BH July 19th – 22nd Update

July 19th

I just have one quick thing I want to share this morning – it’s going to be an extra busy day for me because I’m here alone. Donovan had a little sweat under his mane yesterday evening! I’m so encouraged! Dr. Julia said to give it 2 weeks on the Protandim and it’s been almost 2 weeks! He’s also been on Xango – we had great luck with it when Peaches quit sweating and nothing else worked. Please pray for sweat! If anyone wants any info on Protanim or Xango please LMK – we are a distributor for both and I don’t promote products that I haven’t personally seen work. Betsy Rose has been on them and Cookie gets Protandim!

Baby Ray, Peaches, and Morgan this am.

July 20th

It’s so nice to have extra help this morning!!! This is Bri standing on a ladder to wipe Donovan’s face. LOL

URGENT! This is Bella, a 14 year old Paint pony mare that needs a home in an environment that is kinder to horses with summer pasture associated pulmonary disease ASAP. She developed allergies last spring/summer and we found a temporary foster home for her where she was much more comfortable in the winter months. A couple of months ago she went to another temporary foster home where she was doing well gradually started to have issues again. We are bringing her back to the rescue tomorrow but this is one of the last places she should be – the lime rock dust here and so many different grasses growing all around us is not good for her. We have very, very little shade. Quality of life is important and she deserves the best possible. When we rescued her in July 2012 she was living in a junkyard – she had a baby just a couple of days before. The baby (Starbuck) had issues but both of them grew stronger and they are beautiful souls. Starbuck found a forever home last year. Bella has been ridden but only when she is comfortable – she is much better during the winter months. During the summer she should be off grass and under a fan, if possible. A paddock with lots of shade and away from a dusty lime rock road would be much better for her than what we can provide here.

Mollie is so beautiful and she’s very happy! She’s a very proud Arabian that, when we rescued her, she was so weak she could not stand. She lived in the sling for the first few days after her arrival. She was skin on bones. But she never gave up. She was adopted and has a wonderful human family that adores her. She’ll never know hunger or be neglected again. Thank you Joan for opening your heart and home to her!

CHECK IT OUT!!! I know it’s hard to see but there is SWEAT under Donovan’s mane! There has been for a couple of days now! However, the boo boo on his back foot is worse. It was much, much better but today he somehow managed to open it up again.

Dr. Ryan checked out Donovan’s boo boo today and said it looks good and for me to keep doing what I’ve been doing. There was some new swelling in the leg and he’s been started on antibiotics. He’s very good about letting me work on it, fortunately. However, if anyone wants to donate some of the Underwood product that is mentioned in this post for Donovan to try we’d be happy to give it a shot.

July 21st

It was really nice to have lots of extra help yesterday. The chores we don’t normally get done before 2 to 3 pm each day were done by 11 am!

Meet Presley – he was in a kill shelter and was scheduled to be euthanized today. He’s now laying at my feet in his own little crate – tucked in for the night. He’s not feeling very well and could use some prayers – kennel cough, skin on bones, a not so good neuter job, lice, etc. His nails were so long they were curled up under his paws. He only weighs 8 lbs but that will change. I don’t understand how anyone could allow this to happen. Have a good night everyone – calling it a day soon.

The southern paddocks looked SO good after Lynn got done mowing/dragging them today. The weeds were taking over. I wish it would stay looking like this. We had to buy a new harrow – the old one had been fixed so many times it was just done. BUT – I want to say "thank you" to Tractor Supply Co. because they matched a sale price of the same drag from another store. Saved me a trip to Ocala.

July 22nd

Lot’s to update on and share but here’s some great news – Bronson is being adopted by one of our volunteers! She’s adored him since the day she met him. I’m so happy for both of them! This is Skye, Bronson, and Romeo.

JoJo and Donovan are so funny. JoJo loves to stand right outside of Donovan’s stall – I’m not sure what they are saying to each other but they keep themselves entertained. LOL Dr. Ryan Meeks checked Donovan’s rear leg injury today and said to keep doing what I’m doing – it’s healing as it should. We did start Donovan on antibiotics today. The problem is getting Donovan to understand he needs to stop being so active so the bandage can stay in place and he doesn’t make it worse like he did yesterday.

Matilda got to go out and graze around the house this evening. She immediately claimed this tree as hers.

I wish I had good news about Victoria. Dr. Ryan examined her today and blood work was done. The neurological issues are still apparent. She sways when she walks, especially in her back end. Sometimes she can manage a somewhat straight walk but it’s shaky. Making a turn is hard for her and there is muscle atrophy in her back end. She stands in one place almost all day long. Watching her walk, we would think she is an EPM case if we didn’t know about the indirect lightening issue but we are testing for it anyway. There could be lesions on her spinal cord – we just don’t know. I have not seen any signs that she has laid down since the injury – I’m not sure she would be able to get up without hurting herself. But her eyes are bright, her appetite is good, and she is drinking.

Dr. Ryan does not feel that x-rays are necessary, or would be of benefit, at this time – he recommends spending what it would cost for x-rays on acupuncture treatments and giving Victoria time. And we’ll see what the blood test results are. Dr. Julia will be out again in the next few days to treat her again. You know, this is really sad – it breaks my heart. Victoria came to us last year skin on bones with terribly neglected teeth and feet – she was in bad shape. But she is a survivor and she recovered nicely. She is such a beautiful soul. She’s a proud Arabian mare that was ready to find her own human and forever home. And then this happens and I just don’t understand why. Please pray for her.

Magic is as handsome as ever – I braided his mane on Sunday to help keep him a bit cooler.

Sincerely,

Theresa