Woman fends off criticism after adopting malnourished horse

Patty Canter has gotten used to people gawking at the quarter horse grazing in her yard. After all, the animal is skinny and looks malnourished. But what she wants people to understand is that she has rescued the animal and is working hard to nurse her back to health.

“I knew I was going to get calls from animal control,” Canter said. “I knew people were going to think I’m starving a horse to death over here.”

Located at the intersection of Strawberry and Berrymore roads in Reidsville, Canter’s home is seen by many travelers daily. And just last week, an animal control officer stopped by to check on Teo, the horse she adopted a month ago from a woman in Caswell County.

“I told him that I’m trying to get her to where she needs to be, health-wise,” Canter said. “He said I’m doing a good thing.”

Canter said she learned about Teo through Craigslist. She had been thinking about getting a horse and was searching through the classified Web site when she ran across the listing for Teo.

When she went to meet Teo, Canter said she was immediately concerned about the state the horse was in. Teo shared space with about six other horses and was at the bottom of the “pecking order.” Canter said the other horses looked healthy, but it was clear that Teo was picked on and the other animals prevented her from eating.

Making the decision to adopt the 23-year-old mare was an easy one.

“I don’t know if she’s got six months or six years left,” Canter said. “I just want her to be able to retire in peace.”

Teo’s new owner said she knew the horse’s condition when she rescued her and was prepared to get calls about the animal’s condition, but she hopes people will understand what’s she’s doing.

“It’s just highly irritating to have animal control say someone thinks I’m mistreating her because she’s thin,” she said. “I brought her here, knowing the condition she was in, to try to help her, not hurt her.”

Canter has been feeding her new pet free choice hay, feed, beet pulp and alfalfa cubes. She said in the month she has had her, the horse has put on about 50 pounds.

While she still looks to be skin and bones, Canter said Teo is in much better shape than when she first got her.

“It takes a long time for an animal that big to gain weight,” Canter said. “But she’s getting there.”

Canter said taking care of Teo has been a hefty investment.

“I just spent $100 at Tractor Supply on grain,” she said. It costs at least $20 a week just to feed the mare.

But rescuing the horse is a decision Canter stands by, and she said she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that Teo is happy and healthy.

“If I can make a difference in her last months or years here, then I feel I have done a good thing for her,” she said.  “She’s an old girl, but she’s a real sweet girl, too.”