OUR HORSES
For most of the equines we rescue, Nod Hill Farm becomes a forever home. Many of these permanent residents of the sanctuary are program-involved horses that enjoy spending time with people, are exercised regularly and participate in our community enrichment activities.
We are committed to providing every horse with the ideal home, so we never rush to place a horse through adoption. If we find a horse is clearly in need of a different career, we will pursue adopting out the horse. If a horse fits well within our programs, we will make them part of our permanent family of horses at the sanctuary and instead seek sponsors for them.
How you can help our horses
Sponsor a Horse or Donate
Love horses, but your backyard isn’t big enough to adopt one? Consider sponsoring one of our special horses on an ongoing basis or simply donate. There are many levels and options available, to help and every dollar counts, going directly to the care and well-being of our beautiful equines. Select a cash donation, purchase feed, grain or hay – the choice is yours!
On-Farm Lease
Perfect for those who want to ride, an on-farm lease allows our riding lesson participants additional access to a horse for independent riding.
This option requires a riding lesson package with a minimum of one lesson per week, then an option of 1 to 2 additional days to come to the farm to ride independently on your chosen horse.
Weekly lessons are in addition to the on-farm lease membership fee.
Adopt a Horse
Many adoptions take place before a horse gets posted to our website. We have a vast network, both local and national, often adopting-out or placing a horse into foster care directly without a stop to our rescue. Doing this is less stressful for the horse and permits us to help many more equines on a local basis. We are dedicated to finding our horses safe, well-matched homes and human companions.
All of our horses are microchipped and fully evaluated before being placed, while being protected under our strict owner contract. If you are seeking a horse and can be patient with the process, we will do our best to help you find your horse. Many of our horses remain here as part of our sanctuary. Please note: not all of pour horses are available for adoption and we only adopt out within 50 miles of our facility in Avon, CT. Please check below as to which horses are available.
Meet our horses
Catino
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Catino is a fancy Holsteiner donated to us by a prominent individual and experienced dressage rider. Catino was doing upper-level dressage but could not hold up to the rigors of the task. He was consistently “lame” despite the owner following all advice from the vet and working diligently to rehab him.
In an effort to do the best for this young, handsome gelding, upon his arrival USHWR had a full vet exam performed, including x-rays, ultrasound, and bloodwork. A rehabilitation program was developed, and we got to work. Today, Catino is 100% sound and works as a Hunter/Jumper for advanced intermediate riders as well as teaching beginners dressage.
Catino is now loving his life, his fellow horse friends, and all the attention he gets from the volunteers and visitors.
Catino’s best trick: The President of USHWR has taught him to give her kisses!!
Charlie
Not available
Charlie currently has a wonderful adoptive sponsor who enjoys spending time with him, grooming, and riding him every chance she gets. He is also available for mounted and unmounted work as he is a community favorite. Charlie is an owner surrender after the owner no longer had time for him and felt he needed to get back into work. When Charlie came to us he was ill-mannered under saddle and required a lot of work to turn him into the great horse he is now.
Cupid
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Cupid is a gelded 13.2-hand pony, approximately twenty-two years old, with expressive eyes and a wonderful disposition. Cupid was an owner-surrender in June of 2020. When he arrived, we were told he had “Kissing Spine,” so we believed he would be a pasture pet. After consulting with one of the top veterinarians in our area, we were encouraged to get him back into work carefully and began with walk/trot/canter on the lunge line and eventually put a small rider on him. We now know Cupid did not have “Kissing spine” but instead had likely been overused by someone too heavy for him.
Today, Cupid is 100% sound! He has no back issues, jumps a full course, and loves to work. He has his favorite students and truly shines when they ride him. Cupid is very outgoing, funny, and just plain lovable.
Cupid enjoys interacting with children and adults, is well-behaved, and is a favorite for our Barn Buddies & Teens to the Rescue programs.
Emma
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Emma is a beautiful blue-eyed Paint mare who was gifted to us to include in our programs and love on. She’s full of affection and positive energy and enjoys her job as an emotional support pony for those in need of that special bond and a big hug. Emma also greatly enjoys giving pony rides and doing beginner lessons.
Sponsor Emma, spend time with her and enjoy a ride with this special girl.
Faith
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Faith is a twelve-year-old, 13.2 hand pony rescued from a slaughter lot in 2016. This incredibly sweet, mild-tempered girl has a strong work ethic with substantial training. She is especially fond of jumping and brings smiles to everyone she meets. Faith is the most huggable, lovable equine on the farm! She will stand for hours and let you wrap your arms around her.
Faith enjoys her days as part of our Hug-A-Horse program, working her magic on people in need of healing.
Fantasia “Tasia”
Available for Adoption, On-Farm Lease and Sponsorship
Fantasia is a twenty-two year old flea-bitten gray, papered Arabian mare, approximately 14 '3 hands who was an owner surrender. She has been with the sanctuary since spring of 2020.
This sweet-natured, sensitive girl prefers a soft, balanced rider and is best suited for an advanced-beginner or above. She loves to work and will hack out/trail ride alone or with company. Fantasia is currently jumping around a 2’ course and has a lead change.
Arabians are known to live and last under saddle for many, many years, so this young lady still has a lot to offer. “Tasia” does have a history of trauma, so we are very mindful of her need for the perfect person who helps her feel safe.
Finnegan
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Finnegan came to US Horse Welfare & Rescue in June of 2020. He was starving, the victim of a bad domestic situation, leaving him and two other horses without enough food. Finnegan was the worst of the three with a body score of 1. We welcomed him with open arms, had him vetted, and began a rehab program to put weight on him and get him healthy. Within 2 months, he had already packed on significant weight.
Finnegan is in his late twenties, and has Cushing's Disease as well as chronic Lymphangitis in his Right hind leg. These comorbidities make him susceptible to infections, and even the slightest scratch most often results in a need for antibiotic injections. Ongoing care is required, both in medical treatment and special bedding to keep him at his best. Finn has lost a great deal of muscle on his back ( part of what happens with Cushings), but is still sound for riding and has a LOT of energy!
Finn is a farm favorite who LOVES attention from humans and is our best full-size therapy horse. As a matter of fact, if you go in his paddock or his stall, be prepared for him to present his neck and side to you for a good hug and a scratching!
Finn makes friends with everyone, loves all the other horses, and one of his favorite pastimes is engaging in “mutual grooming” with his fellow equines!
Jasmine and Stormy
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Jasmine and Stormy, are an owner-surrendered bonded pair who came to us December 2020.
Jasmine is a late-twenties Morgan Cross, who has been learning manners and slowly getting used to letting Stormy out of her sight. She likely did not have dental care in her past life and has lost many of her back teeth. We have adjusted her diet to provide her with ample nutrition and fiber to keep her healthy. Although she is older, “Jazzy” LOVES to work under saddle and still comes out of her stall and paddock trotting!
Stormy Knight “Stormy” is our twelve-year-old adorable, fan-favorite mini. He had been living in a field with Jasmine with little care and both were quite feral when first brought to USHWR. Today, both of them are loving and adore attention. Watching these two grow to trust humans has been a great joy. Due to their bond, age, and health, we would like these two to remain here for the rest of their lives.
Jorrit “Jo-Jo”
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Jorrit is a 23-year-old Friesian gelding who was surrendered by his owner to our rescue in May 2020. He was born in Holland, coming to the U.S. around the age of four. Jo-Jo was trained as a dressage horse, but had not worked for several years.
Jo-Jo is back working under saddle as a beginner Dressage horse and is one of the sweetest souls!
This gentle, well-mannered horse has a great mind. He is calm, brave, listens, and is a big cuddler!!! These qualities make him ideal for our therapeutic programs as well as for the riding lessons.
Jorrit is actually considered an “old man” for a Friesian as the average life expectancy of Friesians is 16 years. Because of this, we baby him tremendously and are very proud that we have been able to keep him healthy and sound! This handsome gentle-giant will remain a permanent member of our farm.
Ludwig “Louis”
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Louis came to us from Georgia summer of 2024. Louis was a big time Grand Prix jumper whose owner had some health issues and so he was turned out 24/7 as a retired horse. This did not suit him that well and when the owner offered to surrender him to us we took him in, shipping him up from GA. Upon arrival it was noted that he was thin (ribby) and he had a baseball size “proud flesh’ wound on his left front with 3 other smaller wounds on other extremities. We worked hard doing dressing changes daily on his wounds and after many, many months the wounds were completely healed. Louis is another LOVE BUG! He will stand all day and let you love on him. He is sound for riding and will “muscle up” with more work.
Maggie
Available for on-farm lease and/or Sponsorship
Maggie is a Welsh Pony in her early twenties, 13 hands and is a well-schooled ex-show pony. She came to us as an owner-surrender because they were no longer able to spend time riding or caring for her and did not want to place her with someone who might overuse her. leaving her lonely despite being at a boarding stable.
Maggie was very overweight on arrival, and we feared she had either Cushings or Equine Metabolic Syndrome. With a carefully monitored diet, our Miss Maggie is much healthier..
These days Maggie enjoys doing mounted lessons and generally being a showstopper!
Reilly
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Reilly is a Warmblood/Percheron Cross, approximately 16 hands in his early twenties. He is a former show horse who LOVED jumping. Due to an injury to his left front fetlock, Reilly needed a rescue to take him in. After rest and rehab Reilly has been able to get back into light work and is a great horse for beginners and is currently working in our Riding Academy giving lessons.
Due to his old injuries that are carefully managed, Reilly will remain a permanent part of the farm family, where we can maintain his care and keep him happy and sound.
Whopper
Available for On-Farm Lease and/or Sponsorship
Whopper is a 15’3 hand 2004 model off-the-track thoroughbred who raced until he was six years old. Shipped from track to track and never knowing a home until he ended up with us. After formal training, Whopper has shown as a hunter jumper, winning Champion and Reserve Champion several times! He is also the first horse that we saved. These days as a school master, our riding students all vie for the opportunity to ride him. Riding Whopper is like skating on fresh ice…VERY SMOOTH! After four years of moving from track to track we want Whopper to know he is home and he will always be with us.
Beau ‘Jet Set Artie’
Not available
Beau is the patriarch and the sentinel of the herd. He watches over everyone and is the first to alert if something is amiss. He is notorious for giving loving, magical hugs.
He is the property owner’s personal horse and is shared graciously with program participants for riding lessons and unmounted work. Sadly, Beau has severe allergies which results in asthma in the spring, and so he gets nebulizer treatments daily to keep him comfortable… but he still LOVES attention.
Make an impact today
Proceeds from our programs go to saving abused, neglected, at-risk, & slaughter-bound horses across the country and providing top-notch care for the horses here at our sanctuary and rescue.
