Maddie and Nicki

Peaceful Acres Horses has been called upon to help with equine cruelty cases and also to safeguard slaughter bound equines for nearly 16 years. Each case or situation is unique, some are absolutely heartbreaking and test my ability to keep a positive attitude about people. Maddie’s cruelty case was one of those situations. Horses living in a literal junk yard with abandoned cars, equipment, boats and trucks. The garbage and hazards caused injuries and death to many horses over the years. There was no power or running water on the property and the horses were just barely surviving until Peaceful Acres Horses arrived at the request of the local humane society and State Police. 

Maddie was one of 9 horses, mostly young fillies, that were saved through a process of the NY State Police securing 3 search warrants to seize the horses and make an arrest of their abuser. The man who owned the horses was a convicted sex offender and was just an all around bad guy. Upon our arrival with the police the owner threatened to hang me from a tree and threatened me personally numerous times. I believe each time he became enraged, the police knew we would all save the horses and not allow him to have horses ever again. He was not going to scare us away – he had broken the law and horses were sick and dying on his property, we had a very strong case. After nearly a year, the man was convicted of animal cruelty.  

Maddie came to us by way of a very sad situation and twist in events, it really did not matter how she came to the sanctuary, we just wanted her and her herd mates safe from the cruelty that had killed several of their moms. The State Police and DA worked well together and PAH and the horses’ veterinarian worked well at recovering all except one, Chocolate, who died of extreme starvation, parasite infestation and injuries. After several months Maddie began to shine – we saw her begin to thrive and show us her lovely personality. What a sweet – beautiful little mare! 

Maddie and Nickie, who we saved from slaughter as a yearling, became best friends here at the sanctuary and over their years here together and in training together at Houghton College, Maddie and Nickie showed themselves to be spectacular riding horses. Nickie has been adopted to a wonderful Forever Guardian family who adopted 2 of our minis and also Lucy, one of our Morgan mares. Maddie is still awaiting her Forever Guardian and we hope to find that person in the next few months. She is smart, beautiful and an amazing riding horse. 

PAH was there in Maddie and Nicki’s time of need and we are beyond grateful to all of our volunteer caregivers and generous contributors for helping PAH to keep its promises to Maddie and Nicki.