NEWS
Maryland rescue farm takes on 26 neglected horses
Posted: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 5:54 PM
HORSE RESCUED BY DAYS END FARM
Courtesy of Days End Farm
by Frank Angst
A Western Maryland Horse Rescue farm’s resources are being pushed to the limit after adding 26 horses neglected and on the verge of starvation from a nearby farm.
Days End Farm in Woodbine, Maryland, welcomed the 26 horses that were left with cattle and goats on a five-acre farm in nearby Garrett County. All of the horses were malnourished and many were in critical condition and nearing starvation.
There were numerous piles of horse and cow carcasses also found on the five-acre pasture.
The addition of the 26 horses is the largest single rescue for Days End and brings the all-volunteer farm equine population to a record number of 92. Because of the extra care needed to bring the 26 horses back from starvation, the farm anticipates an added expense between $60,000 and $70,000.
“This is the largest single impound in the history of the county, it’s the largest impound Days End has ever taken, and our total herd is now the largest it’s ever been,” said Sue Mitchell, director of development for Days End. “But the bottom line is there was nowhere else for these horses to go. This is what we do, and that’s why these horses are here.”
Garrett County animal control officers are gathering evidence in the investigation of the farm owner. As for the horses, Days End hopes to nurse them back to health.
“They’re doing as well as can be expected,” Mitchell said. “With that said, their health is not good. Every single one of them ranges from poor to critical.”
Because of the poor condition of the horses that arrived on May 14, it is difficult to determine their breed. Typically, about one-third of Days End horses are Thoroughbreds. Mitchell said Days End has done well in placing its Thoroughbreds, enjoying a 94% success rate.
The American Humane Association’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services will aid Days End and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in caring for the horses.
“Our highly trained Red Star emergency responders were eager to assist these horses and we are pleased to also provide a grant to offset some of the expensive medical treatments these horses require,” said Debrah Schnackenberg, director of animal emergency services for the American Humane Association.
The American Humane Association will donate $9,000, but Mitchell emphasized that more help is needed.
“This is a strain on every level for this organization,” Mitchell said.
As horse rescue numbers increase, Mitchell could not come up with one explanation.
“The bad economy is an underlying concern when it comes to impounds, but it is nowhere near covering all of the reasons horses are winding up in this condition,” Mitchell said. “Regardless of the circumstances that led to this, there’s simply no excuse.”
For more information on Days End Horse Rescue, click here.
Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Maria Hille, Washington, DC, DC on May 21, 2010 at 06:30 PM
I am totally out of words. Whoever left these horses to struggle on their own is too inhumane and cruel.
The horse standing on its own feces, was it fed and not clean? Did the keeper die?
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Posted by: cherry, Industry, TX on May 20, 2010 at 02:38 PM
For God sake---all you horse lovers and owners out there, PLEASE donate a small amount to help these poor things. If we all donate even a tiny bit, all together it can and will make a very big difference.
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Posted by: Patti, Richmond, VA on May 20, 2010 at 12:06 PM
I won't say it is a wonderful article, but it is a necessary article. If education is part of the answer, maybe these kind of articles will help.
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