Freedom Hill Horse Rescue conducts volunteer training every first Saturday of the month.
Founded in 2004, the organization has around 100 volunteers, according to Shaun Gandia, the organization’s vice president. Training continues as the volunteers tend to change as people travel in and out of the area.
More volunteers have volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, adding that they would like some outside activity.
On Saturday, February 6th, Amy Bird, a recently transplanted person in Colorado, was among those trained on 50-degree day.
Amara Goeke-Morey also came to training. Goeke-Morey, a Cheverly resident, said she loves horses and frequently visits her grandmother in North Beach.
During the school year there are approximately 20-25 volunteer students from Northern High School and Northern Middle School located across from Horse Rescue on Flint Hill Road. The students’ volunteer time can be applied to their community service, Gandia said.
Mickey Blue, a Tennessee Walking / Draft Horse born in 2002, is one of Freedom Hill’s longest-running residents, according to Volunteer Coordinator Cathy Hurley.
Mickey Blue was rescued from a New Jersey farm, Hurley said, noting that he had eaten bark from a tree.
Most of Freedom Hill’s horses currently come from volunteer deliveries that involve a transaction through the Maryland Equine Transition Service, Gandia said. The rest are rescues that could include animal control.
Ten stables and two temporary stables are on the premises, Gandia said, which currently houses nine horses, plus one off the premises.
Freedom Hill receives state and federal grants and hosts two fundraising events each year, she said. The Spirits and Steeds event with beer, wine and music takes place on October 9th. Holiday photos with horses, a Christmas market, is planned for November 20th.
