|
A young boy purchased Blaze because he feared
for its survival. At the time, my husband Bill had just
opened a riding stable, and the boy came to Bill, asking if he
would trim the horse's feet. When we saw Blaze for the first
time, we were heartbroken. The skeleton-like creature needed more
than a trimming. Only pure determination and strong will
kept this horse alive. Bill bought Blaze and brought him
home.Blaze scored a 2 on the Henneke Body
Condition Score chart. He was so bound up from not having the
proper amount of fiber and nutrition that he took almost a half
an hour to have a bowel movement. The movement was so painful, he
kept his tail up for several hours afterwards. Bill set up a
feeding schedule for Blaze. Every hour on the hour, around the
clock, Blaze was fed a small amount of grain. Hay and fresh
drinking water was given free choice. Each of us would take turns
feeding. Gradually, When Bill was satisfied that Blaze could
handle the change, the feeding schedule and amount was increased.
For several weeks this continued. Because of his malnutrition,
his skin was dry and flaky, and his hair coat was dusty and
falling out. As his nutrition and calorie intake increased, his
body began transforming the skeleton-like creature
into something that resembled a horse. Blaze's mane and tail
started growing & his new growth of hair had a better feel
and texture to it.
During this time I started thinking
seriously about starting a horse rescue. I knew with Bill's
help and guidance I could help other horses like Blaze. There was
no other facility in our area that offered this kind of help to
equines. Everything fell into place for W.H.I.N.N.Y. It was as if
Blaze had suffered starvation so that W.H.I.N.N.Y. could be
created. He became my symbol of hope for other horses. I started
my ad campaign with him. He was on every letter I sent and every
poster I put up. His picture was pasted to the side of donation
cans, and the people responded generously. His pictures helped
open the eyes of everyone who viewed them to the realization that
equine abuse does exist.
It was because of Blaze that
W.H.I.N.N.Y. exists today. And it is in tribute to Blaze, and
other horses like him, that W.H.I.N.N.Y. continue helping horses
in need.
|
