New Life For Rescued Horses
Jamestown, CA– It’s been just over a week since 10 horses, suffering from severe neglect and malnutrition were seized from a ranch in Copperopolis.
Volunteers from Re-Horse Rescue Ranch in Jamestown assisted the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office in the round up. While six of the horses remain at Re-Horse Ranch for care and rehabilitation, four of the horses are being cared for by volunteer Gina Volpe at Remington Ranch in Sonora.
“I thought it was just unbelievable what these horses were going through,” said Volpe. “I love horses. I always have my whole life. Just to have the honor of having them here and to help them. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Volpe says she is caring for three mares and one stallion named “Firefox.” She adds that the horses have a long way to go before they are rehabilitated.
“There were leg injuries that were open sores. They were belly high in the mud and the manure and the urine, so of course it got into all these open wounds. Those are all going to have be addressed, medicated and taken care of, “said Volpe.
Raquelle Van Vleck of Re-Horse Rescue Ranch says “All ten horses are in Re-Horse custody, but Gina is basically acting as a Foster, bless her heart, and is willing to take on the stallion and the mares.”
Van Vleck says donations are always needed and can be made by calling ReHorse Rescue Ranch at call (209) 337-5886 or by visiting their website at www.rehorserescue.org.
The owners of the horses, Nigh and Melva Lawhon of Copperopolis, were both arrested for trying to stop the deputies from seizing the horses. Nigh also faces a charge of assault on a peace officer.
