Mishka has been having some worrisome issues. Sometimes his feet get packed after it rains which can cause him to become tender footed. We dread this because when we are able to pick up a front foot, he tends to throw it forward rather abruptly which makes it dangerous for the human tending to his needs. And, if we’re lucky enough to get a foot up, we can’t make him keep it up. Trying to maintain proper balance in his feet has always been quite challenging and proper balance is very important.
After a recent rain storm, we discovered Mishka to be lame the next day – he simply would not cooperate in order for us to examine and clean out his feet. After a couple of days, we moved him into Penny’s paddock with Peaches, which is closer to the barn where we could keep a better eye on him and ensure he was drinking enough water. Because the lameness issue arose suddenly, an abscess was suspected – his pulses were not elevated and there was no heat in his feet.
The day before the farrier was to arrive, as I was trimming hair around Mishka’s coronary band, I poked around above his left coronary band a bit with my fingers to see if I’d get a response from him and suddenly, an abscess opened up at his heel. The smell was horrible! While he may have gotten some relief, he wasn’t close to being much better. Because Mishka had been bearing more weight on his right foot due to the abscess in his left, we placed icepacks around the right foot as a precaution. Bearing most of the weight on the right foot could cause laminitis.
We scheduled the vet to come out to do x-rays and we are quite concerned with the findings. Mishka’s front right does have rotation and his side bone has gotten worse in both feet.
Bloodwork done which indicated he was slightly dehydrated. Results from one blood test will not be ready until next week. The farrier came yesterday and, as always, Andrew did the best he could, but to do the job right, and to provide Mishka with balanced feet and shoes, we need stocks. Using boots isn’t an option because we can’t keep his feet up long enough to put them on. Stocks not only enable the handler to restrain a horse without hurting him, but prevent injury to the handler as well.
We have needed stocks for a long time, but now, it is an absolute necessity as we want to keep Mishka as comfortable as possible so he can be with us for many more years.
This isn’t going to be an inexpensive investment but we have faith that, with help from others, we will be able to procure the needed stocks and raise enough funds to cover Mishka’s present and future vet bills and x-rays. We don’t have the recent vet bill yet but Mishka will need additional x-rays and more “hooficures” to make adjustments over the next several weeks. The stocks are about $2400 which includes shipping – other horses will benefit from them as well.
A very dear friend and supporter is offering a most generous Match Game whereby all donations up to $1000 will be matched dollar for dollar!
If you would like to help Mishka while doubling your donation at the same time, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. All contributions are tax deductible and please be assured, that no amount is ever too small.
Thank you, all, for your love and support,
Theresa
Only for Love
Meet & Help Our 2021 Christmas Saves
Every year, we try to help a horse in need over the holidays. This year, we are once again asking for your assistance to help two precious souls that have been stuck in a very bad situation for over a year now. Their owner and the ‘system,’ have failed them terribly, for they should have been removed from their home long ago.
One is a gray 22 year-old Thoroughbred mare who won several thousands of dollars during her racing career. She was neglected and starved repeatedly over many years, but she managed to survive. Sadly, some of her herd members were not as lucky.
The other is an older donkey who is very thin and has foundered at some point in the past. She recently had her baby weaned from her. It’s so terribly sad that she was intentionally bred with her feet being in such poor condition.
It is with great hope that x-rays will determine the path we must take in order to help this sweet donkey. I’m concerned that findings may lead to a poor prognosis, but I’m praying for a miracle which will give us the opportunity to make her comfortable and thereby grant her a good quality of life. She’s in good spirits, but obviously quite uncomfortable.
A wonderful friend and supporter has just come forth and has offered to match all donations up to $300 to help them. Initial needs for each will be at least $500 but it may be more depending upon how many x-rays are needed. They also both need ongoing support for their care. You may help by clicking the button below, please note that your contribution is for “Christmas Saves/Match Game.”
All donations are greatly appreciated and please be assured that no amount is ever too small.
Thank you,
Theresa
With Sincere Gratitude
Thanks to each and every one of you, our #GivingTuesday campaign was a huge success!
Together with offline donations, we are very close to meeting our Match Game goal of $11,000 with just $593 to go. We are truly humbled and so very blessed by your generosity, love and support of our beloved little herd. Thank you, all, from the bottom of our hearts.
Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season.
Warmly,
Theresa
A Special Thank You from Mishka
Mishka, which means “Big Teddy Bear,” arrived at Beauty’s Haven at the end of October, 2014. He was on his way to auction when we intercepted him.
A beautiful black Percheron, Mishka was very thin upon arrival, weighing in at just 1430 pounds. He had very little muscle tone, no mane, a very short, docked tail, and a body covered with numerous sores. His ears had no hair and were swollen and raw. But despite all he had endured, Mishka was, and continues to be, a very sweet and gentle soul.
Mishka has been diagnosed with EPSM (equine polysaccharide storage myopathy) which is being addressed through a special diet and a variety of supplements. Sadly, he recently has also been experiencing some hoof issues with rotation in his front right together with worsening side bones on both feet. Mishka has thankfully been gifted with shoeing stocks which will hopefully make a great difference in addressing his issues.
Mishka, a permanent resident of our Sanctuary herd, brings such an innate amount of joy to all who meet him. Our big teddy bear has a huge personality and when one speaks to him, he vigorously moves his lips as if he is truly engaged in a deep conversation! He is an amazing presence and such a joy to behold.
And it is because of each and every one of you that horses like Mishka have been granted a second chance at life, a life filled with comfort and joy, a life where they will be forever safe and loved.
Thank you.
Happy #GivingTuesday!
At long last, #GivingTuesday has arrived! This wonderful day of giving is crucial for nonprofit organizations like Beauty’s Haven, to raise the necessary funds which help enable us to continue our most important mission of rescuing equines and other sentient beings in need, thereby granting each a second chance at life which they all so richly deserve.
All gifts up to $11,000 will be matched dollar for dollar through December 15th, so please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double your impact. Contributions may be made on the form below. If donating via PayPal, please designate your contribution to #GivingTuesday. As always, all donations are so greatly appreciated and please be assured that no amount is ever too small.
Wishing you all a blessed Holiday Season.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Just Two Days Away!
#GivingTuesday is just two days away! It is the most important fundraising day of the year for organizations like ours and after the challenges of the last two years, it is more crucial than ever.
All gifts up to $11,000 will be matched dollar for dollar through December 15th! If you wish to get ahead of the game, just submit your tax-deductible gift today on the form below. If donating via PayPal, please designate your contribution to GivingTuesday. All donations are so greatly appreciated and please be assured that no amount is ever too small.
Wishing you all a blessed Holiday Season.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Giving Thanks
With gratitude for your continued love and support. Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
The Beauty’s Haven Family
Big Adventure for Lady Sophia & Candace
Candace and Lady Sophia have come so far. From death’s door to two beautiful and healthy girls. Lady Sophia is so proud of her girl – she is a wonderful mom who loves her baby dearly. Candace had a rather large umbilical cord hernia that needed to be repaired. On Monday, they made a trip to Ocala Equine Medical Center so that Candace’s hernia could be repaired the next morning.
It took some time to get Candace to understand that she needed to get on the trailer with her mom to get to the milk bar. Once she did, however, they settled in nicely for a ride to the hospital and upon arrival, they contentedly settled into their stall. Our thanks to Pam of Double B Equine Transport for always taking great care of our precious cargo!
Back Home
Candace and Lady Sophia arrived back home on Tuesday and unloaded just fine. They settled into the birthing stall and the first thing Candace wanted to do was visit the milk bar and mom was truly happy to oblige. Once that was taken care of, Frodo stopped by to say hello. He believes that he is quite the “studly stud.”
Then, if all is well, they will be able to go out into a small paddock for a week. After that, they will be turned back out.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Match Game for Mishka
Mishka has been having some worrisome issues. Sometimes his feet get packed after it rains which can cause him to become tender footed. We dread this because when we are able to pick up a front foot, he tends to throw it forward rather abruptly which makes it dangerous for the human tending to his needs. And, if we’re lucky enough to get a foot up, we can’t make him keep it up. Trying to maintain proper balance in his feet has always been quite challenging and proper balance is very important.
After a recent rain storm, we discovered Mishka to be lame the next day – he simply would not cooperate in order for us to examine and clean out his feet. After a couple of days, we moved him into Penny’s paddock with Peaches, which is closer to the barn where we could keep a better eye on him and ensure he was drinking enough water. Because the lameness issue arose suddenly, an abscess was suspected – his pulses were not elevated and there was no heat in his feet.
The day before the farrier was to arrive, as I was trimming hair around Mishka’s coronary band, I poked around above his left coronary band a bit with my fingers to see if I’d get a response from him and suddenly, an abscess opened up at his heel. The smell was horrible! While he may have gotten some relief, he wasn’t close to being much better. Because Mishka had been bearing more weight on his right foot due to the abscess in his left, we placed icepacks around the right foot as a precaution. Bearing most of the weight on the right foot could cause laminitis.
Bloodwork done which indicated he was slightly dehydrated. Results from one blood test will not be ready until next week. The farrier came yesterday and, as always, Andrew did the best he could, but to do the job right, and to provide Mishka with balanced feet and shoes, we need stocks. Using boots isn’t an option because we can’t keep his feet up long enough to put them on. Stocks not only enable the handler to restrain a horse without hurting him, but prevent injury to the handler as well.
This isn’t going to be an inexpensive investment but we have faith that, with help from others, we will be able to procure the needed stocks and raise enough funds to cover Mishka’s present and future vet bills and x-rays. We don’t have the recent vet bill yet but Mishka will need additional x-rays and more “hooficures” to make adjustments over the next several weeks. The stocks are about $2400 which includes shipping – other horses will benefit from them as well.
If you would like to help Mishka while doubling your donation at the same time, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. All contributions are tax deductible and please be assured, that no amount is ever too small.
Thank you, all, for your love and support,
Theresa
She’s a Thoroughbred, born to RUN!
And now, for your Friday afternoon smile: watch the above video of Candace doing what she was meant to do – she was “Born to Run!” There are simply no words needed but please watch the video to the end, Frodo is absolutely precious!
Candace was exhausted after her adventure and she almost fell asleep while I was picking her feet after taking her and her momma, Lady Sophia, back to their paddock.
This is what five weeks of TLC can accomplish thanks to the love and support of our amazing little village of supporters. It is because of each and every one of you that this little miracle and her momma are with us today. We are so truly blessed.
Sincerely,
Theresa
It’s Always Something!
Thanks to our wonderful Aunties & Uncles, all my friends and I now have “Happy Feet!” But now, we are almost out of hay and shavings, and we would be forever grateful if you could help us fill up the hay cart and line the stalls with soft shavings.
All donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small. Just click on the “Donate” button below! Thank You!
Love,
CaryLou