Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: Rescue Groups Helping Maryland Horses

In partnership with Ovation Riding, Horse Nation is spotlighting the known organizations who have stepped in to help with massive rescue efforts at a Maryland farm, with about 100 horses needing help.

Appaloosa mare rescued from Hebron horse graveyard Sunday March 18 2018.
Photo by Robin Neary at Changing Fates Equine Rescue

We broke the story yesterday about a 150-acre horse farm in Maryland which was discovered to house a herd of about 100 horses in varying states of starvation and illness, along with the remains of at least 25 deceased horses. This case may prove to be one of the worst, widest-scale cases of neglect and abuse in recent memory.

However, in horrible moments like this one, when the scale of the neglect was finally discovered by authorities, we see not only the worst of humanity but the best as well. With so many horses in need of help, no single organization could make it alone; this scale of rescue is truly a group effort. The following rescue organizations have stepped up to help:

Days End Farm Horse Rescue: Woodbine, Maryland. Founded in 1989, DEFHR rescues and rehabilitates horses in need of help as well as provides education and outreach in the local community as well as electronically. Some of the seized horses are rehabilitating at DEFHR. Visit DEFHR online to make a donation.

Small & Tall Equine Rescue & Sanctuary: Salisbury, Maryland. Established in 2016, STERS “strives to provide assistance for domestic equines in need of intervention, facilitating their rehoming whenever appropriate, and is dedicated to promoting ethical guardianship through education and outreach.” Visit STERS online to make a donation.

Changing Fates Equine Rescue of Delaware: Laurel, Delaware. CFERD provides rescue, rehabilitation and retraining of horses in need as well as permanent sanctuary for those that cannot be adopted. CFERD is participating in ongoing removal of horses from the Maryland farm. Visit CFERD online to make a donation.

Humane Society of Wicomico County: Salisbury, Maryland. An open-admission no-kill shelter, the Humane Society of Wicomico County works with local law enforcement for animal control. The HSWC is sheltering horses rescued from the Maryland farm. Visit HSWC online to make a donation.

Last Chance Animal Rescue: Waldorf, Maryland. While typically a small animal rescue, LCAR has stepped up to temporarily house about 30 rescued horses in partnership with Wicomico Humane Society under veterinary supervision. Not typically rescuing horses, LCAR is in need of equine supplies. Visit LCAR online to make a donation.

Various local business and farm supply stores are accepting donations and supplies on behalf of these organizations (check locally), but the most direct way to help is to make a monetary donation directly to the rescue of your choice.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.