Constable: Horse abuse is a never-ending cycle

Abused and emaciated horses continue to be found all over El Paso County.

One woman who’s been helping them isn’t a veterinarian or working with animal control.

Constable Angie Sommers told ABC-7 it’s a sight she never gets used to seeing: emaciated horses, their ribs and hip bones almost poking out of their skin.

“A lot of these horses we have here have been horses that were dumped out in the deserts,” Sommers said.

Sommers rescues abused horses nearly every day.

“It never stops. I wish people would stop breeding their horses. We have an overabundance of horses and not enough food,” Sommers said.

She said it’s worth it when she can help bring horses recuperate.

“Spot is a horse out of Del City who was owned by an individual who used to actually beat him with two-by-fours,” Sommer said.

Only months ago Spot and Toby were on the brink of death.

Now their bellies are round and the horses are full of energy.

“We didn’t think he was going to make it because he was so emaciated. Now he’s strong and happy,” Sommers said.

Sommers just rescued two neglected horses from Fabens. One of them lost her three-month-old baby foal after it starved.

They’ve already put on more than 100 pounds, but they still have a way to go before they’re healthy.

“We put about $300 into them to get started. if they don’t need to be gelded. If they need to be gelded, that’s another $200,” Sommers said.

Sommers and her team of volunteers said after about another 100 pounds, the horses should be ready for adoption.

They’ll get a chance to be fed, groomed and loved — care the horses had long forgotten.

The volunteers who help the horses need donations of money and items to care for them. You can help by donating to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso’s horse fund.

(2012 story)