A Maryland horse rescue has been recognized as this year’s top equine sanctuary worldwide by an international accreditation organization.
Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mt. Airy, was named best equine sanctuary of 2022 by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).
“In general, the award is awarded to organizations that not only provide humane and responsible care, but they have demonstrated leadership or made a contribution beyond what is needed for GFAS accreditation,” said Daryl Tropea, GFAS’s program director-equine. “They provide excellent care, tremendous advocacy and education to the community.”
GFAS is the only globally recognized organization that certifies rescue facilities, be it equine, wildlife or farmed animals, that meet its Standards of Excellence and recognizes those as true sanctuaries. The organization was established in 2007 to address the anticipated flood of unwanted horses following the closure of the last slaughter plant in the U.S.
Since then, it has expanded to include 215 approved animal-care sanctuaries around the world.
Gentle Giants was founded in 2005 with a mission to divert draft horses and draft crosses from the slaughter pipeline. Drafts used in farm work on Amish farms in Pennsylvania and Ohio and elsewhere, often end up at auctions in poor health, suffering from untreated chronic conditions and injuries.
“Draft horses are some of the most vulnerable equines” most at risk for slaughter, said Tropea.
Since its founding, Gentle Giants has rescued some 1,500 draft or draft crosses. Currently a staff of 34 cares for about 160 horses, most of whom are available for adoption, on 341 acres.
There are 23 permanent residents who serve as “ambassador” horses that participate in fairs, the Pennsylvania Horse Expo and other events, said Christine Hajek founder and executive director of Gentle Giants.
Gentle Giants applied for “verification” with GFAS in 2012, seeking the stamp of approval as a way to establish legitimacy to potential donors and set them apart from fly-by-night rescues.
“Most of our donors are not local,” said Hajek. “You have social media and videos but that doesn’t always tell the story. A lot of rescues look great on websites but the reality on the ground is different. You have a third party that helps gain donor confidence.”
The process to secure verification is lengthy and intense, Hajek said. Inspectors make a site visit that takes hours. They scour every inch of the property, examine financial records and feeding, veterinary care, mud management programs, as well as euthanasia protocols.
Becoming “accredited” which Gentle Giants did in 2014, is the higher level certification that involves an even more thorough vetting process. “They look under every rock with a microscope,” said Hajek.
The GFAS stamp of approval has helped secure large bequests from donors, Hajek said.
The rescues and sanctuaries in the GFAS database are inspected every three years to ensure they continue to maintain a high quality of care.
Hajek decided to enter the farm in the international competition because of Gentle Giants’ programs that are unique or unusual and set them apart from other equine rescues.
Among the programs, is one held in winter for farriers and veterinarians that examines canker, a hoof condition rare in most horses but prevalent in draft horses because of their poor or nonexistent hoof care. Farriers and vets are able to look at actual cases in various stages of treatment, Hajek said.
“Often it’s their first time seeing it,” she said. Advanced canker was often reason to euthanize a horse but proper treatment allows them to live a pain free life.
Gentle Giants also has a development and marketing team that mentors other non-profits and helps with branding, fundraising and board of directors development. In addition, they offer a grant program to help rescue startups.
The GFAS honor comes with no cash award or other prizes, said Hajek.
“Just bragging rights,” she said. “Which is good enough for me.”