Yesterday was National Horse Protection Day, and we want to share with you how we step forward to help protect horses, donkeys, mules and minis from abuse, neglect, slaughter and in so many other ways. Please take a moment and read Fire Dancer's story. |
On November 6, 2025, we got several calls regarding an animal neglect situation in St. Johns. Not only did two livestock brand inspectors reach out to me, Deputy Snyder, of the Apache County Sheriff's Office called us for help. He was on the scene where a large number of cats, dogs, goats, poultry and one horse had been abandoned and the conditions they were in were horrid conditions. He asked us if we could come get the horse immediately. We stopped what we were doing, loaded up the trailer and headed to St. Johns (about 35 miles away). We then got a call from a woman named Emma, who wanted to let us know to bring sedative because she didn't think the horse would get in the trailer without it. She was the person who called the authorities about the situation and had brought some food and water because the animals had none. She also let us know there were deceased animals so to be prepared for how bad things were when we arrived. Upon arrival it was clear to see many things, there was no power, no running water, buildings were in shambles, there were abandoned vehicles and trash every where. The living conditions were extremely unsanitary. It was horrible. By the grace of God we were able to get the horse named Wind Dancer, into the trailer without too much difficulty. It was almost as if she knew she was getting out of that hell-hole and could not wait to leave. When we arrived at the rescue, she was quite sweaty, obviously upset by all that had happened. As we unloaded her we noticed she walked with a very strange gait, sore on her front feet and as though her back end wasn't in line with her front end. We took a video and sent it to our vet asking if we could have her examined as soon as possible. |
Our intake assessment noted that her feet were overlong, she was mildly dehydrated, her coat was dull and she was missing spots of hair on her face and other places. Her body condition score we put a 3 out of 9. Very thin, but not emaciated. She was difficult to handle and really didn't want us touching her, though she would come stand by us and I was able to pet her and calmly rub her, but that was it. She was very defensive in her nature. |
Deputy Snyder let us know that charges were being filed against the owner for neglect so we put Fire Dancer in an outside stall that we use for quarantine and gave her time to decompress. We monitored her for possible colic, measured her hay and water consumption and any sighs of further stress. After a few days we were able to transport her to the vet for a complete exam, radiographs of her feet and lameness assessment. The news was not good. Fire Dancer had clearly foundered and in addition to her feet being way over long, the coffin bone on both her front feet had rotated to a very painful angle and one that is extremely difficult to recover from. This was not recent, the hoof growth indicated she had foundered quite some time ago.
We learned from Emma that this horse had no veterinary care and limited hoof care. She was difficult to handle so she was basically left in a small stall with no interaction except for goats.
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We immediately started her on pain meds and our farrier came out the next day. We were able to get her sedated to safely get her feet trimmed and to give her more IV pain meds. |
We quickly learned how difficult she was to get medicine into. She would not let us near her mouth so we tried hiding medicine inside carrots, horse muffins, powdered medicine mixed into applesauce, with sugar-free maple syrup, sprinkled on food, across alfalfa and she would not eat any of it. It took two of us to try to give her an injection and that was a total rodeo. We would have to sedate her to give her an IV injection. |
She was sorer after her feet were trimmed so we had to increase her pain meds. We brought her in the barn, padded her stall with lots of bedding so it would be soft and she had an area in her turnout with deep sand. We never saw her lay down to give her feet a break and we continued to have trouble getting pain medicine into her. After discussion with our vet, a phone call was made to Deputy Snyder, who comes from a horse family himself so he understood what pain Fire Dancer was dealing with and the difficulty in pain management with her angry, self-preservation behavior. As evidence in the County's case against the owner, the prosecution team was also consulted. A very tough decision was made to humanely let her go. Not what any of us thought would be the outcome the day we got her. Deputy Snyder made a very good point when he said that not doing anything and her not getting the pain meds she needed would continue the neglect she already endured. On November 20, 2025, Fire Dancer was humanely euthanized and released from her pain. None of this would have been necessary if her owner would have provided the proper care for her in the first place. Our anger, disappointment and sadness for what Fire Dancer went through was palpable. But sometimes, as in her case, the damage is done and so bad before their arrival, there is little we can do but give them a loving good-bye. Last week, Sheri Dotson had her day in court. She demanded a trial and probably felt she could lie her way out of what happened to all the animals she left in horrific condition when she took off for New Mexico. We were not asked to appear in court, but our veterinarian was and because of her testimony, our thoroughness with detailed care notes, along with all of Deputy Snyder's evidence and Emma's testimony, there was a lot for the prosecution to present to the judge. She was full of excuses, but the judge himself had horses and other animals so her lies didn't work. She was found guilty, fined and given probation. She currently lives in New Mexico, so it is unlikely she will be back here to commit crimes of animal neglect again. While we wish she would have been given jail time, being guilty is on her record and we are glad that Apache County prosecuted her. We want to say thank you to Concho Animal Advocates and Good Dog Rez-Q, both of whom took in the small animals and poultry. We donated $250 to each organization to help offset their costs of food and immediate medical care. Working with other animal rescues makes a big difference when these situations arise and the teamwork is greatly appreciated. Huge thank you also to Deputy Snyder for all of his efforts to save the animals and get the guilty prosecuted.
Special thanks to Dr Laird for all that she did to help Fire Dancer, to Stratton our farrier who was so patient with her and to all of our volunteers who showed her love for the short time she was with us. We all are saddened by what happened to her.
For Fire Dancer, we are sorry you endured so much pain for so long. She now runs in paradise, pain free enjoying a heavenly life where she will never be neglected again. God Speed Beautiful! |
Thanks to all of you for your continued support. Without you, we would not be able to help so many horses, donkeys and minis in need. YOU make all the difference in the world. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help, you can click the button below, Checks can be sent to EqWBR, 8369 Buckskin Trail, Snowflake AZ 85937 Zelle: donate@equinewellbeing.org Venmo: @equine-wellbeing Last for of the phone is 4860. Thank you again so very much!!! Christine & All of us at EqWBR |
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