>Oh my gawd, I must have missed if there is a story behind this horse but I >would have to agree it looks like this poor horse must be very >uncomfortable. > I contacted the owner and found out more about her:
>Strawberry is a 4 yr old TWH mare in need of a good home. Her back was >injured several years ago in an attack by a pack of dogs. The muscles along >her >back were injured. Her owners did not seek medical treatment. As a result >the wound did not heal properly and has left her disfigured with a hump in >her >back. Although she looks quite abnormal, she acts as if she is in no pain. from her depressed expression I would say she definitely IS in pain!> > >I met Strawberry in December 2006 after she had been "saved" from her >original owners. She was enclosed in a very small dirt corral with another >mare w/ >a new colt, several goats, one sheep, hogs and pigs, several turkeys, guinea >hens, chickens and roosters. The owners meant well but were in over their >heads financially and unable to properly feed and care for these animals. >All >the animals were thin and neglected. Their neglect has resulted in the Lee >County Humane Society being involved and requiring them to get rid of all the > >animals. > >During the past year I have taken hay and feed for the animals. I had not >been to the property for several months until early August when a friend and >I >took a new window unit A/C to the family during the recent heat wave. I was >appalled at what I found. There were now 13 goats (one new kid and another >pregnant nanny goat), the one sheep, 9 pigs/hogs, 8 new piglets (one has >since >been trampled and died), and one sheep along with the 3 horses. All of >these animals were in bad shape and highly stressed because of their living >conditions. Food and hay were scarce and there was no shelter or relief from >the >heat. > > >Since that day we have placed the goats and sheep in new permanent homes. >The three horses are being temporarily housed and cared for. The mare and >her >colt will easily find permanent homes, but Strawberry will need to be >adopted by someone who understands her limitations. Because of her back >injury she >is most likely unable to be ridden and it would be inhumane to consider >breeding her (which the previous owner's were planning). "Most likely unable to be ridden"?????? Are you kidding??? > >She was seen by a vet at her previous home one time. ONE time? For an injury like that? >That vet felt that >Strawberry was not in any pain and could live out her years as a pet. The >back >problem is permanent and can not be fixed. > >The good news is after only one week in her new temporary home she is >approachable....she can run like the wind and is enjoying rolling in the >grass! >She has allowed her whiskers to be trimmed and will eat hand-fed treats! Her >hair has been trimmed for a halter path and putting the halter on is the next >step. She already enjoys being scratched and brushed. This horse can be >socialized if given the chance. She gets better every day. We will keep >working with her so she can at least be a pasture pet. We plan to have the >vet and >farrier out this week for her shots, Coggins and a hoof trim. > >She does not have appear to have any medical needs and shouldn't require any >more upkeep than your average horse. She is sound, eats well and gets along >with the other horses. She is at the bottom of the pecking order and so can >get picked on. But she is able to run, buck and kick and can defend herself. >Right now, she is defending herself from a 10 month old, rambunctious colt >and holding her own. We will be moving the colt soon. Well, she'll defend herself until she comes into season, then it'll be "take me take me big boy please" and I'm sure the colt will be only too pleased to oblige. And at 10 months he could well be fertile. Imagine that poor, poor mare having to carry a foal - and then give birth?! >We are hoping to find a place that will allow Strawberry to live in peace >and experience life as a normal horse, even if it is just for a while. She >has >had such a sad and stressful life so far, we would love to see her go to a >safe, rescue facility. If you could help Strawberry, we would be forever >grateful. > >You can see lots of photos of Strawberry at this link: >_http://community.webshots.com/user/sebi2i_ >(http://community.webshots.com/user/sebi2i) Sometimes I wonder about people... Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
