Horse Shelter Heroes – S4E29
From life-changing medical decisions to standing up for those who can’t speak for themselves, this week at Horse Plus Humane Society was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. It wasn’t all easy, but it was all worth it.
Here is the breakdown of the tears, the triumphs and the heavy lifting!
🎥 Watch the full episode here: Horse Shelter Heroes -S4E29
A Difficult Goodbye for Miss Bess
This week, we had a difficult consultation with Dr. Lydia regarding Miss Bess, a sweet filly with the most severe case of rostral maxilla deviation (wry mouth) we’ve ever seen.
Her upper jaw was so shifted that she had zero airflow in her left nostril and no tooth overlap for eating.
Because horses are “obligate nasal breathers” (they must breathe through their noses), this wasn’t just a cosmetic issue, it was a struggle for every breath. After much heart-wrenching discussion, we decided the kindest path, the last act of kindness.
To put her through a massive, high-risk surgery only to face a life of chronic pain and infection wouldn’t be fair to her. We’re so glad we could give her a peaceful end filled with love.
Mud, Sweat & Skid Steers
The farm doesn’t stop, even when the equipment does! Our main tractor blew a high-pressure fuel line right in the middle of hay season. With parts a week away, we had to get creative.
We rented a skid steer to keep the hay moving and even gave our stable hand, Keith, a crash course in heavy machinery.
Speaking of hay, we just brought in 24 bales of gorgeous orchard grass. It’s soft, green, and perfect for our older rescues who need something easy to digest.
High-Tech Healing for Harvest
Remember Harvest and her “proud flesh” (overactive scar tissue)? We laid her down this week for a precision trim to get that tissue flush with the skin. Then, we broke out our new phototherapy (light therapy) tool!
We’re testing this out to see if it can prevent the proud flesh from returning without the need for skin grafts. So far, she’s looking great!
Meet the Newest Heroes: Dawn & a Tiny Survivor
We’re thrilled to introduce Dawn, our newest Veterinary Assistant! She brings 20 years of shelter and vet experience to the team. Her first task? Taking in a tiny, flea-covered puppy found on the side of the road in Arkansas.
After five hours of the rescuers calling around, we were the only ones who said “yes.” After some vaccines and a good meal, this sweet girl is finally safe.
Standing Tall in Shelbyville
The team headed to Shelbyville this week to protest the “Big Lick” at the Walking Horse Celebration. This was our first year without our friend Clint, but we carried his memory with us.
We set up a table with stacks (the heavy, painful weighted shoes) so passersby could actually feel the weight these horses are forced to carry.
While some were hostile, many locals had no idea the abuse was happening. We’re out there to change minds and protect the natural beauty of the Tennessee Walking Horse!
How You Can Help
This episode is a powerful reflection of what rescue truly means.
It’s making heartbreaking decisions for the sake of kindness.
It’s fighting for every life, no matter how small or how complicated.
And it’s standing up, loudly and proudly, for horses everywhere.
Because every animal deserves not just to survive, but to live free from pain and fear.
Whether it’s donating or supporting our advocacy work, you make this mission possible!
Want to help more horses like the ones in this episode? Visit the Horse Plus Humane Society website to learn how you can support rescue, rehabilitation, and healing.
Watch the full episode here: Wry Nose – Horse Shelter Heroes S4E29
Your donations and shares truly make a difference — one horse, one rescue, and one story at a time.