Shadow part 5

After 2 weeks we saw a couple of changes, Shadow started taking an interest in life again and the filly decided she belonged the the teen aged daughter of the good Samaritan helping me with them. It was a mutual attraction. The daughter had never had an interest in horses before, but something in the starved little filly touched her heart, and something in the gentle care of the teenager brought out trust in the filly.

It was decided that they would adopt the filly. It was a case of the horse picking the owner, and to this day and am delighted with how that came out.

It's good we had these little victories, because the abusers were not letting go easily. They contacted a police officer that was a friend of theirs, and fed him a long tale of theft and harassment. This officer contacted me and my friends in that state threatening arrest, etc if the horses weren't returned. It seems the abusers though the horses were still in that state. Not knowing any better, we tried to deal with that officer, and the phone calls and threats got worse. The officer harassed us at all hours of the day and night. We all started to worry about our physical safety, especially as I had spoken with the breeder of the Arab colt who fathered Shadows filly, and she had warned us these people were the kind to torch your house if you crossed them.

Meanwhile we were still trying to bring these two horses back from starvation. I moved Shadow to a facility with acres of grass, and starting feeding her, worming her, trimming her feet, updating vaccinations, all the normal things you do with a horse you own. All the things that hadn't been done in 2 years for her.

This was Shadow after 6 weeks of food and care. Better, but still a long way to go. I had to drive 60 miles each way to go take care of her every day. Meanwhile I had the added stress on wondering what to do about the nasty calls.

I had no clue what to do, after all, the police were calling me, they should be on MY side! I called my lawyer, and we prepared a package of all the documents, the bill of sale, bounced check, copy of the papers still in my name, the letters of intent, and a notation of the relevant laws of that state. My lawyer sent this to the police officer, with a note that if necessary it would be forwarded to his superiors with an accounting of his harassment.

Suddenly the calls stopped. I found out there never were any charges filed, it was all a bluff to try and get the horses back. I was still getting calls from the abusers though, and letters that ranged from pleading to threats.


Meanwhile, the filly just blossomed! With good food, regular worming, and lots of love, (the vet said her liver damage would repair) she starting growing like a weed with the typical uneven growth spurts babies get. First her neck would grow, then her back legs, then her back, then front legs.

She recovered a lot quicker than Shadow, who still looked thin. I decided to move Shadow again, and advised the new owners of the filly, to move her as well, and not leave behind any information on where they were going. I would not have put it past the abusers to drive the distance just to hurt the horses if they couldn't steal them. By doing this, if either was approached we could in all honesty say we didn't know where either horse was.

The following fall we got together and took some photos. These are 7 months after the rescue.

























































I moved and changed phone numbers, and finally stopped hearing from the abusers. I was cautious for many years though. Through this I learned good lessons.

1. All the contracts in the world can't really protect your horse, but if you have one, at least you have a legal option if something goes wrong.
2. Never sign the papers over until you are paid in full, and you are satisfied with the home.
3. Always go the legal route. Get a lawyer, do your research, make sure you are on the right side of the law if you have to do something about the situation.
4. Document, document, document! I had every letter, every document, the bounced check, the sale contract, plus a statement from the vet on the condition of the horses when I got them back. If there was any question of ownership, I had enough documentation (I hoped) to insure the horses never went back to them.
5. Never give up. I spent 9 months talking to lawyers and animal control, a couple months planning the legal docs and the trip to get them. It took a year after I found out the situation to get Shadow back, but here she is now, 19 years later. 23 years old, happy and healthy.
   

She took a while to recover emotionally from the abuse, and has never been the same horse I sold them. Back then she was a mischievous little rascal. Always into things, playing, nippy and full of life. Her experience sobered her, she was quite serious, and quite worried for a long time. I would take her to a show, or trail ride, and if I moved out of her sight, to go register or change, she would break her leadline and follow me. She was so afraid I would leave her somewhere again.

Eventually, she has realized she will never be left again, and has become confident and content in her place in my life. We have shown, traveled, experienced many things together (including many hilarious events). She is a TWHBEA Versatility Champion, we have done everything from Hunter paces to western reining to Competative Trail. She is my heart horse, I have promised her she would never have to worry again.

Shadow, part 4

We stopped every other hour, but I was afraid to unload the horses, I didn't think they could get back in the trailer. Both were leaning against the sides. Neither would eat or drink. Finally, at 1 am, we pulled into the barn in MD. They had made it. Both staggered out of the trailer. I put them in a paddock, with water and hay. I was afraid to give them anything else without first having the vet look at them.

I had told my vet what I was doing, and she came out the next morning at first light. The news was not good. Shadow wasn't eating, she just stood in a corner. It was like she had made it until I got there, but was at the end of her strength. The vet said she was in the early stages of organ failure. We ran tests on both, the filly was in a bit better shape, but was undersized, and had liver damage from worms.





These photos were taken the next day. Notice you can see not just the ribs, but gaps between the ribs. Backbone, hip bones, and all of this with long wormy fur. Shadow especially seemed to be depressed. Not caring about food, water, anything.






Notice the hollows above both their eyes, they have even lost the suborbital fat (if the baby ever had any)

Shadow would eat a bit if you hand fed her. and seemed to relax if you brushed, or just petted her. The filly wanted nothing to do with me or anyone after the trailering and vet visit. I had told some acquaintances what I was doing, and they volunteered to come help. We had shifts of people there every hour, brushing and feeding the two horses small bits of food according to what the vet recommended. For two weeks we did this.

Saga of Shadow, Part 3

I couldn't believe he was serious. It was a 12 hour journey down there, then load up a horse in who knows what condition, and 12 hours back. He asked when I was off work, and he would make all the arrangements. It didn't matter to him how hard the task was, there was a wrong to be righted, and an innocent life to save.

I spoke to my lawyers, and with them wrote a letter of demand, asking for the full amount or return of the horse, and sent it certified mail. No reply. I sent a second letter, stating I would come and get the horse if the price was not paid. Again, no reply. I did this to insure all the legal steps were taken. I gave them a week to reply, then we planned our trip.

I had friends there who would help me with a place to stay, and to load the horses. I took halters, hay, grain, water buckets and a first aid kit, and we left one early morning. We drove straight there, getting to my friends house after dark, and just collapsed.

The next morning we met a few houses down from where Shadow was at 9 am. My friends there told me Shadow had changed, and wouldn't let anyone catch her. No one had touched her for months. They wouldn't come with me to the farm, because they were afraid of the people.

I had prepared a letter to leave at their house, so they would know what I had done. We walked down the road and knocked on the door. No one answered, but the dogs were there, so I will never know if they were home or not. I walked to the pasture and called Shadow. She came right up to me and put her head in the halter.

I believe that was one of the hardest moments of my life. Shadow was a literal rack of bones, with long, wormy hair. She looked like an ancient nag, and she still had a milk bag, so still was nursing the baby (now a yearling). But in her face was no recrimination, no reproach for leaving her, just "You came for me." I wanted to sit in the ditch and bawl at how she looked. At that moment, I decided the baby was coming too. She was still nursing, and no way was I leaving her to starve. I couldn't legally touch the other horses, but I could take my two.

It took a bit of time to walk Shadow the short distance to the trailer. She dragged her feet, and walked very slowly. Not because she was protesting, but because she didn't have the strength. I began to wonder if she could make the trip home. I may have come all this way just to put her down. The baby followed along, but wasn't halter broken, or even handled. We were able to get a halter on her, but the yearling size I brought was too large for her. She was smaller than most weanlings.

Shadow walked right into the trailer, and leaned against the side. She was having trouble standing. The baby we had to drag in, not so difficult since there was nothing to her, but she actually passed out for a moment from the halter pressure. Once they were loaded, we left immediately. We had a long road back, and I was worried if either could make it.

Saga of Shadow, part 2

After I received the photo of Shadow and her baby, I called every friend I had in that area, and a very alarming picture started to emerge. The photo was taken when the baby was several days old, because that was when they finally found out Shadow had foaled. The pasture is across the street from their house, and they didn't know she had a baby for days. Not only did they not bother to feed to check the horses at least once a day, they didn't even look across the street.

There were 8 horses in a 2 acre field, with a run off stream and a bit of a swamp. That was all these horses had for food and water. There were several more in an acre behind their house. The colt who bred Shadow (supposedly was never out with her) was a 2 year old Arab that they bought from his breeder, with his 1 year old full sister, with the understanding he would be gelded. The breeder felt this colt wasn't of quality to breed, and told them she would give him the papers once he was gelded. They hadn't done it because they had the idea they would breed him to his full sister and make money selling Arabs.

Of course the more I found out, the worst it got. I called Animal Control and the SPCA, and found out they have been reported several times for leaving the horses with no care while they went out of town for weeks at a time. I contacted a lawyer there and one here in MD. They both were understanding, and didn't even charge me to consult. They told me to get my papers in order while they did research. I pulled out the sales contract and the bounced checks, and Shadow's papers, I was still legally her owner. The lawyers both said I could only file for the money owed. At first my only concern was to get the horses to safety. I tried to find a home for them there, but no one wanted to get involved without some sort of legal action.

During this research, I was in constant contact with Animal Control and the SPCA. Both of which refused to impound the horses. They would check on them, and cite the people, but that was it. Meanwhile the horses were left several times without food and water, and even when the people where they, they weren't feeding them enough. Through all this Shadow was nursing this baby.

Eventually between the two lawyers I found out a few important facts.

1. As long as one dollar is still owed on a horse, the seller can repossess the horse for non-payment.
2. Any foal that is nursing is the property of the owner of the mare, until it is weaned.
3. States have different laws, but the one Shadow was in stated as long as I 'Didn't create a public disturbance, or break any locks.' I could legally go on their land and repossess my horse.

Well, this was all very well and good, but my horse (or horses, as even though it was now 9 months after I got the photo, the baby was still nursing) were 5 states, and 12 hours driving away. No one there would go get them. Finally, one of the Animal Control agents, tired of my calls said 'Why don't you just get the horses yourself?'

By now I was expecting any day to get a call that Shadow was dead. This was my baby. I had been there for every moment of her life from the moment she was foaled, until I left her behind to starve. I was frantic to do something, anything to save her.

I didn't have a truck, or a trailer. No way to get down there. I couldn't get a hauler to get them, none of them get involved in this mess. But as I was telling a friend about this dilemma, her husband said, 'I have a truck, I can get a trailer, lets go get your horse.'

The saga of Shadow

We are going through tough economic times. A lot of people can't afford to keep the horses they have, people breeding horses can't sell the babies. Horses end up in bad situations or on the pipeline for slaughter, and often the people who bred them either can't or won't do anything to save them.

You know, times really aren't that different. I know that's not popular to hear, but I have owned horses since 1981, and there have always been people selling out because they are broke, and farms that can't sell the horses they produce. Life can hit you hard.

In 1988 I had my mare Neysa, (Senator's Rebel Lady) and her 2 year old daughter Shadow (Wind's Shadows Linger). I found myself pregnant, with my then boyfriend (later husband) out of work. My parents lived 5 states away in MD and said 'Lots of jobs here, why not move?'

My boyfriend traveled to MD and landed a job in 2 days. The fates had spoken, we were moving to MD. But, checking on barn prices in MD, I realized I would only be able to keep one horse here. Full board where I was living was $100 a month, it started at $500 per month in MD! Of course there were cheaper options, but none that I could find long distance. Remember, this was before the internet was big. So I had to sell one of my horses. I thought my 2 year old Shadow had the best chance of a good home as Neysa was a typical ex show horse, snorty, brilliant, and full of go. Not many trail riders would be interested in her.

I put out ads, but there isn't much interest in a 2 year old barely under saddle. (2 short rides) Finally, the neighbor of some friend were interested. We struck a deal, they would make payments, and when she was paid off I would send the papers. They handed me a check, and off I went the next day to MD. Note* Yes, I did have a contract, spelling out every detail of the transaction, signed by both parties.
A couple weeks later, after we had everything sorted out, apt., bank, etc. we deposited the check, and it promptly bounced. I called them and they promised another check. Meanwhile I was setting up an apt. for a baby, arranging shipping for Neysa, and job hunting. I got another check, it bounced. This went on for 6 months. Finally, I called my friends and asked, do they love her? Are they taking care of her? "Yes, yes," I was assured, "They love Shadow." So I decided to let it drop. As long as she had a good home, I was happy.

A year later, another friend in the area went to see Shadow, and sent me a photo. They were not a horse person, and were just excited because Surprise! Shadow had a baby. The photo showed an emaciated Shadow, with backbone and hips sticking out, and the tiniest goat sized baby by her side.
















These are old photos, so it is hard to see on the web what alarmed me so much, but this is a 3 year old, with a several day old baby. Her backbone is sticking up and every rib is showing. The baby should be starting to show some roundness and instead still looks newborn lanky.

to be continued...

Rescuing a Princess

This weekend I took part in a rescue reminiscent of a fantasy novel. Where the Princess was taken by trickery and held in drudgery. Abused, starved, she no longer looks royal. But some stout lad recognizes there is something special about her, and through adventures, and help from brave companions, she is saved and brought to a place of safety and love.

Last week, a mare was spotted in a kill pen. I won't list any details, because she could have been any breed, anywhere in the USA. By some miracle a rescue group spotted her and asked for information. She was in her teens, in foal, and wonder of wonders, her papers were with her. In the photo it looks like her back has been shaved? Strange, but a rescue list moves into action, appeals go out, and a life chain is formed. Money pours in for her and others. Literally hundreds of people co-ordinate to save these horses. Homes are found, shippers lined up. Volunteers phone each other.

Saturday the mare is picked up by one shipper, brought to a connection point where she is put into a second trailer. By sat night she is in a stall munching hay, and Sunday morning I pick her up and take her to her new home.

This mare was beautiful, had been shown successfully, had produced several foals, had been well cared for and cherished most of her life. But Sunday I picked up a mare that had to be a 1.5 on the scale. I could not only see every bone in her body, even the skin between her ribs was sunken in. What we thought was a shaved back was matted fur lying flat next to her backbone, which stuck up several inches and I could feel every bone of. I don't see how she was walking, I certainly don't see how she could be carrying a foal. But, she walked out of the stall with her head up like the Princess she was. You would have thought she had silk ribbons in her hair, and gold on her halter. She loaded and trailered like a lady, and at her new home walked past lessons, Christmas decorations, and chainsaws without hesitation. We were met by teenager riding students who welcomed her like the returning royalty she was.

Here was a mare that obviously made money for her owners, but not only was she tossed away, they didn't even bother to feed her before they did. Her quality was there to see for someone who knew how to look. Her head was very refined, perfect ears, excellent bone structure (rather easy to see, actually) and 4 of the straightest, cleanest legs I have seen in a long time. Big feet, nice bone, broad chest, I could see what she must have looked like before.

I look forward to visiting her when she is back to her full glory. I also have no doubt she will be back in the show ring sometime too.

Welcome home Princess.