There Are Ten Giant Horses Up for Adoption at MSPCA’s Nevins Farm

Photo by MSPCA-Angell

In case you happen to have space for a gigantic horse, there is whole herd of them, standing almost a foot taller than normal horses, at the MSPCA’s Nevins Farm in Methuen that need your help and some good adoptive homes.

The draft horses, one female and nine males, vary from 7 to 28 years old. The breed is usually used for pulling carriages due to their large size and stature, some getting up to “19 hands high,” or about six-feet-three inches. They arrived at the farm at the end of June, the MSPCA says.

The previous owner had been talking to MSPCA Law Enforcement officer Christine Allenberg for months about the proper medical care the animals require, and eventually the owner decided he couldn’t give the attention or care the horses needed. The herd was surrendered to MSPCA and will stay temporarily at the Nevins Farm location while they recover and adjust to their new life.

“Some of them are underweight and some have teeth and hoof issues,” Officer Allenberg said. “But at the end of the day, the owner did the right thing, which was to accept that he could no longer meet their needs and to surrender them to our care.”

Photo via MSPCA-Angell

After some recovery time on the farm getting them back up to weight, taking care of overgrown hooves, and looking at some dental problems, the bill for the herd totals over $5,000. The MSPCA-Nevins Farm set up a donation page for those who want to help, and once they’re up to snuff people interested in being a forever home can visit the farm during open hours or barnstaff@mspca.org with questions.

Meanwhile, the farm continues to take in animals and awaiting potential owners to take them in. Many of the considerably smaller critters in its care—including pigs, goats, and ducks—are already spilling out of their species-specific paddocks. With the enormous horses on the property there will be some more shuffling of accommodations to make sure they are comfortable and happy.

“We often take for granted just how many animals of various kinds have crossed our threshold over the decades,” says Nevins Farm barn manager Gia Barss. “Thankfully, through the support of the public, we’re able to piece together the resources needed to see to their care.”