A night of fishing along the San Joaquin River ended with a discovery nobody expected: a badly malnourished horse abandoned in a park parking lot. The people who stepped in gave him a name, River, and a fighting chance.
Heard in the Dark
In late August 2020, Cesar Garcia and his son were fishing at night near Laird Park on West Grayson Road, outside Modesto in Stanislaus County, California. As they prepared to leave, they heard a vehicle coming along a trail near the riverbank, followed by what sounded like a horse trailer pulling up.
His son’s flashlight picked out two vehicles about 50 yards away. When the vehicles drove off, Garcia found an emaciated horse standing in the parking lot. He called the sheriff’s office and shared the horse’s story on Facebook. Animal rescuer Bobbie Carne said that phone call tipped “the life or death decision” in the horse’s favor.
Rescuers in Pajamas
Carne, who has years of experience rescuing animals, heard the call on a police scanner relayed to her by another rescuer. She rushed to the park in her pajamas and worked with deputies to plan River’s rescue. The horse was named after the nearby San Joaquin River.
Even with her experience, Carne was startled by his condition. River was severely underweight and had pressure wounds across his body, plus fresh wounds on his face and side that she believes happened because he wasn’t tied securely in the trailer when he was driven to the park and left.
A 24-Hour Vet and a Waiting Home
River was taken to a 24-hour veterinary facility. An ultrasound showed that his internal organs looked normal, a hopeful sign. Bryen Camden, who grew up on a ranch in Kentucky and has extensive experience with horses, saw the Facebook posts and offered to take River in after he was released from veterinary care.
“You can tell that he is a fighter,” Carne said.
A Message for Owners
Carne said that anyone who cannot afford to keep a horse should contact a rescue or a veterinary hospital rather than abandon it. “There’s no need to dump a horse out in a park to starve,” she told CBS13, adding that many resources are available.
What It Costs to Care for a Horse
River’s case shows how expensive horses can be and why planning matters. If you own or are considering a horse, budget for:
- Feed and hay. Hay, grain and equine supplements are a major monthly cost.
- Veterinary care. Routine vet visits, dental care, vaccinations and farrier services add up, and emergencies cost far more.
- Equine insurance. Horse insurance and colic surgery coverage can protect owners from large bills.
- Boarding or land. Horse boarding or pasture costs vary by region.
- Safe transport. A well-maintained horse trailer with proper tie-downs prevents injuries, and trailer insurance is worth reviewing.
- Help when you can’t cope. Horse rescues accept donations, and many groups help owners rehome animals responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was River found? In a parking lot at Laird Park near Grayson, in Stanislaus County, California.
Who found him? Cesar Garcia and his son, who were fishing nearby.
Who rescued him? Local rescuer Bobbie Carne and sheriff’s deputies, with help from volunteers.
What happened to River? He was taken to a 24-hour vet, and a local horseman, Bryen Camden, offered to care for him afterward.
Sources: CBS13 Sacramento and the Turlock Journal, all covering the August 2020 rescue of River, a starving horse abandoned at Laird Park in Stanislaus County, California.
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