Horses recovering after rescue

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:13:00 GMT

BY GRETYL MACALASTER

Two foals seized during a raid in Candia in early March were malnourished, had extreme cases of worms and needed additional care.

The two colts and a 3-year-old stallion are being cared for now at Rockin’ Horse Ranch and are recovering nicely on a regular diet of hay and grain, said Joe LeBlanc.

The horses’ owner, Heidi Fredrick, 45, of 456 Critchett Road in Candia, has been charged with nine counts of animal cruelty and eight counts of inadequate shelter after 12 horses were seized from the property she shares with her husband, Brian Travis.

In addition to the 12 horses seized, 17 remain in Candia. LeBlanc took in the horses at the request of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has been caring for them since. LeBlanc said the initial condition of the foals made him “sick.”

The young horses still had worms in their manure more than a week after they were initially treated, LeBlanc said.

“The problem with the two babies is they were eating but they weren’t getting nutrients because they had an extreme case of worms,” LeBlanc said.

The foals also needed to be shaved because the condition of their coats was so bad.

“They had blankets on, and after we pulled the blankets off, we found they had incredibly oily, matted, nasty fur under there,” LeBlanc said. “We made attempts to clean them up ... but found it was impossible.”

He said the coats were matted with dirt, dust, grime and fecal matter. He said the fur came off in clumps when they were shaved.

LeBlanc said the horses also suffered from a bit of “rain rot” -- a fungus that grows on the skin, caused mostly by wet conditions. The stallion was brought to the farm March 23 for additional care.

It is also recovering from malnourishment and numerous bite marks, likely caused by other horses he was paddocked with, LeBlanc said.

He said it appears the stallion was bullied by other horses and was probably underfed because other horses would not let him near food. He said the horse had numerous scabs and cuts over his body.

“I don’t believe he was abused physically, except by his peers,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc said the horses were evaluated by Dr. Simon George of the Deerfield Veterinary Clinic and he continues to be their veterinarian.

George was one of two veterinarians at the scene of the seizure. They helped determine which horses were in need of care and had to be removed.

All three horses are gaining weight and look healthier, Le- Blanc said. Ribs were visible in the baby horses when they were seized, even more so when they were shaved.

NHSPCA investigator Steve Sprowl said he is not making any comment regarding the case, which is being handled by the Candia Police Department.

Police said they are working through Fredrick’s attorney to return some of the horses.

Fredrick and Travis have built additional shelters on the property since the seizure and have repaired other shelters damaged during the December ice storm.

Fredrick is scheduled to appear in Candia District Court on May 6 to face the charges.

Candia News : animal cruelty

Horses recovering after rescue