Malnourished Horses Being Nursed Back to Health

We received our first look Tuesday at two-dozen badly malnourished horses that were seized from a farm in Fillmore County back in December.

The animals are being nursed back to health at Truhaven Ranch in Winsted, they’ve been there now for four months.

The people who are helping them say their recovery is nothing short of a miracle.

Truhaven’s Director Candy Phillips said, “It has just reiterated my faith in humanity."

These horses, mules, and ponies were part of a group of 55 seized from a LeRoy, MN man in December and were once near death.

Looking at them now, it is hard to believe they were starved to the point that their bones were poking out.

Six had to be put to sleep.

Nursing them back to health seemed darn near impossible.

Bringing them back from the brink has cost Phillips at least $7,500 in supplies alone.

“Some of them had wounds. Some of them had lice.  They were afraid for you to touch them.  So it was hard trying to wrangle them in, yet be as kind as you could to de-louse them," says Truhaven vet tech Melissa Norton.

Wilbur Eugene Schmoll, the man investigators say is responsible for the condition of the horses faces 25 counts of animal cruelty, and one count of improper disposal of dead animals.

Norton said, "I would like him to be accountable."

The 80 year old hasn't been taken into custody.  He’s scheduled for court again May 14.

And while physically the animals are doing great, mentally they have a long way to go.

Some of the ponies are still very unsure of humans, but in time, Phillips believes they will get more used to being around people, and hopefully be adopted to a loving home.