On the Road to Recovery

Thanks to the compassion of many rescuers, volunteers and donors, the Cannon County equines are enjoying a second chance at life… and love

TEXT BY HEATHER DAVIS
PHOTOS BY KATHY ZIEGLER

We could hear the whinnies and neighs from across the crowded lot: a sure sign that we had, indeed, found the emergency equine shelter organized by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and United Animal Nations (UAN) at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Just days before Thanksgiving, their Animal Disaster Services team had rescued 84 horses and two burrows—along with eight dogs, two goats and fourteen chickens—from horrid conditions on a Cannon County, TN farm. As photographer Kathy Ziegler and I made our way toward the stables, I braced myself for the worst.

It had been a week since the seizure, and the operation was in full swing. Rescuers, staff and dozens of volunteers buzzed about the compound in a blur of perpetual action. A mountain of manure and used bedding towered in the background. Rows and stacks of donated hay, feed and other supplies lined the nearby shelters.

Inside the stables, the sight was overwhelming. Stall upon stall were filled with frail, precious animals—equines that had been neglected to the point of near death. Even at first glance, it was clear that the horses were in dire condition. But as we slowly walked the rows, meeting each face-to-face, their state of emergency became painfully vivid. In one stall, rescuers worked as a team to lift a downed mare. In another, one of the more emaciated equines—named Mr. Happy by HSUS workers—stood weakly, glancing sidelong in our direction. Every vertebra, every rib, every joint pushed against his sickly skin.

Tears stung my eyes. The suffering they had endured for so long was almost too much to witness. Their spirits were gone, their eyes vacant of life. One by one, I softly greeted them as they stood wearily, struggling to hold their weight on feeble, trembling legs.

We were greeted by Leighann McCollum, the Tennessee State Director for HSUS. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she said. “Things around here have been a little hectic… as you can see.” Despite working around the clock with little rest, McCollum, as always, is cheerful and simply thankful that the animals are now safe in their care... 

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