We'll call her "Sweetheart"

We share the story of every horse helped by our grants. Some stories are harder to tell than others. 😓

We never want to shame anyone who reaches out for help, even if we can clearly see the horse has been suffering for some time. Neglect happens for a variety of reasons, sometimes it is lack of knowledge, sometimes it is financial constraints, and sometimes sadly it is just not caring enough. But bringing shame to people who reach out for help doesn't help anyone, especially not the horse.

The owner of this beautiful Clydesdale, we'll call her "Sweetheart", reached out to Bear Valley Rescue for help. The SPCA had already been out to investigate and advised that she immediately be humanely euthanized. Two other vets gave her owner the same recommendation.

At 20 years old and with the same owner since she was a yearling, clearly Sweetheart had been suffering for quite some time. She was likely at least 500 lbs underweight, in desperate need of farrier care and experiencing terrible pain in her hooves and joints, making it hard for her to walk. She did not become emaciated overnight. She did not develop severe hoof problems overnight. She did not develop joint pain overnight. We can’t know how she was allowed to languish. We can only be grateful her owner eventually reached out for help and did not send her to auction where, as a draft, she no doubt would have been sold into the slaughter pipeline.

Many thanks 🙏 to the good people at Bear Valley Rescue who told her owner about our Humane Euthanasia Grant. We were able to help make sure Sweetheart was given the Last Act of Kindness with our Humane Euthanasia Grant. She died peacefully, at home, which is the kindest thing her owner could have done for her.

We share the story of every horse we help because every horse matters. It is especially important to share stories like Sweetheart's because it goes to the heart of why we do what we do. Our Humane Euthanasia Grant helps protect horses from being sold into the slaughter pipeline. No horse deserves that. They all deserve a peaceful and painless ending. ❤🐴❤

Help us continue to say "yes" to every horse who needs us, horses just like Sweetheart. Donate today. Thank you!

https://www.horseaid.ca/donate