Meet Seven, a 2 year old Belgian draft horse. She came with her mom Trudy in Sept. 2003. The severely neglected pair was found by the NJ SPCA on a tip that came none too soon. The mare and foal were skin and bones, and the stallion had already died from starvation. They ate anything to stay alive -- dirt, stones wood from their fence -- whatever they could find. They were rescued in March of 2003, and with devoted help from a horse rescue they slowly recovered. Seven, however, continued to experience setbacks with colic every month or so.

We were asked to take Trudy and Seven that June. We built a new barn and had a small pasture put in. We visited them weekly to get them used to us, as well as having a vet visit them regularly.The day we moved them to the zoo we prearranged a visit to an equine hospital on the way. Seven still had some problems, and the vets said it was probable sand colic, suggesting selium to help move the sand.Two weeks later Seven was down and in very bad shape. We trailered her to New Bolton Center where she had surgery. She pulled though just fine although 40 pounds lighter! The vets removed 40 pounds of sand, wire, stones and chunks of wood - all the things she'd tried to survive on during her period of starvation.

After 5 days we picked her up and reunited her with mom, Trudy. They had never been separated before and it was quite a sight watching them get back together again. They are the calmest, gentlest, most well-mannered horses I've ever been around. But they are hard to work around because all they do is follow you around and rub against you every time you stop. They just love attention and they demand it from anyone who comes nearby. Perhaps they're making up for lost time, remembering when they had none.

You can help support our lucky lady - just visit Seven in theWildlife Clubwhere she's available for sponsorship.