Horse community reeling after seizure of 160 animals
Posted June 13, 2024 10:50 am.
Last Updated June 13, 2024 4:26 pm.
Following Tuesday’s seizure of nearly 160 animals including 52 horses from a Manitoban sanctuary, those in the local horse community, who have for months raised concerns over the treatment of the animals at the Barefoot Ranch have been left with mixed emotions.
On one hand, thrilled that the animals have been rescued, while also heartbroken that the animals’ suffering was all allowed to continue for so long.
“I had so many emotions at once,” said Kayla Wheeler, who purchased a horse from Barefoot Ranch.
“The fact that there were so many there in need of help and that was a rescue, it made me sick.”
Wheeler claims her ordeal with Barefoot began last year when she says she bought a horse from the ranch only to discover numerous health concerns once getting her home.
“I ended up calling a massage therapist, I ended up getting a recommendation for someone in the area. She came down and said this horse is in too much pain to work on,” explained Wheeler.
After being assessed by her vet, Wheeler says the horse was diagnosed with a grade three out of five lameness.
“At that point I felt gross. She was sold to me as sound and they were riding her and using her and she was in pain.”
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- Province seizes horses from Barefoot Ranch following neglect allegations
- Allegations of neglect at Manitoba animal sanctuary
Wheeler feels there needs to be greater regulations in place to ensure that sanctuaries have the proper resources, and facilities to care for the animals.
A sentiment shared by Colleen Walker, owner of the Little Red Barn Sanctuary.
“It’s heartbreaking for the animals, what they have potentially gone through,” said Walker.
“Feeding programs, veterinary care, all those things need to be in place before you hang a shingle that says you’re a sanctuary, one of the biggest things is having a barn, proper fencing that’s where you start.”
Director of legal advocacy Kaitlyn Mitchell commends the work of both law enforcement and the community in raising awareness.
“It’s really rare to see seizures of this magnitude happen, so I am really grateful that law enforcement took this seriously,” said Mitchell.
“When I look at a situation like this, what I see is a failure to protect all farmed animals, not just sanctuaries and so I think what we really need are legal standards and actual enforcement of laws on all farms across the province.”
CityNews spoke with the sanctuary’s owner on Tuesday, who said she is complying with the investigation, but believes that she will be cleared of all wrongdoing.
