Video: Giving Abused Horses New Lives

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – For the last 4 years, a rescue group has been giving abused and neglected horses a second chance.

WCBI spent the day finding out how a dedicated group is getting these horses back “under” the saddle again.

“Several years ago, we got together with some other horse lovers in the area who saw a need to assist law enforcement officers with being able to uphold the equine laws, but they needed a place for the horses to go,” says Golden Triangle Rescue Horse Team Leader, Teresa Scott.

That’s why one Clay County resident lends property by his home for the recovering horses. Right now, 14 horses call the land home, but it’s not uncommon to have 32 of them at a time.

“The average recovery time for these horses is anywhere from 6 months to a year, or better. They come to us as walking skeletons sometimes, and it takes a good year for them to get back healthy enough that they can actually be introduced to the saddle, and at that time, their training starts, and that can take anywhere from 30 days, to 4 to 6 months,” says Scott.

Conditions vary from horse to horse, which means different challenges for each one.

“The reward is nice when you get one that comes in that you think wouldn’t be nothing, and when it leaves out, you’re like man, that’s not the same horse, and you know it’s just the smiles that people have on their faces when they see what it came in as, and what it goes back out as,” says Golden Triangle Horse Rescue Volunteer, Desmond Henley.

The horses aren’t the only ones benefiting from the program, volunteers from across four counties come out to help, including children from the Palmer Home.

“It’s great for them. It gets them to give back too. A lot of their stories can kind of parallel with some of these horses, with their situations that they’ve been through in life, so it’s great for them to be able to work with the horses. It’s very therapeutic and heeling for them to get to connect with them,” says Golden Triangle Horse Rescue Volunteer, Regina Livingston.

Once the horses are restored back to health, their new lives begin.

“We see horses that go on to be everything from trail-riding companions, to barrel horses. People who work cows get these horses, our donkeys, they’re adopted, and they go to sit and watch and cattle,” says Scott.

Fundraisers, adoption fees, bake sales, and donations are what help keep the program running.

If you’re interested in getting involved, donating, or adopting a horse,  head on over to  http://www.goldentrianglehorserescue.com .