My mom runs a horse adoption, and to prevent people from "adopting" the horses cheap and selling them to slaughter, she has a contract.
Roughly, it states that the animal may never be sold, traded, or given away. Once adopted, if the people no longer can care for the animal, it must be placed back with us.
We are free to inspect the location that will house the horse, and pop in for visits. Depending on the needs of the horse (which are determined by us, the Vet, and person who gave the horse to be adopted, the adopter may be limited on what they can do with it. For example, if it has bad legs, we may say it can not be jumped, or ridden hard.
Some may not be ridable at all. If the contract is broken, the horse is returned to us, and the adoption fee not refunded.
If that animal is just not working out, they can switch with another adoption horse better suited to them. Another rescue like us had someone break a contract by selling the horse... they then owed the Rescue the horses value (adoption fees are between $500-$900). In that case, the horse was worth $25,000.
Since horses are sometimes worth more to the meat market that the adoption fees some places charge, its important to have that contract.
We also must know that adopters are able to care for the animal. If they are new to horses, we offer a "beginner class" on basic horse husbandry, and work closely with them. Some horses have special needs that we feel does not allow them to be adopted out, so they stay with us.
But I think if you set it up where the animal can not be sold, and must come back to you, you should be successful. Just be sure to really look at who gets your animals, and always do follow-ups! If the adopter is too far from you to check up on them yourself, ask a local rescue or Herp Society if they can help.

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