On the Farm
Where is Gentle Giants located?
Mount Airy, MD
or
17250 Old Frederick Rd, Mount Airy, MD 21771
How many hours do volunteers need to complete per month to be granted Partner Program or Riding Privileges?
20 Hours or 4 shifts a month.
Who is the president and founder of Gentle Giants?
Christine Hajek
Is horse slaughter legal in the United States? Who buys horses for slaughter?
Yes. Horse slaughter is legal in the United States.
"Meat men" or "Kill Buyers" purchase horses for the intention to slaughter for meat
Americans don't eat horses, so why are horses going to slaughter?
While American's don't eat horses, horses are considered a delicacy in many European and Asian cultures.
How many horses does Gentle Giants have? +/- 10
148
How does someone become a volunteer at Gentle Giants?
Email our volunteer coordinator and complete their training
Gentle Giants typically gets horses from auction? What auction?
New Holland Stable Auction
What does S.A.F.E act stand for?
Safeguard American Food Exports
But if we stop slaughtering horses, what will happen to all of the unwanted horses.
There are 9 million horses in the United States. So when we look at that number as a whole, that means 1% of all horses are sent to slaughter. If we ask our breeders to breed 1% less. Or ask our owners to be 1% more responsible. Or if 1% more of people would choose to euthanize their old horse, than we could completely solve this problem.
How long are horses typically in quarantine for?
21-days
How many training sessions do new volunteers need to complete?
3
What year was Gentle Giants founded?
2005
If passed, what will the S.A.F.E act do?
It would ban domestic horse slaughter in the U.S. and stop the export of American horses for slaughter abroad.
Aren't all of the horses sent to auction broken, lame, or old?
No, in fact, most horses sent to auction are in a fairly good condition and are rideable. We often see horses that may no longer suit a farmers needs, may be in their teens, are retired lesson horses, or are even young horses that are barely halter broken.
How many barn staff members work at Gentle Giants?
**Bonus how many total staff members does GG have?
We have 9 barn staff, 6 office staff, 2 trainers, and 2 maintenance staff for a total of
19 staff members.
Approximately how many active volunteers does Gentle Giants have? +/- 10
122
What is the mission of Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue?
Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue was formed to facilitate the rescue of Draft and Draft Cross horses from slaughter, abuse, and neglect
How many horses are exported to slaughter every year? Where are these horses typically sent to be slaughtered?
100,000 horses are sent to slaughter every year. Typically these horses go to Canada or Mexico
I can't volunteer because I live too far away, how else can I help Gentle Giants?
Gentle Giants is primarily funded through donations from horse lovers all over the world. Contributions to our organizations help us rescue, rehab, retain, and re-home our horses!
Gentle Giants also offers sponsorship where you can help contribute to the care of one of our many horses!
Follow us on Facebook and help us spread the gospel of our organization to reach more people all over the world!
How many acres does GG have?
Approx. 300 acres
How many hours did GG volunteers accumulate last year?
Over 15,000!
Gentle Giants is globally accredited by which organization?
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Why are draft horses at risk for horse slaughter?
Meat sells by the pound. Even a skinny draft horse can weigh more than a fat pony.
"I've seen those kill pen horses online, are those the horses that y'all save?"
NO! Gentle Giants DOES NOT support kill buyers by supporting their kill pen horses.