Thanks for asking;
Adam, A foster home takes care of the horse as if he were their own. I'm not going to sugar coat it. We get a lot of active founder and those horses require a lot of daily soaking usually and meds etc. which do take up a lot of extra time on the part of the foster. Some are so hungry, bone racks, and just need to be fed. Some horses we have had are unruly, never been handled, scared to death, not mannered and would kick, bite, rear, etc. Some could be pregnant and need to be foaled out. On the other hand, we have plenty of horses that are a dream, just need "normal" daily routine care such as your own with no issues whatsoever.
The foster home will "fix" and rehab as much as they can. Put training or manners on a horse, medicate the sick, etc. whatever is needed. They call their own vet in for medical stuff and we pick up that tab whether it be gelding, or vaccinations etc. Same with the farrier. If the horse requires X rays or special supplements, special supplies, we pick up that tab also. That's why we beg donations because some of these horses cost a good bit to get back on their feet.
On the application, there is a field you fill out which states just what kind of horse you would be willing to foster. You can choose your sex, age limit from babies to the senior citizen horse. You do have options! You don't have to sign up for a special needs horse unless you want to. You could get a nice little horse with no issues that may just need a place to stay until someone wants to adopt.
As far as how long, that's pretty tricky because we have had some horses in foster that have been there for months, just too long. It's hit and miss. Not a lot of opportunities out there for horses for instance that are foundered where the adoptive home would really need to watch what they are doing. They usually take longer to find homes but eventually a home does come through. But at any time if and when the foster can no longer handle it, we arrange pick up and move the horse if he has over stayed his welcome. Again, on the other hand we have had some recently get adopted out so fast it would make your head spin. We had some fabulous horses with past show records there was not a thing wrong with them and could even make a comeback into the ring. Just add a good grooming and a clip up and kaboom, perfect. We have trained driving horses that could still drive wonderfully! You name it Adam, we've got it or had it or are getting it.
At this time we have an urgent need of a lot of foster homes for severely challenged horses from very experienced people. If anyone is so inclined to commit, please do so!