After the Storm – A Blind and Injured Mare

Hopefully the worst is over and those in the path of what is left fares well. We are very happy that all horses and humans here are ok. We had so much rain and some heavy winds that some of the older fence posts snapped at ground line. They need to be replaced as soon as possible. But overall it wasn’t too bad. I will say that generators are a good thing.

Before we started dealing with Tropical Storm Debby I was asked if we could help some horses that are located in another county. Melissa and I drove to the location on Saturday and were not happy with what we found – over 20 horses on about 30 acres. Studs, mares, mares with babies and a couple of geldings. All mares have been exposed (again). Only one of the horses was ok with human touch. Young ones were curious and some came over, but most were leery of being touched. Well, one young one did tolerate a soft rub on the nose. The babies haven’t been handled and most 2 years old and under haven’t either. Ages range up to about 10 years old.

The most in need of help that I can’t get out of my mind is a blind mare. It’s obvious she’s sustained quite a few injuries over time. The worst injury now is a gaping hole in her chest. As you look at the picture below you can’t see the hole that goes off to the side – deep in towards her right shoulder. I couldn’t tell if there was a foreign object in there or not. The picture is somewhat misleading – it sort of looks like the hide is just skinned off but I assure you that isn’t the case. It is oozing and was full of flies and gnats. She keeps biting at it which is making it worse. The mare is afraid and doesn’t want to be caught and a stud herds her everywhere including away from humans.

She is very thin with scars, hoof prints, open sores, and cuts all over her. She looks so very sad and lost.

Front and back legs with injuries.

Certainly looks like she ran into something. Look at the open sores and scars on her legs and face – I hate to think of what she has endured.

She can’t see – not even shadows from what I could guess. I got close to her by walking slowly next to a little colt that had decided I wasn’t too bad to be next to. When he walked past her I just squatted down – she listened intently. When the herd runs she runs but is all over the map. Oh – and she could be pregnant.

We are, like most other rescues, over capacity but we want to find a way – this mare needs help badly. Can you imagine living like this in a dark, dark world with others, including studs, being so unkind to you?  Running from them while running into trees and other debris scattered around the property?

Right now we are asking for help in two ways:

1. Please share information with others about the horses we have here that are available for adoption in an effort to place some into good homes. This will free up space for others like this mare. I’m happy to report that Buttercup did go to her new home this week and is doing well. We have many more here that are healthy and happy and ready for their own human. Please visit our “Beauty’s Haven Equine Rescue Adoption Page” on Facebook and share!!! Our adoption fees are low – it isn’t about money – it’s about finding the right forever home for each horse. We really need help with this.

2. Unless someone else is willing and has the means and experience to help this mare and can take her – we want to help her. At this time we are only seeking pledges – not donations. We need to make sure we can take on the responsibility of her care and needs first. We need pledges to cover at least 6 months of her care and her initial vetting needs. I don’t know how much it’s going to take initially but after the initial month I’m estimating it will be about $275 a month – this is just a quick estimate – I’m in a hurry and need to get out to finish chores.

I don’t know how she will accept to being handled and doctored but we won’t know if we don’t try. I’ve asked the owner to try to get the stud and the mare into a corralled area where the stud can be haltered and separated in order to catch her. The stud supposedly has some time under saddle. The owner has a small stall he can put the mare in until we can pick her up – which I would hope would be shortly after being caught but it’s a good 1+ hour drive to get there. If she can’t safely be caught then we will have to have her darted (sedation). Once here, we will have to put her in the quarantine paddock and see how she will adapt to being handled and doctored. Hopefully, she will settle in and be ok – she is young and deserves a chance.

The alternative is to have the mare put down which may or may not be in her best interest. When I asked the owner how he would put her down if she can’t be caught he said she’d be shot. I asked how that could be done humanely if she couldn’t be caught – a moving horse is not a target for a humane shooting, IMO. I can’t imagine this poor mare suffering any more than she already has. Can we, with help from others, help her? It’s not something we can decide here alone – we know we can’t make a commitment like this without help from others. If you would like to make a pledge to help us to help her please email me at bhfer@earthlink.net and let me know what you would like to pledge. Donations are tax deductible and even small amounts added up can be powerful.

I’m praying she makes it through the storms without further injury and I hope we can get her here soon. But if the owner calls tomorrow and says she has been caught and is waiting we want to be able to hook up the trailer and go get her (provided the weather allows us to). Perhaps there is another rescue or individual that could provide the care she needs? That is another option – please let me know if this is the case.

Thank you all – have a blessed day. Will be back at the computer later. Off to do chores and check on the horses. Hay – a ray of sunshine is peeking through the clouds!

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