WHAT A CHAMP: Destin doc, animal refuge nurse starving mini-horse back to health (PHOTOS)

When Champ arrived at the animal refuge in Alaqua he had hit rock bottom and needed help to get back on his hooves.

The 2-year-old miniature horse was 170 pounds underweight when he was seized from his Freeport owners and brought to Laurie Hood, founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge. When Champ first arrived on Aug. 20, he couldn’t stand up on his own. Once he was up, he barely had the strength to hold up what was left of him, weighing in at 80 pounds.

“He had sores all over from his bones rubbing against the ground,” said Dave Henderson, the first veterinarian on the scene.

For more photos of Champ from Alaqua, click here.

To see a provided video chronicling the horse's ordeal, click here.

Henderson, who can usually be found working at Village Vet here in Destin, got the call from Hood around noon and made it out to Freeport to treat the malnourished mini by 2 p.m.

When he arrived in Freeport that Friday, he got right to work on the little guy, performing a slew of standard tests ruling out all possibilities that his extreme weight was from any problems within. Henderson found no real issues, which confirmed what the team felt was pretty clear from the start—he was simply starving.

“As soon as we put food in front of him he starting munching down right away,” said Henderson.

Determining whether or not the original owners will face criminal charges is still up in the air, but for Hood it’s not the most important issue at hand.

“If it was intentional, then I hope there is punishment,” she said. “But these cases get thrown out for so many different reasons… If anything, I just want to let people know what’s going on so they can get mad too.”

For now, Hood’s main concern is getting Champ solidly back on his feet.

When The Log caught up with Hood and Champ last Wednesday, just about two weeks after his rescue, he was doing much better.

“I just can’t believe he is walking around,” said Walton County Animal Control Officer Joe Everett, who was also at the refuge last week.

Everett hadn’t seen Champ since he first helped bring him to Hood. He said he couldn’t believe the progress he’s made.

Champ did a few circles around his pen while Hood gathered up some feed. She dumped it in his bowl and within seconds it was gone. She continued to share his story while letting him lick the food scoop from her hand. It’s obvious he was still hungry, but it’s important to feed him in tiny amounts.

“Horses can’t control their appetites, and they will overeat and get belly aches causing a whole bunch more problems,” said Henderson. “It’s going to take about six months for him to gain all the weight he needs, averaging about 2-to-3 pounds per week.”

Hood, who has helped many animals bounce back from near starvation, has seen the rewards first hand of nursing an animal back to life. Committed to help Champ’s will to survive, she stayed with him the first four nights he arrived in the barn, feeding him every few hours.

“We brushed out his hair, and once he fills out a little more, his sheen will come back,” she said.

With Champ gaining weight and strength everyday, Hood updates his status almost daily on the Alaqua Animal Refuge Facebook page.

To find out how to help the shelter, see www.aarflorida.com.