CUMMING — An event Saturday will help a Forsyth County farm care for rescued horses and animals through the winter, and the schedule of activities offers something for the whole family.

Hay Day, an annual fundraiser for the Save the Horses farm, is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm’s biggest event of the year, its goal is to raise enough funds to buy hay to feed 100 rescued horses and other animals for the coming cold months.

The nonprofit rescue farm, at 1768 Newt Green Road, will feature a “good old fashioned farm day” with hay and pony rides, a cake walk, food, music, vendors and.

There will also be face painting, games, a chili cook-off and “all the charms of visiting the rescued horses and petting zoo animals.”

“Hay Day is important for us to raise the money to buy hay and continue helping horses. With the economic instability over the past few years, donations have slowed down, but the amount of horses needing help has increased tremendously,” said Cheryl Flanagan, director of Save the Horses.

“We do everything we can to help any horse, whether someone needs temporary help with hay and grain, loses their property or job and can’t financially keep their horse.”

Since 1998, Save the Horses has taken in, rehabilitated and found homes for more than 1,000 animals.

“Even animal controls from several counties, even other states, have asked for our help. They depend on us to take horses so they are not forced to euthanize them,” Flanagan said.

Good quality hay costs about $12 a bale or more, she said. Bales weigh 50 to 60 pounds. A horse eats about 20 pounds a day, so a single bale lasts two or three days for each horse.

The annual expense for hay at the Cumming farm is about $34,000, which is raised through donations. The volunteer-run rescue does not receive any state or federal assistance.

Hay Day attendees are encouraged to buy and donate a bale of hay, which will be available at the event. Admission and parking are free.

To make a donation online, visit http://savethehorses.org/donate.html.

For more information on Hay Day or Save the Horses, visit http://savethehorses.org/hay-day.html.