TOPAZ

Topaz is a rose-dapple gray, Anglo-Arabian mare who was sold for slaughter at a Los Angeles livestock auction when she was a mere one-year-old filly. When it came time to squeeze Topaz onto the double-decker cattle truck bound for a Texas slaugherhouse, she was refused a space on the truck due to her extremely thin frame.

ABC-TV nightly news reporter Christine Lund happened to be at the very same auction where Topaz’s fate hung in the balance. Lund was working on a story about slaughter-bound horses when she met and rescued the starving Topaz. After supporting Topaz through her road back to good health, Lund placed her into what appeared to be a good home.

Months later and much to her horror, Lund saw Topaz at a Charro Rodeo being used for “horse tripping”—a rodeo event in which a horse with a rope around one leg is made to run at top speed, then the rope is yanked tight, causing the horse to fall violently. Lacerations covered Topaz’s face, hips, and legs. Lund again bought the filly and brought her home to recover. Topaz returned to health, and this time, Lund called Redwings. Thanks to the support of generous donors like you, we were able to offer Topaz a safe home for the rest of her days—away from the auction yard and Charro Rodeo. Today, Topaz has plenty of companions and has become the lead mare of her herd.

Go to Geronimo’s story >>

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