Shocking transformation: emaciated horse named Sam Elliott gained hundreds of pounds and thriving at Texas sanctuary (photos/video)

One year ago this month, a neglected sick and severely emaciated 25-year-old gray horse arrived at the 1,400-acre Texas sanctuary, Black Beauty Ranch, part of Humane World for Animals (formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States).

His ribs were visible and his hips and back bones were protruding. He was placed in quarantine where he was closely monitored and cared for. The equine caregivers responsible for the over 200 horses at Black Beauty Ranch, named him Sam Elliott because he reminded them of the “laid-back, kind and cool demeanor of one of their favorite actors.”

At first Sam was fed multiple small meals throughout the day to allow his stomach to adjust to food and nourishment. After a few weeks, once he started to gain weight, they increased the amount of food, and he was able to have a more normal mealtime schedule. (see photos/video)

As his health continued to improve, right after the first freeze when the grass went dormant, Sam was moved to a larger pasture with a horse named Traveler. At first he was not sure about so much space after likely spending years alone in a small stall and he kept looking to go back to the smaller space. But soon he began to relax and enjoy the company of his new friend and eventually they joined 15 other horses on a 45-acre pasture.

Sue Tygielski, senior managing director of Black Beauty Ranch, said, “Sam was so fragile and ill when he arrived a year ago and has shown us what a remarkably resilient and special horse he is. He went from being just over 600 pounds to now over 900 pounds under our care. He is living a full and healthy life with his friends and plenty of space to roam and be the horse he deserves to be for the rest of his life.”