Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre

Horse Rescue Getting Desperate

An urgent call from Almoradi police at the weekend led to the rescue of another five horses. Following hot on the heels of the rescues of Samson and Delilah, we've now taken on seven new rescue horses in less than two weeks, and the situation is getting desperate. Our resources are being stretched to the limit.
However, the horses needed help, and we had to respond.

The worst of the five horses was found loose and close to a main road and police feared it would cause a traffic accident. The other four were tethered on rough ground without food or water.
The horse found by the road (rescue pictured) has a horrific head injury. It was immediately obvious that he was in a dreadful state and we feared he would have to be put to sleep.
He appeared brain damaged and staggered unsteadily with his head to one side as he panicked and tried to run away. But, with his balance too impaired to flee, the poor thing fell and we were able to attend to him. While he lay shocked and disorientated we called horse vet Dorothea, who rushed to the scene.

Dorothea was concerned the horse could have cerebral oedema, and gave him medication to help alleviate this. She said that without x-rays it was impossible to tell how bad the damage was, or if the horse had any chance of recovery. She was worried that the horse was in no condition to travel to the centre, but in the end it was decided this was the horse's only chance. With the horse's balance impaired, it was difficult getting him into the trailer, but he made it on board and, thankfully, back to the centre alive.

X-rays later revealed the horse has a fracture running from his jaw to his ear to his eye. There is a large hole above his eye. At this stage it is not known if the horse has suffered any permanent brain damage, or if he can be saved. With Dorothea's help, we will give him the best chance.

The other four horses - two ponies and two miniatures - were all suffering severe malnutrition. One of the ponies is heavily in foal. One of the minis has an injured eye that has been left without treatment and is rotting in its socket. Dorothea will have to remove the eye.