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NC - Triangle Region
Alamance County Horse comes into the USERL Horse Program
January 6, 2010:
The Alamance Sheriff's department received a cruelty report of thin horses chained to a pickup truck. The owner immediately surrendered the horse. The horse, now named "Duramax", is severely underweight and has several old, infected wounds on his legs likely resulting from being tethered with chain and rope. He needed immediate care for survival.
Duramax was transported to a USERL Quarantine/Rehab farm and immediately evaluated by a veterinarian. His wounds are being cared for daily and he is on antibiotics for the infection. Duramax has begun a re-feeding program to slowly heal his malnourished body. He is a Haflinger and believed to be about 20-25 years old.
The Alamance Sheriff's department received a cruelty report of thin horses chained to a pickup truck. The owner immediately surrendered the horse. The horse, now named "Duramax", is severely underweight and has several old, infected wounds on his legs likely resulting from being tethered with chain and rope. He needed immediate care for survival.
Duramax was transported to a USERL Quarantine/Rehab farm and immediately evaluated by a veterinarian. His wounds are being cared for daily and he is on antibiotics for the infection. Duramax has begun a re-feeding program to slowly heal his malnourished body. He is a Haflinger and believed to be about 20-25 years old.
Duramax was chosen for our "Hearts for Horses" Campaign because he exemplifies so well USERL's mission: to save, protect, and rehabilitate equines in need. We rescue abused, neglected, or abandoned equines; provide them with care and rehabilitation; and finally find them a compatible, loving home.
Horses that come into the USERL Horse Program are from cruelty cases, cases that need immediate assistance of shelter and veterinary/nutritional care for survival. These cases often occur as reports that come into county authorities and need immediate assistance without delay of finding a suitable place for their care and needs (often needing 24 hour care the first week of arrival). Counties do not have the budget or facilities to help these horses. USERL assists counties with these needs.
Go to USERL's main website homepage for more information about "Hearts for Horses" and how you can help make a difference!
Horses that come into the USERL Horse Program are from cruelty cases, cases that need immediate assistance of shelter and veterinary/nutritional care for survival. These cases often occur as reports that come into county authorities and need immediate assistance without delay of finding a suitable place for their care and needs (often needing 24 hour care the first week of arrival). Counties do not have the budget or facilities to help these horses. USERL assists counties with these needs.
Go to USERL's main website homepage for more information about "Hearts for Horses" and how you can help make a difference!
January 30, 2010: Update!
Duramax continues his battle for survival. He went down a week after arrival and required assistance to stand. However, Duramax continues to get stronger and is needing less assistance. His wounds are healing but will require much more time and care. His attitude is brighter and he is a very sweet boy!
More photos to come!
Duramax continues his battle for survival. He went down a week after arrival and required assistance to stand. However, Duramax continues to get stronger and is needing less assistance. His wounds are healing but will require much more time and care. His attitude is brighter and he is a very sweet boy!
More photos to come!
February 20, 2010:
After a month of careful observation, refeeding, and getting crews together multiple times to help Duramax back up after he laid down and coudn't get up - he is believed to be rounding the corner and heading for a successful rehabilitation.
His leg wound is looking much better, and his weight has increased along with his strength. He may still have issues in the following months if he lays down in a poor position or area, but he can now get up if the footing is good. A huge THANK YOU to all that have been on call to come and help him up the past month, and for those giving him such diligent care!
After a month of careful observation, refeeding, and getting crews together multiple times to help Duramax back up after he laid down and coudn't get up - he is believed to be rounding the corner and heading for a successful rehabilitation.
His leg wound is looking much better, and his weight has increased along with his strength. He may still have issues in the following months if he lays down in a poor position or area, but he can now get up if the footing is good. A huge THANK YOU to all that have been on call to come and help him up the past month, and for those giving him such diligent care!
At left, Duramax looking much brighter and alert.
Above, Duramax enjoys a good roll in his leftover hay - something he couldn't do because he was so weak - until recently!
Above, Duramax enjoys a good roll in his leftover hay - something he couldn't do because he was so weak - until recently!
May 10, 2010:
Duramax has been steadily gaining his weight back and doing very well. His old injury continued to sporadically abscess, and a small piece of bone eventually sloughed out of the wound. To make sure that no more dead bone was present, Duramax was taken into the clinic for follow-up radiographs. The radiographs showed no additional dead bone!
To the right and below are photos of Duramax at his vet visit that day. He looks wonderful and is quite the character!
Duramax has been steadily gaining his weight back and doing very well. His old injury continued to sporadically abscess, and a small piece of bone eventually sloughed out of the wound. To make sure that no more dead bone was present, Duramax was taken into the clinic for follow-up radiographs. The radiographs showed no additional dead bone!
To the right and below are photos of Duramax at his vet visit that day. He looks wonderful and is quite the character!
Duramax has already found his adoptive home with one of his caregivers!