01/29/09: 
A few days ago I saw an ad about 3 horses being sold for a total of $500.  This raised concerns about them ending up in a bad place where the could end up in the slaughter pipeline.  They were supposed to be 2 QH's and an Arabian - all 6 yrs old.  I called and was told they were all healthy - the family just didn't have time for them any longer.

I had to wait over a weekend to go see the horses as the owner had to go out of town.  When I got there I found 2 Appaloosa's and an Arabian - no QH's.  The paddock they were living in had barb wire, boards with nails sticking out, and PVC pipes laying all around.  The fence was about 3' high and the horses had leaned over it and broke many of the top connectors trying to get to the little bit of weeds on the other side.  I was told they had been in a larger paddock but had been pulling small palm trees out of the ground and eating the roots so they were moved into this small paddock.  There was no hay to be found. 

I was told they Arabian gelding would kick and bite.  He did neither.  I had to climb over the fence to get in.  He came over and actually out himself between me and the owner that was on the outside of the fence.  He then leaned his neck against my shoulder.  I hugged him and promised him we'd get them out of there ASAP.  The owner seemed afraid of him but not of the 2 Appaloosa's.  The Appaloosa's seemed very hungry and worried - they appeared as all their dignity had been taken away.