Last July, over 20 horses were seized from Skyward Pines Equestrian Center in Pasquotank County due to poor conditions. Lori Murphy and Phylicia McAlpin were arrested on animal cruelty charges, with their court hearing rescheduled for Jan. 22. Debby Kelly, from the U.S. Equine Rescue League North Coastal Region, helped find homes for the horses, with local veterinarian Dr. April Larivee taking in one of the horses named Vulcan.

Vulcan was rated a 2 on the body scale for horses when he should have been a 5 or 6, showing signs of malnourishment. After months on a refeeding program, Vulcan is now part of Larivee’s family and has gained weight and happiness. All the seized horses have survived, been adopted out, except for one named Little Man who is waiting for eye surgery before going home.

Kelly praised the efforts of veterinarians, farriers, and fosters who helped rehabilitate the seized horses. Little Man is the only horse still waiting for surgery, with funds being raised for the procedure. Kelly described the transformation of the horses from skin and bones to healthy as a miracle.