Starved Horse’s Story Comes to an End

Equestrian Inc.’s Facebook page is exploding with comments as supporters of the nonprofit rescue share their condolences on the passing of a four-legged celebrity of sorts.

Jolie, a thoroughbred, was thrust into the spotlight recently when the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office seized her from a home in the Carrollwood area and took her to the equestrian rescue for care.

The horse – and three of her stable mates – had been starved by their owner, deputies said.

While deputies took Jolie, Evans voluntarily surrendered the other three horses, Det. Larry McKinnon said in a previous interview. The sheriff’s office plans to charge owner Linda Evans with animal cruelty in Jolie’s case, he added.

It is unclear at this time exactly what charges will be levied or when Evans will be arrested, McKinnon said.

“We lost our lovely mare last night,” said Glenda Smith, founder of Equestrian Inc., on Thursday, May 30. “We did everything we could.”

Smith said a veterinarian was with the horse almost constantly providing care during the last day of her life.

“We even borrowed a sling to get her up,” she said. “It just wasn’t in the cards … she was too weak.”

Jolie’s story touched people throughout the Tampa Bay area who opened their hearts and checkbooks to assist in the fight to nurse the horse back to health.

“We all connected over this horse,” said Louise Kahle.

Kahle is the owner of St. Petersburg-based Louise’s People Model & Talent Agency. When she heard about Jolie last week, she began using her company’s Facebook page to raise awareness about her case and Equestrian Inc.’s need for support.

“People fell in love with this mare,” she said. “They wanted her to make it.”

Smith said that while Jolie didn’t make it, “she didn’t die unloved and she didn’t die hungry and she didn’t die alone“

3 Happier Endings

While Jolie’s story has come to a bittersweet end, Smith said her three stable mates are doing well.

Two of the three horses are soon going to a new home in Leesburg where they’ll have plenty of room to run.

“They’re going to paradise,” she said.

The third horse, a stallion, was recently gelded and will remain at Equestrian Inc. for care for quite some time.

Equestrian Inc. is home to nearly 40 rescue horses and survives on donations and volunteer support. To donate or find out about volunteering, just visit the nonprofit’s website.

See Also:

• Equestrian Inc. Offers 2nd Chance for Unwanted Horses

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