I apologize for taking so long to post this update. The daily chores/needs we tackle here each day are many and there is little extra time. Those of you who have been with us for a long time, know I used to post often throughout the days/nights. Now, I try to post at least a couple of times a week when I am able to make time before calling it a day. Hopefully, soon, I’ll be able to post more routinely again.
And now, for Jo’s long awaited update
Jo’s kidneys and liver are stressed and she’s fighting infection. She has a heart murmur, severe muscle atrophy, and is about 300 pounds underweight. She has a poor coat and patches of skin without hair. Her coat, thankfully, is actually looking slightly better already. Her appetite is good and she’s drinking and getting the supplements that she needs. She’s also being treated for ulcers. As I mentioned in my update yesterday, Jo’s feet needed attention, too, but they were taken care of the day after we brought her to the rescue.
Like most horses, Jo walked right into the stall in Dr. Bess’ dental trailer. She was an absolute angel the entire time.
Most of Jo’s issues came about due to the condition of her teeth. Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry) found ulcers in Jo’s cheeks, gums, tongue, and soft palate due to sharp points. One sharp point put the palatine artery at significant risk of being cut which could have caused Jo to bleed out.
There were large ramps and her front teeth are on a slant due to misalignment which physically obstructed the motion she needed to properly chew. Because Jo couldn’t chew, it decreased the ability of her digestive system to extract much needed nutrients from any food she did manage to get down. It also put her at risk for choke and colic.
Most horse owners know this, but for those who don’t, when a horse chews, it is a grinding motion that, over time, wears down the tooth surface. Sharp hooks and points form. Teeth wear unevenly which causes the mouth to close improperly which can lead to chronic colic, weight loss, quidding, bad behavior, and other issues. Quidding is when food gets rolled into balls which fall out of the horses mouth and drop to the ground. Sometimes, rather than chew with a painful mouth, a horse will try to swallow food before chewing is complete which can cause choke, colic, and weight loss. Jo was quidding. Sometimes, a horse will pack food on the side of its mouth (when they are unable to chew on that side) which can cause gum disease and tooth loss.
When a horse is younger, uneven wear can be corrected. Left unattended, the issue progresses and becomes severe as in Jo’s case. Horses’ teeth erupt and wear over their lifetime. As a horse ages, the eruption rate slows and teeth get shorter. With an older horse, there might not be any tooth left below the gum to keep erupting and teeth may start to fall out. When a horse loses a tooth, the tooth above or below it, doesn’t have anything to grind against. The teeth on each side of the empty space start moving toward each other and feed can get packed there which can cause issues that would need veterinary attention.
As a horse ages, the digestive tract becomes less efficient at absorbing and processing nutrients. Reduction in the ability to mechanically break down food (through grinding of the teeth) lowers digestibility. It’s important to ensure a horse’s diet is tailored to suit their particular needs. Senior horses like Jo, and Little E, need a complete senior feed that is easy to chew and is highly digestible. This feed can be soaked and made into a soupy mash which helps prevent choke. The increased water intake also helps reduce digestive issues. These horses benefit from smaller portioned meals that are offered more frequently throughout the day.
The day after Dr. Bess did Jo’s teeth, it felt good to know Jo could finally use her mouth without the pain and discomfort that she had been feeling for quite some time. And Jo actually looked brighter and happier!
Providing proper dental care for the entire lifetime of a horse is very important to its well-being. Routine dental care can help a horse live a longer and healthy life by preventing issues and unnecessary pain and suffering. Every horse owner has an obligation to provide this to their horse.
Jo’s previous owner said they were feeding her two meals a day, and I do believe them. After Jo arrived, she passed manure and there was grain in it. We were told that Jo’s teeth were floated about 1 1/2 years ago by a farrier. Whoa – red flag! This is a good example of why it’s important to have an equine dentist, or veterinarian skilled in equine dentistry, like Dr. Bess, to properly diagnose, correct, and treat dental problems as well as administer sedation (if needed).
We’re thankful that Jo’s previous owner finally reached out for help before it was too late, allowing us the opportunity to make a significant difference in Jo’s life. She wouldn’t have lasted much longer. Recovery may take awhile – many things happen to a body when it has been deprived of proper nutrition. But Jo has a bright attitude and we have the means (thanks to our supporters) to provide what she needs to help her through this time.
We thank all of you for caring!
Dr. Darrow is a veterinarian and is International Association of Equine Dentistry certified. She specializes in equine dentistry. Her dental trailer is awesome and most horses walk right into the padded stall. She uses a full mouth speculum and bright light, a drencher, power and manual tools, a soft chin rest and/or a head suspension system, mirrors, other instruments, and sedation (when needed). She provides a dental record and chart of the horse’s mouth which describes the work she did and also shows diagrams of the teeth. It’s obvious to us that she understands the whole horse and cares about her patients. She has been treating our horses for years!
Dr. Darrow’s website is Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry and she can also be found on Facebook. We truly appreciate everything she does for the horses, not just here, but everywhere! She spearheaded Houses4Horses, a non-profit organization that began with efforts to aid horses following Hurricane Michael in 2018 in Florida’s panhandle. Houses4Horses is also helping to provide vet care, hay and feed for horses and livestock remaining on Grand Bahama Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
MATCH GAME REDUX
With the devastating loss of our sweet Baby Hope last week, our Match Game for Hay seemed of little importance and was temporarily, put aside. We only have enough hay for today, however, and we still have $480 remaining in Matching Funds, so if anyone would like to assist with this need, it would be so greatly appreciated.
There are many ways in which to contribute. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small.
Thank you all, so very much, for your love and support, as well as for your beautiful, heartfelt messages of condolence for Theresa, Bob, the Beauty’s Haven Family and our precious baby girl.
Warmly,
Jeanne
Another Sweet Mare in Dire Need
It just never stops. This mare is Jo’s friend – they lived together for many years, but she also needs to come to the rescue. Bloodwork was done and the results aren’t great. The mare may not look too bad on the outside, but she has a number of issues and the vet suggested we get her here sooner than later. Cooler temps and rain is predicted, so we’re trying to bring her here today. She needs help with everything: dental, vetting, farrier, supplements, etc.
A dear friend and supporter of the rescue has offered a $300 Match Game whereby every dollar donated to help this mare will be matched until we reach $300. At that time, the $300 in donations will morph into $600! All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. The mare also needs monthly sponsors to help with her ongoing needs. Automatic monthly sponsorship donations can also be set up via our website.
Would anyone like to make a one time donation or sign up to be a monthly sponsor for Jo’s friend? There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Please note that your donation is for “Jo’s Friend Match Game.” If you donate via PayPal, please select the tab “Send Money to Friends or Family,” and no fees will be deducted from your contribution.
Thank you, all, so very much, for your love & support.
Hope, Forever in our Hearts
We knew from the beginning in our journey with Hope, that, being a dwarf, she had quite a few obstacles to overcome. And Hope was, without a doubt, an overcomer.
We watched Hope grow and learn to find ways to work around her challenges. Caring for her took a good amount of time, work, and patience, but there is no price we can put on the rewards, which were great. She appreciated everything done for her. She loved to cuddle, really cuddle. She loved Kitty Cat, her Portacooler, and music. She loved to meet people and other animals. And she truly loved her big blue bed and her stuffed toy and BFF, Jerry.
Hope was a happy little calf that smiled a lot – her smiles were contagious. Everyone who met her simply adored her. Bob and I loved sitting with her, talking with her, and watching her in awe. During those times, at least for me, I could sit and just breathe – not stress about what still needed to be done that day, not look at the phone or the clock, not worry – just relax and breathe.
The last two days that Hope was with us were horribly hot and humid. She seemed off, just not herself. She didn’t have a temperature and her vitals were normal. Her appetite wasn’t what it normally would be, but that happened at times when the heat and humidity were especially bad. The second day, she wasn’t interested in food or water. Her temp, HR, and RR were all still normal. Concerned about dehydration, we did get water and electrolytes in her. I stayed with Hope, all day, observing her and following Dr. Sonday’s instructions in giving meds, etc. If Hope got worse, or was no better by the next morning, Dr. Sonday would be out.
By evening, I became very concerned that I hadn’t seen Hope chew her cud. I rubbed her belly and used Essential Oils on her. After awhile, she did start burping and then chewed her cud some. She started drinking water which was a huge relief. Hope walked around a little, picked at a little grass, and I was delighted when she took a cookie from me which she had refused all day. We tried taking selfies again, but, as usual, I didn’t do very well. As the night came, she rested and we watched. At 12:03 am, she very peacefully slipped away from us.
Dr. Sonday said that Hope’s organs were as her body, not correct in form and function to sustain life into adulthood. She assured me that all that was done, was the best that could be done, and that Hope just wasn’t built to live in our world for long.
Hope gave many people joy and a sense of purpose. She was, and always will be, a very special girl that touched our hearts deeply. We were more than blessed to have had her entrusted to our care for as long as we did. I know I’ll see her again someday, with a perfect body and perfect legs that enable her to run all over the place!
I haven’t brought myself to read your posts yet, but I will. Jeanne has warned me to grab tissues before I do. We loved this little miracle calf that shouldn’t have survived birth much less survived living on the ground for the first several weeks of her life with the hot sun and torrential rains beating down upon her. It says a lot about her determination and love for life. We’re slowly adjusting, accepting, and moving forward. God bless all of you for caring.
BABY HOPE HAS HER WINGS
It is with a heavy heart and deepest sorrow that we must inform you that our beloved Baby Hope has gone to Rainbow Bridge. Our precious little calf died peacefully in her sleep at 12:03am surrounded by Theresa and Bob. Theresa will provide a complete explanation in a few days, but at this time, she, understandably, needs time to grieve.
Please keep Theresa, Bob, Baby Hope & the Beauty’s Haven family in your prayers.
Warmly,
Jeanne
JOJO & JAZZY CALLING ONE & ALL
JoJo and Jazzy here! We just want to let everyone know that three very special Aunties have offered to match all donations up to $650. The first $100, with matching funds, will be used to purchase two blankets for our new friend, Jo, a medium weight blanket as well as a lightweight blanket. The remaining $550 in matching funds will be applied to this week’s hay needs. We know that everyone was so very generous to help Jo, recently, so if you are unable to assist with this need, we truly understand. Please share, though, okay?
Sending Donkey Hugs and Kisses,
JoJo & Jazzy
There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small.
Thank you!
Jo’s Long Awaited Update
I apologize for taking so long to post this update. The daily chores/needs we tackle here each day are many and there is little extra time. Those of you who have been with us for a long time, know I used to post often throughout the days/nights. Now, I try to post at least a couple of times a week when I am able to make time before calling it a day. Hopefully, soon, I’ll be able to post more routinely again.
And now, for Jo’s long awaited update
Jo’s kidneys and liver are stressed and she’s fighting infection. She has a heart murmur, severe muscle atrophy, and is about 300 pounds underweight. She has a poor coat and patches of skin without hair. Her coat, thankfully, is actually looking slightly better already. Her appetite is good and she’s drinking and getting the supplements that she needs. She’s also being treated for ulcers. As I mentioned in my update yesterday, Jo’s feet needed attention, too, but they were taken care of the day after we brought her to the rescue.
Like most horses, Jo walked right into the stall in Dr. Bess’ dental trailer. She was an absolute angel the entire time.
Most of Jo’s issues came about due to the condition of her teeth. Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry) found ulcers in Jo’s cheeks, gums, tongue, and soft palate due to sharp points. One sharp point put the palatine artery at significant risk of being cut which could have caused Jo to bleed out.
There were large ramps and her front teeth are on a slant due to misalignment which physically obstructed the motion she needed to properly chew. Because Jo couldn’t chew, it decreased the ability of her digestive system to extract much needed nutrients from any food she did manage to get down. It also put her at risk for choke and colic.
Most horse owners know this, but for those who don’t, when a horse chews, it is a grinding motion that, over time, wears down the tooth surface. Sharp hooks and points form. Teeth wear unevenly which causes the mouth to close improperly which can lead to chronic colic, weight loss, quidding, bad behavior, and other issues. Quidding is when food gets rolled into balls which fall out of the horses mouth and drop to the ground. Sometimes, rather than chew with a painful mouth, a horse will try to swallow food before chewing is complete which can cause choke, colic, and weight loss. Jo was quidding. Sometimes, a horse will pack food on the side of its mouth (when they are unable to chew on that side) which can cause gum disease and tooth loss.
When a horse is younger, uneven wear can be corrected. Left unattended, the issue progresses and becomes severe as in Jo’s case. Horses’ teeth erupt and wear over their lifetime. As a horse ages, the eruption rate slows and teeth get shorter. With an older horse, there might not be any tooth left below the gum to keep erupting and teeth may start to fall out. When a horse loses a tooth, the tooth above or below it, doesn’t have anything to grind against. The teeth on each side of the empty space start moving toward each other and feed can get packed there which can cause issues that would need veterinary attention.
As a horse ages, the digestive tract becomes less efficient at absorbing and processing nutrients. Reduction in the ability to mechanically break down food (through grinding of the teeth) lowers digestibility. It’s important to ensure a horse’s diet is tailored to suit their particular needs. Senior horses like Jo, and Little E, need a complete senior feed that is easy to chew and is highly digestible. This feed can be soaked and made into a soupy mash which helps prevent choke. The increased water intake also helps reduce digestive issues. These horses benefit from smaller portioned meals that are offered more frequently throughout the day.
The day after Dr. Bess did Jo’s teeth, it felt good to know Jo could finally use her mouth without the pain and discomfort that she had been feeling for quite some time. And Jo actually looked brighter and happier!
Providing proper dental care for the entire lifetime of a horse is very important to its well-being. Routine dental care can help a horse live a longer and healthy life by preventing issues and unnecessary pain and suffering. Every horse owner has an obligation to provide this to their horse.
Jo’s previous owner said they were feeding her two meals a day, and I do believe them. After Jo arrived, she passed manure and there was grain in it. We were told that Jo’s teeth were floated about 1 1/2 years ago by a farrier. Whoa – red flag! This is a good example of why it’s important to have an equine dentist, or veterinarian skilled in equine dentistry, like Dr. Bess, to properly diagnose, correct, and treat dental problems as well as administer sedation (if needed).
We’re thankful that Jo’s previous owner finally reached out for help before it was too late, allowing us the opportunity to make a significant difference in Jo’s life. She wouldn’t have lasted much longer. Recovery may take awhile – many things happen to a body when it has been deprived of proper nutrition. But Jo has a bright attitude and we have the means (thanks to our supporters) to provide what she needs to help her through this time.
We thank all of you for caring!
Dr. Darrow is a veterinarian and is International Association of Equine Dentistry certified. She specializes in equine dentistry. Her dental trailer is awesome and most horses walk right into the padded stall. She uses a full mouth speculum and bright light, a drencher, power and manual tools, a soft chin rest and/or a head suspension system, mirrors, other instruments, and sedation (when needed). She provides a dental record and chart of the horse’s mouth which describes the work she did and also shows diagrams of the teeth. It’s obvious to us that she understands the whole horse and cares about her patients. She has been treating our horses for years!
Dr. Darrow’s website is Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry and she can also be found on Facebook. We truly appreciate everything she does for the horses, not just here, but everywhere! She spearheaded Houses4Horses, a non-profit organization that began with efforts to aid horses following Hurricane Michael in 2018 in Florida’s panhandle. Houses4Horses is also helping to provide vet care, hay and feed for horses and livestock remaining on Grand Bahama Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
Jo, All Settled In!
It was a beautiful day at the rescue last Sunday – the weather was nice and there were no “surprises.” Jo greeted us in the morning with bright eyes and a whinny to start the day. Jenny arrived and gave her a much-needed bath and spa treatment. Jo seemed to hold her head a little higher after her bath so I’m thinking she really enjoyed it. Her sores were treated and her mane and tail were brushed out. She’s very beautiful.
Happy Feet
Jo had a happy hooficure day on Monday – she truly needed it and I am sure she felt much better afterwards!
A Visit with Dr. Julia
The vet also came on Monday to do an exam on Jo, including blood tests. We were told that she is 35 years old but I’m not sure if that is correct. There’s probably a combination of things contributing to her being so thin, but I do believe that with proper care, she has the desire, and ability, to overcome. Jo is very vocal, alert, and interested in everything that goes on around her. She’s a very kind soul.
Hope
After examining Jo, Dr. Julia visited with Hope.
A Visit with Dr. Bess
Dr. Bess came on Wednesday to do Jo’s teeth. She aged Jo to be 28 years young. I will be sharing a comprehensive update with some pretty incredible photos as to the vet and equine dentist’s findings, within the next few days.
We truly appreciate everyone’s support for sweet Jo.
Welcome Home, Jo!
Jo loaded like a champion and unloaded just fine too. She’s a 35 years young QH mare that’s likely, a “been there, done that,” type of horse. I don’t know how much longer she would have lasted and yes, reaching out for help should have come sooner, but she’s here now and she has a chance. Please keep Jo in your prayers. She’s truly a very sweet and kind old soul.
Jo’s First Meal
It’s always very gratifying to watch a horse enjoy their first meal here. The look on their face is priceless and it reassures us that we are making a difference. And we are only able to do what we do because of help from others – we operate totally from donations. So, know that all of you are making an incredible difference in Jo’s life. We don’t know if Jo has days, weeks, months, or hopefully, many years left on this earth, but we do know that she will get the best of care in her sunset years.
We have had many calls about horses that need help lately and the cold season isn’t even upon us yet. Hay is expensive here and the calls for help always increase when the grass goes dormant – many people just can’t afford needed hay and the horses suffer. Sadly, we expect the number of calls will only increase over the next couple of months.
Skin on Bones
Jo’s vetting will soon be done (including bloodwork), to identify issues, including if there is damage to her organs. Weight loss can be due to dental issues, chronic infection, parasites, cancer, or other issues or a combination of issues. When a body starves, it feeds off its own fat, then muscle, then organs and once a horse reaches a body condition score (BCS) of 1, its prognosis for recovery is very poor – Jo’s BCS is 1. Other than being skin on bones, her skin is unhealthy with open sores, and she needs to see the dentist and the farrier.
The “Other Two” Horses
We weren’t planning on taking in any horses for awhile, our paddocks are full and resources are very tight, but this mare needed help and it was obvious that time was of the essence. There are two other horses where Jo came from – a mare that is somewhat underweight and a gelding that is slightly underweight. We need to find a good home for the other mare – we’ll be working on that. We’re not 100% sure if this will change, but the gelding isn’t looking for a home at this time. However, in the meantime, we want to take 2 salt blocks and 2 large compressed bales (est. 800 lbs each) of hay to the 2 horses on Monday. They live in separate paddocks and can’t share a bale. This will cost at least $210 but the hay should last at least 2 to 3 weeks. If anyone can help with hay for the other 2 horses, please designate your donation for “The Other 2.”
Also, the farrier is coming on Monday to do several horses and we need help with that as well. If you would like to help any of the horses with their hooficures, please note that your donation is for “hooficures.”
Jo is also in need of sponsors so it you would like to help Jo, please note “Jo” on your donation. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Donations are tax-deductible and no amount is ever too small.
Many thanks to everyone – you are all amazing and we truly appreciate you!
SWEET MARE IN DIRE NEED
We posted on Facebook earlier this afternoon that we were seeking sponsors to help us help a sweet Quarter Horse mare. Although we did not garner a sufficient number of sponsors, time was of the essence and she was transported to Beauty’s Haven earlier this evening. Her name is Jo and she is still in need of sponsors. Jo will need a complete exam including bloodwork, as well as have her teeth and feet done. When she is strong enough, she will then need vaccinations etc. Jo’s initial expenses will be great, and we will need assistance with her ongoing and long term care expenses as well, however long that may be. Ideally, we would like to receive enough commitments from our supporters to sponsor her care for several months. Lots of little bits add up!
Would anyone like to make a one time donation or sign up to be a monthly sponsor for Jo’s care? Donations are tax-deductible and no amount is ever too small. There are many ways in which to donate. You may donate via various means here on our website or via PayPalMe. Please note that your donation is for “Jo.”
Thank you, all, for your love & support. Please keep sweet Jo in your prayers.
Donate Now
Don’t Despair, Domino!
Hi Everyone!
The look on Domino’s face last evening when she learned the hay trailer was empty and there was only enough remaining to fill the hay bags for today, was priceless!
But do not despair, Domino, two wonderful ‘Aunties’ have joined forces and are offering a Match Game, whereby, all donations up to $500 will be matched dollar for dollar!
We hope to raise $710 for one large compressed bale of orchard/alfalfa mix plus one ton of orchard hay. Daddy Bob hopes to get to the hay store by early afternoon, so if anyone would like to help with this need, we would be forever grateful!
There are many ways in which to donate. You may forward your donation via various means here on our website, or via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘Hay Match Game.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no donation is ever too small.
Thank you!