Learn About Our Adoption Process
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, and reside no more than a 4-hour drive from East Hampton, CT 06424.
All adopters are thoroughly interviewed and screened, background checks done, including criminal background checks.
All adopters must go through our adoption process, we reserve the right to deny any adoption application for any reason without disclosure.
We require both veterinary and personal references.
We perform farm inspections to ensure that you provide:
Acceptable Shelter: Run-in-Shed must be suitable for the amount of horses on property. Footing must be clean, solid, and free from anything that could cause injury. A Run-in-Shed must be three sided with roof, and in good condition.
Access to clean water (potable water other than a pond or stream).
Stalls must be acceptable size for the horse are considering adopting.
Field size must meet local zoning laws and regulations.
Fencing must be in good condition, highly visible, durable, and safe for your equine friend. We will not approve premises with inadequate or unsafe fencing, including smooth electric wire (unless it is secondary as a top rail protector) or barbed wire.
A small, non-refundable application fee of $15 is required at the time of application; this fee will be applied towards the adoption fee upon approval.
All horses have Coggins paperwork, vaccinations, de-worming, and trainer evaluations before adoption.
Once you have successfully adopted a CDHR horse, don’t hesitate to use the rescue as a resource, especially if it’s your first time adopting a horse.
Adopting A CDHR Rescue Horse:
What You Need to Know
Our goal is to find every horse a home where they will be loved and treated well for the rest of their lives, and to ensure that they are never in dangerous, neglectful, or abusive situations.
We Follow-Up on Our Horses for the Rest of Their Lives
We adopt all CDHR horses under a “lifetime free-lease” condition, which allows you to have the horse as your own, forever, but provides a “safety net” for the horse.
If the horse is ever neglected, starved, abused, abandoned, or ends up at an auction, we have the legal power to take that horse back to the rescue. This is strictly for extenuating circumstances when the horse is in danger or winds up in the wrong hands, starting the circle all over again.
We require annual documentation of basic veterinary care (vaccinations to include EWT, West Nile, and Rabies), dental exam and/or floating of teeth, farrier care, and parasite control as recommended by your vet.
You will need to provide CDHR with current photographs of the horse on an annual basis, and we reserve the right to visit your farm to check on your adopted horse.
We will need to be notified if the physical location of where the horse lives ever changes.
If you can no longer care or keep the horse you adopted from CDHR, the horse MUST be safely returned to CDHR- no questions asked. We will need to approve a new owner if you find one yourself and a new contract must be signed before the horse is transferred.
A vet must be called for any illness or serious injury, and if the necessary treatment cannot be provided for financial reasons, the horse must be returned to the rescue.
We prohibit our rescue horses from ever being used for breeding purposes.
You may always return your adopted horse to the rescue at any time, for any reason, no questions asked.
The adoption fee varies depending on training and other factors. However, many of our adopters choose to donate in excess of the adoption fee. Because CDHR is a non-profit, this gift would be tax-deductible.
From Rescue to Forever Home
The moment a draft horse steps into CDHR, their whole life changes.
At CDHR, every draft horse that arrives begins a new chapter. Many come to us neglected, broken, or grieving, but with dedicated care, compassion, and community support, they are restored to health and hope. The true magic is watching them heal, trust again, and find loving new homes. Your donations make this transformation possible—thank you for helping us give these gentle giants a second chance at life.
Meet the Horses Awaiting Their Forever Homes
Meet Baby Mac – a 5-year-old Clydesdale gelding rescued in September 2024 in partnership with Saddles Rescue Ranch & Sanctuary. He’s currently in training for both driving and riding and is looking for a confident, experienced handler to continue his progress.
Meet Belle - a 3-year-old draft cross mare, rescued in December 2024 in partnership with Draft Gratitude and Gemini Farm Sanctuary. She is available to a training home to continue her journey toward future riding and driving.
Meet Cuda - Cuda is a 20-year-old Belgian gelding rescued from an auction in March 2025. He is available for adoption as a loving companion horse. When Cuda arrived, he was fearful and mistrusting, but with patience, gentle care, and time, he has slowly begun to trust humans and show his gentle nature.
Meet Max – a 3-year-old grey Percheron gelding, surrendered in June 2024. Max is a truly unique soul. With special needs that make him best suited as a companion horse only, he’s looking for a farm — and a heart — that can embrace his one-of-a-kind spirit. Do you believe horses can be neurodivergent? Max just might be the boy to show you.
Meet Nomad - a 6-year-old Belgian gelding, rescued from a Pennsylvania auction in March 2025. Nomad is friendly, stands in crossties, enjoys hosing, and eats a simple diet of Sentinel SR and 1st cut hay. Currently available for adoption and under evaluation — ready to bring his big heart to a loving new home.
Meet Molly - a sweet 26-year-old Belgian mare, rescued in December 2024 in partnership with Little Brook Farm Sanctuary. Despite her age, Molly has remained sound and has been under saddle. She would thrive in a loving home where she can enjoy light riding and lots of care. Molly is currently AVAILABLE and waiting to meet her forever family!
Meet Polly - a sweet Belgian mare, around 26 years old, rescued from a Pennsylvania auction in March 2025. Despite her years, Polly has been under saddle and would do well with light riding in a caring home. She is currently available and ready to share her golden years with a loving family.
Meet Nash- a 16-year-old Registered Standardbred gelding, rescued from a Pennsylvania auction in March 2025. Barefoot, easy in crossties, and happy to hose, he’s a straightforward, low-maintenance horse with no special medical needs. Nash is currently available and ready to find his forever home!
Meet Shelby - a 13-year-old draft molly mule, rescued from a Pennsylvania auction in March 2025. Shelby has arthritis, managed with daily Equioxx, and prefers to skip the hose. She is currently available for adoption and looking for a home where she’ll be loved and cared for.
Any Questions? Let us know
If you are interested in visiting Autumn Ridge, please fill out this form to set up an appointment. We would love to show you around!