It was a good day for Betsy Rose. Our son Joshua and his girlfriend, Brittany, came to help out this morning. Fabio and his son, John, were here for hooficures. Ginger and her 2 daughters were here and Jenny, Judy, and Marie were also here. It seemed like a great time to take Betsy Rose out for a walk and then to let her take a nap out of the sling. It takes 7 people to get her in and out of the hoist/sling if she goes completely down.
We disconnected her from the hoist and she walked a bit and just stood in the sling. Once steady on her feet we take the sling off of her.
We put a bed sheet under her to support her until she goes down – this helps her to go down as gently as possible.
Well, when it was time for Betsy Rose to lay down she refused. She wanted to stand and soak up the early morning sun and nap! I don’t think she’s ready to be on her own yet (and I didn’t want her in the hot sun) for very long so after a few minutes we put the sling back on her and she walked back to the hoist where she was hooked back up. Maybe she didn’t want to lay down because she knows she isn’t strong enough to get up yet or maybe she just felt so good she didn’t want any help. In any event – she’s come so far we don’t want anything to set her back.
Betsy Rose was bright and alert. We put her back in the mobile hoist and she licked her lips quite a few times – she felt good. It was a lot of work for her but when is physical therapy ever easy?
And then she was walked back to the center aisle of the barn where there is shade and (usually) a nice breeze. On the way to the barn she actually pushed herself forward with the sling/hoist! Once at the barn she tripped over a matt but caught herself – she really is getting stronger! I have a video I’ll try to upload to YouTube.
Her sores from thrashing on the ground, too weak to get up or stand the first couple of days she was here, are healing nicely. She does still have a bed sore at her sternum that is being closely monitored and treated. It will be some time before she will be able to stay up for a long period of time out of the sling. She needs muscle but we don’t want her to work too much – we don’t want her to burn all of the calories she’s getting now that she is eating and actually absorbing nutrients. Her rehab will take some time – it’s going slow but with steady progress. People ask if she will make it. I really don’t know. Every rehab case is a bit different. In starvation cases the prognosis for recovery once the body is at or below 50% of the weight it should be is poor – she passed that point weighing only about 245 lbs. While blood test results indicated there was no major organ damage that doesn’t mean there are no issues. Her little heart has been beating overtime (120 bpm the day of her intake down to 60 – 70 now), her liver enzymes are high, she is anemic, etc. Many things are monitored and addressed and modifications to her daily activities are made accordingly. She gets supplements and is still on antibiotics. In my opinion, one of the most important things in her recovery is constant observation – her moods, the light in her eyes, her energy level, food intake/output, strength, stiffness, how high or low she hangs her head, her temperature, HR, etc. – you can’t get comfortable in a set routine in a case like this. Being able to notice changes and take appropriate action is important. Betsy has a positive and can-do attitude and that helps tremendously!
Betsy Rose is truly an amazing mare with a strong will to live. I imagine she was quite a spunky little mare – not just in her younger years but all of her life! She appreciates everything done for her and thanks us in her own ways. Thank you all for caring about this little mare!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Betsy’s Present!
"What is in the box Mommy Theresa? Thanks for doing the hard part and opening it some so I can get in there quicker!"
"I smell something good – very good!"
"Treats! Treats and more treats!" She almost looked like she was saying a prayer of gratitude.
"Thank you Auntie Pat! I LOVE them! I feel very special! I’ve never gotten a present like this before!"
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Thursday Update on Betsy Rose 06/27/13
It was a good day for Betsy Rose. Our son Joshua and his girlfriend, Brittany, came to help out this morning. Fabio and his son, John, were here for hooficures. Ginger and her 2 daughters were here and Jenny, Judy, and Marie were also here. It seemed like a great time to take Betsy Rose out for a walk and then to let her take a nap out of the sling. It takes 7 people to get her in and out of the hoist/sling if she goes completely down.
We disconnected her from the hoist and she walked a bit and just stood in the sling. Once steady on her feet we take the sling off of her.
We put a bed sheet under her to support her until she goes down – this helps her to go down as gently as possible.
Well, when it was time for Betsy Rose to lay down she refused. She wanted to stand and soak up the early morning sun and nap! I don’t think she’s ready to be on her own yet (and I didn’t want her in the hot sun) for very long so after a few minutes we put the sling back on her and she walked back to the hoist where she was hooked back up. Maybe she didn’t want to lay down because she knows she isn’t strong enough to get up yet or maybe she just felt so good she didn’t want any help. In any event – she’s come so far we don’t want anything to set her back.
Betsy Rose was bright and alert. We put her back in the mobile hoist and she licked her lips quite a few times – she felt good. It was a lot of work for her but when is physical therapy ever easy?
And then she was walked back to the center aisle of the barn where there is shade and (usually) a nice breeze. On the way to the barn she actually pushed herself forward with the sling/hoist! Once at the barn she tripped over a matt but caught herself – she really is getting stronger! I have a video I’ll try to upload to YouTube.
Her sores from thrashing on the ground, too weak to get up or stand the first couple of days she was here, are healing nicely. She does still have a bed sore at her sternum that is being closely monitored and treated. It will be some time before she will be able to stay up for a long period of time out of the sling. She needs muscle but we don’t want her to work too much – we don’t want her to burn all of the calories she’s getting now that she is eating and actually absorbing nutrients. Her rehab will take some time – it’s going slow but with steady progress. People ask if she will make it. I really don’t know. Every rehab case is a bit different. In starvation cases the prognosis for recovery once the body is at or below 50% of the weight it should be is poor – she passed that point weighing only about 245 lbs. While blood test results indicated there was no major organ damage that doesn’t mean there are no issues. Her little heart has been beating overtime (120 bpm the day of her intake down to 60 – 70 now), her liver enzymes are high, she is anemic, etc. Many things are monitored and addressed and modifications to her daily activities are made accordingly. She gets supplements and is still on antibiotics. In my opinion, one of the most important things in her recovery is constant observation – her moods, the light in her eyes, her energy level, food intake/output, strength, stiffness, how high or low she hangs her head, her temperature, HR, etc. – you can’t get comfortable in a set routine in a case like this. Being able to notice changes and take appropriate action is important. Betsy has a positive and can-do attitude and that helps tremendously!
Betsy Rose is truly an amazing mare with a strong will to live. I imagine she was quite a spunky little mare – not just in her younger years but all of her life! She appreciates everything done for her and thanks us in her own ways. Thank you all for caring about this little mare!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Betsy Rose’s Exciting News!
"Good morning everyone! Guess what???? Mommy Theresa said I have present I get to open today!
I can’t wait! A present for ME!!!”
“It’s so hot here, and the flies need to go away.
The heat is hard enough to deal with but to have to keep swishing flies all day takes a lot of energy and they are pests!
The humans work hard here to keep everything picked up and clean and they use flyspray.
But it’s the Year of the Fly!
I’m praying for an overcast day with no flies! LOL!
Have a great day!"
Love, Betsy Rose
Betsy Rose Thursday Update
I love Betsy Rose’s expressions – she is more animated each day!
Peek A Boo! Did someone say, ‘Treats?’
Have a good night, everyone.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Last Night’s Update (06/25/13)
"Hi everyone! I’m Betsy Rose! My humans are a really tired so I’m posting tonight. I’m ok – I still can’t walk very far on my own and I can’t get up by myself but I’m getting stronger by baby steps. The sling helps me so much but I can’t wait until the day I don’t have to stay in it! Hopefully, my humans will sleep tonight – they really need it. But no worries I won’t’ be alone – we’re having a sleep over at the barn! My human friends Jenny, Kayla, and Stacy are staying with me tonight!
Thank you all for caring about me – I know I’m in poor shape but I WILL get better – I promise! I AM getting better! I believe in miracles and I CAN DO THIS!!! And Mommy Theresa believes in me – she told me that a lot of people from all over the world believe in me too! Thank you all for caring! Night night – sleep tight everyone!"
Love,
Betsy Rose
Donkey Love – Penny & Penelope
I took these with my cell phone so the quality isn’t great – but…
Penny is hilarious! She wanted a hug from her mom.
And, her mom, Penelope, is so patient with her.
She literally stretched out over her mom for a big hug!
But then decided to lay back and watch the clouds!
She eventually got up. Penelope just laid there. Silly donkeys!
Would anyone like to be a sponsor for Penny and Penelope?
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Betsy Rose Monday Update
MONDAY UPDATE
Betsy Rose had a good night. She and a few others had a hooficure this morning.
Betsy Rose loves her apples!
Look at the smile on John’s face – Betsy just makes you feel good!
Betsy Rose is truly amazing! It hurts my heart to see her in such condition but she is happy and slowly improving. The volunteers can tell you she is enjoying herself. I’m sure she would rather be out living like a healthy horse but I think she knows she is recovering. Our little sweetheart….
Tomorrow we will start using a patch on her sternum. That is really the only place now of concern.
The other "on the ground thrashing" injuries are about healed.
I can’t leave the patches on her long – she manages to get them off. LOL
Now that she stands much of the time on her own weight it makes it
easier for me to get to her sternum to treat the area and apply the patch.
Thank you HealFast Therapy!
Happy Sunday Morning! 06/23/13
SUNDAY UPDATE:
Happy Sunday morning from Betsy Rose!
She’s very good about letting me clean and treat her boo boos.
The straps on the sling are individually controlled so I can lower any one of them to get to where I need to treat.
She stands on her own and seems comfortable. She cooperates fully.
Barbara is staying over tonight and we’re taking shifts again.
Betsy Rose wasn’t as active today but it was VERY hot and humid.
Once the sun went down and it cooled off some she perked up.
Betsy Rose is getting a needed hooficure in the morning!
I’m beat and I’m headed for the shower.
Please keep Betsy in your prayers.
Good night everyone.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Saturday Update 06/23/13
Betsy Rose, Harvey & CaryLou
Betsy Rose napping with Auntie Kathy.
Betsy Rose has a much more comfy mattress now!
Betsy Rose saying,’Good Morning’ to Roxy. Betsy loves human attention!
Dr. Lugo said Harvey could go out for a short amount of time in a small area. So, here he is in the playpen!
He got his first halter and lead lesson this morning and loved it! Momma is next to him grazing! She loves it too!
CaryLou standing guard over his new indestructible ball!
Have a blessed weekend everyone!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Betsy Rose / Others Update of Friday – 06/21/13
Betsy Rose had a fairly good day. She did her physical therapy this am and laid down to take a good nap. All of her boo boo’s got cleaned and treated. She’s standing a bit stronger but her muscles have a long way to go in order to be able to support her for more than a few minutes and to be able to get up on her own. She has a wonderful attitude and takes everything in stride – she appreciates all of the love and care – you can just feel it in her. The IV catheter was removed this evening. Lynda O’Toole and her granddaughter, Sadie, are sitting with Betsy for awhile.
This is Auntie Karen Andreu treating Betsy’s boo boo’s.
Beatrice Gobee and Ruth Gaffney visited for a couple of days this week – it was really wonderful to meet them and to spend time with them! From left to right – me, Jenny, Ruth (in sunglasses), and Grandma Bea – and of course little Miss Betsy Rose sporting a Barbaro hat!
And here is Sunset at her new home – she couldn’t be in a better place! She is very much loved!
Remember Hollie? Her adoptive mom, Mari Dickson, recently sent me this picture of her – she’s happy and loved very much!
Betsy Rose. I believe!!!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb