Pictures of the Wild Horses in Need
WIN is currently responsible for the complete care of approximately 300 horses in numerous locations in California. At times WIN was responsible for a total herd of as many as 800 horses. WIN was formed to rehabiltate the horses that were seized from Slick Gardner's ranch near Buelton, CA. While many of the horses have little monetary value, the goals of WIN are to maintain their current state of health and to eventually find them pemanent homes. These noble creatures deserve no less after their abyssmal treatment prior to their rescue by WIN.
Please click here to visit our complete gallery of horses.
The pictures of the emaciated horses in the pictures below and on this website are representative of the 167 horses that were seized due to the "concentration camp" conditions that they endured from April to September 2003. The two intial seizures were for horses rated as 1 or 2 on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System. The scores of 1 or 2 equate to Poor (extrememly emaciated) or Very Thin (emaciated). A healthy ideal weight for a horse is between 5 and 7. A number of horses and foals had died from starvation before and shortly after being rescued by WIN.
This mare and foal were part of the initial seizure.
This bay filly had a condition score of 1, or poor, on the Henneke Scale
when WIN became responsible for her food and care.
She and the other starved horses were fed good quality hay according to a strict schedule of refeeding.
Initially this care focused on refeeding the starved, neglected herd and treating their wounds. The re-feeding process for a starved horse is complicated and requires dedicated care during the critical first days and continues for many months until the horse resumes his ideal weight and condition.
In addition to acute starvation and chronic malnutrition, many of the mares recovered by WIN were pregnant or lactating. Both conditions require additional calories and care from the WIN volunteers.
In addition to nursing a young foal and being starved close to death,
this mare had an 81 pound tumor removed from her hind leg.
This lactating mare and many others posed additional challenges to WIN.
WIN is pleased to report that, after the two initial seizures, the mares and their offspring are doing well, growing, and gaining weight. Unfortunately, as the herd size grows, so does WIN's need for funds and volunteers. WIN is currently requesting donations for the daily feed, watering, and care of this large herd.
In addition, 40 of the WIN horses are being hosted by the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program. WIN is seeking sponsors for these 40. Please help WIN support them by sponsoring a horse today. Sponsorship is only $40 a month per horse.
This small band of mares and foals peacefully enjoy their nutritious meal of hay.
Only one of this herd of approximately 50 horses notices our photographer.
Though there are still a few ribs visible, this herd is approaching ideal body weight.
In addition to refeeding the starved horses, WIN faces the challenge of providing veterinary care to this large herd of wild horses. The veterinary care ranges from health maintenance and screening, to treating wounds inflicted during the initial round-up and during squabbles amongst the newly gelded horses.
The stallions that are too old to be gelded have been removed from the general herd. The other stallions that were placed into the care of WIN have been gelded for their own protection and to prevent continued procreation until a plan for this large herd is put in place. Recently gelded horses must still be kept isolated from mares for four months to prevent accidental procreation.
This foal was kept in at the vet barn while he received regular veterinary
care and monitoring of the stitched laceration on his muzzle.
This filly was being treated for tetanus. She was euthanized shortly after being seized from the Gardner ranch despite an heroic effort to save her life. The cotton in her ears is there to muffle sound which horses suffering from tetanus are very susceptible.
This young buckskin was being treated for pneumonia following the seizure. Unfortunately, he died from the infection despite excellent veterinary care.
The horses from the Western Shoshone Indians in Nevada have a connection with the Lewis and Clark Expedition that mapped the western frontier. These horses are direct descendants from the trail horses that were loaned to Lewis & Clark and carried their Corps of Discovery over the Rocky Mountains in 1805. This herd's ancestors were then fed and cared for by the Nez Perce Indians while Lewis & Clark continued their voyage to the Pacific Ocean.
WIN hopes to one day purchase suffiecient land to return this historic herd to the lands from which they were removed. In addition to the continued feed, water, and veterinary costs of caring for this large herd, WIN is currently working to raise funds to make this dream a reality.
This is an older picture of a beautifully blanketed Appoloosa who is no longer thin, WIN is happy to report. So please check back soon for more pictures and news of the WIN horses.
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herd report