Saddle Up!
Sneed hears NuNu, the mare who was badly injured during a wild ride with the “Dread Head Cowboy” down the Dan Ryan Expressway in September, may get a new stall mate as soon as Friday.
And it turns out, it’s an old neighbor!
After the American Paint horse was badly injured while being galloped at full trot in improper shoes on concrete for nearly eight miles, NuNu was taken to Forest View Farms in Tinley Park to recover. While originally officials didn’t know if she would survive, she is doing much better and will be OK, her caretakers have said.
Her owner, Adam Hollingsworth, 33, who was charged with felony animal abuse after the “Hopalong Cassidy” expressway ride, was ordered Wednesday by Cook County Judge Michael McHale to have no contact with any horses he owns and turn any over to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office.
Hollingsworth claimed earlier this year to have sold his other four horses that were being kept at a Will County farm with NuNu.
Now Hollingsworth’s new attorney, Steve Greenberg, said Thursday that his client “claims to have only one horse left.”
“I don’t know the horse’s name, but I’ve been informed the City’s Animal Care and Control Unit is preparing to pick up the horse and deliver it to a new place pending the outcome of the criminal case,” Greenberg told Sneed.
Hollingsworth rode NuNu while conducting a “Kids Lives Matter” protest and claims the horses are his life.
Prosecutors reportedly said the ride was like forcing an 80-year-old woman to run a marathon. The horse can never be ridden again.
Greenberg said although misguided, Hollingsworth cares deeply about the horses.
“Mr. Hollingsworth didn’t intentionally harm his horse. He loves them all. But he’s been charged like he was a sadistic psychopath,” Greenberg said, adding: “One can love a horse and maybe not understand the nuances of caring for one.”
Then Greenberg tossed this horseshoe:
“I believe Mr. Hollingsworth had the best of intentions ... sort of like Mitch Trubisky quarterbacking the Chicago Bears.”
His next court date is Jan. 14.
Contributing: Matthew Hendrickson
