Thursday, August 28th

"Did you find my mask yet mommy Theresa?" He asks with a snicker on his face.

A bit later in the day…

"Joshua! I’m so glad you’re here! You were a little boy once, right? Can I tell you something? Mommy Theresa says I can’t go out in the sun without my flymask because of my nose – it gets burned easy and I don’t like that slippery stuff my aunties put on my nose – I just rub it right back on them and I don’t think they like it either! I really want to go out to play with CaryLou but yesterday my my mask kind of sort of disappeared and I’ve looked everywhere for it – I th…ink maybe somebody picked it up and put it in this trashcan. Can you help me look? You’d be my hero! Just take the lid off and see if it’s still there – oops – I mean let’s see if someone put it in there!"

"Sure thing JoJo. I didn’t like that sunblock stuff on my nose either when I was a kid! Here, let’s see – you’re in luck!"

"OMG you found it! I wonder how it got in there? Maybe CaryLou wanted to get me in trouble! He must have found it outside after the wind blew it away and then he sneaked in the barn to put it in there somehow. Well, can you tell mommy Theresa that you found it around the barn somewhere? Maybe the wind did blow it and it landed in here. But if you tell her now maybe I can go out to play! Thanks – you’re the bomb!"

"CaryLou why don’t you have to stay in the barn at night?"

"Because I’m not a baby anymore JoJo! Oh no, what did you do with your mask now – where’d it go? It wasn’t me! You blamed it on me last night – I know you did!"

"I got my get out of the barn mask – yeah! Wonder what we can do with it next time CaryLou? It was fun watching the humans look for it today."

Friday, August 29th

Attagirl is a really sweet girl.

Saturday, August 30th

Meet our latest arrival. He has a few medical issues going on but he will be fine. I got a call from our vet yesterday afternoon about a horse he had been called out to euthanize. But he couldn’t do it. He said the horse had light in his eyes. It’s sad that people are sometimes put into a position to have to make a decision to euthanize because of circumstances out of control. His owner loved him but just could not afford to keep up with his ongoing health needs. She was… in tears and didn’t want to have him put down but didn’t want him to suffer either. Deciding to euth is a responsible thing to do in some cases. Fortunately, our vet assured her that we would take good care of him and find him a good home when he is ready. She cried tears of relief. Our vet was relieved. And them we reached out for help to get him here. Steve and Karen Holgate made a bit of a drive to pick him up and bring him to the rescue which we appreciated very much. He settled into the qt paddock and seems very content. The farrier is here and is pulling his shoes today and fixing his feet up. We will try to get Dr. Bess out next week. He can only have a soft diet at this time. He’s loving talking to the other horses. He’s been a lone horse for awhile. Meet Handsome, a 10 year old Saddlebred.

I’ll go into detail tomorrow about our findings with Handsome today. I’m a bit discouraged, to say the least, but not really surprised. Have a good night everyone.

Sunday, August 31st

Sorry for the delay in getting on here today – it’s been busy. When Handsome arrived on Friday evening he walked ok but by the next morning he wouldn’t move. I didn’t want to bute him because the vet suggested Handsome had ulcers which were likely due to medication/stress related to his respiratory issue a couple of weeks ago. The farrier came yesterday and pulled his shoes (which were fairly new) and found a mess – thrush, shoes that were way too small for him and there w…as very deep carving marks and long bars. Once the shoes were pulled, thrush treated, etc. pads and Cavello boots were put on him. Handsome managed to get around a little but still wasn’t comfortable so by yesterday evening I did give him bute. Once it set in, he started to graze and walk.

I don’t know how he managed to walk on the trailer and unload and settle in just fine and graze the evening before unless perhaps he’d been given bute and we just didn’t know about it. I can’t speculate but had hoped to get the answer today but my phone call wasn’t returned. His feet are going to take some time to get better. We’ll see how he’s doing in a couple of days but we may need to get x-rays. The owner told the vet that Handsome had stopped eating a few days ago and started cribbing. Next will be an appointment with the dentist. He’s eating a mash little bits at a time but isn’t interested in hay – he isn’t comfortable with anyone touching his mouth. We have not seen him crib at all. If anyone would like to help with him our PayPal is bhfer. Other ways to donate can be found our website at www.bhfer.org. Thank you.

Victoria and Lucy grazing today. Victoria is gaining strength in her back end. She took an indirect lightening strike several weeks ago.

Caught! CaryLou was trying to rip down JoJo’s sign again today!

Aaleyah Belle and her silly, lovable surgically corrected as best as possible wry nose. She still loves to slime people!

Sincerely,

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website:
Facebook:

Dr. Julia examined the Arabian mare, Athena, today. Athena was very good about everything. She was oiled to help move sand out of her gut. Her vitals were good. Blood work was done – we should those results back this evening. We are working on a potential home for her. Thank you to everyone that has helped us to help her!

Gentleman – the day before he left us for Rainbow Bridge.He’ll always be a hero in my book. I miss him so much.

I asked Cookie to smile for the camera and this is what I got. LOL

Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry and Services) worked on Attagirl this week. We will never know what caused it, but Attagirl has had her tongue split into three sections at some point in her past. No matter what caused it, it had to have been very painful. Surprisingly, Attagirl’s teeth were not too terribly bad.

"Oh mommy Theresa where are you? I have to tell you something. I hope I’m not in trouble but I can’t find my mask. It just kind of fell off when I was playing with CaryLou – oh wait – no – CaryLou pulled it off! That’s what happened! And then I think maybe it got carried away by the wind and it isn’t coming back. But it’s not CaryLou’s fault that the wind carried it away so please don’t tell him I told you what happened, ok?"

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit equine rescue organization that operates totally off of donations from the public. We are not funded by County, State, or Federal funds. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help us to continue what we do – we can’t do it alone. Funds are needed for vetting, farrier needs, dental needs, equipment maintenance, and there is so much more. There are various ways you can donate if you visit our "Donate" page on our website (bhfer. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Please share us with friends, family, and co-workers – it takes a village! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website:
Facebook:

August 19th

"Let me out! Please?" JoJo is so silly! His personalized sign reads “KEEP GATE CLOSED – Don’t let the donkey out no matter what he tells you!”

August 20th

Victoria took an indirect lightening strike several weeks ago. Today is the first time she’s been able to get a hooficure since then. Slow but steady progress!

August 21st

God bless all of our volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do without them!

"If I just look the other way and don’t look at mommy Theresa maybe she won’t see me sneaking up the stairs!"
JoJo is a hoot!

August 22nd

Good morning everyone. I want to apologize for not being on here a lot lately. Losing Gentleman took a huge toll and the sense of loss is as fresh today as it was that morning he left us for Rainbow Bridge. I find myself in tears often – I’m just having a really hard time. When I get up in the morning I still look out the window to see him under his tree but he’s not there. I know he is still with us in spirit but I want to touch him, smell him, and look in his beautiful… eyes and tell him how much he is loved. He meant more to me than words can say. It isn’t the same, it never will be. Anyway, I’m going to kick myself in the backside and try to get in gear again. There are so many others here that need your support. Thanks everyone – have a great day.

This is Jake and Gentleman with friends a few years ago. Jake and GMan are running with the heavenly herd now but they are still very much alive in my heart.

"Mommy Theresa look deep into my eyes – you see my mask on my face, right? If not, look deeper, deeper, DEEPER!"

Give them a bath and how do they thank you? LOL

I want to share in detail, hopefully this weekend, what we found in Attagirl’s x-rays. Her feet have been neglected for a long, long time. She does have some issues but there was absolutely no reason to euthanize her. It’s important to me to share our experiences here in hopes that it may help others. We had to have many x-rays done which were not inexpensive. Her initial vetting, x-rays, farrier work were more than anticipated. The dentist will be here next week to work on her teeth. We’d like to ask everyone that pledged funds to help her to please go ahead and send them in and if anyone else would like to help please just mark your donation for "Attagirl". Donations can be sent via PayPal to bhfer or via various ways on our website at www.bhfer.org. She is going to need to see the farrier every 3 weeks for awhile. She’s a darling little mare. Thank you!

August 23rd

I admit it. I’m petrified of lightening.

So much for the baths and clean flymasks.

Lucy getting some attention from Barbara during the storm.

No sooner are breakfast tubs washed it’s time for lunch. LOL

August 24th

Good morning from Betsy Rose!

"Don’t even think about it JoJo! You’ve got to stop throwing yourself down on the concrete when you have to wear your mask! It’s for your own good – your little pink nose and around your eyes will get sunburned without it."Yes we use sunblock and/or zinc oxide but no sooner do you put it on him he rubs it off onto the closest human in sight!

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit equine rescue organization that operates totally off of donations from the public. We are not funded by County, State, or Federal funds. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help us to continue what we do – we can’t do it alone. Funds are needed for vetting, farrier needs, dental needs, equipment maintenance, and there is so much more. There are various ways you can donate if you visit our "Donate" page on our website (bhfer. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Please share us with friends, family, and co-workers – it takes a village! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer

Friday, August 15th

A new sign just for JoJo!!

"Come on CaryLou – mommy Theresa is working in the office. It’s just up the stairs and in that door right there. Let’s surprise her – she’s taken me to work in the office before. We can have a blast – come on!!!"

Donovan is a big teddy bear. It’s great to have Lisa back!

Big day tomorrow – Skye is leaving for his new home and Amber is going to a foster home where there is lots of shade. This place is just not a good place for a horse that sunburns as easy as she does. She’ll get some training too. I hope everyone has a great night – sweet dreams!

Saturday, August 16th

A new day begins. Have a great one everybody!

We need some prayers for Ginger. She is not feeling well. The vet is on the way.

Ginger is doing better this evening – she was pretty gassy and uncomfortable this morning. Kylie noticed that Ginger was down and looking distressed. She checked Ginger’s heart rate and gums – both were not good. Kylie alerted me and as soon as I got to the paddock Ginger had explosive diarrhea. Ginger is the oldest (17) of the two mares – Amber is 6. Dr. Julia examined and oiled both of them today and Ginger got fluids. Ginger’s intake tests upon arrival several days ago indicated anemia, stressed liver and kidneys, her body was breaking down it’s own muscle to live off of (it had already used up all of its fat). Ginger also had a corneal ulcer, heart murmur, rain rot, electrolyte imbalance, etc. Both mares also had quite a bit of sand in their gut and Ginger had a high parasite load. Ginger has a long road of rehab ahead of her but she’s got a great attitude and we have faith that she will pull through. She’s a very good patient.

Amber was supposed to go to a foster home today where there is a lot of shade which she desperately needs – we do not have an empty stall or much shade to offer her. But because Ginger was not feeling well, and they have been together since they got on the trailer last week to come here, we opted to postpone Amber’s departure in case there was something that could be spread (Dr. Julia does not think to be the case – Ginger is just in much worse condition then Amber and starvation has taken more of a toll on her). We’ll reschedule Amber’s departure once Ginger is feeling better and neither of them have signs of diarrhea. This is just a bump in the road and, in cases like Ginger’s, there may be many bumps. Please keep both of them in your prayers. Thank you.

Skye went home with Roxy and her dad today – Roxy is one happy young lady! And some added good news – Morgan went too to keep Sky company! It’s just a foster arrangement for now – we’ll see how it works out. I hate to cut the updates short tonight but I’m beat. Have a good night everyone.

Victoria suffered an indirect lightening strike a few weeks ago but is slowly recovering. She is a proud and beautiful Arabian mare that also believes….

Sunday, August 17th

It never stops – incoming thin pony mare – possibly pregnant and foundered. It’s possible her coffin bone may have rotated – it’s not sounding good. Someone that saw the mare suggested euthanization but the owners didn’t want to/would not do that. We offered to pay for a vet to go out to determine her condition and treat her one way or another – the thought of her having to trailer here or anywhere is upsetting to me but it’s better than her lingering where she is and suff…ering – but the owner’s want to rehome her. Looking for pledges at this point.

Update: We should never be too quick to judge – the mare was brought to us (in a deeply bedded trailer) by her owners which, I must say, seem to be very nice people that I do believe care about this mare. They recently took her out of a bad situation – it’s the previous owners that put her through auction and neglected her needs that are the ones that should be ashamed. Today, a bloody abscess popped when someone was checking out her feet and it was thought that her P3 had penetrated the sole. That’s when the search for a rescue to take the mare began – the owners didn’t have the resources needed for x-rays and long term rehab but felt she didn’t need to be put down. When I saw a photo of the mare this afternoon, my little voice said to give her a chance and I’m glad she’s here. She is underweight, she has a large sarcoid type lump in her ear, she’s somewhat lame, IDK if she’s pregnant – we’ll figure that out later. Tomorrow she will be vetted and x-rays need to be done. The family that surrendered her wants to come back and volunteer their time. If anyone would like to help this mare we would appreciate it – no amount is too small. We operate totally off of donations which are tax deductible. Thank you.

IDK why JoJo insists on sleeping on the black mats when he could be laying under the shade of the tree or in his stall of shavings. I guess he just wanted to keep Ms Judy company this morning while she cleaned the breakfast tubs.

Winding the day down here – everyone is tucked in. We’re exhausted – the heat and humidity takes a toll. Ginger is doing better today. The new mare is settled in and Dr.Julia will be here tomorrow. We’ll get x-rays done ASAP on the mare and go from there. We’re keeping the faith that she’ll be ok – she’s been through enough bad. She’s so sweet – I could almost bet you that she was once some little girls special pony with ribbons and bows in her mane and tail. It’s really sad that she ended up at auction and in a bad way. Have a good night everyone and please keep the horses in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website:
Facebook:

Saturday, August 9th

Dr. Simonson was out today and examined both the mares. The good news is that Amber Cream is not pregnant. Whew!

We named the older mare Ginger. She arrived with eye issues and one of the first things that came to mind was tear ducts. We find this often with horses that come in with runny/puffy eyes. Dr. Julia flushed them and looked at the ulcer – it’s a good size. We’re treating it several times a day. Ginger taped in at about 705 lbs. She’s got a lot of rainrot. Kylie gave them both a good medicated bath which they really needed.

Lab work showed very high fecal counts – especially in Ginger. Both mares are anemic with electrolyte imbalance which suggests their bodies are breaking down muscle for energy. We’ll be working on some kidney/liver concerns. Both are drinking well and munching on hay. We had to put a hard cup eye protector mask on Ginger to keep her from rubbing her eyes. We’ll be treating Amber’s sunburn – she’s good about it. They are both so sweet.

Poor Amber’s face is so sunburned. She’s good about letting us put tea tree lotion on it. She’s good about everything. Both are very sweet mares. We need at least 6 more Arabian size long nose Cashel flymasks if anyone has any they are not using – we have several, including these mares, that wear Arabian size. Horse size is just too big for them – especially with the long noses.

Both mares needed hooficures which they got today.

These are Amber Cream’s front hooves following her ‘hooficure.’ Laura needed to take a bit more off but didn’t want to do too much today.

Sunday, August 10th

Amber Cream and Ginger are doing ok. Amber’s face is so sunburned but at least now it’s being treated and she wears a long mask. They are in QT and have a shelter – we put their hay under the shelter in a hay bin in order to try to keep them out of the sun. Ginger lets us apply medication to her eye without any problem. They are both good girls.

I’m very happy to report that Victoria is showing signs of improvement! She took an indirect lightening strike a few weeks ago which left her very wobbly in her back end. It was pretty scary – the first 24 – 36 hours or so she was mentally "out of it" too.

JoJo didn’t want Auntie Barb to leave to go home this evening. Barbara drives about 3 hours (each way) to come to help out at the rescue almost every other weekend. Thank you Kevin for sharing Barb with us!

JoJo – he’s growing up!

"Look mommy Theresa – no flymask!"

Baby Ray went to his adoptive home today – he’s only a few miles away. His new mom is happy as can be! I’m so proud him – he’s overcome many obstacles in his life but he never gave up. In 2009 someone sent me a link to a free orphan baby on Craigslist. The minute I saw his photo I knew – I just knew he’d find his way here. I never called the number on the Craigslist ad but two weeks later the phone call came – someone had gotten a free baby off Craigslist – he was blind and needed help – could we come and get him? I believed in Baby Ray from the minute I met him. He’s blessed us with many wonderful memories that we will treasure forever. And there’s more to come. A new chapter in his life has begun. Congratulations Lew and Baby Ray!

Baby Ray is one of the most beautiful horses I’ve ever seen – a long way from the frail orphan baby he was the day we brought him home in our minivan back in 2009.

Baby Ray was a frail 4 month old orphan when he came to us back in 2009.

Little E– still looking great. He’s the “senior” at the farm now.

The end to a beautiful day at Beauty’s Haven – just glorious! I can almost picture the heavenly herd running in all their glory in this photo taken by our daughter, Katie.

Beauty’s Haven – Where Life Begins, Again!

We could really use some help with vet bills and feed. If anyone would like to help, our PayPal address is bhfer. Various other ways to donate can be found on our “Donate” page of our website at www.bhfer.org. No amount is too small and all donations are tax deductible. Thank you!

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.