Thoroughbred foal
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Candace’s BIG Surprise!

Thoroughbred foal

Click the above image to view a precious video of Candace!

“Did you know that I didn’t have a name until Mommy Theresa brought me and my mommy to the rescue? But now, I do have a name and it’s Candace! Mommy Theresa said every baby deserves a name. And guess what?!? My mommy has a name too – it’s Sophia! Isn’t that a pretty name? Both my mommy and I are feeling better. She really loves the alfalfa we get here. It’s nice to have good hay and to not have to eat weeds and leaves anymore. I do have a big surprise to share! Are you ready? Is it okay if we go back to the beginning of me and my mommy’s story – before we came here?

Before we came to Beauty’s Haven, we lived in a place where there wasn’t any grass so me and my mommy were hungry a lot. There were some trees for shade and we had water – we loved the water! Mommy would put her nose in it and swish it all around. I can’t remember what happened first – if I was too tired to nudge my mommy’s udders to get milk or if she was too hungry to even make milk for me. I just know the milk bar stopped working and I was so hungry and my mommy looked frustrated. I tried eating leaves but they weren’t good, and by the time I finished one, my energy was all gone. At some point, I lost my appetite even though my tummy was empty. My tummy was kind of big and puffy, even though you could see my ribs. I had sores and cuts all over me and my coat was missing hair in some places, but you know, I didn’t really feel any pain from them. But I seemed to get more tired each day. I wasn’t feeling very good, but I promised my mommy that I’d be a big girl and try to stay strong.

Then, a human came and started giving us hay and something called sweet feed each day! But my tummy started feeling not so good and I could hear my mommy’s tummy starting to make a lot of strange noises. Then guess what? It’s kind of embarrassing, but my poops got watery! A couple of days later, a man came who had a shiny gold star on his shirt. I heard him say that we needed a vet to examine us. The next day, another human came (Mommy Theresa) and she promised she’d be back to pick us up as soon as she got permission, and take us to a place called the rescue. She said that once we got there, we’d see a vet who would check us out and do tests to see what we needed to help us feel better. She said we’d never be hungry again! The very next day, she came back with a trailer. It seemed like it took forever for us to walk to it. I was just so tired. We had to stop a few times, but we finally made it and my mommy walked right on, but I needed help – I had run out of energy. We were only in the trailer a short time and when we got to the rescue, we saw green grass, hay, a shelter, and a big fan! We didn’t have a shelter or fan thing where we were living, so this was all new to me. There were humans at the farm who welcomed us and there were lots of horses that looked really happy. Even little itty bitty ones!

The vet poked us with needles and used something to listen to our hearts and tummies. The vet’s name was Dr. Emily and she had another nice person with her named Mandi. Dr. Emily gave me and my mommy something she said was good for us through what they called IV tubes. I heard everyone talking about how we needed lots of protein and good food. Since my mommy’s milk bar wasn’t working, they came up with a feeding plan so I could get stronger. Oh, I also have something called a three finger hernia under my tummy that needs to be fixed when my body is stronger. Mommy Theresa had already taken some of our poop and put it in a glove to see how much sand settled in the fingertips. Dr. Emily said it was a good amount. She took some more of my poop and some of my mom’s poop to test for what she said were parasites. Mommy Theresa told her that me and my mommy are Thoroughbreds and that my mommy once raced and had even won a couple of races! My mommy was a race horse! After they left, I nibbled on a little hay and then I laid down and slept. I slept really good – I was so tired. When I woke up, I could tell my mommy was more at ease which made me feel so much better.

A couple of days later after test results came back, Dr. Emily returned and reviewed with Mommy Theresa what we needed. She said my mommy has lots of strongyles, whatever that is, and she had given them to me through her milk because I had a lot too. It helped explain why, combined with not getting nutrition, our tummies look so big even though we are very underweight, and why my eyes are glassy, my coat is rough, I don’t have any muscle, I probably have ulcers, and why I feel so weak. They talked about how I wasn’t able to get milk from my mommy and what I should be fed. We need lots of good protein to help give us energy. Oh, and we have to take supplements. Some don’t taste good, but I take them anyway. I want to get strong and run around and play. Mommy Theresa and others here may not have seen me every time, but I did try the milk bar many times each day, but it was just broken.

Over the next couple of days, I met new aunties and they all love us! They said I’m very cute but way too skinny. Everyday, I kept trying to help myself to my mommy’s milk bar but it still wasn’t working. I did see Mommy Theresa get the milk bar to work a few times but I just couldn’t do it myself. But, I wasn’t going to give up. Over the last few days, I’ve been feeling better and now, I’m a bit stronger. I kept trying the milk bar and guess what????? I’m able to get milk from my mommy now! That’s right – the milk bar is working! That’s my surprise!

Thank you all so much for caring about me and my mommy! We promise to make you proud!”

Love,
Candace

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Momma Sophia & Baby Candace safe with us now


On Friday morning, when the mare and baby loaded up to come to the rescue, Momma knew – they always do – she walked right onto the trailer. Upon arrival, they both settled in nicely. Sadly, Baby is very weak.

Dr. Pulliam arrived shortly thereafter and examined Momma and her baby. Blood and other tests were performed. Both received fluids and the baby received a vitamin cocktail – she was such a good girl. We did a glove sand test on the Momma and discovered that there is quite a bit of sand in her manure which was not at all surprising. There is a concern about the sweet feed which they were fed the past few days prior to their arrival at Beauty’s Haven which could have a negative impact. Both are receiving supplements to help with ulcers, their GI tract and immune system.

The baby is in very poor condition, scoring less than a 1 on the Body Condition Scoring Scale, but we choose to be cautiously optimistic that she will pull through. We’re not sure how she has managed to survive.

She does have a good size hernia that will need to be addressed once she is considerably more healthy. Momma has little to no milk to offer and is also in poor condition. We’ll see what the blood work and other test results reveal today and provide an update as soon as possible. Momma and Baby have, and will continue to be, watched around the clock. The baby had not been handled before we met her on Thursday, but she has been a very brave little girl.

This baby needs a miracle, but here, at Beauty’s Haven, we believe in miracles and have experienced many in past years. She also has to have a strong will to live – it’s amazing that she is still standing.

We have named the mare Sophia, and the baby’s name is Candace.

If anyone would like to help it would be so greatly appreciated. Contributions can be made via the ‘Donate’ button below. Please designate your donation to ‘Sophia & Candace.’ Please also note that another wonderful friend and supporter has offered a second $500 Match Game, whereby, all donations up to $500 will be matched dollar for dollar. If you are not in a position to donate at this time, we truly understand, but you can still help by sharing this email amongst family and friends.

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We truly appreciate your love, support, prayers and well wishes.

Please keep Sophia and Candace in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Mare with baby barely hanging on

It’s been a very long and exhausting day. We have an urgent need at hand – a foal who is in a very bad way. Her mama is also in bad shape and gets irritated if the baby tries to nurse as she has little to no milk to offer. The baby has bite marks on her little body and a hernia that needs to be surgically repaired. When I visited yesterday, I about lost it when I saw her stagger over and attempt to eat weeds as well as leaves off a tree.

With ribs protruding, these horses’ obvious lack of nutrition, especially protein, is evident by their low, big bellies. Ulcers and parasites are likely, contributing factors to their poor condition as well.

The baby’s dull coat, glassy eyes, slow movements, loss of hair, dullness, diarrhea, and large abdomen say it all – she’s starving to death.

Starvation causes the body to use up its body stores of fat, muscle, and then organs. It causes weakness, impairs gut function, wound healing, and affects the overall immune system. Internal organs atrophy. Bone growth can also be impacted in young horses. It’s a horrible thing.

Thankfully, someone cared enough to do something when they saw these two precious horses and made a call to county authorities. It’s an open case but we were given the okay to pick up the mare and baby this morning. We did make certain that they had enough hay to last through the night. Please – we need your help to help them. They deserve a chance.

The baby, about three months old, hasn’t known a good day in her short life, but you can help us change that.

Vetting is going to be costly. They need everything – blood tests, fecal exams, the mare will need dental work. They both need to see the farrier. And just as important, they need financial support for as long as they are here. They are Thoroughbreds.

I’m deeply concerned about the financial assistance we need for these horses. Donations continue to be down since the arrival of COVID and we still haven’t raised enough funds to pay the farrier bill. We need a ton of orchard hay for the herd ($600+) today and we will need alfalfa as well. The utility vehicle broke down yesterday with a cost of $376 to repair. There are so many things that need to be addressed, but we just cannot walk away from this mare and baby – time is simply not on their side.

If anyone would like to help Baby & Mama, it would be so greatly appreciated. Contributions can be made via the ‘Donate’ button below. Please designate your donation to ‘Baby & Mare.’ Please also note that there is currently a $500 Match Game in progress, whereby all donations up to $500 will be matched dollar for dollar.

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If you are not in a position to donate at this time we truly understand, but you can still help by sharing this amongst family and friends. Thank you, all, so very much!

Please keep Baby & her Mama in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

P.S. Some of you may remember baby Tonka. He was in about the same condition when we brought him and his mom to the rescue many years ago. Sadly, it was too late for Tonka. We pray we’re not too late for this little girl. If you don’t know about Tonka, here is a video in his memory:

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Another Chance

About two weeks ago, we were contacted by a number of people who wanted to make us aware of a horse that had been wandering the streets in a rural part of Levy County. The Sheriff’s Department had picked him up as a stray animal and issued a public notice in an effort to find the owner. The horse was also posted on NetPosse’s Facebook page, but no one came forward.

The Sheriff’s Department had stated in their public notice that if the horse was not claimed by a certain date, a public auction would be held and he would be sold to the highest bidder.

Since no one came forward, the auction was held this morning, which I attended, and thankfully, was able to secure this precious soul who needs a kind human touch and proper care.

I truly believe that our sweet Penny most definitely, had a hand in this!

We are reaching out for assistance to help with this boy’s initial vetting, dental, farrier and nutritional needs. In addition, if anyone would like to help by sponsoring him for one or more weeks/months for any amount, we would be forever grateful. If you wish to help, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below.

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Thank you all for your continued love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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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.

Elvis and Ford need sponsors for their initial needs as well as monthly sponsors for their ongoing care.

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.

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Thank you, all, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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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.

Please consider making a donation to assist us in bringing these sweet horses to the rescue. They need initial veterinary, dental and farrier care, as well as monthly sponsors for their ongoing needs.

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.

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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

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A Welcome and a Promise

Today we welcomed a very sweet and wise old soul to the Beauty’s Haven herd, with the promise that all of his tomorrows will be better than his past should have been. He does have some issues, but hopefully we will be able to address such successfully. The vet will be out tomorrow to perform an examination as well as do blood tests and I will update tomorrow regarding her findings.

As we approach the New Year in hope of better days ahead, we reflect upon the way in which time is meaningless to the many neglected, abused and homeless horses, cats and dogs, so hoping for a holiday miracle.

The feeling of being safe and loved without worry or pain, is truly the very best gift of all for these pure and innocent beings.

Because of your unwavering devotion, generosity and love for our beloved little herd, we are are able to continue our most important mission of granting a second chance at life to horses like our newest arrival, as well as to every equine and other sentient being that passes through our gates. And for that we remain forever grateful. Beauty’s Haven is truly, a place where “Life begins, again!”

Wishing everyone a very Happy & Healthy New Year.

Warmly,
Theresa, Bob & the Beauty’s Haven Family

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Kindness, the Language of Love

Nicky is another senior Thoroughbred mare we recently rescued, from the same farm where Aries and Raz formerly resided. Nicky hadn’t been doing well but the owner would not release her – she would not eat the hay that had recently been brought to the farm and she refused to walk to the waterer, so food and water had to be taken to her in her paddock. This went on for several days and she still showed no signs of improvement. On Sunday, we finally received the call – Nicky was no better and was being released. She needed a place to go where she could get the help she so desperately needed, so Nicky is now a member of our beloved little Sanctuary herd.

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The day Nicky arrived, we looked forward to reuniting her with her friends, Aries and Raz. We brought her to their paddock but she showed no interest. She was weak and unstable and her back legs were swollen, especially the left. I opted to put her in a paddock by herself, next to them, for a few days, so she could settle in, get a bit more stable, and get to know her new surroundings.

Once in that paddock, we led her to the waterer and she drank a good amount. Then we let her go. Ears forward, she didn’t walk off, but rather, put her head down and nibbled on a little grass and then unsteadily walked in a circle and stopped. She stood there, ears forward. After awhile, I walked her out into the paddock and told her that she would be okay as I gently removed her halter.

Ears forward, she walked in a circle a couple of times, still unsteady on her legs. She then stopped and stood. I brushed her and told her she was very much loved and would never be hungry again. Then I let her be.

I checked on her often and she was still standing there, ears forward. Twice, I saw her weakly walk in a circle and then stop and stand, ears forward. After awhile, I took her some water and a mash. She drank and slurped up about one half of the mash. I was relieved that she did drink. I was worried about colic which can be an issue with a starved horse that has a lot of sand in their gut and is fed coastal hay (before she came to us). A horse that Nicky had lived with prior to her arrival, suffered an impaction colic the day before. Dr. Rullian tubed and oiled the mare, fluids were run, but sadly, she didn’t make it.

The rest of the day, the volunteers and I checked on Nicky often and took her more water, forage, and mash. She still had no interest in hay. She continued to stand there all day, ears forward.

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When I tucked her in that night, I walked her to the waterer and left her with a tub of forage and a bag of hay. She refused the hay but did nibble on a little forage. The next morning, I discovered her ten feet away from where I’d left her the night before. The tub of forage had been knocked over. I put a halter on her and walked her around the perimeter of her paddock, in and out of the shelter, and then to the middle of the paddock.

I took her halter off and she stood there, ears forward, and then I knew – she couldn’t see. I thought to myself how humble and trusting this precious mare is. I realized then, why, out of so many horses, this particular mare came to us – it’s because she is very special and needs a little extra special care!

I thought about how scary it must be to be a blind horse in an unfamiliar place, separated from a herd that you had lived with your entire life, surrounded by new humans. I told her how brave and beautiful she is and then walked her around the perimeter of the paddock again and in and out of the shelter.

We took her water every couple of hours. She still refused hay but would slurp up a little mash. That night, I put a halter on her and walked her into the shelter. She put her nose down and found the tub of forage, a bag of hay, a bucket of water, and a salt block. She planted herself at the salt block. When I left her, I said a little prayer that she’d be okay there and as I walked away, she was still licking that salt block, ears forward.

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The next morning, she was still there, under the shelter, ears forward, looking content. She didn’t put her head up or respond when I approached her. She had eaten some of the forage. The water tub was only half full, so at least she was drinking.

I talked to her and when I reached out and touched her neck, her eyes opened wider, but then she relaxed. I clapped my hands next to her ears and that’s when I realized that she couldn’t hear. What a very special mare she really is!

Nicky was examined by Dr. Julia Simonson yesterday. I’ll continue Nicky’s story later today after we get her lab results back. I’ll also post an update about Aries and Raz.

Please keep Nicky, Aries and Raz in your prayers. They all have some challenges to overcome, especially Nicky, but I believe they will!

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Thank you to all who have donated toward the three mares thus far. Your donation is so very much appreciated. If you have not yet done so, you may simply click the button below. Please note that your donation is for “Year-End Campaign or ‘YEC.'”

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Thank you all, and God bless.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Thanksgiving Rescue

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day. Ours was very busy. We weren’t planning to take in more horses for awhile as COVID has taken a toll on donations, but we simply couldn’t walk away from these two Thoroughbred sisters.

Very cold temperatures are headed our way in the coming days and they have no body fat to help them stay warm. We went on faith and a prayer that help would come. I’m sure they will be grateful to have a warm blanket and hay before them.

The mares require everything – physicals, blood work, dental, etc. Monthly sponsors for their ongoing care are desperately needed. They are in their late 20s.

If you are in a position to help, you can sign up to make an automatic monthly recurring donation via our secure donation form, which you may cancel at any time. There, you also have the option of making a one time donation which may be in honor or memory of someone.

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Or, you can donate via Network for Good or JustGiving – these links can be found on our “Donate” page along with our snail mail address. You may also contribute via PayPal.me. Please note that your contribution is to be applied towards “TB Mares.” All donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small. If you’re not in a position to donate, we completely understand, but you can still help by sharing this post with friends and family.

Thank you and God bless.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Time is running out for Satin and Lightning

A few weeks ago, we were asked to help three horses whose owner, due to health issues, could no longer care for them. At the time we had a number of pending adoptions that we believed would soon be moving forward, but these adoptions have been postponed for a few months, possibly until September. Since these horses needed immediate help, we opted to care for them in place until we could bring them to the rescue. A few days later, however, one of the horses colicked and the vet recommended we bring her here to ensure she received everything she needed. That was Spring and she is doing well.

Due to unforeseen circumstances it now appears that we will have to bring the two remaining horses to Beauty’s Haven as soon as possible. I’m not sure where we will put them, but one thing is certain, we cannot leave them behind.

We are thereby reaching out to you in hope that we can procure sponsors to help us help these sweet horses.

If you would like to help, you can do so by making a one-time tax deductible donation, or sign up to make an automatic monthly recurring donation via our secure form which you may cancel at anytime. You also have the option of making your donation in honor or in memory of someone.

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You can also contribute via PayPal.me. Please note that your donation is for ‘Satin & Lightning.’ Network For Good and/or JustGiving are additional options for you.

If you are not in a position to donate at this time, we truly understand but you can still help by sharing our need amongst family and friends or via social media!

Thank you & please stay safe!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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