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!
LadyBug is feeling much better and is back out in her paddock – she’s much happier. I think our prayers have been answered!
We are thrilled to announce that a wonderful friend and supporter has come forth to offer a MATCH GAME to assist with LadyBug’s veterinary fees as well as our upcoming Hay Run. All donations up to $300 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: 
I’d like to ask for prayers for Ladybug. She was colicky earlier today. I’ll be so glad when the temperatures improve.
LadyBug’s injuries were simply horrific when she first arrived at 
It’s really nice to share some good news for a change! And this bit of news is truly, an answer to my prayers.
There is SHADE, nice grass, a cozy barn, and a wonderful human to spoil them!
Sisco has everything any horse could want in their sunset years. He’s in great shape and I’m sure he has many more good years ahead of him.
Thank you, Sue, for giving this deserving boy a home!
SeAnna’s temperature has been normal since Saturday and I haven’t heard her cough even once. At long last, SeAnna happily rejoined the herd today!
I checked the horses multiple times on Saturday – the “feels like” temperature was 106. Little Peggy Sue’s respiration was sky high and she wasn’t sweating so I took her to the barn and we hosed her down. She got her mane braided and she stood in front of a fan and cooled down. It was really cute to see her little nose outside the feed room door. I’m just not used to having her at the barn. She’s so cute!
It was a pleasure to have a new volunteer at the rescue. Bella withstood the heat, was a big help, and said she’ll see us next week!
I’m pleased to share some good news! Dr. Cardona checked SeAnna Thursday evening and stated that her lungs sounded better! I was really worried because the day before, her temperature was up to 103 but on Thursday, it didn’t go above 100. SeAnna will finish up her antibiotics in a few days and hopefully, will kick this bug for good so she will be able to go back out with her friends – she really misses them!
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 
“Happy Sunday everyone! Guess what??? I’m better! Enough so that I want to run and play with Joie – she’s a cute little filly! But my feet still hurt a bit. Aunties Laura and Judy came yesterday to do some hooficures and they also think my feet are better. Auntie Sharon came to help too.
“I’ve got vet and farrier bills and I needed supplements and boots.
“I want to remind all of you that the light that shoots down from the sky when we have storms is very dangerous! I was lucky but sometimes humans and animals aren’t lucky and we care about all of you and want you to stay safe. So please don’t go out in storms! A few weeks after it got me, it got some other things here too – I’ll ask Mommy Theresa to tell you about it.
Sophie went to keep another horse company for a few months but recently returned. She gets along with everyone and is so very easy to love. She is now looking for a forever home as a companion or trail horse.
JoJo really does try to help as you can see by 
Dr. Cardona (El Sol) was at the farm last week to check on Penny and Frodo. While he was here, he did a new Coggins on Zahara as well as microchipped her.
Zahara left for ‘school’ on August 1st. We’re so excited that she will be learning new things! She normally doesn’t like to load, but, as usual, Pam of Double B Equine Transport, was very patient with her.
It didn’t take long for Zahara to walk right onto the trailer and then, off to school they went!
Zahara, is yet another Beauty’s Haven Miracle thanks to our wonderful and dedicated village of supporters. Through your generosity, love and support, you have helped us grant this beautiful mare a second chance at life, a life without pain and worry, a life with dignity and respect.