Mama Cass

Mama Cass is a Belgian Draft Mare whose estimated birth year is 2003. She and a group of other horses had been seized by police in 2022 during a raid on a private farm in Vermont. These horses were reportedly part of a commercial riding business. Sadly, when the owner passed away from an illness, the horses were left in less capable hands, and their care was severely compromised. The authorities moved in when formal complaints were filed about the poor condition of those horses. Several local rescue groups in Vermont and Maine became involved and voluntarily took over responsibility for them. Mama Cass was placed in a temporary foster home where she received good treatment under the care of Dorset Equine Rescue, one of the rescue groups involved. We learned about Mama Cass’s story and her need for a permanent home while collaborating with that organization (and others) on a multi-horse rescue in Pennsylvania in January of 2023.

Mama Cass was shipped to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, NY to be examined and evaluated before coming to Equine Advocates. Radiographs revealed that she had arthritic changes in all four pasterns and in her front coffin joints which, according to her examining veterinarian, are not uncommon in Draft Horses. She was put on a series of six treatments of Adequan and daily medication to help manage her arthritis going forward. An equine dentist also treated her teeth while she was in the hospital. She otherwise was deemed to be in good health.

Mama Cass arrived at Equine Advocates on February 15, 2023. As is our custom, whenever we do not know a horse’s exact birthday, we will use a significant date such as the day of a rescue or arrival to the sanctuary as a way to mark and celebrate that animal’s “Re-Birth-Day.” So, February 15th it is! One of the wonderful things we quickly learned about Mama Cass after her arrival here was that her bright personality and curious nature were as enormous as her size!

Mama Cass is proudly sponsored by supporters from Portage, Michigan; Albany, New York; Valatie, New York and Wynantskill, New York.

More Sponsors Welcome!

Photo credit: Alex Valverde