It is with a heavy heart and deepest sorrow that we must inform you that our beloved Baby Hope has gone to Rainbow Bridge. Our precious little calf died peacefully in her sleep at 12:03am surrounded by Theresa and Bob. Theresa will provide a complete explanation in a few days, but at this time, she, understandably, needs time to grieve.
Please keep Theresa, Bob, Baby Hope & the Beauty’s Haven family in your prayers.
Warmly,
Jeanne
JoJo and Jazzy here! We just want to let everyone know that three very special Aunties have offered to match all donations up to $650. The first $100, with matching funds, will be used to purchase two blankets for our new friend, Jo, a medium weight blanket as well as a lightweight blanket. The remaining $550 in matching funds will be applied to this week’s hay needs. We know that everyone was so very generous to help Jo, recently, so if you are unable to assist with this need, we truly understand. Please share, though, okay?
Sending Donkey Hugs and Kisses,
JoJo & Jazzy
There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small.
Thank you!
I apologize for taking so long to post this update. The daily chores/needs we tackle here each day are many and there is little extra time. Those of you who have been with us for a long time, know I used to post often throughout the days/nights. Now, I try to post at least a couple of times a week when I am able to make time before calling it a day. Hopefully, soon, I’ll be able to post more routinely again.
And now, for Jo’s long awaited update
Jo’s kidneys and liver are stressed and she’s fighting infection. She has a heart murmur, severe muscle atrophy, and is about 300 pounds underweight. She has a poor coat and patches of skin without hair. Her coat, thankfully, is actually looking slightly better already. Her appetite is good and she’s drinking and getting the supplements that she needs. She’s also being treated for ulcers. As I mentioned in my update yesterday, Jo’s feet needed attention, too, but they were taken care of the day after we brought her to the rescue.
Like most horses, Jo walked right into the stall in Dr. Bess’ dental trailer. She was an absolute angel the entire time.
Most of Jo’s issues came about due to the condition of her teeth. Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry) found ulcers in Jo’s cheeks, gums, tongue, and soft palate due to sharp points. One sharp point put the palatine artery at significant risk of being cut which could have caused Jo to bleed out.
There were large ramps and her front teeth are on a slant due to misalignment which physically obstructed the motion she needed to properly chew. Because Jo couldn’t chew, it decreased the ability of her digestive system to extract much needed nutrients from any food she did manage to get down. It also put her at risk for choke and colic.
Most horse owners know this, but for those who don’t, when a horse chews, it is a grinding motion that, over time, wears down the tooth surface. Sharp hooks and points form. Teeth wear unevenly which causes the mouth to close improperly which can lead to chronic colic, weight loss, quidding, bad behavior, and other issues. Quidding is when food gets rolled into balls which fall out of the horses mouth and drop to the ground. Sometimes, rather than chew with a painful mouth, a horse will try to swallow food before chewing is complete which can cause choke, colic, and weight loss. Jo was quidding. Sometimes, a horse will pack food on the side of its mouth (when they are unable to chew on that side) which can cause gum disease and tooth loss.
When a horse is younger, uneven wear can be corrected. Left unattended, the issue progresses and becomes severe as in Jo’s case. Horses’ teeth erupt and wear over their lifetime. As a horse ages, the eruption rate slows and teeth get shorter. With an older horse, there might not be any tooth left below the gum to keep erupting and teeth may start to fall out. When a horse loses a tooth, the tooth above or below it, doesn’t have anything to grind against. The teeth on each side of the empty space start moving toward each other and feed can get packed there which can cause issues that would need veterinary attention.
As a horse ages, the digestive tract becomes less efficient at absorbing and processing nutrients. Reduction in the ability to mechanically break down food (through grinding of the teeth) lowers digestibility. It’s important to ensure a horse’s diet is tailored to suit their particular needs. Senior horses like Jo, and Little E, need a complete senior feed that is easy to chew and is highly digestible. This feed can be soaked and made into a soupy mash which helps prevent choke. The increased water intake also helps reduce digestive issues. These horses benefit from smaller portioned meals that are offered more frequently throughout the day.
The day after Dr. Bess did Jo’s teeth, it felt good to know Jo could finally use her mouth without the pain and discomfort that she had been feeling for quite some time. And Jo actually looked brighter and happier!
Providing proper dental care for the entire lifetime of a horse is very important to its well-being. Routine dental care can help a horse live a longer and healthy life by preventing issues and unnecessary pain and suffering. Every horse owner has an obligation to provide this to their horse.
Jo’s previous owner said they were feeding her two meals a day, and I do believe them. After Jo arrived, she passed manure and there was grain in it. We were told that Jo’s teeth were floated about 1 1/2 years ago by a farrier. Whoa – red flag! This is a good example of why it’s important to have an equine dentist, or veterinarian skilled in equine dentistry, like Dr. Bess, to properly diagnose, correct, and treat dental problems as well as administer sedation (if needed).
We’re thankful that Jo’s previous owner finally reached out for help before it was too late, allowing us the opportunity to make a significant difference in Jo’s life. She wouldn’t have lasted much longer. Recovery may take awhile – many things happen to a body when it has been deprived of proper nutrition. But Jo has a bright attitude and we have the means (thanks to our supporters) to provide what she needs to help her through this time.
We thank all of you for caring!
Dr. Darrow is a veterinarian and is International Association of Equine Dentistry certified. She specializes in equine dentistry. Her dental trailer is awesome and most horses walk right into the padded stall. She uses a full mouth speculum and bright light, a drencher, power and manual tools, a soft chin rest and/or a head suspension system, mirrors, other instruments, and sedation (when needed). She provides a dental record and chart of the horse’s mouth which describes the work she did and also shows diagrams of the teeth. It’s obvious to us that she understands the whole horse and cares about her patients. She has been treating our horses for years!
Dr. Darrow’s website is Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry and she can also be found on Facebook. We truly appreciate everything she does for the horses, not just here, but everywhere! She spearheaded Houses4Horses, a non-profit organization that began with efforts to aid horses following Hurricane Michael in 2018 in Florida’s panhandle. Houses4Horses is also helping to provide vet care, hay and feed for horses and livestock remaining on Grand Bahama Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
It was a beautiful day at the rescue last Sunday – the weather was nice and there were no “surprises.” Jo greeted us in the morning with bright eyes and a whinny to start the day. Jenny arrived and gave her a much-needed bath and spa treatment. Jo seemed to hold her head a little higher after her bath so I’m thinking she really enjoyed it. Her sores were treated and her mane and tail were brushed out. She’s very beautiful.
Jo had a happy hooficure day on Monday – she truly needed it and I am sure she felt much better afterwards!
The vet also came on Monday to do an exam on Jo, including blood tests. We were told that she is 35 years old but I’m not sure if that is correct. There’s probably a combination of things contributing to her being so thin, but I do believe that with proper care, she has the desire, and ability, to overcome. Jo is very vocal, alert, and interested in everything that goes on around her. She’s a very kind soul.
After examining Jo, Dr. Julia visited with Hope.
Dr. Bess came on Wednesday to do Jo’s teeth. She aged Jo to be 28 years young. I will be sharing a comprehensive update with some pretty incredible photos as to the vet and equine dentist’s findings, within the next few days.
We truly appreciate everyone’s support for sweet Jo.
Jo loaded like a champion and unloaded just fine too. She’s a 35 years young QH mare that’s likely, a “been there, done that,” type of horse. I don’t know how much longer she would have lasted and yes, reaching out for help should have come sooner, but she’s here now and she has a chance. Please keep Jo in your prayers. She’s truly a very sweet and kind old soul.
It’s always very gratifying to watch a horse enjoy their first meal here. The look on their face is priceless and it reassures us that we are making a difference. And we are only able to do what we do because of help from others – we operate totally from donations. So, know that all of you are making an incredible difference in Jo’s life. We don’t know if Jo has days, weeks, months, or hopefully, many years left on this earth, but we do know that she will get the best of care in her sunset years.
We have had many calls about horses that need help lately and the cold season isn’t even upon us yet. Hay is expensive here and the calls for help always increase when the grass goes dormant – many people just can’t afford needed hay and the horses suffer. Sadly, we expect the number of calls will only increase over the next couple of months.
Jo’s vetting will soon be done (including bloodwork), to identify issues, including if there is damage to her organs. Weight loss can be due to dental issues, chronic infection, parasites, cancer, or other issues or a combination of issues. When a body starves, it feeds off its own fat, then muscle, then organs and once a horse reaches a body condition score (BCS) of 1, its prognosis for recovery is very poor – Jo’s BCS is 1. Other than being skin on bones, her skin is unhealthy with open sores, and she needs to see the dentist and the farrier.
We weren’t planning on taking in any horses for awhile, our paddocks are full and resources are very tight, but this mare needed help and it was obvious that time was of the essence. There are two other horses where Jo came from – a mare that is somewhat underweight and a gelding that is slightly underweight. We need to find a good home for the other mare – we’ll be working on that. We’re not 100% sure if this will change, but the gelding isn’t looking for a home at this time. However, in the meantime, we want to take 2 salt blocks and 2 large compressed bales (est. 800 lbs each) of hay to the 2 horses on Monday. They live in separate paddocks and can’t share a bale. This will cost at least $210 but the hay should last at least 2 to 3 weeks. If anyone can help with hay for the other 2 horses, please designate your donation for “The Other 2.”
Also, the farrier is coming on Monday to do several horses and we need help with that as well. If you would like to help any of the horses with their hooficures, please note that your donation is for “hooficures.”
Jo is also in need of sponsors so it you would like to help Jo, please note “Jo” on your donation. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Donations are tax-deductible and no amount is ever too small.
Many thanks to everyone – you are all amazing and we truly appreciate you!
We posted on Facebook earlier this afternoon that we were seeking sponsors to help us help a sweet Quarter Horse mare. Although we did not garner a sufficient number of sponsors, time was of the essence and she was transported to Beauty’s Haven earlier this evening. Her name is Jo and she is still in need of sponsors. Jo will need a complete exam including bloodwork, as well as have her teeth and feet done. When she is strong enough, she will then need vaccinations etc. Jo’s initial expenses will be great, and we will need assistance with her ongoing and long term care expenses as well, however long that may be. Ideally, we would like to receive enough commitments from our supporters to sponsor her care for several months. Lots of little bits add up!
Would anyone like to make a one time donation or sign up to be a monthly sponsor for Jo’s care? Donations are tax-deductible and no amount is ever too small. There are many ways in which to donate. You may donate via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Please note that your donation is for “Jo.”
Thank you, all, for your love & support. Please keep sweet Jo in your prayers.
Hi Everyone!
The look on Domino’s face last evening when she learned the hay trailer was empty and there was only enough remaining to fill the hay bags for today, was priceless!
But do not despair, Domino, two wonderful ‘Aunties’ have joined forces and are offering a Match Game, whereby, all donations up to $500 will be matched dollar for dollar!
We hope to raise $710 for one large compressed bale of orchard/alfalfa mix plus one ton of orchard hay. Daddy Bob hopes to get to the hay store by early afternoon, so if anyone would like to help with this need, we would be forever grateful!
There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website, or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no donation is ever too small.
Thank you!
Hi Everybody!
“When I first came to the rescue, it was very hard for me, most of the time, when I tried to lay down or walk. If you click on the image of me above, you will see a video of my first days at the rescue. But at least I had been able to get to the milk bar after I was born with a little help from my mommy. Dr. Sonday said, most babies born with issues like mine don’t live. But, well, don’t you know? I never give up! We got a wheelchair to help me get around better and to get stronger and more coordinated. I’ll share a video of that as well.”
Hope’s Sling“I also had a sling that I could stand up in without worrying about my balance and falling over. I was supposed to use it to help me get stronger. But there was a little problem – all I wanted to do in it was rest and relax! But it was ok, the humans would stretch my legs out and massage them, and my shoulders and hips too, and it felt pretty good.”
Hope’s Walkin’ Wheels“How do you like my pink wheelchair? It helped me to go places all by myself without falling down! Like all by myself – just watch me move about by clicking on the above image! My wheelchair was supposed to help me get stronger, and help my balance and coordination, but there was a little problem. One day, I fell asleep in it and the back straps popped off. All of a sudden, I was up sitting on the ground with my front legs pointed up in the air. Jerry said I looked like a cow getting ready to jump over the moon! After that, mommy Theresa kept all of the straps off because she was afraid I’d get hurt in it if I fell asleep again and nobody was right there with me to help me. Then the humans started using my wheelchair to nudge me along from behind to walk and that works pretty good except I can’t lounge in it anymore.”
When the world whispers, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Let’s try it one more time.”
“It’s true that I’m a little slower at many things than most calves my age, but I finally have Chapter 3 of my life story ready to share! In Chapter 2, I told you about my Dynasplints and Silver Whinnys’ Sox. The splints helped my legs to not criss-cross so much and I can walk better. We’ve been doing a lot of PT which helps me learn better balance and coordination.
After my splints came, we did PT everyday but even after a short walk, I’d get tired and want to rest on my knees or lay on my bed. Did I tell you about my bed? I think I did. Well, I still love my bed but it’s getting a bit worn out. It’s comfy and it’s my home base. When we do PT and I walk, someone puts my bed on the ground where I’m supposed to walk to and that’s where I try to go. But at first, on most days, it was so hot – all I really wanted to do was lay on my bed in the grass on the little hill by the barn. But in the evenings, when it was cooler, we did a bit more PT and it wasn’t as bad, but I’d still get tired.
Volunteers and visitors came to visit with me each day and Kitty Cat still hung out with me. Freckles and Jerry told me stories about Betsy Rose almost nightly. Did you know that we have a lot in common? Like the sling – let me tell you about the sling! Freckles said Betsy liked her sling and did you know she lived in it, around the clock, for two months before she was strong enough to walk on her own? Freckles said, sometimes, after Betsy was strong enough to walk on her own, she would walk to her sling and look at mommy Theresa and, somehow, mommy Theresa knew Betsy wanted to get in it. Betsy Rose liked it because she could get good REM sleep, whatever that is, without worrying about falling down. It helped mommy Theresa to worry less – she didn’t want to take any risks with Betsy Rose – she loved her to the moon and back! Sometimes, when Betsy would nap in her sling, she’d go into REM sleep, and her little legs would run like she was running a race and she’d make cute little noises like she was having a blast. I’ll ask mommy Theresa to share a video of it – she tried to show it to me one day when it was raining and we were bored in my suite but I couldn’t see it very well. Anyway, Betsy’s sling was a bit big for me, even though she was a little pony, so I got my own smaller sling, but I still didn’t care for it – it just didn’t fit my body right – I’m shaped a little different than most baby cows. Whenever I was in the sling, my front legs wanted to go straight out in front of me and Jerry said I looked like a cow getting ready to jump over the moon!
Dr. Julia kept doing acupuncture and Raindrop Therapy on me and sometimes, mommy Theresa used a red light thing on my knees. Humans still helped me up much of the time, and I tried to walk, but I still wasn’t very good at it and I got tired easily. Every now and then, mostly at night, I’d get up on my own and go walking. It would freak mommy Theresa out on mornings when she’d go to the barn and I wasn’t where I was supposed to be!
To help me stay up longer and walk further, and to help my coordination, I got my very own wheelchair! The humans wouldn’t leave me in it very long – when I got tired we’d head towards my bed and I’d get to rest but we tried to increase the amount of time I was in it by a little each day. One day, when I was in my wheelchair, I dozed off and can you guess what happened? The back straps popped off and I ended up sitting on my butt and my front legs were pointing up in the air – they were still kind of strapped in! Jerry said I looked like a cow getting ready to jump over the moon again and that the look on mommy Theresa’s face was priceless! After that, I didn’t get strapped in anymore. Instead, humans put the wheelchair around me, like I was in it but without the support straps, and they nudged me from behind to get me to move forward. It worked ok, but I still didn’t have much energy. We tried to do a little more walking at night and I got a little bit stronger.
And then one day, guess who I met? Uncle Andrew! He’s pretty cool and he gives me hooficures! He says if he took me home, the Mrs. would take me in the house because I’m way too cute! He trimmed all four of my feet a little bit and it didn’t hurt at all. He says its important that my feet stay balanced to help me walk better.
Mommy Theresa was worried about me being tired so much and called Dr. Sonday to come out to see me. I was happy to see Dr. Sonday again – we’re good friends! She listened to my heart and lungs and my tummy and said they were normal and that I was bright and alert. She was glad to see that my legs were a little better. I was laying down when she got here, but then I stood up for her, all on my own, so she could see that I can do it. But I only walked a few feet and got on my knees – it was very hot that day and I was really tired. Dr. Sonday went to her truck to get something, so I laid down. When she got back, she did that “poke me in the neck thing” that Dr. Bullock did to me to do blood tests. She said she’d find out if I needed more vitamins and minerals or if there was something else going on. Just before Dr. Sonday left, she gave me a shot of something which didn’t feel good, but it was something she said I needed, so it was ok. A few days later, Dr. Sonday called mommy Theresa and gave her some instructions which included giving me B12 injections.
Over the next few days, I started to feel better. I felt so much better that mommy Theresa added a challenge to my PT routine. She started putting my meals in a dish that was a little bit high off the ground so that I had to stand up to be able to eat! A couple of weeks later, did you know that I got a pretty pink halter? I didn’t really like to wear it at first, but I got used to it. And then I learned a game called “follow the feed tub” and it seems like the walk to the tub gets longer and longer!
By then it was almost June and one day aunt Becky brought me the coolest gift but I’m going to save that story for the next chapter – I’ve got to get back to PT! I’ll ask mommy Theresa to post some photos and video, ok?
Everyone take care and stay tuned for Chapter 4!”
Love,
Hope
When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers “Try it one more time.”
Hey Everyone!
All the humans here at the farm are busy taking care of my horse and donkey friends, Hope the baby cow, and the cats and dogs, so I thought I would try to help raise funds for this week’s Hay and Forage Run. We only have enough hay to last the day, so we hope to raise $610 for a ton of 3 string orchard hay and $154 for 7 bags of Triple Crown Forage. We also need to order vaccines to help keep all of equines here at the rescue healthy and happy. We need two ten-dose vials of 5-way vaccines at a cost of $240 per vial. If anyone would like to help with these needs ($1224), we would be forever grateful!
A wonderful friend and supporter has also come forth to offer a Match Game whereby all donations up to $250 will be matched dollar for dollar so this is a great opportunity to double your donation!
There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay/Vaccines Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no donation is ever too small.
Thank you!
Love,
Mishka