Notice the burns on Nick

The seventh annual Fundraiser to benefit Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary “A Very Special Horse Event; Building a Community of Compassion” will take place on Saturday April 9, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Rd in Tucson, AZ.

Here’s the story of Nick, a courageous horse whose medical expenses cost $500 a month!

Between 4 and 5 years ago, Nick was the sole survivor of a horrific fire, so horrific that he was the only horse to make it out of the barn alive, but not without severe injury. His entire back was scorched, leaving all the skin to resemble white barnacles on the underside of a boat. His back looked like what you have left the morning after you have a roaring fire in the fireplace, white ash-colored bubbles. For just one moment — imagine the PAIN!

Imagine the pain!

Nick was meant to survive, and he did, well, sort of…it seems that his subsequent owners, which apparently included a “rescue”, did little to help him recover, and for 4 years Nick suffered without treatment for his burns. He ultimately ended up among 11 other horses owned by a couple that soon divorced leaving the horses in a lurch. Still nothing was done to heal or ease his pain, and he was left in Phoenix with no shelter from the hot 110-degree summer weather.

Nick is one of the sweetest residents at Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary. Horses seem to have the unique ability to forgive and forget and hold the next owner harmless. Nick was ignored as far as the rehabilitation process; nothing was done apparently to remedy his badly scorched back. Can you imagine the pain?

For over 4 years he has endured what most of us would rather succumb to, but he didn’t, and Equine Voices is now lucky to have him.

This 9-year old sorrel gelding has a lot of life in him, and everyone at Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary is dedicated to giving him the life he deserves. Today, Nick is still recovering, the barnacles on his back are almost gone and his hair continues to grow back. Nick came to Equine Voices in October 2009. Since no one treated his burns for years, he has severe scars which need to be treated on a daily basis. He is much better now, but still has a long way to go before his back is completely healed. He receives so much love and special care, which is truly making a difference in his healing process.

Nick gets another chance to thrive.

There has been a marked increase in the number of requests for assistance. All money raised goes directly to the rescue, rehabilitation and recovery of horses in desperate need. Equine Voices’ monthly expenses average $15,000 not including any special cases such as Nick. This is why monetary donations are critical to the survival of Equine Voices and in making a difference for the horses at the sanctuary.

Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary™ was founded in 2004 and is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization dedicated to saving Premarin (PMU) mares and foals from slaughter. This organization also works with law enforcement agencies to provide services to horses suffering from abuse, abandonment, starvation, and cruelty experienced when used to transport illegal contraband across the border.

In addition, Equine Voices is the first and only horse rescue in the state of Arizona and the third in the country to have achieved the highly sought after accreditation through the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. This achievement has raised the standards for all animal sanctuaries around the globe.

(Photos and story submitted by Equine Voices.)