Neglected, abused horse makes miraculous recovery

Courtesy: Regional Animal Services of King County



AUBURN -- When they found Delilah, she was pregnant, underfed, standing in knee-deep mud and facing a bleak future.

It was January 2010 when members of Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) rescued Delilah and five other severely neglected horses from a farm in southeast King County. The owner of the horses was cited for animal cruelty and fined.

Delilah had the good fortune to be taken in and cared for by Save a Forgotten Equine in Woodinville, a group that helped nurse the horse back to good health. Shortly after her rescue, Delilah gave birth to a foal named Sampson and the two were eventually adopted out to new families.

"Delilah was a barn favorite during her time with us," Bonnie Hammond, executive director of SAFE said. "While in our care, she put on muscle and now looks like a completely different horse."

Delilah's recovery has been so miraculous that she will be competing this weekend in the Region 6 Dressage Championship at Donida Farm in Auburn. Dressage is an Olympic sport in which a horse and rider perform a standard series of movements designed to showcase the horse's athletic ability. Delilah and her rider are scheduled to compete around 2 p.m. Sunday. Donida Farm is located at 16600 SE 376th Street in Auburn.

To learn more about Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE) go to www.safehorses.org.