Horse neglect, hooves grown up into skin
Sacramento, CA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Dec 7, 2006
County: Sacramento
Disposition: Not Charged
Abuser names unreleased
A pony is crippled after a decade of abuse. But an act of grace saved this special pony that rescuers have named Noel.
Noel's front hooves grew up into her skin. "It almost looks like little sled shoes. Everything a horse relies upon is its feet, because of that it's completely crippled this horse," said Beth DeCaprio of The Grace Foundation, which rescues and rehabilitates horses.
DeCaprio says Noel's shoulder bones have moved forward, her tendons are twisted and she's blown a knee. The Grace Foundation received her this week after owners neglected her on a steep mountain in Mendocino County. DeCaprio says horses normally need their hooves trimmed every 60 days.
"In the wild the ground is different their hooves can chip off, in domesticated horses like a pony they require attention on a regular basis," said DeCaprio.
Noel went without, taking painful steps to graze for ten years until a recent call to animal control. "They made several attempts at getting her off the truck, she kept getting stuck. We waited patiently for her arrival," said DeCaprio.
She's malnourished and has a healthy appetite, "She's happy about the little things like a bucket of grain," commented DeCaprio.
And despite the neglect, she has a sweet temperament. She's already had three inches trimmed from her hooves. Painkillers and a padded stall are easing the pain. And as for her name, DeCaprio says they thought Noel just seemed right.
"For ten Christmases this horse must have prayed and wished someone would see her and get her off. She will receive lots and lots of love this Christmas, for the first time she won't be suffering," said DeCaprio.
The foundation provides care and rehab for horses like Noel and then utilizes them for children's programs. This case would typically warrant felony animal cruelty charges, but the elderly owner is in poor health and charges may not be filed. References« CA State Animal Cruelty Map
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