This poor mare was turned loose to die alone in rural Ohio, because her owners didn't care enough to tend to her injured eye.
They tried to sell her at the Sugarcreek Ohio horse auction, but the auction house turned the mare away because of her injury. Horses have to meet a set standard of health to be sold to slaughter.
They could have taken her home, and had her put to sleep. They could have broken down and gotten her care. They could have asked their veterinarian or animal control to help if they couldn't afford it.
But they couldn't be bothered with any of that. So they turned her loose to die.
By the time Traveler was found by Animal Control in Ohio, her injury was weeks old. Her infection was severe. She was sent to Heart of Phoenix rescue, a small informal group in western West Virginia. They found her emergency housing in Kentucky. In the interim, plans were made to get Traveler to Maryland to Gentle Giants where we could get her to surgery.
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of many supporters, Traveler had surgery at Valley Equine in Charles Town WV. Her surgery went well, but Dr. Meagher had some grim news. He's concerned that Traveler might have cancer, and that the eye was slowly pushed out by the tumors growth. Can you imagine the PAIN???
Traveler, also affectionately known around the barn as "Winky", is recovering well with her buddy Ruby who also had her eye surgically removed the same week.
This little video was taken on a phone, so it's a little grainy and sideways, but this will give you an idea of Traveler's zest for life and unbreakable spirit. This is only one week past surgery and she's feeling well!
