That’s a Wrap on PA Expo 2024!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our volunteers who came out and partnered with our Booth team to talk about DEFHR and represent us at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo!
Carroll County
Criminal charges pending. (Ultimate Udo, Valiant Victor, Wise Willow, Yellow Yuzu, Zesty Zelda, Aries Astro Angel, Bing Bang Boomer)
13 charges of failure to provide. Awaiting trial.
(Gallant, Hobbit, Iffy, Jackpot, Khaleesi, Letty, Mochi, Nifty, Offelia, Poppy Seed, Qelty, Rosa, Scooter)
Cecil County
Charges pending. (Carrots, Dublin)
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)
Xachery is horse of the month! Xachery came to DEFHR in July 2021 as a neglect case from Cabel County, West Virginia. Due to an ongoing court case that lasted multiple+ years, Xachery was on hold living his best life at DEFHR! We were recently given the green light to start Xachery in a training program. Xachery has been enjoying getting back into some work and has started working on his summer bod! Don’t tell Xachery… but he does currently resemble a giant fluffy marshmallow. Xachery has showed us in training that he knows his stuff! He is riding walk/trot/canter in and out of the ring. Xachery has also been enjoying some groundwork. He has a fun, humorous personality and is a blast to ride! We cannot wait to see what the future holds for this super pony!
“...he does currently resemble a giant fluffy marshmallow.”
PleaserememberthatwehaveastrictNOTREATPOLICY, whichmeansthatourhorsesshouldnotbereceivingany treatsofanykind,foranyreason,withoutpermissionfrom ourtrainersand/orbarnstaff.
DEFHRgetsalotofvisitorsatourfarmeveryday, includingvolunteers.Inordertocontrolwhatour horsesarebeingfed,andpreventpotentialhealth issues,wehavetoenforceablanketnotreatpolicy forallwhoarepresentatthefarm.
DEFHR’sgoalistoprepareourhorsestoultimately findnew,lovinghomes.Givingtreatsencourages mouthybehavior,includingbiting.Thisbehavior decreasesthelikelihoodofourhorsesgetting adopted.
Pleasehelpusensurethattreatsarenotbeinggiven withoutpermissionbysayingsomethingornotifyinga staffmemberwhenyouseeithappening.Thankyou!
Carrots (pictured)
Dublin
Gia (adopted)
Lando Lake (adopted)
Peter Piper (adopted)
Sebastian (adopted, pictured)
How long have you volunteered with DEFHR?
I have volunteered here at DEFHR since November 2019. After retirement, I wanted to be of help to an organization that was totally outside my comfort zone, and DEFHR was definitely it.
Do you have a favorite DEFHR herd member, past or present? If so, who?
I find it difficult to identify a favorite horse, as I really like petting and grooming and talking to many of the herd members. But I would say that Quiver, very recently adopted, was one of my favorites. She recognized me, or my voice, and almost always rested her head on my shoulders when I came to groom her.
My wife and I have been aware of DEFHR for over 25 years. In the late nineties, we helped our then young daughter volunteer at DEFHR, and she did for a week. Then one day Priscilla, one of the resident pigs, chose to bite our daughter as she was attempting to feed her, and that was the end of her volunteer effort. We have been donors to the Farm since then, but knew little of its operations. Two hours of orientation with Carrie changed that.
What's your favorite part of volunteering with DEFHR?
My favorite parts of volunteering are (1) getting one-on-one with individual horses, but more importantly (2) knowing that by helping to do chores on the Farm, the dedicated staff members will have more time available to provide the needed TLC for each horse that has come to live here on the Farm.
Did you have any previous equine experience(s) before volunteering with DEFHR? What was it?
I had absolutely NO experience with equines before volunteering, and am glad to say that I constantly learn more and gain more experience with each day of volunteering.
Areas where DEFHR could use some extra assistance.
We need help with making sure volunteer groups have a fun, educational and safe time when they visit our farm to help out. Email Mattie at volunteer@defhr.org if you can help!
Tuesdays, starting April 9th - Baltimore Academy, upper High School age, 10-11:45am
Saturday, April 27th - St. Timothy’s School Riding - 20 students 1518 y.o. - 11am-3pm
Tuesday, April 30th - Howard Community College - 10-15 students from 1:30-3:30pm
If you have a good foundation of knowledge about what we do or want to learn more, we'd love your help with 1-hour Education Tours that we host as scheduled here at Main Farm. Email Mattie for details!
Monday, April 15th - Service Source disability care center from 11:30am-12:30pm
We have two big days coming up with lots of Scouts eager to learn all about horses! We need all-hands-on-deck in the following areas: Grooming, lLeading, Educational Talk, Farm Tour and directional aid. Email Mattie for details!
Scout Day Spring A - Saturday, April 20th from 9:30am1pm (see more details on page )
Scout Day Spring B - Saturday, May 4th from 9:30am-1pm (see more details on page )
Asaworkingfarm,there'salwayssomethingbreakingorneedingthe attentionofafixinghand!Especiallynow,we’regettingintothebusy season of mowing, weed whacking, gardening and simply keeping all vegetationin-check!
Consider joining our Facilities Operations Team "FOT"! The only requirement we have is that you have a desire to keep our farm lookingfabulousandawillingnesstogetdownanddirty!
EmailMattieatvolunteer@defhr.orgtofindouthowtogetstarted!
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 someofourmarketingpieces.
Emaildevelopment@dehfr.orgifyouareabletohelp!
To register for events, go to www.defhr.org/calendar.
April 1st
April 9th
April 11th
April 13th & April 23rd
April 15th
April 19th - 20th
April 20th
April 26th
April 30th
May 4th
Breakout Legacy!
Weekly Volunteer GroupBaltimore Academy
(volunteers needed, see page 12)
Farrier Day
The Scoop - Basics of Horse Handling 2-3pm
Ed Tour - Service Source 11:30a12:30p
(volunteers needed, see page 12)
Tink's Sale
Scout Day Spring A
(volunteers needed - see page 15)
National Help a Horse Day!
Volunteer Group - Howard Community College 1:30-3:30pm
(volunteers needed, see page 12)
Scout Day Spring B
(volunteers needed - see page 19)
SCOUT DAY SPRING A
SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH 10:30a-12:30p
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We will be welcoming up to 85 Scouts to the farm and we need your help to make sure they have a great experience!
Volunteers are needed from 9:30am-1:00pm to assist with the following:
Grooming Leading Farm Tour
Educational Talk
Directional Aids
Email volunteer@defhr.org if you can help OR sign up on Bloomerang Volunteer!
“Basics
This Scoop session is aimed at those whom are looking to gain confidence and experience with leading and general horse sense.
Saturday, April 13th 2-3pm AND
Tuesday, April 23rd 2-3pm
Was called: Is now called:
“Mare Grazing”
“Mare Field”
“Back of Mare Grazing”
“Gelding Grazing”
“Gelding Field”
“Back of Gelding Grazing”
“Stall A”
“Stall B”
“Stall C”
“Stall D”
“Left Pond 1”
“LP2”
“Stall 17”
“Stall 18”
“Stall 16”
“Stall 15”
“Left Pond Paddock” (LPP) “LP1” “LP2” “LP3” “LP4” “LP5”
Farm Maps can be downloaded for your personal use by clicking the following links:
SCOUT DAY SPRING B
SATURDAY, MAY 4th 10:30a-12:30p
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We will be welcoming up to 85 Scouts to the farm and we need your help to make sure they have a great experience!
Volunteers are needed from 9:30am-1:00pm to assist with the following:
Email volunteer@defhr.org if you can help OR sign up on Bloomerang Volunteer! Grooming Leading Farm Tour
Educational Talk
Directional Aids
New this year: Active volunteers ages 12+ registered for Youth Legacy Summer Camp can now stay to volunteer in the barn from 3:30-5pm, upon completion of camp day!
We love when volunteers take photos of their volunteer experiences!
Now, you can share them with us for a chance* to see your photos show up on Social Media!
*Please note: DEFHR cannot guarantee that every photo submitted will be used. DEFHR also requires a photo release agreement in order for photos to be shared publicly, so please respect this privacy when taking photos around the farm to share with us.
Join us on Photocircle to contribute your photos! Available for download in all major app stores for free! Follow the link to join DEFHR in Photocircle and start contributing today!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Submission Box Now Available SubmissionBox!
Volunteer Feedback, Color Level Change Request, Green Nametag Notice, etc.!
Have feedback you want staff to know about your volunteer experience? Finished your 20 hours and need a permanent nametag? Want to request a new volunteer color? Find these forms available at the Check-in Station in the Volunteer Lounge!
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!
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!
Shopify Online Store
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 Saturday and preceding Friday 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: March 15th - 16th
Open 9am-4pm.
Email info@defhr.org with questions.
Volunteer Resources
Have feedback for DEFHR? Need access to resources? Follow the links below! Online General Feedback Survey
