Removed from squalor, horses now have new homes
 In early April, IDA received an email from a Colorado resident describing the horrific neglect of a group of 15 horses in Boulder County and asking for immediate help. After seeing a photo of an emaciated horse in a filthy stall, IDA's Rita Anderson immediately went out to the farm to investigate.
What she found was shocking. For at least three years, seven stallions had been living in a dark barn, day in and day out, with no fresh air and little exercise. The floors of their small cinderblock stalls were layered with manure and urine in which the horses were forced to lie when they needed rest. Based on their prominent ribs and hipbones, it was immediately clear they were malnourished. Since the guardian, Mike Murphy, had spent so little time with them, some were nearly wild.
The horses' hooves were also in desperate need of trimming. Although most horses have their hooves trimmed every few weeks, Rita later learned that at least one six-year-old stallion had never had his feet touched. This can be very serious and cause lifelong damage if not corrected.
It might seem that the eight mares fared better, since they were allowed to "graze" outside. However, their only source of food was bits of sparse grass and weeds in a dry field. During the brutal Colorado winters and the intensely hot summers, they had no shelter from the elements.
 Although Murphy had been arrested and later placed on unsupervised probation for improper care of animals, authorities had failed to adequately follow up on this case. Completely disregarding the law, Murphy made virtually no change in his lack of care for the animals.
While IDA doesn't condone the purchase of animals, we ultimately decided to pay an adoption fee for these horses, as it was the only way to save them without the support of the Boulder County authorities. We received assistance from compassionate citizens who generously donated money for the adoption of 11 of the horses and provided unlimited quantities of free hay. Dr. Pat Haight, of the Conquistador Equine Advocacy and Rescue Program in Arizona, worked diligently to secure a grant from PetSmart Charities and Best Friends to pay for supplies, veterinary care, and a portion of transportation costs to their new homes.
Rita and several dedicated volunteers spent the next five weeks working at the barn daily to care for the horses who were given all the hay they could eat. Their appetites were insatiable. The most difficult task was cleaning the filth from the stalls. It was so intense they were forced to wear facemasks for protection. However, the putrid smell was still able to penetrate their masks and bring tears to their eyes. Rita is incredibly thankful for the volunteers who worked so tirelessly on this unpleasant but necessary work, as it would have been impossible to do it alone.
 After Rita complained several times to authorities that Murphy had violated his probation by moving the four remaining horses to another county and by continually failing to provide proper care, he was ordered to return to court on June 28. IDA is asking the court to permanently remove the four remaining horses from Murphy's possession and to prohibit him from having any animals during the remainder of his probation. We are also asking the court to serve Murphy an appropriate punishment for endangering the horses, including jail time, fines, and community service hours in an animal care facility. We are prepared to take the remaining horses should the court see fit to award them to us.
We're happy to report that the 11 horses we adopted have arrived safely at their new homes in Arizona. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Haight, they have each been placed with people who know and love Peruvian Paso horses. Three of them will be used in a therapy riding program at Hacienda de los Milagros Sanctuary. Another horse, who was initially considered too wild and difficult to handle, is now losing his fear of humans and has turned out to be quite gentle.
When Rita talks about the horses' progress, she radiates. That one woman's determination saved 11 horses goes to show that we can all make a difference in the lives of animals. |
