Rescued horses thriving, rescue group in crisis

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (KGO) -- It's been just over a year since an outpouring of support from ABC7 viewers helped lead to the rescue of more than 30 starving and abused horses in the South Bay. Many of those horses have had an amazing recovery, but the organization that spearheaded the rescue is struggling with high bills and may have to close unless it meets its fundraising goal.

The neglected horses were found in Morgan Hill in September 2014. Neighbors had been complaining for weeks, but Santa Clara County Animal Control at first refused to step in, saying horse owner Humberto Uribe had given assurances the horses were being cared for. A few days later, officials discovered Uribe had more sick and starving horses in Gilroy. He was eventually found guilty of felony animal abuse.

In the meantime, a nonprofit called the Equine Rescue Center (ERC) agreed to buy 11 of the horses in the worst condition and get them immediate treatment. They were taken to the ERC's ranch, south of Hollister, near Paicines in San Benito County. One horse was so sick he died within hours. After a year of medical care, special food, and love from volunteers, the rest are all doing well.

One of the most desperately ill was a 20-year-old pony named Bobo. ERC director Monica Hardeman says Bobo was infested with worms and almost did not survive. He could only eat tiny bits of food and required lots of special attention. A year later, Bobo is fully recovered and has been adopted by the Dobbins family near Watsonville. Hardeman calls Bobo a miracle.

"What we are doing is giving something that somebody didn't want, that was being thrown out, and we gave him a life," Hardeman said.

Three other horses have also been placed in new homes and two more are available for adoption. One of the starving horses was pregnant and gave birth five months ago. She is still a little underweight, but doing much better. Her colt, named Merlin, is thriving.

The other rescued horses have medical or behavior issues so Hardeman wants to make them permanent residents at the ERC ranch. However, the ERC itself is in crisis.

The long drought and soaring cost of hay have led to a glut of unwanted and neglected horses. Many end up being sent to slaughter as horse meat in other countries. The lucky ones end up the ERC which is now caring for more than 80 horses. The cost of hay has doubled in recent years, and ERC is struggling to pay the bills, which may cause them to shut down. But there is hope.

Hardeman says there are four wells on the property and that supply of water could save the ERC if they can raise the money to put in a portable irrigation system. That would allow the center to grow food and drastically reduce the hay bill.

Philanthropist Craig Duling is helping the ERC develop a workable business plan to move forward. He says the irrigation system would "enable them to be financially solvent and secure and not have to rely so heavily on donors on a month by month basis." Duling says if the ERC can show it is financially viable, he has large donors lined up to buy the property and preserve it forever as a horse sanctuary.

The ERC needs to raise $50,000 in the next few weeks. They are about half way to that goal already.

Donations can be sent through their GoFundMe site. Or, mail them to this address: ERC, 34565 Panoche Road, Paicines, CA 95043

Click here for more information about the Equine Rescue Center, including volunteering, adopting or sponsoring a horse.

Written and produced by Jennifer Olney.