Starving horses regain weight at Kentucky TRF

Z Camelot has put on 150 pounds since he was rescued two months ago and transferred to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Blackburn facility. Photo by Sue Finley

Z Camelot has put on 150 pounds since he was rescued two months ago and transferred to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Blackburn facility. Photo by Sue Finley

Two months after arriving at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s (TRF) Kentucky facility, six starving horses, abandoned and later seized by Mercer County officials, have bounced back on the road to recovering their health.

According to a report by Sue Finley of the Thoroughbred Daily News, the horses pulled from a farm leased by trainer Maria Borrell and her father in a highly publicized neglect case, have put on weight, and blossomed in the hands of inmates at the Blackburn Correctional Facility. (Please see earlier story here: http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2016/06/29/trf-takes-6-hungry-abandoned-horses-into-herd/).

Linda Dyer, farm manager of the TRF’s Second Chances program in Kentucky— where inmates learn life and horsemanship skills while caring for retired racehorses— reports to Finley that ex-racehorse Z Camelot has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations. Since the day of his rescue in June, Z  has gone from eating shavings to stay alive to blossoming under a carefully managed re-feeding program. Under the watchful eye of Rood & Riddle vets, the bay gelding has regained approximately 150 pounds.

Z Camelot has gained approximately 150 pounds since he arrived at the TRF's Kentucky facility in June.

Z Camelot has gained approximately 150 pounds since he arrived at the TRF’s Kentucky facility in June.

Z Camelot was among a group of horses accepted into the Blackburn TRF facility after authorities declared the horses abandoned and in need of rescue. The others include Silver Cliff, 14, Princess Megan, 12 and her weanling colt, Meddling, 12, Parhelion, 16, and Synergistic, 17, according to the Thoroughbred Daily News.

To read more about the horses and their condition, please go to the Thoroughbred Daily News story: http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/mercer-county-horses-thriving-at-trf/.

Donations to the TRF may be designated to help the newest additions to the Blackburn facility by clicking the donations link at the end of this sentence, scrolling to the lower left of the page, and clicking the Designations drop-down menu: https://trf20546.thankyou4caring.org/Make-A-Gift

3 responses to “Starving horses regain weight at Kentucky TRF”

  1. paula burke

    So glad to hear the horses are doing well and on their way to recovery. Z is a very special horse, they all are special and deserve the care they are receiving now. Thank you.

  2. Cheri

    No words this time, only a happy heart… just like all the horses that gained a safe, soft landing into capable hands.

  3. Mary McLeod

    Thank you to ALL involved in the care of Z Camelot. He has responded so well to your kindness and talent. You show the best side of our species. Take care, Mary in Boone

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