Through the years, we have seen nearly everything when it comes to neglect of horses, donkeys, mules and miniatures.
Yesterday, in addition to picking up a feral mare that had lived for a long time without herdmates, we were asked to accept a desperate miniature stallion with some of the most extreme elf shoes on all four feet we’ve witnessed.
This older boy was living a tiny shed that was just a few feet wide, as best the volunteers could tell. Animal Control had been called and wanted action quickly.
Our main facility was many hours away, so a previous adopter who lived locally picked this boy, now named Squeak, up for us and took him to a foster, Black Star Stables, until we can pick him up today or a bit later this week, for diagnostics.
The heartbreaking part of feet like this is that there is often such rotation that the even miniatures horses can’t be comfortable after the damage is done internally.
ONLY X-rays can show what kind of damage has been done to him due to these many years of extensive neglect. Fixing this properly, if X-rays, are promising, is typically something we leave to vet farriers at Rood and Riddle in Lexington. It takes a long time to correct, when it is possible.
This boy is darling, and in addition to needing this cruel situaiton with his feet addressed, he will need vet care and gelding surgery, in time.
He can barely walk, and when he arrived to his foster, they said the clean shavings were very inviting to him, but he can’t get down and roll or move like a horse should be able to because of his feet.
We did have the volunteer team cut ONLY the excess that curls at the tops for now, to allow him to move more freely and possibly realize he can now lay down, can now roll.
It would not have taken much of anything to prevent this. But here we are.
Please understand, this cost to accept multiple equines in a single day with significant logistics and concerns that need addressed before they can hope to find a home is massive.
We always need those who appreciate our work to consider making a one time or monthly donation. It is the only way we can keep saying yes and helping.
Become a donor through our website at https://www.wvhorserescue.org/donate
