Elderly slaughter-bound horse saved by a miracle no one expected

Swingin' D Horse Rescue saved Wilma, nearly 30, from a kill pen along with her BFF, Howie, and a two-year-old filly.

The poor old mare was eaten up with arthritis, with knees as big as grapefruits and skin sagging off her bones. She and Howie were, by far, in the worst condition of any horses the rescue had ever saved from slaughter.

Even after months of four-times-per-day feedings, Wilma and Howie were both having a difficult time putting on weight. Wilma especially was in so much pain, she barely got around. Because the pair had been together for so long, dumped for slaughter at the same time, rescue staff knew the loss of one to the other would compound their already significant pain; so they had decided that if one was to be euthanized, they would both go together.

A medical emergency with another horse at the rescue kept the staff occupied for a couple of weeks, and in that time, they noticed Wilma's belly was growing faster than her topline. They treated her for parasites, cut back her hay and switched her to a lighter grain, but her belly kept growing while her bones kept protruding.

The vet came to help the rescue decide if it was time to let Wilma and Howie go. He took one look and made a shocking proclamation that wound up saving Wilma's life, and bringing immeasurable joy to Swingin' D during a painful time.