Horses ‘Getting Feisty’ After Week At Shelter
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
By Misty Volaski
The four emaciated horses rescued from an Oak View ranch last week appear to be doing better after a week of care at the Humane Society of Ventura County’s Ojai shelter.
“They’re getting feisty at feeding time!” said shelter director Jolene Hoffman. “Just watching their attitudes — instead of standing with their heads down, too weak to even walk, when Becky (Holder, kennel manager) walks in with their feed, they about mow her over!”
The animals are being fed specific amounts five times every day. “We really have to monitor them when they’re not used to ingesting the proper amount of food,” Hoffman pointed out. She hasn’t done any official measuring, but “To me, it looks like they have gained a little bit of weight.”
Still, it’s a long process to get the animals back to full health — between nine and 12 months, according to Hoffman. Irreversible long-term problems can plague animals who have been deprived of adequate food and care, she added. “But, so far, so good. There’s no major health problems.”
She thanked numerous donors who have contributed to help care for the animals, from those who have donated a few dollars here and there to the Lyon family, who gave “a significant amount.” Others have given items, including fly spray, special soaps, dewormers and gift certificates to local feed stores.
After reading about the horses last week, Ojai resident Faryn Kapala issued a call to action on multiple Facebook pages, asking people to donate toward the purchase of hay for the animals. “That was my goal … to make it simple for anyone to just pick up the phone, call and donate.”
According to Ventura Hay Company owner Noreda Seymour, Kapala’s efforts resulted in about a dozen donations. “And about 10 more people came in and bought things and took it there (to the shelter) themselves,” said Seymour. “Everybody’s really pulled together nicely.”
Kapala agreed. “I’m proud to be the member of a community that responds so well to something like this!”
Hoffman said the horses need all the help they can get. “We’ve got a long way to go,” she said. “There’s so much work to do for our staff. They’re an incredible group of people, they are the true heroes.”
She said it’s not only physical work for her team; it’s emotional work. “You just think, ‘How can people do this?’ It doesn’t matter how many years I’ve seen this over and over again, it still really takes a toll on you.”
Humane officers are still not releasing the name of the ranch — which is reportedly a boarding facility — nor the names of the owners of the impounded horses. “We have to be very careful what we say,” Hoffman explained. “We don’t want to jeopardize the case at all.”
Humane officers are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews. “This is all very typical,” she said. Humane officers will put together their evidence and turn it in to the Ventura County District Attorney, who will determine whether there is enough evidence to move forward with criminal proceedings against the horse owners and possibly the ranch owners, as well.
“I can’t see this not going any farther,” Hoffman said. “I have no doubt that somebody is going to be charged for the cruelty … but everybody reads them (the laws) in a different way. Hopefully it’ll be at least four felony charges, but again, it’s up to the D.A.”
To report possible abuse of animals or to find out how to donate to help the rescued horses, contact the Humane Society at www.humanesocietyvc.org or 646-6505.
Everyone…who let this happen to the horses should ALL be arrested…it does not take a act of God to say this was wrong..WRONG!!!
This animla curelity in the worse way..not like they do not know where they got the horses…they know who was SUPPOSE to be caring for them..
Also..they should publish where they were kept…so no one else goes there…and they should also have ALL their animals taken from them..PERIOD..
Get tuff OJAI…
Its been two weeks now and no arrest have been made in this case. Meaning there will never be! Get used to it Ojai we live in Ugly times. So called persons involved have claimed they did not have enough money to feed these four. But the other 30 plus were able to get their daily flake of hay. You see when the hay cart got to these four there was no hay left to give them. Who benefits in this case? “The Humane society gets more money in donations from all you bleeding hearts. This is not how you fix a wrong by throwing money at it! If you are upset then you as a valley of people need to be calling the powers in charge and asking them why has nothing been done? Please my fellow humans Prove me wrong in that humanity has not been lost completely and that this Valley does care what goes on in it.
The humane society is overstating the cost of rehab of these horses. Looking at the body score of the mini and the young pony, they are poor but not a 1. As they don’t have to pay boarding fees and will only be paying, feed, sandclear, worming, farrier, supplements, maybe steriod shots,vet plus teeth. I am sure how they arrived at such a high number unless a horse has to attend the equine hospital. Consider where you place your donations, how they are being used.
How about a postive story on the good work your local horse rescues are doing helping horses all year round. the humane society takes in very few horses, and turns so many away.
The humsne society is not the only non profit in the valley that takes in horses such as these. California coastal horse rescue is undertaking the same lenghty task right now with a starved mare. Lets not forget WIN and reins of hope, and our throughbred rescue they could all do with donations in these hard times to help pay for hay, medications, and vet visits.
We need to get serious about all animals here in the valley. I have seen so many animals left out in the heat and left out all night barking. If you can’t take care of your animal give it a second chance and contact the Humane Society or another rescue group. We must be proactive.
what you dont understand Liz C about these horses they could not be seen from the road. This place has alot of deeper and darker secrets going on. as someone posted these were the lucky ones. If someone was to do some deeper digging they will discover something so disturbing that they might wish they never looked into it. The light of truth can never be hidden from those that seek it.
Spell it out. Go out there and video it if you know where it is, post it on You tube.
Since you seem to know WHO THIS IS , please let the rest of us know. I don’t understand both the paper (news?) and the horse community covering this up. Glad I moved my horses out of the valley.
After reading today’s story in the Ventura Star, I’m even more outraged. The video online is horrible. For better or worse, however, these four horses are out of our control and their fate will be what it is. I would rather now channel my outrage into doing something about those horses who might be in similar situations. I guarantee you that there ARE horses either that bad or nearly that bad RIGHT NOW in the Ojai Valley. I’ve been in the horse world for 50 years and I’m constantly appalled at how often people, ranging from clueless to cruel, subject their horses to some form of abuse. Starvation is the ultimate, of course. I understand financial times are tough — for me, as well — but what kind of society do we live in where people stand by and do NOTHING when they see animals in trouble. I challenge each and every one of you to not let this abuse happen again and to do all you can to educate others, as well. Every time you’re out driving around the Valley, look at the horses you pass. It doesn’t require an equine expert to see a starving horse. Ribs are ribs – if you can see them, stop and check the horse. Yes, old horses can get thin but not like this. If you can see the hip bones jutting out like they do in these photos, you’re looking at a hungry horse. Call the Humane Society – better for them to check on a horse and find it to be ok than to hesitate about making the call.
I keep thinking we need to have some kind of a fund available for horse owners in trouble. Yes, euthanasia is a permanent solution but sometimes that’s more humane than the options. I’ve known of horse organizations that set up such funds so that owners could at least give their horses a kind death. Perhaps such a fund could be available for barn owners having to feed abandoned horses. Or for owners struggling to buy hay.
This is not a problem that will go away. Perhaps we can use these four horses as incentive to actually DO something.
Perhaps the Ojai Valley News could help.
Anyone remember the ‘old’ TV show (in black & white) Mr. Ed? Ya know – the talking horse? I do, now I feel kinda old just thinking about that factoid…
