Five Horses Rescued
By Gloria Bell, GERL Area Coordinator
The initial call I received was from a dog rescue association volunteer named Charlotte who was working with a family trying to find homes for many dogs (and other pets). The volunteer communicated that this was a hoarding situation involving many animals and a young lady who lived alone and continued buying pure breeds of all kinds, kept in the home and in pens stationed all around the outside premises. I was informed there were also horses on the property that needed new homes. After explaining the scope of GERL, based on the explanation of the situation, I offered to go to the property and take pictures and assist in developing a flyer to help them find the horses caring homes. It was clear this woman was overwhelmed with the dog situation. I also knew this would also give me an opportunity to see the severity of the situation.
I arrived at the property in a torrential downpour and was met by the resident’s mother, who had driven over to meet me. There were three mares and a colt in the front yard. I took photos while sinking at least a foot in mud that created a ditch surrounding the hay the horses stood in while eating. There were five horses in total. All the mares were in good body condition, but none were up-to-date on Coggins or vaccines, which just complicated the situation that much more. After completing the photos of the horses in the front, I was taken to the back of the property where an older stallion was being kept out of sight and clearly forgotten. There was nothing but standing mud and water; no protection, no food. At first sight of the horse, my heart sank as he was very thin, cold and wet. The day before it rained all day and that night it was 30 degrees. He came straight over to us clearly wanting help and food. I took the pictures and knew this was a rescue situation. He had a body score of 2. The entire grounds were covered with animal feces, diarrhea, and dogs crying and barking in pens out in the pouring rain. While everyone always says they’ve seen worse, this was bad enough and no less important. Witnessing all that I saw was validation, responsible human behavior was entirely absent.
I immediately called Patty Livingston who provided considerable feedback and suggested that we run this case through GERL’s Crisis Intervention program where GERL pays for specific services (hay, feed, vet care, etc.) needed and identified via an application. She explained that this program was originally designed to enable horse owners to keep the horses in their home by receiving temporary help with the care of their horse. However, most of the time, the owner should not own a horse. It was simple, the animals were not being fed consistently and some not at all and they needed to be re-homed, but first we needed to get a vet out there to pull blood and give vaccines.
The mother was trying to get all the animals released to prevent the county or state from getting involved (while dealing with a daughter that was in denial), as it was clear her daughter had lost all logic to the condition of the animals and the potential health risk. My goal was to get the horses and other animals off the premises to safe places before the issue became more complicated. I offered to come out and help feed the animals until we could find homes. I was able to feed the animals on the outside daily, tried getting a goat to come out of one enclosure to eat and discovered he was dead. I learned later he had been there since Christmas. I continued communicating to Charlotte, the dog rescuer, and the mother, who was also the land owner, as I came and went. I also made it clear that the dead animal needed to be removed, as well as the remaining dogs that were suffering out in the cold weather.
The situation had to be handled carefully for various reasons; an illness, a hoarding situation and many unhealthy, deprived animals. Because animal hoarding is usually complicated with an illness, it usually goes without penalty. I had no idea what this fragile owner might do while watching her animals being taken away one by one. I clearly felt her pain and I am not now, nor would I judge the situation or her. What I knew was the young lady’s heart was broken and my concern for her was not far from the urgency in helping the animals.
With the assistance of Charlotte, I received a full release for all five horses and began calling multiple horse recues and others I knew were involved with horses. I kept Patty informed of the situation. Everyone that I was in contact with, worked to help re-home these horses. I was so heartbroken about the entire situation, I decided that unless someone was head over heels for each and every horse, they couldn’t have them. I immediately became very protective of them all. Each interested person followed the application process and received information of the requirements. I spent a great deal of time vetting everyone and working through Patty.
While in process of securing new owners, the vet came out, performed coggins testing, vaccinations and checked if the three mares were pregnant, as they certainly looked it. The vet bill for all five horses was paid by GERL. Many of the potential owners or those referring questioned if the mares were pregnant. The pregnancy results were negative, so we were able to finalize news owners and organize transportation. Slider, the older stallion, was the first to be picked up by a highly experienced, big hearted, “get out of my way of any hurting horse” kind of HERO. She and her husband (confidence written all over them) drove across Georgia in the horrific weather to pick him up. GERL offered to pay 100% of the cost of castrating.
While I never imagined that I would have a horse any time soon, the colt with no name, has been named (Justice) and has a home with us. An amazing gentleman and trainer that has a boarding farm a few miles from our home, transported the colt, after he was finally loaded. Two very strong men (my husband and Randy) were physically challenged that day, by a strong colt. As soon as he has settled in, he will be castrated, thanks to GERL.
The three beautiful mares were picked up the following day by a team of experienced, horsemen/women that had love and experience. The capable woman that was happy to take two of the horses, decided she wanted to keep the three of them together, as they have been for a long time. The mares followed direction and loaded on a trailer that had plenty of room for the massive beauties. As I watched the big trailer pull down the road, all emotion of the entire experience surfaced, and I was so relieved and felt so much joy for these beautiful animals and the amazing people that helped.
While my prayers continue to go out to the family that are dealing with illness, loss and hopefully, healing, I know in my heart that good intentions were there, but unfortunately, they were completely blinded to the neglect. Just removing the animals and then thinking, ‘OK, the case is over’ – that’s never a solution because that hasn’t gotten to the base of the problem.”
Today they are all settled in blissful and safe new worlds. Their days are full of sunshine even when it rains, frequent, consistent, healthy meals, and a peacefulness that they are starting to count on. They enjoy being touched, groomed and even cuddled. The stallion was just castrated at 22 years of age and he did well. The new owner provides updates and pictures. The colt will also be gelded in the coming weeks when he is ready. No more breeding, just letting these guys enjoy their life.
THE HEROS: Thankfully there are wonderful, compassionate people who act when they see animals in distress or suffering. Thanks to these HEROS (listed below), they are amazing and continue to find room for “one more” when the neglect and abuse gets worse every day.
Patty Livingston
Patty was always available, and I had her guidance throughout. She is so knowledgeable and has a BIG, BIG heart, regardless of how tough she has to be.
Charlotte Kuehn (The Dog Rescuer) She called us to get help for the horses. She is an Angel.
Leader of the Rescue Pack
https://www.leaderoftherescuepack.com/
Rescued over 1,300 dogs in the Northeast (Connecticut) from Georgia, Tennessee and New York Shelters.
Charlotte partners with founder of Leader of the Rescue Pack in the N.E. to re-home dogs the are in need of rescue. Charlotte has been instrumental in re-homing all the dogs for the current situation to homes locally.
Lee & Phil Rast (Lee was my contact)
Red Clay Equine Sanctuary
Lee is an Area Coordinator with GERL (I wasn’t aware she was a coordinator at the time I called). Lee was very helpful, she referred the new owner of the stallion who at a moment’s notice came and rescued him.
Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. of Georgia is Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Lee was amazing support and a wealth of knowledge. She was willing to take the mares or at least one, however, with the response of loving and capable rescuers, we were able to keep her freed up for the possible of home other horses.
She referred us to the Stallions new owner who drove across Georgia at a moment’s notice to get him.
Susan Clegg
Experienced Horse Owner, Rescuer, Animal Advocate
Dahlonega, GA
Just who the stallion needed. Her and her husband were on the road to pick up the stallion. You can tell by her demeanor, she knows what she is doing, she’s so calming and takes control. She was referred to us by Lee Rast.
Rhonda Jackson
Begin Again Farms
Ellerslie, GA
https://beginagainfarms.com/
While she is maximum capacity, she never stops helping, giving advice and taking in “one more”. I have personally seen her jump in her truck and drive anywhere to get a horse in need. Her farm is truly a rescue and sanctuary of love and compassion. She was willing and ready to take the colt as a rescue until we found a forever home.
Andrea Otwell
Board Member of the Troup County Saddle Club
She provided excellent advice from the beginning of my contacting her and has the three mares all together with her, a forever home. The day they came to get the mares, she brought along very experienced and capable friends and one being a trainer and a junior trainer (2 years old). Tracy (experienced rider), Daniel (Trainer) and Little Noah (Trainer in Training)
Randy Ramsey
Ramsey Farms
Trainer and Boarding Facility (Georgia)
Randy was also highly experienced and a wealth of knowledge. He agreed to board the colt for us until we have a pasture and facility ready. He went to pick up the colt and I was thankful we had an experienced trainer with us. Justice, the colt, is pretty calm and good but loading him on a trailer was definitely a sight to see. Justice will have a forever home with Chet and Gloria Bell. He currently has his own stall in a wonderful barn with 6 other horses.
There were so many others that offered to take the horses and provided advice, to name a few:
Lori Wood, Member of the Troup Saddle Club
Brandi Key, Bowden, GA
This was my first horse rescue, you need not worry about a lack of experience with horses. Skills can be taught, I learned a lot; however, the qualities I found most valuable were kindness, compassion, common sense, ability to work with people and love for animals.
Thank you all again for your love, kindness and support!
God Bless you all!
Gloria Bell
Area Coordinator, Coweta and Fayette Counties
Sometimes we just do not have the words to describe the depth of our emotion…and something that lies a little deeper but remains undefined. The few words that do come to mind are commitment, empathy…and heartbreak.
