The pictures and news speak for themselves. The SPCA would not have taken his animals if he had proper bedding and proof that he was medicating his horses. He must have had neither. I know Sparks ways of ""medicating horses"" I know that one time a horse had a deep wound and Sparks way of ""tending to it"" was to take a soiled wet rag, push it into the wound, put a saddle pad and saddle over it and send the horse out onto the trail! If he was ""saving"" these poor animals, he would have bedding in those stalls. They would have had to have FREE ACCESS to hay, which THEY DID NOT. The emaciated palomino, chestnut and grey had NOTHING in their stalls, so they would be prone to joint sores as well as being hurt if they were to lay down and stand up. Again, old horses DO NOT HAVE TO BE SKINNY. They are not that difficult to put weight on. The previous poster must have something wrong with her horse, I have put weight on several older horses and does it take some time? Yes, sometimes... but it is not impossible. I wish I could post links, because I have so many examples of elderly horses I could post. If a horse can't gain weight, it either needs its teeth done or has a medical condition and needs special feed. But here is another side note... if Sparks has experience with horse and is wanting to ""save them"" he should know that HALF of his horses are NOT fit to carry human weight. I have seen several horses he has sent out that completely should NOT be carrying humans, let alone go out and GALLOP on the trails with unstable riders on their backs! Any person with the proper background in horses, KNOWS these animals are not getting the proper care they deserve and I do not understand how people coming in for trail rides can see these horses in this condition and be OK with their child or themselves riding it. Any person with eyes can see an emaciated animal, I guess just many choose to ignore it...
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