Copperopolis update!

Hi Everyone,

The 3 mares and stallion that were living at Remington Ranch in Sonora have been moved to The ReHorse Rescue Ranch. All 10 of the Copper Horses are now at ReHorse. We would like to thank Gena and the Remington Ranch for their hospitality for these horses in need.

The horses are doing well. They are all gaining weight and playing and napping. We have removed most of the petrified mud and are hoping they will shed out what's left. We have moved the mares to a larger pasture and will move the 3 mares that arrived from Remington Ranch out with them in the next few days.

This has been, by far, one of our most difficult rescues. This is the largest number of horses we have taken in to rehabilitate at one time. It's been a lot of work and we have a long way to go with these guys.

The owner's of the Copper Horses are scheduled to go to court this Monday April 4th and if not convicted, legally, he will have the right to have these horses back. Please keep the Copper Horses in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you to all that have donated and volunteered to help these horses. Please continue to support the horses in crisis. Every $ makes a difference to a horse in need.

We would like to thank some of our local businesses and groups that have supported this rescue effort -
Century 21 Copperopolis, Coldwell Banker Copperopolis, Calaveras Humane Society, Snaps Coffee House, McDillard's Feed, Bolton Feed, Country Mountain Riders - Groveland, Twain Harte Horsemen and all the businesses that are helping to raise funds for these horses. THANK YOU!!!!

If anyone would like to donate or volunteer please call (209) 337-5886 or email conact@rehorserescue.org. Donations can also be made on the website www.rehorserescue.org or mailed to P.O. Box 494, Jamestown, Ca 95327

ReHorse Rescue Ranch relies on donations and volunteers and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductable as permitted by law.


Copper couple charged with animal cruelty

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=126459#comments


Written by Sean Janssen, The Union Democrat March 04, 2011 03:12 pm
A Copperopolis husband and wife have each been charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty and one count of misdemeanor violation of animal confinement law. (for the stallion's enclosure)
Nigh and Melva Lawhon, both 71, are accused of keeping their 10 horses in a too-small field secured with corral panels and barbed wire fencing in various states of disrepair, according to a sheriff’s report.
The horses were standing in mud six to 10 inches deep, showing signs of malnutrition.The animals were seized by the Animal Services Division of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 29 following an investigation.
They are now recuperating at ReHorse Rescue Ranch in Jamestown and Remington Ranch in Sonora.
Nigh Lawhon is also accused of resisting arrest after an alleged conflict with Calaveras County sheriff’s deputies at the time of the horses’ seizure.
The Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office’s decision on whether to press charges was delayed while it awaited additional reports from veterinarians who assessed the horses’ injuries.
The pair will be arraigned at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Department 2 of the Calaveras Superior Court.