Vet checks

The gals had their vet checks and have continued to settle in great! We have started the refeeding schedule and they each receive small frequent meals of alfalfa hay.

The focus now will to clear up the lice and get them feeling less itchy. We are expecting very warm weather this weekend and each will be getting medicated bathes.

B

Sing settling in

Soup settling in

New Link

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S887398.shtml?cat=10114

On the News!!

We made the top story on the 5 o'clock News NBC in Albany.

http://www.wnyt.com/

Our Mares

Both are doing well this evening. Sing in the Shower is by Artax out of Krissy's Song, and Unbridled Song mare. Very sad that a filly with this breeding was never even registered. Why breed if you're not even going to bother with that.

I wanted to share a photo of Sing's sire: Artax

The Farm Pick Up

Sing in the Shower
4yr old gray roan filly

WontonSoupforYou
6 yr old gray mare

"Unbelievable"! That is about all I can say after walking the property at Center Brook. There were many horses in varying degrees of body condition. I would say most were visibly thin- prominent hips, spines and ribs discernible. This is on many still in heavy winter hair coats. On many of the horses there is evidence of hair loss across their toplines. They show signs of lice infestation and fungal infections.

Filly by Artax
Severe skin infection & lice infestation

It was very apparent some horses were "cared" for and other were not. When we spoke to one of the grooms in Spanish he implied he was told to feed "these horses, but not those horses". It was very easy to see which were the throwaways.

We spent time looking at each turnout area. Many of the horses were not in stalls. The fence was in poor condition, much of it chewed. Some paddocks were made by tying gate panels together. Everything had a rundown appearance. While we were there the workers were placing round bales in some of the fields. The horses paced and watched in anticipation when the tractor came close. They were all thrilled to see some food.

I will try and get some images of the mares tomorrow. We arrived home in sleet and freezing rain. They are all bedded up and warm in sheets in the quarantine barn.

The Story

The Paragallo Horses
(all photos courtesy of Columbia-Greene SPCA)

In early April 2009, the New York horse farm of breeder Ernie Paragallo was raided by the NYS Police and Animal Control. What they found was 177 horses in varying conditions. Some so severely malnourished they scored a 2 or less on the Heneke Body Scale. Below are links to some of the news stories that ran.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/sports/othersports/09horses.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30263095#30263095

From Columbia-Greene County Humane Society SPCA site

Mr. Paragallo has been charged with 22 misdemeanor counts of Failure to Provide Sustenance. Each charge carries a minimum sentence of up to one year and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

176 horses at Center Brook Farm are under the care of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA. Dozens of the horses had infections and parasites, and virtually all were thin to emaciated.

But, the story didn't start there.

This is from the Ac4h site. Another Chance for Horses is a PA based rescue group that has spent many years actively rescuing and placing horses destined for slaughter. Through their numerous connections they helped "blow the whistle" on the Paragallo situation. Without them, these horses would never have been helped! They are currently caring for 4 mares from the kill pen. Please visit their SITE

3-26-09 - Approximately two weeks Another Chance 4 Horses and a few rescue colleagues were alerted to the arrival of a large group of Thoroughbred mares that were dropped off at the New York kill pen. A woman in New York purchased three of the mares. Once home, she identified the mares and contacted a few Thoroughbred rescue people in an effort to help more of the horses. After speaking with the dealer/kill buyer who had the horses, AC4H was able to retrieve four additional mares from the group. The four mares’ condition was too poor to ship to slaughter. The remaining horses from the group did, unfortunately, ship to slaughter.

Of the seven that have been saved, the four with AC4H were the worst of the group. They are severely malnourished, heavily infested with worms and lice, and have old, untreated wounds. All of the horses were wearing neck bands with their names on them and the mares with tattoos have been positively identified by their tattoos. One mare, initially thought to be a yearling filly, has been determined to be a five year old and tentatively identified based on the neck band and year of her birth.