For more than 30 years, Days End Farm Horse Rescue has been working with law enforcement and animal control organizations to provide help to horses suffering from abuse and neglect. To date they have saved more than 2,300 horses.
Founded in 1989 by Kathy Howe, the non-profit organization is determined to make a difference in the lives of animals. They are also making a difference in the community through education and outreach. Days End Farm Horse Rescue is particularly involved with young people across the community, building a connection between children and horses. From the beginning the farm has been a place for the community drawing people of all ages and all levels of experience with horses. Volunteers and supporters range from equestrian professionals to people who have no previous horse experience at all.
Located at 1372 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, Maryland, Days End Farm Horse Rescue operates similarly to a shelter model with horses coming in and going out allow space for more animals to be taken in.
“All rescues have their mission. Ours has always been to support law enforcement and animal control so every horse that comes to us is a legal seizure and impoundment. Our role is to support animal control and assist the County. When the County calls us, and there’s a need and a horse that needs to be rescued our team deploys and helps with the removal of the horses from the property and takes on all costs. It’s a free service to the County and any law enforcement agency,” Community Outreach Director Nicky Wetzelberger said.
Once the animal is safely seized, the work continues. “We oversee the rehabilitation and we’re a forensic farm as well. We help build the case and document the entire rehab process for the animal control officers if they do go to trial and it’s an active court case,” Wetzelberger said. “Every rescue has its own mission and its own way to help. Thankfully for us, we’ve been able to find our own niche.
“When a horse arrives, their body score is essentially a one or a two. It really is a life and death situation when we are called in, but we have a very high success rate, and a high adoption rate. Our team is really great at what they do,” Wetzelberger said.
Covid’s Impact
Covid-19 has impacted everyone, including the rescue. “This year’s definitely been challenging,” Wetzelberger said. “We are starting to see the challenge from the pandemic coming to light. Horses that were not getting proper care in the course of 2020 are now needing to be rescued.”
The pandemic has also had an impact on how the organization interacts with the community and particularly youngsters. One major change for 2020 was the inability to hold the annual summer camp.
“In 2019 we won the Best of Best Award from the Fredrick News Post,” Wetzelberger said. “As kids come and have these unique and inspiring experiences with horses at our farm, we find that the need and the demand is there.”
Even though they could not hold summer camp at the farm in person, the event still took place in a different way. “This past year has pushed our team to think creatively and outside the box in different ways. We can connect with our community and inspire people from the safety and comfort of their homes,” Wetzelberger said.
“We cancelled camp and instead had camp in a box. It’s been a lot of virtual learning. We tried our best to package up all the fun and everything that we love about camp at the farm and send that to kids at home,” Wetzelberger said. “There were do it yourself activities, games, and all kinds of different ways for them to interact from home while learning about horses and the environment.”
Days End Farm Horse Rescue is planning to return to in person camp this summer, even though there will be some changes to ensure social distancing.
“This summer we are happy we are going to have a camp again. it might look a little different, but we are determined to have kids at the farm at their happy place and back with their favorite horses,” Wetzelberger said. “It’s a place that the kids come, and they laugh, they make friends and they’re carefree and it’s a safe place.”
March Readathon
The organization is also connecting in the community this March with a month long readathon. “We try to reduce violence by teaching empathy and respect for all living beings. We want our young supporters to become caring and responsible citizens, so we are using books that inspire those themes,” Wetzelberger said. “They have pledges they can use to raise money for horses. We have a lot of kids that have signed up for it and there are prizes they can win along the way.”
As a part of the readathon, the organization has created a book about one of their rescues – a miniature horse named Vinnie the Mini. Readers follow Vinnie’s story and can add illustrations as they find out how he came to the farm, where his life changed.
Through the camp, volunteering, and other outreach programs youngsters get a chance to have hands on time with the horses, leading them in from the pastures, grooming, feeding and cleaning. This way they not only have fun, but they learn an appreciation for horses and the responsibility that comes with it.
“Ultimately, we want them to think ‘I have fun, I love being here, I’m a better person when I’m here. And I’m a better person when I leave,’. While they’re at our farm having fun and making new friends, that’s where teaching is organically happening,” Wetzelberger said. “It’s a perfect blend of fun and teaching while being hands-on with the horses.”
The inclusion of community education is a natural part of farm’s programs, “Where our education programs come into play - our ultimate goal would be to one day work ourselves out of a job and there not be equine neglect or cruelty anymore, I think we have made headway but there are still issues,” Wetzelberger said. “Our education programs aim at teaching empathy, compassion and respect. Children go away with a new outlook on responsibility, their role and how they can be an advocate for change.”
In a non-Covid year, there would be many activities at Days End Farm Horse Rescue including scout days, school field trips, and legacy volunteer programs to encourage children to volunteer starting at an early age. The farm is normally open for tours every day. Visitors of all ages and all walks of life, from rural areas and inner cities, all are welcomed with open arms.
“It’s an inspiring experience,” Wetzelberger said. “Your first time, you’re shocked and you can’t believe this is possible, how can someone do this to a horse. But look too at the people that are saving this horse. We have a unique opportunity - when a horse arrives that is skin and bones. They see the worst of humanity they see the people that allow the horse to get to this depleted state. It’s gut wrenching but then, they see dozens of people surrounding that horse with love and compassion to save their life. We’re in a unique position where you see the worst and the best of humanity colliding all at once.”
With over 70 horses at the farm currently, there is always room for volunteer help and financial supporters.
“Our successes are only possible because of the people who make it happen and volunteers are a big part of that,” Wetzelberger said. “Ultimately, they all leave smiling, learning something, and having a unique experience with a horse.”
For more information on summer camp, programs, volunteer opportunities, horse adoptions, or to make a contribution, visit the website at www.defhr.org They can also be found on Face Book, Instagram and other social media. From the website you can sign up for an email newsletter to keep up with the latest happenings at the farm.