Equine Group Rescues Neglected Horse Living On Corn And Saltine Crackers

July 8, 2012

A neglected horse that was living on just whole corn and saltine crackers was rescued in Nokomis Saturday.

The four-year old mare named “Bootsy” was removed from a property on Jake’s Road in extreme northwestern Escambia County by Panhandle Equine Rescue, a non-profit group authorized by the court system to investigate equine cases in Escambia County.

“She had eaten everything in her pen and was pushing the fence down trying to get to grass,” PER President Diane Lowery said. “She is a very sweet girl and so very thin, but she is fighting to survive.”

The owner voluntarily surrendered the horse to PER, and the mare was  taken a veterinarian for evaluation and then to PER’s facility in Cantonment. Lowery said the case is being investigated by Escambia County Animal Control. No charges have been filed against the horse’s owner.

Panhandle Equine Rescue is a non-profit organization, Lowery said, that relies on donations to feed and provide shelter for horses like Bootsy. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.

Pictured: A neglected horse rescued Saturday from Jakes Road in Nokomis. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.


Comments

13 Responses to “Equine Group Rescues Neglected Horse Living On Corn And Saltine Crackers”

  1. Sammie on July 20th, 2012 2:33 pm

    “a freind”?

    The horse was “severly dehydrated”.. how much does water cost? Would it have been too expensive to merely provide water?

    And I dont’ care how poor they were, “nice” people do not allow an animal to simply slowly starve to death.

    She needs to be IN JAIL.

  2. No Excuses on July 11th, 2012 3:13 pm

    @ a friend.

    I did NOT say they were bad people. I believe I said, “What are people (meaning everyone who falls into this boat) thinking when this is allowed to happen to an animal?” That horse is a walking skeleton and should have been turned over to the rescue group much sooner than this. The fact that the owners could not feed the animal was realized fairly early on, one would think. Why allow an animal to get into that shape? I don’t think that makes them bad, just guilty of poor judgement.

  3. Etheleene Jernigan on July 10th, 2012 9:42 pm

    I am very proud of my daughter for the wonderful work she is doing with Panhandle Equine Rescue. Every since she was a little girl, she has always loved animals. She and her sister Cindy would ride neighbors horses and help them take care of them. They would clean stalls. feed and water them and brush them down good. They both fell in love with horses. This went on for years. They learned how to ride and eventually they had their own horse. My daughter is Diane Lowery, president of Panhandle Equine Rescue. Her love for horses is the reason she is so dedicated to helping do something to helping these horses that are being so mistreated. She and all the others that are working endless hours need all the help they can get. If you can do anything to help, contact someone at Panhandle Equine Rescue. Thank you.

  4. a freind on July 9th, 2012 4:50 pm

    they arent bad people!!! so everyone that is saying that needs to stop!! i live right next to them, i used to go over there almost everyday to pet and feed the horse some grass. she is beautiful and really gentle. the owner offered to give the horse to us but we couldnt afford to put a fence up for her. they tried to feed her but they cant afford it, how does that make them bad people?

  5. No Excuses on July 9th, 2012 1:15 pm

    She looks like an Overo American Paint Horse. Any idea what breed (s) she might be?

    I have three horses who live like kings. By the end of the summer, they look very fat and happy. If I ever found myself in a situation where I could not feed, ride or care for them properly, I’d give them away or surrender them to a rescue group before I’d let them suffer. What are people thinking when this is allowed to happen to an animal?

  6. Me on July 9th, 2012 9:19 am

    Was there not at least some grass the poor thing could eat? I don’t understand why she was only given corn and crackers? I know it costs a lot to feed a horse but at least some grass and corn while you try to find a home for the horse. I know I don’t know all the facts here. It is very sad. Glad the horse is eating better now.

  7. Dorothy on July 8th, 2012 6:54 pm

    Why have no charges been filed against the owner??? I read that Alabama has more animal abuse cases then any state and that the punishment is barely anything when they are prosecuted. We need to stop letting these people get by with this. It just makes me sick. The owner should be held accountable for this. If it were a child they would be filing charges. Domesticated animals look to us for care just like children do. It appears the fence was killing him rather than protecting him. This is happening too much.

  8. Queenbee on July 8th, 2012 10:47 am

    Without help from the community, we cannot rescue horses. We appreciate any support you can give. Your tax deductible contribution can be mailed to: P.E.R., P.O. Box 777, Cantonment, FL. 32533. Foster homes are also needed. Safe fencing, shelter and some knowledge of caring for horses are the only requirements. Expenses are reimbursed. If you have any extra space and want to be a foster home, please call 850-587-3565. We also need volunteers to do barn chores in the mornings. Call for more information. If no answer, leave a message and we’ll get back to you asap.

  9. horsegirl on July 8th, 2012 8:58 am

    Sad part is that they probably either one, not educated on how to care for a horse. or 2 they couldn’t afford it. the important part to this is at least now she is going to get the care she needs and the owner gave her up to PER willingly! Now if it was pure neglect that is another story! but I hope that she gets fat and happy and finds a good loving home! thank you PER for taking in so many animals who need help!

  10. Animal Lover on July 8th, 2012 8:53 am

    Thank you Equine Rescue for all you do! Like Jane said, we need to help with donations, can you publish an address for us? Action counts, let’s do it!

    All GOD’s creatures need to be taken care of, if you can’t do it, don’t have one!

    And if anyone in the general public sees similar situations, please don’t ignore this and think someone else will take care of it, it may not happen, make that call for help,
    Because the animals can’t!

  11. Sandra on July 8th, 2012 8:37 am

    Oh how sad. So glad this beautiful creature gets a new lease on life! Thank you Panhandle Equine Rescue!

  12. Jane on July 8th, 2012 6:25 am

    If it weren’t for this group then so many horses, donkeys, etc. would die…they do a great job and work so hard! If you can help them with donations or food for the animals, please do! It is expensive to keep these big guys. Great job Panhandle Equine Rescue…thank you!!!

  13. tomtom48 on July 8th, 2012 2:19 am

    if you can not feed them … then do not get them .My wife and I have a little dog and sometimes I think she eats better then I do.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News