‘To place your horse’s need for you to let her leave her failing body above your need to keep her with you – that – is the greatest and purest love.” ~ Cynthia Garrett
These past few months have been really hard for us and yesterday was no exception. I will go into additional details within the next few days, but I felt I should get this message out as I know there are many others who care about Chloe.
Chloe was a nurse mare foal who came to us at only a few days old, in April 2006. Her conformation wasn’t the best, and, as she grew, her legs didn’t seem to be able to keep up with her large frame, plus, she was toed in. I remember sitting at the barn, watching her, and telling Bob that I was concerned that her conformation would become an issue later in life. I prayed I was wrong.
Chloe became lame a few years ago and was diagnosed with sesamoiditis in both front fetlocks due to her conformation. With supplements, shoes, injections, etc., we managed to keep her comfortable. Over time, her right knee became an issue which progressively worsened.
We knew that someday, her quality of life would become an issue and we would need to do the right thing at that time.
We had reached the point where her care team, including her vets and farrier, agreed there was nothing more we could do and it was time to let her go. On Wednesday, at 4:10 pm, Chloe went to Rainbow Bridge.
My heart has been shattered so many times over the past year. Losing Beauty, my heart horse and the namesake of Beauty’s Haven, in November, took the breath out of me and knocked me to my knees. I still haven’t recovered. Now, losing Chloe, shatters my heart even more. My only consolation is that she no longer is in pain and is on this side of Rainbow Bridge, where Beauty leads the rest of our herd, awaiting the arrival of the many humans who love them dearly.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Komanchee
This little pony was loved beyond measure. He was up there in age but he still had spunk and was very opinionated at times. He did appreciate the love and care he received from all of us humans here.
Komanchee now runs with his BFF, Mary, a sweet Arabian mare who went to Rainbow Bridge in 2015. He will be missed not just by me and Bob and our family, but also by our wonderful volunteers that also doted on him.
Much gratitude to Sylvie Chiasson Beland for loving and sponsoring Komanchee, always making sure he had everything he needed. She loved him dearly too.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Pretty Please?
We are currently in the midst of our round of hooficures for the month of April. While Shai was a very good girl, Amira simply wanted to photobomb! Waylon was great but we’re still scratching our heads trying to figure out how he let himself back in the barn paddock after I had placed him in the main a few evenings ago. Jazzy was an angel, as always and Bouie was a very good boy! If anyone would like to help Shai, Amira, Waylon, Walker, Ebony, Lily, or any other horse here at the rescue have ‘Happy Feet,’ please click on the ‘DONATE’ button below where you can contribute in a variety of ways.
If you are unable to donate at this time, we truly understand but you can still help by sharing this fundraiser amongst friends and family in hope that they may consider helping the horses as well.
Thank you in advance for your love and support!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Easter Blessings
With Gratitude
Thank you for being a blessing in our lives, not only at Easter time, but all the year through.
Sincerely,
Theresa, Bob, and the Beauty’s Haven Family
My Birthday Wishes
I can’t believe it is already that time of the year! While the past year has gone by incredibly fast, my birthday fundraiser this year will, once again, remain the same – to help the horses that comprise our beloved herd.
My Birthday Wishes…
If you are unable to donate at this time, we truly understand but you can still help by sharing this fundraiser amongst friends and family in hope that they may consider helping the horses as well.
Thank you in advance for your love and support!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Rider Up!
I’m so excited to share some news with you! Many of you know that we have been searching for a place to relocate for quite some time now. We are in a rural part of Levy County and it’s a 30 – 40 minute drive to Gainesville or Ocala. There are quite a few people, including students, who would volunteer on a regular basis if we were not so far from the cities. Having more volunteers would enable us to pursue a number of things on our bucket list. One of them being an equine facilitated wellness program which would promote emotional, mental, and physical healing. This would mean the world to me.
Just over a week ago, we emailed a company out of Chiefland in order to get a quote on Jack and Jill stairs which would help humans with physical challenges mount and dismount a horse. A very nice lady from the company called me with some questions a few days later.
Well, today started out with the stairs being delivered – they were donated by the company, Southern Steps! The workmanship and quality is amazing – they are perfect! The gentleman who delivered the stairs was very nice – he had them unloaded and positioned in no time. We are so very appreciative of this donation which will benefit many for years to come. Prayers do get answered!
We are so truly Blessed!
Sincerely,
Theresa
A Great Day!
Despite threats from cloudy skies, we had a great day on Saturday, at the trail ride. The rain, thankfully, held off until later in the day and the temperature was just about perfect.
It’s always nice to see familiar faces and make new friends! Sometimes, we get to visit with horses we’ve adopted out, too. For those of you who remember Magnum, he was there with his human – Bess Darrow. He’s still as handsome as can be and Bess has done amazing things with him. He is one very happy boy!
Many thanks to:
We are so truly Blessed!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Sweet Warrior
Last Wednesday, when the vet came out to help Chloe transition to Rainbow Bridge, we had him examine Warrior, our twenty-five-year-old Falabella mini. I was concerned because Warrior hadn’t been feeling well. Although his vitals were normal, there was a bit of crackling in his lungs which may have been due to his allergies which oftentimes, worsen this time of year. Bloodwork was performed and he was started on antibiotics while his supplements were modified. We also scheduled Dr. Bess, our Equine Dentist, to come out on Friday. Her dental examination revealed that Warrior did have a few sharp teeth which were immediately addressed and our ‘Little Man’ is now, thankfully, a bit more perky and is eating more.
On Friday, Dr. Mangan also came out to check Warrior’s eyes. Warrior appreciated it very much and gave Dr. Mangan a special ‘thank you’ which you can see in the video.
Warrior had been staying around the barn with Frodo and Bouie for a few days so I could keep a closer eye on him, but since he was now feeling better, we let him go back to his paddock where he continues to do well.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Our Beloved Chloe
These past few months have been really hard for us and yesterday was no exception. I will go into additional details within the next few days, but I felt I should get this message out as I know there are many others who care about Chloe.
Chloe was a nurse mare foal who came to us at only a few days old, in April 2006. Her conformation wasn’t the best, and, as she grew, her legs didn’t seem to be able to keep up with her large frame, plus, she was toed in. I remember sitting at the barn, watching her, and telling Bob that I was concerned that her conformation would become an issue later in life. I prayed I was wrong.
Chloe became lame a few years ago and was diagnosed with sesamoiditis in both front fetlocks due to her conformation. With supplements, shoes, injections, etc., we managed to keep her comfortable. Over time, her right knee became an issue which progressively worsened.
We had reached the point where her care team, including her vets and farrier, agreed there was nothing more we could do and it was time to let her go. On Wednesday, at 4:10 pm, Chloe went to Rainbow Bridge.
My heart has been shattered so many times over the past year. Losing Beauty, my heart horse and the namesake of Beauty’s Haven, in November, took the breath out of me and knocked me to my knees. I still haven’t recovered. Now, losing Chloe, shatters my heart even more. My only consolation is that she no longer is in pain and is on this side of Rainbow Bridge, where Beauty leads the rest of our herd, awaiting the arrival of the many humans who love them dearly.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Amira
If anyone would like to help with today’s vet bill and medications it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continued love and support.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Sweet Jo
Jo hasn’t been herself for the past couple of days. Her vitals have been normal, but she really hasn’t been interested in her meals, which is very unusual.
On Friday morning, when I took Jo’s temperature, it was elevated at 102.7 and she did not eat her breakfast. Dr. Valle came out and examined her and performed blood tests.
Jo is thirty-six years old and was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago based upon observed and documented changes over time. At first, we saw changes in Jo’s normal habits – for example, at times, she gets ‘stuck’ in one place for a while unless we assist her in moving along. At times, she forgets to eat her meals which is most unusual as she adores her meals and can never get enough, but when she has an ‘episode,’ we have to keep taking her food to her.
Jo was skin on bones when we picked her up in 2019. Dancer, her very best friend, who is thirty-three years old, was also in poor shape upon her arrival at Beauty’s Haven. Both have a physical examination at the minimum of once yearly and bloodwork is performed every six months. Komanchee, our resident forty-year old pony, has also been diagnosed with dementia.
Lastly, I am so happy to report that Jo is pretty much back to her normal self today. Her bloodwork, however, indicates that her liver is a bit stressed. We are witnessing changes that are a part of life and aging, not only with Jo, but with others here too, including Dancer. You can’t negotiate with Father Time, but we will always support them nutritionally, physically, and in any way possible until their quality of life becomes an issue. That is the promise we make to each and every precious being who enters through our gates ~ ‘that all of their tomorrows will be everything that their past should have been.’
Sincerely,
Theresa