Only On 7: Non-profit rescues emaciated horses

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (KGO) -- There's a new development about an effort to rescue horses in Morgan Hill after neighbors said the animals were being mistreated. We told you about the nine horses on Tuesday, and how the owner wouldn't give them up. But he has now changed his mind, and will be meeting with the Equine Rescue Center about selling as many as the non-profit can afford from donations. It's a story you'll see only on ABC7 News.

11PM UPDATE: Wednesday night the Equine Rescue Center was able to rescue 10 horses. Hardeman says she begged the owner to sell her a tenth horse, a colicing bay, who is dying. She paid the owner $2,500 because she didn't want the horse to die at the Morgan Hill ranch. See photos of the rescue here

The horses are in plain view in a pasture along a busy road. Also in plain view -- signs they are too thin. Their ribs are clearly visible.

Humberto Rivas leases the land and owns the horses. He told ABC7 News he's caring for them after they were given to him by someone else who couldn't feed them.

Now, after more neighbors complained they're being mistreated, Rivas has changed his mind about selling them to a non-profit horse rescue group.

Monica Hardeman, who founded the Equine Rescue Center, is meeting with Rivas at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

"We want to get the horses," Hardeman said. "So raising as much money as we can right now is critical, and the goal is to try and get as many as possible."

She's confident she can raise the projected $20,000 that will be needed to buy them, restore their weight, provide vet care, and care for them. Pasture is waiting for their arrival, which could be as soon as Wednesday night.

The Equine Rescue Center sits on 355 acres of ranch land about 85 miles away in Paicines in San Benito County. The property was purchased by an Atherton philanthropist who is leasing it to them under a 25 year deal at below-market rates. About 70 horses already have been rescued.

A veterinarian planned to come out Wednesday afternoon to examine the rescued horses.

"He is going to assess and evaluate all of their issues and create a feeding program for each individual horse," Hardeman said.

The future of the horses is looking better now, much to the relief of neighbors who have been complaining for months to the sheriff's office and animal control. Donations are making it possible.

"We're talking about rescuing more," said Equine Rescue Center board member Michelle Trumpler. "We'll continue our mission, and 100 percent will go to the ERC and the success of this rescue."