Interesting Pictures ( 14 )

More Interesting Pictures:

Starving Horses

Recently Donna Brownfield, a lady from Oregon, was riding in the hills near La Peñita when she came upon a starving horse. Donna was sickened by the sight of this horse and went in search of someone who could help.  Since that day much has happened in our area to rescue this horse and other starving horses.

Our friends, Ron and Simone, who just moved here this winter, have gotten very involved with the rescue of these horses, and recently, an article, written by Simone, was published in Island Gals on Vancouver Island.

If you would like to read Simone's article, here is the link:  Just highlight, copy and paste.

http://islandgals.ca/SIMONE_STORY.html

Due to generous donations from many people, George Leavitt was able to purchase the starving horses, reported on in Simone’s article, and now all the horses have had medical attention, are being fed and groomed regularly, and soon they will have a new home.

Hilltop Refugio:

Hilltop Refugio was established by George and his wife, Loretta to help large animals like horses, donkeys and mules who are ill, malnourished or being mistreated, in our area. 

Because of George’s love of horses and his love of Mexico, for over 35 years, his dream has been to form a large animal rescue group, and now his dream is finally coming true. 

Since the horses were rescued, Ron has spent just about every morning up grooming the horses or up on the hill working on the new stalls, and both Ron and Simone have spent considerable hours fundraising for these horses.

The other day, we went up to Hilltop Refugio to have a look at the property.  It has panoramic 360 degree views over Jaltemba Bay, the town of La Peñita, and back over the farmers' fields, hills and mountains.

As soon as the newly constructed stalls have been completed, the horses will be transferred to Hilltop Refugio, a property owned by George Leavitt.

After we left the hill, we went to see the rescued horses in the two locations where they are currently being kept.

In the next photos a couple of the rescued horses are standing next to normal horses.  You can really see the difference between their size and sheen.  

These poor rescued horses have very narrow chests, protruding ribs and bones, and they are still very weak.

George and Ron said that the animals are in much better shape than when they were rescued, but they still don't look all that well to me. 

It is really obvious that Ron is in his glory when he's up shovelling poop, grooming the horses, giving them some love and attention or building stalls.

Muchos Kudos to both Ron and Simone for everything they are doing to help these poor, neglected horses.