This is the Difference You Make: The Story of Chip & Salsa

This is the Difference You Make: the Story of Chip & Salsa

Chip and Salsa arrived at MVHR on May 1, 2021. MVHR was full at the time, but had received a call about this pair of horses which was not being fed, and perhaps had not had a good meal in quite some time. In an effort to get these two horses to safety, MVHR placed them directly into a foster home to begin their recovery while they waited for time to open up at the ranch.

Upon arrival, their emaciated condition was immediately apparent, and re-feeding began. However another issue was soon observed....these two horse's hind legs were literally collapsing, or knuckling over, at their fetlock joints when they walked, or even when they were just standing and resting. Presumed to be a side effect of severe malnutrition, therapies were added to their regimen right away - a number of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin E to help them restore normal muscle and bone function of their lower limbs.

Within weeks, these two lovely horses began to show improvements to their weight and overall appearance, and also to their lower limb lameness. Chip in particular responded quickly, soon returning to full soundness. Salsa's recovery was more gradual and continues to this day. Now at the MVHR ranch in McCoy and able to enjoy corral mates and turnout, these two lovely horses have accomplished what we at MVHR were not sure at first they could - a return to health and comfort.

But that is only the first step. The next phase of Chip and Salsa's recovery, with the ultimate goal being adoption to a loving home, is training. Preliminary evaluation seems to indicate that neither horse has much (if any) experience being handled on the ground or under saddle. Salsa's gentle nature lends itself to interaction, however Chip is a bit more reserved and opinionated about what human interaction beyond feeding might be.... So their next chapter/phase of recovery begins.