“My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.”
Making a Difference, One Draft Horse at a Time
We know we can't save every horse, but for the ones we do save, their lives are completely changed. We believe that every horse, no matter its past, deserves respect, kindness and love. Every draft horse deserves a chance at a new life and we are that chance for many horses who have no hope.
We are honored each and every day to care for these beautiful animals and to provide them a place of refuge, where they can feel secure and heal. Many of the horses at CDHR have previously suffered injuries and in some cases, abuse. Returning them to good health is at the forefront of our mission.
Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue could not do any of its amazing work without you! We exist solely on donations and volunteers. Every dollar and hour donated goes to help these draft horses get proper medical care, a comfortable place to stay, a full belly, and lots of love to help them transition to their new lives.
Our Process
Rescue
Our draft horses are either rescued from abuse or neglect, from kill pens, auctions, or they were surrendered by someone who could no longer care for them. Once a horse enters our program, we quarantine the horse from the rest of our herd. During this time we assess their overall physical condition and conduct a thorough health check. After a horse comes out of quarantine and is given a clean bill of health, we spend time with the horse and allow them to speak to us. We give them decompression time where they can just be a horse, be loved on, doted on, and build their trust and confidence.
Rehabilitate
Once the horses are stable and eating normally, they begin the process of retraining. Working with our trainer, we assess each horse, evaluating ground manners, under saddle, basic handling skills and so forth. These animals have been through a lot of trauma already and we take our time working with them. This affords plenty of time for us to come to an educated conclusion regarding what is needed to help set the horse up for success in the next chapter of its life. This means they have good ground manners and know how to behave for the farrier, vet visits, baths, fly spray, or allow themselves to be caught in the pasture.
Rehome
After all of the healing and hard work has passed, it is time to give our draft horses a new lease on life and find their forever home. Many of these horses have suffered terrible abuse and neglect through no fault of their own, and deserve to find a forever home where they will be loved and well taken care of. Rescue horses can be wonderful companions for many different types of people. Adopting a horse requires an investment of time, money, emotion, and most of all love. To that end, CDHR requires a comprehensive application process that helps enable the best match between horse and adopter.
Our Horses
Please keep in mind that when you are adopting a rescue horse you are making a commitment for the remainder of its life. We want to find each of our horses a loving, forever home. Our adoption process is comprehensive and designed to assure the best possible match between our horses and potential adopters. Suitability is of the utmost importance in placing our horses.
We have horses that are rideable that are available for adoption, as well as non-rideable horses that can fill the much needed job of a "companion," acting as friends for other horses.
What is a companion horse?
Horses not approved for riding will make a wonderful addition to a family as a companion animal for another horse. It has been determined that riding these horses is not acceptable due to injuries or lameness, a history of abuse under saddle, age, or other issues. They are still wonderful horses and very easy to work with on the ground. Horses can also be wonderful companions to their caretakers as well. Companion horses are available for adoption or foster.
We also have horses that are permanent residents of Autumn Ridge that you can sponsor and support their forever care.
Make a donation.
Your support is vitally important to our mission of saving draft horses in need. $20 will provide three bales of hay for one day, for one horse. $100 will provide grain for one month, for two horses.
Will you help a draft horse today?