The Grey Mares are Safe!
It was pouring rain when we drove up to the stable early Friday-after-Thanksgivingmorning. We met Kathy, the woman who told us the two mares were destined for slaughter because their owner had stopped coming out or paying for them. She led us to the two mares who were standing in a paddock, in inches of mud and muck. Their shelter was quite small, and the mares were soaked from standing in the rain. Kathy said she had purchased a rake, buckets, and other supplies, but that they had been stolen by the other boarders at the stable. All that was left was a semi-working halter that was hanging on the paddock; the halter rope had been taken off to keep the gate closed.
The mares have no names; while they were supposed to be registered, the stable gave us no information on them, and we have no way of contacting the previous owner. Ironically enough, the previous owner supposedly rescued these two girls three years ago, only to have them end up once again thin and in danger of being put to death. Elizabeth took the older of the two out of the paddock first; the flea-bitten grey mare, and Emily walked the younger one, a grey mare behind her. They were very bonded, and it was quickly apparent that the younger mare would be the more difficult to load. The younger mare had a bit of trepidation when we loaded her into the trailer for her new foster home but went in once she realized it was dry, clean and Elizabeth’s hand was full of treats! The older mare hopped right into the trailer, and they seemed very happy to once again be side-by-side. Kaitlin and Emily buttoned up the trailer and the girls traveled well to their new destination. They both have very sweet dispositions.
They are now in a foster home where they have a large paddock to run around in with with their own individual stalls(!) and another grey gelding (who loves everyone and everything). Their foster dad is looking forward to having the vet check them out, the farrier taking care of their overgrown feet, having their teeth floated, putting weight on them and overwhelming them with love. In the first 5 minutes at their new foster home, both mares rolled multiple times and took joyous romps around the paddock. They are getting along swell with their new gelding friend. It’s a paddock of grey horses!
Thank you ALL for helping us save these sweet souls. The power of us ALL is stronger than each alone.