Authorities in Vermont are investigating the alleged maltreatment of several horses at a farm in Topsham, Vt. Two of the horses are recovering from starvation and dehydration in New Hampshire at Live and Let Live Farm animal rescue in Chichester.
NBC5 in Vermont reported Thursday that two horse owners boarding their animals at Belle Ridge Farm in Topsham were searching for answers after they learned their animals had died at the farm. Two living horses were surrendered to Vermont State Police on Thursday for care. The investigation is ongoing.
Rescuers from Live and Let Live drove out to Topsham on Friday to pick up the two horses, a Morgan quarter-horse and a Chestnut quarter-horse, that both showed signs of starvation and dehydration.
Live and Let Live director Teresa Paradis said a veterinarian from Deerfield evaluated the horses Saturday morning at the Chichester Farm. Using the Henneke horse body condition scoring system scale, the black Morgan horse’s health was rated a 1 (poor condition) and the Chestnut a 2.5 (very thin).
Paradis said the Morgan horse – named “Mudslide” because the drive to rescue her went through thick mud – would not have lasted much longer in the condition she was in at the Topsham farm.
“She’s barely alive,” Paradis said. “The vet told us he barely ever gives a 1 to a horse that’s alive.”
Volunteers with Live and Let Live named the chestnut “Monty.” It is still early, but Paradis is confident both horses will be able to recover. She said heart health is very important for horses in this condition and neither horse appears at risk of a heart attack.
“Since there is no heart murmur, they have a good chance of pulling through,” she said.
Mudslide is in the worse shape of the two, not only with a poor body condition but also in her coat. Paradis said lice, rain rot and parasites were found in her fur, which is falling off as a result of malnourishment. She said the horse will go bald but hopes her coat will begin to regrow as she is fed and recovers over the next several months.
Paradis said both horses have been eating a lot since they arrived Friday.
Information on how to donate and support the farm can be found at liveandletlivefarm.org.