Volunteers unite to aide horses

MONROE, Ind. (WANE) - A round-the-clock volunteer effort is underway in Adams County where police rescued 37 neglected horses from their owner on Thursday.

Police say Rick Hill, arrested earlier Friday, was neglecting the horses to the point that many are sick and malnourished.

The Horse and Pony Barn at the Monroe 4-H grounds is marked off as a crime scene. Allowed inside though, are the volunteers who have decided to donate their time and energy to keep the "evidence" safe.

"They've got a whole list of names of the people that have come out and said 'Hey, whatever you need'" said volunteer, Steve Henry.

It's a good thing, because these horses need a lot to recover from the neglect police say they were suffering. Because of their extreme malnourishment, the horses have to be fed a little bit every four hours.

A veterinarian still has some testing to do on the horses, but has finished his preliminary exams. He's put specific care instructions for each horse on every stall at the 4-H barn.

Apart from nutrient-rich food and cool, clean water, volunteers are willing to clean up what comes with a healthy functioning system. Moving shoveled manure was no problem for sisters, Sydney Tharp, 11 and August Tharp, 9.

"It's worth it," they told NewsChannel 15 of the hard, stinky work.

The complete volunteer package comes with some much-needed attention for the horses that concerned community members say will most certainly pay off.

"It's too soon to tell if they're feeling better right now," said volunteer, Abby Harvey. "It'll take a while, but you'll notice they'll act more happy, they'll have more energy."

While donations of hay have been plentiful, volunteers say the horses are eating a very specific kind right now. That's why the county is asking for cash donations more than anything else. If you can help, contact the Adams County Sheriff's Department.