If you would like to view a video of Beauty in all her glory, please click on the image above.
More than twenty years ago, a neglected and abused Arabian filly brought light and joy into my life at a time when I needed it the most. In 1997, surgery to remove a tumor within my spinal cord caused nerve damage which resulted in my becoming a quadriplegic, and although my doctors stated that I would never again walk, through sheer will, determination, faith and an intense physical therapy program, I regained use of my limbs. I remain today, an incomplete quadriplegic, however, with no feeling or awareness below my neck (proprioception). In time, I thankfully, was able to return to my government job which I truly loved, but sadly, I had to retire on disability in 2000 due to issues associated with my injury. Thus began a very dark period in my life as I learned to adjust to my physical limitations.
I’ve been riding horses since I was a toddler and truly missed them. In 2002, Bob and I decided that our kids should have the opportunity to experience horses, so we scheduled them for weekly riding lessons. I didn’t tell their trainer that I wasn’t supposed to ride and during part of each lesson, I would venture out on trails on an Arabian gelding that took great care of me. I was nervous at first, I hadn’t been on a horse since before my spinal cord injury, but I was determined. It was wonderful!
One day, I got a call about an Arabian filly that was petrified of humans. She had been seized from an abusive situation and placed in a foster home, but then, she couldn’t be caught. I walked into her paddock with no demands or expectations and after a short time, she walked over and put her head down into my chest. I waited. When she lifted her head, I looked into her beautiful brown eyes and saw fear along with a reflection of hope and a longing to trust. I slowly and gently put my hand on her neck and whispered, “I’m here for you, it’s going to be ok.” She became mine that very day and I named her Beauty.
We found a barn to lease and within a few days, Beauty had settled in. Every day, I spent a lot of time with her, just hanging out. We both had much healing to do. My physical challenges never hindered our connection; rather, they strengthened our relationship. Beauty seemed to understand my struggles and offered a unique form of healing. And I understood her struggles in learning to trust. Being mentally and physically abused is not something one can just move forward from without some level of acceptance, a support system and a leap of faith.
When we were both ready, we moved on to groundwork which proved to be invaluable. Because of my physical challenges and not knowing where my legs are, I taught Beauty to respond to voice commands as my arms, hands, and legs could inadvertently send signals that could confuse any horse. She was very intelligent and caught on quickly. We were both very proud of our accomplishments and it wasn’t long before she was under saddle.
Riding Beauty gave me a sense of freedom and independence. I no longer felt confined by physical challenges, but rather empowered by her strength and devotion. Sometimes, we went to local parks to ride, times I’ll never forget. As every horse needs a companion, we took in a blind Appaloosa gelding that was going to be euthanized. His name was Frosty, and not long after he arrived, we decided we wanted to move to the Ocala area and in 2004, our home in Tampa sold overnight, a sign we were making the right decision. We purchased almost 18 acres in Morriston, took in more horses, and, over time, our little farm morphed into Beauty’s Haven where we have helped over 500 horses and other animals.
Beauty was injured in 2011 because of something very foolish that another human had done. It was a very stressful time. She foundered, rotating quite a bit in both front feet. We were told we might be able to keep her comfortable as a pasture pal, but she’d never be sound enough to be ridden again. In the Spring of 2015, when I went out to ride another horse, Beauty came over and gave me that look – I saddled her up and we took a nice walk around the property! It made us both truly happy. Over the years, she would have founder flare ups, but we worked through them. In late 2015, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. In 2018 she was diagnosed with Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy (THO), and in 2020, Insulin Resistant (IR) / Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). She was a tough and determined mare and her spirit never wavered.
She moved into the barn area as it was very important that we manage her IR which can be quite challenging. Frodo, a mini, that took an indirect lightning strike a few years ago which left him neurologically impaired, became her sidekick. We opened up the birthing stall which enabled Beauty to maneuver better, while Frodo had a stall across from her. Beauty wanted us to think she didn’t care much for Frodo, but the moment he got out of her sight, she’d whinny for him. It went both ways.
On Monday, last week, Beauty didn’t greet me at the gate with her lively morning whinny. She didn’t finish all of her breakfast, which was very odd. Dr. Staples came that day to do some trims and while she was here, she examined Beauty. Beauty didn’t have a temperature, but she did have a lot of gut sounds. She was given Banamine and thankfully, she was better by evening and even ate her meals. However, the next day, Tuesday, she just wasn’t herself, having little desire to eat. I took her temperature and it was 103.1. I called a vet out to examine her once again, and to do bloodwork.
The next morning, Wednesday, the vet called and said bloodwork indicated that she had hyperlipidemia and should go to a hospital. I called EMCO and took her there immediately. Pulling out of the driveway, and all the way down our road, Beauty and Frodo kept calling out for one another which simply, broke my heart.
When we arrived at the hospital, the staff went right to work examining Beauty, performing blood tests etc., as well as an ultrasound, to see if there was a blockage, but there was no clear definition of what was wrong. They put her on an IV drip and got her comfortable in a stall where she laid down to rest. She refused to eat but she did drink water.
The next day, Thursday, more tests were performed and she appeared a bit brighter and her bloodwork had improved. I hung out her with in the morning and Jenny went in the afternoon. Beauty only passed a small amount of manure, but she was nibbling on hay and drinking water. The plan was to give her another day to see if she improved and then regroup.
When we arrived at the hospital on Friday morning (Jenny was with me), we learned Beauty’s bloodwork results were even better. We took her out to a small paddock where she could relax, graze, and walk around. I hugged her, took the lead rope off, and told her she was free to go. Then, she gave me the most beautiful gift – for the first time in two years, she trotted out and did some of her Arabian dance moves and appeared as sound as any horse could be! Jenny said it was the biggest smile she’d seen on me in a long time. Beauty also passed manure a few times which was encouraging. We didn’t let her overdo it and tucked her back into her stall for the evening, but it sure felt good to see her feeling well enough to “dance”. When we left her in her stall, she was munching on hay.
The next morning, Saturday, Beauty was being ultra-sounded again by two veterinarians when we arrived at the hospital. They saw something of concern (tumor, abscess, etc.) but there was no way to know what it was without doing surgery. We talked about options, pros, cons, risks, etc. and really, the only choices we had were to do surgery to remove the tumor or abscess or to euthanize her. We opted for surgery.
We took Beauty for a walk while the staff prepared for surgery. I buried my face into her mane and cried. While looking at video that was taken at that time, I saw that Beauty shed a tear too. When it was time, she walked tall, proud, and steady from her stall to the operating area. I hugged and kissed her and breathed in her smell (she was the best aromatherapy) before she entered the prep room and assured her that we would be there waiting for her. I told her many times what she already knew, that I loved her dearly.
During surgery a large tumor was discovered. It wasn’t attached to any of her organs, but it went from one side of her abdominal cavity to the other. There was simply no way the surgeon could have removed it. Parts of it had gone necrotic – it would have only been a matter of time before Beauty would have gone septic. We went in to be with her and I held her as she went to Rainbow Bridge. I knew the very second that she was gone – my heart skipped a few beats, it was hard to breathe, and the world seemed so very far away.
Life had kind of come full circle – many years ago, surgery to a remove a tumor from inside my spinal cord led me back to horses, which led me to Beauty. And now, a tumor that appeared partially wrapped around her spine has taken her away from me.
Beauty was a once in a lifetime horse and I am beyond blessed to have been given the years that I had with her. The bond we shared transcended words and created a language of love and trust that only we could understand. Her gentle soul, unwavering presence, devotion, and her ability to sense my needs made her truly extraordinary. Together, we embraced challenges with courage and determination – we believed in each other and we never gave up.
While some of Beauty’s ashes will be spread over Beauty’s Haven, some will stay with me forever, but her spirit will forever be beside me. I know she will help guide me as we continue what we started together – helping those that are unable to help themselves. Her legacy will continue to live on in all the horses who enter through our gates seeking a second chance at life, a life that begins, again.
Beauty is gone from this earth and it hurts more than I can say. But as I sat with Frodo one night last week with tears falling, he suddenly perked up and let out a whinny. I could smell Beauty close by as a feeling of peace came over me, and, in my head and heart, I heard a whisper, “I’m here for you, it’s going to be okay.”
Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts. I appreciate them, very much.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Won’t You Be Our Valentine?
A Valentine’s Day Wish
The ‘Velvet Nosers’ here at Beauty’s Haven are eagerly awaiting Valentine’s Day and they truly hope that each of their ‘Aunties’ and ‘Uncles’ will send them a ‘Virtual Valentine!’
All you have to do is forward a $5 donation and indicate the name of the equine, dog or cat who you would very much love to be your Valentine. Of course, you may send a Valentine to more than one member of our beloved herd and if you would like to forward a donation greater than $5, that would be so very much appreciated as well.
Our little herd is comprised of: Aaleyah Belle, Amira, Bouie, CaryLou, Chloe, Dancer, Ebony, Elka, Frodo, Jazzy, JoJo. Jo, Komanchee, Lily, Lucy, Luiji, Magic, Mishka, Mo, Peaches, Rio, Valley Girl, Warrior, Waylon, Walker, Willow, Benjamin, Shadow, Allie, Neo, Gio, Oreo and Pearle.
So, if you would like to make one of our ‘Velvet Nosers’ truly happy this Valentine’s Day, just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below and please include the name of your very special Valentine.
Thank you everyone!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Elka’s New Adventure
Elka is doing well. She had a high parasite load which we were aggressively treating and which is now, thankfully, resolved. She was absolutely thrilled when I let her out of quarantine a few days ago and she had a blast meeting some of our other ‘Velvet Nosers.’ She is truly, a very sweet girl.
Thank you, all, for your love and support for this precious girl.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Rosie’s Story
If you would like to view a video of Rosie’s Story, please click on the image above.
I apologize for taking so long to post this update, but I wanted to wait until Rosie was back here at the rescue, plus, I have been quite sick with the flu. The post is a bit long, but it’s Rosie’s story.
The evening I met Rosie, she had been down on the ground for several hours. Jessica and I responded to the call and when we arrived, my heart skipped a beat – it was almost as if I was looking at Betsy Rose, a very special pony who came to us in 2013. Betsy’s story can be found on our BLOG by clicking here. Betsy Rose, like Rosie, was thin, weak, dehydrated and unable to get up.
We assessed the situation and then rolled Rosie over onto her other side and waited for Dr. Stephanie, the vet, to arrive. We knew Rosie’s odds were not great, but we also knew she deserved a chance. I sat and talked to her and promised her that we would do our best and try to make all of her tomorrows everything her past should have been, and that there were many wonderful people sending good thoughts and prayers to her. Once the vet arrived, she tried to run IV fluids, but since Rosie had a thick Cushing’s coat, the weather was getting bad and it was quite dark, trying to find a vein was most challenging. We, thereby, opted to roll Rosie onto a tarp, get her into the trailer, and take her to the rescue which was less than five minutes away. Time was of the essence – her heart and respiration rates were up but her temperature was going down. I stayed with Rosie in the trailer and once at the rescue, we immediately, went to work – her neck was shaved and after a round of IV fluids, we rolled her over into the sling and got her to stand. She was given a second round of IV fluids that also contained vitamins and minerals.
We massaged Rosie’s legs and hips and gave her time to adjust. Once she was steady, we removed the sling and she let us know that she was hungry which was a good sign. We offered her a mash and she literally dove into it – it made me very sad to see how very famished she was. She would have loved to have had more mash, but we had to take it slow – a re-feeding protocol must be followed. We were afraid to give her hay because she could have choked – her teeth were bad which would be addressed once she was stable. Rosie drank, passed manure and urine, and perked up. She didn’t show signs of pain and while her heart and respiration rates were still above normal, they were better. She actually looked like she had a smile on her face. That night, Frodo stayed across the aisle way from her and they struck up a conversation – she had a friend. I also put Freckles, Betsy Rose’s best friend, in the stall with Rosie and shared some of Betsy’s story with her. It had been a long day and we headed home at about midnight. We went down and checked on Rosie every few hours, in addition to monitoring her via cameras. Every time she heard one of us, she’d nicker which made my heart feel so good. The night was calm, thankfully.
The next day, when I took Rosie out for a walk, she was stiff, but she got better as we walked. Like Betsy Rose, the first time Rosie went out and stepped upon grass, her head immediately, went down in order to graze! Once back in the stall, I brushed her and was able to get dried and caked manure out of her tail and off her legs. I think it made her feel so much better. Kathy was volunteering that day and she also took Rosie for a walk. It was a very good day. overall.
That evening, it started raining, so we brought Frodo and Komanchee in and tucked them into their stalls across from Rosie. She was tired and let me know that she was ready to go into the sling for a nap. I had to wait for Bob to get home so he could help me. When we were ready to place her in the sling, it was like she’d been there, done that. Rosie parked herself where she needed to be and stood perfectly still so we could hook it up. The winches make a loud noise which can be worrisome for some horses, but not Rosie. We put a can in front of her with a blanket on top so she could rest her head and get much needed REM sleep, just as we used to do for Betsy, I sat by her head, rubbed her neck, and told her she was home now and was loved so very much.
Rosie slept and when her little ears started moving back and forth like Betsy’s used to do, it was a sign that she was in REM which is so important when the body needs to heal. When she awoke and looked at me, I can’t explain it, but for about thirty seconds, I felt like I was literally, looking into Betsy’s eyes. The peace, love, and gratitude I saw, along with an aura that was all about her, took my breath away as I sensed Betsy Rose’s loving and soothing presence. Time stood still for those thirty seconds while acceptance, peace, purpose and calm came over me – things I hadn’t felt since Beauty left us in November. I will always be grateful for those precious thirty seconds.
After we removed Rosie from her sling, she looked very much at peace. We gave her a warm mash, I kissed her little nose, and we said good-night to all. We went home at about midnight, exhausted, but feeling good about the day’s accomplishments. At 1:39 am Rosie was peacefully standing, looking towards Frodo, when suddenly, she went down, and moments thereafter, she was gone. There was no pain. There was no struggle. Her little heart just likely gave out. We were planning to have a necropsy performed, but since it could not be accomplished until the end of January, we opted to have Rosie cremated and be returned to us.
I’m grateful Rosie didn’t die on the ground, cold, and hungry. She had a stall with soft shavings, food in her tummy, heat lamps for warmth, fresh water, and a friend across the aisle. She had countless people praying and sending good thoughts to her and she got to walk and graze upon green grass. She even had Freckles camping out in her stall. I feel so blessed that we were able to give Rosie a chance, thanks to your support. and while we did our best, her little body had endured far too much, for far too long
Some have said that Rosie may have been waiting, just hanging on to go ‘home.’ Maybe her final rally was, in fact, her belief that someone would come to take her to a place where she would be assisted to go for a final walk in order to graze, a place where she would feel loving hands and caring hearts surrounding her, and hunger pains that would be no more.
I have witnessed countless horses endure unnecessary suffering while their owners were absent, or authorities turned a blind eye. And while we can’t take in every horse, we do try to help other horses in need when resources permit. Our aid may encompass providing essential resources such as hay, vet care, and other necessities, but sadly, in some cases, help comes too late. But even then, I remain by their side, offering solace and comfort until they depart upon their final journey to Rainbow Bridge. I often apologize to these horses, acknowledging the disappointment they must feel due to their humans’ negligence. I make it a point to reassure them of their worth and the love they deserve, with the promise that a better place awaits them.
It is a deeply moving experience to witness the final moments of these horses as their last bit of energy dissipates from their bodies. Some gracefully accept their fate, while others valiantly fight to cling onto life with all their remaining strength. Regardless, I am certain that they are grateful for the presence of a compassionate soul at that time. Many must have felt let down by their human counterparts, and it is a privilege to offer them solace and companionship. It is not an easy task, but I firmly believe that every horse deserves at least this level of compassion when it is their time. Unfortunately, due to the hands-on nature of our work and the amount of time it takes, we are not able to share with you all of our happenings here at the rescue, but please be assured, we stay very busy, helping all that we can while tending to our beloved little herd here.
I believe some horses that have come to us, like Savannah, Minnie, and Rosie, have held on until they arrived at a place where they felt at peace with humans who care. Their ability to hold on, and then be at peace for a short time, may very well be their final ‘rally.’ That peace may also be what enables them to let go at a time of their choosing, oftentimes, alone, in order to spare we humans the grief we feel. Based on my experiences, the short time that I spend with these horses during that final ‘rally’ connects us deeply. While it is difficult for us, it’s a choice that we make – to continue to ‘be there’ for these precious souls during their final moments. It is a gift that we can offer them only because of your support. You all make a difference and I thank you.
Rosie was cremated and her ashes have been returned and while most will be spread on the farm, some will remain with us. Rosie is now home, and forever in our hearts, right where she belongs.
Sincerely,
Theresa
A Catio For Christmas!
Please click on the image above to view an entertaining video of our
lovely new Catio with all the ensuing kitty shenanigans!
A nice Catio was found under the Christmas tree for the feral cats and kittens on Christmas morning! A Catio will help protect them from the elements and predators. And just when we thought we had all of them fixed, a female that disappeared months ago, showed up just the other day, with five precious kittens. They are, thankfully, old enough now, so we can begin trapping them, getting them neutered, and releasing them.
Thank you, Auntie Marilyn, for this incredible Gift of Love!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Reflecting on 2023
As we reflect upon 2023, we want to take a moment to thank you, our wonderful village of supporters, for helping us continue our mission of providing care and support, not only to our beloved little herd, but to other sentient beings in dire need, as well.
Because of your unwavering support, we were able to grant a second chance at life to Elka, our precious Molly Mule who was about to be shipped to slaughter, Waylon, a wise old soul, who needed sanctuary where he could live out his remaining years, Amira and Maggie, two beautiful mares, both of whom were discovered starved abandoned and neglected, sweet Walker, who. too, simply needed a safe place to land, and of course, Benjamin, discovered wandering about, lost and alone. We also welcomed Willow back to our herd.
And when it was time to say tearful goodbyes to Beauty, Ruby, Nadia, Venus, Oasis, Peggy Sue, Minnie and precious Rosie, you were there for us, once again, providing unending prayers and beautiful words of comfort, for which we will forever remain grateful.
Your support also helped us with the feral cat population. We are so truly grateful for a much needed Catio which was recently donated and just received! A Catio will help these sweet cats, together with their kittens, stay warm and safe. We will be trapping, fixing and releasing at least one more adult cat and her five kittens as soon as the kittens attain the proper age. Sadly, Midnight, one of our released feral cats, sustained life-threatening injuries and had to be humanely euthanized after seemingly, being run over by four wheelers that were illegally racing in a large field next to the rescue. Despite his significant injuries, he somehow, made it back to the rescue, and had we not found him, he would have suffered immensely for at least, another day or two.
Lastly, we are so very grateful for your most generous support to our End of the Year Campaign which has allowed us to become just $2881 within reach of our $15,000 goal. With only one day remaining in 2023, we ask that you please share this newsletter amongst family and friends, in hope that they, too, may wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc. And to our twenty-one recurring automatic donors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your monthly donation is constant and makes a significant impact on each and every member of our precious herd.
Wishing you all, a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
Theresa
What are the Chances?
When I received a call about a little pony that had been down since early morning and saw a picture of her, I knew I had to take immediate action. Memories of Betsy Rose came flooding back. Jessica was at the farm so we gathered up some things and went to see if we could help her. She was still down when we arrived. It wasn’t colic but she was extremely weak and couldn’t get up. We were told she was about 30 years old.
I called the vet and she came out to evaluate the situation and run fluids. Since it was dark and the pony was dehydrated, finding a vein proved to be quite challenging. The situation was not good and time was of the essence. We opted to roll the mare over onto a tarp and pull her into the trailer to get her back to the rescue where we had more resources. I sat by her side soothing her as we headed back to Beauty’s Haven, which was less than five minutes away.
Once at the rescue, we shaved her neck and the vet was able to hit a vein in order to start running IV fluids, but then, her vein collapsed. My husband, Bob, had gotten the sling together in a stall so we moved her to the stall and gently rolled her over into the sling and secured her in it.
We opted for the vet to go ahead and run an IV cocktail via another vein. I named the little pony, ‘Rosalita’ – ‘Rosie’ for short.
When the fluids were almost finished, Rosie started perking up. The vet drew some blood in order to perform tests. – we will have those results tomorrow. We offered Rosie a small amount of senior grain in warm water as a mash and that really motivated her. She was so hungry! It made me so sad to see how hungry she was. After she finished her mash, and having given her some time to collect herself, we lowered the sling and prayed she would make it on her own. She stood for a few minutes and I held my breath as she took her first wobbly steps. But she did it! She looked exhausted, but relieved. Rosie will be getting small mashes every few hours.
Rosie has a thick coat (likely Cushing’s Disease), but she is quite thin. Her teeth are really sharp which makes it painful for her to eat. She can’t grind food in order to properly digest it so her body has just been wasting away. She has diminished vision in at least, her right eye. She is drinking and becoming more vocal. She’s had several bowel movements and has urinated a few times. She certainly hasn’t given up.
Many people think it’s normal for an older horse to be thin but that is far from the truth. While there may be some medical reason(s) why an aged horse is thin, most aged horses can keep weight on if fed the right diet with the correct frequency. Our aged horses get an annual physical, with blood work, in order to identify and address any potential issues. They also get their teeth done by an equine dentist (not by a farrier or anyone but a DVM dentist) at least annually. The older they get, the more worn their teeth get. Many have to be fed many smaller (soaked) meals a day. If not, they drop weight which can lead to being in the condition Rosie is in. They also should be fed while separated from other horses that could take their food.
If anyone would like to help with Rosie’s medical bills, it would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and/or good thoughts for her recovery are also appreciated, very much.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Our Christmas Save
As you all know, we didn’t have a Thanksgiving save this year which I felt absolutely terrible about, especially since we had many calls from others wanting to surrender their horses. At the time, however, we were focused upon Beauty who was very sick and in the hospital. I am still adjusting to her being gone and I miss her so very much.
Just because one is old, doesn’t mean they should be neglected or sent to slaughter – every life is precious and every life matters. Elka will now only know love and proper care – this is our promise to her as it is to every sentient being that enters through our gates.
Elka would very much love to have sponsors to assist with her daily expenses, so if anyone would like to sign up to do so, it would be so greatly appreciated. Just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below, where you may sign up to become a monthly recurring sponsor, or if you prefer to make a one-time donation, there are a variety of ways in which to do so. All donations are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Dear Santa…
Lucy and CaryLou have asked that I share their Christmas Wish List with Santa! They are asking for items that they really need, so if anyone wishes to be their ‘Secret Santa,’ it would truly make their hearts sing on Christmas day! You may forward a donation toward an item simply by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below, or, if you would prefer to purchase an item and have it sent directly to Beauty’s Haven, our address is: P.O. Box 53, Morriston, FL 32668. Thank you for always ‘being there’ for our beloved little herd.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Hay, Hooves & Match Game!
End of the Year Campaign
As #GivingTuesday 2023 is now behind us, our fundraiser has morphed into our End of the Year Campaign. We continue to pray for your support to assist us with the numerous ongoing expenses involved in running an equine rescue organization, expenses that are necessary to ensure the overall safety, health, comfort and well-being of each and every member of our beloved herd, many with special needs. Broken gates and fence boards need to be replaced, repairs to shelters and equipment are needed, the supplement and medication cabinets must be restocked – the list is seemingly, endless. Some horses sadly, are without sponsors to even cover their daily expenses.
As Beauty’s Haven is also actively engaged in TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), the most effective and humane method for managing and subsequently, reducing the population of the numerous feral and stray cats that frequently find their way to our farm, your donation will also assist greatly with the veterinary and overall care expenses of these precious cats and kittens, who, sadly, find themselves alone and unwanted through no fault of their own. As some of you may know, Midnight, one of our released TNR kittens, was severely injured recently and has transitioned to Rainbow Bridge. I am most certain he is once again happy and pain free as he lovingly plays with all the precious kitties who have gone before him.
Our $500 Match Game is still ongoing, so hopefully, it will soon be met. All donations are tax-deductible, so this is a wonderful opportunity in which to forward your 2023 end of the year contributions while, at the same time, honoring each and every member of the Beauty’s Haven herd, both past and present. Contributions may be forwarded by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button below, or, if you prefer to donate directly to our End of the Year Campaign, you may do so by clicking on the image above.
Thank you, in advance, for honoring the legacy of all the precious members of our beloved little herd, especially those who we have sadly, lost this year – Beauty, Ruby, Oasis, Nadia, Venus, Minnie and little Midnight. May they forever remain in each of our hearts.
Sincerely,
Theresa
She Brought Light & Joy Into My Heart
If you would like to view a video of Beauty in all her glory, please click on the image above.
More than twenty years ago, a neglected and abused Arabian filly brought light and joy into my life at a time when I needed it the most. In 1997, surgery to remove a tumor within my spinal cord caused nerve damage which resulted in my becoming a quadriplegic, and although my doctors stated that I would never again walk, through sheer will, determination, faith and an intense physical therapy program, I regained use of my limbs. I remain today, an incomplete quadriplegic, however, with no feeling or awareness below my neck (proprioception). In time, I thankfully, was able to return to my government job which I truly loved, but sadly, I had to retire on disability in 2000 due to issues associated with my injury. Thus began a very dark period in my life as I learned to adjust to my physical limitations.
I’ve been riding horses since I was a toddler and truly missed them. In 2002, Bob and I decided that our kids should have the opportunity to experience horses, so we scheduled them for weekly riding lessons. I didn’t tell their trainer that I wasn’t supposed to ride and during part of each lesson, I would venture out on trails on an Arabian gelding that took great care of me. I was nervous at first, I hadn’t been on a horse since before my spinal cord injury, but I was determined. It was wonderful!
One day, I got a call about an Arabian filly that was petrified of humans. She had been seized from an abusive situation and placed in a foster home, but then, she couldn’t be caught. I walked into her paddock with no demands or expectations and after a short time, she walked over and put her head down into my chest. I waited. When she lifted her head, I looked into her beautiful brown eyes and saw fear along with a reflection of hope and a longing to trust. I slowly and gently put my hand on her neck and whispered, “I’m here for you, it’s going to be ok.” She became mine that very day and I named her Beauty.
We found a barn to lease and within a few days, Beauty had settled in. Every day, I spent a lot of time with her, just hanging out. We both had much healing to do. My physical challenges never hindered our connection; rather, they strengthened our relationship. Beauty seemed to understand my struggles and offered a unique form of healing. And I understood her struggles in learning to trust. Being mentally and physically abused is not something one can just move forward from without some level of acceptance, a support system and a leap of faith.
When we were both ready, we moved on to groundwork which proved to be invaluable. Because of my physical challenges and not knowing where my legs are, I taught Beauty to respond to voice commands as my arms, hands, and legs could inadvertently send signals that could confuse any horse. She was very intelligent and caught on quickly. We were both very proud of our accomplishments and it wasn’t long before she was under saddle.
Riding Beauty gave me a sense of freedom and independence. I no longer felt confined by physical challenges, but rather empowered by her strength and devotion. Sometimes, we went to local parks to ride, times I’ll never forget. As every horse needs a companion, we took in a blind Appaloosa gelding that was going to be euthanized. His name was Frosty, and not long after he arrived, we decided we wanted to move to the Ocala area and in 2004, our home in Tampa sold overnight, a sign we were making the right decision. We purchased almost 18 acres in Morriston, took in more horses, and, over time, our little farm morphed into Beauty’s Haven where we have helped over 500 horses and other animals.
Beauty was injured in 2011 because of something very foolish that another human had done. It was a very stressful time. She foundered, rotating quite a bit in both front feet. We were told we might be able to keep her comfortable as a pasture pal, but she’d never be sound enough to be ridden again. In the Spring of 2015, when I went out to ride another horse, Beauty came over and gave me that look – I saddled her up and we took a nice walk around the property! It made us both truly happy. Over the years, she would have founder flare ups, but we worked through them. In late 2015, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. In 2018 she was diagnosed with Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy (THO), and in 2020, Insulin Resistant (IR) / Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). She was a tough and determined mare and her spirit never wavered.
She moved into the barn area as it was very important that we manage her IR which can be quite challenging. Frodo, a mini, that took an indirect lightning strike a few years ago which left him neurologically impaired, became her sidekick. We opened up the birthing stall which enabled Beauty to maneuver better, while Frodo had a stall across from her. Beauty wanted us to think she didn’t care much for Frodo, but the moment he got out of her sight, she’d whinny for him. It went both ways.
On Monday, last week, Beauty didn’t greet me at the gate with her lively morning whinny. She didn’t finish all of her breakfast, which was very odd. Dr. Staples came that day to do some trims and while she was here, she examined Beauty. Beauty didn’t have a temperature, but she did have a lot of gut sounds. She was given Banamine and thankfully, she was better by evening and even ate her meals. However, the next day, Tuesday, she just wasn’t herself, having little desire to eat. I took her temperature and it was 103.1. I called a vet out to examine her once again, and to do bloodwork.
The next morning, Wednesday, the vet called and said bloodwork indicated that she had hyperlipidemia and should go to a hospital. I called EMCO and took her there immediately. Pulling out of the driveway, and all the way down our road, Beauty and Frodo kept calling out for one another which simply, broke my heart.
When we arrived at the hospital, the staff went right to work examining Beauty, performing blood tests etc., as well as an ultrasound, to see if there was a blockage, but there was no clear definition of what was wrong. They put her on an IV drip and got her comfortable in a stall where she laid down to rest. She refused to eat but she did drink water.
The next day, Thursday, more tests were performed and she appeared a bit brighter and her bloodwork had improved. I hung out her with in the morning and Jenny went in the afternoon. Beauty only passed a small amount of manure, but she was nibbling on hay and drinking water. The plan was to give her another day to see if she improved and then regroup.
When we arrived at the hospital on Friday morning (Jenny was with me), we learned Beauty’s bloodwork results were even better. We took her out to a small paddock where she could relax, graze, and walk around. I hugged her, took the lead rope off, and told her she was free to go. Then, she gave me the most beautiful gift – for the first time in two years, she trotted out and did some of her Arabian dance moves and appeared as sound as any horse could be! Jenny said it was the biggest smile she’d seen on me in a long time. Beauty also passed manure a few times which was encouraging. We didn’t let her overdo it and tucked her back into her stall for the evening, but it sure felt good to see her feeling well enough to “dance”. When we left her in her stall, she was munching on hay.
The next morning, Saturday, Beauty was being ultra-sounded again by two veterinarians when we arrived at the hospital. They saw something of concern (tumor, abscess, etc.) but there was no way to know what it was without doing surgery. We talked about options, pros, cons, risks, etc. and really, the only choices we had were to do surgery to remove the tumor or abscess or to euthanize her. We opted for surgery.
We took Beauty for a walk while the staff prepared for surgery. I buried my face into her mane and cried. While looking at video that was taken at that time, I saw that Beauty shed a tear too. When it was time, she walked tall, proud, and steady from her stall to the operating area. I hugged and kissed her and breathed in her smell (she was the best aromatherapy) before she entered the prep room and assured her that we would be there waiting for her. I told her many times what she already knew, that I loved her dearly.
During surgery a large tumor was discovered. It wasn’t attached to any of her organs, but it went from one side of her abdominal cavity to the other. There was simply no way the surgeon could have removed it. Parts of it had gone necrotic – it would have only been a matter of time before Beauty would have gone septic. We went in to be with her and I held her as she went to Rainbow Bridge. I knew the very second that she was gone – my heart skipped a few beats, it was hard to breathe, and the world seemed so very far away.
Life had kind of come full circle – many years ago, surgery to a remove a tumor from inside my spinal cord led me back to horses, which led me to Beauty. And now, a tumor that appeared partially wrapped around her spine has taken her away from me.
Beauty was a once in a lifetime horse and I am beyond blessed to have been given the years that I had with her. The bond we shared transcended words and created a language of love and trust that only we could understand. Her gentle soul, unwavering presence, devotion, and her ability to sense my needs made her truly extraordinary. Together, we embraced challenges with courage and determination – we believed in each other and we never gave up.
While some of Beauty’s ashes will be spread over Beauty’s Haven, some will stay with me forever, but her spirit will forever be beside me. I know she will help guide me as we continue what we started together – helping those that are unable to help themselves. Her legacy will continue to live on in all the horses who enter through our gates seeking a second chance at life, a life that begins, again.
Beauty is gone from this earth and it hurts more than I can say. But as I sat with Frodo one night last week with tears falling, he suddenly perked up and let out a whinny. I could smell Beauty close by as a feeling of peace came over me, and, in my head and heart, I heard a whisper, “I’m here for you, it’s going to be okay.”
Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts. I appreciate them, very much.
Sincerely,
Theresa