Yesterday was yet another busy day. Dr. Julia came out to run blood work on Peaches, Addi, JoJo, Jazzy, Valley Girl, Danni, Mo, Skye, and Walker, whilst some of the boys had their sheaths cleaned. JoJo and Jazzy were not at all happy about their procedures and were still pouting about it last night!
And now for some not so good news. Jo was kicked late last week and the next day, the area where she was injured was swollen. We monitored her temperature and appetite, both of which have been normal, but as the swelling continued to worsen, we opted to proceed on the side of caution and have her tested, and when the results came back, our fears were confirmed – Jo had Pigeon Fever.
“Pigeon fever in horses is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, commonly causing large, painful abscesses in the pectoral muscles (chest), abdomen, or inguinal area, often peaking in warm/dry seasons. Transmitted via flies and contaminated soil/wounds, it requires isolation, careful drainage of abscesses, and prompt veterinary care to prevent severe, long-term complications.”
Pigeon Fever does not pose a danger exclusively to horses however, as other animals including cows, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, etc. are also susceptible to this insidious disease.
Since we have had no horses enter of leave the farm for several months, the extremely dry conditions have most assuredly, contributed to Pigeon Fever resurfacing from beneath the ground once again this year. The vet will be back this evening to lance and drain the injury on Jo’s chest and fluids will be collected. Our bio-security protocol has been activated, with foot baths, gloves and fly-control measures in place.
Jo lives with Valley Girl, another senior mare. Valley Girl was the first horse who was stricken with Pigeon Fever in January 2025 and the last to recover from it in June 2025. She, thankfully, has not presented with symptoms at this time.
Lastly, if you would like to contribute toward our beloved little herd’s ongoing medical expenses, it would be so greatly appreciated. Just click on the ’Donate’ button below. If you are unable to contribute at this time, however, we ask that you please send prayers for rain, Jo to quickly recover (she’s almost 40 years old!), and no spread of Pigeon Fever.
Happy Birthday, America!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Wishing you a wonderful July 4th, and thank you all for your love and support!
Sincerely,
Theresa
With Gentle Gratitude
We are very sorry to have to share the news that Valley Girl went to Rainbow Bridge on Thursday. We just could not fix the issues in her front feet nor keep her comfortable. It was time, even though we were not ready. She was a proud, grand old mare who was full of zest, kindness, and love.
Valley Girl was loved and will always remain in our hearts. Actually, she took a piece of my heart with her. But, I know we will meet up again someday. Our heavenly herd, sadly, just keeps getting bigger. Valley Girl now runs whole and pain free with her beloved Mishka and all her friends who have gone before her. I’m eternally grateful for the time she was with us.
Summertime Blues
As we approach the summer months, which is generally, the time in which to reevaluate our facility and maintenance needs, as well as to get caught up on our outstanding veterinary bills, we are reaching out to you in hope to garner your support as we launch our summer fundraiser with a goal of $10,000, in order to address these pressing needs:
One of our two horse trailers is currently in the shop for important repairs and maintenance which include:
We also had to replace the rear door protective cover on this trailer recently, as the old one was badly deteriorated, allowing the stored hay to get wet.
The total maintenance cost of this trailer is $3,110.
Once this trailer returns, our larger gooseneck hay storage trailer (we can also use this trailer to haul up to three horses) will need similar maintenance and repairs. Plus, each of our three trailers require an application of “Kool Seal” reflective roof coating at $1,000 each. This protective coating will extend the life of the roofs on the trailers, prevent future leaks which will keep stored hay dry, and keep the interior significantly cooler – a benefit greatly appreciated by our team when they’re working inside filling hay bags during the hot summer months as well as by horses when being transported.
While we realize that helping us maintain our trailers may not seem as exciting or adrenalin inducing as rescuing a horse, it is an essential tool in the actual act of SAVING a horse; to transport a horse in distress to and from the hospital at a moment’s notice, oftentimes in the middle of the night, or simply to bring a horse home from a dire situation in hope of saving a precious life as we did with Aaleyah Belle and Momma Sue so many years ago. By assisting with this need, you are making a difference by actually helping us save another precious life in the future, whether it be in days, months or years. Think of it as a win win situation! In addition, we unfortunately do not have a barn in which to store our hay, so our trailers are priceless when it comes to keeping our hay dry and free from mold, making it safe for consumption by our beloved equines.
On the veterinary side, our recent bills are just over $3,000. These cover treatment for:
As we are hoping to start Autumn with a clean slate, any help with our veterinary bills as well as with the maintenance and/or repair of our trailers will be so greatly appreciated. Please remember that all donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. Just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. If you are unable to help at this time, we truly understand, but we would be forever grateful if you could share this most important fundraiser amongst family and friends.
Toofies & Toes
JoJo and Jazzy had dentals done by Dr. Bess this week and I must admit, they were not the very best patients! Walker, who is always such a good boy, stood by to oversee it all.
Once again, ‘Farrier Friday’ is upon us, as caring for the hooves of our beloved equines is essential for their overall health and well-being. Sadly, last week’s fundraiser yielded very few sponsors, but to those who did come forth to support this endeavor, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We are so hoping that this week’s plea for “hooficure” sponsors, the average cost of which is $45, will generate more interest which will make an incredible difference in the lives of Beau, as well as each and every member of our little herd here at the rescue. Please remember that all donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small. Just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. If you are, however, unable to help at this time, we truly understand, but we would be forever grateful if you could share this most important need amongst family and friends.
Simply the Best!
We are, as always, so very grateful for all of our volunteers who are simply the best! When I became sick on Thursday with a stomach bug, Chris, Ernie, Sandy and Joan did a stellar job of handling the morning chores. At the same time, while standing in his paddock, JoJo, who recently experienced an eye issue, let everyone know, in no uncertain terms, that he was not at all happy about wearing his fly mask. On a happier note, Jo has thankfully, recovered from Pigeon Fever, is doing well, and is as always, as sweet as ever.
Lastly, ‘Farrier Friday’ is once again upon us and since caring for hooves is essential for the overall health and well-being of equines in general, we are hoping that our wonderful little village of supporters will come forth and help sponsor a hooficure, the average cost of which is $45, for their very favorite member of our beloved Beauty’s Haven herd.
If you are able to help, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below, but if you are unable to do so at this time, we would be forever grateful if you could share this most important need amongst family and friends.
In Honor
In Honor
“A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
Littles Announce “Wriggly Wednesdays”
Sassy, Lily & Warrior who are being such good helpers, have asked that I post a message on their behalf.
Hey Everyone!
The Littles here, kicking off a new campaign, “Wriggly Wednesday.” And since we are the first group on the list, we are hoping that our aunties and/or uncles will come forth to sponsor one Zoetis Quest Plus Gel Dewormer and Boticide Kit which will help keep us all healthy and safe. The cost per kit is $17, but since we are little, one kit provides enough wormer for the three of us. The big horses, however, will need one kit each and big beautiful Addi will need more than one kit.
Addi, Peaches, Valley Girl and Bae all have sponsors so far. If you would like to sponsor a wormer kit for another Beauty’s Haven horse, donkey or mule, as listed below, it would make us all so very happy indeed. Just click on the ‘Donate’ button below!
*Please note that the paired equines require just one wormer kit.
Aaleyah Belle
Amira
Beau
*CaryLou & Lucy
Cowboy
Dani
*Ebony & Luiji
Elka
Ford
*JoJo & Jazzy
Jo
Kalista
Magic
Mo
Tobias
Walker
Willow
Thank you!
Love,
Sassy, Lily & Warrior
Pretty Feet for Mother’s Day
Our first ‘Farrier Friday’ of May is upon us and we are hoping that our wonderful little village of supporters will come forth and help sponsor a hooficure for their favorite member of our beloved little herd so they can all have ‘Pretty Feet’ on Mother’s Day!
The average cost per hooficure is $45, so if you could help these sweet horses, donkeys or mule have ‘Pretty Feet’, it would make us all so very happy indeed! Just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. If you are unable to assist at this time, we truly understand, but we would be forever grateful if you could share this need amongst family and friends.
Thank you all, for your love and support and Happy Mother’s Day!
OH NO. IT’S BACK!
Yesterday was yet another busy day. Dr. Julia came out to run blood work on Peaches, Addi, JoJo, Jazzy, Valley Girl, Danni, Mo, Skye, and Walker, whilst some of the boys had their sheaths cleaned. JoJo and Jazzy were not at all happy about their procedures and were still pouting about it last night!
And now for some not so good news. Jo was kicked late last week and the next day, the area where she was injured was swollen. We monitored her temperature and appetite, both of which have been normal, but as the swelling continued to worsen, we opted to proceed on the side of caution and have her tested, and when the results came back, our fears were confirmed – Jo had Pigeon Fever.
Pigeon Fever does not pose a danger exclusively to horses however, as other animals including cows, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, etc. are also susceptible to this insidious disease.
Since we have had no horses enter of leave the farm for several months, the extremely dry conditions have most assuredly, contributed to Pigeon Fever resurfacing from beneath the ground once again this year. The vet will be back this evening to lance and drain the injury on Jo’s chest and fluids will be collected. Our bio-security protocol has been activated, with foot baths, gloves and fly-control measures in place.
Jo lives with Valley Girl, another senior mare. Valley Girl was the first horse who was stricken with Pigeon Fever in January 2025 and the last to recover from it in June 2025. She, thankfully, has not presented with symptoms at this time.
Lastly, if you would like to contribute toward our beloved little herd’s ongoing medical expenses, it would be so greatly appreciated. Just click on the ’Donate’ button below. If you are unable to contribute at this time, however, we ask that you please send prayers for rain, Jo to quickly recover (she’s almost 40 years old!), and no spread of Pigeon Fever.
Fire and Rain
As per the Levy County Sheriff’s office: “Even though fire activity has thankfully decreased in the last 24 hours, smoky conditions still exist in the area, especially in the overnight and early morning hours and especially on CR326 which remains closed. It is not safe to visit the fire area. In addition to the poor visibility and health concerns of smoky conditions, trees that ignited are randomly falling throughout the forest. There are also hot pockets in the ground and stepping in one of these could result in severe burns.”
On Thursday, we had a very productive day prior to the arrival of today’s badly needed rain, with horses being groomed, several gates/fencing being fixed, shade cloth put up for the littles, Spring cleaning at the barn, heat lamps collected, cleaned and stored away until next year, and much more! Many thanks to our volunteers – we appreciate them all, so very much!
The average cost per hooficure is $45, so if you could help these sweet horses and/or donkey have “Pretty Feet,” it would make us all so very happy indeed! Just click on the donation button below. If you are unable to help at this time, we truly understand, but we would be forever grateful if you could share this need amongst family and friends.
Thank you all, for your love and support!