Palomino Gelding Vandalized in What’s Being Described as Unusual “Hate Crime”
Vandals not only cut off Dusty’s signature mane and tail, they also spray painted his body with the letter “R.” All photos courtesy of Lisa Anne Kreger.
By: Brittany Bevis
Sometime during the early morning hours of July 20-July 21st, in Walworth, New York, intruders broke into the stall of a beautiful Palomino gelding belonging to Lisa Anne Kreger. What they did next is being described as some sort of unusual “hate crime” that’s currently being investigated by the New York State Police.
“My 4-year-old Palomino was violated, assaulted, bullied, and marked,” she says. “Monday morning, when I went out to feed the horses at 6:30 am, this is how I found my personal therapy horse. Out of pure hatred, some evil spirited cowards did this to him. The thought of someone going into his stall, in the middle of the night, to strip this horse of his picturesque mane, tail, and forelock… Also, they spray painted the letter ‘R’ on his body and on his stall door. Human beings bullied and shamed my innocent, kind hearted, and affectionate horse.”
What’s left of Dusty’s once flowing locks.
Kreger’s horse “Dusty” is instrumental in both her physical therapy as well as treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. At the age of 47, Kreger has undergone three neck surgeries that have left her with chronic pain, nerve damage, and severe depression. Thanks to Dusty, a horse she’s owned for one year, Kreger is learning how to gain a whole new outlook on life.
“Dusty has changed my life, my way of thinking, and my spirit,” she says. “My good friend Jon said it best, ‘Love always wins.’ Dusty and I have a very close bond. I love this horse for so many reasons but mostly because he has helped strip me of anger, rage, extreme anxiety, judgements, sorrow, and depression. This little guy is quite the character. He’s very smart, willing, patient, and forgiving.”
Kreger dreamed of owning her own horse since she was six years old. After seeing Dusty’s ad on Craigslist, she decided to take a chance on the then unbroke, three-year-old Quarter Horse/Arab/Palomino cross.
Dusty’s once beautiful Palomino trademark mane and forelock.
“Oh my, what a little cupcake he was with lots of icing dripping off of him,” she says. “He was the very image of one of the Palomino Breyer Horses! Upon a one-on-one meeting with this little yellow horse, he was an in-your-pocket, affectionate, little love bug. The softness in his eyes told me that he was the one. SOLD.”
After bringing Dusty home, Kreger spent countless hours grooming his long mane and tail and hand walking him around her property to help get him accustomed to the sights and sounds of cars, motorcycles, and farming equipment.
“The fact that this horse was not broke to ride, and he’d never had anyone on his back. never even came into consideration,” she says. “Through repetition, patience, praise, and a whole lot of love, I was riding this horse by the end of last August.”
Although there are no good leads at this time, Kreger is confident the hardworking police force will discover clues that will lead to a formal charge and possible arrest.
“I hope, when the authorities find these evil doers, that they’re charged with a hate crime, and I hope they’re charged with a crime against a disabled person and her therapy horse,” she says.
In addition to cutting off Dusty’s mane, tail, and spray painting his body, vandals also spray painted his stall door with the letter “R.”
Over the past three days, Dusty’s story has spread like wildfire on social media. As a result, Kreger has received countless messages of sympathy, kindness, and outrage from people all over the globe.
“The outreach, support, and generosity of people reading and sharing this story is staggering,” she says. “[I have received messages from] all over the US and as far away as Germany, Scotland, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and even China. I’m going to turn this horrific sin into an incredible blessing. This is the beginning of the road on a journey to fund Lilly Meadows, a horse rescue rehabilitation center. [We want to] share our dearly loved horses with those who suffer from PTSD. We want this to be a non-profit operation, as we want to help people.”
Evidence left at the scene of the crime.
“Phase II of my dream, along with my sister Kelly, is to one day have a have rescue for both rescuing horses and helping people that suffer from PTSD. Horses are very intuitive; they feel your emotions and they’re amazing companions.”
If you have any information about this crime, please contact the New York State Police.
