We NEVER would have been able to successfully host 250 kids on May 31st without the help of our AMAZING Field Trip support volunteers! Those volunteers who helped earned the honorary title of "Field Trip Volunteer Extraordinaire" by assisting with leading, grooming, the Ed Talk station, and more! You can earn one too! Email volunteer@defhr.org if you'd be interested in helping with our educational events.
Bob McCarter
Silvia Chicas
Nancy Johns
Sue Gordon
Lilliana Sonpar
River Pintea-White
Laura Benzel
Matt Koplow
Donna Willems
Anastasia Davis
Barbara Sorensen
Lailah Strube
Trial in West Virginia on appeal. Awaiting date to be set in Circuit Court.
(Winnifred, Xackery, Yara, Zafrina, Auntie Ann, Billy Bob, Colton's Creed)
Court case support.
(Watson, Xino, Yumi)
13 charges of failure to provide. (Gallant, Hobbit, Iffy, Jackpot, Khaleesi, Letty, Mochi, Nifty, Offelia, Poppy Seed, Qelty, Rosa, Scooter)
(Glitzy Gemma, Hometown Halsey, Idle Isla, Knightly Knox, Loyal Lance, Jesting Jax)
Plea agreement to four of seven charges for failure to provide. Sentenced to five years’ probation. (Chipmunk Carl, Dewey’s Decimal, Happy Hilda, Ivery Isle, Just Joking, Lando Lake)
HowardCounty(WV)
Charges dropped. (Ernest, Frankfurt)
HowardCounty(WV)
Charges pending. (Ulyssa)
PrinceGeorge'sCounty
Charges pending. (Quirky Quigley)
This month’s Horse Spotlight goes to Opal! Opal came to DEFHR last year after living among a feral herd, with no previous human handling. Opal has grown in leaps and bounds since her arrival at DEFHR… She now enjoys life out in mare field and coming in each day for feed and grooming. We are starting to find Opal’s ‘itchy spots’ where she likes to be scratched, which is a huge step for a previously feral horse! Opal is currently focusing on at-liberty training and groundwork training while she patiently waits to be adopted. Opal is cute as a button with her unique coat and smallbut-mighty stature! Be sure to say ‘hello’ to Opal the next time you see her at the farm!
"Opal is cute as a button with her unique coat and small-but-mighty stature!"
Acorn (adopted)
Cierra (adopted)
Dory (adopted)
Finnegan (adopted, pictured)
Happy Hilda (adopted)
Loralei (adopted)
Oda’s Odyssey (return)
Peter Piper
Quirky Quigley (pictured)
How long have you volunteered with DEFHR?
I've been a volunteer since February, 2022.
Do you have a favorite DEFHR herd member, past or present? If so, who?
I love all the horses but have a few favorites such as members that have found their forever home, Kerry and Casino. However currently, Karisma (shown above) is one of the current herd members that I really enjoy.
I learned about DEFHR several years ago. This was before the current barns were built and the capacity was less but the organization was doing amazing work with some very sick horses. I came to an event and met this really friendly cow named Norman. I did a tour of the barn and was extremely affected by the sight of the horses. I moved away from Maryland but continued to support the organization with donations and coming to events when I was in town. Fast forward to 2022, and I decided to become a volunteer, which has been extremely rewarding.
Did you have any previous equine experience(s) before volunteering with DEFHR? What was it?
I had an Appalooa / Thoroughbred cross named Midnight in April. I did dressage and eventing with April, and Iearned so much from her. I really struggled riding her when she first came into my life, and I was thrown several times, but I found a wonderful trainer and that made all the difference. April and I eventually got to a place of harmony (most of the time) and I loved riding her. I then met my now ex Bill , and he was an amazing rider and had a way with the horses that I admired and tried to emulate. He rode Hunter/Jumper and was showing at four feet. I was the designated groom at the shows. Between the two of us, we had three horses: April, Miles Davis (an Oldenburg) and Snappy (an Irish Draft Horse). We flew Snapper to the U.S. from Ireland. [continued...]
He was a gorgeous horse, dapple grey, 17.2 hands, and was very sweet, but he was also a handful. He was Bill's horse and I only rode him a few times. Miles Davis and April were my favorites to ride. I haven't ridden in about eight years and hope to get back in the saddle again soon.
I love spending time with the horses and doing barn chores. Due to the demands of a new job, I haven't been able to volunteer as much as I was but look forward to coming out to spend time with Fonzie and getting a "Fonzie hug" each weekend. I have met amazing volunteers who share a love of horses, and that camaraderie has been wonderful. I'm also so impressed with the dedicated DEHFR staff who care for the horses every day, arrange all the events, organize volunteers, and keep the organization running so smoothly. It's definitely one of my happy places.
Areas where DEFHR could use some extra assistance.
We're seeking volunteers who want to become leaders by helping us to train our incoming volunteers. If you are at least 14 years old and well-established in assisting in the barn, reach out and become a HOHO leader today!
All HOHO Trainings are held from 10am-12:30pm.
Saturday, June 24th
Saturday, July 1st
Tuesday, July 11th
Sunday, July 16th
Saturday July 22nd
Saturday, July 29th
We need help with making sure volunteer groups have a fun, educational and safe time when they visit our farm to help out. If you're interested helping to ensure volunteer groups have an amazing experience at DEFHR, let us know!
Paperwork abounds in our office! Our office staff are looking for any volunteers who are interested in data entry and paperwork management to assist with Office clerical work! If you're interested in joining our office team, please email our office manager, Sarah Thumma at sarah@defhr.org to arrange time(s) you can come out!
Visitors love to learn about what we do and see it in action when they come to DEFHR. If you have a good foundation of knowledge about what we do, we'd love your help with pop-in tours. Our greatest need is currently on weekends.
Do you love to share your passion for DEFHR with anyone who will listen? We have a great need for volunteers to assist with booths for fairs, Expos, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), and more! Booths play a vital role in bringing in more volunteer and donation support, as well as educating about our mission throughout our community. If you are interested, we would love to talk with you further about becoming a part of the Booth Volunteer team!
As a working farm, there's always something breaking or needing the attention of a fixing hand! Even if you're inexperienced but want to learn more about what it takes to be a "handy man," consider joining our Facilities Operations Team "FOT"!
Email Mattie at volunteer@defhr.org to find out how to get started!
Do you have a talent for design? Experience with Adobe InDesign projects? Our development department is looking for a flexible, outside-the-box thinking graphic designer who can help us with some of our marketing pieces. Email development@dehfr.org if you are able to help!
If you'd like a unique way to get involved with more horses that DEFHR assists, consider becoming a METS Volunteer. You would be attending assessment appointments with a DEFHR staff member to help gather the info needed to list a horse in need of a home.
Volunteers are responsible for clear note-taking and possible videography on a standard smart phone. No horse experience required, but must be over 18 years of age due to assisting off-site at non-DEFHR locations. Email mets@defhr.org if interested in helping!
To register for events, go to www.defhr.org/calendar.
June 16th-17th
Tink's Tack Days
June 19th - 23rd
Youth Legacy Week
June 22nd Farrier Day
June 23rd The Scoop (sign-up to attend!)
June 24th
HOHO Training (Leaders Needed!)
June 26th - 30th
July 1st
Junior Legacy Week
HOHO Training (Leaders Needed!)
July 1st Farrier Day
From now through August 18th, youth volunteers may participate in the barn Monday through Friday in one of two ways:
Enroll in Legacy Camp HERE
Volunteer with a parent/legal guardian
NOTE:Youthmayvolunteerasusualon weekendsandJuly3-7.
If you have, or are about to, hit your 20 hour mark, CONGRATS! Let Mattie know that you're ready for a more permanent nametag by filling out a "Nametag Notice" slip! These can be found in an envelope on the board in the volunteer lounge!
Once filled out, drop it in Mattie's Nametag Notice Basket in her office!
Nametags are made once every 2 weeks, so keep an eye out for your new Nametag in the Volunteer Lounge next to the Kiosk!
Friday, June 23rd @ 11am!
We all know the routine: big feed starts: food is passed out, horses are brought in, grooming assignments are passed out. You're spending time with your assigned horse for the day, and you finish everything but the hooves, and you suddenly feel nervous.
Need some practice picking out hooves?
Want to get tips and tricks? Gain confidence? Sign up to join our Scoop this month to get some one-on-one practice with picking hooves!
Sign up on Civic Champs to reserve your spot!
All donations are tax-deductible!
If shipping directly to our farm, please ship: "Attn: Lynn" (horse-related) or "Attn: Sarah" (office-related)
Be sure to include your name and contact info in a note or separate email so you can recieve your donation receipt.
Thank you in advanced, and always, for your ongoing support of DEFHR's herd!
Shop #4thehorses
Our horses' needs are constantly changing and their Amazon wish list is constantly being updated. Check out what's what they need to stay healthy and happy!
For every NEW customer referral, we receive $15 directly from Chewy. Be sure to use the referral link below to make the first purchase and donate to the farm!
has been discontinued.
AmazonSmile is Amazon’s charitable giving program through which a portion of certain purchases can be donated to the purchaser’s designated charity. Thanks to our supporters’ generosity, DEFHR has benefitted from this program for years. As you might have already heard, Amazon discontinued the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023 in order to narrow the focus of their impact. The good news is that DEFHR will continue to receive donations through the close of the program and we will still maintain our Amazon Wishlist. Amazon will also make a final one-time donation equal to three months of what we earned in 2022. If you have been an AmazonSmile supporter, we thank you and invite you to consider other ways you can support DEFHR through your purchases.
New t-shirts are now in stock! We are kicking off the 2023 summer season with a new design and a new color!
A very popular Retro Sunset design on navy blue unisex tee and the traditional DEFHR logo on light “Indigo” blue unisex tee! Stop by the office and get yours now!!
Refresh your wardrobe and support DEFHR, all at the same time! Each design is offered in a range of colors and styles, so there is something for everyone to wear while supporting the horses. Happy shopping!
Show off your DEFHR support wherever you go and get your DEFHR Res-Que license plate today!
All you need to do is:
stop by DEFHR's office fill out & submit an application submit $50 fee
Once you receive your new plates in the mail, drop off your old license plates at the MVA or mail them in.
Email info@defhr.org with questions.
OPEN 3rd Friday & Saturday of every month.
New and gently used equine tack, equipment, clothing and other related items.
Stop on in and get your shopping fix! You never know what you may find. All sales proceeds go back to DEFHR to continue with its mission.
NEXT SALE DAYS: June 17th-18th
Open 9am-4pm both days.
Email info@defhr.org with questions.
