The Maryland Horse Council Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce that it has received a generous grant from Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue (Gentle Giants) to fund the Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS) program. Gentle Giants will be the primary financial supporter of METS while the grant is in effect.

METS is a central component of the equine aftercare network in Maryland. It is a re-homing program that works on behalf of horses in need and matches the right owner to the right horse. METS advises owners on transition options, assesses horses for re-homing suitability, and distributes information about the horses in need through its expansive equestrian network. It has been in operation for three years and, in that time, has re-homed over 200 horses in need.

“We are all so proud of what the METS team have been able to accomplish in three short years but even more excited to see where we as a community can take the program in the future with support of great organizations like Gentle Giants,” said Erica Lancaster, President of the Maryland Horse Council Foundation.

Similarly, Gentle Giants is a key member of the Maryland equine rescue community— and understands how important the work METS does is to Maryland horses and horse owners. Gentle Giants rescues draft horses from auction to save them from slaughter, rehabilitates them physically and emotionally, and re-homes them to suitable adoptive homes.

“Gentle Giants is honored to help support the vital services that METS offers to the Maryland equine community. Maryland has become a national leader in equine welfare, and we are proud to be a part of that movement,” said Christine Hajek, President and Founder of Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue.

The Maryland Horse Council Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) public foundation. Its mission is “to perform charitable and educational activities associated with the horse industry in Maryland, and to help create and nurture deep ties between Maryland residents and the Maryland equine community.” The Maryland Horse Council Foundation was conceived by the Maryland Horse Council, which is the 501(c)(6) trade association that represents the Maryland horse community at the state and local level. See www.mdhorsecouncil.org.

Learn more about METS at www.mdequinetransition.org.

Learn more Information for Gentle Giants at www.gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.org.