Moorabool volunteers are rehabilitating some of the 100 malnourished horses rescued from an Ararat property in February.
Gordon-based Horse Shepherd Equine Sanctuary is taking care of most of the horses, which at the time of seizure by the RSPCA were severely under weight and exhibiting signs of malnutrition and muscle-wasting.
Many were suffering from worms and parasites.
The RSPCA said most of the horses had never been handled and only a few of the stallions and colts appeared to have been gelded.
The seizure also included some foals and pregnant mares.
Sanctuary president Anne Young said the horses had put on a lot of weight since the seizure.
The stallions had been gelded and most had been handled.
“We’re used to seeing horses in poor condition, but we’re not used to seeing it that bad and in that quantity,” Ms Young said. “We hope to find them new homes as soon as we can.”
Meanwhile, Project Hope is working with several Moorabool residents to rehabilitate the malnourished horses.
President Sue Kirkegard said people from across western Victoria had volunteered to donate their time to restore the horses to health and find long-term homes for them.
Leigh Wren is looking after 21 horses on his property in Bunding near Ballan.
“When you’re faced with so many unhandled horses, it’s difficult to manage,” he said. “It’s not without its challenges … but I’ve had a lifetime with horses. It’s an opportunity for me to give something back to the animal that has given me such pleasure and love.”
The rescue operation was the largest of its kind conducted in the state, with the RSPCA estimating the final bill, including the costs of the rescue, treatment, feeding and rehabilitation, to be more than $250,000.
RSPCA chief executive Liz Walker said the process of bringing the horses back to good health had been “slow and arduous”, but she expected them to be well enough to be “re-homed” in the next month.
“We’re so grateful to our rescue partners for their incredible support and are very much looking forward to watching each of these beautiful animals leave us for safe, caring, forever homes,” Dr Walker said.
“There’s no excuse for neglecting animals, and we implore all horse-owners to plan carefully for the welfare of their animals.”
The RSPCA will be laying charges against the person from whom the animals were seized.
For more information about adopting the horses, search Project Hope or Horse Shepherd Equine Sanctuary on Facebook.
– with The Age
