UPCOMING EVENTS
CDHR always has something going on!
Check out our Calendar of Events to see what we are up to!
Can and Bottle Drive
Got cans? Got bottles?
Your cans and bottles will help CDHR turn them into money for hay and grain for our big, lovable rescue horses
When: Saturday, April 12th from 8 am to noon
Where: The Winchester Cafe parking lot located at 1374 Portland-Cobalt Rd (Route 66) in Portland, CT
Every can and bottle will help, one dime at a time! Feel good about recycling AND helping our horses!
Special thanks to the Berlin High School Rescue Club for hosting this fundraiser!
13th Annual Gelding Clinic
CDHR is sponsoring our 13th Annual Gelding Clinic on Saturday, April 26, 2025 (rain date, Sunday, April 27th). Since the start of this vital program, CDHR has helped over 130 equines and horse owners in need with the issue of unwanted horses.
Veterinary students from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, under the direct supervision of both Tufts and local veterinarians, have all graciously volunteered their time and expertise to perform the gelding. The students gain hands-on experience performing pre-surgical exams and acting as surgical assistants and operating surgeons.
Your generous donations provide funding for the clinic for owners who might not otherwise be able to afford the procedure. The program was developed based on the philosophy that the castration of a stallion will help prevent accidental, backyard, or overbreeding, thereby reducing the number of unwanted horses being born.
The cost is $150.00 which includes anesthesia, the procedure, pain medication, and an antibiotic injection.
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.
PLEASE NOTE We will be closed to the public on this day.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT STEPS TO REGISTER
8th Anniversary at Autumn Ridge
SAVE THE DATE!
Join Us in Celebrating 8 Years at CDHR's Autumn Ridge Farm!
Come celebrate the eight wonderful years of compassion, dedication, and love for horses at Autumn Ridge Farm. Join us in making memories and supporting our mission to rescue and care for horses in need. Admission is free, and donations are always welcome.
More details to come - stay tuned!
3rd Annual "Horsepower" Car Show
Join us for the 3rd annual “Horsepower” Car Show at the Farm at Carter Hill!
$20 to enter your car
$5 General Admission
Car entries are to arrive between 9 and 11 am. General admission opens at 11 am. Award Presentations are at 2:30 pm.
Food and drinks will be available, and bikes and spectators are welcome!
CDHR at the Haddam Neck Fair
SAVE THE DATE!
Click here for more info on the Haddam Neck Fair!
Driving for Drafts 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
SAVE THE DATE for CDHR's 11th Annual Driving for Drafts Charity Golf Tournament - more details to come!
Oktoberfest 2025
SAVE THE DATE for the 14th annual CDHR Oktoberfest celebration at Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue’s farm, Autumn Ridge. Stay tuned for more details!
Save a Horse Buy Art
Please join us for the opening reception for our juried art show & sale! Proceeds to benefit the rescue horses of CDHR. More details to come!
Can and Bottle Drive
Got cans? Got bottles?
Your cans and bottles will help CDHR turn them into money for hay and grain for our big, lovable rescue horses
When: Saturday, November 15th from 8 am to noon
Where: The Winchester Cafe parking lot located at 1374 Portland-Cobalt Rd (Route 66) in Portland, CT
Every can and bottle will help, one dime at a time! Feel good about recycling AND helping our horses!
Special thanks to the Berlin High School Rescue Club for hosting this fundraiser!
Holiday Open House
SAVE THE DATE for the annual CDHR Holiday Open House!
Where: CDHR's Autumn Ridge Farm, 113 Chestnut Hill Rd, East Hampton CT 06424
When: DECEMBER 7th from 11am - 3pm
Holiday Open House
Come join us for the annual CDHR Holiday Open House!
Where: CDHR's Autumn Ridge Farm, 113 Chestnut Hill Rd, East Hampton CT 06424
When: Saturday, December 14th from 11am - 3pm
Come meet the horses, check out our CDHR retail items and amazing raffle baskets, and have your photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Our barn will be filled with mini shops, and we will have homemade wreaths for sale made lovingly by CDHR volunteers. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.
Admission is free!
Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, Help Our Horses Thrive!
CDHR is dedicated to helping draft horses in need by rescuing, rehabilitating, retraining, rehoming, and ensuring their lifetime protection while providing support and education on compassionate care and responsible horse ownership. This Giving Tuesday, we're making it easier than ever to support our mission!
Shop Our Amazon Wish List
Support CDHR by donating much-needed supplies directly through our Amazon Wish List. Every item you send goes directly toward caring for our horses and keeping them happy and healthy.
Here's How You Can Help:
1. Click the Link: Visit our Amazon Wish List and browse the items our rescue needs most. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/23GDWT9KLKNY...
2. Add to Your Cart: Pick an item (or two!) and check out.
3. Make a Difference: Your purchase will be shipped directly to us, helping to improve the lives of our horses.
What Your Gift Supports:
Nutritious feed and supplements
Grooming supplies for comfort and care
Medical and first-aid essentials
Barn and maintenance tools
Bonus: Double Your Impact!
If you can’t shop but still want to help, consider sharing our Amazon Wish List with friends, family, or coworkers. Every share brings us closer to our goal.
Mark Your Calendar!
Join us on Giving Tuesday to make a lasting impact on the lives of draft horses in need.
Thank you for helping CDHR continue its mission of love and care. Together, we can provide brighter futures for these gentle giants.
Connect with Us: Follow CDHR on social media for updates and stories of how your support is making a difference!
CDHR at Equine Affaire
We will have a booth at the Equine Affaire from November 7th - 10th at The Big E, 1305 Memorial Ave. West Springfield, MA. Come stop by to talk about CDHR and volunteering opportunities. CDHR retail available will be available for purchase, including our new “Saved - Equine Rescues of Connecticut” book fundraiser! We will be in booth 2312 in the Stroh Building.
Opening Reception - "Save a Horse - Buy Art!" juried art show and sale
CDHRs "Save a Horse - Buy Art!" juried art show & sale. All proceeds to benefit the rescue horses of CDHR.
CDHR Oktoberfest 2024
Please join us for the 13th annual CDHR Oktoberfest celebration at Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue’s farm, Autumn Ridge. There will be hay rides, food, raffle items, CDHR retail, local vendors, kids activities, and even a tack sale. Admission is free!
Interested in becoming a vendor? Please click here for information: https://www.ctdraftrescue.org/vendorform-oktoberfest
Call for Artists - "Save a Horse - Buy Art!" juried art show & sale
Save a horse - buy Art!
Juried Art Show and Sale to Benefit CDHR
at the Essex Art Association Gallery
Calling all painters, photographers, and fiber artists! To enter your artwork for consideration, please send a high-quality digital image to CDHRartshow@outlook.com between October 1st and October 12th, including your name, address, phone, and 4-sentence artist bio. Each submission must include the medium (painting/photography/fiber art), the artwork title, dimensions, and the selling price. We
are pleased to share that Carol Dunn will be our juror again. The first entry is $25, subsequent entries are $5 each. No limit to number of entries. Payment via PayPal to ctdraftrescue@aol.com. Payments via check go to CDHR Art Show, PO Box 273, East
Hampton, CT 06424. Please submit payment with entry.
All accepted entries will be notified via email and on CDHR's Facebook page by October 17th. Art must be wired and ready to hang, no greater than 35 pounds. All works must be
original and for sale, with a 30% commission to CDHR. No AI-generated work will be accepted. No direct copies, giclee, crafts, or usage of other artists' work will be accepted.
No artwork will be accepted that was in previous CDHR art shows. All accepted art must be hand-delivered to the Essex Art Association Gallery on October 24th from 5pm to 7 pm.
CDHR and its agents assume no liability for damage, loss, or theft of submitted work.
Awards: Best of Show, Viewers' Pick, Best Painting, Best Photo, Best Fiber Art. We encourage artists to attend the opening reception on Friday, October 25th from 6-8 pm.
Questions? Please email CDHRartshow@outlook.com. We look forward to your entries!
Concert Under the Stars
CDHR presents “CONCERT UNDER THE STARS”, a magical night of music featuring local favorites, the Marty Q Band and Rock Landing! Gates open at 3 pm and live music will be performed from 5 to 9 pm at The Farm at Carter Hill. All proceeds to benefit the rescue horses of CDHR. Tickets are $30, kids under 10 free! Purchase tickets below:
CDHR's 10TH Annual Driving for Drafts Charity Golf Tournament
We are absolutely delighted to announce our 10TH ANNUAL Driving for Drafts Charity Golf Tournament!
We want to say a draft-sized THANK YOU to Connecticut Horse Cremation, our tournament sponsor for a decade. We appreciate your generous support and kindness over the years.
Driving for Drafts will be at the Portland Golf Course for the 10th year on Saturday, September 14th.
For registration and sponsorship opportunities, please click here:
CDHR at the Haddam Neck Fair
We will have a booth at the Haddam Neck Fair from August 30th through September 2nd! We will have retail items, information about our events, volunteering, and more!
Link to more info: https://www.haddamneckfair.com/