Group helps rehabilitate neglected horses - KMSP-TV

Every year, hundreds of horses are taken from owners who can no longer care for them. But, those horses are finding a new life with a local rescue group.

The horses have been given a new lease on life by Joe and Cynthia Heaton and volunteers at Trinity Horse Rescue in Acworth.

"They have personalities and they have hearts. And they have a lot that they can still give in their life," said Cynthia of Trinity Horse Rescue. "Trinity was founded on the principal that all creatures should live a life free of disrespect, abuse and neglect."

According to the Georgia State Agriculture Commissioner, cases of horse abuse and neglect are on the rise. Last year, the state received 1000 complaints, and 400 horses were confiscated.

"What we're seeing though, really over the last five years is the seriousness of the situation has escalated over the last five years, meaning that we are finding horses that are in worse condition," said State Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black.

The state doesn't have the resources to house and feed all of the impounded horses. That's where Trinity comes in, and when Joe and Cynthia's mission began.

"Initially, the path was kind of opened up for us and I'm a firm believer that when something is right and it's something you're supposed to do, God will open doors. In our situation, God ripped them off the hinges and said, ‘This is what you're supposed to do,'" said Cynthia.

They've opened their doors and hearts to some of the worst cases of neglect. When Cleo, a Tennessee Walking Horse, arrived at Trinity, she was not doing well.

"She had no musculature to even raise herself back up," said Cynthia.

All of the horses at Trinity have similar stories. But with the love and care from the volunteers at Trinity, all of these stories will have a happy ending. Once the horses are rehabilitated they are available for adoption. For more information on Trinity Horse Rescue and how you can help support their mission, click here!