VB woman rescues 3 horses

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - You could call Sali Gear "the horse whisperer" of Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach woman has taken in three of the 30 malnourished horses seized from a Zuni farm last month. Thirty dogs were also removed.

Wednesday, the Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office arrested Jeffrey and Diana Hansford. Each was charged with 20 counts of Animal Cruelty and released on $10-thousand bond.

Jeffrey Hansford works as a firefighter in the city of Norfolk. The department says he's on personal leave and an internal investigation has been launched.

A thunderous roar of Navy jets fills the sky above Calypso Farm. She says flying requires a gentle touch. It's the same touch she's using to nurse three neglected horses back to health.

"I'm just here to provide a temporary foster home, help put weight on them, help get them gentled and then they'll go on to full time adoptive homes," said Gear.

Gear has worked with rescue and adoptive agencies a little more than a year and estimates she's helped with more than 30 rescues.

"I have the property, I have the space and then people needed the help," said Gear.

Her son Nile named the three beauties.

There's Brownie, Vanilla and Chocolate? No, that's Shadow. Nile says because she's always in the background.

"Good souls, they all have good souls, they're just wonderful," said Gear.

But they come from a troubled past. The trio are from a Zuni farm. Chopper Ten was overhead when dozens of malnourished horses and dogs were seized from the property.

Over the past three weeks, Gear has fed them, provided dental care and most critically, love.

"Now we can lead them and hold them. We never were able to do that and the black one, who was not affectionate towards people at all, now she'll eat out of our hands," said Gear.

Gear says she does become attached to the horses, but she's happy to see them go on to loving homes.

Unfortunately she says, there are always more who need her care.

For Brownie, Vanilla and Shadow, the future is bright.

"You know what, they're good now, so it's a happy ending, they don't all get happy endings," said Gear.

If you'd like to help Gear create more happy endings, visit her website, http://www.calypsorun.com.