A small group of 4-H members in Buckingham is seeking to spread Christmas cheer to ailing horses found emaciated and malnourished recently in Orange County.

Members of the Buckingham-based Pegasus 4-H Horse and Pony Club have adopted several of the horses through an angel tree, which allows the community to visit Sprouse’s Corner Ranch near Dillwyn and pick a horse to purchase much-needed items for.

Pictures of the horses being cared for at Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton hang on a small green Christmas Tree cut by 4-H members in corner of LaRue Sprouse’s barn at Sprouse’s Corner.

“Every year they do a

community service project and we’ve done this angel tree a couple of times … and chosen different rescues,” said Sprouse, who owns the ranch and is an adult 4-H leader.

According to a club flyer, in October, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office took possession of over 80 malnourished horses, mules, donkeys and other animals from Peaceable Farm.

“Pegasus 4-H Horse Club wants to join the rest of the Virginia Horse Community in doing our part to care for these horses and has … adopted Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton as our service project for this year,” the flyer states.

Sprouse said that once 4-H club adult leader Beth Smith spoke to a local veterinarian, the group chose Hope’s Legacy, which is one of the groups involved in rehabilitating the horses.

“These are the horses that were rescued; You can see what kind of condition they’re in,” she said, holding one of the ornaments.

“We’re hoping to get donations delivered here for some of their needs,” she said.

According to the flyer, special needs for the horses include bagged shavings, Purina Senior Feed, alfalfa cubes and pellets. Other needed items include hay, buckets, pitchforks, halters, blankets, feed scoops, fly masks, cotton lead ropes and feeds.

The items — being sought as donations — were identified through Hope’s Legacy, Sprouse said.

She said that members of the community can come to her ranch, pick an ornament, and return with supplies by Dec. 31.

“After this, what we’re going to do, our 4-Hers are going to deliver the gifts and do a community service project there,” Sprouse said of the youth volunteering with the horses at Hope’s Legacy.

“I like it,” Kinsley Smith said, agreeing that people should help. “Donate to the horses. That’s what I like to do,” the 8-year-old, who lives in Buckingham, said.

Smith has been riding at Sprouse’s Corner Ranch since March.

Savannah Wilson, 15, of Farmville, has been riding with Sprouse for more than eight years.

“Just donate and know that it is going to a good cause,” she said.

Smith and Wilson are two of the about 10 members of the 4-H club, who ride and practice at Sprouse’s ranch.

According to its website, the Buckingham Pegasus 4-H Horse and Pony Club is part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s youth development program. “Youth work on horse-related projects and learn how to work with horses safely and respectfully.”

For more information and to pick up an ornament, visit Sprouse’s Corner Ranch at 16680 W. James Anderson Hwy. (behind the Virginia State Police Area Office), call (434) 983-8181, or email laruelanes@yahoo.com.