We first received a call of a horse down on Jan 6, 2012. When our Humane Officer arrived on scene, he found Thumper down and unable to rise. Both Thumper and Rabbit were extremely thin. The officers spent about 4 hours coaxing, pushing, shoving, bribing and begging and finally got Thumper to his feet. The owner showed up shortly after that and advised the officer that he had just gotten the horses a week prior and was trying to get them back to good health. The officer advised the owner he needed to get a veterinarian out to get their health assessed, and to assure they were getting the proper care. The officer told the owner he’d be back to check on them and wanted the veterinarian’s report. When the officer returned on Jan 17th to check their progress, the owner had disappeared, abandoning the horses on the property. An impound notice was left and the Humane Officer brought them in. To date, the owner has made no attempt to contact the shelter to check on his horses.
After being examined by the medical staff, it was determined that their teeth were in very bad shape. This may have contributed to their weight loss. The trainer that came down to the shelter to assess the horses stated that there is a possibility that Thumper has a problem with his hips.It could be an age related issue and coupled with the emaciation, he just may not have had the strength to rise.
Both Thumper and Rabbit are good guys, they are clowns together and tend to remind you of the Odd Couple. They are constantly stealing food from one another, compete for attention from staff, bicker back and forth over the fence, but sleep side by side. They are both older guys estimated to be in their 20′s. It’s unknown how long they have been together, but it is obvious that they are best buddies and devoted to each other. Due to this, we are hoping to find an adopter that would be willing to give them both a good home together.
Happy Ending Rabbit and Thumper not only went home together they took Oliver with them also. Oliver came from a different investigation, but he was their neighbor here at the Animal Center. When they were released into the field at their new home they all ran together as if they had all grown up together. With grass belly high they ran with manes blowing in the breeze, happy to be checking out their new home.
