Nicky is another senior Thoroughbred mare we recently rescued, from the same farm where Aries and Raz formerly resided. Nicky hadn’t been doing well but the owner would not release her – she would not eat the hay that had recently been brought to the farm and she refused to walk to the waterer, so food and water had to be taken to her in her paddock. This went on for several days and she still showed no signs of improvement. On Sunday, we finally received the call – Nicky was no better and was being released. She needed a place to go where she could get the help she so desperately needed, so Nicky is now a member of our beloved little Sanctuary herd.
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The day Nicky arrived, we looked forward to reuniting her with her friends, Aries and Raz. We brought her to their paddock but she showed no interest. She was weak and unstable and her back legs were swollen, especially the left. I opted to put her in a paddock by herself, next to them, for a few days, so she could settle in, get a bit more stable, and get to know her new surroundings.
Once in that paddock, we led her to the waterer and she drank a good amount. Then we let her go. Ears forward, she didn’t walk off, but rather, put her head down and nibbled on a little grass and then unsteadily walked in a circle and stopped. She stood there, ears forward. After awhile, I walked her out into the paddock and told her that she would be okay as I gently removed her halter.
Ears forward, she walked in a circle a couple of times, still unsteady on her legs. She then stopped and stood. I brushed her and told her she was very much loved and would never be hungry again. Then I let her be.
I checked on her often and she was still standing there, ears forward. Twice, I saw her weakly walk in a circle and then stop and stand, ears forward. After awhile, I took her some water and a mash. She drank and slurped up about one half of the mash. I was relieved that she did drink. I was worried about colic which can be an issue with a starved horse that has a lot of sand in their gut and is fed coastal hay (before she came to us). A horse that Nicky had lived with prior to her arrival, suffered an impaction colic the day before. Dr. Rullian tubed and oiled the mare, fluids were run, but sadly, she didn’t make it.
The rest of the day, the volunteers and I checked on Nicky often and took her more water, forage, and mash. She still had no interest in hay. She continued to stand there all day, ears forward.
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When I tucked her in that night, I walked her to the waterer and left her with a tub of forage and a bag of hay. She refused the hay but did nibble on a little forage. The next morning, I discovered her ten feet away from where I’d left her the night before. The tub of forage had been knocked over. I put a halter on her and walked her around the perimeter of her paddock, in and out of the shelter, and then to the middle of the paddock.
I took her halter off and she stood there, ears forward, and then I knew – she couldn’t see. I thought to myself how humble and trusting this precious mare is. I realized then, why, out of so many horses, this particular mare came to us – it’s because she is very special and needs a little extra special care!
I thought about how scary it must be to be a blind horse in an unfamiliar place, separated from a herd that you had lived with your entire life, surrounded by new humans. I told her how brave and beautiful she is and then walked her around the perimeter of the paddock again and in and out of the shelter.
We took her water every couple of hours. She still refused hay but would slurp up a little mash. That night, I put a halter on her and walked her into the shelter. She put her nose down and found the tub of forage, a bag of hay, a bucket of water, and a salt block. She planted herself at the salt block. When I left her, I said a little prayer that she’d be okay there and as I walked away, she was still licking that salt block, ears forward.
***********
The next morning, she was still there, under the shelter, ears forward, looking content. She didn’t put her head up or respond when I approached her. She had eaten some of the forage. The water tub was only half full, so at least she was drinking.
I talked to her and when I reached out and touched her neck, her eyes opened wider, but then she relaxed. I clapped my hands next to her ears and that’s when I realized that she couldn’t hear. What a very special mare she really is!
Nicky was examined by Dr. Julia Simonson yesterday. I’ll continue Nicky’s story later today after we get her lab results back. I’ll also post an update about Aries and Raz.
Please keep Nicky, Aries and Raz in your prayers. They all have some challenges to overcome, especially Nicky, but I believe they will!
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Thank you to all who have donated toward the three mares thus far. Your donation is so very much appreciated. If you have not yet done so, you may simply click the button below. Please note that your donation is for “Year-End Campaign or ‘YEC.'”
Thank you all, and God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Setback extends Hope’s hospital stay
Little Hope is experiencing a setback as she has developed pneumonia but she’s on antibiotics and has a good appetite. She’s even had a BM a couple of times which is good! We are very grateful for her team of caregivers at UF, I think she has them wrapped around her little hoof.
Hope will remain at the hospital until she is stable and comfortable. There, she’s monitored around the clock and, should something arise, they are able to diagnose and treat her right away. As badly as we want her back at the rescue, she’s right where she needs to be for now.
Thank you all for caring and please keep this little angel in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Theresa
High “Hopes” for Mini Mare’s Recovery
Little Hope, our new mini mare surrender we took in on December 3 that was presenting with colic, made it out of surgery. Whew! It turns out she had a double whopper – not only a horrible sand issue but also a fecal impaction which would have never resolved without surgery.
Hope will have to stay at the hospital for a few days but I’ll post pictures when I get them. The wonderful people at UF Large Animal Hospital are smitten by her and promise me that she is in good hands. What a relief!
Now we pray for a non-eventful recovery with no issues with infection or other complications. So please keep Hope in your prayers.
Thank you all for your support. It takes a village and I’m so very thankful for all of you!
Theresa
Colic Emergency for Precious New Mini Mare
Okay, Village, we need prayers for this wee young mini mare we have named Hope. She is suffering from colic due to sand in her gut, and we are desperately hoping to save her. Below is an account of her status, observations, and care thus far.
December 3, 2020
5:22pm – Hope is suffering from an impaction and the vet arrived to tube and oil her. No gut sounds.
11:50pm – A few gut sounds heard, finally. She’s on IV fluids and medication will be administered as needed. If she does not have a bowel movement by late morning, our vet will do an ultrasound. She is exhausted and is quietly resting at the moment.
Please pray that this precious little girl makes it through the night.
December 4, 2020
4:51am – No poop yet but better gut sounds.
10:05am – God’s light shined down on little Hope this morning as Dr. Templeton worked on her again. Unfortunately, x-rays show quite a bit of sand in her gut. Hope is on her way to UF. Sand impactions are never a good thing and neither is colic. But she’s only three years old and a real trooper. She’s such a sweet little girl that deserves a chance at life.
11:00am – Little Hope is now in surgery, more prayers needed.
If anyone would like to help Hope, donations can be easily made by clicking the button below, through Facebook. or via PayPal. No amount is too small. All donations are greatly appreciated as her medical bills will be sizable.
Donate Now
Thank you, all & God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Kindness, the Language of Love
Nicky is another senior Thoroughbred mare we recently rescued, from the same farm where Aries and Raz formerly resided. Nicky hadn’t been doing well but the owner would not release her – she would not eat the hay that had recently been brought to the farm and she refused to walk to the waterer, so food and water had to be taken to her in her paddock. This went on for several days and she still showed no signs of improvement. On Sunday, we finally received the call – Nicky was no better and was being released. She needed a place to go where she could get the help she so desperately needed, so Nicky is now a member of our beloved little Sanctuary herd.
***********
The day Nicky arrived, we looked forward to reuniting her with her friends, Aries and Raz. We brought her to their paddock but she showed no interest. She was weak and unstable and her back legs were swollen, especially the left. I opted to put her in a paddock by herself, next to them, for a few days, so she could settle in, get a bit more stable, and get to know her new surroundings.
Once in that paddock, we led her to the waterer and she drank a good amount. Then we let her go. Ears forward, she didn’t walk off, but rather, put her head down and nibbled on a little grass and then unsteadily walked in a circle and stopped. She stood there, ears forward. After awhile, I walked her out into the paddock and told her that she would be okay as I gently removed her halter.
I checked on her often and she was still standing there, ears forward. Twice, I saw her weakly walk in a circle and then stop and stand, ears forward. After awhile, I took her some water and a mash. She drank and slurped up about one half of the mash. I was relieved that she did drink. I was worried about colic which can be an issue with a starved horse that has a lot of sand in their gut and is fed coastal hay (before she came to us). A horse that Nicky had lived with prior to her arrival, suffered an impaction colic the day before. Dr. Rullian tubed and oiled the mare, fluids were run, but sadly, she didn’t make it.
The rest of the day, the volunteers and I checked on Nicky often and took her more water, forage, and mash. She still had no interest in hay. She continued to stand there all day, ears forward.
***********
When I tucked her in that night, I walked her to the waterer and left her with a tub of forage and a bag of hay. She refused the hay but did nibble on a little forage. The next morning, I discovered her ten feet away from where I’d left her the night before. The tub of forage had been knocked over. I put a halter on her and walked her around the perimeter of her paddock, in and out of the shelter, and then to the middle of the paddock.
I thought about how scary it must be to be a blind horse in an unfamiliar place, separated from a herd that you had lived with your entire life, surrounded by new humans. I told her how brave and beautiful she is and then walked her around the perimeter of the paddock again and in and out of the shelter.
We took her water every couple of hours. She still refused hay but would slurp up a little mash. That night, I put a halter on her and walked her into the shelter. She put her nose down and found the tub of forage, a bag of hay, a bucket of water, and a salt block. She planted herself at the salt block. When I left her, I said a little prayer that she’d be okay there and as I walked away, she was still licking that salt block, ears forward.
***********
The next morning, she was still there, under the shelter, ears forward, looking content. She didn’t put her head up or respond when I approached her. She had eaten some of the forage. The water tub was only half full, so at least she was drinking.
Nicky was examined by Dr. Julia Simonson yesterday. I’ll continue Nicky’s story later today after we get her lab results back. I’ll also post an update about Aries and Raz.
Please keep Nicky, Aries and Raz in your prayers. They all have some challenges to overcome, especially Nicky, but I believe they will!
***********
Thank you to all who have donated toward the three mares thus far. Your donation is so very much appreciated. If you have not yet done so, you may simply click the button below. Please note that your donation is for “Year-End Campaign or ‘YEC.'”
Donate Now
Thank you all, and God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Mares’ Rescue Ushers in #GivingTuesday, Year End Campaign
Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc. is once again participating in #GivingTuesday, a global giving movement which connects diverse groups of individuals, communities and organizations throughout the world for one common purpose – to celebrate and encourage giving. #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season on December 1, 2020, when many focus upon their holiday and year-end giving. #Giving Tuesday is also the kickoff day for our 2020 Year-End Campaign (YEC) for the horses!
Watching these precious mares settle in and grow more relaxed in their new surroundings is so very rewarding and we are eagerly awaiting the day when they once again become proud and healthy horses. Seeing this, and new friendships taking root and growing, makes us feel truly blessed about what we do. Beauty’s Haven is indeed, a place “Where life begins, again!”
Donations are understandably down due to Covid-19, but the needs of our beloved herd remain constant:
The needs of our horses, however, always remain first and foremost. Our YEC goal this year is $15,000.
Your donation in any amount is very much appreciated. Please click on the button below to contribute!
Donate Now
You may also donate via PayPalMe, click here. (Please select the tab ‘Send Money to Friends or Family’ and no fees will be deducted from your contribution). Please also note that your donation is for #GivingTuesday.
Thank you all and God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Update on Aries and Raz
Here’s a quick update about Aries and Raz, the two Thoroughbred mares that we recently took in at the rescue. They had a spa day yesterday. Their physicals were done. They both scored a 1.5 (barely) on the Henneke scale. Their teeth need help badly and Dr. Bess will hopefully be out this coming week. Raz appears to have had a couple of her top front teeth knocked out at some point. There is a large gap which has caused her bottom teeth to grow up and out, which, in turn, have irritated her upper lip.
We will better know what is going on once we get the blood tests back, but both Aries and Raz appear to have jaundice, are likely anemic (they were loaded with ticks), have uterine infections, heart murmurs, horrible rain rot, very loose stool, lots of sand in the gut, etc. I’ll post an update about their blood work once we receive the results and consult with Dr. Julia.
Many thanks to Equiderma – they recently made a very nice donation of products which are truly making a difference to many members of our beloved little herd.
Then it was time for the farrier. Aries’ and Raz’s feet were absolutely horrible. The impact of their long feet upon their tendons, ligaments and whole body was quite significant. Raz had gone down in the trailer on the way to the farm and was a bit sore, so it took Stephanie quite some time and work to get her feet as good as possible on this visit, but she did a great job.
Raz went first and after her trim, she stood there for a bit like she knew something was different and had to adjust. Then she took a couple of steps towards Stephanie and put her head down in front of her as if to say ‘thank you.’ Then she looked at me and yawned and yawned which is a very good thing. Aries was a very good girl as well, and you could also see relief in her face as she walked away with her ‘new’ feet.
We have promised them that all of their tomorrows will be what all of their yesterdays should have been – their needs will never be neglected again.
Thank you all so very much & God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Please keep Tilly in your Prayers
It is going to be a very sad day – an emotional one. Little Tilly’s COPD has progressed to the point where her quality of life is just not there and the kindest thing we can do is to let her go to Rainbow Bridge.
Tilly is so very sweet. She still has spirit and spunk, but she is now really struggling. Over the last couple of weeks, she’s lost weight and is having a significantly harder time breathing and she’s not finishing her meals.
We lost Ceri a few days ago to colic and I learned that we lost Reese yesterday. I will update about them after tomorrow. They were both very sweet mares that were adopted out years ago.
We have lost so many this year. It’s very, very hard on the heart.
Please keep Tilly (and those of us who love and adore her) in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you & God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Thanksgiving Rescue
We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day. Ours was very busy. We weren’t planning to take in more horses for awhile as COVID has taken a toll on donations, but we simply couldn’t walk away from these two Thoroughbred sisters.
Very cold temperatures are headed our way in the coming days and they have no body fat to help them stay warm. We went on faith and a prayer that help would come. I’m sure they will be grateful to have a warm blanket and hay before them.
If you are in a position to help, you can sign up to make an automatic monthly recurring donation via our secure donation form, which you may cancel at any time. There, you also have the option of making a one time donation which may be in honor or memory of someone.
Donate Now
Or, you can donate via Network for Good or JustGiving – these links can be found on our “Donate” page along with our snail mail address. You may also contribute via PayPal.me. Please note that your contribution is to be applied towards “TB Mares.” All donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small. If you’re not in a position to donate, we completely understand, but you can still help by sharing this post with friends and family.
Thank you and God bless.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Difficult Times
Tilly here, to let you all know that we have reached the halfway mark for our hay fundraiser! Sadly, we now need a little more help to make sure we all have ‘Happy Feet’ in time for the holidays. Mommy Theresa told me that donations are way down because a lot of people are suffering and we all feel so very sad about that. If you can spare even one dollar, it would really make a difference in the lives of my horsey friends, but if you can’t, we truly understand. You can still help though, by sharing this post.
Thank you!
Love,
Tilly
Our ‘Velvet Nosers’ are currently in need of $308 for hay and $600 for the farrier, so if anyone would like to help with these needs, it would be so greatly appreciated. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website’s donation page. Please note that your donation is for ‘Hay and/or Happy Feet.’
Thank you!
Did You Know?
JoJo here helping Mommy Theresa again! She wanted me to let you all know that we have already gone through last week’s hay supply so it is time for Daddy Bob to make another hay run!
Won’t you please help?
Thank you!
Love,
JoJo
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You may forward your donation via various means here on our Website, just CLICK HERE! Please note that your donation is for ‘Hay.’
Thank you!
Amazon Smile is a great way to help the horses all year long and it really does make a difference! Shop at Amazon via Amazon Smile on Black Friday and select Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc. as your Charity of Choice, and a portion of your purchase will be donated to the rescue! Just click on the image above to get started!
Thank you for your love & support!
Sincerely,
Theresa