Benny arrived at A Ranch Horse after we received a call from the sheriff asking us to step in and give him a chance at a different life. When we get that call, we don't think twice. We go.

At first, we thought Benny might simply need routine care, a good hoof trim, and a dental float. He hauled in quietly and seemed familiar with transportation.

Once we got him home and began looking closer, we realized how serious his condition was.

His coat and mane were heavily matted, and his overall condition showed that basic care had been neglected for far too long. But his feet were where we found the greatest concern.

We expected thrush. What we found was much worse.

Benny's hooves were severely compromised, with extensive deterioration and very little healthy structure remaining. One of his back feet had living maggots in the damaged tissue, showing just how long his condition had gone untreated.

Our farrier came out immediately to begin addressing the damage and stabilizing his feet. Benny also has a veterinary appointment scheduled for a full examination and to help us determine the best path forward.

Benny is safe now.

He is receiving care, attention, and the medical and farrier help he desperately needed. His recovery will take time, but from this point forward, our goal is simple:

Comfort. Dignity. Healing. A second chance.

We will share Benny's journey as he continues to heal and hopefully discover what it feels like to be cared for again.

A Ranch Horse
April 29, 2026

Benny Update - June 7, 2026 🐴

Benny had another great day today!

He got a good grooming, had his mane and tail braided, spent some time lunging, and crossed the bridge like a pro. He also showed off that he knows round pen work and continues to be a pleasure to handle.

One of the highlights of the day was spending some time at the mounting block. Benny walked right up and stood quietly while I climbed on him for a few seconds. He was relaxed and unconcerned about the whole process.

To be clear, Benny is broke to ride. His previous owner was riding him in the condition he arrived in. However, we personally feel it is unfair to ask a horse to work under saddle when they are as underweight as Benny was, so our focus right now is on helping him regain weight, muscle, and overall condition before putting him back into regular riding. While we aren't riding him yet, today's interaction was simply another reminder that he has prior training and experience.

Every day Benny continues to show us more of what is already there. As he gains weight and feels better, his personality and training are becoming more apparent.

Benny is the definition of a diamond in the rough. He has a kind disposition, has been willing to try everything we've asked of him, and is steadily progressing with each passing week. The hard part has already been done by Benny himself. Now he just needs groceries, time, and someone who can see the potential hiding underneath to finish bringing him back to his full glory. 💎🐴

-Annie

6/7/2026