By Rhonda Lucas Donald

Not far from the Civil War battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md., animal control authorities found 75 horses fighting their own battle for life Dec. 2. The horses were found in varying stages of neglect and injury as they foraged on poor pasture with no sign of additional feed.

Washington County Humane Society, which provides animal control services for the county, had served a search warrant on the property, known as Windrinker Farm, in response to a complaint about a seriously ill horse. After seizing the property, authorities found the remains of 10 horses, including the one who prompted the complaint. Several cats and dogs were also found. WCHS staff were able to treat most of them on site, but two dogs needed to go to the shelter for care.

At WCHS Executive Director Paul Miller’s request, HSUS Disaster Animal Response Team members Jeff Eyre and Allen Schwartz drove a specially outfitted 38-foot RV/command center and a truck with trailer to the scene. In addition to providing a mobile base of operations, the larger vehicle also served as mess and quarters for weary rescuers.

Because the property was not large enough to safely tend and feed all of the horses, HSUS team members helped assess and prepare for transport those needing care off-site. They also stayed at the farm to feed, water and tend the 41 horses who remained on the property. Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Howard County, Md., took 24 of the horses for care at their facility, and WCHS transported another 10 to its shelter.

Eyre explained that many of the horses had wounds from being exposed to the many hazards present on the property. “The pasture was full of rocks, trash, dilapidated fencing, even broken glass,” he said. One colt was mired in mud in freezing temperatures and needed immediate rescue and care.

In addition, many horses were found to be very thin, and there was not enough water available for them. “The owner would roll out a round bale of hay and only six or so horses could feed at a time,” Eyre said. “Smaller or weaker horses couldn’t compete with larger ones for food.” Nearly half the herd were stallions, so there was excessive breeding and fighting. “The colts faired the worst, as they were unable to get enough to eat.”

WCHS is compiling evidence in the case against the farm owner. In the meantime, Eyre and Schwartz took the night shift in the 24-hour-a-day monitoring of the animals remaining on the property. As they stood under the full moon and listened to the munching of the freshly fed horses, they said they felt good knowing that these animals were experiencing the first of many better days to come.