Rescuing horses requires more than a big heart.

The means to feed them is pretty important, too.

Sad news story out of Florida.

Brief synopsis of news story:
Don't rescue what you can't care for

Full article from July 29:
Dozens of horses need homes now

NOTE: Video on news site shows
many more malnourished horses
than photo gallery does.

Now, I'm not one to call a skinny horse STARVING ... but I see worse than simply "underweight" in that video!

Authorities in our area would have seized the horses and pressed charges against the owner of this rescue.

This is one image from the photo gallery. I'm starting to think to myself, maybe ALL of them are not as skinny ...

But then I kept looking.

The nearest horse, on the right, is in thin, poor condition. Even in the distance, I can see very pronounced spines.

So I decided to watch the accompanying video.

We get a pretty good look at this horse, as she walks it past the camera, through obstacles. Another very thin horse.

Another really thin one, on the left in this screencap. Spine and hip bones clearly protruding. Ignore the size of the belly (not a good indicator of body condition); note the young foal lying in front of her.

What are the chances that these mares were bred—by any ungelded colt on site—while at this "rescue" home?

She has just passed that skinny horse (right behind her now) and approaches this one, in similarly bad condition. You may not see ribs, but there is no fat padding along the spine or tail head, and you can see how thin the hindquarters are in relation to the "fat" (post-pregnancy) belly. And look, another young foal.

What are the chances that these mares received adequate care and feeding throughout pregnancy?

A final screencap ... some hindquarters (second from left) show adequate roundness, while others (pretty much every other horse visible here) clearly drop away from the spine and tailhead which is a sign of extremely poor condition.

This is another time I agree with some of what the Fugly Horse of the Day blogger has to say, especially concerning what is a rescue and what isn't. (I do not agree with her anti-slaughter stance.)

I'm not out to pick on this poor woman who has by all accounts had a rough streak of luck. I don't think I'm better than anyone.

I'm here in hopes of educating those who might otherwise believe that they can run out and "rescue" unwanted horses since they've got a few acres for them to live on. Horses are very expensive to maintain properly.

I know the costs of hay and grain for two horses. The costs of dewormer, vaccinations and routine farrier care. Fly spray and joint supplements as needed. The cost of emergency farm calls when a horse is critically sick or injured.

It's not just about money, either, but the amount of time spent checking over legs, hooves, skin, eyes, vitals for any problems or changes on a regular basis. Keeping water supply full and clean, applying fly spray, separating some individuals to give supplements as needed, etc.

There is no way that over 60 horses are getting adequate care from ONE person working full time and also supporting dozens of other animals including cats, dogs, poultry and smaller livestock.

I can point to many current neglect cases where there are charges pending against owners whose horses are in this condition, or not even as bad.

Please, if you feel the need to send money, support the Estates Feed store in Naples that is donating feed until the horses can be placed.

Or maybe a local vet who will geld all the colts for a reduced fee.

This isn't a rescue. This is a needs-to-be-rescued. If you're in the Naples, Florida area and can give one or two horses a good home, please check into that.

In closing, I wish her, her family, and all of her animals the best.

XP