Rumspringa Amish Draft Rescue

We’re a small, non-profit, retirement sanctuary for slaughter-bound injured or elderly Amish draft horses. A place where they can live out their days without going hungry and get the veterinary care and companionship they deserve. Many of our residents have worked for more than twenty years on the farm, pulling plows and wagons. When these horses are no longer able to work, they are sent to kill-buyer auctions. They are then sold by weight to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada to be sent to high-end restaurants overseas. The days-long trip to the slaughterhouses are horrific, and horses are not afforded the same humane death as other food animals. I’ll spare you the details.

That’s where we step in.

Belgians, Percherons, Haflingers, Shires, and more have come to our small ranch. Many have never known affection from their human masters. Most come with old injuries that were never properly treated. Several have systemic medical issues that require long-term medical treatment. We give them love they’ve never known and allow them to enjoy their retirement years in the company of other horses.

But, as anyone who knows horses will tell you, their care and upkeep isn’t cheap. Draft horses are big (Carrots and LaFawnduh are each over 2000lbs! That’s a lot of horse!)—and big horses have big stomachs! Veterinary care for these sweet old giants isn’t a trivial matter, either.

So, I run the pet store and have for the last 3 years without writing myself a paycheck. The pet industry is tough for a small business. What I do have beyond the store’s expenses goes right into feed, hay, and veterinary care.

But I do it. Though, a little help never hurts.

Oh, and SIZE MATTERS!