Rescue centre working hard after 13 horses found abandoned, neglected

ABOVE: See KWTV News 9’s original report on the 13 horses found abandoned and neglected in Oklahoma 

TORONTO – Workers at an equine rescue centre in Oklahoma are doing their best to care for a dozen horses found abandoned and neglected on oil-leased land almost two weeks ago.

Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue received a call from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month after they found the 12 adult quarter horses and a young foal.

All of the horses were starving, emaciated, and covered in ticks. Five of the horses were pregnant. The foal was so weak she could barely stand.

The family struggled to care for the young foals life, but their efforts were ultimately in vain. Three days after being rescued, the young horse passed away.

“For such a young baby it’s just heartbreaking, because they just never got a chance to know what life is,” Cross said.

According to the Cross family, the rescued horses had never known human contact or attention prior to coming under their care.

The horses face a long rehabilitation process, but patience and care for injured horses is why Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue was originally founded.

As stated on their website, the rescue was established in 2001 and named in honour of Blaze, a family horse that had its hind legs badly wounded after the floor of her horse trailer fell out.

While veterinarians said Blaze’s chances of recovery were slim, the Cross family refused to give up, and after a long process managed to nurse the injured animal back to health.

Now the family is wondering how these horses managed to end up in such a sorry state.

“We’re better people than to allow all our animals to suffer just for no reason,” said Cross. “We all should just make an effort to make sure that if we’re going to bring an animal into this world, that we’re doing right by that animal.”