Submitted by Freedom Hill Horse Rescue
CALVERT COUNTY—After 10 years of running a successful horse rescue and adoption program, Freedom Hill Horse Rescue (FHHR), a 501c3 non-profit organization, is changing its mission to better meet the needs of the Southern Maryland community.
FHHR’s new focus is to rescue neglected, abused, and unwanted horses that are typically difficult to adopt. These horses are often older, have sustained injuries, or developed chronic disease. Because most cannot be ridden or medical treatment is beyond the reach of many people, these gentle souls often find themselves at auction or on a trailer to the slaughterhouse. Yet, these horses still have a lot of love to give and deserve to live a life with dignity and compassion. After rehabilitation and proper care, they often become amazing healers themselves to the people they encounter.
The rescue has been located in Calvert County for 10 years.
“The ten-year anniversary was a perfect time to reassess the needs for rescue work in southern Maryland and to develop a plan to best leverage current resources based on community needs,” explained Vice President, Lori Harrington. “Although there is still a dire need for rescue organizations around the country, rescue options have grown considerably. In fact, support for equine rescue has been so positive in Calvert County that two new rescues opened their doors in the past several years. We are thrilled to have built a strong foundation and pipeline to encourage this growth.”
FHHR recognizes the need to connect people with horses to build awareness and drive the change needed in the horse industry. The all-volunteer organization is comprised of a team of educators who wish to partner with equines to teach and inspire youth and their families. FHHR is already designated as an Equine Discovery Center through the Maryland Horse Industry Board and will fill a gap in the availability of equine-based educational and therapeutic programs in the region.
Executive Director, Kristy Alvarez, shares, “because horses have the amazing ability to reflect human emotions, FHHR plans to develop an Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) program, where individuals and groups engage in ground activities with gentle sanctuary horses to learn life-long skills. The once unwanted senior horses will have a new career helping people as they enjoy semi-retirement.”
Horse lovers in the community have an opportunity to sponsor a sanctuary horse by participating in the Horse Angel Network. Come out to meet the horses and learn how to get involved at our Help a Horse Day event from 10-2 on April 25, 2015. The barn is located at 7940 Flint Hill Road, Owings, Md.
Operations at FHHR will follow a strategic transition plan over the next 12-15 months to ensure the best care and placement of the current adoptable horses, secure resources for the sanctuary division, and build the EAL program. Sanctuary horses will still be available for adoption to suitable companion homes.
To learn more about Freedom Hill Horse Rescue, please visit
www.freedomhillhorserescue.com. For information about the Help a Horse Day event, visit
freedomhillevents.weebly.com.