40 Horses in Urgent Need

Helping Horses and Heroes has become aware of a herd of horses in great need and the owner has agreed to work with us...

The count has been estimated at 40 and all are mares and stallions. This has been an ongoing problem and the media and sheriff’s office have been called numerous times over the past few years. Humane organizations have been contacted but nothing has been done to help this situation.

There are individuals spreading information that is not true. This IS NOT a kill pen. This is not a person that is taking in free horses. This is a Vietnam vet with PTSD. He started out with a few horses and a stallion. He didn’t geld any of the colts and over the years the number has grown. While we don’t condone the treatment and condition of these horses, the owner genuinely cares for them. He has become overwhelmed and has not handled the situation in an acceptable manner, but he is now willing to accept help. These horses have not been physically abused but they are not getting enough to eat. His wife states he spends most of the day in the pasture and it helps “hold him together.”

This winter their home burned down and they lost everything. There was an old barn and it collapsed, according to neighbors. This is an older couple. They themselves need some help. When the horses are taken care of that will be our next focus.

I visited the farm on Saturday, May 23rd. There were many buckets at the fence when I arrived and he was putting small amounts of feed in each one and there was water and some hay. The owner took it all pretty well and we attained our first and foremost goal. He agreed to accept help and good quality hay was delivered and is continuing to be provided in quantities needed.

While these horses are thin and need attention they are not like the Larry Browning horses. Every horse came running when the owner walked out to the field. None were standing lethargic with their head down. There are reports a horse was dead in the field earlier in the week. Someone helping us with this situation said this is not true and he has seen the horse personally.

Our second goal is to get him to relinquish as many horses as possible to Helping Horses and Heroes. He has agreed and we will get a count and details on the horses on Tuesday, June 2nd. Our first priority is to get as many stallions and colts in the first trip. We have a farm a few miles down the road that will house them and they will all be gelded and get any vet care they need. We know it's getting late in the year to geld but we have no choice. It has to be done. The horses will have a barn and be monitored. This same man has a nice pasture where they can stay for only a month and then he will need it for cattle.

The neighbors and local community are pulling together to provide temporary places for many of the horses to get the care they need as permanent homes are found. We still need more pasture and foster/permanent homes.

We have other funding in process but the horses need help now. We have to make a commitment on June 2nd and if all goes well, we will start moving horses that day. Another neighbor who delivered hay, has a stock trailer and panels to make a corral to get the horses loaded. These horses have never been handled and most can’t be touched. We are familiar with handling this type of horse and have experienced help to insure the safety of all concerned.

We will update as more information and details are available. For now the horses have plenty to eat and fresh water.c