Abandoned Horse Improving; Caregivers Low On Resources

A young horse found abandoned on Christmas Eve is doing better, according to Precinct 7 Constable Angie Sommers.

Sommers e-mailed ABC-7 a photo of the horse, which she now calls “Noel.”

The horse is seen standing in the new picture, a far cry from its condition this past weekend. Sommers said Noel crawled onto a ranch property in Horizon City on Saturday, starving and dehydrated.

“We’re keeping her going with fluids and she seems to be eating pretty well,” Sommers said Monday.

Constable Sommers is part of a small, homegrown group of caregivers responsible for a growing number of neglected horses found in the El Paso area.

“Noel makes 13 that the four of us are personally feeding,” said Sommers. “It’s out of our pockets.”

The bills are piling up. Sommers estimates Noel’s recovery will most likely add up to $1,000.

The rising cost of alfalfa isn’t making things easier for the volunteers looking after the horses. Sommers said she believes the cost of caring for the animals is what may be behind the spike in number of neglect cases.

“You have to have probably $10,000 in spare pocket change if you’re gonna buy a horse,” she said.

If you’d like to help Sommers and the volunteer group care for the horses, you can purchase alfalfa for them from suppliers ‘Upper Valley Feed’ and ‘Riders Tacks & Togs.’

You can also reach Constable Sommers at (915) 525-5807.