Big Horse Rescue
Welcome to Big Horse Rescue, where we are dedicated to rescuing draft and large breed horses from slaughter, abuse, abandonment and neglect. Explore our mission and join us in our journey towards excellence in sustainable equine care.
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Welcome to our journey with Alice, the horse who changed everything. In 2021, our founder embarked on a quest to find her first horse and was immediately drawn to the beauty and strength of draft horses. Through much research she discovered that draft horses especially are targeted for slaughter at auctions. This made adopting a draft that much more meaningful. After a long search and much trial and error, she discovered a special farm in Maryland dedicated to giving these big horses a second chance. In March 2022, she met her grey Percheron, Alice, a gentle soul who transformed her life and opened her eyes to the incredible potential of these deserving animals. Now just a few years later, Alice is not just a trail horse; she’s a cherished companion who has taught us the true meaning of connection and investment in these magnificent creatures.
Big Horse Rescue, Corp (BHR) is a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Big Horse Rescue, Corp are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-2876918.
We are located in Wellington, Florida and adopted horses can be transported locally,
Mission
At Big Horse Rescue our mission is simple, to save as many heavy horses as possible from neglect, abandonment, slaughter and abuse. Our goal is to retrain and rehome rescued horses to families that will help them reach their full potential, because a safe and healthy horse makes a better partner.
Saving Lives, One Auction at a Time...
The cycle of slaughter. Some estimates suggest that approximately 100,000 horses are slaughtered in the U.S. each year, with draft horses often being a prime target due to their large size and weight, which makes them more profitable for meat buyers. Bigger size means less horses to transport.
In countries like the United States, horse slaughter for human consumption is illegal, but the export of horses for slaughter is still legal. So, these horses are shipped to Canada and Mexico, where horse slaughter for human consumption occurs on a regular basis. The number of draft horses specifically is not often broken out separately in reports, but given their high desirability for meat buyers, they are particularly at risk.
BHR searches auctions and owners for unwanted horses and uses our network to identify at risk horses. With every horse we purchase, donor funds go directly toward veterinary care, rescue and rehab efforts. This strategy not only saves lives but disrupts the financial incentives of the slaughter industry.
A Second Chance Begins with rehabilitation and care. Once horses arrive at our rescue, they begin a quarantine period. During this time, our veterinary team evaluates each horse for any illnesses, injuries, or conditions that need immediate care. Our dedicated team also begins gentle rehabilitation and groundwork to help each horse start the journey toward healing.
Training, Rehabilitation and Lifelong Support...
After quarantine, horses are assessed for their specific needs in our training program and once complete, they become eligible for adoption into loving, permanent homes. We stay connected with every family throughout the horse’s life, offering guidance and support to ensure each adoption is a lasting success.
Together, we are not only saving horses—we are giving them a future.
We would love to hear from you
Get in Touch
If you are interested in supporting our rescue mission, learning more about our programs, volunteering, donating or exploring adoption opportunities, please reach out to us. Your involvement can make a meaningful difference in the lives of rescued horses.
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