In early September, Hidden Meadows Equine Rescue in Martinsburg, WV had over 50 horses seized by the the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department. The horses had little to eat and had no water. Eight were euthanized within the first few days due to their failing health.
Days End Farm Horse Rescue a 501(c)(3), volunteer-based, animal welfare organization in Woodbine, Maryland took the most critical horses into their care. On my way out to Kentucky to photograph the World Equestrian Games, I visited Days End and met both the horses in their care and the volunteers who care for them.
My first impression of Days End was how organized the rescue is. On the phone and in person, every volunteer was courteous, knowledgeable, and businesslike. The barn was tidy and orderly, with clearly marked signs, color-coded buckets, carefully latched gates, swept barn aisles, and a special section of the barn designated to the West Virginia horses. A day sheet hung from each stall door, marked with notations from every visit to the stall: “Filled hay.” “One manure pile.” “Cleaned stall.” “Filled water. Drank half a bucket.”
All of the horses at Days End from Hidden Meadows are Thoroughbreds (all are off the track as far as I know), and the condition of some of them is extremely critical. When I was visiting the farm, Zodiac was the horse who needed the most care. He was placed in a sling when he had problems standing, and he needs bandages changed, vital signs monitored, and some activity in his stall to keep his circulation moving. Zodiac’s entire digestive tract is riddled with ulcers, and he requires medication for them. His eyes have ulcers, which also need care. When I read about him, I expected him to be completely lethargic and disinterested in his surroundings, but this was not the case; he was alert and would perk up just a bit whenever someone entered his stall. Through his runny eyes, he examined visitors. When I visited with him, he nibbled hay and eventually dozed off when things were quiet.
The level of starvation of these horses is extreme, and the rescue has to take great precautions when re-introducing food to them. Stone dust and dirt were found in the horses’ digestive tracts. The digestive system of a horse is quite delicate when it is thrown off, and horses are prone to colic, founder, and choke, just to name a few risks. The horses in the care of Days End are fed very frequently in small amounts. The process of renourishment is a tricky one, and horses can suffer something similar to refeeding syndrome in humans. When the horses are in their stalls between meals, they have to wear muzzles to keep from eating their stall bedding. Nibble Nets have been placed in their stalls so they can eat a small amount of food on a frequent basis.
When I walked in the barn, I immediately noticed the mattress in one of the stalls. I commented that it is probably appreciated for a little shut-eye after a long night watch, and one of the volunteers remarked that they had no time for sleep for the first few days that the horses were in their care. I met the veterinarian who is caring for the horses, some local Animal Control officers, as well as some of the primary caregivers. They all knew their jobs very well and knew every lump and bump on the horses’ bodies.
Some of the horses are bouncing back more quickly than others due to their age and overall health. One filly named Buttercup is about 3 years old, and I could already see her filling out since her last photos that were taken two weeks earlier. Although her hips jutted out and her spine clearly protruded from her back, there was a sparkle in her eye and a spring in her step. Days End turns out the horses whenever possible, and when they put Buttercup outside with her paddock buddies Aaron and Felicity, she did a little playing before she settled down to munch on her hay.
Before I left, Days End President Kathleen Schwartz-Howe took time out of her day to meet up with me and we got to talk about the rescue. She explained how things are run and a little bit about the history. I get the feeling that she could fill a book with everything that she’s seen, both good and bad. I thanked her for all she is doing for these horses.
Readers, here’s a little more information about how to learn more and to help Days End:
– Notes From the Barn (blog with updates about the horses)
– Days End wins ASPCA Henry Bergh Award
– A little info about the history of the rescue
– How to tour the facilities
– Financial/donation data
– How to help
– Wish list
– Facebook page
– Euthanasia policy
Just one day later, I was at the World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, photographing the greatest equine athletes on earth as they competed at an elite level of their respective sports. Six hours east, seven mighty Thoroughbreds fought their own daily battle for their lives and they never left my mind once while I was in Lexington.
Rock and Racehorses: Sarah K. Andrew 