Bad News

The end of an era

admin Bad News, Sad News

The end of an era here at Hungry Horse Outside, sadly Benson our Geep (cross between a goat and sheep), died this evening. He has been an integrite part of HHO and our story. He has been a constant face and friend to all the staff at HHO. A funny and interesting creature, almost our mascot. Happy to walk on a lead with our dogs, no stranger to jumping in to the back of a van or a car, a big fan of the public and biccies. Funnily enough he wasn’t a fan of either sheep or goats preferring to share a stable with a horse. Benny came to us many years ago when the yard he was living on was closing and he was to be put to sleep. He kept box walkers company in the stable, although free to do what he wanted with us he continued his job here without being asked. He had a particular love for chestnut horses and always favoured their stable, he stood watching weak chestnut horses on many of night, taking the longest shift all by choice. We’ve been privileged to have him as part of our crew since the beginning. We’re not sure how old he was but the answer was always the same ‘old’. We will never forget his quirky ways, he will be sorely missed around our yard. It wont be the same tomorrow morning knowing he is not waiting for us, knowing he wont knock on the door for a biscuit ever again. Good bye our little friend, we hope we did you justice, you’ll be sorely missed.

ATTENTION NON-HORSE PEOPLE:

admin Bad News, Media, Rescue, Sad News

ATTENTION NON-HORSE PEOPLE:

When you see a horse trailer driving down the road how many of you think about how you don’t want to get stuck behind them? How many times have you pulled out in front of one because you’re in a hurry?

Newsflash: we haul our babies in those trailers. We. Haul. Our. Babies. These animals are the loves of our lives. 1000+ pound creatures that trust us enough to climb into a metal box on wheels and wait patiently while we drive them to our destination. That’s something completely against the nature of a flight animal but they do it anyways because we ask. Because they trust that we will keep them safe. And you know what? We do everything in our power to do that. We leave large following distances, we slow down extra for corners, we coast up to traffic lights so we won’t throw them around if it changes at the last minute. But you know what we can’t help? We can’t avoid the asshats that are in too much of a hurry to pull out behind us. We can’t avoid the people who cut into our following distance on the freeway. We leave those spaces and travel the way we do for a reason. There is upwards of 10,000lbs behind our trucks. And it’s not 10,000lbs of carefully strapped down product, it’s 10,000lbs of trailer with living, breathing horses perched on four tiny hooves balancing themselves the best they can. We leave following distances so we can stop if we need to. We don’t leave following distances for you to swerve into when you’re in a hurry. We don’t leave following distances as openings for you to pull out in front of us.

I ask from the bottom of my heart that everyone would be more aware of horse trailers on the road. Respect the load we’re carrying. Respect our need for stopping and following distances. Don’t tailgate us. Pay even more attention in inclement weather!! We do our best to keep our horses safe but it takes everyone else being more aware too! We don’t ask all of these things just because of the weight of our rigs but because if we stop too quickly or you can’t stop quickly enough, our horses can be seriously injured. Please pay attention. Please think twice about pulling out in front of us or cutting into our lane. Is that extra 30 seconds really worth it? I know my horses’ lives are worth a lot more than saving any amount of time.

UPDATED: these photos have been shared with the permission of the owner of these magnificent animals. This sorrel horse survived but has a long road to recovery. If you would like to donate to her cause, it looks there has been a GoFundMe set up for her here: https://www.gofundme.com/help-support-whitney-after-devasta…

WASP NEST DANGER

admin Bad News

We thought we’d share a horrible incident that a colleague in another practice saw this weekend in the hope it might help save such a terrible thing happening in future

WASP NEST DANGER

“A client lost her horse today in a horrendous way after it was attacked by a swarm of wasps sometime in the early hours of this morning. She had been shut in her field shelter for the first time in a while and the owner had not realised there was a wasp nest in there. Sadly she was severely traumatised from where she had been fighting back against this ‘invisible enemy’ and had to be euthanased.

The owner has asked me to spread the word for people to check stables and shelters for nests if they have not been used for a while. If there is a known nest in the vicinity, people should make the effort to get it removed – the consequences could be fatal and for this horse it’s last few hours were unimaginably distressing. If this saves one horse she will be happy something positive has come of her awful experience.”Wasp Nests Can Be Very Dangerous

Murphy’s Law

admin Bad News, Donate, Media

Horse Box

So here, we seem to have Murphy’s law situations where ‘ Anything that can go wrong will go wrong’ type of year and again we’ve suffered yet another blow. So there we have it the horse box that’s hauled thousands of horses to safety over the years has seen better days. We’re wondering here if it’s even worth fixing but we can’t be without a horse box at the ready.

Just another bill we didn’t need and certainly can’t afford right now. Does anyone want to contribute to help get it back on the road? any donation would be greatly appreciated and a step in the right direction.

To donate please click the link below:

Donate

Marty’s Misery

admin Bad News, Cruelty Case, Rescue

Marty’s Misery

 

Yesterday, Hungry Horse Outside visited a site in Co. Monaghan following a complaint made by a member of the public concerned about the well-being and conditions a Shetland pony was being kept in. Upon arrival at the site, the team discovered an elderly Shetland pony, later named Marty, in an appalling condition. His hooves grossly neglected and overgrown. A case which clearly did not develop overnight. 

 

Marty as he was abandoned in Co. Monoghan

 

It became apparent that he would need to be removed immediately and receive urgent treatment. After a little rearrangement of the day, we successfully removed him from the situation with the help of the relevant authorities.
Little Marty was taken directly to the vet for the immediate commencement of his treatment. There, x-rays were taken to assess the damage caused to him and a course of treatment decided. Fortunately, for Marty his future is starting to look bright. 

 

Before

Having his X-rays done by the wonderful all creatures vets in Co. Monoghan

 

After the vets had assessed him, he received farrier treatment to make him more comfortable, eventually at 9 pm last night, we were given the okay to bring Marty home, for the first time in god knows how many years, he slept comfortably on a big bed of straw, his belly full and looking a little relieved. This morning he is walking much better and is starting to feel more comfortable and brighter in himself.

 

Having his hooves examined

After

 

To think in 2018, we’re still struggling with damn right ignorance, stupidity and neglect. There is no excuse for this behavior and absolutely no excuse for gross neglect. Perhaps, once upon a time little Marty was part of someones family, suddenly he’s surplus to requirements, he didn’t even mean enough to his so called owners to spend €20 euro to keep his hooves trimmed, absolute torture and indifference was chosen over adequate care.

Perhaps, an old man like Marty wasn’t worth the effort, he had no monetary value, so why bother? It’s not a good enough excuse to leave him suffer the way he did. We’ve heard all the excuses and they just aren’t good enough. We want change.

We need to thank all parties involved for their quick action, from the authorisation, to the vets and the farrier for priortising Marty.

As it stands Marty will need all the support he can get, his rehabilitation is only beginning.

If you would like to donate towards Marty’s care you can click the link below. We can’t continue to help without your support.

http://www.hungryhorseoutside.com/donate/

or Via Bank
Bank Name:                    Ulster Bank Longford
Bank Address:               Main Street, Longford
Bank Account No:        10753576
Sort Code:                        98-60-30
BIC:                                    ULSBIE2D
IBAN:                                 IE49ULSB98603010753576

Another Day, Another Dog

admin Bad News, Cruelty Case, Dogs, Rescue

Another day Another Animal in Need

 

Safe and warm with a belly full of food

This teeny tiny little man came to us last night through the Warden. He needs special care and is safe with one of our volunteers now. He is about 5-6 weeks old and has a deformity in his front leg, making it difficult for him to get around. We’ve decided we’ll fund his care as we do with all special needs and unwanted dogs in Longford but we’d appreciate your help to put him on the right road to recovery.

Right now he is exhausted and constantly hungry.
At the moment, we are waiting on an x-ray appointment to see exactly what is wrong with his leg, which should be happening this evening. Once we are fully aware of what has happened him, we’ll continue his treatment as recommended by the vet. We’ll know more about the costs of this treatment as soon as we can get the xray results.
In the interim, he needs micro-chipping, vaccination, worming, defleaing and some puppy milk, together with his initial vet fees.


If you would like to donate to his immediate or ongoing care you can do so by clicking the link below

http://www.hungryhorseoutside.com/donate/
or Via Bank
Bank Name:                Ulster Bank Longford
Bank Address:           Main Street, Longford
Bank Account No:    10753576
Sort Code:                    98-60-30
BIC:                                ULSBIE2D
IBAN:                             IE49ULSB98603010753576We’ll keep you all updated

Saidies Sinister story

admin Bad News, Before and After, Cruelty Case, Germany, Good News, Rehoming, Rescue

Some weren’t as lucky as Saidie

Saidie arriving at the HHO yard

    

It is only really when you look back on their rescues, you appreciate how far they have come.

When HHO was called to a horrendous scene last year, we were met with carcass upon carcass. A field of horses absolutely famished with hunger, but we were to unearth something even more sinister upon inspection. A shed full of ponies starving to death, no sign of food or water, no light just days spent locked inside a dark shed with no contact of any kind. Of course each one of them were loaded up and brought home, 18 horses in total. 

One of whom was a little chestnut mare we named Saidie. Not only was Saidie starved with in a fraction of her life, we soon discovered she had other problems, an old neck injury which caused her whole head to tilt to one side. Upon examination it was deemed it would never be fixed but caused her no distress and she would lead a normal life, although she would look unusual, we quietly accepted it and set about her rehabilitation. 

Saidie and her comrades received all the treatment they needed but she herself never seemed to gain ground. Even after months of good food, good worming and good care she looked almost the same as she did on the day she came in. We persevered, as did Saidie. What seemed like a life time later Saidie suddenly started to look and feel better, a feeling she may not have ever felt in her lifetime. 

Seeing Saidie galloping, her head tilted to one side yet still bucking and playing, so happy to be alive. It was heart warming, something we never thought we’d see. Saidie settled in to life at HHO, we even moved her for the summer to our permanent residents never thinking she would be re homed, an air of acceptance that she was part of the long term herd, with that she suddenly began thriving. 

Then completely out of the blue one of our previous adopters got in touch , inquiring about our saidie, we explained her problems both past and present but there was no deterring this wonderful family. She was to be their special girl. As we loaded Saidie last Thursday a mix of joy and overwhelming emotion rushed over us. She walked to the lorry like a pro (head still twisted to one side) and up she jumped, one last look at us and she was gone. Off to her new life. 

We waited anxiously for news, then early Saturday morning we received it. Saidie was home, she had finally arrived at her forever home and her family are thrilled with this special girl. Saidie’s story gives us hope for everyone. Saidie will now have the life we could never give her, a life we could only dream of. Good luck Saidie, as always it has been a pleasure, we wish you all the best in life.

much love, all at the HHO.

 

This is Saidie enjoying life to the full in Germany with her wonderful new owner & best friend Elvira 

More difficult times for the Hungry Horse team

admin Bad News, Cruelty Case, Rescue

Loughrea Update

Forgotten horses and hho wormed and microchiped the remaining ponys but again there was another down

 

 

Update 11/1/2017
Our little Loughrea darling managed to stand today with a little help. She has a small bit of fight. As you can see she is literally skin and bone. We’ve everything crossed for our girl. Please keep her in your thoughts we’re willing her to get stronger. Come on girl!!!


Final Update

Sadly, no matter how hard we tried, little Starlight did not have the strength to continue her fight. She slipped away to rainbow bridge joining so many of Ireland’s forgotten horses. Run Free our little darling.

The Rainbow Bridge For Horses

Author Unknown

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

when their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

is a place where beloved creatures find rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

til The Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

for here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed.

Their bodies have healed with strength imbued.

They trot through the grass without even a care,

til one day they whinny and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes sharp and alert.

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the herd.

For just at that second, there's no room for remorse.

As they see each other…one person…one horse.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart

has turned to joy once more in each heart.

They nuzzle with a love that will last forever.

And then, side-by- side, they cross over…together.

Another lost soul

admin Bad News, Cruelty Case

Another horse lost needlessly in Ireland 2016!!!!
Words cannot express the sorrow, anger and utter frustration we at HHO are feeling.
When is this going to stop? What sort of people are guilty of this degree of absolute mental and physical torture to an innocent animal?

This poor girl was locked in a shed with hardly enough room to turn – a dirty, squalid coffin.
Months locked in the dark with his own excrement piling up.
Slowly but surely starving to death, all the while not understanding why and chewing at the wooden rafters through terrible hunger and mental anguish.

We got there too late. We got her out of this deplorable place but in her extreme emaciated state and on veterinary advice there was nothing that could be done but extend a kind hand and an act of compassion. Remain by her side as she slipped from this terrible existence.
We mourn her loss and rage at the senselessness of it.

Please, please help us.
Somebody among us – mother/father/brother/sister/friend – were responsible for breeding this horse – and then responsible for the shocking life she was forced to endure.
Somebody knew about his plight but did nothing.

Don’t be that person.
Be the person who acts, do something – don’t just share it on facebook.
call who-ever you have to and keep calling until you get action.
Do not walk away

Neglected Horse
Neglected Horse
Neglected Horse
Neglected Horse

Briar Hill Update

admin Bad News, Cruelty Case

The past number of days have passed in a haze of anger, confusion, exhaustion. Endless rounds of vets, tears of disbelief and sadness. Our small team pulling together as always and supporting each other, all with a common goal and desperately willing horses to keep fighting.
Sadly 3 of the Briar Hill rescued horses have now given up the fight. We’re so angry, we tried so hard for them. No one has any idea of the lengths we went to to try and save them, we gave them every chance of survival. 24 hour care, did everything we could think of to encourage them to fight back just a little, but sadly in the end all we could do is comfort them and show them kindness.
To see horses give up is terribly sad, fall down before our very eyes is heart wrenching.
Little Sunbriar who fought all winter to keep herself and her little foal alive, little Sunbriar the most remarkable little mare, this girl not only tried to rear her foal from 2015 but also had Briar her foal from 2014 trying to feed from her. Sunbriar and Briar are now at peace. Sunbriar’s foal is now being reared by one of our volunteers.
Briar Rose was the first one to give up the fight, she was a little stronger and we clung to hope that she might have it in her to fight but she didn’t, she’d just had enough. Her help arrived too late.
Tonight we are sad, tomorrow we’ll probably be angry but one thing for sure is we won’t let these horses die in vain.

We never ever expected our post from last night to be shared so far and we thank each and every one of you that has offered help in some way or another.
We still need the support of the public, to keep up the treatment of the remaining Briar Hill rescued. But also to help us help the 10 still left on BRIAR HELL.