Charley and Speck

Last Friday, August 12, I received a call about two starving horses.  The caller was a local benefactor to our animal shelter which is only set up to handle dogs and cats.  This gentleman is an animal lover to the tune of about a million dollar donation to the local shelter last year.  He had called a horse rescue prior to calling me but they wouldn't take them in this condition, so he
called me.  


I had bought a horse trailer a couple of years ago so that in an emergency I could transport my horses, I have 4, to the vet.  The trailer was still where we had parked it a couple of years ago.  This is where Steve came to the rescue.  We have to go figure out how to hook up a goose neck trailer.  We had not tried to do so since we had the apparatus installed on our truck.  After scratching our heads a couple of times and a few mishaps, we finally got her hooked up and ready to go.  Cowboys, we are not, even though we do have cattle.  As you would expect, and much to my relief, Steve was the driver!

Now we are off to town to meet up with the sheriff's deputy to go get the horses.  Luckily the deputy in charge is a "cowboy" and knows about horses.  He does not know that a truck pulling a horse trailer cannot keep up with him in traffic, but we do get there.  Speck is ready to go as I guess he figures that anyplace will have more food than the joint where he has been living.  Charley was not so easy.  He's a smaller horse, but was very skittish.  The deputy was able to hook him to the lead rope by enticing him with food  Next was getting him into the trailer.  He was slow to get loaded, but he did not live up to our expectations.  He was a docile baby once we got him inside.  


The trip home was uneventful, until Steve and I, who were dying of thirst had to stop at the Del Rio General Store to get some water.  As our luck would be, two couples were riding motorcycles and chose to do the same thing.  Unfortunately, they were ready to go before we were.  I hoped their bike would not be that loud, but of course it was.  All I could think was that the skittish horse that I had in the back of the trailer was going to get really upset.  Again, he was a sweet little baby and never made a move.


We made our way to the farm which was another six miles.  We then unloaded the boys with no trouble.  Their main concern was the new grass that they had at their disposal.  We put a bale of hay in and gave them a small amount of food.  You cannot start feeding a starving horse with a lot of feed as it can kill them or at least cause them to founder.  By the next morning, I was able to touch Charley on the neck.  I could do anything to Speck as long as food was involved.


I have now had them for five days, and each day I have increased their food.  Slightly, but more each day.  They  can have all the hay that they want, limited pasture and limited alfalfa.  Starting yesterday, I have been able to rub Charley all over.  I have not attempted to pick up his feet, but I may try that tomorrow.  Speck still only walks and both his hind legs are stiff.  Charley neighs when he sees me now and Speck tries, but only gets out what I would describe as a long grunt.

The vet comes tomorrow so I will have some idea as to what I am looking at with Speck.  I think that Charley, after worming, will be ready to go.  I will continue to keep them together as horses are herd animals and do better when other horses are around.  It will be awhile before I can introduce Speck to my other boys as he is too weak and they would push him around as horses are big into pecking order.  


I will continue to update this blog so that you can see the progress of these boys and I will probably branch out a little so you can see some of the other animals.  Poplar Springs Farm is a wonderful place for animals, and humans alike!