Parkland Horses Rescued By "Friends"

PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) – More than a half dozen horses found malnourished in Parkland have found some real 'friends' in a Pembroke Pines non-profit group.

Debby Beye-Barwick, with the Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing, Development and Safety (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.), said in the last week or so they've rescued 7 horses from the city because their owners could no longer afford to feed them take care of them.  One of the rescued horse,  called "Little Lou" was once featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the tallest horse in the U.S. He has been scheduled for a surgery on his leg.

The owner of four of the horses, a mother, her two offspring and her sister,  didn't have enough money to feed them.  Neighbors had been helping him out.

"He love them, they were his family," said neighbor Gretchen Heath. She is the one who eventually found the group Friends, to help out.  "It took us longer than it should have to find them a home, but they're OK.  They're going to be OK," she said.  Heath tells CBS4's Ted Scouten the owner is having a tough time after losing his job and not having enough money to care for the horses.

"He is a sign of the times, she said.  He lost a dream."   Beye-Barwick said one of those horses, called "Fancy Tune" was once a proud race horse but is now nothing more than a 'bag of bones'.

"This is actually her spine, her back bone," said Beye-Barwick pointing to the horse's back.  "The last place to gain weight is this top area.  The horse is sunken in, it should be rounded."

All of the horses rescued were in need of food and medical attention.

If you would like to help F.R.I.E.N.D.S. take care of these horses, they're accepting donations to pay for feed, hay and vet bills. They're also looking for volunteers.

Click Here for more information.

Donations can also be mailed to:

Friends
1840 NE 65 Ct.
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33308