BH September 16th – 21st Update

I apologize that it’s been so long for us to get an update out – it’s been very busy. Lots of vetting needs going on.

September 16th

I started the day out having some fun with Beauty – it was really nice! I wish I could do that every day!

September 17th

Please everyone we need prayers for Victoria. She took an indirect lightening strike several weeks ago and has had her ups and downs. Today has not been a good one for her.

September 18th

Victoria’s bad days do not outweigh the good — she’s got lots of life in her eyes and she’s not ready to call it. Neither are we. She’s grazing and doing all the important things horses do. We all have setbacks during the healing process of some injury types – it’s expected. She may have gotten up wrong during Tuesday night, twisted just the wrong way, who knows what. My biggest concern from the day it happened was that she’d colic or founder from the stress of it all. But she didn’t. But that doesn’t mean she won’t – her injury set her up for almost "the perfect storm".

Victoria’s front legs/feet are working overtime as she tries to put more weight on them – her back end is still not muscled up to where it needs to be – but its better. Colic and founder are still a concern. Please keep her in your prayers – she’s trying and she needs our support. We may have to have x-rays done at some point. We’ll know more after Dr. Julia comes today and the farrier comes tomorrow. She’s standing under her favorite tree this morning with a tummy full from breakfast. God bless – thank you all. Donations to help with her expenses can be made to PayPal bhfer or via our website www.bhfer.org.

I just got home – it’s been a rough day. The good news is that I have good news about Victoria. The bad news is that I got a call on the way home from physical therapy about a mare that was down which is where I’ve been for the last couple of hours. But I just wanted to get on here real quick and thank everyone for your support and let you know Victoria is better. I’ll get back on here after a shower and go into more detail.

Victoria got relief today when Dr. Julia popped an abscess in her front left foot. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I found out. I truly did not want to leave the farm this am but I missed a PT appointment last week and really needed to go today – I knew between Dr. Julia, Bob, and the volunteers that everything that could be done, would be done. And they kept me updated which helped me a lot. It was the first time I insisted at PT that I not put my cell phone in the cubby to wait for me until I was done and I guess the look on my face said I wasn’t about to give it up. LOL

Victoria got CleanTraxed in both feet. She got acupuncture and Essential Oils. She still has healing to do from the indirect lightening strike – injuries such as hers can take months – perhaps even a year or more. It’s possible she may have more abscesses – her Soft Rides will be here hopefully by Monday. She will get another treatment in 2 weeks – sooner if needed. Victoria stays around the house with Lucy and CaryLou – I won’t put her in with another horse – not until she is stronger in the back end. She’s a tough Arabian mare that still has spunk – we love her dearly! I truly can’t thank everyone enough for your prayers and help with Victoria today. I was so worried about her this am – she parked herself out in a founder stance and looked at me with those beautiful eyes which said she needed help. It was all I could do to not cancel my PT appointment. I’m so thankful to everyone that pulled for her today and to everyone here that took good care of her while I was gone. When I was leaving PT I got another call – mare down. I’ll update on that in a few. Thank you all so much – it’s a wonderful feeling to know that when we need our Village to pull together, you’re there. God bless you all!

September 19th

The call I responded to after I got out of PT was for a mare that was down and could not get up and the owner did not have the resources to have another vet out. I’m too exhausted, mentally and physically, to go into detail but it was a very sad situation. I’m very thankful to Dr. High for responding on short notice – he was clear on the other side of town. But it was an emergency and he responded right away. He examined the mare and, after hearing her history and assessing the situation and prognosis, it was determined that the most humane thing to do was to help her to the Bridge. The mare is no longer in pain – she runs with the Heavenly herd. It’s never easy – I only knew her for a short time – she had the kindest eyes and I know she is grateful for the release. I won’t post photos – it’s not how the mare should be remembered. I’m calling it a day. Thank you all for staying with us on this roller coaster ride of helping horses. The horses appreciate you and so do us humans. Have a good night and, again, thank you for your support. Now, I pray for sleep that likely won’t come. But tomorrow is a new day and, hopefully, it will be a good one.

I am so ready for today to be over. Just spent hours cleaning the feed room. Little bugs in the senior feed. They run faster than I can vacuum. Lost two bags. It could have been worse I guess. It’s Pouring rain. Weather check says only 10% chance of rain right now. Ha! I can’t wait to eat something and take a hot shower. Yesterday was tough. Today feels like "the day after." Losing a horse, any horse, takes a toll on my heart. I’m going to finish up at the barn and call it a day. I’m sorry but I haven’t gotten to email or PM’s today nor have I listened to my phone messages. Tomorrow. It will all be better tomorrow. Have a good night everyone.

September 20th

"Good morning mommy Theresa! The clouds are here so JoJo doesn’t need to wear his mask today, right? Can he come out to play now?"

Ruby all pretty after being groomed.

September 21st

Bella and Brody going for a ride – I’m so very happy that the move north has helped her quality of life significantly! It broke my heart to see her struggle to breathe here.

We were in Gainesville watching our son’s competition yesterday evening when I got a call from Kylie that Ginger was choking. Choke can be a horrible experience for the horse and the humans trying to help. Fortunately, Ginger’s was a pretty mild case but a choke is a choke. Kylie and Barbara did a great job and had it pretty much cleared by the time we got home but I opted to have the vet out anyway to pass a tube just to make sure the obstruction had cleared – and it had. Ginger now gets a couple small pieces of salt block in her feed tub to slow her down from being a piggy when she eats. She’ll be on a soupy mash for a few days.

I’ve wanted to give a detailed update on Donovan and Victoria for days now – hopefully tomorrow I can. Donovan did get his treatment and he is doing better, thankfully.

Matilda was so good for her hooficure – she’s just a sweetie! Would love to get her a Dr. Julia treatment now that her feet are much better balanced.

Attagirl did well for her hooficure too. Her feet were pretty bad when she arrived – really bad. But they are recovering nicely. It’s just going to take some time.

Peaches is still having issues. She gets better then worse. It was diagnosed as a splint soft tissue injury after x-rays several days ago but we’re wondering if she may have an abscess that needs to resolve too.

Peaches getting a bath by Eva and her son. In the background that’s Barbara walking Betsy Rose to the shade of the tree for her lunch.

Have a great week everyone! If anyone would like to help with any of the extra vet/farrier and related expenses it would be greatly appreciated. Our PayPal is bhfer. Donations can be made via the “Donate” page of our website at https://www.bhfer.org/donate.cfm. Donations are tax deductible. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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