Phelps County Horses

Starving Horses Rescued
Rolla, MO (April 19, 2004) Fifteen starving horses - their ribs and hips showing - were rescued near Rolla, Missouri. Also discovered on the property were seven deceased horses. When the owner declined to surrender the horses, the Phelps County Sheriff's Department secured a warrant and asked the Humane Society of Missouri to rescue the horses.

Due to their poor health and lack of training, the horses were difficult to round up. Seven of the horses had not been handled by people before; therefore, rescuers could not put halters on them, lead them or even touch them. Two horses suffered from weak leg muscles; they would lie down but could not get back up without help. One horse was blind in one eye. All were extremely thin and covered with lice and ticks. They had shaggy, dull hair coats and their hooves needed to be trimmed.

The horses were brought to the Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri, to begin their recovery. Each horse was examined by a veterinarian, de-wormed and put in a safe stall or paddock with shelter, water and a mineral block. They were given small feedings of hay several times day and night so that they could slowly regain their strength.

Of immediate concern were the pregnant mares who did not have any udder development due to their poor health. They were immediately administered with domperidone gel to stimulate them to make milk for their soon-to-arrive babies.

Healthy Foals are Born to Rescued Mares

Special thanks to Walter Suhre, photographer extraordinaire, for the August photos

Midnight
On April 27, 2004 at 9:30 p.m., a black and white spotted filly was born to Mercury, a chestnut Saddlebred mare. Thankfully, her birth was uneventful.

Jamie Brueggeman of Washington, Missouri suggested Midnight for Mercury's filly because the filly's white spots reminded Brueggeman of clouds at night.

Midnight in June 2004 (below)

Midnight romping with Dimming in August 2004

Stardust
On April 29, 2004 at 7 a.m., a chestnut and white filly was born to Saturn, a red roan Tennessee Walking horse. Saturn had complications from foaling that required medical care. After arriving at the equine hospital, the foal developed a fever. Both mom and baby stayed at the hospital for a few days and were successfully treated with antibiotics.

Lois Linton of Collinsville , Illinois suggested Stardust for Saturn's filly because Linton's Tennessee Walker named Stardust Traveler passed away on May 8, 2003 at 35 years of age.

Stardust in June 2004 (below)

Stardust in August 2004

Twilight Dimming
On April 29, 2004 at 1:00 a.m. a brown and white spotted filly was born to Twilight, a black Tennessee Walking horse. Earlier, Twilight had been sent to the equine hospital because she appeared to be too weak to give a natural birth to her foal. The hospital staff was on standby to do a caesarian to save the baby and mom.

K'Lynn Jackson of Moorpark, California suggested Twilight Dimming for Twilight's filly. Her brown spots could represent the light of day fading away, says Jackson. We'll call her Dimming' for short, says Earlene Cole, director of Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.

Dimming in June 2004 (below)

Dimming snuggling with Stardust in August 2004

Lightyear
On April 30, 2004 at 6:30 p.m., a black and white spotted colt was born to Eclipse, a black and white spotted Saddle horse. The colt had an elbow caught on his mom's pelvis, so the ranch staff helped with his delivery.

Jessica Hantle of Nixa, Missouri suggested Lightyear for the colt born to Eclipse because she felt the name fit his look.

Lightyear in June 2004 (below)

Lightyear with Mama Eclipse in August 2004