We Love Our Foster Farms!
If you have the space and time to dedicate to a rescue horse, but cannot commit a lifetime to the horse, this may be an option for you. Fostering a horse in need gives them time to rehabilitate and if needed, get healthy. Fostering helps the horse become adoptable in the future, especially if you have the skills to improve its socialization, training, and health.
By becoming a foster home, you create more space at the rescue so we can help more horses find their forever homes. If you are interested in fostering one of these beautiful animals, please take time to schedule a personal visit to Autumn Ridge by contacting us.
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.
TESTIMONIAL
“My husband and I have been Fostering horses for CDHR since 2015. It's not a job for the faint of heart, definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions for sure. The day they leave for their forever home is always a mix of happy and sad tears, but we will keep on doing it. We feel it's a way to not only help the rescue financially, but more importantly, it opens up a space for the rescue to save another life. It also gives a horse more one on one time to help them become more adaptable. We provide, shelter, feed, training, and most importantly love. Our horse Magic is a fantastic Foster Brother, and helps settle them into our routine. The Fosters become a part of our family, and we are like proud parents watching them blossom and find their own forever home.”
~Brenda and Douglas Vynalek (Magic too! )
Foster Parents, CDHR Volunteers
Our Process
Our foster process is basically the same as our adoption process, as we consider a foster a temporary adoption until a permanent adopter is found. We try to place the horse with a foster similar to what we would look for in an adopter, or an experienced foster that is able to provide training, socialization, or other skills that will improve the horse's prospects for permanent adoption.
The foster is responsible for the costs of care and maintenance. However, expenses incurred on behalf of the foster are considered a donation for the cost of care of the rescue horse, and they are tax deductible (to the limit permitted by law).
Prior to fostering, the horse will be current with vaccines, dental care, hoof care, and worming.
The foster must also be available for adoption visits, photo sessions, and wellness checks, and also provide regular photos and updates.
FAQs
Why Do Horses Need Fostering?
There are several reasons why horses need a foster home:
•A horse may need to recover its health or gain weight.
•A mare may need to foal. A foal may need time to grow up.
•Many of our horses would benefit from one-on-one work in a foster home.
•Horses that cannot be ridden due to age or other conditions may need a place to stay while we search for the right home.
•Fostering a CDHR horse frees up space at the rescue so we can rescue more draft horses!
How Long Do Horses Stay in Foster Homes?
It depends on the needs of the horse and the capabilities of the foster home. It can vary from a few months to a year or more. We ask foster homes to commit to a minimum of three months. However, if a horse does not work out for any reason, CDHR will bring it back to Autumn Ridge as soon as possible.
How Can I Become a Foster Home?
The process begins by completing a foster home application. Someone from CDHR will then meet with you for a site visit and to discuss which horse best matches your facility and skills. Foster homes must have adequate shelter and fencing (no barbed wire).
What If I Have Questions or Need Help?
You will be given all the information about the horse prior to placement. You will also be given contact information of key CDHR volunteers who can answer questions and help with emergency situations.