Background

Arabella came to us in dreadful condition.  She was seized by police and placed under the Sanctuary’s care. Her former owner was eventually charged with animal cruelty and pled guilty. She had been living in squalor and required extensive medical attention:  She had been neglected for a lengthy period, she was emaciated, with overgrown hooves and an ulcerated mouth.  Her body was covered in sores, some of them maggot infested.

Bella’s original triage notes and treatment plans are here!

Sponsorship

Arabella was sponsored by the wonderful Hamersley family as soon as she arrived at the Sanctuary.  A treatment and recovery plan was agreed with our resident vet and she was admitted to the Naturaliste Clinic to undertake a 90 day treatment plan.  Her wounds and problems were extensive.  For the first week, Arabella stood in the corner of her stall, not responding to us, but not resisting treatment either.

Treatment

Few sights are more tragic than malnourished or starved horses. We were starting to worry about ‘Bella’s lack of engagement.  She seemed shut down and we were concerned she had given up.  The vet came three times a week at first and was encouraging about her physical state – at least here her wounds were improving and she was slowly putting on weight.  Starved horses have decreased gut bacteria and protozoa populations that are essential to ferment forages and other feeds.

Recovery

One morning about three weeks in, we went into Bella’s stall expecting to see her in the corner and nickered to us.  Her ears were forward as she took a couple of faltering steps towards us.

She quietly succumbed to the vet’s necessary handling with resignation and without complaint.  She showed very little interest in food.