I wanted to give you a little update on the two remaining ponies who had the horrible hoof neglect.  If you missed that story, you can find it here.

I’m sure you won’t forget the photo…

UPDATE:

From the Days End Farm Horse Rescue Facebook page (Also, there are updated videos of both ponies):

RECENT IMPOUND UPDATE:

Quest had the worst hooves of the two ponies we took in from Washington County on 8/21/15, but now it is a daily occurrence for him to trot and roll comfortably in his paddock each day during turnout (see video). He had his overgrown teeth addressed last week and now chews much more comfortably. He still needs to gain weight, get safely through deworming, and continue with many more corrective trims, but we have been very pleased with his progress thus far.

Little Rio has now become the one we are most worried about moving forward. In addition to needing to recover from his overgrown hooves and emaciation, we have also learned that Rio is severely infested with internal parasites, has joint issues that make the likelihood of future soundness questionable, and he has a fracture to his upper jaw, which has limited how much can be safely done right now to correct his overgrown teeth. Yet he has started to whinny at feed times and seek out our attention and affection, so this gives us hope as he continues on his journey.

Prognoses for both patients continue to be guarded with particular concern for Rio as he goes through deworming. We’ll continue to keep you all posted and your continued support and donations are very much appreciated as these two boys continue down their long road to recovery. www.defhr.org

CHARGES FILED

Here is a story I found on the Humane Society of Washington County website linked here.

HSWC FILES CRIMINAL CHARGES IN EQUINE NEGLECT CASE
The Humane Society of Washington County officially filed 15 charges of animal cruelty against Robert Lloyd Baugher and Christine Wilson Baugher on August 27th, 2015.

On August 19th, 2015 the HSWC was made aware of the cruelty situation by an anonymous call to complete a welfare check of 40 pigeons owned by the Baughers.  Field Services Officer Elliot responded to the call and asked to see all animals on the property.  Upon her inspection, Officer Elliot found 3 horses that appeared to be in fair condition, but had an insufficient amount of water.  However, three other horses were found with severe hoof growth that hindered the horses’ mobility.  They were also emaciated.

“In over 25 years of working in the field on animal welfare I have never before seen horses suffer such cruelty,” said Kimberley Intino, President/CEO of the Humane Society of Washington County.  “We are grateful to Days End Farm Horse Rescue for their role in caring for these horses.”

On August 20th, 2015 the HSWC and Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) evaluated all of the horses and decided to remove them from the property.    On August 21st, the three horses in the most severe condition were surrendered by the owners and removed to DEFHR and given immediate veterinary and farrier care.  Upon examination, it was discovered that one of the horses suffered severe ligament damage and was then euthanized.  On August 25th, the other three equines were surrendered by the owners and removed from the Baugher property and placed in HSWC foster care.  All of the horses required veterinary and farrier attention, including dental care which had not been given to them for 12-15 years.  These expenses will be paid by the HSWC, along with feeding and boarding costs until the horses are adopted to other families.

The charges for the three severely neglected horses consisted of four misdemeanor charges and one felony count of intentionally causing torture for each of the equines.  Probable Cause was found on all charges by the District Court Commissioner, and a Criminal Summons was issued. A court date has been set for 10-28-15 at 1:00 PM in Courtroom 1, District Court for Washington County.

 AND A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE.

I found this article here.

The Humane Society of Washington County has filed 15 charges in Washington County District Court against a Boonsboro couple in a case of alleged equine neglect investigated earlier this month.

Robert L. Baugher, 75, and Christine Willson Baugher, 68, face four misdemeanor and one felony count of intentionally causing torture for each of three horses deemed to be severely neglected, according to court documents.

The misdemeanor charges carry a penalty of up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of $1,000 each, while the felony charges carry penalties of up to three years incarceration and/or fines of up to $5,000.
The agency was contacted anonymously about a possible cruelty situation on Aug. 19 concerning a flock of pigeons the Baughers owned, a humane society news release said.
The responding field services officer, Samantha Elliott, asked to see all the animals on the property and found three horses “with severe hoof growth that hindered the horses’ mobility. They were also emaciated,” the release said.
Three other horses appeared to be in fair condition, but lacked sufficient water. All were evaluated by the humane society and by Days End Farm Horse Rescue on Aug. 20, who decided to remove them from the property, the release said.
One horse had suffered ligament damage and was euthanized.
All the horses required veterinary and farrier attention, the humane society said.
Christine Baugher voluntarily surrendered the horses to the humane society and asked for help finding them new homes, the court documents said.
A court date has been set for Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.
Three of the horses have been placed in humane society foster care.
Days End Farm Horse Rescue is caring for the other two surviving horses at its main facility in Woodbine, Md., organization Development Director Caroline Robertson said.
The horses have had their first corrective hoof trim, as well as a dental evaluation, she said.
“They’re settling in, getting used to new feet,” Robertson said.
They also were allowed out into a small paddock for the first time. All adjustments are slow and cautious, she said.
“They’re 18 years old and they had been confined for a majority of their lives,” Robertson said. “They’re feeling the sunshine and hearing other horses in the herd. It’s a lot of new stuff.”
However, their prognosis remains guarded because they are infested with parasites and will require a year of rehabilitation of their feet, she said.
Veterinarians will be monitoring their progress weekly.
Donations are being accepted for their care at the facility’s website, defhr.org. Days End is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization.
 
 
Tamela Baker is a reporter for The Herald-Mail. She can be reached via email at tbaker@herald-mail.com.