'Bennie'
Bennie came to the Rescue in April, 2009. Unbeknownst to us, our farrier at the time had purchased him at auction for $50 with the intention of bringing him to us at the Rescue. For some reason, since we weren't home that day, she instead dropped him off at a neighbour's quarter section and told us the next day that he was there and that we should go get him. We didn't know how bad he was until we saw him. He was possibly the thinnest horse we'd ever seen. Even more unbelievable was that at the auction he'd actually been saddled and ridden through the ring by 2 children!
Bennie was starving, had pneumonia, and was infested with lice. He required an extensive regimen of antibiotics and proper refeeding. As he started to regain weight he lost ALL his body hair. Thankfully he grew in a new healthy coat by summer. Once he was well enough he had a dental float and it was no surprise that he was missing several of his teeth. Bennie had a stroke in 2010 and gradually lost his eyesight and his hearing. He was very happy though in his own little paddock and with time spent in the yard grazing. Bennie was with us for almost 5 years and was likely well into his 30s when he passed away suddenly in February, 2014. He is the epitome of the reason behind the Rescue and a perfect example of how proper care can give these horses the retirement they deserve. He was such a sweet, gentle, old horse and yet he had been neglected and discarded and allowed to starve because he was deemed to have outlived his usefulness.
Bennie was starving, had pneumonia, and was infested with lice. He required an extensive regimen of antibiotics and proper refeeding. As he started to regain weight he lost ALL his body hair. Thankfully he grew in a new healthy coat by summer. Once he was well enough he had a dental float and it was no surprise that he was missing several of his teeth. Bennie had a stroke in 2010 and gradually lost his eyesight and his hearing. He was very happy though in his own little paddock and with time spent in the yard grazing. Bennie was with us for almost 5 years and was likely well into his 30s when he passed away suddenly in February, 2014. He is the epitome of the reason behind the Rescue and a perfect example of how proper care can give these horses the retirement they deserve. He was such a sweet, gentle, old horse and yet he had been neglected and discarded and allowed to starve because he was deemed to have outlived his usefulness.
