GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Two shockingly emaciated horses from Nieu-Bethesda near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape will no longer spend a day without food or water.
Freckle, an Appaloosa, and Leevey, a cross breed, will spend the rest of their days cared for at their new home at Red Barn Riding Centre in George.
A passer-by, Michelle Munro, found the horses in Nieu-Bethesda on Tuesday 7 December. She immediately contacted the SPCA in Graaff-Reinet who rushed to their aid on the same day.
After the horses were brought to safety by a volunteer, Zandrea Swanepoel, it was found that not only did the two equines suffer extreme neglect, but Freckle had a painful fracture to his left hind leg and Leevey can never be ridden again due to bad tendon injuries.
Both their injuries are old and the horses had been left to suffer in pain.
But the Graaff-Reinet SPCA refused to give up on them and felt they still had a chance of a good retirement.
After seeing the plea for help on the SPCA's Facebook page, George Herald journalist Kristy Kolberg contacted Red Barn Riding Centre for help. They immediately decided to adopt the horses.
By Thursday morning, 9 December, Red Barn's livery yard manager, Rinita van Rooyen, assisted by Amy Saxer and André van Tonder, were on their way to Graaff-Reinet to collect Freckle and Leevey.
"I have never seen a horse in this state. But they are safe now and will never know hunger or cold again," said Van Rooyen, who, with the Red Barn team, are doing their utmost to rehabilitate the retirees.
Most of the donations received for the horses have been used for food and vet expenses.
The remainder will be used for an outreach to Nieu-Bethesda where other horses will be fed and treated where possible. Cats and dogs in the area will also receive attention.
The SPCA thanks everyone who donated their time, money and horse food to save these two precious animals.
Freckle (left) and Leevey with their new owners, Amy Saxer (left) and Rinita van Rooyen of Red Barn Riding Centre in George. Photo: Hugo Redelinghuys
Freckle, the Appaloosa (left), and Leevey (right), a cross breed, will spend the rest of their days cared for at their new home at Red Barn Riding Centre in George after the two emaciated horses from Nieu-Bethesda were rescued by the Graaff-Reinet SPCA (SPCAGR). With them are, from left: Amy Saxer (Red Barn), Zandrea Swanepoel and Caren Raath (office manager: SPCAGR), Red Barn's livery yard manager, Rinita van Rooyen, and André van Tonder. Photo: Hugo Redelinghuys
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