Phantom

Phantom - our first Marwari rescue and what a beauty he is. A couple months ago someone reached out to us about some wedding horses being kept in pathetic conditions in Palace Grounds, Bangalore. We had asked them to keep an eye on the horses and that’s when we found Phantom, one of the horses used for wedding ceremonies in the city. He had a wound in his right hind, close to the hoof, and was since walking lame. Because he wasn’t of any use anymore, he was discarded, left tied up alone in slush and mud with no food, no water and no shelter. The owners had zero intention to treat the wound either. We had even sent a list of medicines and instructions for treatment, hoping they’d try. They didn’t.

A month later, the wound was infected and rotten. Half his hoof was eaten up and he was in a world of pain. We had to work quickly to get him and finally, after a few days of negotiation, Phantom came home. His hoof is worse than anything we’ve ever seen - it’s twice the size of a normal hoof, probably swollen from infection and proud flesh and it’s hollow on the inside, flooded with maggots. He’s on antibiotics and hoof supplements now and the wound is being cleaned and treated on a daily basis. If all goes well, with the right treatment and farriery, it should grow back okay, though it may take up to a year to heal fully. His left hind is also littered with wounds and rope burns which could’ve gotten as bad if left alone. I don’t understand how his previous owners were so indifferent and let things get this bad. The epitome of neglect and selfishness. Anyhow, Phantom is now safe and getting the care he needs and deserves. He’s being smothered with love and though he’s a little skittish now, soon enough he’ll learn to trust again. We can’t wait to see this beauty, fully recovered and running wild and free on the backwaters. What a sight it will be.