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Hurricane Ian Update

We are doing okay. The winds and rains have not been as bad as expected. The barn is a mess but manageable, everyone is good here. Had Ian not changed course, it would have been devastating here. Simply devastating. The horses have their ID bands and breakaway halters on. They are doing pretty well except that Mishka is dealing with a horrible abscess in his front left foot. The abscess blew out of the coronet band yesterday but he’s pretty tender. It’s tough being such a big horse when your foot or feet hurt, I’m sure.

We are very saddened by the impact Ian has had on everyone in its path. We will continue to pray for those that have been impacted.

The winds and rain are starting to get worse. We will update again soon. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers.

IMPORTANT: The trail ride fundraiser for Saturday, October 1 is POSTPONED, new date TBA.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Benjamin Back to the Vet, Open House a Success

I decided to take Benjamin to Dr. Schirmer yesterday morning as something just wasn’t right. After we picked him up from his initial vet visit (a different vet) where he had an exam, ear cleaning, nail cutting, was neutered and had some tests performed, we were told he did well and there was nothing to report except that he needed to return in two weeks to have his stitches removed.

As the days progressed, however – and hoping that it was just my imagination running wild – it appeared that Benjamin simply wasn’t feeling well much of the time.

His left ear bothered him and he oftentimes shook his head. His skin is not healthy and he has hotspots that greatly irritate him. His sores, from his head to his tail where he had been bitten many times, together with other sores, were not healing properly. He’s had some blood in his stool a number of times and he tires very easily.

With the good nutrition he’s been getting, he should be improving, but he’s not. I had the feeling that something was not addressed at his initial vetting.

Thankfully Benjamin was so much better about going to the vet yesterday. He is learning how to walk nicely on a leash and he greeted Dr. Schirmer with a smile and a wagging tail. Benjamin was great for his examination and tests. He is being treated for tapeworms as well as skin and ear infections. His stitches from his neutering were also removed. He has a 2/6 heart murmur in addition to being anemic, and he needs to be tested for heart worms once again in a few months. We are not certain as to his breed – his DNA test will be mailed out today. He is approximately a year old.

Benjamin was such a good boy and I was so very proud of him! When we arrived back at the rescue, he had a much-needed bath and then he took a long nap.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Celebration Success!

Thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers, attendees and a magnificent performance by Ivory Pal & Rafael Valle, our Annual Celebration of the Horse was a complete success! Many people came from in and around the area and from other parts of Florida and even from out of state – many I didn’t see and was unaware they were here until I went through photos and the sign-in sheet. I would have loved to have seen and spoken with everyone – I hope they all know how much we appreciate their support.

We also appreciate those who donated lovely fundraising items and/or their time.

*Please click on the image to view the lovely performance by Ivory Pal and Rafael.

Annual Trail Ride for the Horses

Saddle up to support our rescued horses and animals!

DATE: Saturday, October 1, 2002

TIME:  9am Registration, 10am Ride

LOCATION: Goethe State Forest, Dunnellon, FL

REGISTRATION FEE: $20

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

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Benjamin, An Overcomer

It was a very good day for Benjamin on Wednesday! He woke up with clean ears, he wasn’t starving, the fleas had died off, his breakfast was awaiting and he received his very first toy which he absolutely loves! The vet said he’s between one and two years old. His bloodwork results weren’t really bad, as the good nutrition he’s been getting for the last week has really helped. The many bite/puncture marks on him are healing – he may have been a bait dog. He has decided he really likes human attention now, and follows me everywhere. He is also warming up to others as well, since he has learned that the humans here at the rescue are very kind and caring.

Benjamin has truly morphed into a very sweet and inquisitive boy who wants to go everywhere and be a part of everything.

After working hard these past few days, in preparation for the open house tomorrow, we were all so totally exhausted last night. As we were completing last minute tasks in the barn, I looked down and there was Benjamin, fast asleep! He looked so peaceful and I just wanted to curl up next to him. What a difference there has been in just one week! It’s so good to see him play and not run away from everyone or be frightened of new things. As you can see in the video by clicking on the image above, Benjamin is truly an overcomer!

Thank you, all, for helping us to make all of his tomorrows everything his past should have been…

Sincerely,
Theresa

Open House Tomorrow!

We are looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow at our Annual Open House in ‘Celebration of the Horse,’ from 11am – 3pm. Ivory Pal will be performing between the hours of 12:00 – 1:00 pm. For event details, click here.

You Did It!

Thank you to everyone who contributed a story to GreatNonprofits! We are honored to be included, once again, on their Top-Rated List for 2022.

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Benjamin Part II


I think Benjamin has lived a very tough life, but now all he really wants is to trust and be loved. Since the first time I saw him, he would do this odd thing with his back legs. Oftentimes, he would turn and look at them for no obvious reason and then kick out like a horse as though a ghost was attacking him and he was trying to get away. And he would mumble. He has never chased a horse here nor has he been aggressive. He would run away when he heard a sudden noise and he always seemed to be on the alert, but this appears to be improving by the day.

A few days ago, Benjamin started following me to the north end of the property where the barn is located and I had to take him back down to the paddock and leave him with a couple of treats. On Monday, however, he decided that he preferred the north end and decided to stay. Shadow, our GSD, is usually at the barn and he had not as yet met Benjamin nor had our two little dogs that usually remain in the house.

We were concerned about Benjamin meeting our dogs, so Bob suggested that I try to get a collar on him and take him to the vet for a full examination, bloodwork and other tests, as well as to be neutered.

It wasn’t hard getting a collar on Benjamin. I don’t think he knew what it was but he accepted it like a very good boy. The only trouble I had was getting him into the car – he wanted no part of it. If Bob tried to help, Benjamin would just back away or freeze himself to the ground. I ended up picking him up and putting him in the car – it wasn’t easy as he has gained a few pounds since he has been here! Once at the vet’s office, I had to pick up Benjamin yet again to get him out of the car and then practically carry him inside.

I don’t think he’d ever been inside a building before. He had no clue what was happening and it was very difficult to leave him but it needed to be done.

I gave him a hug and promised him that I’d be back – that we were only trying to make his life better by making all of his tomorrows everything his yesterdays should have been. I do believe he knows his name now!

After a long night worrying about Benjamin, I picked him up from the vet yesterday afternoon. What a very brave boy he is! He did okay at the vet’s and came back up to date with vaccinations, a microchip, trimmed nails, and even clean ears, in addition to being neutered.

As the evening went on, Benjamin really started coming out of his shell. He stood by the barn and looked out over the farm like he was so very proud of himself and was truly glad to be back home.

If anyone would like to contribute to Benjamin’s veterinary care, it would be so very greatly appreciated. Just click on the ‘DONATE’ button below.

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Sincerely,
Theresa

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Benjamin Part I

Last Tuesday morning, we found this sweet boy in one of the south paddocks. Someone must have dropped him over the fence. He stayed in the paddock next to the road most of the day, but would go to the fence line now and then and look around as though he was expecting someone to come back for him. Whenever someone approached, however, he would run into the next paddock. We opted to feed him – he was very hungry – and decided to give him more time.

I was concerned that he may be sick or injured as he laid down the majority of the day. I have named him Benjamin.

On Wednesday morning, Benjamin was still under the shelter in the paddock by the road. He kept his distance, but came a bit closer than previously. I fed him and was able to get a Capstar in him as he had been scratching terribly. We had a horrible storm and I was so worried about him. After the storm, I went down to check on him and he was fine. I fed him dinner and this time, he approached me instead of running the other way.

I sat for a bit while he ate and thought how sad it is that anyone would abandon him, if that is what happened.

We have no explanation as to how he could have gotten onto the property for when we walked the perimeter, there is no place under which he could have dug.

On Thursday morning, I thought we might be able to get Benjamin in the golf cart by the end of the day. He might have made it had it not been for the rain. On Friday, Benjamin and I had our first nose bump – actually it was a nose to hand bump, but that still counts! He kind of ‘mumbles’ and looks like he’s smiling at times. Sadly, he has indications of bite injuries that are healing over and he’s very reactive with a sudden or new noise – especially coming from behind him.

It appears that he has not had a very good life. We believe he may be a Belgian Malinois or a Malinois/Shepherd cross.

Benjamin is now doing much better at overcoming his anxieties! Now that I’ve had a really good look at him, up close, I can see many puncture marks all over him. Some are hard to see because of his coat – but they are there. But he’s going to be okay.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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We’re putting the FUN in Fundraising!

Fans of our beloved Beauty’s Haven herd of rescued equines, felines and canines, you’re going to LOVE this FUNdraiser! Starting immediately, for each suggested donation of $5, you will get the opportunity to become the recipient of a beautiful original art print featuring members of our rescue family.

What could be better? Well, a Match Game! A generous supporter has offered to match all donations up to $500. This is a perfect way to double your impact while making an incredible difference in the life of each and every animal here at the rescue.

The fine art print, produced from an original painting by Bruno Belesso, was very kindly donated by a friend of the rescue. Reminiscent of the folk-art style of Grandma Moses, it features Betsy Rose, Hope, Little E, Gentleman, Jake, Max, Cookie, Duke, Solace, Penny, Kitty Cat, Mila and Sisco in  the clouds, and Beauty, JoJo, Jazzy, Sassy, Shadow, Peggy Sue, Lucy, Aaleyah Belle, Peaches, Chloe, Magic, Frodo, Ace, Mishka, Oreo and Ruby on the grass.

What will we do with your donation?

  • Pay $435 for our last round of farrier visits, which commence again this week at a cost of $1080
  • Apply it toward the remaining bales of alfalfa needed for Gabe, Jo and Dancer, coupled with this week’s hay run for their current need as well as one ton of Coastal for the other members of our beloved herd at $705
  • Pay our equine dentist, with whom we have an outstanding balance
  • Use $510 to repair our UTV, critically important to the day-to-day work at the rescue

Yes, running a successful equine rescue is a very costly enterprise which we simply could not do without your invaluable assistance. Contributions have been rapidly dwindling whilst the price of hay and other daily needs continues to rise.

How to enter

You may make a donation here on our website or on Facebook*, simply click the appropriate button below and note or comment “For the Art Print” on the form. (If there is no space in which to designate your contribution, please send an email with your name and the amount of your donation to events.bhfer@gmail.com. In addition, anyone who donates $125 or more will be eligible to receive one of the four available prints.

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DONATE TO ENTER ON FACEBOOK

*Facebook takes care of the donation processing with no fees.

The winner will be selected in a drawing at Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc., located in Morriston, FL, on 17 September 2022, at 2:00pm.

Thank you all for your love and support, and GOOD LUCK!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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