An Equine Reunion Six Years In the Making
Six emaciated mustangs arrived at the ranch after being rescued by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services as part of an animal neglect case.
On August 17, 2012 a group of six emaciated mustangs arrived at the ranch after being rescued by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services as part of an animal neglect case. This group has flourished in our Mustang Habitat and welcomed their seventh member with the birth of a filly in 2013.
Recently, concerned citizens again notified Animal Services about the weight of the mustangs that remained in the care of the original owner. Six years and one day after the original group arrived, our mustangs will be reunited with a portion of their original herd.
“Significant health issues for the owner compromised the care of the remaining herd and we were told that the owner knew he could no longer provide for the animals,” explained Amy Pat Rigney, Administrator of Horses of Tir Na Nog. “Rather than allow these horses to suffer, the Department of Animal Services interceded and immediately transferred the horses to our care. As we have been caring for some of this herd for six years, we wanted to provide these new horses with the same chance of a healthy, happy life as the original six.”
“Through amazing generosity we were able to expand the Mustang Habitat to facilitate a larger group of horses. We are starting with roughly half of the remaining herd. These horses represent the largest rescue we have been involved in during our fifteen year history. We are hoping that other rescues will be able to help some of the horses still in the care of the owner. In the meantime we are launching our largest fundraising campaign ever, in order to raise the additional $120,000 needed annually to care for the entire herd,” stated Rigney.
Horses of Tir Na Nog is the longest-operating equine sanctuary in San Diego County and is currently caring for over fifty equines. Horses of Tir Na Nog is an adoption partner with County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and works in compliance with American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Rescue and Retirement Guidelines. Horses of Tir Na Nog is a community-supported equine sanctuary that offers a safe-haven to horses with few options remaining, thereby ensuring them a better quality of life.
Category: Animals, feature, Local News
