In 2014, this majestic Percheron – truly a gentle giant – captured my heart during a chance drive past a kill buyer’s property. There he stood, huddled in the corner of a paddock by the road, his spirit visibly shattered. Drawn irresistibly to him, I saw beyond the unhealthy coat that masked his underweight frame: open sores marred his frail body, a heartbreaking testament to his suffering. He desperately needed help, and that’s our calling at Beauty’s Haven – to extend a lifeline to horses like him, pulling them from the brink and into a world of compassion and care.
We named him Mishka. He was vetted and his dental and feet needs were taken care of. We doctored his sores, tended to his feet, put him on a controlled diet, and showered him with love. Day by day he grew stronger, his spirit ignited, and he blossomed into a vibrant, loving horse that everyone simply adored.
Mishka was more than a survivor; he was a quiet and calming healer for countless people, dispensing the purest form of solace: boundless, unwavering love. He was also a devoted friend to all horses that came here as you can clearly see in the video by clicking on the image above.
I later discovered that Mishka was once owned by a renowned NBA star that once live in Florida, who undoubtedly never imagined his equine companion could fall into such dire straits. Regrettably, his story underscores the critical need to verify that anyone receiving your horse is fully dedicated to its lifelong well-being. Equally important, in my opinion, is ensuring that you, yourself, are prepared to offer a horse exemplary care throughout its entire life before ever acquiring one. It’s the sole reliable guarantee against your beloved horse ending up in a horrible situation such as Mishka did.
We were truly blessed to share so many precious years with this gentle giant, whose kind spirit touched us all. Though he battled chronic foot problems throughout his time with us, our devoted care team poured everything we had into easing his discomfort.
As the years took their toll and his struggles intensified, our hearts ached at the thought of losing him – but our love ran deeper still, guiding us to grant him the peace he deserved. Now, free from all pain, he runs alongside our cherished Beauty’s Haven herd that awaits us at Rainbow Bridge. Run free, beautiful boy. You shall forever remain in our hearts.
Sweet Amira Update II
On Friday, just three days following her eye enucleation surgery, Amira already appeared to be on the mend. Although she was not passing as much stool as we’d like, she was drinking better and her appetite had returned. She was much more comfortable in the small paddock behind the barn than she was while confined in a stall, especially on Saturday, when we experienced some horrific torrential rains.
Amira had another really great day on Sunday. She is now eating, drinking and passing stool! She was so very brave and never flinched while I used a battery powered saw to cut the lower limbs from a tree in her paddock to prevent any future injuries.
Thank you, all, for your good thoughts and prayers. Amira is a very sweet and deserving mare and I’m so very grateful that we were able to provide this life altering surgery for her.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Sweet Amira Update
After being transported on Monday by Pam of Double B Equine Transport to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Amira settled in nicely upon her arrival at the hospital. Amira’s surgery on Tuesday for removal of her left eye, thankfully, went well and she returned home yesterday. Amira soon became a bit spun up, however, as she immediately, wanted to go out and rejoin all her friends in the paddock.
Amira was in fine spirits this morning. Since she previously only saw shadows from her left eye, she will hopefully easily adapt to having just one eye. I have faith that she will. She will, at least, be much more comfortable. We have had many horses who have been blind in one or both eyes – some have adjusted well, and some, not so well. Most have done fine, but each horse is different.
Please keep Amira in your prayers as we always worry about colic after a surgery such as this.
Thank you, all, for your love and support.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Please Help Sweet Amira
Amira is an Arabian mare who came to us in September, 2023, skin on bones. She had sores all over her frail body, her left ear was bent due to scar tissue and she had uveal cysts and scarring in both eyes. She was a mess, but she was, and continues to be, a truly beautiful soul as you can see in the video by clicking here or on the image above.
Amira’s rehabilitation went well and everyone simply loves her. We constantly monitor her allergies and eyes and treat her issues accordingly. Sadly, her left eye has progressively worsened, whereby, not only does she have little remaining vision, but she is quite uncomfortable as well. On Monday, she will be transported to EMCO for an eye enucleation which will, hopefully, provide her with great relief.
We are reaching out for help with her veterinary bill which is estimated to be $2000. If anyone would like to help, donations can be made simply by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below.
Thank you for your love and support and please keep sweet Amira in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Such Very Good Boys
This past month has been incredibly challenging as we continue to grieve the loss of Mishka and Dancer. Heartbreakingly, we recently had to say goodbye to two more cherished members of our herd, Bouie and Frodo. Bouie and Frodo were such good boys and it was so very hard to let them go. They have been inseparable companions since they joined our herd nearly twenty years ago. We’ve done everything in our power and beyond to keep them comfortable despite their health struggles, but the time had come to offer them our final act of love.
Bouie had bravely battled chronic founder and metabolic issues for years. Frodo, a survivor of an indirect lightning strike a few years back, had faced his own challenges, including founder and nerve damage from the incident, as well as COPD that developed from worsening allergies. Both have been cared for by the finest farriers, veterinarians, equine dentists, and a devoted care team, all of whom have ensured that these boys felt deeply loved every day. Recent semi-annual x-rays of their front feet confirmed that it was now time for Bouie and Frodo to join Mishka and Dancer at Rainbow Bridge. Please click here or on the image above to view our sweet boys just moments before their heavenly departure.
Though our hearts ache with this loss, the memories of Bouie, Frodo, Mishka, and Dancer will live on with us forever. We feel profoundly grateful for the time we were given with them. And I hold firm in the belief that we all will be reunited one day.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Mishka, Our Gentle Giant
In 2014, this majestic Percheron – truly a gentle giant – captured my heart during a chance drive past a kill buyer’s property. There he stood, huddled in the corner of a paddock by the road, his spirit visibly shattered. Drawn irresistibly to him, I saw beyond the unhealthy coat that masked his underweight frame: open sores marred his frail body, a heartbreaking testament to his suffering. He desperately needed help, and that’s our calling at Beauty’s Haven – to extend a lifeline to horses like him, pulling them from the brink and into a world of compassion and care.
We named him Mishka. He was vetted and his dental and feet needs were taken care of. We doctored his sores, tended to his feet, put him on a controlled diet, and showered him with love. Day by day he grew stronger, his spirit ignited, and he blossomed into a vibrant, loving horse that everyone simply adored.
I later discovered that Mishka was once owned by a renowned NBA star that once live in Florida, who undoubtedly never imagined his equine companion could fall into such dire straits. Regrettably, his story underscores the critical need to verify that anyone receiving your horse is fully dedicated to its lifelong well-being. Equally important, in my opinion, is ensuring that you, yourself, are prepared to offer a horse exemplary care throughout its entire life before ever acquiring one. It’s the sole reliable guarantee against your beloved horse ending up in a horrible situation such as Mishka did.
We were truly blessed to share so many precious years with this gentle giant, whose kind spirit touched us all. Though he battled chronic foot problems throughout his time with us, our devoted care team poured everything we had into easing his discomfort.
As the years took their toll and his struggles intensified, our hearts ached at the thought of losing him – but our love ran deeper still, guiding us to grant him the peace he deserved. Now, free from all pain, he runs alongside our cherished Beauty’s Haven herd that awaits us at Rainbow Bridge. Run free, beautiful boy. You shall forever remain in our hearts.
Run Free, Beautiful Girl
Please keep Dancer in your prayers as she transitions to Rainbow Bridge. She rotated and sunk in her front foot and sadly, there was nothing more that we could do.
Run free, beautiful girl. You shall forever remain in our hearts.
Godspeed, Beautiful Boy
Our beloved Mishka has sadly transitioned to Rainbow Bridge. We are all completely devastated at this time and do need time to grieve. A more detailed post will be forthcoming. Thank you all for your understanding.
Bemer Time!
Family Fun
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer weekend!
Mishka’s Lucky Week!
On Wednesday, Mishka was really good for his hooficure with Tom, one of our farriers, who is so very patient, kind, forgiving and truly wonderful with him. Dr. Julia Simonson was also here in order to discuss and assess Mishka’s feed plan and supplements so as to make some adjustments to his protocol.
On Thursday, Dr. Chris Burnham came out to do some bodywork on Mishka which went really well. Mishka melted with each adjustment! That evening, beneath the most beautiful rainbow, Mishka was all over the place! It’s so nice to see him feeling better while experiencing the joy of just being a horse!
I also discovered another little bird in one of the small waterers this week. We most fortunately, saved him in the nick of time, unlike the baby bird we found last week, who, sadly, did not survive. This little bird, who was a bit larger, fell out of his nest by Mishka’s shelter. We dried him off, warmed him up and returned him to the shelter where he sat in the warm sunshine. When we checked on him about forty-five minutes later, he was gone, so hopefully, he is safely back with his beloved Momma Bird.
We are so very grateful for the shade. When we purchased this property several years ago, there were only five trees by the main road. Over time, we planted over a dozen more, which are all flourishing!