09/19/15 Update
I received a call concerning a horse on Wednesday night – it was in a remote part of the county and too late for me to go alone. I called the County and they said they would have a Deputy check it out. I didn’t hear anything back from them. This morning I woke up thinking about the horse and felt it was likely nobody went out so off I went. I got to the address and couldn’t get in the gate which was a good distance from the house. There were dogs and no humans in sight. None of the phone numbers for that address worked. I heard a horse whinny but couldn’t see it. I won’t go into the details of how I finally got in, but I did – it was very frustrating. And I’ll tell you, that what I saw once I got on the property and behind the house was sickening. But I had to focus on the immediate needs of the horse.
The owner called the horse Scant. When I got to him, he was down eating sand – he had been down for a couple of days. He tried to go sternum (he demonstrated signs of colic) and I found three good size limbs under him – it had to have been uncomfortable. I pulled the limbs out and put hay under and around him. I rubbed him and promised him help was on the way. His water bucket was out of reach so I got another bucket and offered him water. He drank and was very thankful. It hurt my heart, very much to see him in his condition. I talked to him about life in general and how beautiful he was while waiting for the vet to arrive. As I looked around me there were scattered bones. And there were tree stumps the horse could have easily impaled himself on in his obvious struggles to get up – one very close to him. I turned a bucket over to cover it.
Dr. Ryan got there and ran fluids – he did everything possible – we tried but it just wasn’t meant to be. His back right leg would not work – there was likely a fracture and there was a good size open stifle injury from a couple of weeks ago. He was very thin (BS 1.5) and very uncomfortable. He was at least 20 years young, his heart rate was high (even after meds) and he likely had quite a bit of sand in him. It’s hard to lose any horse – he was a beautiful Arabian gelding. We all know Arabians are near and dear to my heart. He’s now running, pain free, on the other side of Rainbow Bridge. God bless him.
When he crossed, he wasn’t alone. I assured him it would be ok and that where he was going would be a beautiful place with green grass, fresh water, and there would be only good things and love. And I sat with him for several minutes after and the tears came. I just want to understand – how could humans allow this to happen?
A skull and other bones were scattered on the ground. Proof that other life has been lost. Now I ask for prayers for the other animals there.
Wednesday evening update: I did follow up with the authorities and there is an open investigation. The owner has 30 days to rehome the animals or make conditions better and demonstrate that he is providing proper care for them. There was at least one dog, a pony, several cows, pigs, ducks and other birds. Only 3 of the cows I saw were on grass and they looked fairly good. Everything else lived on sand and didn’t look very well. The owner knows he can reach out to us for help and to help rehome any of the animals.
I am calling the Arabian gelding “Eilian”. Scant was a horrible name, IMO. My heart is as heavy as it was yesterday. The only comfort I can find is knowing he is now in a better place running with the Heavenly herd.
Thank you all for caring.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
