Mishka, has had a few bumpy weeks between dealing with allergies to no-see-um’s and experiencing front right foot lameness. To help with allergies, he was gifted supplements, a flymask with ears, and a really nice flysheet and neck cover that’s cool, soft, and doesn’t weigh a ton – he’s huge (2000 lbs) and to get one over him is truly, quite a task!
When Mishka became lame a few weeks ago, it was thought to be an abscess. We moved him to a small paddock by the barn and his foot was treated many times to try to draw out an abscess. We weren’t making progress and Mishka wasn’t happy being away from his friends so Dr. Cardona came out and did x-rays. The results were not great, but they could have been worse. Mishka has side-bone in both front feet which is not uncommon in draft horses. There is a slight rotation in both, his sole’s are a bit thin, and there was a suspected gas pocket in the right foot.
Once we had the x-rays, coupled with recommendations from Dr. Cardona, we called Jason Wayne Hunter (Back to Basics Equine Podiatry) to help Mishka. When Jason started on Mishka’s right foot, an abscess at the toe opened up and when Jason began working on the left foot, another abscess at that toe opened up! Mishka experienced immediate relief! Jason put wraps on both feet and Mishka felt so much better now that he was able to go back out with his friends! This made us all very happy! We’re very appreciative of Jason, his work, and his patience with Mishka. And it was great to see Kyra (she used to be a vet tech with Dr. Ted) again – we appreciate her patience and kindness to Mishka too! Many thanks to both Jason and Kyra! Jason’s Facebook page is ‘Back To Basics Equine Podiatry.’ Now that Mishka is on track to getting better, we really need to reach out for help ($425) to cover his vet bill, x-rays, podiatry needs, etc.
Whenever one issue is resolved, however, another seems to pop up as in the case of Warrior. Dr. Julia was here earlier in the week to treat our precious little guy’s ears which are covered with oozing blisters and nodules due to his constantly being bitten by flies and gnats. I now spend a great deal of time daily, cleaning and treating his ears while trying to discourage him from rubbing on anything in sight to relieve his ‘itchies.’ I have not as yet received a bill from Dr. Julia but that is yet another forthcoming expense.
In addition, the farrier will be at Beauty’s Haven today as well as on Monday, for another round of hooficures and once again, Bob will be making our weekly hay run this afternoon which, like last week, will cost another $900. As donations have been down considerably, I am beside myself with worry but thankfully, two wonderful friends and supporters have joined forces and are offering a MATCH GAME to assist with our many needs! All donations up to $325 will be matched dollar for dollar! If you would like to participate in the Match Game, there are many ways in which to contribute. You may forward your contribution via our PayPal address: bhfer@earthlink.net, via theDONATE page on our website or via PayPal Me. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to ‘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!
JoJo here! I’m kinda sad today because Auntie Jeanne told me that we have received very few orders in our Giving Bean Fundraiser which would help all my friends and me here at 
“You won’t find tea like our fine Artisan Teas in the grocery isle. These extraordinary loose teas have been blended using the finest teas available. We offer a wide variety of teas including black, green, organics, blends and herbal (caffeine free).
We spent much of yesterday preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Michael but thankfully, we did not receive the brunt of the storm. We had a few periods of high rain, heavy winds and some erosion.
We do need to make a hay run, however, as we only have enough hay to last for two days.
Lastly, we are thrilled to announce that six amazing friends and supporters have joined together to offer a MATCH GAME to assist with our hay needs. All donations up to $1,200 will be matched dollar for dollar. There is currently $590 still available in Matching funds.
We are thrilled to announce that a wonderful friend and supporter has come forth to offer a MATCH GAME to assist with Farrier Week as well as with procurement of the much needed and necessary supplement, Prascend. All donations up to $500 will be matched dollar for dollar. If you would like to participate in the Match Game, there are many ways in which to contribute. You may forward your contribution via our PayPal address: 
Almost all of the horses are scheduled for their hooficure this week which means they will be needing sponsors. The cost varies from $25 to $65. In all, $755 is needed. Would anyone like to help our herd?There are many ways in which to contribute. You may forward your contribution via our PayPal address: 
SeAnna coughed a few times last week, but she didn’t have a temperature and her appetite had been great. But on Sunday morning at breakfast, she coughed and sounded like she may have been experiencing a choke (blockage in the esophagus) but there was no discharge from her nose or mouth. Her thyroid also appeared to be enlarged which caused concern that a cyst or tumor may have been pushing against the esophagus. I took her temperature and it was elevated at 102.6 so I gave her Banamine and called the vet.
We’ve had quite a bit of experience with choke because of Betsy Rose. She had dysphasia (difficulty swallowing) due to a neurological problem. Betsy choked multiple times over the years and, in the end, she had totally lost her ability to swallow. Sadly, we had to let her go.
Dr. Cardona examined SeAnna, and to rule out a mechanical issue in the upper airway, he scoped her. He discovered a lot of mucus at the base of her trachea which was indicative of infection. Blood was drawn and the results revealed a lower respiratory infection. SeAnna’s treatment plan includes a course of antibiotics and she will be in the quarantine paddock for awhile. It’s thought she’s not contagious but it’s better to be safe than sorry. She will be reassessed later in the week and if we aren’t seeing improvement, Dr. Cardona will ultrasound her lungs.
SeAnna had been abandoned for many weeks on a piece of property several years ago when a hurricane came up the east coast. She came to us skin on bones. Her rehab went well and she’s one of the sweetest mares you could hope to meet. She is 21 years young and once she is over this bug, she will be looking for a forever home again. Please keep her in your prayers.
We don’t know what SeAnna’s vet bill (including medications and supplements) will be, but it’s not going to be inexpensive. If you would like to help SeAnna, donations may be called directly into the vet’s office, El Sol Equine Practice, at 352-671-3737. You may also donate via various means on our website at 
CaryLou has been quite the character from day one and has absolutely, no fear. He thinks he’s the biggest horse on the farm and I’m not going to tell him any differently!
Please consider a tax deductible donation to assist with our current hay need. Donations can be made via various means on our website at 
We are almost there in our ‘
The really long grass is beautiful but it’s something none of the horses and donkeys need as grass seed pods can cause eye injuries and grass can cause founder.
A mower is essential to keep the paddocks safe for the horses and donkeys.
JoJo has his own idea…
JoJo had an eye injury caused by a long piece of grass that became lodged under his lower eyelid.
You could clearly see the injury once Dr. Ted stained it.
Beauty also experienced an eye issue a few years ago. Dr. Ryan, upon examination, discovered a seed pod stuck in her eye, but even after removal, the damage had already been done.
Beauty’s ulceration had to be treated several times a day around the clock, but sadly, her eye remains permanently scarred.