Last Oct. 27, two lost horses were spotted in the Barú–Dominical area in terribly poor condition, according to residents Carole and Trish Roine, famous in the Dominical area as the “pickle ladies” for their homemade pickles and jams. The sisters took in the horses, expecting the owner would arrive and claim them within a day or so. But that didn’t happen. Hurricane Tomás was under way at the time, and Carole and Trish’s property was cut off by landslides in both directions.
Both horses were in need of medical attention, and lots of good food and care. And that is what they are getting now, thanks to Shawnell Parker, who heads up the Domestic Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), a local animal rescue organization.
Carole and Trish have reason to believe the horses came from a colder climate, as they arrived in the area with winter coats, no ticks and no botflies. The horse rescuers are trying to find the owners of these horses, which are probably of the iberoamericano breed, and they have reason to believe they may have originated in the Lake Arenal area.
If anyone has any information that may be helpful, please contact Carole and Trish at 2787-0550 or 2grammas@gmail.com, or Shawnell at 8850-7477 or dawgfostermom @gmail.com.
Shawnell adds that the horses are making progress and are free from equine anemia. If the owners cannot be found, their rescuers will seek to place them in a good home.