Dogs and cats aren’t the only stray animals that need saving. In fact, the number of horses taken in by Los Angeles County doubled in recent years, from 106 horses in 2008 to 227 horses last year.
As a result, the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter has been in desperate need to expand its horse facilities and recently received $350,000 in funding from County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
The increase in horse rescues has been attributed to the 2007 closure of most horse-slaughtering operations in the U.S., and those unable to care for horses often end up turning them over to the county or simply letting the animals loose.
Currently, the Agoura center only has two covered horse stalls. A few years ago, when 22 horses were seized from a neglectful owner and brought in, they added temporary holding pens. Although there’s plenty of shade provided by tall trees, in the event of rain, most of the horses get wet, and the enclosure becomes a quagmire.
With the added funding, the shelter plans on building a 2,050-square-foot prefabricated horse barn with a roof and 10 stalls on vacant land next to the existing horse area. Although the funding was granted in August, only the land survey and soil analysis have been completed so far. Animal Control Manager Denise Rosen hopes the new barn will be ready by March 2015.
Agoura is one of only three county animal shelters that can take horses, with the other two in Castaic and Lancaster.
“Most of the horses here have been transferred from the other shelters,” Rosen said.
When horses arrive at a shelter, “they’re normally not in good condition,” Rosen said. “All five of the horses here were underweight and needed their hooves trimmed. The two from Baldwin Park needed their teeth to be floated really badly.”
Floating involves smoothing or contouring the horse’s teeth with a file called a float to remove sharp edges that make it difficult to chew and digest food.
Of the five horses, three came from a hoarding situation in Agua Dulce.
“[It was] a woman who also had 20 or 30 dogs, cats, a llama and ducks,” Rosen said. “They’ve been here since October 6 and are still part of a criminal case, so they’re not available for adoption now, but we will take the names of any interested parties for future consideration.”
Two other horses came in as strays. One, a white Arabian female the staff named Margo, is about 16 years old, and was brought in May 29.
Deborah Greene-Dellvon, director of the nonprofit Animal Guardians Horse Rescue network and equine welfare group in Simi Valley works to help find new homes for the horses. Utilizing their website and network of contacts, Animal Guardians recently secured a spot for Margo at the nonprofit White Rock Horse Rescue in Yucca Valley, Calif.
A black thoroughbred altered male nicknamed “Lucky Strike,” about 16 years old, was found standing next to the railroad tracks. He’s been at the shelter since June 24, is available for adoption, and is very friendly and affectionate.
Rosen, who was born and raised in Malibu, and whose parents started the original Malibu Seafood restaurant, has a real soft spot for horses after growing up with them. She’s been at the Agoura shelter for 20 years.
“Some of our horses turn out to be great riding horses,” she said. “But many are adopted out just to be a friend or companion to another horse.”
Anyone wishing to adopt a horse is asked to fill out an application at the shelter.
Although Rosen was reluctant to advise what someone should do if they can no longer care for a horse, they can bring it to the shelter for a $60 surrender fee or the shelter can pick it up for $250.
Because funding at county facilities is always tight, volunteers and supplies are always needed. Anyone with horse experience wishing to volunteer specifically for horse care or training is encouraged to fill out a volunteer application at the shelter located at 29525 Agoura Rd. in Agoura Hills, and donations of tack, grooming supplies, horse blankets or gift certificates to local feed stores (Agoura Feed or West Valley Horse Center) are much appreciated.
