Bruising in all four feet of Pepper.

Baby, losing weight with so much good food.

Pepper stayed down so long we had to bring him water.

His heated water tank was only 10 feet away but he could not get to it.

When he did get up, all 4 feet were so painful he just couldn’t escape from it.

He stayed down and suffered.

I usually keep the info on our rescues short and to the point but this one needs to be told at length, because I still cannot believe what happened with this case. It began with a frantic phone call from a very hysterical lady to the animal shelter begging for help. She was at a breaking point and needed someone to help her.

She told me a story of moving to Sprague River to retire in that gorgeous countryside with her 4 horses.

The first 2 yrs were so good, then the new tenants nearby started the harassment. They picked away at her over a 2 year period, stole her hay, keyed her truck, kicked dents in her car, hit her horses with rocks, and broke in her house every time she left, to steal. She told me of so many abuses from these people I could write a book. They were feeding her horses some kind of poison, and they both foundered very badly. It was so severe one actually foundered in the rear feet, something I have never seen. They were not fat, in fact one was losing weight badly, so whatever they were being fed did terrible damage. I saw red manure from them, what caused that I have no idea.

The police were called but with only 3 deputies in the whole of Klamath County, there was little they could do without proof and she lived 50 miles from Klamath.

One of her tormentors was a sexual pervert and exposed himself and threatened her. She lived alone out there in the outback in horrible fear. When she called me she asked if I could save her horses for her before they died like the two others had earlier in the summer. Chuck and I went out there to assess. This sounded too weird to be true.

After meeting Ronnie and her horses we were appalled. The horses were in so much pain they could hardly stand and we agreed to get them back to the Spirit stable and do what we could for them. Whatever they had been fed made their manure red and was doing horrible damage. Our wonderful farrier, April Hayes, went to work to ease what she could on the feet. One of the geldings could hardly stand and spent 23 out of 24 hours laying down sweating and moaning. It was so heartbreaking.

Ronnie had been sleeping outside in temps near zero to protect them. My guess was she had pneumonia, and we tried to get her to a doctor but she had no money and refused to go.

The horses were way beyond recovery at this point and after 4 days of round the clock care and pain killers, we knew we had to let them go. Ronnie came and met with our vet, and with many tears and final horse hugs, she gave permission to end it. They are at peace now. Thank you Dr. Goodell for your great compassion and care.

I then talked to Marti Baird MSN NP of the Women’s Clinic on Austin Street. I told her this girl was in big trouble, her horses were all dead, she was so stressed and very sick. I had visions of her dying out there and no one would know.

Marti said to bring her in, she would treat her for free. Ronnie had the onset of pneumonia, bronchitis and an ear infection. Marti Baird and her husband and staff worked with her for over an hour to clear her lungs, then to top it off, they called in a script for antibiotics and cough meds, and handed her cash to pay for them, and to buy lunch. What a clinic…I salute each and every one of you…and I thank you for all you did.

So, this is a bad story of torment and misery, then a wonderful story of Klamath’s finest stepping up and doing the right thing for someone in dire need.

Baby and Pepper were two gorgeous Arabian geldings; the photos of them just 2 years ago were stunning. The dreadful abused bodies I met were unrecognizable.

So, the point of this long story is to ask each and every one of you to please look out for your neighbors and friends. If we all stick together we can move mountains. Watch out for the horses in need and get involved; the next nightmare could be yours. And do whatever it takes to put our deputies back on the road. If we had more of them out there, maybe more could have been done. Support our sheriff’s dept; we have some awesome men that need to keep their jobs. Vote people…vote.

The Women’s clinic is a place to tip your hat to when you go by. What a wonderful group of caring people!! God bless you all!!

In memory of Baby and Pepper.

7 Comments

1. michelle ~ Jan. 18, 2012 @ 8:58 pm
2. That is so sad that someone could do that to a horse that did not cause anyone harm. You are wonderful for the job that you have done and continue! I spoke to my sister n law and told her of our conversation today. Thank you for all your hard work.
3. Dawn mcGeddu ~ Jan. 19, 2012 @ 11:22 am
4. I enjoyed reading all of the storys about the horses u take care of- thanks so much for your love and kindness- Love with Hugs- Dawn
5. Dawn mcGeddu ~ Jan. 19, 2012 @ 11:22 am
6. I enjoyed reading all of the storys about the horses u take care of- thanks so much for your love and kindness- Love with Hugs- Dawn
7. Jeanne ~ Jan. 19, 2012 @ 5:52 pm
8. Heart breaking and great story all in one. I’m so glad Project Spirit can help horses/owners in need. I hope Ronnie can find some place safe to live or get a really nice pistol. Dr. Goodell is very generous with his time and knowledge, we are lucky to have him in town. Marti Baird and her staff are WONDERFUL. People may cut down Klamath Falls, but we have some of the most kind & giving people in Oregon.
9. Christine Karas ~ Jan. 24, 2012 @ 7:59 am
10. I visited with Nadiene and saw for my self how bad these horses had suffered. Letting them go was the right thing to do. Spirit Horse Rescue needs to be added to the places in Klamath to which we tip not only our hats but our hearts, prayers and check books!
11. Christine Karas ~ Jan. 24, 2012 @ 7:59 am
12. I visited with Nadiene and saw for my self how bad these horses had suffered. Letting them go was the right thing to do. Spirit Horse Rescue needs to be added to the places in Klamath to which we tip not only our hats but our hearts, prayers and check books!
13. Charlyn Witcher ~ Jan. 26, 2012 @ 1:12 pm
14. What a HEARTBREAKING story. So sorry for the horses’ end, but some things just can’t be fixed. Thank you for coming to Ronnie’s aid. Her “neighbors” don’t even deserve to be called humans and should be exiled somewhere. I’m so sorry for what she had to endure. Have recommended your name to a friend looking for a place for her beautiful palomino mare who was crippled last year by an injury. She is brood mare only now. I was thinking about the vet you told me about for Jazz. My friend’s name is Laura Lake. She may be contacting you to get contact information for the vet. Also, I am SO desperate to find a home for Jazz, that I would reconsider her going to the vet to be just a surrogate mare. But could you find out for me if she is too small for what they do? She is only 14 hands/850# or thereabouts. Thanks, Charlyn Witcher