
Saving Draft Horses from Slaughter.
Giving Them a Life of Peace.
Not every horse comes from the same place.
Some are pulled from slaughter pipelines at the last moment.
Others are surrendered by owners facing difficult circumstances.
At Big Hoof Foundation, we take them in, heal them, and give them something they’ve never had before:
a permanent home where they are safe for life.
A Shipping Day Rescue And the Ones We Almost Lost
Shipping day is always one of the hardest days in rescue work. It's the day the clock runs out. It's the day that separates the ones who make it from the ones who don't. And no matter how many times we do this, it never gets easier.
This week, we got the call no one ever wants to be too late for.
Mare Lot #284 arrived alongside Gelding Lot #286, a horse we were fortunate enough to bring home last week. But #284 had no one coming for her. No pledges, no rescue lined up, no one fighting for her corner. So the lot called us directly and asked if we could take her. Without hesitation, we said yes. Because that's what we do. Every animal deserves a chance, and we were not going to let her run out of time without a fight.
At the same time, an incredible sponsor stepped up in the biggest way. Four jennies had come into the lot together, two bonded pairs who had relied on each other through what must have been an incredibly frightening experience. But in the final hours, both bonded pair were separated, leaving their friend behind. Separated from their friends, their companions, the ones they had leaned on, they were now alone, scared, and running out of time. When our sponsor heard their story, they didn't hesitate. They covered the bail for both jennies.
Then we received a call that stopped us cold.
One of the jennies had passed away before we could get to her. We are absolutely heartbroken. She was so close to making it. She had someone fighting for her.
In her memory, the funds that had been designated for her bail were not wasted. They were redirected with purpose and are now helping to save Lot #1179, a gelding missing an eye and giving another animal the second chance she never got to have.
And because we simply cannot do an end of the month rescue without an extra traveler, we are also rescuing a beautiful registered Percheron from Bowie Texas Livestock. These big, gentle giants so often go overlooked, and we are so grateful to be able to open our doors to him as well.
These rescues are only possible because of YOU. The sponsors who step up, the donors who give what they can, the followers who share our posts and spread the word, you are the reason these animals make it home. You are the reason we can say yes when the lot calls. You are the reason that trailer has a full load of survivors instead of animals left behind.
We are currently running a fundraiser to cover the bail and transport costs for all of these rescues. Every dollar makes a difference. Every share saves a life.
Fundraiser Details
McLean
Lot# 284 - Mare - $1750
Lot# 1179 - Gelding - $1175
Bowie
Lot# 7349 - Gelding - $1980
Transport from Bowie -$300
Transport from McLean - $150
Total Fundraiser - $5355




Run free sweet girl!

Lives Changed Through Rescue and Care
380 Horses & Donkeys Rescued from Slaughter or Owner Surrender
→ Each one now receives safety, daily care, and lifelong sanctuary at Big Hoof Foundation
140 Bales of Hay Needed Every Month to Feed the Herd
→ Hay is our largest ongoing cost and essential to keeping every horse healthy and nourished
200+ Animals Currently in Lifelong Care
→ Once rescued, they are never rehomed, sold, or returned to risk.
This is their permanent home

Why it Matters
These horses were once part of someone’s life. They are victims of circumstance, hardship, and systems that leave them with nowhere to go.
Each week, thousands enter auction pipelines where their futures become uncertain within hours. Some are at risk of slaughter, others face neglect, and many are surrendered when care is no longer possible.
At Big Hoof Foundation, we step in at that critical moment before uncertainty becomes irreversible loss.
Feeding the Herd
14 round bales every 3 days, here’s the monthly breakdown:
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30 days ÷ 3 = 10 feeding cycles per month
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10 cycles × 14 bales = 140 round bales per month
About 140 round bales of hay every month
Round Bales are $140 each
Right now, nearly 200+ horses and 69 donkeys call our sanctuary home. A place where they are safe, cared for, and finally at peace. But with so many mouths to feed, the daily cost of hay adds up quickly, and we need your help.
This fundraiser is dedicated specifically to the horses in our pasture and the round bales of hay that keep them nourished. This does not include the feed for the special needs horses in the barn.
To put it into perspective, a single draft horse can eat 20–30 pounds of hay every day, that’s about 2–3% of their body weight. Multiply that by hundreds of horses, and you can see how vital consistent support is.
Every bale you help provide means full bellies, healthier horses, and one less worry for our team as we continue this mission of rescue and care.
No donation is too small every contribution goes directly toward feeding the herd.
If you’ve ever loved a horse, visited the sanctuary, or simply believe in giving animals a second chance, this is your moment to make a difference.
Together, we can keep the herd fed, safe, and thriving. Thank you for standing with us.

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