I am reaching out to you on behalf of Theresa who has been dealing with sick horses for the past few days. On top of her routine daily chores, the necessity of keeping the sick horses isolated from the remainder of the herd has created quite a bit more work for Theresa.
Luiji, Warrior, Sassy, Peggy Sue and then, Dancer, started coughing over the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, some started running a fever and by yesterday, they all were feverish.
Thankfully, none of them have stopped eating. The vet was out yesterday morning to examine and do bloodwork on all of the sick members of our little herd, so, hopefully, we will have the results sometime today.
A few weeks ago, Jo was examined by the vet and bloodwork was done. Based on her behavior and symptoms, the vet advised that Jo was displaying symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (dementia). Over the past several months, changes were noticed in both Jo’s personality and behavior. At times, Jo has appeared to be lost – she would just stand in one place and stare off into space, she has spooked a few times (which is new), and oftentimes, she takes a bite or two of a meal and then wanders off which is totally out of character for her. In addition, Jo has been fighting an eye ulceration which thankfully, after a few months of treatment, appears to have finally healed.
Jo’s blood test results were not great – there were some high and low values. She is anemic (a symptom of a larger health issue TBD) and her liver is a bit sluggish, both of which has greatly affected her immune system.
Anemia is caused by blood loss, blood destruction, or by the body not making enough red cells. Because she was walking away from her food at times, and she was due for her annual dental exam, her teeth were addressed last week but nothing of significance was apparent. She started running a fever a few days ago (it is currently normal) but there is now a foul odor emanating from her mouth which could indicate that there is something amiss in either her sinus passages or respiratory system. Theresa is making adjustments to Jo’s diet and supplements, and she will likely need additional diagnostics.
Days such as these are the reason why Theresa doesn’t post on social media as much as she would like to as she, Bob and our wonderful team of volunteers are literally caring for horses around the clock.
By the time the horses are all tucked in at night, there is little time for sleep before the next morning arrives. Volunteers help on most days until mid-afternoon and they make a tremendous difference. We are so truly grateful for them – they are such a blessing and we couldn’t do what we do without them!
Sadly, we must once again ask for assistance due to the additional and unexpected vet expenses, medications and supplements created by this current crisis.
If you would like to assist with this emergency situation, just click on the “Donate” button below to forward your contribution and please know that each and every donation is greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.
Thank you, all, for your love and support. Please keep Jo, Dancer, Peggy Sue and our “Littles” in your prayers.
Warmly,
Jeanne
Gratitude
Every year, in celebration of the birthday of Barbaro, our dear friend, Jamie Gillispie, lovingly lays red and white roses at the foot of his statue at the Kentucky Derby Museum located at Churchill Downs. Each rose is dedicated to the memory of a loved one, whether they be a person or a beloved pet.
This year our wonderful friend and supporter, Kathy Breakall, donated a rose in memory of a former Beauty’s Haven horse, Point to Ponder aka My Girl, who was injured while racing at Calder Race Track in 2008. She was transported to Ocala Equine Hospital where she underwent surgery to repair a slab fracture of the knee. My Girl was doing well and recovering nicely at Beauty’s Haven until the day the hardware in her knee failed. Tragically, there was nothing more we could do and we had no other choice than to let her go.
My Girl was beautiful, appreciative, brave and so full of life. She will forever remain in our hearts.
Thank you Kathy Breakall and Jamie Gillispie for honoring our beautiful girl.
*Please click on the image above to view a video of our breathtakingly gorgeous My Girl.*
Sincerely,
Theresa
Elvis & Ford have been adopted!
Elvis and Ford have hit the jackpot! They have been adopted into a wonderful home with someone who has adopted from us in the past. It’s a true blessing! We really did not want to separate them. Ford is 13 years young and really loves his little pony, Elvis, who is approximately 30 years young. They have had many changes in their life recently, but now, they have sunny days ahead in their new, loving, forever home. Enjoy the sweet video below of the boys happily prancing about in their lovely new paddock!
Thank you Maggie!
Sincerely,
Theresa
The Grass is Getting Greener!
Thanks to all of you we are almost 1/3 of the way to reach our goal for this past weekend’s hay run. The good news is that the grass is getting greener and our hay needs will soon lessen considerably!
If anyone would like to assist us with the remaining balance of $333, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. Or if you would like to offer a Match Game, it would be so greatly appreciated by both horses and humans alike! Just email us at bhfers@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Donate Now
Just Five Days Remaining!
Please help us win $1000 for the horses by clicking on the ‘Vote’ button below each day throughout the month of April. It’s free & easy! We’re currently in 1st place with just five days remaining! Thank you!!!
Drinkers of the Wind
Nadia and Venus, both purebred Arabians, are truly enchanted with the new fencing. About 300’ of the last section of the 25+ year old rusty fence was replaced yesterday and should be completed today.
Please enjoy the video below of Venus, the bay, who is 35 years young and Nadia, who is in her mid 20’s, happily trotting along the fence line.
Sincerely,
Theresa
MacGyver sure has filled out! He’s looking really good & is a very, very sweet boy. MacGyver is ready to start looking for his forever home.
Teeth Twofer – Ford & Elvis Get Dental Care
Ford and Elvis had their teeth taken care of on Thursday which both so desperately needed. While Dr. Bess worked on Ford, Elvis was a very good boy standing patiently just outside the trailer awaiting his turn. We are happy to report that both of these precious boys have settled in nicely.
Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Got Hay?
We are less than halfway there to reach our goal for this week’s hay run for a ton of orchard, 21 bales of coastal, two bales of alfalfa and three big half-pasture bales, for a total of $1180.
If anyone would like to help with this need, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. Or, if you would like to offer a Match Game, it would truly make our hearts sing!
Donate Now
Sweet Penny
Each morning, I look out the window first thing to see if Peggy Sue is up or down. Peggy Sue can’t get up if she lays on her left side. We just have to roll her over onto her right side and then she is able to get up on her own. Once I get to the barn, I look for Frodo, Beauty and Penny. Lately, Penny has been down in the mornings (hip issue) and she can’t get up without assistance. Penny weighs 1000 lbs. more than Peggy Sue so we can’t simply roll her over.
This morning was one of those mornings when Penny couldn’t get up. We encouraged her, but there wasn’t much more we could do. She’s completely blind and it can be dangerous trying to help her. I gave her some Banamine (IV) and some time. Thankfully she was able to get up after a short while. She enjoyed her breakfast and drank lots of water while Nicky, who is also blind, remained close by.
Having so many here with special needs brings new challenges each day. But we keep the faith and we keep going.
Other than having trouble getting up at times, her quality of life is still good and she so very much enjoys being with her best friend, Nicky. At Beauty’s Haven, each and every life is precious and deserving.
Please keep our sweet Penny in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Kami & Haley
Many of you may remember Kami and her mom, Haley, who had been adopted to good friends of the rescue several years ago. Sadly, Haley passed away during the night a few evenings ago which left a hole in many human hearts. It also left Kami with no other horsey friend.
We are so grateful to Sherry and Kenny for giving the girls a great home and for loving Kami enough to do what is best for her. Sherry and Kenny will be moving closer to the rescue and Sherry will be back to volunteer and see Kami.
Kami Meets Sassy
We all figured Kami and Sassy would either get along great or not at all. They had a good meeting and walked off together after they met. I thought it would take just a little time for the girls to figure out who is the sassiest and, by the end of the day, I think it was decided by Kami that she is the lead princess.
Haley will never be forgotten and she will forever remain in each of our hearts.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Elvis & Ford
These two boys were about to become homeless on Easter and they needed a safe place to land. I don’t know how old Elvis the pony is, but he’s up there in age. He has some eye and dental issues. Ford… well, I’m not sure of his age but hopefully we will know better today after the vet arrives. Both are in need of everything – bloodwork, exams, hooficures, dental, etc.
Any amount of a donation is very much appreciated and no amount is ever too small. Donations are tax deductible and can be made by simply clicking on the ‘Donate’ button below, where you may also sign up to become a monthly sponsor for one or both of these precious boys.
Donate Now
Thank you, all, for your love and support.
Sincerely,
Theresa
At Risk Horses Need an Easter Miracle
These two precious souls are about to become homeless and we would like to grant them a safe place to land in time for Easter, but we need your help to achieve this goal.
One time donations are also very much appreciated. You may sign up to become a monthly sponsor or to make a one time contribution simply by clicking the ‘Donate’ button below.
Donate Now
We would like to pick them up, if not today, then tomorrow, at the very latest.
Thank you, all, for your love and support.
Wishing you a Blessed Passover and Easter.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Let’s light this candle!
Honoring Theresa
A few days ago, our little herd had a meeting along the fence line and decided that they wanted to do something special in honor of Mommy Theresa’s birthday which is on March 23rd. When three wonderful aunties came forth and offered a trio of Match Games, it was decided right then and there that a Birthday Match Game Fundraiser would be a perfect way in which to celebrate their beloved mommy’s birthday!
Match Game
All donations up to $1500 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, so if you would like to join our ‘Velvet Nosers’ in celebrating Mommy Theresa’s birthday while doubling your contribution at the same time, it would truly make our beloved herd so very happy indeed. Donations may be forwarded in a variety of ways by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button below.
Donate Now
If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Birthday Match Game.’ All donations, as always, will be applied to the care of the horses ~ Peaches medical needs, annual Coggins and vaccines and a special waterer for sweet Mishka.
Thank you all so very much for your love and support.
Warmly,
Jeanne
Illness Strikes Beauty’s Haven
I am reaching out to you on behalf of Theresa who has been dealing with sick horses for the past few days. On top of her routine daily chores, the necessity of keeping the sick horses isolated from the remainder of the herd has created quite a bit more work for Theresa.
Thankfully, none of them have stopped eating. The vet was out yesterday morning to examine and do bloodwork on all of the sick members of our little herd, so, hopefully, we will have the results sometime today.
A few weeks ago, Jo was examined by the vet and bloodwork was done. Based on her behavior and symptoms, the vet advised that Jo was displaying symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (dementia). Over the past several months, changes were noticed in both Jo’s personality and behavior. At times, Jo has appeared to be lost – she would just stand in one place and stare off into space, she has spooked a few times (which is new), and oftentimes, she takes a bite or two of a meal and then wanders off which is totally out of character for her. In addition, Jo has been fighting an eye ulceration which thankfully, after a few months of treatment, appears to have finally healed.
Anemia is caused by blood loss, blood destruction, or by the body not making enough red cells. Because she was walking away from her food at times, and she was due for her annual dental exam, her teeth were addressed last week but nothing of significance was apparent. She started running a fever a few days ago (it is currently normal) but there is now a foul odor emanating from her mouth which could indicate that there is something amiss in either her sinus passages or respiratory system. Theresa is making adjustments to Jo’s diet and supplements, and she will likely need additional diagnostics.
By the time the horses are all tucked in at night, there is little time for sleep before the next morning arrives. Volunteers help on most days until mid-afternoon and they make a tremendous difference. We are so truly grateful for them – they are such a blessing and we couldn’t do what we do without them!
If you would like to assist with this emergency situation, just click on the “Donate” button below to forward your contribution and please know that each and every donation is greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.
Donate Now
Thank you, all, for your love and support. Please keep Jo, Dancer, Peggy Sue and our “Littles” in your prayers.
Warmly,
Jeanne