Animal Welfare United States Project #17121

Provide Quality Care for Rescued Horses in Texas

by Easy R Equine Rescue

Project Report | Sep 6, 2019
Dakota Gets Some Friends at Easy R

By Angie Alspaugh | Project Leader

Meet Dakota

Dakota is the newest horse at Easy R Equine Rescue. We received a call from a land owner about 6 weeks ago who reported that his renter had moved out of town with the promise that he would come back to town to pick up his horse. Four months passed and he never came back for him. Fortunately, Dakota was on a piece of property where another renter threw hay for him and gave him water, so he wasn't as thin as most horses we get. But it was obvious that the basic responsibilities of horse care had been neglected. His feet were long and cracked. His tail hair was so extremely matted that when we tried to get it untangled, most of it just fell off. The halter had been on him so long that it had made a scar on his nose. And per report of the land owner, Dakota had been in the field without companionship of another animal for 3 years. Horses obviously survive without the presence of other horses, but they are herd animals and most do much better with a companion.

As with most of the horses we get into the rescue, we know nothing about Dakota's history. When the dentist visits, we will get an idea of his age, which we suspect is in the early 20s. He has a deformed right eye and has limited sight in that eye. He turns his head to look at things and people out of his left eye, which has caused what looks to be some muscle and bone imbalances--possibly arthritis. He choked on hay the first time we offered it, which indicates that his teeth are probably in terrible condition. So, he is getting softened alfalfa pellets and senior grain until the dentist can see what is going on in his mouth. He will be vaccinated, de-wormed, given supplements to help with joint comfort and probiotics to assist with good digestion.

What is most wonderful to watch is Dakota's interaction with Ranger and Magi, the two horses at his foster home. He likes Ranger. But he loves Magi! He follows her around like her shadow. And because she is such a sweet, kind horse, she doesn't mind. She lets him go where she goes. As a herd animal, it has to feel so comforting to, after 3 years, have companions.

Dakota will get the best care at Easy R Equine Rescue. And hopefully, someone will be interested in providing him a wonderful adoptive home. He deserves one.

Meeting his new friends

Limited eyesight in damaged eye

Feet prior to the farrier visit

Must feel good to have that halter off

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Jun 5, 2019
April Finds Her Forever Home

By Angie Alspaugh | Project Leader

April in poor physical condition upon arrival

April came to Easy R Equine Rescue last year, not unlike many of the horses we receive--severely underweight and malnourished. She had been seized from a neglectul owner by the local sheriff's department. Her ribs and hip points were protruding and her hair was coarse and dull. Even though she was cooperative, her eyes showed her distrust of humans. She immediately was placed in one of our wonderful foster homes where she had a nice large stall of her own, an even nicer and larger turn out pasture with lush spring grass, and a buddy horse named Robby.

Robby is a 29 year old horse who belongs to the foster family. Prior to April being placed at the foster home, Robby had had a pasture mate for years with whom he was very bonded. But that horse had recently died and left Robby grieving. April was placed in Robby's pasture and they became fast friends. Even though the pasture was very large and they had plenty of room to roam, they could always be found side by side, grazing with their noses in the grass. April's companionship helped Robby get past his grief. And she quickly put on weight, her hair became soft and glossy, and she gained trust in the humans around her.

Last month, Easy R Equine Rescue held an adoption event where all the adoptable horses were showcased for people to meet. April was one of the favorites. One family in particular was extremely interested in adopting April, specifically for a teenage girl who was longing for a horse of her own. From what we hear and the pictures we receive, they are in love with each other. Every horse needs the opportunity to be loved by a teenage girl. And don't worry, we quickly placed another precious mare with Robby. So he is grazing side by side with Jasmine now.

Happy and healthy

April and Robby, always side by side

April's new friend and partner

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Mar 4, 2019
Little Taco Comes to Easy R Equine Rescue

By Angie Alspaugh | Project Leader

After discarge from the hospital, very thin

In October we received a call from the Sheriff's Department notifying us that an owner agreed to surrender one of her young horses in lieu of having the horse seized. She, thankfully, realized that she did not have the financial means to take care of the multiple horses on her property. The one she was surrendering wasn't even 18 months old yet. He had a small wound on his neck that the owner said was from another horse biting him. According to the deputy the wound was draining and probably getting infected. We agreed to take in the young horse after he was checked out by a local veterinarian. The veterinarian recommended that the horse remain at the clinic for a few days for observation. On the following Monday, the deputy reported to us that the horse was being picked up and was ready for transport to our rescue. He also mentioned that the wound actually looked worse and it had been recommended that the horse be seen by an equine specialist.

When the deputy arrived with the horse, the wound was not only worse, it had been obviously festering an infection in the muscles of his neck and had ruptured an abscess about 5 inches long and at least 2 inches deep. It was a horrible wound that definitely needed more medical intervention. In addition, the horse had many bite marks on his body and was very thin. He had obviously been beaten up by the older, larger horses and was not getting near enough to eat. In about an hour the staff at Easy R had loaded up the young horse and was headed to an equine specialist about an hour from Lubbock.

This young horse was hospitalized for a week and then sent back to the rescue with instructions to use hydrotherapy on the wound every day in addition to packing it with medication. It was a nasty, stinky mess!! (To avoid being too graphic, we didn't attach the very first pictures of the wound). And it needed to heal from the inside out. So, that's what we did. The sweet little guy tolerated us running cold water over it every day and, with gloved hands, packing the 2 inch deep wound with healing salve after the hydrotherapy. He was also provided with plenty of food, water, and TLC. After a few months of treatment, his wound was completely healed. He has scarring where the wound closed up, but it only adds to his character. And he is quite a character. He loves people and wants to be as close as he can. After coming back from the hospital, his foster mother took a poll at her workplace on what his new name should be. So, he became Taco. And everyone loves tacos, right?! Well, everyone who meets this little Taco sure does. And he will very soon be ready to go to his forever home.

Thank you for giving so little guys like Taco, who are small, hungry, scared, and beat up, can find a safe place at Easy R where they can heal and get some confidence and courage.

Very cooperative with wound care

The wound is healing very nicely

Now only scar tissue

Sweet little Taco

Such a cutie!

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