We had been contacted by concerned members of the public regarding the state of an elderly grey mare tethered by a back leg and apparently unable to reach food or water. It transpired that the owners were already facing a Court case for cruelty (ARCH had denounced them last year) and so SEPRONA stepped in to confiscate the horse. Our intrepid transporter Salvi agreed to accompany volunteers from ARCH and members of the Guardia – it was feared that there could be an unpleasant and possibly violent scene. Thankfully there was no trouble, and the mare was led to safety, stopping en route, desperate to drink from the stagnant water nearby. Chronically lame in her hind legs (possibly from years of tethering) and with prominent scar tissue on her front feet from hobbling, she is a thin and sad-looking old girl who obviously has given up expecting anything good from life.
It is not unusual for ARCH to take in old and apparently “useless” animals who, to all intents and purposes, have been tied up and left to die. We are not miracle workers, but we can make whatever time they have left more comfortable and filled with love. She will now be assessed by Rocio, our vet and we will have to find the funds for all the necessary treatments – teeth, hooves, special feed, vitamins, worming and vaccination (particularly against Nile Virus which is becoming prevalent in the area). Our old girl does not, as yet, have a name but she (and ARCH) would be so grateful if any followers could donate toward her costs via the website www.horserescuespain.org/donate