She was starving so badly, she was eating manure just to find something to put in her stomach.

Her name is Talitha. We call her Tali.

We rescued Tali from a quarantine facility where she was severely emaciated she had become so hungry that she was eating manure, trying to find anything she could. When we saw her condition, leaving her behind wasn't an option.

There was one moment that we will never forget. When we arrived and opened the front door of our truck Tali tried to climb into the front seat.

This severely emaciated little mare — weak, sick, and surrounded by people she barely knew was trying to get into the truck with us.

Maybe we're putting human words to something only she understood, but standing there that day, it felt like she was saying:

“Please don't leave me here.” So we didn't.

Then We Learned How Sick She Really Was.

We brought her home to Iron & Oak Crossings and called our veterinarian. The veterinary examination revealed that Tali wasn't simply underweight.

Her body was fighting multiple serious problems at once.

She is extremely emaciated and anemic. She has a urinary tract infection, a significant parasite burden, two badly deteriorated teeth, and another broken tooth with an exposed nerve. She also has an infection in her jaw and a Grade 4 heart murmur.

We had X-rays taken and a full blood panel performed, along with a fecal sample to determine exactly what parasites we're dealing with so her treatment can be approached appropriately.

And in the middle of all of that difficult news, we received something we desperately needed:

Hope.

Her bloodwork showed that her kidneys and liver are functioning well.

Tali is still fighting.

So we're going to fight with her.

Why We Named Her Talitha

There is a reason her name means so much to us.

In the Bible, Jesus speaks the words “Talitha koum” — “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” We couldn't think of a more fitting name for this little girl. Because that's exactly what we're asking her to do.

Arise, Tali. Get stronger.

Learn that food is coming again tomorrow. Learn that hands can bring comfort instead of pain. Learn that you're safe. And, hopefully, discover what it feels like to simply be a horse again.

Her Road Back Will Take Time

Severe neglect isn't repaired with one meal or one veterinary visit.

Tali's recovery will require continued veterinary monitoring, carefully managed nutrition and weight restoration, treatment for her infections and parasites, dental treatment, additional diagnostics, medications, follow-up bloodwork, farrier care, and whatever else our veterinary team determines she needs along the way.

We don't know yet what every step of this journey will look like.

But we know she deserves the opportunity to take it.

That's why we're asking for help.

Every donation to this fundraiser will help support Tali's medical treatment, diagnostics, medications, nutrition, rehabilitation, and ongoing care as we work to give her body the chance to recover.

Whether you can give $10, $25, $50, $100 or more, you're becoming part of Tali's story.

And if you can't donate, please share her story.

Help someone else see her. Because sometimes saving a life begins with one person refusing to look away.

This Is Tali's Crossing

At Iron & Oak Crossings, we believe a horse's value isn't determined by what they can produce, carry, win, or do for us.

Tali doesn't owe us anything.

She doesn't have to become a riding horse. She doesn't have to perform. She doesn't have to prove that the time, money, and love invested in her were worthwhile.

She simply deserves the chance to live. Right now, we're standing with Tali at the beginning of her crossing—from neglect to care, from hunger to nourishment, from suffering to healing, and hopefully from simply surviving to finally living.

We don't know how her story ends. But for the first time in a long time, she has people fighting to make sure it continues.

Talitha, little girl... arise.

Help us give Tali her second chance.