Once Arthur, a Belgian draft who spent most of his life as a work horse in a farming community in New England, hit 30, he was of no use to his owners anymore. He had to take part in multiple auctions and was handled by a lot of dealers together with another horse named Max. Cindy Daigre, founder of Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary in Tennessee, saw their photos on the web and, seeing their horrible shape, decided to save them.

“I was told that Arthur was purposely starved while waiting to go to the next auction and the man that had him often sold thin old horses to the ‘cat man’ with exotic cats for meat,” Daigre told The Dodo. “I was horrified.” Daigre hired a transporter and brought both horses to her sanctuary.

Arthur was so weak he couldn’t even stand and didn’t care about his new surroundings. Max was in even worst condition – he was so physically abused, he was suffering from a back injury and had neurological issues. But Daigre was determined to get them back on their feet and after 2 years of hard work, the two horses are now better than ever! Healthy, happy and strong, they enjoy each other’s company in Daigre’s sanctuary. “They do care for each other and would be upset if they were to be separated,” Daigre added. “[They have] a friendship formed through tragedy and then compassion.”

More info: ferrellhollowfarm.org | Facebook (h/t: thedodo)

Old Arthur was abandoned by his owners after he worked for them for most of his life

They handled him to multiple dealers who made him participate in many painstaking auctions

During the auctions, Arthur met another horse named Max and the two were heading to a high-kill auction…

Luckily, Cindy Daigre, a founder of a senior horse sanctuary, was horrified of their condition and decided to save both horses

“Arthur was purposely starved while waiting to go to the next auction and the man that had him often sold thin old horses to the ‘cat man’ with exotic cats for meat”

The poor horse was so weak he couldn’t even stand!

Max was in even worst condition – he was so physically abused, he was suffering from a back injury and had neurological issues

But Daigre was determined to get them back on their feet

Now, after 2 years of hard work, the two horses are better than ever – just look at Arthur’s beautiful braids!

Healthy, happy and strong, they enjoy each other’s company in Daigre’s sanctuary

“They do care for each other and would be upset if they were to be separated”

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