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She’s so SASSY!

As many of you may be unaware of Sassy’s history, I thought I should share her story. When Sassy first came to Beauty’s Haven in 2020, she had been colicing for days, so we took her straight to UF. They had to perform surgery in order to remove a blockage which can leave scar tissue, which, in turn, can lead to recurrent colic. The top image above shows us as we made our way home from UF in 2020.

Everything about Sassy is quite small – she only weighs a mere 161 pounds. So, we naturally became quite concerned this past Friday when our little girl experienced a tummy ache. While her temperature remained normal and she did have gut sounds, she still had not had a bowel movement.

Although she appeared to feel a bit better by the afternoon, Sassy still had not passed manure, so we immediately headed to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala.

Once there, tests revealed her bloodwork was normal and she was not dehydrated. Sassy’s ultrasound did show some fecal matter, but there was no indication of sand or an impaction being present, so fluids were run throughout the night.

When I visited Sassy on Saturday, she was not at all a happy camper about being in the hospital! She was also unhappy that I could not give her any treats. She was still hooked up to her IV drip and she was now, thankfully, passing some manure. She was also started on a feeding program.

We were able to bring her back to the rescue on Sunday, where she soon was back to being her little Sassy Pants self!

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Valley Girl & Cowboy

Cowboy is such a very sweet soul who is becoming much more animated each and every day as you can see in the video by clicking on the image above. A proper diet, most certainly, does the body good!

The vet was out yesterday to check on Cowboy’s progress, and I’m happy to report that he is better overall, including his heart. Most of the open sores on his body have healed (with the exception of the large sores on his ankles), and his coat and skin are healthier. Blood and fecal tests were repeated and we hope to have those results later today. We felt it best to wait another week before performing a biopsy on his ankle sores as well as having his teeth done, until he is a bit stronger for sedation. Until his teeth are done, we will continue giving him a mash several times a day, which he truly loves, as well as chopped forage. While temperatures were in the 70’s yesterday, they were predicted to dip into the 20’s during today’s early morning hours, together with high winds, so Cowboy, as well as other members of our beloved herd, were tucked into their cozy blankets last night.

The vet also x-rayed Valley Girl’s feet once again due to her chronic founder and Cushing’s, as she had been having a tough time this past week. Thankfully, her second round of x-rays were better than expected. She did blow an abscess in her front right foot a few days ago and another abscess on the opposite side of the same foot, erupted yesterday. Due to the continued abscess issue, the vet prescribed antibiotics. I am a bit concerned, however, about the position of the coffin bone and bone remodeling.

Cowboy and Valley Girl are such sweet, kind, and deserving horses. I am most certain they both very much appreciate your good thoughts and prayers. I have added items to our wish lists on Chewy and Amazon so if you would like to make a year-end contribution designated for their needs, or to address the needs of other members of our beloved herd, you can do so via the ‘Donate’ button below. As always, contributions of any amount are both tax deductible and so very much appreciated.

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!

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Valley Girl Home from the Hospital

Valley Girl returned home on Thursday from the Equine Medical Center of Ocala after having twelve teeth removed due to Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH), a condition that results in resorptive lesions of the incisors and sometimes, the canine teeth. She thankfully appears to be doing well. Jo missed Valley Girl and she is so very happy that her best friend is back at the farm – we all are. Please click on the image above to view the girls’ truly joyful reunion.

Valley Girl’s hospital bill which includes the cost of the extractions, coupled with the fees for her hospital stay and follow-up visit is $2,925.

A dear friend and wonderful supporter of the rescue, however, has offered to match all donations up to $500 designated for Valley Girl’s expenses, and I am confident that with the assistance from our wonderful little village, we will get this done. So, if you would like to help with this need, while doubling your donation at the same time, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. All contributions are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small!

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Valley Girl and Beau – So Brave!

On Tuesday, Valley Girl was transported to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala to have several teeth removed. Brookledge was right on time and the gentleman who helped me load her was so very nice and patient. Valley Girl’s surgery was scheduled for Wednesday and she is to arrive home later today.

Jo was a bit anxious when Valley Girl left as both have been pasture pals since Dancer went to Rainbow Bridge. One of the hardest things for me is when any member of our little herd leaves, whilst hearing their friends crying out for them as they leave the farm.

At the beginning of the week, we were very busy blanketing the horses due to the arrival of unusually frigid weather with a ‘feel like’ temperature of 25 degrees in the wee hours of the morning. Beau reluctantly accepted his blanket albeit with a little encouragement and patience – this was a very new experience for him. We do not know what his past life was like prior to his arrival at Beauty’s Haven, but sadly has not accepted anyone approaching his backend and has always kicked out. We’ve been working on this issue and I’m so very proud of the progress he has made. Good boy, Beau!

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Valley Girl, Peaches, and a message from JoJo

Valley Girl has been experiencing an issue in her front foot. We were concerned she was having a laminitic flare up so we had x-rays done this week and learned that there was an abscess which has since resolved. Now that we know we’re past that, she will be going to the hospital on Tuesday to have some teeth pulled. She has equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH).

As per Equine Wellness Magazine: “EOTRH is characterized by internal and external tooth resorption (loss of the tooth) and destruction. Excessive cemental deposition is also a primary factor in this disease and the roots of the teeth eventually become enlarged – a condition known as hypercementosis. Infection, abscesses and fractures are also frequently seen with this condition. The tooth degeneration that happens in horses with EOTRH leads to painful fractures and tooth loss, and can express itself through weight loss and difficulty eating, as well as performance and behavioral issues including head shyness and resistance to bend during work.”

Peaches could also use some good thoughts and prayers. She has arthritis in her right knee which has progressively worsened over time. The vet was out this week to do x-rays and determine what more we can do to help keep her comfortable. On Thursday, Peaches’ knee was injected with a synthetic joint lubricant and with the cold temperatures heading this way, we are praying this works.

Sincerely,
Theresa

A Bale for JoJo

JoJo here, with Phase Two of our Hay Fundraiser! Now that Phase One is complete, we are now looking for sponsors for two one-half size compressed Orchard bales at a total cost of $292.50, but thanks to the generosity of a very special auntie and supporter, we now only need $192.50 to complete this fundraiser! So, if you would like to help feed me and my friends here at Beauty’s Haven with a tax deductible contribution, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below for which we would be forever grateful!

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Smiles, Scratches & Poetry in Motion

I must apologize for this long overdue update regarding the happenings at Beauty’s Haven. As always, we have been extremely busy tending to farm chores as well as to the needs of our beloved little herd.

Dr. Julia was out last week to run some tests on Luiji and check upon Addi’s neck sore which simply, does not want to heal. Thankfully, it is getting better. Addi truly enjoyed the extra attention – especially the neck scratches – she stretched tall and wore a big smile the entire time! Danni was determined, that he. too, should receive some scratches as well, to which I, of course, happily, complied.

Jo recently had an abscess erupt from the coronary band in her front foot, whilst Valley Girl, who has chronic founder, is wearing Soft Rides. Jo and Valley Girl, nevertheless, seem to forget their age as well as their hoof issues when they happily run like the wind throughout the paddocks.

Beau and Mo, two of our beautiful Arabians, also experience innate joy when running about. They are simply ‘Poetry in Motion,’ as you can see by clicking here or on the image above. They truly make my day! Tobias, Walker, and Aaleyah Belle always make me smile as well, especially when they greet me at breakfast time with Tobias leading the way as he always just has to be the first at everything!

Lastly, Amira is doing very well and has adapted nicely to her eye enucleation. She’s much more comfortable which truly, makes us all so very happy indeed!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Sweet Amira Update II

On Friday, just three days following her eye enucleation surgery, Amira already appeared to be on the mend. Although she was not passing as much stool as we’d like, she was drinking better and her appetite had returned. She was much more comfortable in the small paddock behind the barn than she was while confined in a stall, especially on Saturday, when we experienced some horrific torrential rains.

Amira had another really great day on Sunday. She is now eating, drinking and passing stool! She was so very brave and never flinched while I used a battery powered saw to cut the lower limbs from a tree in her paddock to prevent any future injuries.

Thank you, all, for your good thoughts and prayers. Amira is a very sweet and deserving mare and I’m so very grateful that we were able to provide this life altering surgery for her.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Sweet Amira Update

After being transported on Monday by Pam of Double B Equine Transport to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Amira settled in nicely upon her arrival at the hospital. Amira’s surgery on Tuesday for removal of her left eye, thankfully, went well and she returned home yesterday. Amira soon became a bit spun up, however, as she immediately, wanted to go out and rejoin all her friends in the paddock.

Amira was in fine spirits this morning. Since she previously only saw shadows from her left eye, she will hopefully easily adapt to having just one eye. I have faith that she will. She will, at least, be much more comfortable. We have had many horses who have been blind in one or both eyes – some have adjusted well, and some, not so well. Most have done fine, but each horse is different.

Please keep Amira in your prayers as we always worry about colic after a surgery such as this.

Thank you, all, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Please Help Sweet Amira

Amira is an Arabian mare who came to us in September, 2023, skin on bones. She had sores all over her frail body, her left ear was bent due to scar tissue and she had uveal cysts and scarring in both eyes. She was a mess, but she was, and continues to be, a truly beautiful soul as you can see in the video by clicking here or on the image above.

Amira’s rehabilitation went well and everyone simply loves her. We constantly monitor her allergies and eyes and treat her issues accordingly. Sadly, her left eye has progressively worsened, whereby, not only does she have little remaining vision, but she is quite uncomfortable as well. On Monday, she will be transported to EMCO for an eye enucleation which will, hopefully, provide her with great relief.

We are reaching out for help with her veterinary bill which is estimated to be $2000. If anyone would like to help, donations can be made simply by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below.

Thank you for your love and support and please keep sweet Amira in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Mishka’s Lucky Week!

This has been Mishka’s lucky week! Last weekend, with the help of Jenny and a new volunteer, Juan, we did some work on Mishka’s paddock area. Shadow tried it out and thankfully, it met with his approval! We have quite a bit more work to do on it, which will, hopefully, be completed this weekend.

On Wednesday, Mishka was really good for his hooficure with Tom, one of our farriers, who is so very patient, kind, forgiving and truly wonderful with him. Dr. Julia Simonson was also here in order to discuss and assess Mishka’s feed plan and supplements so as to make some adjustments to his protocol.

On Thursday, Dr. Chris Burnham came out to do some bodywork on Mishka which went really well. Mishka melted with each adjustment! That evening, beneath the most beautiful rainbow, Mishka was all over the place! It’s so nice to see him feeling better while experiencing the joy of just being a horse!

I also discovered another little bird in one of the small waterers this week. We most fortunately, saved him in the nick of time, unlike the baby bird we found last week, who, sadly, did not survive. This little bird, who was a bit larger, fell out of his nest by Mishka’s shelter. We dried him off, warmed him up and returned him to the shelter where he sat in the warm sunshine. When we checked on him about forty-five minutes later, he was gone, so hopefully, he is safely back with his beloved Momma Bird.

We are so very grateful for the shade. When we purchased this property several years ago, there were only five trees by the main road. Over time, we planted over a dozen more, which are all flourishing!

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