Seven Horses, One Call for Help
The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:
Each December, we reflect on the horses who came through our gates and the journeys made possible by this community. These December Stories honor where they’ve been, the care they received, and the second chances that followed.
As we share today’s story, we’re also in the final three days of the year, a meaningful moment for the horses still in our care. Their needs don’t pause as the calendar turns. They continue to rely on us for feed, veterinary and farrier care, safe shelter, and daily hands-on support. Your year-end support helps carry that care forward into the new year and ensures we’re ready when the next call for help comes.
Thank you for standing with us as we close out this year and look ahead to the next chapter, made possible by compassion, commitment, and community.
Today’s story reminds us why that support matters.
LUCKY SEVEN
In August 2025, AAE was called to help in a heartbreaking neglect case, this time involving nine horses.
These horses belonged to an elderly couple, and their once primary caretaker became bedridden a long time prior. Unfortunately, the care responsibilities fell upon her spouse; he wasn’t a horse person, and apparently, he didn’t have the knowledge and experience to provide proper care (a powerful reminder of how important it is to make long-term plans for the animals we love).
When help arrived, two of the horses were in such dire condition that the kindest, most compassionate choice was to help them across the Rainbow Bridge. If there had been a way to save them, we would have tried.
The remaining seven horses (two stallions, one gelding, and four mares, including a gentle 30-year-old BLM mare) were brought to AAE in urgent need of care. All required dental and hoof care, along with deworming, vaccinations, and microchipping. Several needed further diagnostics, including possible radiographs and bloodwork. The two stallions required castration, and one mare needed extended treatment for severe, chronic fetlock sores. Another had a deep laceration in her jaw area. The horses also needed appropriate nutrition. One mare’s prognosis was uncertain due to serious hoof issues, but she had a chance, and she deserved it.
Below, we’ll introduce them individually and share what we’ve learned about each over the past few months.
BRIA
Bria is a big, 20-ish, beautiful paint mare. Though she was thin, though her bodyweight wasn’t as bad as others. This girl has been through a lot, and there’s no mistaking it. When she arrived, not only did she have two horrific chronic lay-down sores on her front fetlocks, but she had some challenging handling and behavioral issues. To say she was pushy, forceful, and headstrong puts it mildly. Understandable after being cooped up for years, but not acceptable. Her hooves were long, her teeth were bad, and she needed considerable handling to move forward with fetlock treatments. We got the basics taken care of right away: dental and hoof care, vaccines, deworming, and a microchip. That was the easy part.
Bria had the works shortly after arrival: dental and hoof care, vaccines, deworming, and she got a microchip. She was also started on a daily Equioxx to help with arthritis. Her fetlock sores were actually chronic summer sores. After debriding, they needed cleaning, treating, and rewrapping every other day or two. The last couple months, twice a week, and here we are. Until recently, she slept on her fetlocks regularly. So, at least for now, she’s wearing fetlock shields to protect her freshly healed skin. So far, so good.
Bria has come a long way in the last 4-1/2 months. Her fetlocks healed, her handling and behavior have improved, and her hooves are much better, but her mind is still a work in progress. She’s become much more agreeable and easier to handle in her own space, but she continues to lose confidence (and sometimes she loses her mind) when taken out of her paddock. She has no social skills with other horses, and she cannot be trusted. She picks fights, and she causes a ruckus wherever she goes. Anyone interested? LOL! Kidding! She’s not ready, yet. We’re taking Bria’s challenges one step at a time. Let’s hope she appreciates her freedom and learns to enjoy open space and other horses.