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August 14, 2008 On the morning of August 13, Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society investigators and State Police raided the property of Thelma and Mary Wadsworth in Cherry Plain, Rensselaer County, New York. The Wadsworths run Black River Stable, offering trail riding and other horse-related activities to the public as advertised on their web site. Society investigators seized 17 malnourished and neglected horses from the property, after working with the Wadsworths for almost a year to try to improve conditions at the stable. Humane Society investigators visited Black River Stable at least every other month for the past year. "During our investigators' first visit, we gave the Wadsworths a feeding and care plan to improve the condition of the horses," said Executive Director Brad Shear. "Conditions were poor for these horses a year ago, but over time they were deteriorating." During the Society's last visit, investigators found that some of the horses had become emaciated and were suffering from lack of professional farrier and veterinary care. State Police obtained a warrant to seize the horses. "There horses were far too thin and there was not appropriate food available on the property," stated Shear. "We were hoping the Wadsworths would take care of these issues with our help, but they seemed to ignore the needs of these animals." "Saving these horses was truly a team effort," Shear continued. "The State Police did an outstanding job securing the property and executing the warrant, but it also took a group of caring people to house and care for the horses while they recover from their ordeal. The Humane Society does not have our own stables, so we depend on others to help in these cases." The horses were picked up by multiple equine rescue groups: Horse Feathers Farm in Canastota, NY; Easy Street Rescue in Amsterdam, NY; Equine Emergency Transportation in Dutchess County; and Pets Alive in Middletown, NY. "None of these groups receive compensation for the care of these animals," Shear noted. "Helping a horse recover from this kind of trauma takes a lot of time and care, and all of these groups provide for them out of the kindness of their hearts." Shear continued, "This is a case where the owners of the horses knew exactly what they needed to do to take care of these animals and had every opportunity to fix the problem. They just chose not to. Although the horses were in terrible condition, they appear to have still been in service for the owners to make money on their trail-riding business." Animal cruelty charges are pending in the case. Contacts: |