The Hidden Cost of Neglect: One Life, Two Stories

The Hidden Cost of Neglect: One Life, Two Stories

Published by Horse & Halo | May 3, 2025

Yesterday morning, a newborn filly entered the world—and she’s already fighting for her life. Diagnosed with neonatal maladjustment syndrome, commonly known as “dummy foal syndrome,” she’s struggled since birth to nurse and bond the way a healthy foal should.

But this story didn’t begin yesterday. It started long before she took her first breath.

A Mare’s History, A Foal’s Burden

Her mother, Stella, came from the Wyoming group—unhandled, underweight, and nutritionally deprived throughout her life, especially during pregnancy. Years of malnutrition don’t just vanish once a horse is rescued and fed. They shape everything: from a mare’s musculature to her ability to carry and support a developing foal.

Now, we’re seeing the ripple effect. The consequences of long-term neglect have carried into the next generation—leaving this foal with contracted tendons, critical nursing issues, and until this morning, unable to stand without assistance.

Complications from Compromised Care

While healthy, well-cared-for mares can still give birth to foals with complications, mares who’ve suffered from years of poor nutrition, lack of veterinary care, and zero handling are significantly more likely to produce foals with serious health challenges.

And when a mare is unhandled, providing care becomes even harder. There are few local resources equipped to manage horses who lack horse-human trust—especially strong, powerful mares like Stella. That means every step—guiding the foal, checking the udder, watching for discomfort—must be done with caution and creativity.

What We’ve Done

We’ve acted quickly and thoughtfully to give this filly the best possible start, including:

• Helping her stand and nurse every hour

• Attempted Providing supplemental feeding (bottle and pan)

• Using the Madigan Squeeze Technique, administered by our veterinarian

• Making environmental adjustments to the mare’s feeding position to give the foal better access to both teats—nursing from one each hour to relieve the udder evenly and encourage colostrum intake

What’s Next: Testing for Immunity

Today, our veterinarian will perform an IgG test to determine whether she’s absorbed enough antibodies through the colostrum to build a functional immune system. If she hasn’t, she’ll be at risk for life-threatening infections.

Neglect doesn’t always end when a horse is rescued. Sometimes, its impact shows up months later, through the struggles of the next life. More to come

Special Update: Reunited Cash and Erika’s New Beginning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM MDT

A Special Bond

Cash’s story began over a decade ago when Erika purchased him as a yearling in 2013. She poured years of love, training, and care into him, forging a bond that ran deep. Cash wasn’t just a horse—he was her 4-H project, her partner, her friend, and a bright spot in her life.

A Difficult Goodbye and a Long Search

In 2021, facing one of the hardest chapters she had ever known, Erika made the painful but responsible decision to sell Cash. Two years later, in 2023, she learned that he had been sold through a livestock auction. Without hesitation, she began searching for him—but the trail quickly ran cold.

In early 2025, a breakthrough came. A site where Erika had posted about her search sent her a tip: someone believed they had spotted Cash listed for an upcoming auction. Erika immediately followed up—and when she saw the listing, there was no doubt. It was him.

Without wasting a moment, she reached out to the seller and made every effort to purchase him directly. Despite good intentions on both sides, Cash ultimately ran through the auction.

A Community Effort to Bring Him Home

To create space for a resolution, we removed our original post and shifted our strategy. Through open, respectful conversations—beginning with a cup of coffee and a shared understanding of what really mattered—the horse—we reached an agreement. Mr. Osborn honored Erika’s wish to purchase Cash back. To protect his future, Horse & Halo placed him under an adoption contract, ensuring that if Erika is ever unable to care for him, he will return to Horse & Halo.

We acknowledge that our initial approach—particularly our first public post—may have been hurtful or offensive to some. We deeply regret any unintended impact. This experience reminded us of the importance of leading with respect, patience, and a willingness to listen.

A Bond Rekindled

And then came the moment that made everything worthwhile: Erika picked up Cash. When she called his name, he immediately lit up, recognizing her voice. It was a quiet, powerful reminder that some bonds are never truly broken. Today, Cash is happily settling into his new life with Erika—a fresh start built on love, trust, and second chances.

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