Montana Ranchers try and save horses

Montana ranchers rally to save starving, abandoned horses

Donated hay makes way to ranch where hundreds of animals are in need of nourishmen

BILLINGS — The first shipment of donated hay made its way to a Yellowstone County ranch

 to help save hundreds of starving horses in what could be one of the largest animal 

abuse cases in Montana history.

Hay — 100 tons — was donated by the Valley M Ranch in Red Lodge and hauled

 to the Home Place Ranch where investigators say horses were left without food, 

water or veterinary care by the ranch's former owner.

Some have offered to take and care for several of the animals. Others have
 volunteered to take feed and water troughs out to the land. 
NILE Rodeo managers and the Department of Livestock have also 
stepped forward and offered help.Manager Justin Mills, manager for the 
NILE Foundation, said offers to help the horses were pouring in
 from around the world. "We've had people shoot emails from Australia
 wanting to know what's going on. We find that people from outside the local, 
immediate region, it's a cash donation that's coming in."

Mills said the donated hay should last the horses for a couple of weeks.

Yellowstone County residents and ranchers have rallied since
 learning of the dire situation.

Five horses have died and at least 400 more were in danger of dying,
 and Billings-area rancher James Leachman is being charged with
 five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.