If you've never witnessed the effects of equine neglect firsthand, consider yourself fortunate. Over my 20 years at DEFHR, I've seen it countless times, and it never gets easier. The signs of neglect vary: protruding bones from starvation, dehydration, untreated injuries and illnesses, painful teeth that make eating difficult, skin conditions, matted coats, eye ulcers, and overgrown hooves. These are just the visible symptoms. Their bodies tell us their stories, and their eyes reveal their suffering, yet also show glimmers of hope and trust in their caregivers at DEFHR. The road to recovery is different for each horse. While we can provide immediate relief—clean water, ample nutrition, veterinary care, and a safe environment— treating some conditions, especially hoof neglect, can be particularly time-consuming and resource-intensive, sometimes resulting in permanent damage. This story began in 2023, a year at DEFHR characterized not by an abnormal number of intakes, but by the unrelenting influx over a short period of time. By April DEFHR had already taken in 32 critically ill horses in a span of 10 weeks, straining our financial and human resources to their limits, when a group of six severely neglected Thoroughbreds arrived from Jefferson County, WV. I want to stress that without YOUR support, none of them would have had the opportunity for a second chance.
YOU are the reason DEFHR is always ready to answer the call for help! YOUR gift of $1,000, $500, $250, $50 ensures we can continue to be ready for future calls! A call from a concerned citizen to Animal Control was the first step toward their rescue from unimaginable circumstances. All six horses were confined to stalls, standing in three feet of manure, with nothing in their water buckets except a dead mouse. When Animal Control, along with a veterinarian, investigated, the owner admitted he couldn't remember the last time they had dental exams or farrier trims, and the horses hadn't left their stalls in over two months. Given their dire state, the vet recommended their immediate removal for medical care. After a search warrant was served, all six horses were seized, and DEFHR was ready to provide them a safe place to begin their healing journey.