On Friday March 1, seven horses and two ponies discovered in deplorable conditions in Flanders were taken in by the associations Veeweyde Refuge du Marais, Animaux en Péril, Le Rêve d’Aby, Au Bonheur Animal, Equi Rêve and Silence Animal.
Serious acts of negligence were observed by the Lokeren police at a stable, leading to this intervention. The owners, after several warnings, had tried to hide the equines by locking them up in precarious shelters on the outskirts of the town. The associations discovered the animals in a makeshift shed, without bedding, forced to live in their own excrement.
The horses and ponies presented an alarming physical condition, ranging from emaciation to cachexia (loss of fat and muscle). Insanitary living conditions led to various health problems: their coats were infested with external parasites such as mange and lice, to the extent that one horse suffered from severe depilation. They also suffer from internal parasites, leading to severe diarrhea, and some have deformed feet due to lack of maintenance.
Some horses have difficulty standing up from their stalls. Two young horses show signs of deformity in their hind legs, while a Shetland pony is discovered with a bloody mane and a neck wound.
Thanks to the cooperation of the animals and volunteers, the loading of the horses went smoothly. They were quickly transferred to various shelters, where teams are making every effort to get them back on their feet, pending confirmation of final seizure by the Flemish police.
The associations would like to thank the local police in the Hamme/Waasmunster area for their efficiency!
From this hell, our Veeweyde Refuge du Marais rescued two horses, Quizzy, 2 years old, and Bono, 25 years old.
Every donation is crucial in helping us to provide this care.
BE48 1911 2251 7127
Thank you.