Six neglected horses rescued In Loxley

LOXLEY, Ala. (WALA) - SKELETONS WITH SKIN

The phrase “skin and bones” doesn’t do justice to the condition of six horses rescued by Janet Hein at Willow Farms. Every rib shows.  Their hips jut out from their bodies. Their coats are ragged, and fungus grows in patches on their skin.

 “It makes me cry. It broke my heart,” Hein said. “When they unloaded them from the trailer, they were barely walking. When they came off picking up their feet and dragging them, it was heart wrenching.”

The horses came from a field off Highway 90 near Seminole. Since the owners voluntarily turned the horses over to the farm after receiving complaints from neighbors, no charges were filed.

SPECIAL REPORT: Cruel Crimes

Hein said she’s grateful the horses were surrendered.

“Don’t let it get to this point,” Hein exclaimed. “If you need help, call us before it gets to this point,. Because when it gets to this stage, some of them are beyond return. They just don’t survive it.”

SICKLY SIX WILL LIKELY SURVIVE

Hein, though, got good news from the vet on these horses.

“The vet just left. And she said if we stick with it, then they’re going to be okay. It’s just going to take time, three to six months,” Hein said.

 The goal at Willow Farms is to take the emaciated horses, get them healthy and get them adopted.

Hein already has more than a dozen horses she’s trying to get adopted. Now she needs to make room for the sickly six that just came in

But, she said no matter what it takes she’ll do it. For her, it’s certainly a labor of love.

 “You’re out here when it’s freezing cold, when it’s storming, lightning popping, 110 degrees like it is right now, but they need somebody.  If we didn’t take care of them, who would? I mean, they’d die,” Hein said

YOUR HELP NEEDED

Hein has never received so many horses at one time, and she says she needs help. Money, food, volunteers are all welcome. If you'd like to help you can go to their website or visit their Facebook page .