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We didn't know what to expect when we got word of two horses up on the range that were no longer wanted.
The owner had been in the local feed store complaining how much horses can eat, and how expensive feed was. He told the feed store owner that he didn't like horses anymore, and preferred to ride a motor bike.

We made the trip up the range, didn't take the float because we didn't go up there with the intention of bringing whatever may be there home.
At the property, tucked down the end of a dirt track and passing about 10 chained up dogs we came to a paddock. Looked nice and green, but upon closer inspection the green was from the weeds that had taken over.
We saw the first horse, a dark bay gelding. He was lying down taking a nap. The owner came down, said he'd been lying there all morning, because apparently he was a lazy horse.
A few of us entered the paddock and approached the horse. While laying down we couldn't determine the extent of his condition, so we tried to get the big fellow up. Alot of coaxing and pushing, but he still was not budging. We thought we may have been too late for this one, until the owner said he'd go get a bucket of food, that would be sure to get them moving (haha).
Well sure enough it worked. He certainly knew what a bucket was, but i'd say it had been a long time until he had seen one. The big boy slowly got up (and big he is! nearly all of 17hh) and no one said a word....we were speechless. He looked like a frame of a horse, covered in skin and matted hair and dreadlocks.

In the distance we saw a chestnut standing quietly under a tree down the bottom of the paddock. The bucket had gotten his attention and he started to make his way up...the best he could, as his hind end didn't look all that stable.
The owner entered the paddock and called them over to their 'feed bin' (picture a piece of jagged twisted rusting roof iron).
The chestnut appeared to have a little more enthusiasm than the bay (might have had something to do with seeing food) but when he came up he was much worse off. He was at the bottom of the pecking order and they had obviously never been separated when and if they were fed.
The owner said, "yeah, the big brown horse beats the little one up. It's entertaining watching them bite each other, they put on a real show".
We told him these horses were starving. He said 'Nah, they are in paddock condition. The guy I got them off gave me all the special food to give them".
Apparently a local race trainer gave them to him, because he had a paddock there doing nothing and it seemed like a good idea at the time. He told us the chestnut horse had won $350k in his racing career, and he might make a nice fast one for the kids.
He left us for awhile to talk and evaluate the condition of the horses. We made a unanimous decision - we could not leave them here another day.
He came back, stuffing his face with a sandwich(everyones blood was boiling at this point) and we said we would take them.

"Take me away"

Went all the way back, grabbed the float and came back to pick them up. They loaded without a fuss at all. We were a little worried about how the chestnut would travel and considered putting them one in each float but decided they did not need that kind of stress at this point.
They traveled remarkably well. Both have a sweet nature; the bay is definitely a personality and a half. The chestnut is a little more timid. We are still worried if he will make it or not, but only time will tell. The vet said at their age (they are only 8yo...they look about 20+) they should bounce back with a heck of alot of time, care, and of course feed.

This morning involved giving each one a well-needed bath. They are both covered in ticks, and after a closer look they are covered in lice as well. Surprisingly their hooves aren't too bad at all, thank goodness. We cut out the dreadlocks in their manes, picked off as many ticks as we could and then gave them a bath in Permoxin under vets advice.

It's so heart breaking to see such lovely horses like this. Each time I look at them the tears well up in my eyes. They are so gentle and trusting, considering what this bastard has put them though.
So for the moment, they are quarantined in my paddock until their condition is stabilized. From here, we have been offered some land a little way down the road that has some good grazing feed.

What gets me the most is the people who had these horses were in no way too poor too look after them the way they deserve to be. They just chose not to feed them, and were too lazy to find someone who would.

Thank you to all the members from the Moondarga Pony Club, Mitavite and Noels Place, Lanskeys Saddleworld, Equine Solutions and Horses in Drought Vic who have donated their time, efforts, feed and gear to help save this pair.

Everyone deserves a second chance

Cruiser having a much needed bath in Permoxin to kill the tick and lice infestation