Abuse pony saved

[gdp1]

These are pictures on an abused pony we managed to get away from its owner and is now safe at one of our volunteer foster homes. I think his are the worst feet I have encountered. the first two pic are the back feet and the last is the fromt. The little guy was way under weight and severally dehydrated due to its water source being frozen. Our Farrier trimmed his feet and said it will take several more times over several months to get him back to normal. He may have some permanent damage to bone and tendons. We are now working on getting two others horses away from the same owner.


mta: I moved this post to the general board for greater visibility cause I think it's important for us to recognize - even after a rough day like yesterday - we ARE saving horses. We need to celebrate the ones we are able to save, even while we grieve the ones we lose.

And, way to go gdp1!! Good luck on getting the other ones to safety! Caly

[earlybp]

Good Lord! This is so sad. Where are you located? Do you need help?

[swissgrl]

WOW, those poor little feet. Thanks for getting him out of that bad situation, and into a save, loving home.

[tfrancis]

The pics make me sick to my stomach. It doesn't cost THAT MUCH to have a farrier come out every couple of months.

God bless you for helping him.

To bad my neighbors friend didn't live next to them. She came and talked to us about our mini. Asked if we had a vet and farrier for him. This is because he has cronic diarreah, so his little rump gets nasty some times. The cherries he got into didn't help either. At least she talked to us before reporting us. The farrier comes out every three months and the vet every time he sniffles.

Please keep us updated

[cybercat]

What can we do to help?

Do you have any more specifics on the pony? His age, history, how long the previous owners (and I use the terms loosely here) had him in their care? and the other equines on the property are full size horses?

[maloney]

Oh my gosh! That could be YEARS of hoof growth. The poor thing.

Thank you sooo much for save that poor little pony!!! Nice job!

Please let us know if you need anything.

[beejoyfulmk]

where and what can we do....food...tack ect

[calypso]

gdp1 runs Broken Oaks Equine Retirement Center

their web link: brokenoaks.org/index.htm

their list on our boards: rescuesonly.proboards59.com/index.cgi?board=wa&action=display&thread=1166237465

(They are located on the Washington side the Columbia Gorge just NE of Mt. Hood.)

[pnp4kidz]

Hi all,
the 'good' news is that there won't be any damage to his bones or tendons just from that growth of hoof.
it looks to me to be about a full growth of hoof wall, which is about 6 mo to a year of growth. He has quite hardy feet to not chip, which is common in ponies!!!
It WILL take a few trims but his feet will look normal again, and he should be just fine! I know that seems so odd, but hooves are wonderful things.
Awsome of you to take him on, and bless you for getting him the care he needs.
Beth
Founder Rehab Ranch

[watermarkfarm]

Good for you! I have taken on several little ones with feet like this. Beth is right, it is not as bad as it seems. A few trims and you will be surprised how well he does. You know it is bad when the farrier has to use a hacksaw!!!

Shame on those owners for letting him get that bad. How are his teeth? He is really darling.

We have a shetland here who was terribly abused in years past------tied to a fence with baling wire wrapped around her neck and left. The wire cut down into her neck, down into her crest. It damaged an optic nerve, so she has one eye missing. Even so, she is the kindest, best pony one could ever wish for! This guy will love you forever for helping him so.

Katie

[sunlightslady]

How sad for both ponies some people are so careless and unfeeling I am glad that they are safe

[gdp1]

It may be true that the hoof growth in itself is usually reparable but there are many complications neglect can cause. When you have a case like this you have to consider the malnutrition, the horses age, how long his feet have been this way, possible injuries from not being able to walk correctly, the type of ground he has been on, and other things. Every case has to be evaluated and treated individually.

The details on this guy are complicated. This little guy, Jake, we call him is in his mid twenties. The owner of him and the other two full size horses passed away in October 2006. Obviously he was not taking very good care of the horses before his death. One of his relatives took over and moved onto the farm where the horses are kept. This relative knows nothing about and appears not to be concerned about caring for any of the animals on the place. We have repeatedly tried to work with him and other relatives and have managed to get this pony, a dog, and a couple of cats into foster care. We have not been allowed on the property to examine the other horses although we have managed to see them from a distance. We have not taken legal steps yet but we may have to. Its a bad winter this year and we fear the reaming two horses are suffering.