Benny arrived this morning after a call from the sheriff around dinner time yesterday 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 just go.

At first glance, we allowed ourselves a small breath of relief. We’ve seen worse come through rescue situations, and from the outside it looked like Benny might simply need routine care, a good hoof trim, and a dental float. He hauled in quietly, steady and familiar with transport, like it was something he had done before.

Once we got him home and started taking a closer look, the reality of his condition began to unfold.

His coat was heavily matted in places, carrying the weight of neglect in every tangled section. His mane was matted as well, and his body showed clear signs that basic grooming and care had been long overdue. His tail had only a few burrs, but overall his condition told a deeper story than what we first saw.

We already had the farrier scheduled for tomorrow, but when we picked up his feet, we realized that was no longer soon enough.

The smell of thrush was expected. What we found was far beyond that.

His hooves are severely compromised, with rotting and deterioration that has left very little healthy structure behind. In one of his back feet, we found living maggots present in the damaged tissue, a clear sign of how long this pain and neglect had gone untreated.

Our farrier came out immediately today to begin addressing the damage and to start stabilizing what we can. Benny also has a veterinary appointment scheduled next week for a full exam and to begin the long road of repair and recovery.

He is safe now. He is receiving care. And from this moment forward, everything we do will be focused on giving him comfort, dignity, and the chance at a life he should have had all along.

• Annie, A Ranch Horse
  4/29/26

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