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Six Horses Rescued After Living In Several Feet Of Mud In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. (WCCO) -- Six horses are on the path to recovery after being rescued from a small shed near Duluth, where they were living in several feet of mud.

According to KJBR-TV reporter josh Schuder, the two ponies and four full-grown horses were removed Thursday from Arnold, Minnesota. They had been in what authorities were describing as a small shed, some up to their bellies in mud and feces.

Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch led the rescue effort. Seeds of Hope's Wendy Crook pointed out one pony, named Miracle, whose feet showed evidence of never having been taken care of.

Crook also said Miracle's stall was incredibly small, and that the pony was showing evidence of mental distress.

It's unclear who owned the horses or why they were kept in such horrible conditions. Seeds of Hope plans to train the horses to become therapy animals.

The organization says it will take a while for the horses to fully recover.

"It's going to take them awhile to get on a regular balanced diet," Seeds of Hope co-founder Russ Crook said, "being as malnourished as they are."

If you would like to help, Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch will accept donations through a GoFundMe page set up for the horses.

Seeds of Hope will also accept donations of hay or horse grooming equipment -- contact them on their Facebook page if you have anything to spare.

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