The End of a Long Nightmare
- Breed – Appaloosa Mare
- Entry Date – 6/6/18 at Age 7
- Type of rescue – Surrender to Jackson County Sheriff’s Department
- Reason – Chronic Neglect and Serious Injury
- Special needs – Wound Treatment
- Story catch – The End of a Long Nightmare
Maria is a striking Appaloosa mare who we have known for more than five years. We wrote before about our frustration with a chronic abuser in Southern Oregon where we had over the years removed four horses – our beloved Royal Crown, Dusty, Arlo, and Frida. We watched as multiple other equines died on the property. Finally, Maria came to our Sanctuary with the other surviving horse Tank.
As best we know, Maria spent her entire life on this property, never having had shelter and frequently going without feed and water. We watched her weight seriously fluctuate. The fencing was poor with horses breaking out repeatedly. Maria’s mother, the last horse to die on the property, was killed by a vehicle. The fencing also seriously injured Maria last spring, when she became tangled in the wire, slashing her belly, chest, and hind legs. One of her rear legs was slashed nearly to the bone. After neglecting the wounds for weeks, the owner finally surrendered Maria (and Tank) who arrived with her wounds badly infected and filled with foreign matter.
Maria’s wounds are nearly healed and after an initial period of being understandably skittish, Maria has shown her true colors. She is sweet, interested in her surroundings, and affectionate. She is learning to pick up her feet for trimming and cleaning and to behave safely in the cross ties. The barn routine suits her well. It took her no time to learn that there will be hay deliveries to her stall twice daily, that it is quite and safe in the barn, and that the person walking down the aisle with white cups every afternoon is bringing treats! She now spends her days in the mare field with her best friend Tank just on the other side of the fence in the main gelding herd and her nights in the main barn with Tank in side-by-side stalls. We are so relieved her nightmare (and ours) is over.
Here is how you can help:
- Join an already established rescue team with a monthly contribution level that is comfortable for you.
- Become a “Team Captain” by collectively organizing your friends and relatives to join you in sponsoring one
of Equamore’s residents. - Pledge $450 monthly to fully support an equine of your choice.
If you would like to join this crucial program, please contact us for more information.
