With tender loving care and attention, this 25-year-old Arab gelding has made a recovery after being found neglected on February 4, 2009, by a Lake County Animal Care and Control officer. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

LAKEPORT – A horse who – when he was rescued earlier this year – was severely underweight and in bad condition has made a big recovery, and Lake County Animal Care and Control officials are hoping to find him a new home.

Animal Care and Control took the 25-year-old Arab gelding into custody due to neglect, according to Deputy Director Bill Davidson.

He said on Feb. 4 Officer Nehemiah White responded to a neglected horse call off of Highway 29 near Lower Lake.

Davidson said Animal Care and Control immediately called Dr. Jeff Smith of Middletown Vet Hospital, who estimated that the horse was approximately 150 pounds underweight, had parasites, long hooves and severe dental disease.

On Wednesday Davidson said that they've passed the two-month mark in the horse's recovery, and the veterinarian has given the all clear on the horse's condition.

The difference in the horse, said Davidson, is incredible.

When he was first brought in, the gelding's ribs and hip bones jutted out under his ragged, “flea-bitten” – denoting small flecks of color – gray hide.

Now, however, he's looking much healthier, with added weight and alert eyes.

“We did some dental work, parasite control, supplied the proper nutrition, and that's all it took,” said Davidson. “Following Dr. Smith's regimen of care we now have ourselves a healthy, energetic and potentially rideable horse.”

Davidson said Animal Care and Control will submit a case to the District Attorney's Office sometime next week, seeking animal cruelty charges against the horse's former owner.

They also have the happier work of looking for a loving, forever home for the gelding.

Davidson said they are accepting sealed bids from interested horse lovers through 5 p.m. May 18.

The minimum bid is $250, said Davidson. The highest bidder with an approved application will get to take home a new four-legged friend.

For more information, contact Lake County Animal Care and Control, 707-263-0278.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The gelding, as he looked when Lake County Animal Care and Control impounded him on February 4, 2009. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.