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
Spirit the Blind Mare Has Arrived
June 28th, 2012
The blind mare, which I named Spirit, is now likely more comfortable than she has been in a long, long time. Our daughter, Katie, went with me to pick her up today. It was a good 3 hour trip getting there due to road closures because of flooding from Tropical Storm Debby but we were determined to get her here. When we arrived she seemed stoic – her head was down and it was like her mind was in another place and time. I was worried about her injuries and how bad they looked – worse than they did on Saturday. And there were new, open injuries. I whispered to her and rubbed on her a bit. But when I reached up to put a halter on her for the trip home she turned her head into me and stayed there for a few seconds. I told her she was going home to where life would be much better and different for her. She stayed close as we walked to the trailer. She had never been loaded onto a trailer – she was born on the property (2004) where we picked her up from. She walked into the trailer in less than a minute – it didn’t take much coaching. Just patience, a calm hand, and reassurance. But she wasn’t happy once we got to moving – it had to have been a bit stressful for her but she unloaded really well at the rescue.
While we waited for Dr. Ryan Meeks, we hosed her off which she seemed to like. Then we waited together – he arrived about 30 minutes later. I will warn you that the photos after the picture after this one are graphic. Don’t scroll down if you don’t want to see them. How does anyone allow this to happen? How ??
Dr. Ryan examined Spirit and said she wouldn’t have lasted much longer. Her needs have gone neglected for a long time. She is malnourished and has obviously been terribly beat up, repeatedly, over time. She has many old and new wire injuries (that were infected), bites, sunburn, open sores swelling, blisters, etc. Inside of her upper lip she has a wide cut that runs along her gum line which is likely why she isn’t very interested in hay. She is finally drinking but we’re encouraging her more with electrolytes.
She has no vision in her right eye. It’s possible that she sees a very small sliver of light in her left.
The puncture wound at her chest is wide and the open wound goes down deep – all the way to her sternum. Her scars – they are everywhere.
Not surprisingly her feet haven’t been trimmed in a long, long time. There are many open injures, new and old, on her legs too.
The injury on her nose goes to the bone. Dr. Ryan says we need to keep an eye on this – there may be sequestered bone. More cuts and scratches all over her face and lots of swelling all over.
Spirit had been through a lot and will wear scars to prove it for the rest of her life – from nose to tail. Just think about the many times she’s been bitten, kicked, run into things, and how scary it must have been for her. I was so worried about her during Tropical Storm Debby. She was on almost 30 acres with about 20 other horses, including studs. There were also cows, an area with trees, and a lot of debris including barb wire. Tomorrow she will get a good bath and these injuries will get all cleaned up. I didn’t want to do too much more to her today but let her chill – she’s had a tough day. It truly hurts my heart to see her injuries and to think of how horrible her life has been – a living nightmare, 24/7/365.
There are even bites around and under her tail.
Spirit will be stalled for awhile – her injuries will take quite some time to heal and she should not be in the sun – but she will get hand walked often. Injuries will get cold hosed, cleaned, and treated. It is a true blessing that she just stands and allows doctoring. She could be all over the place, pushy, and untrusting but she isn’t. She’s calm and seemingly appreciative – she likes me to hum to her. She is resting now and seems to be enjoying just “being”. There are no others here near her to pick on her or for her to be afraid of. We can’t say for sure that she will make it but we can say she wouldn’t have made it much longer where she was. But she is now on the road to recovery. She is a diamond in the rough and truly does deserve a chance.
Thank you all for caring about her and for helping. For those that have pledged a one time donation or a monthly sponsorship – we now ask that you follow through. Spirit has a chance – thanks to all of you. God bless and I’ll update tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Blind mare update 7 pm
Additional update soon but for now – she is here and has been seen by Dr. Ryan.
In short – she has been through hell and survived – all of us, including Dr. Ryan – feels she deserves, and has, a chance. I’ve named her Spirit.
Thank you to everyone that has been praying for this special girl.
Thank you Greg for the beautiful artwork!
Blind Mare Update 2:20 pm
Hi Everyone,
I just spoke with Theresa.
The mare has successfully loaded onto the trailer albeit she appears to be lethargic.
Theresa stated that the mare has sustained additional injuries and her previous wounds have worsened causing concern.
Theresa should arrive home within two hours if all goes well at which time, Dr. Ryan or one of his associates will meet them at Beauty’s Haven.
Since Theresa is unsure of the prognosis, she has asked that everyone please hold off on forwarding their pledges.
Please keep this precious girl in your thoughts and prayers.
Jeanne
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
Blind Mare Update
The blind mare has been caught and is in a stall for the night. I’m told she sustained a couple of more injuries since we saw her this past weekend. There were really bad rains and flooding where she is – some high winds too. I was worried about her getting through the storm ok and was sorry to hear she has more injuries.
I’m going to map my trip now. I will get more pictures and data on others that also need help while I am there tomorrow. We need to help find safe places for all of them.
I am not sure at this point how to handle pledges because I don’t know how/if she will be ok being handled/loaded/trailered to get here. I think I prefer that everyone hold onto your pledges until I get back tomorrow and we get her settled in and examined. I added up what I received via emails today and we’re still short on the total amount needed for her initial vetting plus 6 months care but we’ll address that tomorrow evening. If she is badly injured and if loading seems too much for her and it puts her at risk for more injury then perhaps helping her cross may be best.
In the mean time please let’s all pray for a smooth loading and trailer ride to the rescue tomorrow and that examination determines that her injuries can be treated and that she will be able to lead a comfortable life. After we get here and settled in tomorrow then I will update on her status and the funds pledged/still needed.
Think positive everyone – God bless and thank you for caring! I’m off to bed early in order to get a good night’s sleep – I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a long day.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Debby on her way…
PLEASE KEEP BEAUTY’S HAVEN
IN YOUR PRAYERS!
Theresa and Bob are battening down the hatches with the news that
they are in the direct path of Tropical Storm Debby.
Please keep Beauty’s Haven in your Prayers.
Jeanne
A dramatic shift in Tropical Storm Debby’s track now has it heading northeast, toward Central Florida.
Debby’s latest projected path now has it moving into Marion County by Friday.
Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency, urging Floridians to be "very, very, very cautious," and not to take anything for granted from Debby.
http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/6/24/tropical_storm_debby.html?cmpid=facebook
Wormer Kits – All horses are covered!!
This is a worry lifted for another year!
Thank all of you for caring and for making this happen!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Kits anyone? LIST UPDATE 3
Thank you to everyone that has responded to our request for help with annual dewormer kits!
Ya’ll are amazing – we are down to only 8 horses left that still need a sponsor:
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Kits anyone? LIST UPDATE
Thank you to everyone that has responded to our request for help with annual dewormer kits!
Here is a list of horses that still are in need:
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org
Kits anyone?
It’s that time of the year again – annual wormer kits are needed! We usually have good success with support from others in sponsoring these kits that will last a horse for a year. The kits are $33.69. If you would like to sponsor a kit(s) please email me at bhfer and provide the name of the horse you would like to sponsor. In case someone has already signed up to sponsor that particular horse, I’d like to request that you provide the name of at least one alternate horse. Not all horses are listed below because some are already sponsored. In some cases, with the smaller horses, one kit will provide for two or three horses as noted in the list below.
This is the link to the kits we’d like to order by the end of this coming week. http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=584eb085-1ac4-4111-b25c-a5e25af4b8c7
Thank you! Hope everyone is staying dry – we’re having torrential rains and the winds have really picked up – not a good day for being outside. Had planned on riding this morning but that didn’t happen. We had appointments today for some of the adoptable horses but those were rescheduled. I know we’re going to have quite a bit of erosion to deal with after the storms are done. We need the rain but not like this!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org