Forever Homes: Safe & Loved

At CDHR, every rescue horse is promised love, safety, and a future free from neglect or abandonment. While each arrives with a different story, they all leave for the same reason — their happily-ever-after has begun. We stay connected with adoptive families and cherish seeing our graduates thriving, healthy, and loved in their forever homes.

Nothing makes us happier than seeing our rescued and rehabilitated horses move on to their new and loving forever homes. Every horse that comes to CDHR becomes a part of a family. ALL of us here spend a lot of time not only working with the horses who come here, but loving them, spending time with them, and getting to know them. We don't always know their story before us, but we want to make sure that the chapter that begins with us is the chapter that gets them happy ever after. We truly feel honored to be a part of each one of their lives and their journey.

Adoption days are always bittersweet, while we shed tears, they are tears of hope and even some of missing them, but we know that they are just here to heal, emotionally and physically, and our goal is to get them to their happy forever after! Each one of the horses who comes to Autumn Ridge touches us, each one in different ways. The bonds we develop will carry on as will the memories from their time with us. We hope that this page will share a little of the love we feel for them.

Rescue horses are not broken, useless, and hopeless. They may have all come to us for different reasons, but when they leave, they all leave for the same reason....their happy ever after has arrived. We make a promise to every horse who graces our farm, that NEVER again will they be alone, mistreated, abandoned, in an auction house, or left neglected. From now until the day they leave this world, they WILL ALWAYS have a home at CDHR, no questions asked. We follow up with our adoptive families, because WE LOVE to see new photos of our graduates in their homes with their families happy, healthy, and loved. That is why we do what we do.

Congratulations to our horses and their new families.

-From the entire team at CDHR

2021 ADOPTIONS

2020 ADOPTIONS

2019 ADOPTIONS

2018 ADOPTIONS

2017 ADOPTIONS

2016 ADOPTIONS

2015 ADOPTIONS

2014 ADOPTIONS

2013 ADOPTIONS

2012 ADOPTIONS

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.

Every dollar counts.

Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue Inc. (CDHR) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to saving the lives of draft horses that were bound for slaughter, victims of starvation, neglect, or abuse, or whose owners are unable to provide for their needs.  In addition to our work with the horses, we educate people about the proper care, training, and responsible ownership of horses. We organize gelding clinics to address the problem of unwanted horses, and we promote and support equine efforts and animal rescue in times of natural disaster.

We need your financial support through donations, matching gifts through your organization, monthly sponsorship of horses, and planned giving.  The money raised helps pay for the medical care, hay, grain, supplements, and supplies that will continue to require financial support. 

We are so grateful for your support and generosity!

Questions?

If you have questions about any of our horses, please use this form to reach out to us!