Provide Quality Care for Rescued Horses in Texas

In early June, the staff at Easy R Equine Rescue received a call from an area veterinarian's office.  The lady on the other end of the line said she knew someone who knew someone who was extremely concerned about a horse in a town a few hours from Lubbock.  Most of the time we refer people to shelters or rescue organizations nearer their own community, but she almost begged us to take a look at pictures she had been sent of this horse.  So we did.  It was clear that this horse needed immediate help or she was going to die.  And by the looks of the pictures, even with intervention, death was possible.  Long story short, she was loaded up by a concerned family and made the almost three hour trip to Lubbock.  The director of Easy R met them at a local large animal veterinarian's office. Even though the pictures we had seen reflected what poor condition she was in, it always looks even worse in person.  The fact that she made the trip to Lubbock without falling in the trailer proved the fight she still had left in her. 

The neglect Chablis had been suffering was obvious, and extreme.  She was in the worst condition of any horse that Easy R has taken in up to this point.  In addition to her weight being at a critically low level, she had an obvious limp on her right front leg, a very swollen knee, overgrown hooves, evidence of a fungal skin condition, an open wound on a back leg, poor muscle tone, and overall body weakness.  Due to starvation, her bones were all grossly visible, which also revealed a previous shoulder and hip injury.  But her eyes were soft. Almost relieved and expectant that maybe this group of humans examining her would keep her safe and nurture her back to health. 

The pictures attached to this report show her condition upon arrival and progress she is making at the loving and kind hands of a local foster family.  She stayed in the veterinarian hospital for 9 days before being placed with the foster family.  Her care has not been cheap, and more veterinary visits and procedures will be necessary to address continued health issues.  Fortunately, she has responded well to the re-feeding regimen and is slowly but surely putting on weight.  Chablis is in her mid to late 20s and will always need a senior diet with additional supplements. Her skin condition is mostly healed but she still requires topical medication for fungal infections. She is on a daily (and expensive) anti-inflammatory medication for the arthritic knee. Her feet are in poor condition due to the lack of nutrition she suffered for a long period of time.  Regular farrier visits and annual dental care will be crucial for healthy feet and teeth.  Due to her age, starvation, and probable previous use as a brood mare, her sacrum has dropped and in order to keep her female organs healthy, she will most likely need a Caslick's surgery soon.

Ironically, Chablis is probably the kindest horse we have ever had at Easy R.  She has a lip tatoo which reveals her history as a racetrack horse, a demanding and even at times unkind sport.  Based on her body condition, not including the recent starvation, it is obvious she has had many injuries that left her with improperly healed fractured bones and nerve damage.  The fact that she is still kind and loves human interaction is a testament to this horse's heart and spirit.  She is a fighter and has a strong will to live. We will continue to do EVERYTHING we can for this precious horse, making the rest of her life as comfortable and full of love as possible. 

The only way we can take in horses like Chablis and have the funds for their intensive treatment is because people like you give.  You will probably never meet Chablis, or the other rescue horses, but you are a HUGE part of their rescue, rehabilitation, recovery, and restoration.  We thank you and appreciate you so very much.

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In mid-April, the Lubbock County Sheriff's Department called on Easy R once again to assist with a mare they had removed from the owner due to serious neglect.  This owner had 8 horses removed from him last year, and once again was not caring adequately for his animals.  In fact, Gabriel, Ranger, and Ocho were 3 of the 8 horses removed from him last year.  We agreed to take the new mare once the court case was completed and she was able to be released to the custody of the sheriff's department. 

We visited her at the animal hospital where she was temporarily being held until the case had gone to court.  Her eyes were kind and gentle, but she was very thin.  Her hair and skin were in poor condition and it appeared that she might have some sort of fungal issue with her skin.  We promised her we would take her as soon as possible and that she would be well cared for at Easy R.

Once the court disposed of the case, the deputies transported the mare to one of our foster homes.  This particular foster mother specifically requests the rescue horses that are in poor condition because she feels she can make a bigger impact on the lives of those types of horses.  So, of course, we agreed that her home would be the best place for this mare.  The day the mare arrived, she was given her own big stall with a turnout attached; she was started on a meal plan to assist with weight gain and nutiritional support; she was given a bath with antifungal shampoo; and she was sweetly welcomed by the foster mom.  And she was given a new name.  April.

In the past month, April has already made great strides toward becoming a healthy horse.  She is gaining weight, her hair is now shiny and black, her feet are trimmed, she is gradually getting to have free access to grazing pasture, and she is getting a nutritious, well-balanced meal plan.  And TLC. A great deal of love and TLC. 

April was being used as a broodmare, repeatedly being bred to have babies that could be sold for a profit.  But not any more.  She will be placed for adoption when she is completely healthy and will able to live out her life with new owners who are willing to either teach her a new job, or just let her be a horse.  April's story might be a lot different if wasn't for donors who are so gracious to give financially to help take care of these horses.  When local rescues say no to the law enforcement agencies, they have no choice but to take the seized horses to the local auction, not knowing with whom and where they will end up.  So, THANK YOU.  Thank you so much for caring for horses in Lubbock, Texas and helping provide them with hope and a new future.

Links:

• website
• Facebook page