Hope for Horses, an equine rescue group, was contacted by Lewisville, TX Animal Control on Friday, October 23 to come out and investigate approximately 30 horses that the owner was willing to surrender. Upon arrival, they found 60+ horses, mostly Ponies of America (POA), in various stages of starvation and neglect. Also uncovered were the carcasses of one horse and one foal that had just died and been dragged to the rear of the property within the last day or two. There was a third partially decayed body in another location that the owner did not even know about, and skeletal remains of at least five other horses.
One unfortunate foal has a broken leg and will need to be put down immediately. The onsite veterinarian concurred that the injury happened about a month ago and that euthanization is the only option. This is a herd with many mares, foals, yearlings, two year olds, and unfortunately many stallions. It appeared the owner did not separate the stallions, and the herd multiplied quickly as the land began to disappear and food became scarce.
Animal Control, City Police and a local vet have been assisting with the situation. There are now round bales in the pastures and Animal Control has told the owner he must buy square bales this weekend to feed horses in the stalls/pens. Hope for Horses is coordinating this huge rescue, and is desperately scouting locations to transport these horses to where they will have space, shelter, and proper care.
Hope for Horses
Hope for Horses is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit horse rescue group located in Blue Ridge, TX and run by Anastasia Keyser. Just this past March, Hope for Horses took in 15 additional starvation cases as a result of a seizure by Denton County Animal Control, and they are currently caring for over 30 rescued horses.
“The irony of this particular situation is that the owner did not ask for help earlier, and now he is requesting all of the horses to be off his property by Monday, October 23rd,” states Keyser. “We are reaching out to every emergency response team and rescue group we can think of.”
How You Can Help
Keyser is seeking separate holding locations and would welcome any suggestions. She also needs lots of volunteers! Horse lovers in the area are encouraged to volunteer their time to help with providing care and love for the neglected horses. Hope for Horses needs immediate assistance with hauling, as well as financial and food donations. Ultimately these rescued horses will need foster or “forever” homes.
Hope for Horses Equine Rescue, Inc.
9381 Country Road 470,
Blue Ridge, TX 75424
Photos courtesy of Anastasia Keyser