The Bickleton 4 horses came to us from a law enforcement call.  A neglect complaint was called into the sheriffs office and upon investigation the deputy suggested a volunteer surrender of the horses.  Within hours of the phone call, Sound Equine Options volunteers hit the road with 2 trailers to take ownership of Shadow, Elvis, Sassy & Clifford.

The horses lived at a snow covered, high elevation with no shelter.  In their condition, lying down on the cold snow would have dropped their body temperatures to a deadly low level.  With lack of adequate food and water, the horses were spending all their energy on standing and fighting to stay alive.  Unfortunately, they had to digest their own fat and muscle reserves to survive. One horse had already died at the location before we arrived.

After the 3 hour trailer ride back with SEO, Elvis stumbled out of the trailer weak and tired. Once in stalls with dry warm bedding they collapsed in relief and exhaustion.

After a week of careful observation and slowly building up the horses caloric intake, they were moved into loving foster homes.  Over the last 7 weeks they have been gaining weight and the spark has returned into their eyes.

 As with most horses that have experienced extreme malnutrition, they came into SEO’s program with rough coats that lacked any oil.  Their skin was dry, irritated, flakey and infested with lice.  Once the horses have been gaining weight and there are enough calories available to go into their coats, the shedding starts. Foster moms have been putting in countless numbers of hours grooming and removing piles of hair.  Currently the horses are halfway through the shedding process and we anxiously await the arrival of their new beautiful, healthy coats!  

Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of the Bickleton 4.  They are on the road to health, training and wonderful new forever homes!

  YOU are the reason we can help them.  Thank you for your continued support!