One year ago today, some 60 horses were seized from C & S Farms owned by Mr. Charles Ford, in Many, Louisiana.  When those involved with the rescue arrived at the farm they found devastation, dead and dying horses and dogs.  These animals had been neglected and starved to death.   It was heart breaking to see the carnage and destruction caused by Mr. Ford’s actions or should I say lack of actions.  Approximately 85% of the horses seized on January 7, 2012 were able to be saved and are alive today and in happy places.  These horses suffered from and were treated for dehydration, malnutrition, internal parasites, skin conditions and pneumonia along with other problems.

Mr. Ford has plead not guilty to the many felony charges; one count for each horse or other animal that died as a result of starvation and abuse; and numerous misdemeanors filed against him.  It is reported that his attorney has requested that the felonies be reduced to misdemeanors but, thankfully, the DA’s office refused.  The jury trial for Charles Ford is set for January 22, 2013.  There will be no punishment great enough for Mr. Ford, but I believe that his sentence should be creative, he should have to spend his days working to pay for all the expenses incurred by those who were involved in the rescue and for all those currently taking care of these horses while spending his evenings and nights in jail, for years to come.  He should also be banned from ever owning a horse of any type ever again.  He should be banned from having anything to do with horse racing.

   William (Bill) Young, was the trainer at Mr. Charles Ford’s farm and I believe he should take some responsibility for what occurred.  I understand that he didn’t own the land or the horses but he could have reported the problem earlier, he could have alerted the owner’s of the horses who were entrusted to Mr. Ford’s care, especially since he was in contact with at least one owner, he could have gone to the authorities himself.  I am aware that there is a question as to when the abuse was first reported and how that played into the devastation, but the reports did not come from Mr. Young who would have had firsthand knowledge and would have been considered a knowledgeable person.

  The monies it has cost to care for and rehabilitate these horses is currently in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.  The time that has been spent to form bonds and for these horse to regain their trust in humans is hundreds of hours all filled with love, patients and care.  Some horses have had to undergo surgeries, while most have had to be on special diets until their systems regained their strength and became accustomed to food.  Some of the horses took to human contact and love quickly while others had to learn how to trust all over again.  Some of these horses are being trained in other disciplines while others will only be pasture friends, because of their health issues.

    There have been so many people who have worked hundreds of hours during the past twelve months to ensure the well being of these horses and a few that I would like to specifically mention, because, I believe that without them none of these horse would be here today.   I would like to thank Sunny Francois with Louisiana Horse Rescue Association and Donna Keen with Remember Me Rescue, and to  Dr. Mirza and his students from Louisiana State University Veterinary School.

It is hard to write this follow-up because it turned out that this was not the isolated incident I thought it was, but it was the first one where I was on the scene.  During the past twelve months I have learned so much about the Race Horse Industry, and yes it is an industry.   I have received a number of calls and e-mails regarding other race horses being neglected and found that it is almost impossible for individuals or rescue groups to take action.  If the owner doesn’t relinquish the horses voluntarily then there must be such a public outcry before anything gets done.   I have received pictures of dead and dying horses, have called police departments, sheriff departments, neighboring farms all the time giving the owner the opportunity to remove evidence of abuse and neglect.  There are inspectors and horse racing officials who know about these incidences but the abuse continues.

If you want your voice heard in this matter you may send a letter to Judge Stephen Beasley, c/o District Attorney Don Burkett, District Attorney’s Office, 495 South Capital Street, Many, LA 71449.  Please write “Attn: Karen Williams” on the outside of the envelope.  Your letter must be received prior to January 22, 2013.