Current Available Adoptions

Currently there are no Available Adoptions

The horses we have at this time are in the process

of getting retrained or under a health program.

Keep in touch. We have horses added to our program all the time.

The following horses have been adopted or have been placed in a permanent Foster Home:

Helping Abused and Neglected Horses

REPORTING ABUSE

Who do I call to report a case of suspected abuse / neglect?

In the State of Florida you would report suspected cases of abuse or neglect to your local animal control organization, such as the SPCA or local humane society.

In other States the procedure may be the same or you may have to contact a local law enforcement agency such as the police or sheriff.

What information does a humane investigator/animal control officer need in order to investigate equine neglect/abuse/cruelty?

1. The exact address or a very good description of where the equine can be located now or if necessary the officer may need you to meet him/her and show the way.

2. What you perceive the problem to be - how long it has been going on etc.

3. What you personally witnessed or the name of the person who told you and their telephone number if possible or how they can locate the person who has witnessed the neglect/abuse/cruelty.

4. A good description of the equine in question: it's size, breed, color, markings etc.

5. While it may not be necessary, the investigator may need your name, address, and telephone number if:
   

   • A warrant will be needed to enter a barn in order to view the equine.

   • The investigator needs to contact you for more information - better directions or to request that you monitor the situation in the future.

Samples of horse abuse and neglect

I don't want real graphic photos on our web site. There are many sites out there with actual photos of horrendous abuse, slaughter and neglect cases, but we are attempting to show you that it is out there and needs to be stopped.

Horse Show Abuse

The above photo is an example of the type of abuse that may be used to make the horses walk in a manner that is unnatural to any horse. The photo above, happens to be for a Tennessee Waker show. Yes some horses have a natural high stepping gate, but the torturous items they place on horses to step even higher is nothing but abusive.

On some of these horses, the owners and trainers have been proven to use an acid type liquid in hoof boots to make the horse step higher. Nothing but horse abuse! Other unatural training for other breeds may be used to make the horse do the "natural" gait, in a less than natural manner.

All of these people claim to "love" their horses and probably treat them in an excellent manner, EXCEPT in the training and riding methods, in order to win a few ribbons, awards or even a few bucks. I am wondering if these people would do this to their other family pets or even their children just in order to Look Good?

Abuse from Ignorance

"Princess"
(photo taken at rescued time)

Princess was probably started under saddle too young, and possibly not fed properly (she is a swayback). Abuse is not always intentional or deliberate, but it's still abuse.

There are many incidents concerning equine abuse all the time from well-meaning horse lovers reporting abused and neglected horses. Thankfully, most of these reports turn out to be false alarms, but each and every one has to be investigated.

Oftentimes, the horse in question is under a vet's care, is a hard keeper (one that has a weight problem) or is elderly. Don't let the fact that a horse "may be" old or a "hard keeper", keep you from making that phone call. . Make the call anyway, just to be sure.

While there is no definitive answer as to how fat or thin a horse should be, we employs the age-old common sense rule of thumb: "The ribs should be felt but not seen".  Of course, very old horses, known hard-keepers, and the breed of horse should be taken into consideration, but let a professional make that decision.

One should not compare the appearance of a rotund pleasure Quarter horse to that of a Thoroughbred in racing condition. You may like your horses with a layer of fat over the ribs, but if your neighbor prefers a more sleek, svelte appearance, that does not necessarily indicate that his animals are lacking.

When assessing the condition of the horse, many other factors aside from weight must be considered: Is the coat of the animal dull, filthy and unkempt? Does the animal suffer from muscular atrophy? Are the hooves cracked, split, or curling upward at the toe? Can you see open wounds or sores that appear to be untreated? Is there no food or water source to be seen? Is the food or water source fresh? Is the animal's environment hazardous (junk on the ground, nails protruding from fencing, etc.)? If the horses are corralled or stalled, are there several weeks accumulation of manure present? Have you personally witnessed someone physically abusing a horse? If you can answer yes to any one of these questions, then it's definitely time to notify a local humane organization known to be qualified in equine care and evaluation.

When reporting a case of equine abuse or neglect (whether it's to us or someone else), PLEASE don't exaggerate the number of animals involved or their condition. They will act as quickly on one abused or neglected horse as they would on a hundred.

Sometimes they have to pass the information you supply to a local humane society or local law enforcement agency, and when the report we give is not reasonably accurate as to the actual situation the animals are in, we all tend to look inept, and further, it makes it that much harder for any future animal abuse cases to be handled in an expedient manner by these same agencies (the "cry wolf" syndrome).

Horses can be "ribby" but a far cry from what would be considered an abuse case

Governmental humane societies are usually the only agencies empowered with any legal authority to take a horse away from an abusive owner, but in most cases the animal must be in eminent danger of death due to its untreated injuries or willful neglect before the agency will take the horse away.

Remember...if you see someone abusing a horse, do something! If you fail to act -- the horse becomes a victim and you become an accomplice to his demise. If you do nothing, you are as much at fault as the person who is doing the abusing.

If you don't want to get involved because you fear retaliation, you should call Animal Control and tell them of the problem and that you do not want your name on record. Depending on your local animal control, they SHOULD act on the report anyway. If they do nothing, because of your refusal to give you name, call someone in your area that does horse rescue and report the incident to them so they can take the necessary steps for you concerning the abuse or neglect.

Often the humane organization's officers, who are mostly familiar with small domestic pets, misdiagnose the condition of the equine (one way or the other) -- that's where Second Hope Ranch, Inc. can help. We can offer expert advice and assist the local humane agency in the process of having the animal removed and in seeking aid in its subsequent care and rehabilitation, as well as offering expert testimony should the case go to court.

Take digital photos or a video recording of the horse(s). In documenting a suspected horse abuse case or sub-standard care and housing, photographic evidence of the animal's condition or keeping facilities is the single most important thing you can do. Written reports and descriptions of the abuse are always open to interpretations, a photographic record of the abuse speaks for itself.

If you are a "on-site" witness to the abuse, the quickest way to help rectify the abusive situation is to get involved. When it comes to equine abuse or neglect, doing something is always MUCH better than doing nothing!

We have devised a simple course of action that should get you the quick results needed in cases of equine abuse or gross neglect:

• First, find out who is the "official" animal abuse investigative entity for your city or county.
  

• Next, contact them by phone and give an accurate description of the abuse you are reporting. If no action is taken, write a very detailed (and non emotional) letter stating ONLY the facts as you know them. Send it by certified mail to the person at the investigative entity you talked to (you did get their name and title, right?).

• Follow up in a few days with another telephone call. If you still don't get any satisfaction, call them again within a few days. Always remember to remain unemotional and non insulting. State only the facts as you personally know them, and make them aware again of the urgency of the situation.
  

• If you STILL don't get any positive results, then you can start to be more assertive and forceful, getting to the point of contacting the local media outlets and any horse rescue organizations in your area. Mention getting Second Hope Ranch, Inc. involved (tell them that a complete account of your dealings with them, detailing their total lack of compassion and failure to act, will be published on the Web by us and possibly placed in our local news paper).
  

• If even these extreme measures don't get a positive response, e-mail us with a complete record of your attempts to secure help for the abused or neglected animals (including all the contact telephone numbers you called, and the people you either talked to, or sent certified mail to). Include copies of any recorded photographic evidence you have, as well as any dates, certified mail numbers, and who signed for the certified mail.
  

• Second Hope Ranch, Inc. will then try to take care of the matter and keep you apprised of what action is being taken and the progress of that action.

If you are a concerned horse lover, don't be afraid to get involved. YOU can (and will) make a difference!

Volunteer some of your spare time to your local humane organization if that option is available. Learn what bills or amendments are currently before the legislature or your local governing body and how they affect the future of horses in general and the equine regulations in your area.

While not all of us can afford to support an organization or cause we believe in by financial means, we can all afford to vote! If you don't speak up for these helpless animals, who will? If not now, when?

YOU have the voice ...learn to use it!