Give Health & Purpose to a Neglected Horse

When a foal is born it is surrounded by excitement and future dreams.  When a horse is old and unable to perform at a certain level, it often becomes someone else’s issue. 

I cannot count the number of times someone has contacted us asking us to take in their older horse that “just needs a year of rehabilitation”, “is the best horse ever but cannot be ridden any longer” or “is trained to the hilt but requires $150 of medication every month”. 

Not only is the “dream” for these horses over, they will be lucky to receive basic care.  After years of doing what humans have asked of them, they often end up starved and forgotten. This is the case with Thelma and Louise.

 Louise was born in 1991 with strong racing quarter horse bloodlines.  Her sire was a grandson of Native Dancer, a famous racehorse.  Her first race was at the tender age of 2 years old.  She went on to race a total of 21 starts.  14 of those in her last year on the track at the age of 4.  Judging by the massive, arthritic chip in her front fetlock she was probably injured. 

Her life as a broodmare had begun.  She sired multiple racehorses over the years when the market was strong.  As time went by her value to her owner declined, and so did her care.  She lived on acres of barren pasture along with up to 60 other horses.  She obviously did not get enough food, has not had farrier care for at least a year and no medication to ease the discomfort of her arthritis caused by racing.

Thelma undoubtedly has a similar story.  She is about 20 years old but we have been unable to found out about her past.  She came from the same racing Quarter Horse farm as Louise.

Over the last few years several of their pasture mates died.  They quietly “disappeared”.  Thankfully law enforcement stepped in and took them out of the situation.  Now what happens?  Who wants 20+ year old mares? 

We cannot take them all, but Thelma and Louise are now safe.  We will give them care and attention over the next few months until they are healthy. Then, if they are comfortable and not in pain, the search for a responsible, loving home will begin. We will check in on them and if something does not work out in that home, they will always return to us.  That is what responsible owners do...