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About 45 miles northeast, there was a report of severely starved and neglected horses - apparantly not the 1st time Animal Control has had a visit to this person's property. This time a vet was called out as well as North Horse Rescue to find 7 horses severely starved and dehydrated. Two were laying prone in the snow with ribs sticking out, bloody hooves, and patches of hair missing. They were euthanized on the spot. The remaining 5 are in very bad condition, but at least still standing.
On the news last night, it was heart-warming to see that tiny community (most up here are tiny!) had come together to help - a hay farmer and his wife were donating 200 bales of hay, and numerous people had come to help unload and do other necessary tasks. The horses were so visibly thin, it was hard to imagine their pain. The director stated "They hadn't stopped eating and drinking since they were rescued, and hoped they could put on 100 lbs within the month. Any donations of money, supplies, and time were gratefully accepted". In the news clip, there was a child with it's mom stroking one of their noses, and these horses appeared to be so glad for the loving attention. Even as they were petted, they didn't stop eating hay, and had such a sad, but sweet look in their eyes.
My mare is given the best hay, grain, alfalfa (warmed up with apples in cold weather), double thick bedding in her shed, a million hugs, kisses, and always told she's a good girl every single day. I couldn't shake the vision of what I saw as I was brushing her mane and she was nuzzling me back....
I called the rescue director this morning after the a.m. Feed, and said I was going to TSC for my own supplies, and what could I donate? I ended up putting together 3 "goodie bags", (3 of the 5 surviving are together @ one barn) and will bring them out after this next storm passes - I'll also bring work gloves, and help groom and do necessary chores. When I talked with her, she also shared that one of them has a severe stomach ulcer, and one has a heart condition now due to the dehydration. Something else wrong with an eye, etc. on top of the shocking malnutrition they all have.
Not sharing that part to give myself glory, but honestly, I'm so excited to be able to do it. Not just once, but I'm going to make it a true volunteer project whenever I can. I love my horse so very much, and watching the news last night, I just wanted to hug each and every one of them, tell them how beautiful they are, and make them feel that way. The wonderful people in this organization are doing just that, but I can't wait to do it too. Every horse deserves to be loved and cared for! :)
