SHS Rescues 16 Horses

February 04, 2008 - On   Saturday, sixteen horses were transferred into the care of the Spartanburg Humane Society (SHS), many severely underweight and suffering from neglect.  The animals are in special foster care in the Landrum area, where they are receiving the medical treatment and diet they need to return to good health.

County Animal Control received a complaint about neglected horses.  When officers responded, one horse was dead and one down. The Spartanburg Humane Society was called in to assist.  After being charged with two counts of animal cruelty, the owner decided to surrender ownership of sixteen horses to the SHS.

Of the seven yearlings, six mares, and three stallions, most have substandard body condition scores.  Some of the mares were still nursing last year's foals and are pregnant again.  "Having three stallions randomly breeding with every mare is just poor farm management, especially when the horses there are already being neglected," says SHS President and CEO Sandy Christiansen.

The horses were not difficult to transport.  Coaxed with some food, they were willing to load easily on and off the trailer. The horses have been focused on grazing ever since arriving at their temporary home.  "We hope that the horses will respond nicely with basic medical care and a steady nutritious diet," says Christiansen, adding, "often it can be difficult to rehabilitate malnourished horses but we hope we got to these before permanent damage was done."

SHS was recently awarded a grant to further anti-cruelty initiatives in Spartanburg County.  "SHS hopes to start a program that will supplement Animal Control's response to animal cruelty.  These horses are only the latest victims of poor and inadequate treatment.  Having more anti-cruelty initiatives in our county can only help the animals who need us the most," says Christiansen.