Provide Quality Care for Rescued Horses in Texas

A few months ago the local sheriff's department seized 8 Thoroughbreds from a "trainer" who had pretty much stopped caring for them all together.  A ninth horse was dead on the property from either starvation or illness, or both.  Easy R Equine Rescue agreed to take 3 of the 8 horses.  The two geldings both had injuries but were not difficult to handle.  But then there was the mare.  She was "#8".  The veterinarian had painted big numbers on the sides of all the horses to match each horse to the Coggins test.  The mare had a big "8" painted on her side.  Originally, another rescue had agreed to take her, but after not being able to catch her, much less get her loaded in the trailer, they opted to leave her at the vet's office.  We couldn't see her get left behind--which would mean a trip to the sale barn.  And then, most likely onto the slaughter truck bound for Mexico.  But we also had no luck catching her.  She would spin her backend toward us, prepare to kick or look wild-eyed at the fence as if to determine whether she could clear it if she tried to jump over.  Thankfully, she did respond to being herded through an alleyway into a stock trailer. On the way to the foster home that had agreed to take her in, the sheriff's deputy said, "I've come up with a name for her.  Crazy 8." 

In the past 8 weeks, she has oftentimes lived up to that name.  At first, she was very distrustful and scared.  But not scared and timid.  Scared and brazen--which can be a bad combination.  Her first response to us attempting to get close to her in a pen was to turn her backend and threaten to kick. So, giving her as much space as she needed, but gradually increasing our expectations of her, she has slowly started to positively respond to interactions.  Her eyes have softened, she is more prone to turn her face toward us instead of her backend, and she will cautiously take treats out of our hands.  But she is still very quick to look for, and take, an escape route should she feel too nervous or pressured. Working with horses like her takes a delicate balance between pressure and release.

Interestingly, she's been handled by humans in the past.  She is lip-tatooed, which means she has been (or at least was training to be) on the racetrack.  And who knows what has happened to make her so distrustful, defensive, and difficult.  It's easier to make progress with a horse if you know their history, but more often than not, we don't.  She came to us with a halter on.  A very tight halter that was rubbing sores all over her face and making an indentation across the bridge of her nose.  Well, just walking up to Crazy 8 and taking that halter off was NOT going to happen. But it was prioritized as our first task due to the eventual consequences a tight halter like that will cause. We have spent the past several weeks standing with her, moving her around the pen, approaching/retreating, offering treats, etc.  And, finally, being able to get the halter off.  It was as if she breathed a sigh of relief.  As did we. 

We have decided to call her Ocho, instead of Crazy 8.  She's not crazy.  She's smart. She's learned behavior that protects herself.  And hopefully, she will learn that she's no longer in danger. That no one is going to hurt her.  That most humans are good. She will be a challenge for our staff but we think she's worth it.  Paying for professional training is not something we can usually afford in our tight budget, but it might become necessary with this particular mare.  Difficult and unsafe horses are almost impossible to adopt out, for very good reason.  We are so appreciative of our GlobalGiving donors. The funds raised increase our ability to provide the best care for the rescued horses and move them closer toward adoption. 

Links:

• Website
• Facebook Page
• Instagram