Yes, older Thoroughbreds are notorious for being skinny, hard keepers.
But she is malnourished, plain and simple. Whatever they were doing, wasn't working.
The attending vet gave her a 40% chance of survival.
You can't throw hay and grain at a horse in this condition without dire consequences—she needs to be slowly, slowly brought back around due to the stress on her internal organs.
More as the news (the real news from those involved, not the written-for-ratings version from the media) unfolds surrounding this case.
The video is here:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1111405973/bclid1137706675/bctid1703414360
As an aside—I'm concerned that the tendency seems to lean toward taking ALL of the animals, including healthy ones, and dispersing them (the rescue claims to be looking for homes for them) before the accused go to trial.
Remember: innocent until proven guilty. Proof is important.
Comments on the news story already harken to villagers with lanterns and pitchforks, but personal experience and knowledge of the conditions at local horse auctions tells me that I should hear both sides of the story before rushing to judgment. Here is the comment I added to the article feedback:
I would love to hear the horse owners' side of the story. I was one of few who thought that Jackson County should not have seized the 69 allegedly neglected horses at Turn 3 Ranch and it turns out I was right—a judge ruled in their favor and ordered Jackson County to reimburse the owners. (It couldn't return the horses as it sold them all, some to slaughter!)
The media convicted the owners on unsubstantiated rumor, such as saying they hadn't been fed or watered for months, but the sworn testimony of the case led to the dismissal of the felony torture charges. Check turn3vsjcac.blogspot.com for more.
I will reserve my judgment on this case until I hear both sides, but a photo I was emailed of one of the horses shows an emaciated horse. Perhaps they did receive her in that condition; have you seen some of the horses at auction these days? The owners will have to prove that they were taking measures to improve her condition. I don't believe the authorities should have seized any healthy horses on the premises.
XP
3 comments:
Everybody always wants me to comment on the Turn3 case but I admit I have my own opinion on that which is:
Unless you are FILTHY RICH, there is NO WAY you are properly caring for 50+ horses.
NO WAY.
I know how much labor is involved in regularly caring for - feed, scrubbing water tubs, grooming, hoof care, deworming, vet care, etc. for a herd that large. Most people who have them are not doing the job. So I tend to think that the Turn3 seizure was valid - certainly from the pics I saw, it was - but was it horribly mishandled after that? OH HELL YES.
Happens all the time. AC is rarely equipped to properly care for the horses either.
I don't know what a good solution is. It's an ongoing problem.
You make excellent points.
I agree with some, disagree with others, but I'm sure we can agree that Jackson County sending "rescued" horses to auction where kill buyers are known to have picked up several, that's just insane.
Owners getting overwhelmed, accidents and weather compounding issues—these are not reasons to steal horses. Intentional abuse—like the case of that mare that was dragged and beaten, left for dead—that is good reason to prosecute.
Maybe it could have played out differently if the rescue had offered to help the owners seek adequate care, rather than the state police coming in and taking the healthy with the old and thin.
True, there are no easy solutions.
Update #1:
Screencaps from news video.
Update #2:
Arrest in alleged neglect case.
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