Article by Sharon Ward Keeble
A Groveland rehabilitation facility for horses recently welcomed home six United States-born thoroughbred racehorses from the Caribbean Island of St Thomas.
The horses were abandoned on the island after hurricanes Irma and Maria both tore apart the St Thomas race track and closed down racing in September 2017.
The horses were being looked after by a rescue group who ran out of money, so they joined forces with Dark Horse Stables owner Laura Prieto to bring these beautiful animals home.
It cost $6,000 per horse to bring them home, and now the real work begins. All of them have appalling injuries that were suffered at the track and went untreated by their previous owners.
Laura described the condition of the horses when they arrived as, “horrific” saying, “We have found horrific leg and spine injuries that we are hoping can be fixed or at least maintained with good veterinary care. When they arrived, our vet discovered so many issues that could have been avoided. It’s appalling to think that these majestic creatures, who worked so hard for their owners, were basically dumped when the racing industry died because of the hurricanes”.
Laura continued, “When the rescue group contacted us for help, I didn’t think twice. It was a real labor of love getting them here and hopefully, when they are well again, they will all eventually find new homes.”
There are another 12 horses waiting their turn in St Thomas to come to Dark Horse. Laura and her team are busy raising funds to fund the mammoth task.
Laura notes, “It’s definitely an international effort with our rescue friends in St Thomas. We need all the funding we can get not just to get them over here but to pay for their vet bills and feed them. We would welcome any help, financially and practically, from anyone who has ever watched a horse race and who appreciates these wonderful animals who give so much to their owners. Watching the six who are already here galloping around our paddocks, free and happy, is worth everything.”
You can help bring the horses home by going to the Go Fund Me Page, “BRING THE THOROUGHBREDS HOME”. The fundraiser is organized by Laura Prieto.
