Horse from neglect case finds a new home at Equine Outreach
Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Today, a horse with a troubled past got a new home.
Easter the horse is one of fifteen horses under the care of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. The horses were under fed and had overgrown hooves when they found them.
It took a year, but now, some of them are healthy enough to go to a new home. Easter, in particular, seemed full of anticipation and maybe a little anxiety at the sight of the trailer that was going to take her away. But, she calmed down quickly, and got to know her new owner.
A charity called Equine Outreach is adopting Easter. They’re a non-profit dedicated to rescuing horses. Easter will stay with them forever, or until another family wants Easter for theirselves.
Equine Outreach has a long standing relationship with the Sheriffs. The Sheriffs’ office has a farm to keep and rehabilitate animals seized by in neglected cases. But, the space there is limited. Equine Outreach frequently adopts animals from them, giving them a place to stay long term.
Kurtis Hooley, the Executive Director for Equine Outreach was there to pick up Easter today, and spoke about their relationship. “They know that we're a facility that they've worked with in the past, and they'll give us a call and ask, ‘what's our availability or capability? give us an update on the horses ’ and depending on the need as well as our availability, we'll work together.”
“So it's been a good relationship.” He continued, “They know us, we know them. We know what we're going to get, and they know what we're going to provide. So it works really well. ”
Equine Outreach also works alongside the Sheriffs when they hear about animal neglect a cruelty. As a rescue farm, they often get reports of animals that need help. When they do, they turn to the Sheriffs to investigate.
Some of the fifteen horses in this case have already been adopted by Equine Outreach. Easter may see some familiar horse faces at their new home. The rescue would love to take all fifteen, but they don’t have the space.
It’s their hope that more people will come forward to adopt horses. While Equine Outreach is perfectly willing to be Easter’s forever home, they’re also hoping a family comes forward that wants a horse.
“There are horses who need good homes” Said Hooley. “I would say that if you’re interested - reach out.”
