Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.

-Oprah Winfrey

Donating Your Mare

At ColdSpring Mares, we specialize in giving retired broodmares a meaningful next chapter. Many of our mares come to us after successful breeding careers, when their options elsewhere are limited. Here, they find purpose, excellent care, and the companionship of other mares in a peaceful environment.

When you donate a mare to our program, she may serve as a loving nurse mare for many years, providing nurturing care to orphaned or rejected foals, or she may spend her days enjoying retirement in our lush pastures. While most of our mares stay with us in their final days, some donors also choose to allow their mares to be placed in retirement with one of our wonderful clients—many of whom fall in love with the mares they lease and request to adopt them once their nursing duties with CSM are complete.

Every CSM mare receives exceptional, individualized care including regular veterinary visits, dental exams, farrier work every 6–8 weeks, top-quality nutrition and supplements, and access to ample pasture and social interaction. Our mares spend their winters in the warmer climate of Ocala, ensuring comfort year-round.

We accept only permanent donations—ColdSpring Mares does not take horses on temporary loan or lease, and any mares permitted to be retired at another farm stay in our legal ownership. All mares must be healthy, in good physical condition, gentle to handle, easy to catch, and experienced mothers who truly enjoy caring for foals. It’s essential that our mares want to do this work, as their happiness and well-being come first.

If you believe your mare would be a good fit for our program and you’d like to give her a purposeful, well-cared-for retirement, please complete the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions…

  • The process involves an initial inquiry, preliminary evaluation, application and screening, veterinary assessment, acceptance criteria review, agreement and transfer of ownership, transportation arrangements, integration and training, follow-up updates, and recognition.

  • Mares must be at least 8 years old, have had at least 3 foals, exhibit exceptional ground manners, have no vices, and be in good health with the ability to produce milk. They should also be good at loading and transporting. Donors must provide the mare’s age, breed, medical history, reproductive history, current location, and willingness/ability to transport.

  • Mares receive proper care, training, and monitoring throughout their time in the program. We maintain transparency with donors regarding the mare’s role and care.

  • She goes directly back to the previous owner at their expense.

  • We do not provide regular updates, however you are more than welcome to email us in regards to your mare’s well being and we will be glad to give an update.

  • Yes, all donations, including nurse mares, are tax-deductible. Donors will receive a donation receipt for tax purposes.

  • Once the mare is ready for retirement from the program, we contact you and let you know her current status. If you would like to take the mare back, you are welcome to. If not, she will have a home with us.

  • We do our very best to provide the highest level of care to all of our mares. Quality of life will always be at the forefront, and while we retire most of our mares on property, we do understand on occasion, they may experience a medical emergency, like severe colic or injury, where euthanasia may be the kindest choice. All of our mares have access to regular and emergency medical care, and in the case of euthanasia or a passing due to old age, we do our very best to inform donors of a mare’s passing when possible.

Mare Donation Interest Form