Troop 2026, Baltimore Visit DEFHR!
A large group of K-5 students from Baltimore, MD came out Saturday, February 18th for 5 hours of volunteer work at DEFHR!
While at the farm, they helped muck paddocks and filled hay nets, all while learning about the world of horse rescue and rehabilitation!
Charges pending.
(Acorn, Bundt Cake, Cierra, Daryl)
Frederick County
Concluded. Owner plead guilty to one charge of failure to provide farrier care.
(Mikey)
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)
Owners charged with seven counts each for misdemeanor failure to provide.
(Chipmunk Carl, Dewey’s Decimal, Happy Hilda, Ivery Isle, Just Joking, Lando Lake)
Court case support.
(Watson, Xino, Yumi)
Rodgy is one of our equine ambassador horses that joined the crew last year. He originally came from Misty Manor in December of 2020 along with 16 other horses. He was a quiet, well-mannered, subdued guy when he first arrived but with a streak of worry in him. DEFHR’s head trainer, Sara, worked with him for months on the ground to build a relationship with him. He was very insecure about people standing above or acting like they were going to get on to go for a ride. Over time and working on building a friendship, Rodgy allowed Sara to ride him and they haven’t looked back since.
He is a steady trail guide especially for young, nervous or pushy horses as he will let them know where they are supposed to be and not be! In the field at home, you’ll see him instigating halter tag and racing around with his tail straight in the air in true Arabian fashion.
He’s been a big help in teaching lessons and helping people learn how to lead, groom and just to be comfortable around horses. He’s a cheeky fella with a big heart! Be sure to stop and say hi to this cute gray Arabian when you’re at the farm next.
"He’s a cheeky fella with a big heart!"
Acorn
Bundt Cake
Cierra
Darryl
Murphy (adopted)
Henry (pictured, adopted)
Clover (adopted)
How long have you volunteered with DEFHR?
I'll have been volunteering about 4 months, beginning in November of 2022.
Do you have a favorite DEFHR herd member, past or present? If so, who?
I have favorites among the mares and the geldings. Among the mares, Eva and Upendi, and among the geldings Murphy and Nanook.
My daughter urged me to work with horses during my retirement and around that time my wife went to a volunteer fair at Glenelg Country Day School and Days End had a booth there. She brought back a brochure that provided the website and that allowed me to connect and schedule an orientation and training.
I spent a few summers in my youth, around age 15-16, at Delaware Park, where some of us got to know an apprentice jockey who took my friend and me back to the stables where he worked to meet a couple of the horses. I was amazed at how tall they were and generally how friendly they were especially when we gave them a treat. After giving one horse a treat, I turned to answer a question and the horse apparently wanted more attention and so nipped the shoulder of my sweatshirt catching a bit of skin. The horse won a race next time out and I told friends that I had a little skin the game.
Spending time with the horses, especially once when we were out in the gelding field, it was nice to see the horses come to be with us enjoying being scratched and pet.
There is another aspect of volunteering – connecting with staff and other volunteers. Staff have been endlessly patient with questions and with rough spots as us newbies learn the ropes. Perhaps the most important part is seeing, especially young people, make commitments of time and energy on cold and rainy days all for the benefit of the horses. It gives me optimism for the future.
Areas where DEFHR could use some extra attention.
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!
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.
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.
We're also hosting an Education Tour on Friday, March 24th from 10-11am that needs a leader!
Help our interns get a well-rounded experience of not only what DEFHR has to offer, but also Maryland and our surrounding states! If you'd be interested in taking our interns on a field trip during their time off (Saturday afternoons and all day Sundays), let us know! If you can't take them somewhere, a homecooked meal or treat would be appreciated as well. A little would go a long way, so feel free to help make them feel welcome!
Email operations@defhr.org if you can help!
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 wellestablished in assisting in the barn, reach out and become a HOHO leader today!
All HOHO Trainings are held from 10am-12:30pm.
Thursday, March 23rd
Saturday, April 1st
Monday, April 3rd
Sunday, April 16th
Tuesday, April 18th
Sunday, April 23rd
Saturday, April 29th
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!
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!
Every Tuesday in March (14th, 21st, 28th) from 9:45-11:45am.
Linwood Center brings out 2-6 students with their assigned social worker to help with menial tasks around the farm (sweeping, organizing, cleaning stall fronts in main barn, leveling and sweeping feed stations, etc)
Tuesday, March 14th - Field Trip day! 25 homeschool students will be visiting for a field trip! We need station leaders!
Saturday, March 18th - Towson University Equestrian Club is coming out to redo our trailer mats in DEFHR transports
Saturday, March 25th - Girl Scout Troop 703
Scout Days consist of up to 75 Scouts visiting the farm for two hours, during which they rotate through five stations; educational talk, tour, grooming, riding demo, leading. We are in need of a number of volunteers to assist with these stations and ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participating!
We need assistance on the following days:
April 22nd, 10:30am-12:30pm
May 20th, 10:30am-12:30pm
Email volunteer@defhr.org if you can assist.
March 14th, 10am-12pm
PENDING
April 1st, 11am-1pm
May 2nd, 12:30-2pm
May 9th, 12:30-2pm
May 16th, 12:30-2pm
April 7, 9:00am-4pm
Email operations@dehfr.org if you're interested in assisting
March 16th
Farrier Day
March 17th
The Scoop: Henneke Body Condition Scale
March 17-18th
March 22nd
March 25th
March 30th
April 1st
June 8th
Tink's Sale Days
Equine Health Lecture: Signs of Pain & Pain Management Options in Horses - REGISTER!
Volunteer Continuing Education Class: DEFHR in the Legal Process
Farrier Day
Workshop: Introduction to Bodywork - REGISTER!
Equine Welfare Charity Golf Tournament (benefitting DEFHR) - SAVE THE DATE!
To register for events, go to www.defhr.org/calendar.
Saturday, March 25th from 10am-12pm
Presented by DeEtte Hillman
As a forensic farm, the horses who arrive to DEFHR are often considered "evidence" in a law enforcement investigation. But what exactly does that mean?
If you've ever wondered what it means when told a horse at DEFHR is part of a court case, and information and photos are prohibited, now is your chance to find out why! Be sure to attend this informative class, presented by our Equine Programs Director, DeEtte Hillman, to learn more about DEFHR's involvement with cruelty cases and how YOUR support enables it all to happen!
Sign up on Civic Champs to reserve your seat!
Friday, March 17th @ 11am
As a horse rescue, we see it all. Every horse that enters Days End is evaluated on intake by our veterinarians to determine existing conditions and what their treatment plan needs to look like.
Included in that evaluation is their Body Condition Score, which ranges from 1-9. How is a score determined? What are the various purposes for using the scale? How does the scale help, not only with intake, but also daily management.
Come out on Friday, March 17th, where we'll review the scale, how it's applied and put it into practice with horses around the farm!
Sign up on Civic Champs to reserve your spot!
If you haven't already, be sure to check your inbox regarding the launch of our new volunteer management system, Civic Champs. This program helps us take a big, exciting step toward improving and growing our Volunteer Program and YOUR experience with DEFHR!
We need to get everyone integrated into the system and need your help to get it done. If you haven't already done so, please:
1. Verify and create your profile.
If you need your verification link resent, let Mattie know at volunteer@defhr.org.
2. Enter your birthdate.
Not only do we want to celebrate the day you blessed our world with your presence, but we also need this information for a variety of administrative reasons, especially our youth volunteers.
The cubbies by the sign-in computer will be emptied out DAILY at 5 PM.
Any belongings left behind in these cubbies or the lounge will be placed in the Lost and Found bin. Please make sure to claim any items you may have left in the lounge and take them home with you after each visit.
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!
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.
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: March 17th18th
Open 9am-4pm both days.
Tink's is Open March 17th-18th 9am - 4pm
Email info@defhr.org with questions.
