A very important announcement is at the bottom of this email!

As some of you know, at this time each year I share a story that is near and dear to my heart. It says so much about why we do what we do, with your help, here at Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue. This year, the story hits my heart a bit harder – we’ve lost many of our beloved horses this year including Solace, Victoria, Wally, Mary, Samantha, Genesis, Buck, Rhythm, and Gentleman. This is our first Christmas without Gentleman since he came into our life many years ago – it just isn’t the same. But I’m sure they are all gathered now, with others that have gone before us, at Rainbow Bridge. They are all waiting for that day when we will be reunited. What a glorious time that will be!

I hope you’ve experienced having at least one of these kind of precious souls in your life. If not, I pray one or more will come into your life soon. It’s an experience every human deserves.

Only for Love

The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt the elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day’s end.

Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It’s been years since you’ve had foals from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn floor and his arm stole defensively about the Old One’s neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire’s fury. By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."

And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift. Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift — because of love. Only because of love.

Author: Reverend David Griffith

May your holiday season be full of many blessings!

Theresa Batchelor

IMPORTANT: If you have received a similar email within the last 24 hours, I apologize. But this is the last email that will be sent via our old email distribution format. From this point forward, we will be using our new email system. If you would like to continue to receive our updates, please visit our website homepage and sign up with your email address, if you have not already done so. Once you get to the homepage, scroll down a little and you’ll see the sign up area on the left. Again, if you have not signed up to continue to receive our emails on our homepage of website, this will be the last email update you will receive – we would hate to lose you! Thank you.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit grassroots equine rescue organization that operates totally off of donations from the public – we do not receive County, State, or Federal funds. Funds are needed for vetting, farrier needs, hay, grain, dental needs, equipment maintenance, and there is so much more. Please consider making a one time or automatic monthly donation of any amount to help us to help the horses. There are various ways to donate – visit our "Donate" page on our website. Our mailing address is PO Box 53, Morriston, FL 32668. Our PayPal address is bhfer@earthlink.net. 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!

11/30/14

Hooficure Day! Daisy was being a very good girl while getting her feet done!

Betsy Rose was also a very good girl!

December 2nd

Betsy Rose shares her meal with Freckles on GivingTuesday. Little does she know the joy that she gives 24/7/365. What a blessing it is to have her here with us! Betsy Rose Believes!

Daisy waiting at the bottom of the stairs outside of the office. If its not one donk, it’s another. Or two or three!

Guess what broke again? Yep. One of the golf carts. Hauled away to the repair shop. And this is the GOOD golf cart.

Bryce and Serenity are still looking for their forever home. Please spread the word about them. We don’t want to have to split them up – they are mother/son and have been through so much together. We may have to split them up for Bryce to go to a trainer soon. We are turning horses away that need our help. These are two wonderful and healthy horses. More information about them can be found on our Beauty’s Haven Equine Rescue Adoptions page.

December 3rd

While on my way home from Physical Therapy this morning, I stopped just in time to see this beautiful mommy giving birth!

December 4th

Ginny changing flymasks on Sisco and Athena yesterday. Both of these very sweet horses are looking for forever homes as well.

JoJo stood there and stared at the new ramp, like he was pouting, for a good 10 minutes. Then he walked away looking totally confused.

December 5th

I still find myself looking out the window each morning to see if Gentleman is ok – it’s just habit (and wishful thinking). Instead, I find Little E and Mishka hanging out together. Little E is the senior horse here now.

Matilda is one of 13 that got hooficures today. She’s such a sweet girl – she just makes you feel good! If anyone would like to help with the expense of this we would greatly appreciate it. The average cost is $35 but the draft horses now cost over double that ($75). The total came to about $500.

We are very happy to report that Ginger will be going to her new adoptive family on Monday! She won’t be very far – it’s a perfect situation!

It was so good to see Lynda yesterday! I took her for a trip around the farm so she could visit with all of the horses. Handsome, like all of the others, enjoyed the extra attention. As soon as Handsome’s front foot issue is resolved he will be ready for a home!

Peaches is always willing to come in to help fix feed. She’s still unsound on her front right. Dr. Julia recently did nerve blocks and the issue is in her foot. X-rays were done and nothing unusual was found. Dr. Specht believes there may be a bone fragment in the navicular area that we just couldn’t see on the x-ray. Dr. Porter will be here next week to address issues with Peaches, Donovan, and Daisy. If anyone would like to help with the upcoming expense of the x-rays and exams it would be greatly appreciated. It’s not going to be inexpensive.

Donovan has some issues we’ve been working on over the last few months. He stopped sweating in early summer. He had quite a bit of abscessing in his feet and had some rotation in his front left. The “summer sore” he arrived with healed fine. But there are two sores that simply refuse to heal at the coronet band where he blew abscesses – one on the outside front right and the other on the inside back left. I do not believe they are summer sores – I think they are related to sidebone – irregular bony growth he’s had from years of improper foot care. We’ve done a lot to try to get them taken care of but just when we think we’re there he blows another and we start over. Dr. Porter will be checking it out next week. Again, this won’t be inexpensive – x-rays are needed of both front and back feet. Any amount of a donation would be greatly appreciated. This is an issue that must be resolved. We’ve done everything the vets have advised but there is something more to this – there is a reason he keeps abscessing and we need to get to the bottom of it. He’s very good about the hands on treatment of the areas, thankfully.

Mishka always looks like he’s smiling. Always. He’s like a big teddy bear.

Do you remember Spirit? She is a blind mare that we picked up in June 2012. She had endured years of neglect. It was a horrible situation. I’m happy to report that Spirit is doing well in her adoptive home! She lives with another blind mare. Spirit lived in a large herd of horses, including studs, on several acres where there were many trees with low branches, fallen trees, barb wire, debris, etc. I can’t imagine how terrified she must have been on a routine basis. She has got to be one of the bravest horses I’ve ever met. Despite the life she had been living, and her horrid condition, she never lost her spirit. Spirit seemed like the appropriate name for this beautiful but very neglected mare. Here is a link to her story, in more detail, from the beginning.

Lastly, please be sure to check out our latest fundraiser on CrowdRise. There are a few tools we need to help us do our job and to help keep the horses feed healthy.

We are an all volunteer non-profit organization that operates totally off of donations from the public. We are not funded by any local, state, or federal funding. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Donations can be made to PayPal address bhfer or via various ways on our website at www.bhfer.org. We have had quite a few things hit us at once and I know the upcoming visit by Dr. Porter isn’t going to be inexpensive. Peaches and Donovan are going to need x-rays. Also, Cookie goes back to UF next week for a follow-up. The farrier will be back today for several more. Yesterday was at about $500 and today will be another $150 – $175. If you make a donation please note what the funds are to be applied towards. Thank you for your support!

Lastly – we are switching over to a new email service. In order to ensure you continue to get our updates please go to our website homepage and sign up to receive them. www.bhfer.org. On the home page scroll down until you see this graphic on the left side and sign up!

Emails will only be going out in the current format for another week so please sign up today!

Sincerely,

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
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