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Please Keep Little E in Your Prayers

Earlier this afternoon, we believed that Little E may have suffered a stroke. The vet was called out and while we were awaiting her arrival, the rains came. Little E tried to get up but was much too weak. After giving himself a few minutes, he tried again, thankfully, with success, and we slowly, made our way to the shelter.

Once the vet arrived, she gave Little E DMSO, vitamins, and fluids. Bloodwork was also done. It’s possible he had a mini stroke or it may be EPM. By late afternoon, Little E was thankfully, doing better.

Little E slurped up his meals this evening (he gets soft mashes). Whatever happened today wasn’t good but we are very thankful that it wasn’t worse. It could have had a much different ending which would have completely crushed so many hearts.

Many thanks to Pam and Pat for their help today – they are very much appreciated. I called Jenny after Little E went down and she came out, too. This tough little senior Arabian gelding is loved, so very much.

We truly appreciate everyone’s prayers and support. We will be keeping a close watch over Little E and we hope that it was a one time thing. We’re praying for a calm night.

Please keep our precious Little E in your prayers. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Lightning & Satin update, and a Sweet Surprise!

Lightning and Satin had been staying in the quarantine paddock but yesterday, it was time – they had a much needed bath and then we turned them out into the main paddock.

They seemed to enjoy their new adventure and slowly made their way around the paddock. When they got close to Dancer and Jo, they just kept on grazing. Dancer and Jo kept their distance for awhile, but by this evening, everyone was comfortable.

Thank you to everyone who has helped these two very special horses!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Hey Everyone!

Guess what? I received a surprise gift in the mail the other day from a very special Auntie! It was two big bags of Sneak-e-Snacks, my very favorite treat in the entire world! As you can see by the smile on Katie’s face, I am really enjoying my treats!

Thank you, Auntie Beverly!

Love,
Penny

 

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New Arrivals: Lightning & Satin

Lightning and Satin, the two horses that we have been feeding off-site, arrived and settled in nicely on Wednesday afternoon. As you may remember, several months ago their owner, who had a very serious health issue, reached out to us for assistance. It was apparent when we met the horses that they needed help immediately, but since we didn’t have room for them at the rescue, we opted to feed and deworm them etc. where they were until we could bring them in. They have now gained needed weight and are truly looking much better. Many thanks to Pamela Zarem, owner of Double B Equine Transport, for safely and lovingly transporting her precious cargo to Beauty’s Haven.

Lightning and Satin had their physicals on Thursday and both were very well behaved for Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto who did their exams and bloodwork. The tests revealed some high and low values which are quite consistent with horses that have not been fed a proper diet. I simply love hearing the sound of them now happily munching on their hay without a care in the world!

Satin is a very nice mare. Lightning, well, he is just an in your pocket clown.

Both seemed very appreciative of their “spa day” this weekend when Pam and Pat gave each a much needed bath! Lightning and Satin will go through rehab and will be made available for adoption when they’re ready.

If anyone would like to help with their monthly expenses, it would be greatly appreciated. (Please note that your donation is for Lightning & Satin.)

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Thank you, all, and please stay safe!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Special Shoes for Frodo and Beauty

On Wednesday, Dr. Brent Barrett of Equine Podiatry Services came to work on Frodo and Beauty – both have been having issues with their front feet. Dr. Barrett was here for quite some time placing therapeutic shoes on both horses. We really appreciate him and I have to give Frodo and Beauty credit for being such great patients.

The shoes really made a difference for Frodo – on Wednesday evening, he was dashing about all over the place!

Beauty’s feet, however, aren’t in a great way but she’s tough and she knows she means the world to me. I can’t imagine Beauty’s Haven ever being without her – she’s the one that started the rescue. She could definitely use some prayers.

Many thanks to volunteers Marie Riordan, Pat Maynard, and Pamela S. Wood Hall for taking care of all of the chores while Dr. Barrett was here. They are all like the Energizer bunny – they always just jump right in and get things done. They are awesome and we appreciate them so very much!

If anyone would like to assist with Frodo’s podiatry care, please click the Donate button below and indicate it’s for Frodo.

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Thank you, all, and please stay safe!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Feeling so very grateful!

It’s been many days since I’ve had a chance to share the daily happenings at Beauty’s Haven, but we’re still here and as always, extremely busy!

A few days ago Dr. D’Agosto (aka Elisabeth – a volunteer from years ago – so proud of her accomplishments!) came back to work on a number of our horses and implant some microchips. We are so very grateful to Elisabeth as well as to our wonderful village of supporters who have made our wish for a new Microchip Scanner & Chips a reality!

Ruby received a wonderful grooming and acupuncture treatment by Dr. Elisabeth. Later in the day Dr. Mangan examined Ruby’s eyes as she’s been having issues with her left eye – a flare-up of chronic uveitis and her cataract has worsened a bit. Warrior was also having eye issues so he was examined by Dr. Mangan as well, and is now also receiving some meds. We are so appreciative of Dr. Mangan!

Tilly and Peggy Sue just love the grass. Tilly has COPD – some days can be quite the challenge for her. She also has a rather large hernia on her side which doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable. She’s a really sweet and happy little mare.

Peggy Sue can’t bend her back leg because many years ago, when her humans “helped” her deliver her baby, they shattered her pelvis in multiple places. Thankfully she gets around pretty well. She’s a happy little mare, too.

Thanks to you, our amazing supporters, we’ve been able to help many with special needs. They are all so very precious.

Congratulations!

Lastly, thank you to everyone who participated in our second Betsy Rose Birthday Fundraiser. Congratulations to Pamela H. for being the lucky recipient of this very special collection of Betsy Rose themed items!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week. Stay Safe!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Spring has been Sprung!

Miracles do happen at Beauty’s Haven!

Remember Spring, the mare who was brought to the rescue a few weeks ago? Watch the wonderful video above that was recorded just two weeks following Spring’s arrival at Beauty’s Haven. Since Spring’s quarantine period has ended, she was able to go out and make new friends. She has gained weight and is feeling good!!

Many thanks to our friends & supporters who have helped us, help Spring!

Wishing everyone a safe & happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Her Name is Spring

This sweet mare arrived safely on Tuesday evening. Her name is Spring. Spring settled in quite nicely and was comfortable throughout her first night at the rescue. The vet did discover sand in her BM the day prior, so she was oiled. She has a good appetite, appears to be quite content, and her welts have thankfully, disappeared. I do wish she would drink more, but she is getting water in her soupy Fibre-Beet meals. The vet returned yesterday to do a complete physical examination (including blood tests) and I will keep everyone apprised as soon as we receive the results.

Many thanks to those who have helped with Spring’s expenses.

*Just a reminder for everyone to check your paddocks for creeping indigo. The vet walked Spring’s paddock yesterday and found some. Creeping indigo is toxic to horses – it can kill.

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Bria’s Story

 

In mid-November we received a call about three horses that had been abandoned on foreclosed property. We had just taken in Dancer and Jo and had no plans to bring in more horses for the cold season – resources were very tight. But we had to do something so we went to work reaching out to others to see if we could find help for them. We were very blessed to find a great home for two of the horses.

The third horse, a mare named Bria who was almost 30 years old, would need special care so we decided she would live out her sunset years here at the rescue.

We promised Bria that we would do everything we could to make her comfortable for as long as possible. We also promised her that when she got to a point where her quality of life was not good, and there was nothing more we could do to help her, we would love her enough to let her go. She was quite thin and she had Cushing’s Disease along with degenerative suspensory ligament disease (DSLD). Unfortunately, there is no cure for DSLD – it progressively gets worse and, at some point, the horse’s quality of life declines to a point where the most humane thing to do is euthanasia. Bria’s coat was terribly unhealthy and her mane and tail hadn’t been brushed in years. Her teeth needed attention as well, as she had sharp points and waves. Her front feet were a mess – she had thin soles and coffin bone rotation (with bone loss) in both.

Fortunately, Bria was comfortable in Soft Ride boots. She wore them 24/7 and, at times, she could even be seen trotting around. She was a beautiful mare and had a way of communicating very well – I’m sure in her younger days she could be very opinionated, sassy, and a fireball of energy. Little E became Bria’s best friend and they could usually be found hanging out together under the Friendship Tree by our house or wandering about, grazing. Bria made other friends, too – Peggy Sue, Cricket, Tilly, Lucy, and even Nina would hang out with her. She also made friends with many humans – all of the volunteers truly loved her.

Over the last couple of weeks, Bria had been less active as were some of the other horses – we’d had some pretty high temps and humidity. But this past Friday morning, Bria didn’t want to move when I took breakfast to her.

She gave me a look that clearly said she needed help and she was resting her back left leg in an odd way. I can’t feel anything with my hands (due to my spinal cord injury) so I couldn’t tell if there was heat in her back foot and/or leg. I gave Bria pain meds and waited to see how she would respond. When she tried to walk, it was obvious that her back leg/foot had issues so we called the vet to come out to the farm.

Dr. Rigby found heat (increased pulses) not only in Bria’s back foot but also in both front feet. Bria was a horse trying to walk on one good foot and that is just not possible. Dr. Rigby advised the most humane thing to do would be to help Bria go to Rainbow Bridge.

Little E had stayed close to Bria all morning – I’m sure he knew what was happening. We let them have time together as Dr. Rigby got meds ready that would release Bria from her pain.

As much as it broke our hearts, we kept our promise to Bria to let her go when the time came. I prayed for a smooth transition and she did go peacefully – I stayed with her the entire time.

After awhile, I left Little E alone with Bria so he could have time to process what had happened. He’s up there in years (37) and sadly, he has had to say good-bye to many of his friends – I do worry about him.

I’m sure Cricket, Nina, and Bria met up at Rainbow Bridge where they now frolic in green grass free of pain. They will always be in my heart and I know we’ll meet them again someday. They were all loved and we were blessed to have them with us for as long as we did.

Thank you all for caring.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Niña’s Blessed Last Months

It’s been a tough few days here, losing Niña and then Bria the day after. I want to share what happened with each special mare but will first start with Niña. I’ll share about Bria tomorrow.

When Niña came to us in late February, she was shy, underweight and a bit frail. She hadn’t lived with another horse for years. She was vetted the day after her arrival and on the following day, we found her down and unable to get up. After running fluids and giving her time to rest, she did get up, with assistance. After Niña’s blood tests came back and speaking with the vet, we adjusted her feed and added Succeed to the supplements she received and she started to improve and gain weight.

Niña was in our quarantine (QT) paddock for the first two weeks where she would stand by the fence and watch the other horses. She received lots of attention and warmed up to humans.

After two weeks in QT, we opened the gate to her paddock so she could wander about on the two acres surrounding our house, get good exercise, and make friends – but she did not do so. Niña would simply, walk to the gate and stand for a bit but she wouldn’t leave the paddock. We haltered her and hand walked her around the property a few times, and tried to encourage her to go out, but we weren’t going to force her. But then one morning, I went by her paddock, opened the gate, and continued up to Frosty’s Knoll to start soaking hay. I thought I heard something behind me and smiled when I realized she was there. We went up the Knoll and she stood and looked out over the farm (it’s the highest part of the property) for a couple of minutes.

I gave her some scratches and then she trotted down to the fence line at the main paddock and followed it to the far side of the house where I couldn’t see her. I later found her under the “Friendship Tree” with Peggy Sue and Cricket – it really did my heart good!

Niña continued to put on much needed weight and muscle – her transformation in such a short period of time was truly amazing. She was beautiful inside and out. She would go out and graze with her new friends and could sometimes be found just hanging out under the “Friendship Tree” with them. Unfortunately, we found her down again in early March, but after getting some fluids and rest, Niña was able to get up (with assistance). Niña had her 30th birthday in March.

Niña did well throughout April. It was a pleasure to see her trot around here and there. Sometimes, she’d take off and run like she was going to be late for something and she looked so happy. Cricket adored her and they could often be found together.

In early May, Niña was exploring a paddock she hadn’t been in before when she took off, slipped and fell on wet grass, and couldn’t get up. We let her rest for a bit and tried to help her up but we weren’t successful. I called the vet and gave her some fluids and her meds. When he arrived, Niña received additional fluids/meds, and DMSO. Thankfully, after the meds/DMSO took effect, we were finally able to help Niña stand after several attempts to do so.

This past Thursday, Niña went down for no apparent reason while she was up on Frosty’s Knoll. It was like a rerun of the previous falls but sadly, this time, even with help from the vet, we couldn’t get Niña up.

The look in her eyes reinforced what we knew – it was time. The decision to let any of them go to Rainbow Bridge is never easy.

But if there is nothing more our care team can do to help them, and it’s in their best interest, we love them enough to let them go knowing we will see them again someday – and I do believe this.

Many thanks to everyone who helped Niña and cared about her. And even though we wish she were still here, we feel blessed to have had her with us, where she was surrounded by love, if only for a few months.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Niña and Bria, Together Again

It is with a heavy heart to inform you that our beloved Niña & Bria peacefully went to Rainbow Bridge within a mere twenty-four hours of one another. Although we are deeply saddened, we find great comfort with the knowledge that Bria & Niña, together with sweet Cricket & all the other precious souls who have gone before them, are now running freely with the Heavenly Herd.

Please keep Bria, Niña, Theresa and Bob in your prayers.

Warmly,
Jeanne

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