Hera, Hope and Justice

In Canada, animal welfare laws are provincial jurisdiction. Some provinces are better than others but all are inadequate. Nothing makes this clearer than how they fail horses. Under those laws, horses are considered “livestock”, so they can be taken to a livestock auction. But unlike other livestock, there is almost no regulation regarding the care and condition of horses brought to auction. Some auction houses operate with better standards than others but rarely do any animal protection authorities attend auctions. So it was a bit of a surprise when in August both the RCMP and the Alberta SPCA showed up at the auction in Westlock. That day they seized a mare, her young filly and her yearling colt. They were in such poor condition they were not legally suitable to be to there.

The mare and filly were taken to Hopeful Hooves Equine Rescue Society and the colt was taken to 5 Freedoms Ranch & Rescue. Both organizations are very skilled and well equipped to provide for horses in need of specialized care. They named the mare Hera because she was so protective of her filly. The baby was named Hope, no doubt for many reasons. They hoped she would survive but she also represented the hope for a better life for her and her mom. The colt was named Justice, because that is what he deserved. What they didn’t know was that Hera was also pregnant.

Horses who have been starved can be rehabilitated but there are no guarantees. It is even more touch-and-go with very young horses. We were very saddened to learn that Justice only lived another 27 days. His little body was simply not able to recover. His body was found in the morning and it appeared as though he passed peacefully in his sleep. Two days later Hera spontaneously aborted her foal. She wasn’t healthy enough to sustain another life growing inside her. It is hard to imagine all she has been through, and she is still a young horse herself.

From the start, Hope’s health was very fragile due not just to the neglect but also possible inbreeding. Hopeful Hooves and their dedicated vet team were committed to doing everything they could for her. It was an emotional roller coaster for all of them caring for Hope, from emergencies that had her in hospital for days fighting for her life, to her return back to the rescue, to heartbreaking diagnoses confirming she would never have a long life. They kept Hope as comfortable as they could for as long as they could. She was given the Last Act of Kindness on December 1st. She was only 5 months old.

Hera continues to recover under the watchful care of Hopeful Hooves. She has found her place in the herd and her new friends are helping her heal mentally and emotionally. She has a strong mistrust of humans but they are not rushing her. In time we all hope she will find her person, the one who will let her know she is now finally safe.

We are so grateful to 5 Freedoms and Hopeful Hooves for all they did for Justice and Hope. We look forward to watching Hera on her healing journey. Thanks to your support we were able to give Hopeful Hooves our Humane Euthanasia grant for Hope.