Adopting a Rescue Horse
Adopting a rescue horse can be a very rewarding and exciting experience!
If you are interested in adopting, please follow these steps to initiate the process:
Please note that all adoptions are limited to a 4 hour radius of our farm in Mount Airy, Maryland
Review our Facility Requirements to ensure your home or boarding facility will meet our minimum requirements.
Email our Adoption Coordinator at adoptions@gentlegiants.org to begin a conversation around finding the perfect match for you.
Schedule an Appointment to meet and ride the horse(s) that you are interested in adopting. We encourage adopters to take their time and really get to know the horses before making a decision. We typically require an adopter to schedule and complete three rides on the potential horse(s) before moving forward to the next step.
Complete the Adoption Application
If the adopter and horse are determined to be a compatible match, an Adoption Application will be completed and a deposit of 1/3 the adoption fee will be made at that time. Once the Adoption Application has been received, Gentle Giants will contact the references provided and will schedule a visit to the facility where the horse will be kept.Sign the Adoption Agreement and Pay the Adoption Fees
Upon a final decision, the Adoption Agreement must be reviewed and signed by both parties, and the Adoption Fee balance must be paid in full. Adoption Fees are non-refundable and will be used to facilitate the rescue and rehabilitation of future horses from slaughter. Adoption fees will not be returned in the event the horse is returned to Gentle Giants for re-adoption.
Meet Our Horses ⟶
Macey is a Clydesdale mare who was in rehabilitation for canker. Here she is participating in a mounted archery demonstration with trainer Shelby. She has since been adopted and is now in a loving home!
The decision to adopt should be weighed heavily as there are often unforeseen expenses with horse ownership, and a new horse and owner will need time to adjust to one another once at home.
When you adopt, you are joining the Gentle Giants family and we will always be here to support you. We will gladly remain a resource for health or training issues, and we can help connect you with reputable professionals or support services in your area.
As a safety net, all adopted horses must be returned to the care of Gentle Giants if for any reason the adopter is unable to keep their horse. Gentle Giants horses may not be bred, sold, loaned, leased, traded, given away, auctioned, or transferred to a third party.
Give a Lifesaving Gift Today
Even a small donation can be the difference between life and death for a kind and gentle horse!
