Statement from Freedom Hill Horse Rescue's Board of Directors

Freedom Hill Horse Rescue (FHHR) is aware of an article, released today, on The BayNet. By January 30, 2026, FHHR had already advised all of our volunteers of the situation addressed by The BayNet. As is clearly indicated by the date of the Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) notification to parents, FHHR had notified CCPS of this information well in advance of the date on which the children were to read to our horses.

 

Events like Reading to Horses, where children are in attendance, are chaperoned. No one under the age of 16 is allowed at the rescue without a parent or legal guardian. Reading to Horses has members of CCPS, the children's parents and/or guardians, and FHHR volunteers present throughout the duration of the program. Additionally, all FHHR volunteers are required to have a background check to work at our facility.
FHHR leases its barns and fields from Hampton Manor, LLC. The individual who was a resident of the farmhouse is not, to our knowledge, a member of Hampton Manor, LLC.

 

FHHR has operated for over 22 years, saving horses and humans alike. Our Veterans' programs, women's programs, and everything from our Easter Hop to pictures with Santa, have been safe and successful. We take our commitment to safety seriously and have proven that over time. We also take comments that slander and/or libel FHHR seriously. FHHR and our social media pages are places designed to promote our mission to serve horses and our community. Please allow them to be that.