Rescue Story

At just three months old, Liam arrived at Mustang Valley Sanctuary battered, burning with fever, and fighting to breathe.

He was part of a mass discard of unhandled mares and foals dumped at a Wisconsin auction house — terrified and overlooked. But it was the wound that caught our attention: a deep impalement injury in his shoulder so severe, you could fit a fist inside it.

He also had pneumonia, a high fever, and no trust in humans — how could he? Everything about his life up until that moment had been chaotic, painful, and threatening.

So we said yes to Liam and his mother, Nala, knowing they had no chance otherwise. And when we began treatment, something beautiful happened: Nala watched. Not once did she try to protectively lash out. Somehow, she knew — we were trying to save her baby.

Healing in Progress

Liam has been through more in his first few months than most horses face in a lifetime. And he’s not out of the woods yet.

His wound has healed significantly, but he still shows signs of an internal infection, likely from lingering pneumonia. Mucus, coughing, high white cell counts, and lung scarring all point to a system still in crisis. We’re hitting the infection hard with new rounds of antibiotics and have started him on a special immune-boosting supplement designed for colts — expensive, but necessary.

If the infection persists as winter sets in, we may need to wean him early and bring him into a warm, enclosed space where he can be treated daily.

We’re fighting hard — and so is Liam.

Personality & Potential

Despite everything, Liam is starting to bloom.

He’s a gray-brown roany dun with striking coloring and perfect conformation, according to our vet. He moves like a dream, with a soft, floaty trot that hints at a future filled with grace. He’s also inquisitive, sweet, and starting to reach out — touching our hands, exploring us, beginning to understand that humans might not be so bad after all.

Right now, the goal is to let him come closer each day. Not to force him. Not to break his spirit. But to help him rebuild trust through quiet presence and communication-based handling — the Mustang Valley way.

We’re taking it slow, because that’s what he deserves.

From Liam

“I don’t know what I’m becoming yet… but I think it’s something beautiful.”