As you all know, Hope had colic surgery in early December. During surgery, they had to do an enterotomy into the small colon (fecalith) as well as one into the large colon (sand). The day she returned from the hospital, almost two weeks later, she had a great appetite but we were seeing more input than output, and she simply wasn’t interested in drinking her water. We tried adding different flavorings to it (molasses, peppermint, etc.), we even tried different buckets and water with varying temperatures, but still, she simply wasn’t interested in drinking. That evening she showed signs of potential colic – stretching and parking out but she wasn’t having bowel movements.
After treating her per her vet’s instructions with no luck, we took her back to the hospital the very next day. Wouldn’t you know it – she had a good BM on the way to the hospital!
But we decided to continue to the hospital as planned. There are just too many things that can occur following colic surgery (endotoxemia, adhesions, salmonella, laminitis, etc.) and we simply did not want to take a chance.
Hope received fluids at the hospital and she did quite well the first night. The next evening, she was given hay, but soon, started to park out and stretch again. She wasn’t passing manure like she should and she had a temperature. Over the course of the next couple of days, she had another colic episode which thankfully resolved, and additional tests and x-rays as well as an ultrasound were performed. To say it was a a roller coaster ride for us would truly be an understatement!
It was believed that adhesions may be the issue so hay was removed from Hope’s diet and she thankfully improved. On the following day, however, her temperature was high once again.
More tests were done and it was determined that Hope had an infection at the surgical incision site, so she was started on antibiotics.
By this time, she was passing “normal” BMs, but then, the poor little one got diarrhea, likely from the antibiotics. If she stayed at the hospital, she would have gone into isolation due to her diarrhea so the vet thought it would be in her best interest to return home.
Once back at the rescue, we watched Hope like a hawk around the clock for the first few days (we had to administer her meds and take her temperature often). She’s receiving mushy meals, but she still isn’t interested in drinking, but it does make me happy knowing that she is, at least, getting adequate water from her meals. Since Hope has done fine thus far, we gradually reintroduced hay (soaked) to her diet which makes her so very happy. She also gets hand walked which enables her to graze a few times a day.
We’re also happy to report that we now get to sleep through the night (but Hope is under a camera 24/7). She is still on stall rest for another couple of weeks. After that, she will be able to go out into a small confined area where she will be unable to run around and possibly hurt herself – her tummy needs to heal and her muscles need to strengthen. After ninety days, if all is well, she will be able to become a little horse once again!
Hope’s diet and BMs will always have to be monitored and any issues that may arise, must of course, be dealt with swiftly. She’s a smart little girl who really enjoys life, although I’m sure she will be happier once she is able to be turned out again!
We truly appreciate everyone’s support throughout Hope’s incredible journey. We’re still a bit short for her veterinary fees, but we have faith that the need will be met. We’re thankful and so very blessed that we have been able to help this precious little one and that she’s doing so well on her road to recovery. We’re looking forward to leaving 2020 behind and plan to enter 2021 with a hope for a better tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Big News From Our Little Fashionista
I have an announcement to make!!!! Are you ready to listen up? Did you know that I have a new big brother and a big sister? I do! They arrived last night and I can’t wait to meet them! Mommy Theresa said they’re really nice. Their human mommy passed away and they needed a place to go – isn’t that sad? We’ll make them feel right at home. Stay tuned – I’ll tell you more about them after the morning busys around here! That means it will probably be late afternoon. We’ll post pictures too!
Love,
Hope
Uh Oh!
Thank you for your continued generosity & support!
Sincerely,
Theresa
JoJo says it’s Match Game Time!
Hi Everyone, 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?
Love,
JoJo
P.S. One of my very special aunties will match all donations up to $200!
************
You may forward your donation via various means on our website by clicking the ‘Donate’ button below. If donating via PayPal, please select, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family’ and no fees will be deducted from your contribution. Please also note that your donation is for the ‘Hay Match Game.’
Thank you!
Theresa
New Year Ushers in Good Fortune for MacGyver, Aries & Raz
Recent Rescue Settles In
We have named our precious new arrival “MacGyver,” an 18-20 year old Warmblood cross who is such a love. Dr. Templeton came out on Thursday to examine Mac and perform bloodwork, and on Saturday we gave him a much needed bath. Mac is quite thin under his shaggy coat and he has horrible dander from head to tail, but I am most certain that he is feeling so much better following his bath! The farrier was here on Sunday to assess his feet.
Mac does need sponsors to help with his initial and ongoing needs. If you would like to sign up to become a monthly sponsor for this precious boy, you may do so for as little as five dollars a month, simply click here. If you prefer, you may also make a one time donation. Please remember that all donations are always so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.
Aries & Raz Adopted!
While Dr. Templeton was here, she also checked on Raz and Aries and was beyond thrilled to see their improvements. They both have gained a substantial amount of weight and their rain rot is much better. They have spunk and the light in their eyes is much brighter.
We’re so grateful, it was truly a blessing. We wouldn’t have separated them, they are full sisters and are very bonded to one another. Thank you all, for helping these very special mares!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Final Countdown
As we began our Year-End Campaign (YEC) we were in the midst of helping three senior Thoroughbred mares, Aries, Raz and Nicky, who were part of a Thanksgiving Day rescue effort. Their needs are many and their long and winding road to recovery is quite extensive, but thanks to the generosity of each and every one of you, they are all now happy, proud and much healthier horses. We are thrilled to announce that Aries and Raz will soon be adopted together into a loving home. Nicky, who is blind and has diminished hearing, will permanently remain at Beauty’s Haven as a member of our beloved sanctuary herd as a special needs horse.
Since this campaign began, our precious mini mare, Hope, has also become a member of our little herd. As you all know, her needs have been significant and will continue to be for quite some time. Thanks to our amazing little village of supporters, Hope was granted the opportunity to have her life-saving surgery, proving once more that Beauty’s Haven is indeed a place “Where life begins, again!”
And just yesterday we informed you about our newest arrival, a very thin and neglected boy whose needs, like many who came before him, are quite extensive. But we promised this wise old soul, as we promised all who arrived before him, that all of his tomorrows will be better than his past should have been.
Our YEC campaign is winding down with just $4,790 needed to attain our goal of $15,000, so if you would like to make a last minute tax deductible donation to help the horses and donkeys at Beauty’s Haven, you may do so by merely clicking on the “Donate” button below. If donating via PayPal, 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, “#YEC.” If you are unable to contribute at this time, we truly understand, but you can still help by sharing this email amongst friends and family.
Wishing you Peace, Happiness & Love in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Theresa
A Welcome and a Promise
Today we welcomed a very sweet and wise old soul to the Beauty’s Haven herd, with the promise that all of his tomorrows will be better than his past should have been. He does have some issues, but hopefully we will be able to address such successfully. The vet will be out tomorrow to perform an examination as well as do blood tests and I will update tomorrow regarding her findings.
As we approach the New Year in hope of better days ahead, we reflect upon the way in which time is meaningless to the many neglected, abused and homeless horses, cats and dogs, so hoping for a holiday miracle.
Because of your unwavering devotion, generosity and love for our beloved little herd, we are are able to continue our most important mission of granting a second chance at life to horses like our newest arrival, as well as to every equine and other sentient being that passes through our gates. And for that we remain forever grateful. Beauty’s Haven is truly, a place where “Life begins, again!”
Wishing everyone a very Happy & Healthy New Year.
Warmly,
Theresa, Bob & the Beauty’s Haven Family
Hope’s Incredible Journey
As you all know, Hope had colic surgery in early December. During surgery, they had to do an enterotomy into the small colon (fecalith) as well as one into the large colon (sand). The day she returned from the hospital, almost two weeks later, she had a great appetite but we were seeing more input than output, and she simply wasn’t interested in drinking her water. We tried adding different flavorings to it (molasses, peppermint, etc.), we even tried different buckets and water with varying temperatures, but still, she simply wasn’t interested in drinking. That evening she showed signs of potential colic – stretching and parking out but she wasn’t having bowel movements.
But we decided to continue to the hospital as planned. There are just too many things that can occur following colic surgery (endotoxemia, adhesions, salmonella, laminitis, etc.) and we simply did not want to take a chance.
Hope received fluids at the hospital and she did quite well the first night. The next evening, she was given hay, but soon, started to park out and stretch again. She wasn’t passing manure like she should and she had a temperature. Over the course of the next couple of days, she had another colic episode which thankfully resolved, and additional tests and x-rays as well as an ultrasound were performed. To say it was a a roller coaster ride for us would truly be an understatement!
It was believed that adhesions may be the issue so hay was removed from Hope’s diet and she thankfully improved. On the following day, however, her temperature was high once again.
By this time, she was passing “normal” BMs, but then, the poor little one got diarrhea, likely from the antibiotics. If she stayed at the hospital, she would have gone into isolation due to her diarrhea so the vet thought it would be in her best interest to return home.
Once back at the rescue, we watched Hope like a hawk around the clock for the first few days (we had to administer her meds and take her temperature often). She’s receiving mushy meals, but she still isn’t interested in drinking, but it does make me happy knowing that she is, at least, getting adequate water from her meals. Since Hope has done fine thus far, we gradually reintroduced hay (soaked) to her diet which makes her so very happy. She also gets hand walked which enables her to graze a few times a day.
We’re also happy to report that we now get to sleep through the night (but Hope is under a camera 24/7). She is still on stall rest for another couple of weeks. After that, she will be able to go out into a small confined area where she will be unable to run around and possibly hurt herself – her tummy needs to heal and her muscles need to strengthen. After ninety days, if all is well, she will be able to become a little horse once again!
We truly appreciate everyone’s support throughout Hope’s incredible journey. We’re still a bit short for her veterinary fees, but we have faith that the need will be met. We’re thankful and so very blessed that we have been able to help this precious little one and that she’s doing so well on her road to recovery. We’re looking forward to leaving 2020 behind and plan to enter 2021 with a hope for a better tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Only Because of Love
This is a story I share every year at Christmastime – it’s near and dear to my heart. Some know it as, “The Old One” and some as “Because of Love”. Either way, it’s a powerful reminder about why we do what we do. Too many “old ones” are discarded after giving years of love and service to their humans – oftentimes, put out to pasture or “on the back 40” where they eventually wither away to nothing.
In many rescue cases that we’ve worked – where horses needed to be removed from a property and when humans were given the opportunity to go in and take one or more – the younger horses are usually scooped up. They are more quickly rehabilitated and re-homed while old ones are often left behind. My heart would never enable me to do that, they are all deserving.
Our three recent arrivals, Aries, Nicky, and Raz are “old ones”. They are all Thoroughbred mares in their late 20’s. Aries and Raz are full sisters that have always been together and we simply could not separate them – they are very bonded. Nicky, blind and deaf, was in very poor condition and may not have lasted another day. We were not prepared to take in more horses at this time but we couldn’t just turn our heads.
We’ve been blessed to have had many “Old Ones” pass through our gates. While some are with us now such as Venus, Nadia, Jo, Dancer and others, some that have gone to Rainbow Bridge include Betsy Rose, Little E, Gentleman, Brea, Cricket, Grandma Bones, Nina, Casper, Solace, Matilda, Granny Jewels, Frosty, and many more. Watching the “old ones” and the unconditional love and wisdom that they offer to others in the herd and to humans is an amazing experience that words can’t adequately describe.
Only because of love.
Wishing one and all a Blessed Christmas.
Warmly,
Theresa
A Christmas Eve Message from Hope
Hope wanted to be the first to let everyone know that she’s back at the rescue! I’ll provide an update about her progress in the forthcoming days. We are praying for continued healing and no more bumps along the way. Thank you all!
Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Theresa
And the Stockings Were Hung…
‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the farm,
All the equines were stirring, even those in the barn.
The stockings were hung on the stalls with great care,
In hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The horses & donkeys were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of peppermints danced in their heads.
All were so hoping to find lots of fine treats but together agreed
That the wish at the moment was to take care of their needs.
Refilling the Medicine Cabinet is a must at the farm,
To keep our equines healthy and free from all harm.
Our prayers will be answered if our wishes are fulfilled
And our Velvet Nosers, of course, will be totally thrilled.
Please consider a donation in this season of good cheer,
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
God bless us, everyone!
Our Year End Campaign got off track with the arrival of little Hope (she is still in the hospital) but we need to get back on track for the others here. We have many needs but we are going break them down instead of putting them all in one email. We need to restock our medicine cabinet with necessary supplements, supplies, and veterinary items which will address the needs of the Beauty’s Haven herd.
This portion of our campaign focuses upon the current necessary items which appear in the image above.
If you would like to help, you may do so by forwarding a donation via a variety of ways here on our website simply by clicking the ‘Donate’ button below. Please be assured that all donations are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.
P.S. If you shop on Amazon, please click the button below where you can find some of our other needs on our Amazon Wish List. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Theresa
And… Hope is Back at UF
On her first day home Hope had a good day with the exception of not having a substantial bowel movement. She did have a BM on the way home on Thursday, once more in the evening, and then again sometime during the night. On Friday morning, she made a tiny BM but her temperature, heart and respiration rates were all normal. She had a great appetite all day and munched on soaked hay but didn’t care to drink. Late morning, she walked in a circle and stretched out – not at all good signs.
I tried different concoctions to get her to drink but she simply wasn’t interested. Last evening she circled and stretched out again so I contacted her vet at UF and was instructed on what to do.
The vet said with the drastic change of weather, many horses are having issues regarding not wanting to drink which can lead to colic.
When we took Hope to UF on December 4th, she weighed only 88 lbs. and scored a 2 on the Body Condition Scale. When they operated on her that day they removed a lot of sand and a fecalith – she was truly lucky to be alive. Hope is only three years old and deserved a chance. She has come too far to go backwards so taking her back to the hospital was, in our opinion, the right thing to do. Upon arrival at the hospital last night, she did have a good BM so we are optimistic. Please say a prayer for our little girl.
Sincerely,
Theresa