Finding a good home for your horse is a difficult process and can potentially be harmful for your horse if not done properly and responsibly. To better insure a good home for your horse, the potential new home should pass 3 important steps:
1. Phone Interview
2. References
3. Farm Visit

Below is a guideline for each step.

Step 1: Phone interview
Items to discuss:
1. Don’t be afraid to question them about their abilities and background (in a nice non-threatening way). Ex. Tell me about your background with           horses.
2. Are they informed about what it takes to care for a horse and what horses require? (This may already be obvious). Ask specifically about what they feed, kind of hay, vaccination & farrier schedule. This would be a good time to ask who their veterinarian and farrier are to use as a reference.
3. If the horse is ridable, ask who will be riding the horse? Ask any questions relevant to your horses abilities for riding. Ex. What discipline/style riding do you do?
4. Ask about their facilities (barn, shed, pasture, fencing, water sources, etc).
5. Make sure that what they consider adequate space for the horse meets your standards of what your horse needs. Double check the acreage amount the horse will have.
6. It is recommended that they have some type of grazing companion for the horse (other than human). This is recommended due to the fact that horses are herd animals and do best (feel secure) with another grazing companion.
Things to think about:
1. Are you comfortable with their answers?
2. Are you comfortable with their plan of action?
3. Would you be comfortable with them caring for your horse?
4. If you are uncomfortable with their answers, then obviously they are a “no”. If you are unsure about how you feel about them, or feel good about their responses continue to Step 2.

Step 2: References
Call their vet and farrier for references. If you are not familiar with the veterinarian they use, call the state veterinary medical board and ask if they are licensed. It is recommended that you do this before visiting the farm as it could prevent you wasting your time. Even if they have never used a horse vet, a small animal veterinarian can tell you if they care for their animals properly. If their references check out okay, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Farm Visit
Things to look for while at their farm are:
1. Overall Safety
    2. Overall Cleanliness
    Are stalls kept clean?
        Do water troughs/buckets look like they are cleaned regularly?
3. Condition of Horses
    Do their horses appear to be in good health?
    Easy to approach and friendly?
   Are their hooves in good condition?
   Does it appear that they are groomed periodically?
   Are there any injuries that are not being cared for?

Ask them what their plans are if your horse doesn’t work out for them. Are they willing to call you? Are they willing to sign a contract that you will  receive notification if they wish to sell or give away the horse? A lawyer can check over your contract to insure it is a legal binding document.
Although nothing can be guaranteed, if they pass all three steps you can rest easier knowing that you have responsibly given your horse to a good home

up date 11/22/11

savanna went for her first ride Sunday 11/20 did wonderful , very ez going , she will now be in training to be my Calvary horse. still needs more weight gaining slow but slow is safe .. having good progress

ECLIPSO- still needs more weight but thank god doing great with gaining and still a sweet mare , I am looking for a loving home for her , please have a heart and give this mare a great home.. hoofs are doing great , will take a little longer to get back on track but fixable with just regularly trims from a farrier that knows what there doing, she is ready to start working under saddle.. I will let her go under contract and for a feed/hay or cash donation to the rescue..

SAVANNA 5YR BELGUIM X MARE — 9/5/11

We need to raise money or paid care for Savanna she needs, farrier,vet and dentist care right off the back , she will get dewormed ($12.99 equimax) hay roll $40(will last 2weeks for 1 horse) her feed will be 10/10 sweet ($15.50)per bag 1 horse goes threw 1 bag a week but due two her breed n how under weight she will get worked up to 2bags a week.. she also will get beet-pulp($16.99) and alfalfa pellets ($17.99).  SO PLEASE DONATE TO HELP SAVANNA OR ONE OF THE OTHER RESCUES!!!!  THANK YOU

Sanna and I 9/5/11 bad shape very under weight !

Savnna right side

Savnna's right hoof

ECLIPSO – is a 6yr TB mare in need of our help , she was adopted out 10/22/10 and came back 4/27/11 in horrible condition , she is very under weight, has had no vet , farrier or dental care since she left my place in Oct..2010. The sad part was due to not being feed well or at all she foal 4/26/11  and the foal did not make it  and waited til the next day to call me, They lied and said she was ok and doing good when i checked on her , even the city’s animal control was involved and they let them keep her and never informed me.. she was actually in worst shape a couple months ago’

eclipso right front hoof

The plate the farrier made to hold her hoof together yes its screwed in , her bone is exposed , she got 50/50 chance at life now, this is really sad, ECLIPSO needs help , its getting expensive for her diet and supplements and , meds .. please donate to help her or the others.. any amount will help!!

front viewfrom the rear view

ate up with a rain rot

just a $5 donation will help get her well and caught up again  she also has a bad infection in her uterus.. please help her..

5/15/11- still soaking hoofs twice a day , not looking better yet , she has to stay stalled not liking that  one bit .. her feed is $18 a bag + beet pulp+ bran+red cell+rice bran oil+biotin+alfalfa and coastal very expensive to get her on the right track again, also have to up date her with vet and dentist been hoping donations would come in by now, If I  don’t get a little help here  her alternative is death and the farrier nor I are ready to give up on her when she is soo full of life and she is only 6yr..

UPDATE — 7/10/11   ECLIPSO- Is still under weight , I was worried I was gonna have to put her down due to her hoofs , but her hoofs have  made a 200% recovery she is battling rain rot still (treated daily) started light training  july 1st to help build muscle, to help be a better horse to help her chances to be adopted out when recoved fully..This mare is soo full of life and very sweet ,  please help her have a successful life ..

eclipso new hoofs and she is sound noweclipso showing some love to a guest , the little boy was scared and she wanted to show him it was ok

eclipso kissing on my little girl "dalila"

8/24/2011–  ECLIPSO is doing very well gaining weight very slowly but definitely gaining still very sweet and lovable, if I can find her the right person I will let her go out for adoption but in no rush.. she still has a long road ahead of her.. her hoofs look amazing.. training is going well not enough weight on her for me to start riding her yet .. she is in need of an angel so please if you donate to her see my site to donate.. eclipso is only 1 out 12 rescue horses.. any bit helps /..  Thank you

What a day!  Beautiful rescue TB Star with Annie ran barrels for only the 2nd time and placed 2nd in her division and won a small jackpot Saturday at Lake City Arena in Florida!  All monies that Star and Annie win goes to the support of the horse rescue.  Watch here for pics of Annie and Star whipping around the barrels!

Star was basically on her last legs when she came to Fire And Ice.  Annie has patiently provided not only food and hay, but TLC to bring this beautiful horse back to the shape she is in today.  Watch for more updates on Star – she’ll be winning the jackpot soon! 

Rescue Horse Star TB And Annie Fire And Ice Horse Farm

Beautiful BlackJack now available at Fire & Ice Farm for English Riding Lessons.  BlackJack is 22 years young and very patient with new students.  Are you ready to get started or to advance your English Riding Skills?  BlackJack is the perfect horse to help you do that.

English Riding Lessons Florida

No matter what level your English riding skills may be at, this horse will take you to the next level.  Instruction is tailored to your individual learning style.  Very affordable one on one lessons so that you can fully focus on you and BlackJack.

Spots filling up quickly.  Get your weekly spot for the next quarter now by calling 386-623-7411.  20 minutes from Gainesville.

Looking to get a new saddle for your horse?  How do you know which saddle to choose?  Did you know many behavioral problems in horses are actually caused by a bad fitting saddle?  Think about it – no horse should be forced to ride when they are in pain caused by a bad fitting saddle.

What should you do?  If you have never purchased a saddle before and if it’s possible, contact an experienced horse trainer or horse riding instructor.  They can explain the different parts of a western or english saddle so that you know where to start when looking for a saddle for your horse.

Say you’ve found a western saddle you like.  A basic test you can do to make sure it’s the right saddle for your horse is to place the saddle on your horse using a good saddle pad.  The saddle pad is just as important as the saddle.

Place your hand under the pommel. On a western saddle, the pommel is the part of the saddle in the front where the horn is.  You should be able to fit 3 or 4 fingers under the pommel.  If you cannot fit your fingers under the pommel, the saddle tree is too wide which causes the saddle to sit too low.  This could potentially cause skeletal damage to your horses back.

If you can fit your whole fist under the saddle, the tree is too narrow and the saddle is too high which may pinch your horses withers.

Western Saddle For A Horse

We get asked so often for tips on training horses that we decided to start this section.  So what is the most important horse training tip?  Which technique is best?  The answer is NONE.

None you say?  Yes, NONE.  The reason we say there is no number one training technique is because it’s best for you if you stay open to a variety of training techniques.   We do follow gentle horse training and prefer to create a bond between the rider and the horse because without that strong bond between the rider and the horse, your efforts to train your horse are sure to fail.

So first, it is important to build the bond between you and your horse.  It’s important to consider the instinct of horses to be in a herd.  There is a herd leader.  This herd leader will remind the herd often that he is the leader and the rest of the herd will respect him as the leader.

What does this mean to you?  When you’re developing your relationship with your horse, you become the herd leader.  A successful herd leader earns the respect of the herd but not by fear and domination.  Approach your horse with confidence as the herd leader also protects the herd from threats.  Your actions will determine and set the mood for your horses action.  If you approach with fear, your horse will pick up on that fear and not see you as a herd leader.

Bookmark us for more horse training tips.

Horse Training Tips NorthFloridaHorses.com

Looking for a great barrel racing riding instructor for you and your horse?  We can help in the training of both the horse and the rider and we will come to your ranch or farm for your lesson because individual attention is key to getting you where you want to be in barrel racing.

Our aim is to provide you with a solid understanding of the sport of barrel racing.  After the first few lessons, our aim is to provide the rider with the knowledge and confidence to advance onto more competitive riding.

Barrel racing is a partner sport and it is just as important for you to be ready to compete as it is for the horse.  Ready to get started?  Call Annie today as open times fill up quickly.  386-623-7411.

Barrel Racing Training North Florida

Do you want a very special party for your little one?  The absolute best way to put a smile on EVERYONE’S faces is with a pony party!

Fire & Ice Farm will arrive at your designated party location with ponies, helmets and more – all you need to do is have the party ready for a great time riding ponies.  We also have larger ponies and horses for older kids – just let us know.

Call us today – weekend spots fill up quick.  386/623-7411.

$50 Deposit: 

Pony Party Gainesville Floridadallas is one of the horses we use for pony party's he belongs to my 6yr little girl she shows him..This is" little foot" a pony party -pony 12yr he also shows , in this pic we are doing games with the kids and ponys very fun !!

I love helping these wonderful animals but everyone needs to step in to help there are many different ways to help:

please help!!!

we offer different ways you can help our rescued horses here are a few ways to help

STUD TO GELDING

This the cost to geld a stud when it comes into our rescue.

Price: $200

Farrier Trim

 Each of our rescues have routine hoof care with our blacksmith. $35 will allow 1 horse to have its feet trimmed

Price: $35.00

Transport Fund

We currently spend hundreds of dollars driving down to south florida to pick up horses. This fund allows us to pick up these horses in need.Price: $50.00