‘We don’t like seeing these guys when it turns into this’ | Organization rescues starving horses in Sevier County

SEVIER CO., Tenn. (WVLT) - Officials with Horse Haven of Tennessee asked for donations after rescuing four horses in Sevier County late last month.

Executive Director of Horse Haven Tennessee, Ashley Ford, said they received calls from local and state entities asking for help, so they brought in the horses.

“Their heads were hanging low,” Ford said. “They just looked almost lifeless in their eyes. They weren’t really moving around a whole lot.”

The horses have had their vet checks and are currently on refeeding plans.

“They’re putting on some weight so it’s really amazing to hear them just eating and drinking all of the water they want and it’s just really cool to see their personalities already changing,” she said.

They also named the four horses after Top Gun: Maverick characters Maverick, Penny, Hangman, and Rooster. Maverick was the skinniest of the group, according to Ford.

“You can kind of start seeing that top line and those hip bones and ribs, you know there’s a problem,” Ford said. “We don’t like seeing these guys when it turns into this.”

The horses should have weighed more than 1,100 lbs. but Maverick was only 700 lbs. Ford said it could take a year for him to return to a healthy weight.

Ford would not name the farm that the horses were rescued from but the Department of Agriculture told WVLT News that they were investigating a horse boarding facility called Foster’s.

“It’s amazing to see the community support when they’re able to see we’re helping these horses,” she said.

If you want to donate to Horse Haven, you can do so here.

Copyright 2022 WVLT. All rights reserved.