We were contacted by the City of El Mirage regarding twelve severely neglected horses to be removed from a property by court order. On February 2, Mike, Brandon, Alan, Chad, and Jim took three trailers (including our big stock trailer) and l headed to El Mirage. It took two trips and about 8 hours to remove all the horses. These horses were thin to emaciated, and were standing in two feet of muck and mud in 10 x 10 stalls. Their frogs are rotted out of their feet, their feet were malformed, some laminitic, and extremely long - almost flippers.
The horses had never received proper care, or handling, so it took lots of expertise and calmness to get them in the trailers. Once at the ranch, there were two stud pens waiting, and the rest of the horses, except for one desperately ill little mare, were set free in the upper turnout. These horses, though none could walk properly, were overjoyed with their new freedom. Within hours the horses were walking up to Brandon and Mike.
We are very thankful that the City of El Mirage pursued this case for over a year in order to get these horses to safety. It will take a minimum of six months to get them in adoptable condition. All will need inoculations and several hoof trims. Right now you cannot even think of touching a hind foot.
We figure supporting these horses physically and medically for six months will cost approximately $12,500 - castrations, tranquilizers, antibiotics, inoculations, hoof work, and hay and necessary grain and supplements.
We desperately need your support in this endeavor. Remember, we have 47 other horses and burros to support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - these beautiful horses deserve a chance at the life they should have had!
