February 8th, 2012
Another busy day here – lots going on here and offsite. Harley left for his new home today. He was bright and perky – a new adventure for him. A whole new life with his own human family – what a blessing! The day that he arrived here was the day his life began, again!
The windblown look – Harley is so handsome! He’s put on much needed weight and his unhealthy coat has been replaced with a bright and shiny one. He holds his head up high and proud – he knows he is loved and that he matters. He still has a couple of areas that need to grow hair over where the old halter was so tight on him but they too will heal.
We did get a little one on one time this morning. He’s a ham for being groomed.
One of Harley’s legs is much bigger than mine – he’s 19 hh and I can’t even see over him!
Harley likes kisses.
Turning him over to his new mom. Yes, I was holding back tears that eventually flowed. I have no doubt that his new family will love and care for him and he will be happy – this is what we want for all of them. But it isn’t easy. Once they are here you get to know them. They morph into healthy and happy horses. You bond with them and that is what I remind myself – that bond will always be there along with memories that nobody can take away. They remain family and we love them, always.
We’ll miss him – I already do. We’ll post updates. I know he settled in this afternoon just fine. He was trotting around exploring his new home where he has room to run and play which he loves to do. He’s meeting and making new friends. God bless all of you for helping to make this new life for him possible.
As for Harley’s partner that we tried to get I do have a good update on him. I shared with the owners some things that would help him and they listened! The horse now has a new shelter. A farrier was out to do his feet yesterday. His halter has been replaced with a breakaway one that fits him. We suggested a different diet for him – this is something we’ll have to follow up on. We’ll keep up with him but I am very pleased that he is being better cared for and appreciate his humans for the changes they are making.
Regarding donations that came in to help Harley and those that signed up to sponsor him monthly for 6 months. We never thought an adoption would happen so soon but his surgery went well, his recovery was smooth, he grew healthy and happy and today he went home. We have just under $1000 left in Harley’s account of donations received and we will no longer need monthly funds from those that donate monthly towards his care. If anyone would like us to return some of the remaining funds they intended for Harley please email us at bhfers@earthlink.net to advise. However, we would like to ask that those funds be used to cover unexpected vet bills such as Haley and Kami’s exams and vetting, Princess’ lameness exam in January, etc. Also, we need to buy some vaccines and we also need to stock up on medications that we keep on hand that we buy off the Internet – the prices are less expensive than buying them through the vet’s office.
Harley’s case is an example of what can happen when people work together. Many worked together in different ways to help him and now we can all be proud of our accomplishment! God bless and thank you all!
Theresa Batchelor
President
Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc.
www.bhfer.org
#harley #belgian #adoptionisanoption #bhfer
Today at the Paso Farm
I just got in about 1 ½ hours ago from the Paso farm. Jenny and I took up another ton of hay along with “No Trespassing” signs. The newspaper article was great – I only wish the farm address hadn’t of been published. On the way there I had an interview with a radio station. Then a reporter came up from Orlando to do an interview late this evening. One of the questions during all interviews was “what do you need?” Well, donations and hay of course. But one thing that would help us tremendously would be a golf cart or better yet little utility vehicle. Doesn’t matter how pretty it is or what color it may be – as long as it runs good and is dependable. It’s a tool that would make a huge difference for us humans. Giving out hay on 20+ acres take time when you’re walking it and it gets heavy. And, of course, one can only carry so much so you have to make multiple trips to the barn. Knowing it will likely be a few months until the last horse is placed – if anyone could possibly help us with this we would be SO very appreciative!
I am so proud of all of the studs – they have come so far in such a short time. My favorite, #6, was our poster horse for the news clip and he did great! Handsome #12 left today – what a great job his adoptive did on loading him. But his departure freed up a stall at the front of the barn so I thought about how nice it would be for #6 to go from the back of the barn to the very front. I thought perhaps by putting him up where most of the traffic is by volunteers it may help him to come around faster. I took him out and walked him around – he really is so curious about what goes on outside. I wanted to walk him around for hours but there was no time.
Not one time after he was moved up to the front of the barn did I see him hold his head down like he was trying to hide! His head was towards the door – not his backside! And when the reporter was recording a section for the news clip she was about to open his stall door so the camera man could get a good picture of him and guess what he did??? He nudged it open himself and stood there with his head up, looking at them like “Hay! What’s going on out there?” It was awesome!
The TV news interview wasn’t over until after 7 pm. After Carla left, Jenny and I tossed hay, made sure all studs were tucked in and mares secure, and left. I think I will be asleep before my head hits the pillow tonight!
I’m very appreciative of our volunteers – they do a great job. And to all of you supporters – thank you! I can’t thank everyone enough – it’s because of others that we are able to do what we do. This herd of horses has a new chance at life because others care and are willing to help us to help them. God bless all of you – be proud of what we all accomplish by working together!
If I owe you an email response or return phone call I apologize I didn’t get to it this evening. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to work in the office and get caught up some.
PS – a well running UTV would REALLY help us a lot!
Herd of 38 – Paso Fino Case in the News
A major undertaking – hopefully, financial and other help will come now the story is in the Ocala Star Banner. We took on a case of 38 Paso Fino horses that had been abandoned and living pretty much feral for a couple of years. Fourteen of them being studs that lived locked away in dark and dirty stalls.
https://www.ocala.com/story/news/local/2012/02/15/facility-rescues-horses-locked-up-for-2-years/64310499007/
#keepthefaith #wecandothis #believe #bhfer #paso #ocalastarbanner #rescue
Paso Update 02/14/12
February 14th, 2012
Here is an update on available Columbian Paso Fino’s. Please remember that information about what horses are available is fluid – the list can and will, change. As of tonight, here are the available studs and a few of the mares.
Stud #6
Stud #7
Stud #9
Stud #12
Stud #13
MARES…
Mare #2
Mare #3
Mare #4
Mare #5
Mare #6
We are an all volunteer 501(c)(3) equine rescue organization that operates totally from donations made by the public – we are not government funded. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Caring for this herd is not an inexpensive task – please help us to help them. Visit our “Donate” page to learn more about how to make a donation.
If anyone wants to contact me please do so at my email address of bhfer@earthlink.net. Thank you.
Theresa Batchelor
Happy Valentine’s Day from BH!
All of us here at Beauty’s Haven wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Today the horses will be putting up Valentine Day cards received in the mail. I will be gone for a good part of the day having an MRI done in Gainesville but when I get back we’ll share the cards and take pictures. It’s always fun when they get cards!
I’ve received updates on Harley since he left from his new mom and he is doing great. He’s very happy to have large areas where he can run and play. He loves his new friends. He gets lots of attention daily and has settled in as though he has been home for quite awhile. He’s happy which makes us all happy.
Ghost – the little Paso gelding we took in a few weeks ago is doing great! He’s filled out nicely and is a real sweet boy.
We made quite a few phone calls last night to let people that have applied to adopt one of the Paso Fino’s that they were approved. They were all very pleased – and excited! Two of the mares posted have potential adopters. Will be regrouping with Carla this evening to review which studs are still available.
Have a blessed day everyone!
It’s COLD down here in FL!
Good freezing morning from Florida – it’s 22 degrees! We’re running on generator – the power went out around 5 am. Hopefully it will be back on soon. At least the sun is out!
Little Miss Kami Comet still looks adorable in her pink blanket. She had her 2nd birthday on February 10th.
This was taken yesterday afternoon. We’ve been going through more hay with the temps going down in the teens. Hopefully the temps will warm up a bit soon.
Baby Girl and Indy tucked in blankets. Indy doesn’t know pink is for girls. J
Have a great day everyone!
Update on Paso Fino Mares
February 12th, 2012
Here are pictures of a few of the mares – I ran out of time but will post more in a couple of days. Unfortunately, I need to spend tomorrow in the office all day to get caught up on paperwork. I was out at the Paso farm most all day. It was a good day and a lot got done. Gates/fencing got fixed, unsafe debris was picked up and removed, more feet were trimmed, etc. There was too much commotion going on around the barn to do much at all with one of the two herds of mares. We do have some of the thinner ones separated off into one of the smaller paddocks.
Mare #1. Dark bay, no white. Very friendly.
Mare #2. Bay with some white hairs above left eye.
Mare #3. Chestnut with stripe and very thick coat.
Mare #4. Dark bay (almost black) with no white. She is the thinnest.
Mare #5. Chestnut with tag (#16) around neck.
BHFER Update 02/11/12
Another short update – I just got in the house for the first time today. We made progress with the Paso’s today and tomorrow I’ll be posting about a few of the mares that need homes. I’ll also update the stud #’s that still need a home. It will be later in the day – the farrier will be back to do more feet in the morning. The mares seem to be more responsive and trusting each day with their daily caretakers – slow but steady progress. With horses that have lived pretty much feral for the last couple of years – routine and consistency are key to helping them to come around.
We separated a few of the thinner mares from the others and put them in a smaller paddock so they can have better access to the hay. When in the larger paddock, the other mares would run them off.
Following the hay…
I’m sorry for such a short update but I really need to get some sleep. We blanketed most all here tonight – the winds are horrible. If you’ve emailed me and I haven’t responded I apologize. I wasn’t in the office today and won’t be again until tomorrow evening. Thanks everyone – have a safe and blessed day tomorrow. Stay warm!
Tragedy at KESMARC – 02/10/12
02/10/12
There has been a horrible tragedy today – a very sad loss of life. A horse and a woman were killed in an explosion at KESMARC. This is the facility where Baby Girl had her hyperbaric chamber treatments. Another woman is critically injured and is in serious condition – she was flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
God bless all of these people and the horses – I ask you all to pray for them and everyone affected by this. This is heartbreaking to me – our Baby Girl was treated like royalty (as were all of the horses) there and the HBOT treatments worked wonders on her injury. This facility and the people that manage it are all part of the successful recovery of our Baby Girl. All of Baby Girl’s caregivers there truly cared about her recovery. I ask everyone to go to their KESMARC Florida Facebook page and let them know others care and are praying for them. Here is a link to the story.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120210/ARTICLES/120219982
Harley is Leaving! Homeward Bound!
February 8th, 2012
Another busy day here – lots going on here and offsite. Harley left for his new home today. He was bright and perky – a new adventure for him. A whole new life with his own human family – what a blessing! The day that he arrived here was the day his life began, again!
The windblown look – Harley is so handsome! He’s put on much needed weight and his unhealthy coat has been replaced with a bright and shiny one. He holds his head up high and proud – he knows he is loved and that he matters. He still has a couple of areas that need to grow hair over where the old halter was so tight on him but they too will heal.
We did get a little one on one time this morning. He’s a ham for being groomed.
One of Harley’s legs is much bigger than mine – he’s 19 hh and I can’t even see over him!
Harley likes kisses.
Turning him over to his new mom. Yes, I was holding back tears that eventually flowed. I have no doubt that his new family will love and care for him and he will be happy – this is what we want for all of them. But it isn’t easy. Once they are here you get to know them. They morph into healthy and happy horses. You bond with them and that is what I remind myself – that bond will always be there along with memories that nobody can take away. They remain family and we love them, always.
We’ll miss him – I already do. We’ll post updates. I know he settled in this afternoon just fine. He was trotting around exploring his new home where he has room to run and play which he loves to do. He’s meeting and making new friends. God bless all of you for helping to make this new life for him possible.
As for Harley’s partner that we tried to get I do have a good update on him. I shared with the owners some things that would help him and they listened! The horse now has a new shelter. A farrier was out to do his feet yesterday. His halter has been replaced with a breakaway one that fits him. We suggested a different diet for him – this is something we’ll have to follow up on. We’ll keep up with him but I am very pleased that he is being better cared for and appreciate his humans for the changes they are making.
Regarding donations that came in to help Harley and those that signed up to sponsor him monthly for 6 months. We never thought an adoption would happen so soon but his surgery went well, his recovery was smooth, he grew healthy and happy and today he went home. We have just under $1000 left in Harley’s account of donations received and we will no longer need monthly funds from those that donate monthly towards his care. If anyone would like us to return some of the remaining funds they intended for Harley please email us at bhfers@earthlink.net to advise. However, we would like to ask that those funds be used to cover unexpected vet bills such as Haley and Kami’s exams and vetting, Princess’ lameness exam in January, etc. Also, we need to buy some vaccines and we also need to stock up on medications that we keep on hand that we buy off the Internet – the prices are less expensive than buying them through the vet’s office.
Harley’s case is an example of what can happen when people work together. Many worked together in different ways to help him and now we can all be proud of our accomplishment! God bless and thank you all!
Theresa Batchelor
President
Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc.
www.bhfer.org
#harley #belgian #adoptionisanoption #bhfer
Quick update – 02/07/12
Harley will be leaving for his new home tomorrow. He loves to stand by the road and watch the goats across the street.
I miss him already. It’s always bittersweet when any leave to go to their new home.
He’s a very good boy and I know he’ll bring much joy to his adoptive parents.
Ok, so now we know who has been teaching the younger ones how to break a sprinkler – Gentleman!
And here is a picture of Bud – he’s doing great and his adoptive family is so very happy with him!
We’re making progress with the Paso Fino’s. Coggins have been pulled on the studs and some feet have been trimmed. We are still waiting on the coggins to come back. We truly appreciate any and all help with this herd. They are looking better and are very appreciative of the good hay and care they are now getting. And we are very appreciative of any and all help to help them.
Will try to update again tomorrow – it is going to be a very busy day. Have a good night everyone!