Six Holmes County horses saved, including rare breed

Six horses are now on a long road to recovery at Alaqua Animal Refuge after being rescued from a Holmes County residence.

On Thursday, June 11, the team at Alaqua was called to assist in connection with an animal cruelty investigation; they responded the same day.

Although Alaqua Animal Refuge frequently responds to animal cruelty cases, for Horse and Farm Manager Callie Vargas, the rescue was particularly difficult.

“For me personally, it’s the worst that I have seen,” Vargas said.

Three of the horses had the lowest body score possible and were considered to be experiencing life-threatening emaciation.

“It was a terrible situation. And deplorable conditions. Sand lot, very dirty, filthy water, no access to hay or food. You could just tell, I mean, I don’t think you need to be a professional or a horse person to know that these animals are starving. When you have bone protrusions, when you can see them lethargic, when their skin looks sickly, then you can just tell that they’ve been severely neglected and starved,” Vargas said.

A concerned neighbor first called the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office about the horses, which kicked off a multi-agency collaboration.

The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has charged the owner with three counts of animal cruelty.

The owner voluntarily surrendered the animals to Alaqua, but that was just the start of what will be a lengthy recovery process.

“These horses require around-the-clock care, veterinary care, farrier care, dental care, staff care. We’re out here all the time making sure that they have the right food at the right time, clean water, fly mitigation, and they’re just getting the love and care that they need to physically recover,” Vargas said.

Vargas said the horses have displayed incredible resilience and are starting to get their personalities back.

“They’re each so different, and we all have nicknames for them. One of them, we call lovingly ‘Baby Girl,’ she was the youngest of the bunch. She was only about two and a half years old and with very, very terrible body condition,” Vargas said.

Another one of the horses recovered has been identified as a Florida Cracker, one of Florida’s rarest heritage breeds, with fewer than 2,000 suspected to still be in existence.

“We’re very excited to have him. But just like him and all the others, we’re doing our best for each of them. They deserve the world, with what these horses have been through,” Vargas said.

The intensive treatment they provide for these horses, and all the animals in their care, is only possible through community support.

“There are so many needs right now, and this recovery takes time, it’s not just a one-and-done deal. These horses are on a very long path to recovery so that we can get them to a place of adoption,” Vargas said.

The Alaqua team extends their gratitude to those who can volunteer their time or donate resources.

Once the horses are healthy, they will undergo an extensive training program with the end goal being putting them up for adoption.