I’ve been putting off this post all evening – my heart is heavy. Penny was down this morning. I gave her pain meds and usually, after they kick in, she gets up with little assistance. This time, she needed more assistance and in the process of getting up, she twisted and you could see discomfort and uneasiness come over her. She wasn’t herself – she was uncomfortable and agitated. Penny is never agitated.
Before noon, Penny was down again. We were able to get her up again but she walked off and wanted to be left alone. She seemed more uncomfortable – her hips were sore and she was tense all over. She was weak in her hind end. She shifted her weight from one side to the other in her backend. We gave her some time but it didn’t help – she refused her meal, hay, and water. Penny made it clear that acceptance had set in and that she was tired.
We spoke with the vet and we both agreed that Penny’s quality of life had reached the line – we loved Penny enough to let her go.
Karen stayed with Nicky during the time that Dr. Templeton helped Penny transition to Rainbow Bridge and I never left Penny’s side. She got to hear many “I love you’s” as she left this world. It’s never, ever easy and each one takes a part of my heart with them when they go, yet a part of them always stays with me. We gave Nicky time with Penny this evening to help her understand what had happened, although I think she knew before we did that Penny needed release.
Penny was born blind 35 years ago and now she sees all of the colors in the rainbow. She was precious – a brave and gentle giant with the most loving, trusting soul. She will be in our hearts, always.
Sincerely,
Theresa
A Very Good Day!
Andrew, our wonderful farrier, and Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto, one of our amazing vets, were both at the farm one day last week. We all appreciate their skills and time, very much! Miles needs to gain a few pounds but is doing well. Simba had a little cough but his lungs sounded good – winds here have been really bad for the last few days so it was likely due to dust that has blown everywhere. Simba is as precious as they come. Frodo, Jo, Peaches, and Beauty got red light treatments. Peaches also got to wear the Benefab blanket for awhile. It’s a size too small but we made do! It was really, a very good day!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Miles is Home
I’m not sure what his name will be until we get to know him a bit better. But until then, we’re calling him Miles. Miles is simply precious. He unloaded and settled into his paddock just fine. He walked around to check things out and took some time to watch the goats across the street. (Please click on the image above to view Miles on his first walkabout.)
No more wandering aimlessly around country backroads for this boy. I don’t understand why his owner wouldn’t want him or to at least, find a good home for him vs letting him roam the streets. He is a bit underweight but we will be able to fix that in no time.
Many thanks to all who have donated to help this beautiful boy.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Another Chance
About two weeks ago, we were contacted by a number of people who wanted to make us aware of a horse that had been wandering the streets in a rural part of Levy County. The Sheriff’s Department had picked him up as a stray animal and issued a public notice in an effort to find the owner. The horse was also posted on NetPosse’s Facebook page, but no one came forward.
The Sheriff’s Department had stated in their public notice that if the horse was not claimed by a certain date, a public auction would be held and he would be sold to the highest bidder.
I truly believe that our sweet Penny most definitely, had a hand in this!
We are reaching out for assistance to help with this boy’s initial vetting, dental, farrier and nutritional needs. In addition, if anyone would like to help by sponsoring him for one or more weeks/months for any amount, we would be forever grateful. If you wish to help, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below.
Thank you all for your continued love and support.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Godspeed, Sweet Penny
I’ve been putting off this post all evening – my heart is heavy. Penny was down this morning. I gave her pain meds and usually, after they kick in, she gets up with little assistance. This time, she needed more assistance and in the process of getting up, she twisted and you could see discomfort and uneasiness come over her. She wasn’t herself – she was uncomfortable and agitated. Penny is never agitated.
Before noon, Penny was down again. We were able to get her up again but she walked off and wanted to be left alone. She seemed more uncomfortable – her hips were sore and she was tense all over. She was weak in her hind end. She shifted her weight from one side to the other in her backend. We gave her some time but it didn’t help – she refused her meal, hay, and water. Penny made it clear that acceptance had set in and that she was tired.
Karen stayed with Nicky during the time that Dr. Templeton helped Penny transition to Rainbow Bridge and I never left Penny’s side. She got to hear many “I love you’s” as she left this world. It’s never, ever easy and each one takes a part of my heart with them when they go, yet a part of them always stays with me. We gave Nicky time with Penny this evening to help her understand what had happened, although I think she knew before we did that Penny needed release.
Penny was born blind 35 years ago and now she sees all of the colors in the rainbow. She was precious – a brave and gentle giant with the most loving, trusting soul. She will be in our hearts, always.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Shhhhh!
Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, me and my friends decided to surprise Mommy Theresa with something she really wants – a trailer load of hay! She always puts us before her own needs so we thought that surprising her with a gift of hay would truly make her heart sing!
Since we have only one bale of hay left, this will be a pretty big order. We hope to raise $1438 by Sunday, so if anyone would like to help us surprise Mommy Theresa, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. And, if anyone would like to offer a Match Game, it would make us all so very happy!
Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day to all our Aunties!
Love,
Sassy Pants & the Gang
Gratitude
Every year, in celebration of the birthday of Barbaro, our dear friend, Jamie Gillispie, lovingly lays red and white roses at the foot of his statue at the Kentucky Derby Museum located at Churchill Downs. Each rose is dedicated to the memory of a loved one, whether they be a person or a beloved pet.
This year our wonderful friend and supporter, Kathy Breakall, donated a rose in memory of a former Beauty’s Haven horse, Point to Ponder aka My Girl, who was injured while racing at Calder Race Track in 2008. She was transported to Ocala Equine Hospital where she underwent surgery to repair a slab fracture of the knee. My Girl was doing well and recovering nicely at Beauty’s Haven until the day the hardware in her knee failed. Tragically, there was nothing more we could do and we had no other choice than to let her go.
My Girl was beautiful, appreciative, brave and so full of life. She will forever remain in our hearts.
Thank you Kathy Breakall and Jamie Gillispie for honoring our beautiful girl.
*Please click on the image above to view a video of our breathtakingly gorgeous My Girl.*
Sincerely,
Theresa
Elvis & Ford have been adopted!
Elvis and Ford have hit the jackpot! They have been adopted into a wonderful home with someone who has adopted from us in the past. It’s a true blessing! We really did not want to separate them. Ford is 13 years young and really loves his little pony, Elvis, who is approximately 30 years young. They have had many changes in their life recently, but now, they have sunny days ahead in their new, loving, forever home. Enjoy the sweet video below of the boys happily prancing about in their lovely new paddock!
Thank you Maggie!
Sincerely,
Theresa
The Grass is Getting Greener!
Thanks to all of you we are almost 1/3 of the way to reach our goal for this past weekend’s hay run. The good news is that the grass is getting greener and our hay needs will soon lessen considerably!
If anyone would like to assist us with the remaining balance of $333, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. Or if you would like to offer a Match Game, it would be so greatly appreciated by both horses and humans alike! Just email us at bhfers@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Just Five Days Remaining!
Please help us win $1000 for the horses by clicking on the ‘Vote’ button below each day throughout the month of April. It’s free & easy! We’re currently in 1st place with just five days remaining! Thank you!!!
Drinkers of the Wind
Nadia and Venus, both purebred Arabians, are truly enchanted with the new fencing. About 300’ of the last section of the 25+ year old rusty fence was replaced yesterday and should be completed today.
Please enjoy the video below of Venus, the bay, who is 35 years young and Nadia, who is in her mid 20’s, happily trotting along the fence line.
Sincerely,
Theresa
MacGyver sure has filled out! He’s looking really good & is a very, very sweet boy. MacGyver is ready to start looking for his forever home.
Teeth Twofer – Ford & Elvis Get Dental Care
Ford and Elvis had their teeth taken care of on Thursday which both so desperately needed. While Dr. Bess worked on Ford, Elvis was a very good boy standing patiently just outside the trailer awaiting his turn. We are happy to report that both of these precious boys have settled in nicely.
Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Got Hay?
We are less than halfway there to reach our goal for this week’s hay run for a ton of orchard, 21 bales of coastal, two bales of alfalfa and three big half-pasture bales, for a total of $1180.
If anyone would like to help with this need, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. Or, if you would like to offer a Match Game, it would truly make our hearts sing!
Sweet Penny
Each morning, I look out the window first thing to see if Peggy Sue is up or down. Peggy Sue can’t get up if she lays on her left side. We just have to roll her over onto her right side and then she is able to get up on her own. Once I get to the barn, I look for Frodo, Beauty and Penny. Lately, Penny has been down in the mornings (hip issue) and she can’t get up without assistance. Penny weighs 1000 lbs. more than Peggy Sue so we can’t simply roll her over.
This morning was one of those mornings when Penny couldn’t get up. We encouraged her, but there wasn’t much more we could do. She’s completely blind and it can be dangerous trying to help her. I gave her some Banamine (IV) and some time. Thankfully she was able to get up after a short while. She enjoyed her breakfast and drank lots of water while Nicky, who is also blind, remained close by.
Having so many here with special needs brings new challenges each day. But we keep the faith and we keep going.
Other than having trouble getting up at times, her quality of life is still good and she so very much enjoys being with her best friend, Nicky. At Beauty’s Haven, each and every life is precious and deserving.
Please keep our sweet Penny in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Theresa