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Hollie’s Ultrasound

Dr. Ryan was out to ultrasound Hollie this afternoon. She was a very cooperative girl as we expected she would be. The ultrasound showed scar tissue around her lungs – evidence of past issues (likely pneumonia/pleuritis). She does have a bit of a temperature today which we are monitoring.

Hollie has a good appetite and is drinking fine. I’ll try to update again tonight. There is so much to do and not enough daylight anymore!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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A note from Hollie…

11/28/12
“Hi – my name is Hollie! I’ve only been here a couple of days but I sure do like it! I have food, fresh water, shelter, a nice blanket for cool times, and an even thicker blanket for cold times. I get treats, lots of hugs, I get groomed, and I get warm mashes! There is a little mini named Peggy Sue in a paddock across from me that I’ve made friends with. She says I’m safe here and that I’ll never be forced to do anything again and she says I’ll never be hungry again!”

“I’ve had to pull buggies and I’ve carried people on my back almost all of my life. I did everything I was told to do and I tried hard to make the humans happy. But because I didn’t know any better – I didn’t realize how bad I was until I came here and started getting good care. When Pam came to where I was living I didn’t know I would be leaving with her. She asked my owner what my name was and he said I didn’t have one. I wrenched when he offered to hitch me up so he could show Pam how I work under harness. And then he offered to saddle and ride me. My body just isn’t up for that anymore but had I been told to do it I would have. Pam declined the offers and told him she just wanted to get me loaded and headed home. Home? I was afraid and curious at the same time! Once on the trailer Pam told me that I was going to a place where I’d be loved and properly cared for by many humans! She told me about my new human family and it sounded really good – I just couldn’t believe it! And she told me that I’d have an extended family from all over the place! It was a long trip but it was worth it. I don’t know how much longer I could have made the humans at my old home happy by working – it was just getting hard.“

“I admit that I do have aches and pains from old injuries and from just getting older I suppose. I didn’t know they could feel better until now. Yesterday a nice man took my shoes off and trimmed my feet. I was a bit scared but after I knew he was going to be gentle and not pull my legs in ways that would hurt I felt much better. And Dr. Ryan – he’s very kind and has easy hands. Everyone here has only touched me with kindness. The other horses here are all happy and it’s just a dream come true! I’m still feeling a bit poorly but Dr. Ryan is going to come back tomorrow with a machine to look at my lungs. I am so glad to be here – I feel very blessed. I am going to do everything I can to try to get better – I love life and now I just get to live it! Theresa has promised that humans won’t demand that I work again. Maybe someday I’ll want to carry a little one around on my back for just a bit – we’ll just have to wait and see. I’ve got a good home now and humans that love me and care about me – what a wonderful holiday season this is going to be! Thank you all so much!”

Sincerely,
Hollie

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A WAY TO HELP!

If you are looking for ways to help Beauty’s Haven Equine Rescue, but do not have the extra money, don’t worry, you can donate your old cell phones to us!

We are participating in a recycling program and if we get so many donated to us, we are entered into various drawings for gift cards.

If we win, the money will go straight to the horse’s care!! So, if you have cell phones to donate, please e-mail me at bhfer.melissa!!"

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Racking Mare Has a Name – Hollie!

11/28/12
The name Hollie came to me when I spent some time with her.  So, welcome Hollie!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Racking mare update 11/26/12 pm

The Racking horse mare had a quite day. She rested a lot – it was a beautiful day to just lay in the sun and just “be”. She is drinking much better and is passing poop just fine. The vet told us yesterday that he’s been responding to a lot of colic calls because of the drastic changes in weather. It has been in the low 30’s at night and up into the mid 70’s during the day. I told this mare not to listen – that colic is not an option here. She looked at me like I was nuts but that is fine. If she doesn’t know what colic is we don’t want her to find out. J

Her walk is unsteady. It scares me and sometimes I find myself holding my breath afraid she is going to fall. Her eyes are so deep and kind. Today she was curious about her surroundings and actually whinnied once when I went by her paddock. I find myself wanting to wrap our arms around her and not let go. I wish I could take away things done, or not done, to her. Maybe, in time, the memories of hunger and neglect will diminish. Her coat is so very thick and I’m glad. I can’t imagine how cold she would have felt without it.

These feet are going to be taken care of in the morning.

Dr. Ryan will also be coming tomorrow to examine her and run some blood tests. Thank you to everyone that has helped with this mare – we appreciate everyone caring and sharing. She has a long way to go. We use the UC Davis refeeding program and we go slow and steady with just about everything. When a horse loses 50% of its body weight chances of recovery are slim to none. She taped in at just under 700 lbs. More than I thought she would but I can tell you most of that is bone. Even as she puts on weight and as time goes by we won’t know for awhile if the effects of starvation have impacted her heart, etc. She is said to be about 10 years old. We’ll know better tomorrow. One of the things I love to do the most is to sit and observe a horse alone and/or in a herd – I learn about each one of them this way so if something is ever not right I have a better chance at noticing it and responding.

I’ve got to call it a day – I’m simply beat. But tomorrow we have volunteers in the morning which is a very good thing – we were alone today. God bless and I’ll update again tomorrow with pictures.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Racking mare exam

11/26/12
Ok, so the Racking mare is a senior – we’re not at all surprised. Dr. Ryan ages her around 20. She does seem to be walking a bit better after her shoes were removed this morning and her trim was done. She has evidence of being worked too hard or too fast in her legs (tendon, ligament damage) or both. She is a 1 on the Henneke scale.

Dr. Ryan couldn’t hear any sounds in her lungs. He said it could be that she most likely had a lung infection and, if so, she would likely have had it for some time. I noticed in the first picture of her how her nostril was flared. It is not uncommon for horses that are driven or worked hard to contract something – sometimes they are worked hard and then left to stand unprotected from cold winds. Could also have been caused by stress – from working, neglect, starvation, etc. We’ll never know. But Dr. Ryan doesn’t think it’s a new condition. He thinks an ultrasound may be needed. We’ll know more this evening after the blood work comes back.

She’s a wooly girl. I wanted to give her a bath but I don’t think the weather is good enough. Terri brought a huge bag of carrots this morning – and apples. This mare adores both! We need to boost her immune system. She does have a positive attitude and that helps a great deal.

There was just something about this mare that drew me in – when someone sent me the picture of her hitched up I just felt an emergent need to help her. She was in North Carolina. Pam was on her way back from hauling horses up north and was coming back empty. The timing worked out just right – I know God has his hands in this case. Had Pam not had been up there coming back I don’t know what would have happened. I just know I could not get this mare off of my mind. Pam said when she went to pick up the mare the owner offered to hitch the mare up to show Pam how she drives and/or to saddle her up for a ride. Those are painful thoughts. I will never understand the mentality of some.

She needs a few things – Senior Horse Formula (from The Healing Barn), APF, and Cocosoya oil. If anyone would like to help with these it would be greatly appreciated.

The mare is grateful to be here – I can feel it. Having a condition of the lungs brings back painful memories of Ambrosia. Let’s pray this mare found her way to us in time and we can help her get healthy and that she can live a long and happy life. A name will come for her, soon. Thank you all for caring about her. Please keep her in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Racking mare update…

11/26/12
This mare is so darn thin – skin on bones. It’s hard to tell with her thick coat. I’m glad she has a thick coat because there’s nothing else to keep her warm. I just got back from an appointment in Gainesville and have someone coming to meet Silver Belle any minute now. I’ll get more pictures of the mare this afternoon. She has such sweet eyes.

She’s laying down in the sun now – she’s likely tired from yesterday’s trip but hopefully feeling secure enough to just relax and enjoy the day. When she walks she staggers – it’s really sad. There is just no muscle. I can’t imagine her being ridden or hitched up to do any amount of work. The farrier will be out tomorrow to pull her shoes and trim her. Dr. Ryan will be out tomorrow too unless we need him before then. I wanted to give her a day to just relax. She is drinking fine so that is good. Quite frankly, I’ve been in tears all day. I just don’t understand – how? How could this happen????

We appreciate the help from others but we need more donations to help this mare. Any amount would be appreciated. No amount is too small. Donations can be called into the vet’s office at 352-237-6151 or if you’d like to donate some hay for her donations can be called into Larson Farms at 352-867-8333, Her rehab is going to take some time – slow and steady with everything. I’m worried about her so please keep her in your prayers. God bless and thank you.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Holiday Save Racking Mare

11/25/12
We went on faith and prayer that needed help for this mare would come – we were very blessed that Pam (transporter) was able to pick her up on her way back from a haul up north. Pam said the owner offered to hitch the mare up to show how she drives or to saddle her up to ride her – even in this condition. How sad! Pam politely declined and loaded the mare up. The mare is said to be 10 years old but she’s older, I’m sure.

She is grossly underweight – no fat or muscle which is hard to see because she does have a winter coat which is a good thing although I imagine she has still had some pretty cold nights with an empty tummy. Her feet are long and she is still wearing shoes. Pam stopped to put a stable blanket on the mare and she is comfortably munching on hay for the trip to the rescue.

It’s hard to see how thin she is because of her color and the shadows in the trailer.

We need donations to help with this mare that desperately needed to land in a good place. We need help with costs for vetting and transport. No amount is too small and donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made via our website or PayPal or snail mail. We’re estimating at least $500 for the first month and another $300 after for at least 6 months. If you send a donation please mark it for our “2012 Holiday Save”. This mare haunted me for many days and nights this past week. I’m very glad she is now safe. Let’s pray that she can recover and live a happy long life.

I know this is a bad time of the year. Donations are already down and the economy is taking a toll. If Rosita had not found a home we would not have been able to take this mare. But God has a way of helping things to work out and we really did take a giant leap that help would come. We are praying that if many people send even $5 it will all add up to enough to cover her expenses. Please share this email with family and friends – perhaps someone would like to help. Help us to make a difference for this mare. God bless and thank you!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Donate: www.bhfer.org/donate.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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There is hope…

We could not see her eyes here – they were covered. But I feel sadness when I look at this photo. And I see the flared nostril and matted mane.

Here she is in the trailer – I see light, calmness, and good. There may be some uncertainty too but most importantly – I see hope. And for that, I am grateful.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Donate: www.bhfer.org/donate.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Racking Mare Settles In

November 24th, 2012…

Little Racking mare has settled in. She enjoyed a warm mash and is comfy in her blanket. She is in good spirits but we need her to drink a bit more than she has been. Many thanks to Pamela Zarem and her family for going above and beyond to get this girl home. Now, a good night’s sleep – although, will likely check on her through the night. 🙂

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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