MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Diane Davis stands with rescued horses Gambling Lira, left, and Emma. MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Rescued horse Dominick had just arrived in horrible condition, bony and emaciated, but he is expected to recover. Advertisement

Diane Davis of Dream Chasers Ranch uses her multiple talents in caring for horses to help them recover from a multitude of illnesses and abuse.

She literally makes the dreams of abused horses come true by doing her best to save their lives.

A rescuer of horses for more than seven years, she initially worked in conjunction with the Southern Nye County Friends of Animals but established her own nonprofit in 2006.

Located at 3610 N. Murphy St., Davis' facility is able to hold up to 50 horses at one time. She has 30 horses on site with those rescued in various stages of recovery.

Her Dream Chasers organization is a 501(c)(3) established for the care of ill and/or abused horses. However, she also boards horses for other owners.

When Diane and her sister, Donna Hovater, first bought the property, they had planned to open a dog rescue and boarding facility. They contacted the county shelter and offered to help them out. Soon they were being foster parents to dogs that were adopted.

Due to her love of horses, they turned it into a horse rescue and boarding facility when the Nye County Animal Shelter asked for help in taking horses that the shelter had confiscated until the required court hearing was held.

Davis receives horses that suffer from lack of weight, extreme fear, who have suffered abuse of whatever sort, or other health issues. Over the years she has helped hundreds of horses. Some, alas, remain at the ranch until they die.

One horse she recalls vividly is Ginger, who was brought to Dream Chasers at the age of 30 and in serious decline.

The owners felt she was dying and didn't want their daughter to see it happen. Davis took the horse in and found her to be malnourished and just old. The younger horses the former owners had were pushing her away from the food; add that to her age and tooth loss, and she just wasn't able to maintain herself.

After a few months, however, the horse recovered and lasted another seven years.

"It's important to know that if a horse is in its senior years. Their teeth can't chew hard food, so a change in diet is essential to their survival. If they can't maintain their weight, add senior grain and mostly grass hay," said Davis.

Davis said, "I get calls about horses from many people. They either call to help the horse because they see a problem, or the owners call asking for help for their horses." She contacts the owners and offers assistance, to include taking possession of the horse if the owner agrees.

She will take the animal no matter its condition.

Dream Chasers is desperately in need of help. Horses love to eat, just like most animals, but unlike small animals it costs more to feed them.

Davis said, "We need someone to help with fundraisers, set up a Web site, donate time or money and help with our food needs. If someone would like to sponsor a horse, a monthly donation of $20 would offset some of the cost."

Sponsors can be individuals or organizations.

She would also like someone to help take care of the horses when she has to be away for some reason, like going to town to take care of business. Caring for her horses is an all-day effort.

Except for the really sick or old horses, most are available for adoption. A fee of $500 is required if the horse is not trained to ride, but $1,000 if it is trained.

To help out, call Davis at 775-513-0945. She can really use the help.

If some young person would like to know all about horses, this would be a perfect opportunity.