Aaleyah Belle Needs Prayers

On Saturday morning, we were faced with yet another medical crisis. Aaleyah went down with colic.

I immediately called the vet and then administered medications. After the vet arrived and passed a tube, she determined that Aaleyah required hospitalization. As we were loading Aaleyah, Chloe become very stressed. Aaleyah and Chloe have been best friends for many years and I was so worried that Chloe, too, might colic. I made the decision, despite a terrible migraine, to remain at the farm while Jenny followed Bob and Aaleyah to the hospital. I gave Chloe a little sedative to calm her down and approximately forty-five minutes later, she felt better and went off with Peaches who is, once again, on ‘friendship’ duty. I’m sure Peaches knows that Chloe needs a new friend while Aaleyah is away.

Once Aaleyah arrived at the hospital, Dr. Hughes called and stated that she felt Aaleyah’s Issue could be managed medically vs surgically – they would treat her and give her some time. As we waited, Jenny stayed in touch and after a bit, she called to say that it would be best if I got to the hospital as soon as possible. My migraine had subsided, Chloe had settled down, and I was very concerned about Aaleyah, so off to the hospital I went. Upon seeing Aaleyah, my little voice told me she needed surgery sooner than later. Jenny then tracked down Dr. Hughes to let her know that I had arrived.

After discussing the issues with Dr. Hughes, I asked that she set the process in motion so Aaleyah could go into surgery immediately – a decision which literally, saved Aaleyah’s life.

During surgery, Dr. Hughes discovered that Aaleyah’s colon had been displaced. However, the blood supply to it was good. The bigger issue was an epiploic foramen entrapment. There is a small slit next to the liver and stomach (which is normal) but somehow, about six feet of Aaleyah’s small intestine had become entrapped in that slit. The blood supply had been cut off but the intestine was not dead so Dr. Hughes opted to put back the section of small intestine where it belonged versus resecting it. Afterwards, she observed the intestine moving and ‘coming back to life.’. She stated that part of the intestine was ‘sick’ but it was not ‘dead,’ and thought it best to let it be. She also said that Aaleyah needs to go on a serious diet! I don’t want to be the one to tell Aaleyah that – she only gets a little Safe Starch Forage with a ration balancer as it is.

When Dr. Hughes called this morning, she stated that Aaleyah had had a bumpy night which was to be expected following major surgery. She promised to call me if there was any change for the worse. Sadly, since I could not be in two places at once and with Jo and Gabe having issues, I opted to remain at the farm today while Jenny went to check in with Aaleyah at the hospital. I was happy to learn Aaleyah had passed a small amount of poop! She is also talking to a cute gelding across from her and her eyes are a bit brighter.

She is not out of the woods yet and will remain at the hospital for at least five to seven days.

How to Help

If anyone would like to help with Aaleyah’s medical/surgical fees, donations may be called directly into Peterson Smith Equine Hospital: 352-861-1251 or 352-237-6151. Account #95501. Donations for her may also be made in a variety of ways by clicking on the button below.

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Thank you, all, for your love and support and please continue to keep Aaleyah in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Nadia and Venus, Together Again

Nadia has had DLSD for a long time and we have worked with traditional vets, a great farrier, and holistic vet over the years to try to keep her comfortable. But she has grown more uncomfortable over the past few weeks, and over the past couple of days she has made it clear to me that she’s tired.

Upon consultation with the vet, and what I had already felt deeply in my heart, we made the decision to help our beautiful Nadia reunite not only with her beloved Venus, but with all of her other friends who have crossed before her and are now galloping happily with the Heavenly Herd. They shall all remain forever in our hearts.

To view a video of our two beautiful Arabian mares, CLICK HERE.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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A Message from JoJo as Idalia Approaches

Yesterday afternoon, JoJo was concerned because he heard a hurricane might be coming – he saw a kayak on Frosty’s Knoll and Lucy wearing a snorkel. Well, we definitely have a hurricane coming and Lucy was definitely in a snorkel, but I was really proud of her because she was already wearing her EquestriSafe ID collar! We have a ton of things to get done in a short period of time and I’m very thankful that we have collars for the other horses and the dogs.

The hay trailers are empty – we need to make two hay runs and get a load of shavings ASAP in advance of Idalia. If anyone can help we’d really appreciate it. We need to raise $1600.

Please click on the ‘DONATE’ button below if you can assist us at this time. And, see sweet JoJo’s message up close and personal by watching the video below, straight from the donkey’s mouth!

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Thank you, as always, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Godspeed, Beautiful Oasis

Last evening, Avie discovered Oasis down and cast in his shelter. She contacted me over the radio and I immediately responded. When I saw him, I knew it was very bad. I called the vet and administered IV medications as instructed, to aid Oasis until the vet arrived. He was able to get up but would immediately go down – he was in excruciating pain. While waiting for Dr. Madera to arrive, Bob prepared the trailer in order to transport Oasis to the hospital.

Once Dr. Madera arrived and assessed Oasis, however, she confirmed what my heart already knew – it was time to let him go.

Oasis, an elegant and proud eighteen year-old Arabian, loved life and made many humans laugh with his antics. He has always been healthy and as he had a strong heart, it took much longer than the norm for the medication to take effect, which would help him to peacefully transition to Rainbow Bridge. However, the longer transition did make it very hard on us humans. The entire time, his best friend, Mo, together with myself, Bob, and Dr. Madera, remained by Oasis’ side.

Our beloved Oasis is now majestically galloping at Rainbow Bridge with all the other members of our herd that have gone before him. He leaves behind all who loved him dearly, especially Mo and his entire Beauty’s Haven family who are beyond devastated. He had a very special place in my heart and always will.

Oasis will truly be missed and his heartbreaking departure leaves an irreplaceable void. Please keep Mo, and all of us here at Beauty’s Haven, in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you, as always, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Maggie – Near or far, she’ll always be in our hearts

Maggie came to us last November as a county seizure. She had been living alone in a small sand paddock for many years. The case is still pending, but last week we were advised we had to release her to her previous owner. She was picked up on Saturday. It broke many hearts – especially Gabe’s. I can only hope and pray that there were lessons learned and that Maggie will be loved and properly cared for this time – and that she will have a friend. She truly appreciated having companionship.

Watching Gabe run around and hearing him call for her when she left and her call for him as the trailer drove away broke my heart. Animals certainly do feel happiness, love, pain, sorrow, and even a sense of loss.

Walking her to the transport trailer was a very hard thing to do and I feel like I betrayed her. I had promised her safety, food, and happiness. I’m sure she didn’t understand that we had no choice – we do have to follow the law. We all adore this mare and we cherish the bond that these two horses, each one having lived alone for many years before coming to us, had formed.

Together, Gabe and Maggie flourished. Maggie stays in my heart and in my prayers. The door is always open for her to come back.

Updated to address questions: We know where Maggie went. The State Attorney approved of the boarding facility where she was taken which is a couple of hours away. It’s off the beaten path so there is really no way to check on her by doing a drive-by. There was no restriction put on how long Maggie had to stay at the boarding facility.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Match Game!

Thank you to everyone who has donated a fence board(s) thus far, but we do have a way to go with 31 boards still needed at a cost of $14.50 per board. The good news is that we are almost halfway there!

We are also truly pleased to announce that a dear friend and supporter has come forth and has offered to match all donations up to $450 designated for the fence boards. Any overage will be applied to filling the in-ground Propane tank that feeds two generators so they will be ready for potential hurricanes.

If you are in a position to help with this need, please click on the ‘DONATE’ button below where there are many options in which to forward your contribution. Please be assured that all donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small! Please note that your contribution is for ‘Fence Board Match Game.’

Thank you, all, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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A Board for the Horses

The rescue (17.5 acres) has no-climb fencing around its perimeter with top boards and electrical tape. As boards have a tendency to expand during the summer season, they quickly become stressed and many, unfortunately, break, which creates a very hazardous environment for our ‘Velvet Nosers.’

A number of paddocks, as well as the arena, have three-board fencing with an average of five boards in each that are in need of replacement. This presents a bit of a challenge at this time due to the increased price of boards.

As we need to replace 60 boards at a cost of $14.50 each, we are hoping that our little village of supporters will assist us by sponsoring a board (or partially sponsor a board).

This will help ensure the overall safety and well-being of each and every member of our beloved little herd, for which they, and we, will be forever grateful.

If you are in a position to help with this need, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below where there are many options in which to forward your contribution. Please be assured that all donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small!

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Thank you, all, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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The Little Mare with the Flaxen Mane


I woke up thinking about her and she’s been on my mind all day. Hopefully, she will be in my dreams tonight.

June 14th, 2013. Betsy Rose arrived skin on bones with a Body Condition Score of 0.5 (Henneke Scale 1 to 9). The odds for her survival were next to none. When a body is deprived of nutrition, it feeds off its own fat, muscle, and then organs. It shuts down. This is where Betsy Rose was when she arrived. From the moment I saw her, there was an overwhelming connection and I sensed a fierce determination in her to overcome. I promised her that we would do everything we could to make all of her tomorrows everything her past should have been. I believed that if we could stabilize her, enable her body to be able to ingest and digest food through a proper refeeding program and give her body time to heal and grow strong, that she could overcome. I knew her rehabilitation would be absolutely demanding and intense but I also knew she deserved a chance. Her recovery and survival were nothing short of a miracle.

Betsy Rose was much more than that one special horse that comes into your life – she was a teacher, friend, comic, helper, healer and a hero. She overcame insurmountable challenges with much determination and dignity.

Throughout her incredible journey to overcome all odds, she taught us perseverance, courage, compassion, patience, wisdom, and to never give up. She taught us to believe. We were blessed to have her in our life. Sadly, we had to let her go to Rainbow Bridge on December 22nd, 2017, due to a condition that prevented her from being able to swallow. If one cannot swallow, they are unable to live, and there was nothing more that could be done.

Betsy Rose had an incredibly strong life force about her that naturally captivated countless hearts from around the world. She motivated many people to overcome various types of obstacles. There is no way to measure the love this little mare generated amongst people far and wide. She will always be in our hearts and she will never be forgotten. Her spirit and her legacy live on through our work and through others that she inspired. We will forever be indebted to this little mare with the flaxen mane that taught us to believe.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Feet & Feed!

It is so hard to believe that summer is fast approaching, which of course, brings yet another round of hooficures. Almost all members of our beloved little herd of 30 are due for a hooficure. Farrier visits have been scheduled beginning yesterday, June 9th, and will be ongoing until next Friday, June 16th, in hope that each of our ‘Velvet Nosers’ will have ‘Happy Feet’ by the very first day of summer.

While donations toward basic needs such as farrier care and hay may seem trivial to many, they are vitally important to the overall health and well-being of our equines. Please be assured that each and every dollar designated for these needs brings us great relief and an inordinate amount of gratitude.

The average cost per hooficure is $45. If you would like to sponsor or donate any amount toward a hooficure, you may forward your contribution simply by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small.

Thank you, all, for your love & support!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Let’s Fill Up the Hay Trailer!

The weekend also means that it is time for yet another hay run. Although we do have grass, we must still continue to feed hay to our ‘Velvet Nosers’ in order to keep our grassy areas from turning into sand paddocks.

We estimate this week’s purchase will be approximately $1,000, so if you would like to contribute toward this need, both horses and humans alike would be forever grateful. Just click on the donate button included on this post. All donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever to small.

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A Wonderful Visit

We had a fun time introducing some of the ladies from the GFWC Williston Woman’s Club to our beloved herd last weekend. Waylon tried to monopolize the time – he just adores attention and JoJo, Jazzy, and CaryLou, thankfully, behaved! Everyone had an absolutely wonderful time!

Beauty’s Haven is currently in the lead in Radiant’s Charity of the Month Contest thanks to the dedication of our amazing village of supporters. Please remember to VOTE DAILY by CLICKING HERE in order to assist us in winning the grand prize of $1000 which will truly be a godsend to our beloved little herd! Please note that only one vote may be submitted per every twenty-four hour period.

We will also be reviving our ‘Strive for Five’ program in honor of our beloved Betsy Rose, so please stay tuned for further information.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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