Rare Horses Rescued from CO Now Finding Forever Homes!

Petsmart Charities Helps Rare Peruvian Horses Saved from Cruelty and Neglect to Start New Life

Posted by: Rita Sharma, Best Friends Network

Beautiful Peruvian Paso gelding & three mares saved from severe Colorado neglect case by joint effort of animal lovers in six states will join their 11 rescued companions in Arizona this month
(Phoenix, AZ).

The final Peruvian Paso gelding and three Peruvian Paso mares who survived a severe neglect case affecting 15 horses in Colorado have been rescued. The final four horses were rescued by Boulder resident, Rita Anderson, with the help of Colorado horse lovers. They are being fostered in Colorado by Julie Hillyard, a compassionate Peruvian horse lover who assisted in their rescue. The horses will come to Arizona this month and will be cared for and trained in Arizona in preparation for adoption by the Conquistador Program and Conquistador coalition member, Hacienda de los Milagros Animal Sanctuary (HDLM).

Background:
In May 2007 the first 11 Peruvians from this case were rescued by Rita Anderson and Colorado horse lovers. With much assistance from an emergency relief grant from PetSmart Charities and additional assistance from Petco Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, In Defense of Animals and by compassionate horse lovers, the Conquistador Program and HDLM, arranged for the care and placement of the first 11 Peruvian horses who were held in deplorable conditions in Colorado. The December rescue of the final four horses brings the total number to 15 of these rare Peruvians saved by a joint effort of animal welfare organizations and horse lovers across 6 states and brings to an end an ongoing neglect case that affected scores of horses and spanned a 20 year period. In December, the Colorado resident responsible for the neglect violated his probation terms related to the horses leading to revocation of his probation and a warrant being issued for his arrest. The final four Peruvians were signed over to Rita Anderson and Dr. Pat Haight in early December.

Horses who will be up for adoption:
Eight of the horses rescued earlier last summer have been placed in permanent loving homes. Through an emergency relief grant from PetSmart Charities, the final four Peruvians received their necessary veterinary care. An additional invitational horse grant from PetSmart charities to the Conquistador Program and HDLM, will allow all of the remaining seven Peruvians looking for homes to receive three months of professional training in preparation for adoption. The horses who will be up for adoption include the stunning five-year-old chestnut gelding named Capitaz and six mares ranging in age from 3 years to 14 years.

The Peruvian Paso horse (Caballo Peruano de Paso):
The Peruvian Paso horse numbers only about 12,000 in North America and a little over 60,000 in the world. In Peru, the Caballo Peruano de Paso, is considered a national treasure and a living monument to the country’s heritage. The Peruvian is directly descended from the original Andalusian horses brought by the Spanish to Peru over 400 years ago. The pure Peruvian horse can trace its lineage directly back to the original Spanish horses brought to Peru and ultimately to the 28 thousand year-old Iberian horse of Spain. The Peruvian Paso has been called the most exciting horse in the world and is celebrated for its magnificent beauty, gentle nature mixed with pride and arrogance (brio), stunning presence under saddle, and its unique 100% natural from birth gait or piso, considered to be the smoothest in the world. When shown, the Peruvian wears no shoes to assure that the spectacular lateral 4 beat gait is 100% natural.

Adoption fees for the horses after training are $1500.00 each. Adoptive homes will be carefully screened. For information on adopting the Peruvians call: Dr. Pat Haight at 480-232-8068 or Wynne Zaugg at 928-533-0684 or email: adoption@conquistadorprogram.org.

To view photographs of the Peruvians log on to WWW.CONQUISTADORPROGRAM.ORG and click on “Breaking News: Final Four Colorado Peruvians Rescued.”

###
THE CONQUISTADOR EQUINE RESCUE & ADVOCACY PROGRAM • 2121 SOUTH MILL AVENUE, SUITE 103
TEMPE, AZ • 480-232-8068 • WWW.CONQUISTADORPROGRAM.ORG •
A REGISTERED 501C3 CHARITY

Photo provided courtesy of Dr. Pat Haight