Betsy Rose must be feeling better. She totally did not want her oral meds this morning and decided to take a few steps backwards while pushing her sling about 2′ down the aisleway!

Betsy Rose really enjoyed her outing this afternoon. It was the longest walk we’ve taken her on. We stopped many times for her to rest. It seemed to perk her up and she grazed a bit. She enjoyed seeing other horses. She’s napping really good right now.

Betsy Rose – a hero in every sense of the word!

The day Betsy Rose arrived she could not stand. She was very close to Rainbow Bridge. But I felt an energy from her – she had heart and a will to live. I asked for prayers for her and many came. I believed then and I believe now – miracles do happen. No matter what the outcome, I believe Betsy Rose found her way to us for a reason. Thank you all for not giving up on Betsy Rose and on us.

Betsy Rose a couple of days after arrival – still too weak to hold her head up for more than a few minutes.

Celesta got to go out for a few minutes today.

That’s Little E in the background admiring Betsy Rose!

Mo is stunning! He’s a very smart, funny, and friendly Arabian gelding that is looking for a forever home!

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all volunteer, rescue organization. We operate totally from donations from others. We do not receive any funds from local, State, or Federal governments. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. We currently have 40+ horses at the rescue. You can make a difference to horses like Betsy Rose. Please help us continue our mission to help horses – and through helping horses, we help humans too! Donations can be made to our PayPal address: theresa or via various ways through our website.

I’m not feeling very well – our daughter is home tonight and has offered to take my shift with Betsy Rose so I’m calling it a night. Thank you all for caring about our little Betsy Rose!

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

It was a good day for Betsy Rose. Our son Joshua and his girlfriend, Brittany, came to help out this morning. Fabio and his son, John, were here for hooficures. Ginger and her 2 daughters were here and Jenny, Judy, and Marie were also here. It seemed like a great time to take Betsy Rose out for a walk and then to let her take a nap out of the sling. It takes 7 people to get her in and out of the hoist/sling if she goes completely down.

We disconnected her from the hoist and she walked a bit and just stood in the sling. Once steady on her feet we take the sling off of her.

We put a bed sheet under her to support her until she goes down – this helps her to go down as gently as possible.

Well, when it was time for Betsy Rose to lay down she refused. She wanted to stand and soak up the early morning sun and nap! I don’t think she’s ready to be on her own yet (and I didn’t want her in the hot sun) for very long so after a few minutes we put the sling back on her and she walked back to the hoist where she was hooked back up. Maybe she didn’t want to lay down because she knows she isn’t strong enough to get up yet or maybe she just felt so good she didn’t want any help. In any event – she’s come so far we don’t want anything to set her back.

Betsy Rose was bright and alert. We put her back in the mobile hoist and she licked her lips quite a few times – she felt good. It was a lot of work for her but when is physical therapy ever easy?

And then she was walked back to the center aisle of the barn where there is shade and (usually) a nice breeze. On the way to the barn she actually pushed herself forward with the sling/hoist! Once at the barn she tripped over a matt but caught herself – she really is getting stronger! I have a video I’ll try to upload to YouTube.

Her sores from thrashing on the ground, too weak to get up or stand the first couple of days she was here, are healing nicely. She does still have a bed sore at her sternum that is being closely monitored and treated. It will be some time before she will be able to stay up for a long period of time out of the sling. She needs muscle but we don’t want her to work too much – we don’t want her to burn all of the calories she’s getting now that she is eating and actually absorbing nutrients. Her rehab will take some time – it’s going slow but with steady progress. People ask if she will make it. I really don’t know. Every rehab case is a bit different. In starvation cases the prognosis for recovery once the body is at or below 50% of the weight it should be is poor – she passed that point weighing only about 245 lbs. While blood test results indicated there was no major organ damage that doesn’t mean there are no issues. Her little heart has been beating overtime (120 bpm the day of her intake down to 60 – 70 now), her liver enzymes are high, she is anemic, etc. Many things are monitored and addressed and modifications to her daily activities are made accordingly. She gets supplements and is still on antibiotics. In my opinion, one of the most important things in her recovery is constant observation – her moods, the light in her eyes, her energy level, food intake/output, strength, stiffness, how high or low she hangs her head, her temperature, HR, etc. – you can’t get comfortable in a set routine in a case like this. Being able to notice changes and take appropriate action is important. Betsy has a positive and can-do attitude and that helps tremendously!

Betsy Rose is truly an amazing mare with a strong will to live. I imagine she was quite a spunky little mare – not just in her younger years but all of her life! She appreciates everything done for her and thanks us in her own ways. Thank you all for caring about this little mare!

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

I love Betsy Rose’s expressions – she is more animated each day!

Peek A Boo! Did someone say, ‘Treats?’

Have a good night, everyone.

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

I took these with my cell phone so the quality isn’t great – but…

Penny is hilarious! She wanted a hug from her mom.

And, her mom, Penelope, is so patient with her.

She literally stretched out over her mom for a big hug!

But then decided to lay back and watch the clouds!

She eventually got up. Penelope just laid there. Silly donkeys!

Would anyone like to be a sponsor for Penny and Penelope?

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

SUNDAY UPDATE:

Happy Sunday morning from Betsy Rose!
She’s very good about letting me clean and treat her boo boos.
The straps on the sling are individually controlled so I can lower any one of them to get to where I need to treat.
She stands on her own and seems comfortable. She cooperates fully.

Barbara is staying over tonight and we’re taking shifts again.
Betsy Rose wasn’t as active today but it was VERY hot and humid.
Once the sun went down and it cooled off some she perked up.
Betsy Rose is getting a needed hooficure in the morning!
I’m beat and I’m headed for the shower.
Please keep Betsy in your prayers.
Good night everyone.

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