Okay, here’s a bit of discussion after our “thought experiment” post earlier today. :)
Of course many horses are abused all over the world, and we do not mean to discount anyone or any horse’s experience. Care should always be taken when approaching or working with any horse who has a confirmed history of abuse. Also the video earlier today was not a training video, just trying to highlight the behavior of the horse moving away to avoid uncomfortable proximity or touch, because she is just not accustomed to it especially in this setting.
We want your input!
This is a thought experiment. 🙂 Feel free to share. This is a mare in our care. She is in a stall because she arrived a bit thin and needs a little extra TLC and extra food where she is not bullied. This video shows someone interacting with her in the stall, petting her, catching her, and letting her go. If you saw this video elsewhere, or if this is an experience you have with a horse you bought from a loose pen auction, what would you assume from this interaction? Assume you just met this horse and this is your first interaction.
-Why is she nervous?
-Why does she shy away from a hand?
-Why does she choose to move away (flight) sometimes when we try to get close to her?
Just give your honest thoughts and opinions, whatever they may be. We will come back to discuss later!
*Whew this is catching on! Okay, a few points, this is not about the human, actions in the video were purposeful to demonstrate the behavior. While we appreciate suggestions, training methods, and critique, it’s not exactly the point of the video. The purpose was to collect commentary on the horse’s behavior in response to the human. We purposefully raised a hand over her face, got a bit closer than she was comfortable with, etc in the name of education. Bare with us 🙂❤️ more response later!
**Here’s the follow up! It’s posted now on our page: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15eCR1xzb3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This mare was born feral, learned to come to visiting humans for some food, but is not trained or handled. She was haltered slowly and carefully yesterday with no fireworks and started on leading a bit, but she’s just unhandled. Not abused, not mistreated, just never been in domestication until recently and has healthy reasonable boundaries that she communicates clearly about. She’s a good girl and tolerated us using her boundaries as an example.
Guess who made it to Willow Hope Farm today?!
It’s Miracle!
We cannot thank Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital enough for treating this feral-born kiddo like a priceless princess throughout her stay at the hospital. Everyone is certain she would have soon perished without the careful support she received while in the hospital. She has actually gained more weight than we thought she could in such a short time. She wasted no time in burying her face in a pile of hay (she is safely beyond the risk of refeeding syndrome and on a full diet now). We let her cool off from the trailer ride and then gave her a cozy blanket to keep her warm. Theoretically she just needs time, food, and love now. ❤️
Thank you to everyone who has donated toward her care! Her hospital bill is, of course, quite high but it was worth saving her young little life!
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Want to help? You can donate through our website here: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/give/
Wishlist: https://a.co/4LxLfGk
About KHS Equine C.A.R.E.: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/care/
Adoptable horses and adoption application link: https://www.kyhumane.org/adopt/adoptable-horses/
Get help for horses in need: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/get-help/
Guess who’s back?!
…It’s VICTOR!
He’s been doing great at getting up and down, and just has some meds to keep taking for a while but he’s doing so much better and perky. How perky? When asked to please step over while putting a blanket back on he seemed to say “Would you like me to kick you instead?”, so I guess you could say he’s feeling fairly confident! 😄 Don’t worry, it was a half-hearted threat but it does mean he feels well enough to have an opinion, and if that’s what it takes to get better we guess we are glad he has a bit of sass to him if that’s what helped him persevere and make it though this.
For now he’s happily munching away on the hay in his stall, and we can watch him 24/7 on our surveillance system just to be extra safe.
Thank you volunteer Chris for bringing him back to us! ❤️ (of course she also snuck in some Miracle kisses while she was at the clinic)
Want to help? You can donate through our website here: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/give/
Wishlist: https://a.co/4LxLfGk
Butterball (the mare who convinced many folks her leg was broken as a free-roaming horse in early December) was having some snow day zoomies and bouncies over the weekend with one good dragon-snort thrown in toward the end.
She’s slimming down some from all of the thick fat pads she had on arrival over her body from an inappropriate diet when she lived where MANY folks used to bring her snacks. Most of those snacks were sugar or starch based and not healthy for horses frequently or longterm at all. She’s now on a healthy diet of mostly hay and If she asks you, tell her we said she’s SO FAST, just like your kid when they say “Look what I can do!” 😄.
Handsome Todd says this ice on snow stuff is getting old.
Today was farrier day and Henry was happy to walk back to his pasture with his newly streamlined hooves. So much better than the “elf shoes” he came with. ❤️
Victor update!
Victor did well through the night at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Upon arrival when he was first hoisted up, the vets noted a bit of potential nerve damage in his right front leg. He’s not as stable on it as he should be, but all things considered his electrolytes were back in balance this morning and so his IV fluids were removed. He continues to have a great appetite, he was actually trying to eat grass between attempts to get him up yesterday morning at KHS believe it or not, and immediately upon being dragged into the stall at the clinic he started trying to eat the straw. He’s a hungry boy and they are carefully monitoring his intake to be safe. He does still struggle with cellulitis in the left hind leg, which is being left unwrapped for now so as not to hinder him when attempting to get up and down.
A huge thank you to the team there at RREH and to the always lovely Sarah Coleman who offered to swing by and send us these pics and videos of our determined boy. Looks like he has settled enough to feel that food isn’t something he needs to fight for at this new location and doesn’t appear as cranky as he was upon arrival. Thanks to all who have contributed or send kind words for this young horse who is just lucky to be alive. ❤️
Want to help? You can donate through our website here: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/give/
Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/kyhumane
Wishlist: https://a.co/4LxLfGk
About KHS Equine C.A.R.E.: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/care/
Adoptable horses and adoption application link: https://www.kyhumane.org/adopt/adoptable-horses/
Get help for horses in need: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/get-help/
When we arrived to pickup the recent 10 horses, we found out there were 3 that had previously escaped and were on a sprawling adjoining property. Looked to be a Paso mare and foal, with possibly a Thoroughbred tagging along. The Paso mare would run if she saw you a half mile away, and they had already gotten a bit worked up. Catching them did not seem possible that day.
The Paso mare and foal found a way back through or over the fence onto the original property today and were able to be caught in a catch pen. With the Paso mare no longer running, the other horse was much more catchable too, so both were caught and secured by the good folks of Franklin County. We are so thankful they have helped by working on this.
We are happy to announce all three are on their way to Willow Hope Farm to join their friends. Thank you, so very much, to all the lovely people who have reached out offering to help, donate, foster, share or look up info for us. At this time we are focused on getting all of them the care they need. We don’t foster out horses who are in critical condition so that we can be sure they are getting exactly what they need and can act quickly if something goes wrong, though we appreciate the offers. Also none of the emaciated horses will be adopted out until they are healthier and have been fully evaluated as is our duty to them. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we care for them and promise to continue posting updates.
UPDATE on today’s rescue! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all the well-wishes on our travels today. Please check back for updates as we have more to share.
To donate: https://www.kyhumane.org/equine/give/
Another new update on the new mare from Martin County. We are so pleased with her progress and thankful for all who were invested in the outcome of her rescue.
#horserescue #equinerescue #freeroamingferalhorses #freeroaminghorse #horse #nonprofit
Kentucky Humane Society Equine C.A.R.E.
