New York: 17 horses seized.

Another case out of New York.

Horses seized from Cherry Plain stable [link]
James V. Franco | Aug 15, 2008

Authorities seized 17 malnourished and neglected horses from the Black River Stable in Cherry Plain, Wednesday, and animal cruelty charges are pending. According to Brad Shear, the executive director of the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society, his organization was working with Thelma and Mary Wadsworth for a year trying to improve the conditions of the stable to no avail. "During our investigators' first visit, we gave the Wadsworths a feeding and care plan to improve the condition of the horses," Shear said. "Conditions were poor for these horses a year ago, but over time they were deteriorating." Humane Society investigators visited the stable nearly once a month for a year and gave them a sustainable and workable feeding and care plan. The stable provides trail rides, pony rides at parties and a day camp. "Although the horses were in terrible condition, they appear to have still been in service for the owners to make money on their trail-riding business," Shear said. Animal cruelty charges are pending in the case.

Another story on this case:

Horses removed from Cherry Plain farm [link]
PAUL GRONDAHL | Aug 15, 2008

The quarter horses and ponies were allegedly so emaciated that their ribs, backbones and hips seemed almost to be poking through their hides. Some of the 17 neglected and malnourished horses seized Wednesday from the Black River Stable in Cherry Plain, Rensselaer County, had lost up to half their normal weight, said Susan Bloser, manager of Horsefeathers Farm in Canastota, Madison County, who is caring for 10 of the animals. Investigators with the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society had tried unsuccessfully to work with the owners to improve the conditions of the stable prior to the seizure. Animal cruelty charges are pending against owners Thelma and Mary Wadsworth, whose business included trail rides and pony rides at parties. "They were bad. One horse was so weak he could barely stand," Bloser said. "I think the owners were just overwhelmed." Bloser is feeding the rescue animals carefully, five times a day, with small amounts of special feed, soaked alfalfa cubes, sugar beets and a weight builder supplement. She said it will take about four months to nurse the horses and ponies back to good health and then they'll likely be put up for adoption. "This is stretching my feed and hay bill, but we believe in no horse left behind," Bloser said. Donations are being accepted for the care and feeding of the 17 seized horses being rehabilitated by horse rescue volunteers.

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