Horse confiscation
12 horses fight for survival
Everyone is exhausted – humans and animals alike – when they finally arrive at Gut Aiderbichl. The veterinary office had called us: It was about 40 horses that needed to be rescued from a stable in Austria. We are one of the animal welfare organisations that were called in to help, because taking in 40 animals at once is a big challenge – for any organisation.
The smell takes our breath away
The six of us set off in the early hours of the morning. But the rescue proves difficult, there are always disagreements. The police are also involved. When we are finally allowed to reach the animals, our animal rescuers are hit by an acrid odour. It takes our breath away. There are cobwebs everywhere, the floor of the stables is littered with faeces and dirt. Mould is growing on the walls. How long did the poor animals have to wait here in their own filth, without fresh air?
The suffering is as shattering as on the first day
And even after this first impression, one thing is clear: even after decades of helping animals in need, you don’t get any more hardened. This suffering shocks us just as much, makes us just as angry and stunned as on the first day.
The faces looking cautiously at us through the stall doors are narrow. The animals have clearly not been adequately fed for a long time – ribs are visible under the skin everywhere. But most of the ailments only become visible when we carefully lead them outside: inflamed eyes, parasite infestation on the skin and in the body, cracked hooves, broken teeth. The horses are in a terrible state. One thing is immediately clear: they need intensive medical care right away.
The horses will need medical help for the rest of their lives
We are able to take twelve of the horses with us to Gut Aiderbichl. It is already dark when they finally arrive at their new forever home. But our work is far from over. The animals have to be carefully acclimatised to their new surroundings and, of course, veterinary care and attention begins immediately.
It will not be the last time that our patients need medical help. Some of the twelve horses will carry the traces of years of neglect with them forever and will need regular medication. According to one estimate, over 20,000 euros will be spent on vets, special feed and care in the first year alone.
Your ordeal shall not have been in vain
But we know: This work is necessary. We must support these animals – their suffering should not be in vain. We have made it our mission to stand up for the weakest in our society – without any ifs or buts. We would like to thank all our supporters from the bottom of our hearts for helping us with this mission! Amina, Leni, Athena, Kalina, Macarena, Holly, Karah, Anja, Tami, Tonic, Wendy and Gin can now find their peace.
