Saving Draft Horses From Slaughter
Giving Them a
Life of Peace.
Every week, horses find themselves at livestock auctions, kill pens, or in situations where their futures are uncertain.
Big Hoof Foundation rescues horses in need and gives them what every horse deserves: safety, dignity, proper care and a place to call home.
THEY WERE ON THE TRUCK TO SLAUGHTER… UNTIL THEY DIDN’T FIT.
Sometimes I wonder if some things happen for a reason?
Last week, five Belgian Draft horses were on the ship-to-slaughter list at the McLean kill pen. They were the last horses to be loaded onto the truck, but when it came time for them to get on, they were simply too big to fit.
And just like that, five horses who were supposed to be headed to slaughter were left behind.
Then my phone rang.
I was asked if we would be interested in taking them.
With all the recent rescues, the unexpected expenses, and the fundraisers we already have going, taking in another large group of draft horses was absolutely NOT in our plans.
But how do you say no to five horses who literally missed the slaughter truck because they were too big?
One of these beautiful Belgian mares was even registered. At some point, she had a name, papers, and someone who thought enough of her to register her. And now here she is, sitting in a kill pen, with her future hanging in the balance.
I kept thinking about those five horses. They had no idea how close they came to being loaded onto that truck. They had no idea that their size may have just given them another chance at life.
How could I turn my back on them? I couldn't.
So here we are again, doing something we hadn't planned on doing, because five more lives deserve a chance.
This fundraiser is to help cover the cost of saving these five Belgian Draft horses, including their bail and transportation.
I know we have asked a lot of our supporters lately. Believe me, I know. But when you're given an opportunity to save five lives that were literally left behind by a slaughter truck, it's hard to walk away.
We can't do this without your help.
Five horses. Five lives. One unexpected second chance.
They were too big for the slaughter truck, but they will never be too big for our hearts.
Thank you for continuing to stand beside us and helping us give these horses the retirement, dignity, and freedom they deserve.
Fundraiser Details
Lot# 538 Percheron Mare - $1250
Lot# 542 Belgian Mare - $1250
Lot# 546 Registered Belgian Mare - $1250
Lot# 539 Belgian Mare - $1250
Lot# NA Belgian Stallion - $1250
Transport - Included
Total Fundraiser - $6250
The Clydesdale That Stole Our Hearts
Giving Him a Second Chance at Life
CLYDE IS HOME — THANK YOU!
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to everyone who donated, shared our fundraiser, and helped make Clyde’s rescue possible!
We simply cannot thank you enough for the overwhelming support, kindness, and incredible generosity you continue to show us.
Over the past few weeks, we have rescued so many lives, and none of it would have been possible without YOU. Every donation, every share, and every encouraging word makes a difference.
Because of your generosity, horses like Clyde are getting a second chance at life. A life where they will never have to worry about being sold, worked beyond their limits, or facing an uncertain future again.
You aren't just helping us rescue horses. You're giving them safety, freedom, and a forever home.
We know we have asked a lot of our supporters lately, and the way you continue to show up for these animals means more to us than words could ever express.
From all of us at Big Hoof Foundation, and especially from Clyde, THANK YOU for making another rescue possible!
Rescue is Only the Beginning.
Bringing a horse home is one moment.
Caring for them for the rest of their life is the promise.
Big Hoof Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit horse rescue and lifetime sanctuary. Many of the horses who come to us are older Draft Horses and former working horses. Others arrive with medical conditions, injuries or physical limitations that require specialized care.
Here, they aren't expected to earn their keep.
They are simply allowed to be horses.
WIN 2 ROUNDTRIP
AIRLINE TICKETS
A generous Southwest Airlines employee, through an internal employee volunteer initiative, has donated two (2) roundtrip airline tickets, valid for travel anywhere within the continental United States.
All proceeds from this raffle directly support all the rescued horses and donkeys who call our sanctuary home.
Your generosity helps provide daily feed, veterinary care, and safe, comfortable shelter for these beautiful animals, many of whom have been saved from neglect, abuse, or slaughter.
Every ticket you purchase helps give them the happy, peaceful retirement they deserve.
· Each e-Pass recipient will receive (2) check bags (weight and size limits apply)
· Travel will be good thru December 29, 2027.
· Tickets are electronic and will be sent, via email, to the winner after the drawing.
· Each ticket is valued at $400 each.
· Drawing will be held on December 29, 2026.
· Raffle tickets will be sent via email, so please double-check that your email address is accurate at the time of purchase.
· Tickets are $15 each.
· Prize: Two roundtrip Southwest Airline tickets (Continental U.S. only)
Important Note: Southwest Airlines is not a sponsor or partner of the Big Hoof Foundation.
Feeding the Herd
Providing lifelong sanctuary means showing up every single day.
Hay
Feed
Veterinary care
Farrier care
Dental care
Medications
Specialized diets
And all the ordinary expenses
A rescue may begin with one fundraiser, but caring for that horse continues long after the rescue is over.
Your support helps us keep that promise.
Some of Our Horses Need a Little More.
Older horses and horses with chronic medical conditions often require specialized diets, medications, veterinary treatment, dental care, farrier care and additional daily attention.
These horses may never be rideable.
They may never work again.
That's okay.
A horse doesn't have to be useful to deserve a good life
See Where Your Support Goes
We believe the people who support Big Hoof Foundation deserve to understand the impact of their generosity.
See our rescue numbers, sanctuary expenses, feed needs and financial information, and learn more about what it takes to provide lifelong care.
Feeding the Herd
14 round bales every 3 days, here’s the monthly breakdown:
-
30 days ÷ 3 = 10 feeding cycles per month
-
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.
-Logo_wine.png){kind=logo}
Lives Changed Through Rescue and Care
400+ 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
Help Us Build a Better Future for Our Herd
With over 200 horses and donkeys in our care, we've outgrown what our property can support. To protect the animals we've saved and continue our mission, we urgently need:
🔹 Existing barn renovation with a dedicated quarantine area
🔹 A new 80x80 barn
🔹 Additional pasture shelters & waterers
🔹 A secondary backup well
We've applied for grants without success, and the reality is that construction costs are steep while daily care expenses continue to grow. These aren't upgrades, they're necessities.
We are actively seeking corporate sponsors, donors and community partners. Financial contributions, materials, services, or connections all make a difference.
This is a pivotal moment for us. If you or someone you know can help, please reach out. Together we can build something worthy of every animal that calls this place 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.
Without rescue, many horses face:
❌ Slaughter transport
→ Long, stressful journeys with no return
❌ Neglect and starvation
→ Lack of food, medical care, or safe shelter
❌ Abandonment or uncertainty in the slaughter pipeline system
→ Sold repeatedly, or placed into unknown hands
Your support changes the entire outcome of their story.
Instead of fear and uncertainty, they receive:
✔ Immediate rescue from dangerous pipelines
✔ Veterinary care, nutrition, and rehabilitation
✔ Safe, open pastures and daily care
✔ A permanent home where they are never at risk again
Because of this support, horses who once had no clear future now live with dignity, safety, and peace.
They are not rotated through systems of risk—they stay here for life.