Abused Horses Find Foster Home

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Created on Thursday, 20 March 2014 18:48

Written by Katrina Floranza

VICTORY- 21 horses were rescued after facing horrible living conditions at the Bona Ranch Farm in Lyndonville. Two out of the 21 horses are on their way to recovery at their new foster home in Victory.

Patricia Mitchell, President of Elizabeth H. Brown Humane Society, is currently fostering two mares at her barn right in the backyard of her home. The horses are receiving the proper feed and care they deserve. Mitchell explains their food routine, "They're eating a lot of hay. They're drinking an awful lot of water-- they're drinking 25 to 30 gallons of water a day."

Mitchell, along with other members of the board at Elizabeth Brown, are pleased that the horses are slowly recovering. Due to the living conditions they faced, it will take about a year in order for the horses to reach the stage in which they should be in. Mitchell explains the cruel lifestyle at the Bona Ranch, "They were eating their own manure. They were chewing on fences. There was no hay available... and there was no sign of water."

She is convinced that no matter where the horses were going, they were willing to travel anywhere away from the ranch, "They were so starved for food and water, that even if they were going to slaughter, they would have rather gone there than to live in the position they were in."

The other horses from the Bona Ranch have been dispersed throughout many rescue centers. Horses who were in worse condition are receiving medical attention. Members of the humane society are thankful that many law enforcement officials were active in the Bona Ranch case.

Despite the cruel conditions the horses faced at the Bona Ranch, they have no behavioral patterns that came from the treatment. Mitchell adds, "They're not mad. They don't try to kick me. It took about three days for the horses to talk. And now, they whinny when they see me come into the barn. They're just happy, greatful."

Other than the two horses from the Bona Ranch, the Elizabeth H. Brown Humane Society has rescued a numerous amount of animals. At the humane society, a handfull of chickens, 25 rabbits, one llama, two alpacas, a donkey, miniature horses and goats are also residing there.

Although the barns are filling up at Elizabeth Brown, Pat Mitchell says she will always find a way to make room if it means rescuing animals.

"Things happen to people. People's lives change. Call us."