Reported by: MaryEllen Resendez
Email: mresendez@abc15.com
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Donate to the Solo Vino fund on-line:
Amaris Saldate’s heart broke when her family found a severely beaten horse that was left for dead on their Mesa doorstep.
“I just started crying because he walked up and just put his head on my chest and stood there,” said Saldate.
The horse was bleeding from the head, his legs severely swollen, and his hooves overgrown. “His gut was caved in from starvation,” said Saldate.
Saldate said she named the horse Solo Vino, Spanish for “came alone.” She stayed with him through the night, then took the horse to Gwen Cleary, a friend who has rescued many horses.
“I’m just really angry that someone can do this to a horse, how would you like to be hit with a 2 x 4 and left for dead, for me to see this animal suffering like this and to be left for dead just breaks my heart.” said Cleary.
Cleary and Saldate called a veterinarian who told them Solo Vino was hit so hard, it broke his skull and a fragment remains inside. Solo Vino needs x-rays and possibly surgery, but the costs could run $2,000. If he is euthanized, the cost will still range between $600-800, more than either woman has.
Crying, Saldate said, “We need help. We need donations, we can’t raise this money ourselves.”
Meantime, the women, including Cleary’s daughter, are doing what they can to save the horse.
Eric Desocio, a farrier has stepped and donated his services to repair Solo Vino’s hooves.
“Anytime you see an animal in pain, because of he condition they’re in, it hits you right in the heart,” said Desocio. “This is a guy that is in desperate need, without donations, it’s going to be hard for him to recover.”
Saldate, Cleary and Cleary’s daughter have contacted The Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary and to help set up a fund.
Cleary said Saturday night that $900 in donations had come in, since Solo Vino’s story first aired on ABC15 Friday night.
Cleary said the horse was scheduled to go to the hospital Monday and more donations were needed.
If you’d like to help you can donate at the Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary website and specify “Solo Vino fund”.
Donate to the Solo Vino fund on-line:
Donate through a secure internet transaction with a credit card.
Click on the button below.
Donations to Equine Voices are tax deductible.
Or send an e-mail to gcleary@cox.net. You can also call 480-966-0624 and donate directly to the East Valley Equine.
