Rescue Groups Striving to Rescue Louisiana Horses

Contains graphic photos 

In January 2012, a mass rescue effort, including teams from Remember Me Rescue and the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association, helped rescue dozens of starving  thoroughbreds – though it was too late to save several horses – from terrible living conditions in Many, Louisiana. A year later, the town has changed, but the situation is similar, if not more horrific. 

Currently, a large number of starving horses are suffering at Ryder River Ridge Farm in Natchitoches, Louisiana – about 40 minutes northeast of Many. Ryder River Ridge Farm is owned by Firal Ryder, a man who greatly loves his horses, but due to ill health, is in a nursing home. His son, Clay Ryder, is now in control of farm operations.

Remember Me Rescue and the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association have attempted to help these horses and when Donna Keen of RMR was prohibited from entering the property, she promptly arranged for a helicopter to fly her over the farm. While in the helicopter, Keen photographed the horrific scenes below on the farm, which included not only starving horses, but skeletons and fresh graves. While the LHRA now has many of the horses from the farm in custody, several horses remain and continue to suffer.

Earlier in January, Clay Ryder finally commenced negotiations with authorities, despite the fact that these horses have been in these terrible conditions for over a year. The state police became involved following the helicopter fly-over and also flew over the farm prior to walking the farm and discussing the situation with the sheriff’s department. The situation, which is marked by lies and cover-ups, has since become a state police investigation.

As aforementioned, several Thoroughbreds from Ryder River Ridge Farm have been surrendered to the LHRA, but dozens of horses remain on the farm. With undying determination, Keen has made offers to take those horses into RMR’s custody, but has not had success. Nonetheless, Keen has strove to let a larger audience be aware of the dreadful situation, as evident in her interview with KTBS, the news station that originally covered the situation.

The investigation is ongoing, as it has been for at least a year. The LHRA and RMR continue to strive to help these horses and to achieve justice, along with the help of horse lovers that have contacted authorities and the media. The Louisiana Horse Rescue Association and Remember Me Rescue can’t do this on their own. They need your help. These horses need your help.