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BH Kiana Update, May 26th- 29th, 2014

May 26th, 2014

Kiana is feeling better despite some side effects of her meds which are not unusual.

“Oh my gosh this little filly is starting to move around more! It won’t be long before she’s running circles around me and the barn! It’s about time for lights out at the barn – I think Freckles is about to tell Kiana another bedtime story. Y’all have a good night – sweet dreams! ”

May 27th

Kiana’s day was not a very good one.  Her temp is up a bit, her diarrhea got better but now it’s worse again, and she’s just tired.  The heat has been miserable but this evening when it cooled, and she normally gets a bit more active, she …just wanted to sleep.  I’m waiting for the vet to call to review her blood work from today. Elizabeth Fried and Bri came out to watch her so I could grab a bite to eat and take a quick shower. I totally stripped and sanitized her stall today.  Please keep her in your prayers.

It was quite the task but I stripped and sanitized Kiana’s stall today – there was just no way I can stay in there with her while there is hay/straw everywhere. I have respiratory issues and I can’t afford to get sick (which is where I was heading).

But – look at the finished product! I think Kiana really likes it! She went in and laid down and took a short nap. Then she got up and drank a good amount of water, walked around the stall, ate some milk pellets, and then went poop. And it was almost normal (makes it much easier to clean up!)!

Just before I headed up to the office she laid down and seems very cozy. She’s got Freckles and another one of Betsy Rose’s friends to keep her company. We will be reviewing her blood work with the vet in the morning. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you!

May 28th

Good morning. Kiana and I are about to take a short nap. Naps are good.

Good appetite after a good nap.

“Mommy Theresa can I tell you something? Shhhh – I don’t want Betsy Rose to hear this. When I woke up this morning with my new colorful and clean floor and you right here it made me feel really good – I know you have breathing problems and the straw wasn’t good for you.  Can Betsy Rose have a floor like mine? It’s soft and she would probably really like it!  She said you brought her to the farm on June 14th – almost a year ago.  Maybe it could be a surprise anniversary gift?”

Kiana tried to help me update her care chart today.  I actually got a 20 minute nap in the house thanks to Bonnie! And guess what???? Katherine volunteered to do nighttime duty tonight!  Bob and I both get to SLEEP all night!

Kiana is a bit more animated this evening and her appetite is great! She still has diarrhea but she is drinking plenty of water – I haven’t had to run her fluids all day. It’s so wonderful to have help this evening! Kylie Chapman is taking care of most of the evening chores. Bonnie and Katherine are getting Kiana ready to be tucked in. Katherine is going to be staying with Kiana through the 3 am shift. Bob and I will be calling it a day SOON! Keep the prayers and good thoughts up for Kiana – they are working! We all agree these mats are great! BUT we need to see how they stand up to wear and tear. I’m sure they would not hold up for a full size horse. Someone surely makes heavy duty interlocking stall mats but I’d have to research it. I really like these because they are lightweight – but again, I don’t know how long they will hold up. I do know that I’m happy that Kiana is not having to breath dust (or me).

Betsy Rose is never far away.

Bonnie and Katherine are folding towels and chit chatting in Kiana’s stall. Kiana is still eating. She’s not going to be spoiled at all. Nope. LOL

Yesterday when I was stripping Kiana’s stall I left the gate open for just a second and guess who RAN out? Yes, that is Betsy Rose’s butt. She didn’t stay gone long but it was a first!

DJ holding Kiana yesterday so I could clean up her bite mark. It’s getting much better. Someday soon we won’t see the skin on bones. Kiana is going to fill out and be beautiful!

There’s nothing better than baby kisses as her nose tickles my cheek!

May 29th

We have poop vs soup! Go Kiana! I think we’re over the hump.

Kiana, a month old orphan filly, had a tough start in life but she’s slowly coming around. Her name came to me one night while I was sitting with her, promising her that her life would only get better. I apologized for how humans had failed her mom, and her. She was a confused little girl and you could clearly see that in her eyes. Kiana’s mom had given Kiana everything she had until she succumbed to starvation. Then Kiana tried to survive by nursing off another mare. But that mare rejected her – we are still treating Kiana’s open sores from bite marks. Her immune system was very weak when she came to us and her heart was broken. I saw this baby as a divine little lost angel that I vowed to help. “Kiana” means divine or heavenly in Hawaiian. It fits her perfectly. Kiana received plasma and has slowly improved. Her care has been constant. I didn’t know how much time we would have with her, but we are determined to do all we can to give Kiana the future that she deserves. She’s still a critical care case and requires around the clock care.

Kiana is one of many here that need sponsors – it takes a Village to help these horses. If anyone would like to help with her, or the vet bills of others here, donations can be made via our website at theresa. Donations can also be called into the vets office (Peterson & Smith) at 352-237-6151. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Thank you!

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.

 

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BH May 22 nd – 26th, 2014 Update

May 22nd

We got Kiana ‘s blood work back and there are a few concerns that we will working on. She had a much better night last night. She slept quite a bit. She was bright eyed and munching on milk pellets this morning. After breakfast I introduced her to Harvey. He’s the calmest of the little ones. They are doing just fine so far.

 

So far all is well!

 

Although, I’m not sure Kiana appreciates Harvey hogging the fan.

 

Kiana, Betsy Rose, and Harvey are all happy. Betsy Rose will help teach Kiana to be a horse while Kiana can have Harvey to explore and pal with around the barn. She’s not strong enough to want to play yet. And Harvey needed and deserved his… play time – that’s why I turned him back out with the boys. Kiana is learning that Betsy Rose will not go away and, with that, it will bring her some security which she really needs right now. Herd dynamics really amazes me – I enjoy watching them so much. Kiana will meet other friends too at the right times but I chose Harvey for today because is the most calm of all of the little ones – his disposition was right for starts and it really did work out great today.

 

May 23rd

Dr Julia is here to run an IV cocktail of vitamins, etc. to Kiana. She is not feeling well and her temperature has been slowly dropping. Babies can crash so fast. I’m sure she will be fine but please keep her in your prayers.

 

I need to make this update short – it’s been a long day. Thank all of you for keeping Kiana in your prayers. She’s better tonight. The fluids/cocktail she got today really helped. Someone had asked about her IGG – it was good (900+). T…here are some concerns from her initial blood work – some highs and lows. We’ll repeat the blood work next week – sooner if needed. Babies can crash pretty fast but we’re on it. She’s got a couple of nasty bite marks and swellings that need to heal. But I think she finally understands she is safe – she’ll never know hunger or feel worry of the unknown again. Her eyes are brighter tonight. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

The extremely high temps today didn’t help any of us. The ceiling fans in all 4 stalls that we use daily are all broken and need to be replaced – over a couple week period some blades literally broke and flew off the fans but fortunately horses were not in the stalls when it happened. And it’s hot – very hot. So, that will be an upcoming project. We do have fans on the stall doors though and 2 Port-A-Coolers that are awesome. We hope to get 2 more coolers – one for each stall.

We’re having another big day here tomorrow so we’re going to be lights out soon. Have a good night everyone!

 

May 24th

Kiana came from a very bad situation. Her momma gave the filly her all – until she had no more to give – and then she died. It’s very sad. The latest foal to join Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, …this little girl is going to make it – she will.

 

©2014, Gregory R Ambrose, based on a photo provided.

The morning meeters and greeters! LOL I usually find them laying at the bottom of the porch stairs. It’s going to be a very busy day here and it’s already horribly hot. Kiana had a calm night, thankfully. She slept so soundly, she needed it.

A little angel….

 

The vet was called this morning as Kiana simply was not feeling well. She is very weak and she easily gets dehydrated. She now has a permanent catheter so we will be running her fluids throughout the day and night. The vet ran additional bloodwork which will determine whether Kiana will also require plasma.

 

Quick update – Kiana’s blood work indicated her WBC had increased. She received plasma and is now on antibiotics. She has a pretty ugly bite wound on her left side (and a couple small ones on her neck) from another mare she tried to nurse… on before coming here. We’re trying to keep it clean and we are treating it – infection is the last thing she needs. She wanted to go out with Betsy Rose for a bit so she did. Then she drank a good amount of milk and is now napping. We have had foals in worse condition than this that are living very happy lives but each and everyone is different, as are their experiences before coming to us. Kiana’s eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen them. I’m staying positive – we do have a very good professional team to help us get through this. I’ll update again later – lots to do. Thanks everyone – we do appreciate the good thoughts and prayers very much.

 

The temps are a bit kinder now.

 

“Baby Kiana is doing better tonight – she’s got quite the appetite! She’s been through some tough times and this morning she wasn’t feeling so very good. But she’s a brave little girl and was good for the doctor. Mommy Theresa says she m…ust be feeling better because she squirmed a bit when she had to take her medicine tonight. Kiana is tucked in but doesn’t want to go to sleep – I’m going to tell her a few stories and I bet she’s out like a light! She stayed outside with me most of the afternoon. We had SO many visitors today – it was amazing! I hope all of those wonderful humans come back again soon! Have a good night everyone! And no worries – I have Kiana right next door to me and she knows it. She peeks at me and talks to me through the slits in the wall.”

 

May 25th

It’s a scorcher already. Kiana had her meds and milk and is now napping. It was a long night for us humans.

 

We hope everyone had a great day. I intended on putting out a detailed update tonight but I’m beat. Kiana had a pretty good day today. The heat was not kind to any of us. We had a good rain storm which, IMO, made it worse due to the humidity. We have volunteers tomorrow morning so I hope to be able to make time to work in the office for a bit. Have a good night everyone!

 

May 26th, Memorial Day

Our daughter, Katie, was home all weekend which was really nice. We missed our son, Joshua, though.

CaryLou still thinks he’s “all that” and he is! LOL

What do the boys like to do after getting breakfast? Oh how I wish I could curl up with them! Sleep is good!!!

Sylvie visits with Magic at the end of the day.

Wishing everyone a safe Memorial Day!

 

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.

 

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BH May 21, 2014 Update

Cookie’s follow-up at UF went well yesterday. They have ordered some chemo creme for her eye just in case there were any bandit cells left behind. Cookie is just amazing – she just stands for her face/eyes to be treated. We’re very thankful for everyone’s help and support in saving Cookie’s eye.

Cookie being seen at UF yesterday. Everyone adores her!

Trying to unload Cookie yesterday after she returned from UF. She had quite the welcome committee!

Oscar is doing much better!

Oscar got a hooficure today and was so good about it! He feels better which, of course, make me feel better! He’s really glad to be out with the boys.

Two of our "oldies but goodies" – Gentleman and Little E. Both are 30+ years young. They are loved, very much. This is their home – always.

This is Karol Cline holding Serenity for her hooficure a couple of days ago. Serenity and Bryce are really, really nice horses. They are ready for a forever home – hopefully, together.

Pistol loves to throw himself into the sand pile to play – he’s hilarious! He will be leaving for his new home in a couple of weeks.

Washing feed tubs takes awhile each day – Judy takes care of it 3 times a week. Without our wonderful volunteers, we’d be in a heap of trouble! We truly do appreciate them from both near and far – thank you all!

The little orphan filly had a good night. She came from a very bad situation. Her momma gave the filly her all – until she had no more to give – and then she died. It’s very sad. But this little girl is going to make it – she will. Dr. Julia should be here soon so I’m headed back out. Just wanted to let everyone know how she is doing. She still needs sponsors and prayers.

Her name is Kiana – she is divine.

Dr. Julia Simonson examined Kiana today and did blood work. We’re still waiting for the results. Her heart, lungs, and tummy all sound good. Temperature has remained normal. Kiana does have a hernia but we’ll give her some time to grow and see if it resolves. She’s been through a lot in the last couple of days so it is expected that she may be feeling a bit down and confused. She’s just a baby that’s had a rough start in life.

Kiana didn’t care for the shavings in her stall so we stripped and cleaned it and it morphed into a new suite bedded with straw complete with a milk bar, one of Betsy Rose’s friends, some forage, and a bale of straw in a corner for visitors to sit on. She nibbles on milk pellets some, drinks a little milk at times, loves the grass, and she nibbles on forage. I hope that she will start to relax more – she didn’t sleep much today. But all of this is new to her. She did manage to make friends with Betsy Rose today – she’s in the stall next to her. Thank you all for caring – we appreciate your support very much. Please keep Kiana in your prayers.

Kiana napping earlier today. Of all places to lay, she chose the concrete – likely because it was cool. But she really needed this nap.

Kiana and the others are tucked in. We are calling it a day. Good night everyone! And now we pray for a calm night.

Sunset at her adoptive home in Colorado. She is one happy, funny, amazing, beautiful girl.

Thank you all for your continued love and support!

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.

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An Orphan Baby Girl Arrives

May 20th, 2014

We would like to introduce our newest arrival in memory of Wally – it’s an orphan baby girl that arrived last night.  This little filly had a very rough start in life.  Her mom’s needs went neglected.  Mom gave her baby everything she had until she had nothing left and she went to Rainbow Bridge.  Left to fend for herself, she tried to nurse from another mare that had a baby on her side.  But the mare rejected her and charged and bit her instead – she has a wound at her withers.  I just can’t imagine what was going on in this precious one’s mind.

She’s exhausted and weak.  She’s got bite marks on her, she’s sore in some areas, and she is a bit thin.  But she’s safe.  Dr. Julia will be here in the morning.  Now we pray for a calm night.

Baby needs aunties and uncles.  She requires milk replacer which is not inexpensive and she also needs to be vetted.  Would anyone like to be an Angel for this sweet baby?

We are an all volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit equine rescue organization that operates totally off of donations from the public.  We are not funded by County, State, or Federal funds.  Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help us to continue what we do – we can’t do it alone. 

There are various ways you can donate if you visit our “Donate” page on our website www.bhfer.org/donate.  All donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small.  Please share us with friends, family, and co-workers – it takes a village!  Thank you all for your continued love and support!

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

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BH May 15th Update

Magic is doing much better after his bout of colic – thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers! I do believe in the power of prayer!

Matilda enjoying the cool breeze of the aisleway.

Cookie is doing really well. She was supposed to go back to UF today for a follow-up but we had to reschedule due to the horrible rains today. She will be going back next Tuesday.

Sisco’s eye was doing better but then it started to swell over the weekend. On Monday, Sisco was seen by Dr. Ryan Meeks and he found the subpalpebral lavage footplate had managed to move which caused a new ulcer. This doesn’t happen often with SPL’s, but it happens and, with our luck lately, I guess I wasn’t surprised. Dr. Ryan put it back where it belonged and put a couple of extra stitches in the tubing above the eye and used a little Superglue to better keep it in place. Yesterday the eye seemed a bit more angry, so the lavage was removed from the upper lid and put into the lower lid. Sisco feels better today. Hopefully, this will all be history in a couple of weeks. He does wear a mask with a protective hard eye cup on it 24/7.

Dr. Julia assessed Peaches this week. Peaches has had some soreness in her shoulders/neck and left hip. Dr. Julia will be back next week to do some Craniosacral Therapy and acupuncture on Peaches.

Peaches and Santana. The horses are filthy from rolling after the rains.

Oscar and Betsy are glad to be out. Hopefully the rains are over.

Kamachee seems to have claimed the minis ball. LOL

Bouie playing in the sprinkler like Wally used to do. Just about all of the mini’s like to do it. Bouie one of the ones on Wanda Sue Malphurs list to get body clipped next Saturday!

Dr. Bess Darrow will be here tomorrow to do teeth! Would anyone like to donate to help cover this expense? Sky doesn’t have any sponsors and needs his teeth done and there are a few others that are due. Betsy Rose and Gentleman will be getting checked – Betsy Rose has started to quid. Gentleman has just recently dropped some in weight – we’ll be having some blood work done on him tomorrow too. If anyone would like to help with any of this no amount would be too small – every donation adds up! Donations are tax deductible and can be made via our "Donate" page of our website at www.bhfer.org. Also, we will be starting a new fundraiser in the next couple of days.

This is Captain’s Skywalker.

"Hay everyone! How do you like my body clipping? Did you know that I’ve got a cross on my back? Oops – I hear Oscar calling – gotta go! He can be a little demanding and he throws temper tantrums sometimes – he’s like a little tornado pulling everything out of the golf cart, off the stall doors, turning off rocker switches, and oh gosh, I could go on and on! Mommy Theresa took this photo of me last week after Katie shaved me! I feel SOOO much better!"

Pistol is a character – like Oscar, he loves attention. He pulls everything out of the golf cart and will even try to get IN to the golf cart with you!

Oscar gets very bored. He just goes through the center aisle of the barn and pulls everything off the stall fronts. I mean, he gets into everything!

Betsy Rose is featured in Trail Blazer Magazine this month! Check it out at http://trail-blazer-magazine.myshopify.com/. Thank you Bobbie Jo Lieberman and Trail Blazer Magazine! We’re so proud of this little mare that never stopped believing!

It’s been a long day here and we’re about to go lights out. Sweet dreams 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

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BH May 8th ~ May 10th Update

I apologize – I thought this went out days ago but it was still in my “Draft” folder!

May 8th

Cookie had a follow-up visit at UF today. Her surgical area is healing nicely and the rest of the stitches have been removed. She does have an ulcer in the left eye that was caused by one of the sutures but it’s healing too. Because so much of the lower eyelid had to be removed Cooke is not able to completely cover her cornea when blinking. However, they said Cookie is retracting her globe sufficiently when she blinks in order to compensate for eyelid coverage.

Poor little Oscar’s foot has a long way to go. He blew out another abscess this week. The little guy really has no clue how bad his foot is.

May 9th

Our daughter, Katie, came home today to clip a couple of horses including Little E. Thanks Katie! The donks and Little E feel much better!

Some of the herd grazing as I headed out this evening to clean big metal waterers.

Ruby gets to go out after the sun goes down each evening. She’s another one that has a pink face.

"Mommy Theresa how do I look? I feel so much better without that thick coat! I saw Pistol dancing around when he was getting clipped today. I tried to tell him to behave but you know he can be a bit stubborn. He said he liked dancing with Katie! I’m not sure Katie liked it though. The sun is almost gone and the dark is coming – I don’t think you’re going to have time to finish all the big waterers. I’m going to go talk to Cookie for a bit – see ya!"

May 10th

Serenity and Bryce are so very sweet.

Classy today. Classy has a permanent tracheotomy like Lucy’s. She had a condition called "roaring" (aka laryngeal hemiplegia) which means the nerve controlling the opening of the horse’s arytenoid cartilage is damaged – it creates an upper airway obstruction. In most cases it is just one side but in her case both flaps quit working. The flaps control the amount of air that enters the lungs. During her surgery they tied back both flaps. Her trach gets cleaned each day. She can’t whinny but she’s a happy little mare.

Romeo – is that a tummy you have on you? LOL! Romeo is looking for a forever home. Some of our adoption criteria can be found pinned at the top of our Beauty’s Haven Adoption page.

Mahogany is simply stunning. She’s doing really well – I adore this mare! Her daughter, Eliza, is also doing well.

This is the little gelding that came back last night! Some of you may remember a beautiful and wise elderly paint gelding named Captain that we rescued back in early 2009. He arrived skin on bones and was crippled – in his early years he won $739 during his racing career. His registered name was "Smokeng Joe" and he was born in 1979. We were able to keep Captain comfortable for many months. During that time he was doted on and he knew he was loved. Sadly, by July 2010 he was barely able to get up on his own – he let us know he was tired. His quality of life was not going to get better – we lovingly helped him cross Rainbow Bridge. We all took his loss quite hard.

In March 2011, I received a call from the ACO in another county about a little paint stud that needed help. The moment I saw him I thought about our dear Captain. I named the little stud Captain’s Skywalker (aka Sky) IMO Captain. We rehabbed Sky and got him gelded and after a few months he was adopted. His adoptive family recently suffered a tragic loss and were not able to continue to be able to provide for Sky.

Sky settled in nicely. He appears to have an issue in his left eye which may be SCC. He’ll be examined by Dr. Julia on Monday and we’ll go from there. In the mean time, Sky would really appreciate some help. Would anyone like to help sponsor him with a one time or recurring monthly donation of any amount? He needs his initial vetting and he is due to have his teeth done. If anyone would like to help we would appreciate it. Various ways to make donations can be found on our "Donate" page of our website at www.bhfer.org. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Thank you.

The first two photos are Sky – the first taken back in March 2011. The 2nd one was taken today. The 3rd photo was taken in 2009 – the day after we took in our dear old Captain. The 4th photo is of Captain that was taken after a few months of rehab. We will never forget our dear Captain.

Happy Mother’s Day, 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.

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BH Weekend Update ~ May 2nd ~ May 4th

Friday, May 2nd

Cookie’s eye on Friday. Some of the stitches were removed but others will have to stay for awhile. She goes back to UF next Thursday.

Dr Julia is on her way out to look at Sisco’s right eye.

Cisco has an ulceration of the eye.

Lucy before the rains arrived.

Saturday, May 3rd

A beautiful, Sunny Day.

Dr. Nathan Mitts came out to put a lavage in Sisco’s eye and alter his meds.

Sunday, May 4th

It was a beautiful day – I wish the weather was like this all year around.

Ok, so I tried to get a selfie with the both of us but failed. Magic smiled for the camera anyway. LOL

He loves his scratches! S t r e t c h – oh that’s the spot!

Magic is such a beautiful horse – inside and out. I’ll try to post a video of him tomorrow.

For some reason, Kamachee thought he could crawl right through the window to go on a road trip today.

Sometimes if you blink, you miss Oscar running by. He really does not understand that his front right foot is very sick. We explain the situation to him almost daily but he insists on being a playful little donkey that isn’t too little anymore.

A gift that I was given at our Celebration of Life/ASPCA Help a Horse Day on April 26th that I will treasure forever – beautiful artwork of Betsy Rose! Thank you Laura Kelley Williams and Jenny Begin!

Wally and CaryLou – a dynamic duo. Thank you Kim Brown Lapi for the photo and Greg Ambrose’s Art Page for the artwork.

Nightly reminder – please vote! We’re in the lead for FL but it’s going to take everyone to vote daily to help us win! We did it for the SunState challenge and I know we can do it for this one with everyone’s help! If you’ve never voted before when you click on the link below search for Beautys Haven in FL and you’ll find us. If you put in Beauty’s Haven it won’t work. Good night everyone!

Have a great week, 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.

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