VALLEY CENTER — Ande Armstrong speaks softly to the frail red mare as she slips a halter over her head, slowly walking her to a trailer. The emaciated horse’s spine and hipbones jut out sharply as she hesitates, then, with Armstrong’s encouragement, steps in for a ride to the vet.
The horse — Dolly — has just been brought to Armstrong for care, and it’s the start of another day at Hope In The Valley Equine Rescue and Sanctuary.
Armstrong, who founded the operation more than 20 years ago, has been a lifesaver for both humans and horses, donkeys and mules…