USERL Triangle Region takes in a horse from a case in Martin County !
October 23, 2007
USERL has been following a case in Martin County where two thin horses have been continuously tethered for several months. A call was received on these horses from a concerned citizen and USERL Investigators went out with animal control on October 23rd to investigate the report. Both horses were found still in poor condition and tethered with long ropes around their neck. One horse had severe injuries untreated from a previous entanglement with the rope. An advanced infection is now present in his Left hind pastern from lack of vet care. Other wounds are present on his Front Right leg, with scrapes down his right side of his body from his struggle to free himself. The owner surrendered the horse immediately to USERL and he was taken to a veterinary clinic to receive care. He is now safely in a Triangle rehabilitation barn.
The tethering of horses for the purpose of continuous confinement is, unfortunately, not illegal in NC unless injuries result and veterinary care is not provided for the animal (as with this case). No horse should be left tethered for long periods without supervision as serious injuries can result (even death).
This horse, now named Earl, will hopefully recover both from his injury and his neglect. A special thank you to USERL investigators for all their time and efforts on this case, Martin County Animal Control, and to Greenville Mobile Equine Service for their care of Earl. More photos will be posted in the coming days.
USERL has been following a case in Martin County where two thin horses have been continuously tethered for several months. A call was received on these horses from a concerned citizen and USERL Investigators went out with animal control on October 23rd to investigate the report. Both horses were found still in poor condition and tethered with long ropes around their neck. One horse had severe injuries untreated from a previous entanglement with the rope. An advanced infection is now present in his Left hind pastern from lack of vet care. Other wounds are present on his Front Right leg, with scrapes down his right side of his body from his struggle to free himself. The owner surrendered the horse immediately to USERL and he was taken to a veterinary clinic to receive care. He is now safely in a Triangle rehabilitation barn.
The tethering of horses for the purpose of continuous confinement is, unfortunately, not illegal in NC unless injuries result and veterinary care is not provided for the animal (as with this case). No horse should be left tethered for long periods without supervision as serious injuries can result (even death).
This horse, now named Earl, will hopefully recover both from his injury and his neglect. A special thank you to USERL investigators for all their time and efforts on this case, Martin County Animal Control, and to Greenville Mobile Equine Service for their care of Earl. More photos will be posted in the coming days.
The horses were tethered with a rope around their neck. The rope had to be cut off to remove it.
His Left Hind pastern (above) and his Right Foreleg had gotten tangled in the rope.
Earl was taken immediately to a veterinary clinic where his wounds were cleaned and treated, and his left hind pastern was radiographed to determine the depth of the infection. He is now on anitibiotics for the infection and bute for pain. It is hopeful that he will make a full recovery.
All cleaned up and bandaged, Earl looks more hopeful now.
October 25, 2007:
Earl's leg is healing well. His lameness has improved some in that leg but is still present. Scar tissue is preventing his fetlock joint from flexing back as far as it should normally. This is due to delayed treatment of the injury as the scar tissue was already formed when he arrived to USERL. It is hopeful that as he is allowed more exercise, his scarred tendons will stretch to allow more mobility of the joint. The black line around his coronary band is another area being watched carefully. It is unknown how much damage has been done and how it will affect Earl. Only time will tell as he heals...
However, Earl doesn't seem to mind as he trots and gallops around the farm. He is a very sweet boy with tons of personality and instantly becomes a favorite of visitors. If he does not heal sound as a riding prospect, he will be a wonderful companion/pet.
Earl's leg is healing well. His lameness has improved some in that leg but is still present. Scar tissue is preventing his fetlock joint from flexing back as far as it should normally. This is due to delayed treatment of the injury as the scar tissue was already formed when he arrived to USERL. It is hopeful that as he is allowed more exercise, his scarred tendons will stretch to allow more mobility of the joint. The black line around his coronary band is another area being watched carefully. It is unknown how much damage has been done and how it will affect Earl. Only time will tell as he heals...
However, Earl doesn't seem to mind as he trots and gallops around the farm. He is a very sweet boy with tons of personality and instantly becomes a favorite of visitors. If he does not heal sound as a riding prospect, he will be a wonderful companion/pet.
Earl's injury is healing quickly with good care (left).
Earl is looking better, too, as he gains weight (right).
Earl is looking better, too, as he gains weight (right).
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February 26, 2008:
Earl has had a long road to recovery, but has made it! He still has weight to gain, as he's been slow to put it on. But it's now picking up again. His injuries have completely healed, although a permanent fusion of the left rear fetlock joint is present. It certainly doesn't bother him as he races around the pasture. This horse is full of life and captures anyone's heart that is around him.
Earlier this year, Earl was diagnosed as a "Roarer". He'd not had any problems previously, but then had several allergic reactions (new batch of hay) in which he had trouble breathing. His hay was switched to another batch and he hasn't had any further problems.
Earl should be available for adoption later this year. He would make an ideal companion as he gets along easily with other horses (he babysits new horses when they arrive at the farm). He gets along with both mares and geldings, but likes the mares best.
Earl has had a long road to recovery, but has made it! He still has weight to gain, as he's been slow to put it on. But it's now picking up again. His injuries have completely healed, although a permanent fusion of the left rear fetlock joint is present. It certainly doesn't bother him as he races around the pasture. This horse is full of life and captures anyone's heart that is around him.
Earlier this year, Earl was diagnosed as a "Roarer". He'd not had any problems previously, but then had several allergic reactions (new batch of hay) in which he had trouble breathing. His hay was switched to another batch and he hasn't had any further problems.
Earl should be available for adoption later this year. He would make an ideal companion as he gets along easily with other horses (he babysits new horses when they arrive at the farm). He gets along with both mares and geldings, but likes the mares best.
June 23, 2008:
Earl is doing well and acting as a companion to a blind mare that had lost her sight buddy this past spring. His weight issues are resolving under the watchful eye of a wonderful foster, and his "roaring" is being watched carefully during the summer heat.
Earl is doing well and acting as a companion to a blind mare that had lost her sight buddy this past spring. His weight issues are resolving under the watchful eye of a wonderful foster, and his "roaring" is being watched carefully during the summer heat.
