When members of a local horse- rescue group took in a mare named Daphne, they had her tested to see whether she was pregnant.
The test was negative.
If Daphne had been healthy at the time, her growing belly in the months that followed would have been a clue that the test was a false negative. But when a horse in sorry shape is rescued, the "hay belly" it develops as it returns to health can resemble pregnancy.
It was farther into the 11-month gestation period that members of the Horse Education & Rescue Organization -- a name chosen so that the initials would be HERO -- realized that Daphne was expecting.
On Feb. 13, a Friday, she began what became a troubled delivery. Two people ended up having to pull her colt before the vet got there. Complications sent Daphne and Spirit to the veterinary college at Virginia Tech for treatment.
They're now back and staying with HERO member Sandy Mayberry. If not for a specialist donating his services and the college paying some costs from its compassion fund, the group's bill would have been substantially higher than $1,400. Daphne is still having difficulties, and additional treatment is bringing more bills.
That's serious money for an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization in which members routinely shell out their own money for feed and other expenses for the horses. The group also raises money by selling concessions at horseshows. And on April 25, will have a fundraiser at Northwoods Stable on Murray Road.
The organization was founded in 2007 and has about 40 members in Forsyth and surrounding counties. The horses it rescues can come from quite a ways away. In Daphne's case, that was Fayetteville. "There are so many animals out there that need help," Mayberry said.
"We feel like every creature deserves a chance at a good, healthy life," said Beverly Lundergan, the organization's secretary.
In many cases, members said, people didn't set out to be cruel to horses. They just didn't realize how much time, money and attention a horse would require when they decided it would be nice to get one for a child or grandchild, and, at some point, they ended up neglecting the horse. In such cases, group members may start out by trying to teach the horse owners how to take better care of their horses. If that doesn't work, they may work to find a foster home.
In other cases, the situation is bad enough that animal control seizes a horse and asks the group to take care of it. "I wish we could take every one we get a call on," Mayberry said. As it is, members are busy with the 12 horses in their care. "Right now it's seven days a week at the quarantine farm," said Lesley Hunt, the organization's president.
The "quarantine farm" is a secret location where horses that have been seized are kept. Other horses are kept elsewhere. HERO members often must work with horses before they're ready to be adopted. For example, Lily had been left tied in a stall with little human contact. "She had a fear of people," said Donna Boyer. So they had to get her comfortable with people again.
Depending on such factors as age and history, a horse may prove suitable for riding or it may best live out its life as a companion for another horse or just enjoying life in a pasture. The group's Web site has information on horses looking for homes.
■ Kim Underwood can be reached at 727-7389 or at kunderwood@wsjournal.com.
■ Information about the Health, Education and Rescue Organization can be found at www.heroequinerescue.org. Fundraiser details are available through Northwoods Stable at www.northwoodsstable.com. The stable works with a 4-H group that's still accepting members.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement