OwnershipBuying A Horse

List Of Draft Horse Rescues In The USA

In this article...

Discover the surprising truth about owning draft horses. From their immense size to their costliness, these gentle giants are quite a handful. We delve into the hardships experienced by draft horses around the US due to neglect, abuse, or being unwanted. Explore here.

Do you love draft horses? They have excellent temperaments, are very docile and adorable. They are big, sturdy and sure footed horses used for farm work, driving, riding or companionship.  

Unfortunately many drafts around the US are in trouble due to neglect, abuse, getting shipped to slaughter, whether because they are no longer wanted, needed or are too expensive for the owner.

Draft horses are more work, and money than the lighter breeds. They take up more space, there’s more to clean, they’re more costly to feed, and the equipment for drafts is more expensive. You don’t see as many draft horse breeds as light horse breeds at the usual horse rescues.

Clydesdale & my son

Luckily there are a few rescues that have popped up around the country with these gentle giants in mind. People stepping up to the plate who want these horses to have a good life with love and good care.

If you are looking for a draft horse rescue in the United States where you would like to volunteer, donate, or adopt a draft horse, check out this list of available draft rescues. 

I have gone around the web and gathered information about these different rescues so that you don’t have to search the internet and waste extra time. I could only find a handful. I found many draft rescue sites were no longer operating.

It's a common misconception that maintaining draft horses is a walk in the park. On the contrary, they are more work and money than lighter breeds. Learn about the unexpected costs in keeping these beautiful animals and why many end up being neglected or abandoned.
Percheron Draft Horse At The Barn I Go To

As far as the information I will be sharing about each of the rescues:

  • The name
  • Location
  • Website
  • Social Media
  • The mission statement
  • Phone number & email
  • Programs such as whether they have horse adoption, volunteering etc.
  • Ways to help such as wish list, donation

By providing this information to you, it should be a faster process narrowing down the rescues you may be interested in helping out or adopting from. 

If you know of a draft rescue that could be added to this list let me know.

Disclaimer: Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by Sparkles Rainbows & Unicorns. Before contributing to or adopting from any of these horse rescues, make sure you do your own research to make sure your time and money are going to a worthy organization.

Now for the list of draft rescues! (Keep in mind most of these places have visits by appointment only and a couple are sanctuaries that don’t adopt out.)

Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue

Location 

Mount Airy, Maryland

Mission Statement

“Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue is committed to saving draft horses from slaughter, abuse and neglect, and finding them adoptive homes as trail or schooling horses.”

Programs

  • Horse Adoption
  • Horse Rehoming
  • Operation G.E.L.D.

Ways To Help

  • Volunteer
  • Sponsor
  • Donate

Website

https://www.gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.org/

Social Media

Facebook Page

YouTube Channel

Instagram

Twitter

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

443-285-3835 

Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue

Location 

East Hampton, Connecticut

Mission Statement

“Retired draft horses, once their work careers are over, 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.”

Programs

  • Horse Adoption

Ways To Help

  • Foster
  • Volunteer
  • Sponsor
  • Donate
  • Wish List
  • Events

Website

https://www.ctdraftrescue.org/

Social Media

Facebook Page

Instagram

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

860-467-6587

Roanchar Ranch Draft Horse Rescue

Location 

Varysburg, New York

Mission Statement

“We are a 501 (c)(3) organization located in Western New York and our goal is to provide a refuge for draft horses. The focus is to rehabilitate, retrain and re-home draft horses that are in slaughterhouses, feedlots auctions or have been surrendered to the rescue. For those horses that are not adoptable, Roanchar Ranch Draft Horse Rescue will be their forever home.”

Programs

  • Horse Adoption
  • Driving Change Program

Ways To Help

  • Volunteer
  • Monthly Gift
  • Donate
  • Store

Website

Roanchar Ranch Draft Horse Rescue website

Social Media

Facebook Page

YouTube Channel

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

716-289-7370

Draft Gratitude

Location 

Winchester, NH

Mission Statement

“We are an all volunteer organization dedicated to saving the lives of draft horses that were bound for slaughter, victims of neglect or abuse, or whose owners are unable to provide for their needs.”

Programs

  • Horse Adoption
  • Horse Sanctuary

Ways To Help

  • Monthly Giving     
  • Amazon Smiles     
  • Veterinarian Fund     
  • Buy A Draft Gratitude Calendar
  • Mail Grain Bag Tags 

Website

Draft Gratitude Website

Social Media

Facebook Page

YouTube Channel

Instagram

Twitter

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

603-762-3266

Coast To Coast Draft Horse Connection

Location 

Howell, Michigan

Mission Statement

“Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome draft horses and mules

bound for slaughter.”

Programs

  • Horse Adoption

Ways To Help

  • Donations     
  • Share Adoptable Horses Via Social Media   
  • Volunteer

Website

https://www.c2cdhc.org/

Social Media

Facebook Page

YouTube Channel

Email

[email protected]

Black Mountain View Farm Draft Rescue

Location 

Thurmont, Maryland

Mission Statement

“Each year we see thousands of draft horses that end up in auctions that are bound for slaughter. Black Mountain View Farm Draft Rescue, along with your help, rescues draft horses from auctions, kill situations, and neglect cases. The horses we take in are then quarantined for 30 days. Once they are healthy and rehabilitated. The horses may go up for adoption and can be adopted out to qualified home, we do our part in making sure we have the best possible match. Horses that are unable to be adopted out will live out their lives in our care.”

Programs

  • Horse Adoption

Ways To Help

  • Volunteer
  • Sponsor
  • Donate
  • Amazon Smile

Website

Black Mountain View Farm Draft Rescue Website

Social Media

Facebook Page

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

(240) 440-9297

Iron Gait Percheron

Location 

Weleska, Georgia

Mission Statement

“Iron Gait Percherons, Inc. (IGP) of Waleska, Georgia, is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. Specifically, IGP rescues Percheron and other draft  breed horses from abuse, neglect, abandonment, slaughter, or victims of the current economy, refurbishes all of their medical, nutritional, and emotional needs, retrains them for new riding careers, and provides a thorough screening process to find them safe, loving forever homes. IGP also seeks to increase beneficial human and equine relationships through animal/human interaction and education.”

Programs

  • Sanctuary For Horses
  • Retirement & Rehabilitation
  • Horse Adoption

Ways To Help

  • Volunteer
  • Sponsor
  • Donate
  • Fundraising
  • Wish List

Website

https://igprescue.org/

Social Media

Facebook Page

Twitter

YouTube Channel

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

770.648.1981

1 Horse At A Time Draft Horse Rescue

Location 

Corvallis, Montana

Mission Statement

“1 Horse At A Time Draft Horse Rescue is driven by a single goal: to save unwanted, neglected and abused draft horses from going to slaughter!  The rescue wants to do its part in making the world a better place for all, even if it can only be done 1 Horse At A Time. The rescue strives to build productive relationships and to make a positive impact with all of their pursuits.”

Programs

  • Sanctuary For Horses
  • Horse Adoption

Ways To Help

  • Volunteer
  • Sponsor
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Shop

Website

https://www.1horseatatime.com/

Social Media

Facebook Page

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

 (406)493-4978

United in Light, Inc.

Location 

Livingston, MT 

Mission Statement

Enhancing and  inspiring lives through healing and hope between horses and humans.

To provide Sanctuary to all mature draft horse breeds than have been rescued from an untimely death.

To provide a peaceful, loving environment throughout the rest of the horses’ lives.

To provide a place where humans and horses are reunited for healing and finding inner peace.

To provide people of all ages the ability to bond and experience the gentle giants.

To provide education to the public on the lives of draft horses and of the unique lifestyle that is lived here on this land.

To provide emergency assistance to horse owners in Montana due to natural disasters. 

Programs

  • Sanctuary For Horses
  • Heart Whispers
  • Reiki I & II Master Workshops
  • Montana Emergency Fund
  • Sponsor a Draft Horse

Ways To Help

  • Donate
  • Wishlist
  • Become A Patron
  • Merchandise

Website

http://www.draftrescue.com/

Social Media

Facebook Page

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Email


[email protected]

Phone Number

(406) 222-7982

Going Another Way Draft Horse Sanctuary Inc.

Location 

Wellington, Colorado

Mission Statement

Going My Way Draft Horse Sanctuary, INC is a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that rescues senior draft horses from feedlots and other unfortunate situations.

Programs

  • Sanctuary For Horses

Ways To Help

  • Donate
  • Sponsor A Draft

Website

https://goingmywaydrafthorsesanctuary.org/

Social Media

Facebook Page

Email

[email protected]

Clydesdale & Percheron hanging out together

Another resource I have found if you are looking to adopt or rescue a draft horse is the Draft Horse Rescue Resource. They have a Facebook Page where they share draft horses needing homes. Also on there website they have a page with Horse Auctions throughout Canada and The USA if you are wanting to rescue a draft directly from auction.

This is the end of the list for now. Many draft rescues I found when I was searching had dead websites, so it seems many have had to close down. 

If you are from a draft horse specific rescue and would like to be listed here contact me at [email protected].

Thank you for caring about these gentle giants!

Cheers, Kacey

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Disclaimer Notice: Please be aware that horseback riding and related equestrian activities carry inherent risks. The advice and experiences shared on this blog are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional training or advice. Ensure your safety and that of your horse by wearing appropriate gear, practicing safe horse handling, and consulting with certified equestrian professionals. Remember, each horse is unique, and techniques may vary accordingly. Always prioritize safety, respect, and patience in your equestrian endeavors.

Kacey Cleary Administrator
Kacey has been an equestrian since 1998. She was a working student at several eventing and dressage barns. She has owned horses, leased horses, and trained horses. Kacey received an A.S. in Equine Industries from UMass Amherst, where she rode on the dressage team. She was certified with the ARIA and is licensed to teach riding in MA. She has been a barn manager and has run her own horse farm.
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