Horse found wandering San Bernardino streets recovering well

CHINO HILLS >> Wandering the streets of San Bernardino back in May was an abandoned and malnourished mare.

Her rib cage and spine could easily be seen through her thinned-out hair and she was wounded from what authorities at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter said came from giving birth to a foal.

Police put her in a horse trailer to bring her to the city animal shelter on the south side of town. Authorities immediately came up with the idea to hold a blind auction with hopes of adopting her out.

Red Bucket Equine Rescue in Chino Hills was the winner of that bid, but they had a lot of hard work ahead of them in giving “Saunders” a new home.

Six months later, that work continues but Saunders — who was named after the reporter who did the first story when she was found — is on her way.

“A rescued horse needs time and healing prior to being placed in a home with the hope that someone will commit to them forever,” Red Bucket owner and founder Susan Peirce said. “Horses that have been starved must be re-fed slowly, offered many small meals in order to prevent the horse from colicing or foundering, both of which can be life-threatening to these gentle giants.”

Peirce said Saunders is more of a homebody and loves the security of her stable.

A rib cage that was once distinct is now covered by a healthy round stomach and her spine cannot be seen. Red Bucket has taken Saunders, who was near death, and saved her life with proper care and love.

“Our horses come to us victims of unspeakable abuse,” Peirce said. “Our horses are given the gift of time in which to heal, and receive the training necessary for us to find them permanent homes.”

Red Bucket’s mission is to save and rehabilitate horses, restore their trust in humankind, and find them safe, loving, permanent homes.

The nonprofit equine center has rescued 201 horses from slaughter, starvation, and abuse placing 88 of them in homes.

Dozens of other horses are being rehabilitated in preparation for their second chances. Red Bucket is expecting to adopt out several additional horses before the end of the year.

But saving horses doesn’t come cheap and rescues like Red Bucket can only operate on donations.

Red Bucket held its first “Ruby Red Fundraiser” on Sunday. The goal was to raise enough money to pay off the December balloon payment on the ranch.

The event was completely sold out, with people driving from Arizona, Del Mar, Huntington Beach, and Manhattan Beach.

The volunteer run program is run by Peirce, a lifelong horsewoman and business consultant.

“Dedicated volunteers donate incredible amounts of unpaid time, caring for the horses, maintaining the ranch, and fundraising,” Peirce said.

Saunders will continue to live on the ranch until she is ready to be adopted out.