjoyment with our animals. For more information and to receive a brochure or application for the Disney Equine Adoption Program, please e-mail [email protected]. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/01/wildlife-wednesday-adopt-a-retired-horse-through-the-disney-equine-adoption-program/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clark W Griswold 24 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 HAY...That's really neat...Thanks for sharing it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 DD has been bugging us for a horses for years. I still don think she's ready for one but when she is I'll have to look into this. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Oh... that is wonderful. I grew up riding and have always dreamed of having my own horse; like Ray's daughter...ours keeps asking, but I'd like to wait until she's a little older and I know that we won't be making a big move. How wonderful to able to adopt one of these beautiful animals. Nothing more magical than that :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LONE-STAR 370 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 DD has been bugging us for a horses for years.Same here. That is a neat program. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I bet the fees are hefty. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I bet the fees are hefty.Just out of curiosity and the desire to get a hold of one of Cindy's ponies I sent them a request for info. I'll let you what happens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I'm interested to hear what you find out ray. I would assume they are very careful about who they end up with and I would be willing to bet they wouldn't let someone with no horse ownership to adopt. I can imagine there are a lot of people who would just want them because of their origin but not be suited to care for a horse. Kind of like the Dalmatian puppy crazy after the movie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Very cool. Back in the day, the TCD girls had favorite ponies that they liked to ride at the Fort. A few years ago, we were on a Haunted Carriage ride, and struck up a conversation with our driver, who has worked with the horses forever. It turns out that she adopted and still owned some of the old pony ride ponies. That was neat to know. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I'm interested to hear what you find out ray. I would assume they are very careful about who they end up with and I would be willing to bet they wouldn't let someone with no horse ownership to adopt. I can imagine there are a lot of people who would just want them because of their origin but not be suited to care for a horse. Kind of like the Dalmatian puppy crazy after the movie.Your right. I bet Disney would check us out before they would let us adopt. I just requested info. But if they just google map searched our address they would see our horse stables, and tack room/shop. And the 5 acres it sits on. I wasn't sure if they would check us out before even sending us the basic info but just in case they did I also gave them the info about our farm. Were we have 200 acres complete with stalls, barns, corrals. And up until 6 or 7 years ago we had 3 horses. Bartender, Cocoa, and Midnight at our house. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I bet the fees are hefty. I would think/hope so. If for no other reason that to weed out the people right off the start that just think it would be "cool" to have one, without any clue how much work and money goes into keeping a horse. Beyond that, I'd also bet that they vet people really carefully. Not just because they care for the horses and what happens to them, but also because it would be a pretty big PR mess if it hit the news that a former Disney horse landed in a really crappy situation. Just out of curiosity and the desire to get a hold of one of Cindy's ponies I sent them a request for info. I'll let you what happens. I'll be interested to hear what they say. A few years ago, we were on a Haunted Carriage ride, and struck up a conversation with our driver, who has worked with the horses forever. It turns out that she adopted and still owned some of the old pony ride ponies. That was neat to know. TCD Love that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I'm moving to Ray's farm, you don't mind do you ray? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 we had 3 horses. Bartender, Cocoa, and Midnight at our house. I am guessing you named one of those horses. And it wasn't Cocoa or Midnight. Am I right?TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I'm moving to Ray's farm, you don't mind do you ray?As long as you bring Brian, Adam, and Squish. This is the farm grandma left all is cousins. So I'd have to get permission frim them. But I'm sure they'd be ok with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I am guessing you named one of those horses.And it wasn't Cocoa or Midnight.Am I right?TCDLol! Everyone thinks that but that was his name when we got him. Great name isn't? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Here's what I just got. I'm mobile so give me a bit and I'll tell what the brochure and app says. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Hello!Thank you for the e-mail and your interest in learning more about the Equine Adoption Program. I have attached the requested brochure and application. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.Thank you,TRI-CIRCLE-D RANCH Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S.Ranch Manager on Duty: 407-824-2703 Fax: 407-824-1050 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Ok. Looked at the App and brochure. Fairly basic. Says must have land, or boarding stables. knowledge of how to care of horse. Pictures of property. Access to vet. You can not obtain horse just to sell for profit. Must have companion animal, another horse pony donkey or even goat. (You don't want to have just one horse). Adoption fees are quite reasonable. Pony. $100-$300-$500 $100 for lite use. Ride once a week$300 med use ride a few times a week$509 heavy use ridden everyday. Horses about the sameDraft horse are $100, $1,000, and $2000If you want to see the app and brochure, pm me and I'll send it to you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Ok. Looked at the App and brochure.Fairly basic. Says must have land, or boarding stables. knowledge of how to care of horse. Pictures of property. Access to vet.You can not obtain horse just to sell for profit.Must have companion animal, another horse pony donkey or even goat. (You don't want to have just one horse).Adoption fees are quite reasonable.Pony. $100-$300-$500$100 for lite use. Ride once a week$300 med use ride a few times a week$509 heavy use ridden everyday.Horses about the sameDraft horse are $100, $1,000, and $2000If you want to see the app and brochure, pm me and I'll send it to you. I don't understand the price differences- are they referring to how often the new owner is going to ride the pony or horse? Why does that have anything to do with the fee? TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fladogfan aka Gretchen 259 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Health or age of the pony/horse, maybe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I don't understand the price differences- are they referring to how often the new owner is going to ride the pony or horse? Why does that have anything to do with the fee?TCDBasically. Yes. I think I have your email. I'll forward it to you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I need to make a correction. Any pony, horse, or draft horse with medical condition the fee is $100Here's their definitions Light duty (weekend trail riding or driving a walking/trotting pace for one or two hours) Moderate duty (trail riding/driving/showing at walk/trot/canter three/four days a week) Regular duty (riding/driving/showing/jumping at all gaits)Light to moderate use pony $300Horse $400Draft $1000-$1500Regular dutyPony $500Horse $900Draft $2000Depending on the age of the animalIt's actually not a bad price. $300 for kid friend sky pony is pretty good. And $400 for a kid friendly horse is reall good. I think I read the horses stay at Disney 7-10 years and a horse can live for more than 25 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I'm really shocked, I was expecting thousands.Oh and I would love a pet donkey, they are adorable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I'm really shocked, I was expecting thousands.Oh and I would love a pet donkey, they are adorable.I was expecting it to be more also. Donkeys are great watchdogs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cortezcapt (Derek) 156 Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Oh if I only had the room to have a horse. Those are excellent prices and I am sure that any horse they have kept a while is well trained and taken care of. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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