If you were going to donate $ to a rescue organization, but only one, which one would it be, and why?
CANTER, because I volunteer and do a lot of work with them and feel it’s a good cause and we do a good job.
On the other hand, we’re not strictly a “rescue” - so my other choice would be Days End farm in MD. Because I believe they do an amazing job rehabbing horses, have become an authority on educating emergency responders in how to handle horse emergencies, and make responsible decisions (including those regarding euthanasia). I volunteered there very briefly, years ago before I got tied up with the TBs, and was very impressed by their volunteer training, organization, and general function. Not to mention the job they did on the HMER seizure horses was nothing short of miraculous, IMO.
There are lots of great organizations out there, personally I would choose the ones I know do a good job because I’ve seen them in action.
There are several others who post here I believe are top notch and do an amazing job. 
Midatlantic Horse Rescue. They pull directly from auctions, retrain, and adopt out with very few restrictions. They keep in touch with adopters and are always ready to help. They have very little overhead, money goes directly to the horses. They have sound horses, many who go on to fabulous second careers. They have expertese in multiple disciplines and do a good job of matching up horses with riders that will enjoy them. They have a good track record over a number of years.
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Sunkissed Acres. I have seen over and over again Lori work miracles…or, any legit TB rescue needing help.
Dee:)
Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue (also in Maryland, actually, right across the highway from Days End ) would be my pick. Partly because I’m a volunteer there and they helped me find my horse. Partly because I’m a volunteer there and so I’m there a lot and I know they’re doing a good job at what they do. They don’t get caught up in “the truck is coming the truck is coming!” and they do try to spend their donors’ money wisely when they do go to auctions (they will bid on horses in the ring to get them before they have to pay a premium markup to a broker) but they also get horses from owner surrenders and neglect seizures. And they don’t just take horses in and “warehouse” them in hopes someone will adopt one some day. Every horse that comes in is rehabbed and retrained (in fact, the motto is: "Rescue, rehab, retrain, rehome.) to the best of their ability to do something. Most of them are just lower level “play around” mounts or for weekend trail riders but then…that’s what a lot of people looking for a draft to ride are looking for. Some of them have potential for more than that, some are just companions at this point. Plus, they do a lot of community outreach through a pretty active lesson program, riding in community parades, going to local schooling shows, and participating in “rescue expo” type events.
Hey, they’ve even been featured on Fugly a couple of times as a rescue who’s doing it right. 
There are other rescues I have donated or would donate to but since you just asked for one, Gentle Giants it is.
Rerun
Canter
Mid Atlantic
Love them all. I volunteer for ReRun, so I’m a little biased, but I have first hand experience with the other two, and they are awesome, too!
I donated to Days End over several years, but now that I volunteer at our local one, I would of course help them out. I know there are a lot of “bad” rescues out there and it’s hard to find a reputable one, but the small guys need help too! (And sometimes more than the larger, well-known rescues - wish we could help them all.)
Days End in Maryland hands down for rescue. For OTTB retraining, New Vocations, especially the one in Lexington, KY. Very reasonable adoption fees, sound horses and expert horsewoman runs New Vocations. Or Second Stride in Kentucky (OTTB only).
You need to check anyone out thoroughly before you donate and decide whether you want you money to go to a rescue that saves any horse, no matter what or saves those that can go on to another riding home. It’s a big difference in philosophy. Then, check postings on COTH (if they post) to get an idea if you agree with their rescue principles. Check the other boards as well.
Another big vote for Days End in Maryland. They definitely pass the sniff test! 
S.A.F.E. Save a Forgotten Equine:yes::yes::yes:
Bluebonnet is one worth consideration.
Cowgirljenn has spent her life and has the degrees to prove it as an ethologist, learning and studying animals and wrote the book on rescues:
The one in my sigy I’m there as much as possible…
The horses receive the care and attention they deserve.
I donate to and have volunteered at Kentucky Equine Humane Center, located near Lexington.
[QUOTE=analise;5507266]
Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue (also in Maryland, actually, right across the highway from Days End ) would be my pick. Partly because I’m a volunteer there and they helped me find my horse. Partly because I’m a volunteer there and so I’m there a lot and I know they’re doing a good job at what they do. They don’t get caught up in “the truck is coming the truck is coming!” and they do try to spend their donors’ money wisely when they do go to auctions (they will bid on horses in the ring to get them before they have to pay a premium markup to a broker) but they also get horses from owner surrenders and neglect seizures. And they don’t just take horses in and “warehouse” them in hopes someone will adopt one some day. Every horse that comes in is rehabbed and retrained (in fact, the motto is: "Rescue, rehab, retrain, rehome.) to the best of their ability to do something. Most of them are just lower level “play around” mounts or for weekend trail riders but then…that’s what a lot of people looking for a draft to ride are looking for. Some of them have potential for more than that, some are just companions at this point. Plus, they do a lot of community outreach through a pretty active lesson program, riding in community parades, going to local schooling shows, and participating in “rescue expo” type events.
Hey, they’ve even been featured on Fugly a couple of times as a rescue who’s doing it right.
There are other rescues I have donated or would donate to but since you just asked for one, Gentle Giants it is. :)[/QUOTE]
I’m so glad you posted this. I have received info from Gentle Giants before, but didn’t know anything about them so I was reluctant to donate. Now I will.
ETA: I don’t think I could pick just one!
[QUOTE=TarheelJD;5507372]
I’m so glad you posted this. I have received info from Gentle Giants before, but didn’t know anything about them so I was reluctant to donate. Now I will.
ETA: I don’t think I could pick just one![/QUOTE]
Sure. If there’s anything you want to know, I’m happy to answer questions (to the best of my ability, anyway. ).
More info:
http://www.gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.com
http://alexbrownracing.com/wiki/index.php/Gentle_Giants_Draft_Horse_Rescue (there’s also a lot of links to news articles regarding the rescue on this page)
http://fuglyblog.com/?p=434 (a couple of the posts where Fugly’s mentioned GG)
http://fuglyblog.com/?p=596
I second this:)
Actually just had to make this choice and went with Days End Farm in Maryland - I have heard so many good things about it and had a friend who volunteered there back when we went to camp together in VA. She loved it! TB wise I’d probably donate to TRF as I’ve volunteered there before.
I would have to go with Sunkissed Acres and/or Bluebonnet. In all likelyhood, I would make my donation to Special Horses. This would allow Wendi to dole out funds to whichever rescue falling under the SH umbrella was most in need at the time of my donation.
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My choice is obvious (I hope :)): Bluebonnet. If I couldn’t donate to Bluebonnet, then it would be Days End Farm Horse Rescue.
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USERL. The United States Equine Rescue League is one of the best run non-profits I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I pretty much go with them exclusively - money, goods, equipment and POPs. Here’s my list for why:
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They manage to help a lot of horses with very little overhead and effective use of volunteer hours and funds. They generally help hundreds of horses per year and average about $1000 per horse. That’s a great average! They get a lot of things and services donated though.
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Education, education, education! They train volunteers, investigators, law enforcement, and horse owners. Their education system is very good.
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Cooperation and expertise. They work with Animal Control, Law Enforcement and Prosecutors to enable legal and just seizures, house and rehab the horses that many jurisdictions just don’t have the money, facilities or expertise to handle, and assist the Prosecutors in building cases. They are more than happy to work with other entities of all sorts.
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Solid adoption policies, training of horses by volunteers, and a desire to get horses placed.
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Organized and professional. Only 2 part time staff, but everything always seems to get done.
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Knows how to treat volunteers and donors!
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They do such an amazing job of mobilizing for large seizures and their people manage to remain professional under the most difficult of circumstances. They are involved in almost every large seizure my state. I don’t think we could do it without them.
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They have been great about starting up chapters across the country. This service is invaluable to areas without state or local resources. Often seizures don’t get done because there is no place to take the horses.
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They’ve passed every one of my (very high) requirements for a well run non profit. That’s not easy to do!
I will also say though, that I have been very impressed with some of the efforts involved in the huge seizures out west. The one last posted probably won’t end up well for the horses involve. But the Montana Sanctuary rescue was amazing and I think many of those animals were indeed really saved. Cooperation between rescues and with law enforcement is huge.
SCFarm
