After years of being exploited for the pharmaceutical industry, a 12-year-old horse named Hailey is finally safe — receiving the care and compassion she was long denied thanks to Lady Freethinker supporters.
Rescued from a hormone testing and production facility, Hailey was relocated to Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary, which provides refuge and rehabilitation for animals used in laboratory research.
According to the sanctuary, mares in these horrific facilities are kept confined and bred repeatedly so their hormone levels remain elevated, allowing scientists to collect their urine and extract estrogen for use in medications.
Hailey (Courtesy of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary)
These intelligent and sensitive animals are also denied enrichment and social interaction, and are unable to roam, graze, or engage in other natural behaviors.
Following her rescue, Hailey was found to have Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), which is similar to diabetes in humans, and laminitis, an excruciating hoof condition — both stemming from her prolonged confinement at the testing facility.
Unfortunately, her EMS made her prone to obesity, and laminitis made even walking a short distance extremely difficult, so she required specialized care.
Courtesy of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary
Because of the generosity of LFT supporters, we were able to provide Kindness Ranch with a grant that helped cover the physical therapy, medications, diet, and hoof trims she needed to thrive.
Today, Hailey takes regular walks, relies on fewer medications, and enjoys spending her days socializing with the other horse residents at the sanctuary.
We are deeply grateful to our supporters whose compassion made Hailey’s recovery possible and continues to help many more animals in need around the world.
