Starving Arabian Thoroughbred Rescued Just in Time

Fans of Barbaro Mobilize in Gainesville, Florida to Save Gelding

The first time I saw a starving horse, I thought I'd lose my lunch.

Although I've seen a few over the years, nothing prepared me for the pictures of a once-proud Arabian rescued June 1 near Gainesville, FL.

The weak gelding, officially named RC El-Dinero, was quickly dubbed "Nick" by the staff at Beauty's Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc. Rescuers soon discovered that poor Nick was actually 27 years old and had a pedigree about half mile long.

According to Beauty's Haven president Theresa Batchelor, the horse's life was initially saved as the result of a new volunteer spotting him in a field and by the outpouring of support of the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs), the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner who broke down in the Preakness the same year . Barbaro was euthanized January 29, 2007 due to laminitis in all four hooves. Also known respectfully in the racing world as the Barbaro Nation, they mobilized immediately to help save Nick.

The day after she first worked at Beauty's Haven, the volunteer stopped at a boarding facility she passed to ask about its fees and facilities. When she spotted the starving Arabian in the pasture, she immediately contacted the rescue to alert them of his condition. She and her husband returned later to take pictures of Nick, which they emailed to the rescue group.

Conversations with the woman who owned the boarding facility as well as with Nick's owner, who lived out of state, were initially nonproductive. Both insisted he was fine and didn't need rescuing. The owner explained if he looked bad, it was because he had Cushing's disease. However, it appeared none of a standard Cushing's medication or any supplements had been purchased for him recently.

Eventually, the owner agreed to transfer Nick to Beauty's Haven. When he was transported to the rescue farm in Morrison, FL, he fell over three times due to weakness. The horse, who weighed only 600 pounds, was 400 pounds underweight and probably would have died within a few days without intervention.