Today, a small horse with a big personality is frolicking in the fields of our sprawling Texas sanctuary—but it wasn’t so long ago that he was barely able to walk.
Creating a more humane world means, in part, creating a support system for animals who are neglected, displaced or abused. One of America’s largest and most diverse animal sanctuaries, our Black Beauty Ranch is home to a community of nearly 600 rescued animals, spanning over 40 species, all of whom have a home for life there. Every animal at the ranch has a story. And this is Spicy Jalapeño’s.
Earlier this year, the miniature horse now known as Spicy Jalapeño was confiscated by law enforcement officials in Texas because his owner was clearly unable to take care of him. His little body was emaciated, and his hooves were terribly overgrown. Thankfully, the sheriff’s office knew that there were options for this animal, including our nearby sanctuary.
Once Spicy Jalapeño arrived, our veterinarians and caretakers got to work providing him with the treatments he needed, starting with trimming his hooves, which were curling upward at least six inches. This severely affected his mobility at the time, and will likely have lasting effects. Even with properly trimmed and maintained hooves, Spicy still walks with an odd gait due the slight curving of one of the bones in his foot.
“But that doesn’t slow this little horse down!” said Christi Gilbreth, senior coordinator of outreach and development for the sanctuary. As soon as Spicy was settled in and cared for, his personality began to shine.
