Salsa Dances to a New Beginning
On May 1, 2021, Salsa, a palomino mare in her mid-teens, arrived with a gelding named Chip at Mountain Valley Horse Rescue (MVHR) foster home. Although MVHR was full at the time they were taken in by the rescue as staff knew they couldn’t turn the pair away—the horses were not being fed and perhaps had not had a good meal in quite some time. In an effort to get these two horses to safety as quickly as possible, they were moved to their foster home to begin their recovery while they waited for space to open up at the MVHR ranch.
Upon arrival, the pair’s emaciated condition was immediately apparent. Re-feeding began, however another issue was soon observed. Both horse's hind legs were literally collapsing or knuckling over at their fetlock joints when they walked or stood. Presumed to be a side effect of severe malnutrition and muscle loss, several therapies and a number of vitamins and minerals—including vitamin E to help them restore normal muscle and bone function of their lower limbs—were added to their treatment regimen.
Within weeks, both Salsa and Chip began to show improvements to their weight, overall appearance and lower limb lameness. Chip in particular responded quickly, soon returning to full soundness.
Salsa's recovery was more gradual and continues to this day. At the MVHR ranch, she made a miraculous return to health and comfort. Preliminary evaluation seemed to indicate that she did not have much prior experience being handled on the ground or under saddle. Salsa's gentle nature lent itself to interaction and she was quickly under saddle and enjoying light rides.
Salsa's recovery and training helped her recently find a loving home who will care for her and continue her recovery. She left the ranch mid-January after an almost nine-month recovery journey at MVHR—an amazing result considering her condition upon arrival!