|
|
 |
|
After turning off the main road, we drove along one of the worse unpaved roads we've ever been on through the
woods when we came to a small clearing that was being used as a dump site. There were two dilapidated mobile
homes, several falling down structures and an old dry well. The owner wanted to move the horse before hunting season
started because the wooded 12 acres was unfenced and she was afraid the horse would get shot. She had not lived
on the property for several years since losing her job and was no longer able to care for the horse or the 25 feral cats.
There was no sign of the horse. She called to him and after a few minutes the prettiest pony-sized Strawberry
roan with white mane & tail appeared. It was a relief to see that he was not thin, in fact, he was a bit chubby.
Evidently he had been eating acorns to survive but these can cause a horse to colic or poison a horse.
According
to his owner he was 17 years old and had been there since he was a yearling. His feet had been last trimmed 4-7 years
ago. He had once foundered after getting into a bag of sweet feed. He had had no dental care and his worming regiment
was two cigarettes in his feed every few months. The trailer could not make it safely down the road to pick him up
so his owner walked him to the trailer. He loaded without too much trouble and seemed happy to see the hay.
When the trailer finally pulled into the sanctuary drive, Waco began to shake with excitement and he called out to
the other horses. He had never been with other horses in his adult life! We put him in the round pen with Kit
Carson. Waco danced excitedly and praced around the pen. Kit watched him for a moment then went back to
contentedly munching on hay. After several minutes Waco approached and joined him.
It was so heartwarming
to see Waco being accepted by another horse after so a lifetime of solitude.
Waco is being treated as an unbroken
horse, even though his owner said she rode him. Each day brings a new experience and he is thriving at the sanctuary
with his new friends. Since coming to the sanctuary he has learned to pick up his feet for cleaning and to lead quietly.
One of our volunteers is working with him under saddle. Waco is comfortable being tacked up. The previous
owner rarely rode Waco and when she did it was bareback and just a halter. He is now available for applications.
At 13.3 hands, Waco is a pony-sized horse. Waco is in great health and very laid
back. He is easy to work with and is going to make someone a wonderful easy going horse.
|
| Waco, October 26, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
Horse Protection Society of N.C.
2135
Miller Rd China Grove, N.C. 28023
(704) 855-2978 hps@horseprotection.org
501(c)3 Nonprofit
|
|
|
|