Over 70 equines rescued in rural Colorado.
Our animal protection team worked alongside law enforcement to rescue over 70 horses from heartbreaking conditions in the blazing heat.
From hurt to hope.
We could see the physical and emotional signs of neglect. Many of the horses appeared to be underweight, lame, and in pain.
After coordinating with law enforcement to safely bring the equines into our care, the long, grueling journey in the uncomfortable summer heat to the Harmony Equine Center began. A caravan of trailers carried over 70 horses, including several foals and likely pregnant mares.
Once they arrived, our equine veterinary team stepped in to understand the horses' intense medical needs with expedited care and compassion for each equine.
The healing journey ahead.
One horse was bleeding from the hooves. More than half of the herd were shoeless, unable to walk without pain due to severely overgrown and infected hooves requiring urgent farrier care. The veterinary team set to work to treat abscesses left to fester and traumatic eye injuries that needed immediate medical attention.
Our team assessed the herd's behavioral needs to learn many of the horses had likely never been handled and would require extensive training.
"The horses didn't get this way overnight, and they won't heal overnight either. We're treating wounds, infections, advanced lameness, and trauma." - Dr. Kim Gardner-Graff, Field Services Veterinarian at Humane Colorado
Your donation today will help us meet their most urgent needs.
A story of resilience.
We examined one horse late in the day who was standoffish at first. As her confidence grew, we learned why she needed more time to trust us than some of the others. Her left eye was red with obvious signs of infection and discomfort. Her ability to trust us, even a little bit, gave us hope for her future.
She required urgent care to rehabilitate and save her eye.
A more humane Colorado for all companion animals.
Our commitment to ending animal suffering is essential to our mission. When the call from law enforcement came to protect these horses' lives just weeks after we rescued nearly 100 cats from deplorable living conditions, we were ready to organize and act on their behalf.
We don't turn our backs on animals in need, and we know you - our compassionate community - won't either.
We can't do it without your help.
On average, we invest at least $3,600 in each horse's journey at the Harmony Equine Center, including urgent medical treatment, farrier services, nourishment, behavioral support, trust-based training, and safe shelter.
"It's going to take extensive resources to bring them back into good health. This is why we need our equine-loving community to partner with us to provide the proper care and medical attention they need to give them the future they deserve." - Dr. Kim Gardner-Graff
Your urgent gift today - big or small - makes a lasting difference.
Together, we will build a more humane Colorado for all companion animals.
"What makes this work possible isn't just the team on the ground. It's the broader community that shows up, time and again, when animals need us most.
We know people care deeply about horses, and we're asking them to stand with us once again. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us provide vital care to these animals; care they desperately need." - Dr. Apryl Steele, President & CEO of Humane Colorado
Thank you for your compassionate support.
