Do you have the heart to train a rescue horse?

---

 Do you have the heart to change a horse’s destiny? The Diamond Project pairs trainers with horses that need a fresh start—whether untrained, needing retraining, or just looking for a new purpose.

Trainers can choose a horse to adopt for themselves or prepare it for an approved adopter. This is not a competition; timelines vary from weeks to a year, depending on the horse.

Foster to Train/Adopt Contract

• Works like our Foster to Adopt contract, but designed for trainers.

• Adoption fee is set in advance ($200–$600+, depending on age, training, and health).

• Contract length: 3–12 months.

• If your horse is adopted (to you or another approved adopter), you only pay the original contract fee. Any amount above that is yours to keep.

• You set the adoption fee and help choose the adopter (must be MS Horses–approved).

Costs & Care

• MHR covers routine vet and farrier trimming (special care must be pre-approved).

• Trainer provides feed, shelter, and daily care.

• You may return the horse anytime. If returned after the full contract, and adopted within 90 days, you keep 75% of the adoption fee above the base contract amount.

 MS Horses is proud to sponsor the annual Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge, a 120-day training competition for both professional and amateur trainers.

This exciting event showcases the transformation of untrained rescue horses and ponies into highly desirable equine partners.

• Applications open: August – October

• Horse selection: January

• Finals competition: May 

For full details, visit the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge website.

The HoH Pony Trainers Challenge is open to Youth (ages 12–18) and Adult Amateur trainers who want to grow their skills while making a difference in a pony's future.

Most of the ponies in this challenge come from the large herd of feral Shetlands rescued by MS Horses in the fall of 2024. Trainers receive mentor support and access to online and in-person clinics, gaining hands-on experience in natural horsemanship groundwork and cart training.

• Flexible training period — no set time limit

• Optional live finals — compete in person or submit a video entry

• Supportive environment — with mentors and education every step of the way

Learn more at the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge website.