“You can’t change the world by saving one horse, but for that one horse, its world is changed forever.”
It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since the founding of Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue(CDHR). Harder still to think it’s been five years since CDHR found a plot of land on Chestnut Hill Road in East Hampton that would become our permanent home, named Autumn Ridge, in honor of our Autumn, a Clydesdale mare who stole our hearts. While she did not make it to our new home, she is here with us every day in spirit and continues to inspire all of us.
What an amazing journey it has been. To date, we have been able to give over 100 draft horses a second chance at life, saving them through intercepts and auctions and providing a home for horses whose owners can no longer care for them. We are the alternative to auctions and slaughter.
Rescuing horses is exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Knowing that we cannot save them all, having to choose which horses to save is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. However, the rewards that come with rescue outweigh the heartache. Watching a severely underweight horse come back from the brink of death or seeing a horse that is so scared and untrusting learn to trust again…there is no feeling like it. This is why I do what I do.
Once their work careers are over, retired draft horses are often injured and thin. Consequently, large numbers of these horses go to slaughter. At this vulnerable stage in the life of a draft horse, many will be lost if an advocate doesn’t step forward. CDHR believes in the potential of these horses. We step up and provide a safe haven, skilled hands, loving care, and a future of hope and a brighter tomorrow for these gentle giants.
We are an all-volunteer organization operating on donations given through the generosity of compassionate and caring people. There are so many ways in which you can help the horses of CDHR—sponsor, foster, volunteer, donate—we appreciate your support in all forms.
We are so incredibly grateful to all of our friends and supporters... we absolutely could not do this work without you. If you have not visited Autumn Ridge, I invite you to see what we do and join us. Together, we can make a huge difference in these animals’ lives.
Stacey H. Golub, DVM
Founder and Executive Director
Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, Inc.
Our Mission
Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue Inc. (CDHR) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of draft horses that were bound for slaughter in addition to draft horses that are victims of starvation, neglect or abuse, or whose owners are unable to provide for their needs. Our intentions are to:
Promote and secure the safety and well-being of draft horses at risk.
Promote, support and provide equine rehabilitation.
Promote, support and foster equine adoption.
Ensure the lifetime safety of placed CDHR horses.
Provide a humane and peaceful end of life when needed.
Educate people with regard to the proper care, training and responsible ownership of horses.
Organize gelding and euthanasia clinics to address the problem of unwanted horses.
Educate people about, and to promote the draft horses’ role throughout history and its modern uses for work and pleasure.
Establish a program for equine welfare for owners who may experience financial hardships.
Promote and support equine efforts and animal rescue in times of natural disaster, when possible.
Create, support and implement a collaborative therapeutic program for wounded veterans and other persons in our community living with disabilities.
For The Love of A Horse
Autumn, our sweet Clydesdale mare, named by our volunteers for the beautiful season of change, is our namesake. Autumn was rescued from a slaughter broker's lot and arrived at Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue in desperate need of acute medical care. CDHR provided refuge and care so Autumn could spend her final years in peace. It seemed fitting that in 2018, when we found our permanent home of 20 peaceful acres overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River Valley, we would call it Autumn Ridge, in honor of this beautiful, strong, patient, and kind soul.
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.
Making a Difference, One Draft Horse at a Time
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.
CDHR’s Board of Directors volunteer their skills, time, and expertise to make CDHR a strong and vital nonprofit organization. Our Board of Directors is entrusted with three key responsibilities for CDHR: advocacy, fundraising, and strategic governance. Board members provide essential guidance and support to the organization, putting their professional expertise to work to ensure that CDHR is run like a business, with transparency and sustainability for the future.
Patricia Gugliotti
Treasurer
Pat is a certified financial planner of tax & investment strategies and has been an incredible asset to CDHR’s board with her vast knowledge of all areas of our rescue.
Sarah Grote
Vice President
Sarah utilizes her non-profit and corporate experience to promote CDHR through public relations, fundraising, and events.
Stacey Golub, DVM
Founder & Executive Director
Stacey “Doc” Golub, DVM, is an equine veterinarian and owner of Connecticut Valley Equine, a mobile practice she founded in 2005 after graduating from Cornell in 1998. In 2011, she founded Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue (CDHR), which has since given over 100 draft horses a second chance at life through rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming.
Meet the Board
Visit Us
113 Chestnut Hill Road,
East Hampton, CT 06424
ctdraftrescue@aol.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 273, East Hampton, CT 06424
Hours
Monday–Friday
10am–6pm
Visiting Etiquette
Visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 12 pm.
Because it is very hot at the farm in the summer and without shade, we recommend you bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen and wear a hat.
Bug repellent is recommended, especially during the summer months.
Bring your camera/cell phone to take photos only. Do NOT bring umbrellas, flags, noise-making toys, or any objects that might startle the horses.
Photography is permitted. Please share your photos on Facebook or Instagram, tag us, and use #CtDraftRescue.
Because we are a rescue meant for our rescued equines’ peaceful recovery from abuse, neglect, and abandonment, please observe the following:
To help our rescued horses heal in peace and to keep everyone safe, we kindly ask that visitors wear closed-toe shoes, walk calmly, stay with their group (with parents accompanying children), avoid climbing fences or entering barns, and please not feed the horses, as many are on special diets and care plans.
Please respect the safety of the farm:
Smoking, alcoholic beverages, and dogs are not permitted; please carry out all trash to keep the grass safe for our herd, remain outside all fences (which are electrified for the horses’ safety), and be mindful of uneven ground—visits are always free, and donations are welcome!
Donate Here. Every dollar counts.
Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue Inc. (CDHR) is an all-volunteer 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!