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Thursday, May 08, 2008

Newborn Filly Recovering After Attack

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
      Holly, a horse that is probably less than a month old, is a fighter.
       The horse, which was nearly killed in an animal attack in Torrance County, was taken into protective custody by Colleen Novotny, the founder of Walkin N Circles Ranch, a horse rescue organization in Edgewood.
       Novotny said the horse was actually named after Holly Holm, the professional boxer who once lived in Edgewood.
       “She's a survivor; she's a fighter,” Novotny said.
       Holly was found by Torrance County Sheriff's Deputy Erwin Young last week in bad shape.
       The animal was discovered on Elizabeth Burr's property in Torrance County by a deputy who was there to serve paperwork for unrelated charges.
       “We found the horse near death,” Young said.
       The filly was attacked by animals, possibly dogs, Young said. Veterinarians later determined that the young horse had never even had its mother's milk.
       “This is the youngest horse that I've found that I've taken,” he said, and added that he didn't get a clear story about what happened to the horse. “In the course of the investigation we got three stories from the owners … They want the horse, but I want to do my best not to give it back.”
       Burr is charged with animal cruelty.
       Holly was taken from the Burr property to Western Trails Veterinary Hospital, where it was given antibiotics and a blood-plasma transfusion, according to Cindy Jones, director of the Estancia Valley Regional Animal Shelter. Jones helped transport the injured animal to the hospital.
       After a few days of intensive care, Novotny began caring for the animal.
       As Holly tested her legs inside the stables at Walkin N Circles, she garnered the attention of a mare named Andalucia, who began kicking the door to her stable.
       Novotny quickly moved the filly away from Andalucia, who was probably making an attempt at adopting Holly as her own.
       If her ranch gets permanent custody, there are a few mares that could raise the horse, Novotny said, adding that Andalucia may not be the right match.
       Since she took custody, Novotny has filled the role of mother, to some extent. She's been with Holly constantly, even taking the young animal home at night, to make sure the animal has milk, antibiotics, probiotics and other treatments. As Holly becomes healthier, Novotny is also trying to keep the increasingly energetic horse out of trouble.
       “She takes a lot of care,” Novotny said as she cleaned, treated and re-wrapped Holly's leg, which appeared to have suffered the worst damage from the attack.
       As Novotny bent in to work, Holly nipped at her caregiver's neck and shoulders, just as she would with her own mother, Novotny explained. Although it is an endearing gesture, it can also be quite painful, Novotny said.
       The horse's breed is unknown, but Novotny said Holly had “mustang ears.”
       “I just call her cute baby,” she said. “They're all equines … I'm just glad to make sure she gets to grow up.”
   

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