The County Sheriff’s department caught Uriah, a stallion, along a busy highway. He was suffering from a horrible eye injury. The people he belonged to did not want him back. They were emphatic about not wanting to incur any veterinary bills. So they abandoned him in hot drought conditions, no food, no water, blind in his left eye and so very frightened.
Uriah was brought to a horse rescue organization in excruciating pain, hungry and very scared. The eye socket around his left eye was crushed. His eye muscles were ruptured, and his eye had a huge hole in it. It was black, sunken, and oozing pus. He was immediately given fresh hay and cool water. An experienced equine veterinarian examined his eye, and recommended emergency surgery. The vet believed that this was an intentional injury from someone viciously and deliberately hitting Uriah in the head with a hard object.
His eye was removed with the muscles around it and the crushed bones. The two eyelids were stitched shut. Since he arrived as a breeding stallion, he was gelded as well. While under anesthesia, he had his hooves trimmed and medicated. They were in horrible shape! A few days later, he developed an eye infection. Five doses of antibiotics cleared the problem.
He was on the thin side when he was welcomed by his rescuers. His hips and ribs were starting to show. He was also so fearful, he startled easily. Volunteers have been spending time speaking to him with soft, healing voices. He is given reassurance that he is in safe hands. He is petted gently and he is learning to accept human touch. It is apparent that someone beat him. He is very afraid of hoes, rakes and water hoses. Uriah is young, only seven years old. He is still underweight, but gaining rapidly.
Except for his missing eye, he is very energetic and athletic, and should have a bright future. One eyed horses do very well as riding horses.
This story is one of the saddest and happiest. Uriah was doomed to be sold to a slaughter plant in Mexico, if not for this caring rescuer. He is safe now and should be ready for adoption in a few of months.
To encourage more positive horse rescue outcomes, let’s gather together to help this rescuer carry on their mission. Uriah’s recovery is not cheap. Besides medical care, he requires nutritious food which is becoming more costly because of the drought in west Texas. Nothing is growing! The fields are dust bowls. There are days the temperature is 111 degrees in the shade.
This rescue group is becoming desperate, uncertain as to how they will continue to care for abused and abandoned horses left in their care. Please find it in your hearts to extend the gift of life to these beautiful creatures by making a generous donation to Uriaha’s care and recovery here.