TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)-- If a horse is abused or neglected, where does it go? Say Hello to Triple R Horse Rescue.
The organization takes in abused and neglected horses after they are seized by law enforcement and works with horse owners, who are no longer capable of taking care of the animal.
The president of the groups says the agency is taking in more and more horses, but not because horse abuse cases have increased, but because the public is keeping its eyes open.
"Sometimes they don't come forward for whatever reason, pride or something, and then the horse just gets thrown to the waste side and a lot of times we don't find out about them until very late because they're often on dirt roads where you can't see them," said Eric Pelletier.
Triple R Horse Rescue says one way to tell if a horse is being abused is by its weight. So if hip bones or rib bones are visible the animal is probably not being fed properly. The group also adds that a horse's demeanor is a strong indicator that the horse is in a distressed situation.
ABC27 spoke with one of the agency's horse trainers. He explained the process. "We have to build their trust back into the people. A lot of kindness is offered to them, brushing them, we have a lot of volunteers that do that sort of thing, brushing, love on them and care for them like that," said Lee Smith.
Once the horses are cleared physically and emotionally they are then placed in a foster home while the agency finds an adoption match.
The agency then examines the person's land, purpose for wanting the horse, and if there is chemistry between the animal and its possible new owner.
