An Arabian horse that was found in excruciating pain after being shot by over 130 rounds from a paintball gun at close range is being treated at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, writes Fran Maye for the Daily Local News.

The 20-year-old mare was discovered tied up and abandoned on Monday inside a stable at New Holland Sales Stables by Kelly Smith, Director of Omega Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Airville.

“She was in excruciating pain,” said Smith. “She was tied up in the sales barn and had welts underneath her skin. Never in 20 years of going to New Holland Auction have I ever saw anything like this. I am praying the horse will be OK.”

Smith, who provided the suffering horse with pain medication after finding it, immediately tried to locate the horse’s owner, but nobody at the stables could provide any information.

After consultation with Lancaster County SPCA, it was decided to take the horse to the New Bolton Center which is considered to have the best clinical care for horses in the world. A team of specialist worked through the night to try and stabilize the mare, affectionately named Lily, by Smith.

“She has muscle soreness all over,” said Nolen-Walston senior clinician at New Bolton and an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

“She has long-term eye problems, and one of the reasons she was victimized is that she doesn’t see very well. She will recover from her paintball injuries, but she will need a lot of long-term care, especially for her eyes.”

While staying at the Center during her treatment, the injured horse is in the care of the Lancaster County SPCA, and will be put for adoption. The investigation to find the persons responsible is ongoing.

Anyone who wants to adopt Lily or has information that can help in finding the attackers should contact the Lancaster County SPCA at 717-917-6979 or email info@lancasterspca.org. Calls made to the line are anonymous.

Read more on the Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Penn Vet here.