Horse Updates – Page 17 – Beauty's Haven Farm and Equine Rescue Inc.

I HEARD THE DOORKNOB JIGGLE – GUESS WHO?

05/18/17

I heard it. The sound of the door knob jiggling which really caught my attention – Sawyer used to do this often. But then I remembered – Sawyer is gone. The jiggling continues. I open the door and what do I see? A precious little donkey face looking at me!

“It’s me, Mommy Theresa! I used to see Sawyer do this so I thought I’d try it and see what happens. A few little jiggles and there you are! Am I in trouble?” I don’t think I could ever get upset with this little one – JoJo makes my heart smile!

Our Kami Comet has gained some weight and is looking like herself again!

05/24/17

Tinsel usually wears a fly mask, but since it was a rainy day and she did not need it, I took a few pictures so everyone could see her beautiful face. Tinsel is also ready for a new home!

Our most senior horse – a much loved Arabian gelding named Little E.

Emma managed to go on a field trip! Please click here to see a her explore the main paddock for the first time – it’s a link to a video that will make your heart truly sing!

Emma never gave up after being shot multiple times. Her knee took a bullet but it’s doing well. However, she is still trying to work through some neurological issues. There is a $7000 reward offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) that shot Emma. Contact Deputy Wells at the Levy County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information. 352-486-5111.

CaryLou and Lucy heading to the barn for breakfast. CaryLou always has to be first!

Please consider a donation for CaryLou, Lucy and the other members of the Beauty’s Haven herd. We are in need of donations for veterinary care, farrier services, hay and grain, dental work, equipment maintenance, and so much more. All donations are tax deductible and can be forwarded via PayPal at bhfer@earthlink.net or by clicking on the ‘Donate Now‘ button below. If donating via PayPal, please select the tab for ‘Friends or Family,’ and no fees will be deducted from your contribution. Thank you!

05/26/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

Horse Updates, Rainbow Bridge, Veterinary Care

SAWYER HAS JOINED OUR HEAVENLY HERD – 05/05/17

May 5th, 2017

Sawyer followed me around this morning after finishing his breakfast and having some pal around time with Lucy. I was delivering hay and, by the time I got to the 3rd paddock, I knew something was wrong. He was looking at his tummy – one side and then the other. We took him and Lucy to the barn and put them in a stall so I could take Sawyer’s temperature and listen to his heart and tummy. His temperature was normal but I didn’t hear any gut sounds and could not hear his heartbeat. We had a very drastic change of weather last night and usually Little E is the one that gets a gas colic. But Little E was fine. Sawyer, however, was far from fine – this was a very painful colic. I called the vet and administered medications, as directed. Sawyer became more painful and I was concerned that he could hurt himself in the stall so we opted to take him under the shade of the tree by the barn.

We hadn’t been in the shade of the tree long before Sawyer became even more uncomfortable. I administered more medications while we waited for the vet. As the medication started to wear off the second time, he laid down to rest. His gums became very pale and a toxic line became apparent. We were likely going to lose him but I prayed for a miracle. I talked to him and told him how much he is loved by many humans. I promised him that “his” Lucy would forever be loved and cared for – my heart was very heavy. I try really hard not to cry until after they are gone – but sometimes it’s just impossible.

When the vet arrived, she could not hear a heartbeat or gut sounds either and said he was not going to make it. Sawyer had gone septic and the only thing we could do was release him from his pain.

I held Sawyer tight as he went to Rainbow Bridge. He joined Penny and the rest of our heavenly herd.

Sawyer was a very sweet, wise pony of thirty plus years, one of our “Old One’s.” Losing two precious souls, Sawyer and Penny, within two days, was devastating. There are no words to describe the pain and helplessness that was felt as they made their journey to the Bridge.

Godspeed, Sawyer. Fly high and pain free with those beautiful wings you so gallantly earned. You will forever remain in our hearts – we love you, always.

05/05/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

Donkey, Horse Updates, Rainbow Bridge

FLY WITH ANGELS SWEET PENNY

May 4th, 2017

There’s a new bright shining star in the sky tonight. Penny has joined our heavenly herd. She was blessed with so many humans who loved her. All three of her mom’s were with her when she went to Rainbow Bridge – Penelope, Theresa, and Elizabeth. And her human big sister, Bri, was there too. Penny was surrounded by love. But our hearts are broken.

I came home and looked at some old photos. So many wonderful memories. Watching her as a baby and the five short years she had with us was a true blessing. I want to share some photos of her when she was a baby with her mom, Penelope. And one taken on a recent visit I had with her. She always made me smile.

Penny wasn’t a very healthy baby when she came to us in 2012. But with TLC and proper care, she grew strong and came to be loved by so many.

Penny would imitate her mom – it was a wonderful experience watching her grow up.

Like mother, like daughter.

Penny has her wings now. I can’t help but to keep asking why did this happen? Why our little Penny? The dreaded disease she had (pemphigus foliaceus) I would never wish on any other. I’m so thankful that I got to tell her how much I loved her before she went to the Bridge tonight. I’m very thankful she’s no longer in pain. I’m very sad she’s gone – my heart is broken. I hugged on Penelope for awhile before heading back to the rescue – she was such a good mom. Whenever I see Penelope, I’ll still see our little Penny.

Fly with the angels sweet Penny – until we meet again. We love you, always.

05/04/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

#HelpaHorse, Horse Updates, Veterinary Care

Cookie’s Eye – Not Good News

Earlier this year, Cookie appeared to be depressed – she just wasn’t herself. With her history of cancer, well, I was just concerned. Dr. Specht ran some blood work and some values were all over the place. Then Cookie developed chronic imflammation in her left eye and was put on eye medications which didn’t seem to help. Dr. Specht did a biopsy which came back negative (for cancer). We continued treatments but still didn’t see any improvement over the next couple of weeks. In fact, the eye worsened with the development of an an ulcer.

Dr. Mangan repeated the biopsy and it also came back negative for SCC – whew! A lavage was placed, which helped to enable us to continue treatment of the eye around the clock with various medications. Still, the eye didn’t respond. Dr. Mangan examined her a few more times, medications were adjusted, and Dr. Specht did another blood test to see how she was doing overall. Her blood test values are thankfully, much better. Dr. Mangan was out again this past weekend and Cookie’s eye has worsened. Her diagnosis – immune mediated marginal ulcerative keratitis. We regrouped and discussed options.

We truly, want what is best for Cookie. Over the course of the past several weeks she’s been adjusting to losing sight in that eye – and she is still adjusting. Since this issue started, we’ve prayed a lot while doing all we can to help the eye heal, but it’s time – we’ve made the decision to have the eye removed. We want Cookie to be comfortable and there are much worse things than losing an eye. Horses adapt and most do just fine. Dr. Mangan will be removing Cookie’s eye next week.

Please keep Cookie in your prayers – good thoughts would also be greatly appreciated.

With just one week remaining until our 8th Annual Celebration of Life/ASPCA Help A Horse Day event on April 22nd, we are hoping that our Village will come forth once again to help us meet our goal of raising $8000. These funds will be used to help pay for Cookie’s surgical/vet fees, spring vaccinations and other needs of our rescue herd, while competing for a chance to win up to $10,000 in grant prizes.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made via our website. Our PayPal address: bhfer@earthlink.net. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation for ‘Help A Horse Day.’ If you select the tab for ‘Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution.

We currently have a $2000 MATCH GAME in progress with $875 still available in matching funds. Once we raise $875, our $2000 Match Game will be complete and will instantly morph into $4000 which is halfway to our targeted goal of $8000! Can we do it? We BELIEVE we can!

As always, thank you all so very much for your love and support.

#helpahorse #bhfer #cookie #donate #matchgame #aspca #believe #ittakesavillage #wecandothis

04/13/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

Horse Updates

The Odd Couple

03/16/17

Little E has been quite the gentleman – he’s been letting Emma borrow his blanket for this cold spell. She’s still having issues in her neck but she is a happy little girl.

Magic absolutely loves his blue flymasks!

Senior citizen Sawyer and little Lucy. The odd couple.

03/17/17

JoJo and Jazzy patiently waiting at the bottom of the stairs on this cold morning, to wish everyone a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”

#jojo #jazzy #minidonks #bhfer #magic #emma #sawyer #lucy #donate #charity

03/18/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

Horse Updates, Veterinary Care

COOKIE’S EYE – IS IT CANCER?

February 12th, 2017

Cookie’s eye is worse. Dr. Mangan will be checking it tomorrow when he comes to hopefully, remove the lavage from Magic’s eye.

Almost three years ago, Dr. Mangan performed surgery on Cookie at UF when she had cancer. He did a great job. He had to remove much of her lower left lid in order to save the eye and did some pretty amazing reconstructive surgery.

February 16th

Dr. Mangan examined Cookie’s eye over the weekend. She has an ulcer but she’s really good about having it treated – no lavage needed. She’s always been a very good girl. We were concerned that the cancer had returned, but it appears that is not the issue – thankfully.

February 21st

Dr. Specht was back out yesterday to do a biopsy on Cookie’s eye. There is an ulcer but it appears that something else is going on. Please keep Cookie in your prayers.

February 27th

It’s been overwhelmingly busy here but we want to share the good news – Cookie’s biopsy results came back – it’s not cancer!

Cookie needs help with her vet bills. Her eye is still being treated. The healing is slow but at least her eye is no worse and we are very relieved that it’s not SCC!

Donations can be made via PayPal to bhfer@earthlink.net or via various ways on our website at www.bhfer.org. No amount is too small and all donations are tax deductible and much appreciated. If you’d like to help Cookie, when making a donation, please note that it’s for her. Thank you!

March 7th

Please continue to keep Cookie in your prayers. I’m sad to report that her eye appears worse. Dr. Mangan came out and did another biopsy that is going to be sent to a different lab. We’re still concerned that the cancer has returned.

03/10/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

Fundraising, Horse Updates

AMVETS RUN FOR THE HORSES

March 6th, 2017

I was really disappointed that I was unable to attend the AMVETS Post 444 Poker Run fundraiser for Beauty’s Haven. Our family had already planned a get-away for the same weekend. But we hear that it went very well and we truly appreciate their support – they do awesome things for the community!

March 9th

A very special five minutes today – Emma was able to go out and graze! She was so happy. Emma has been getting hand walked throughout the days, but today, she was on her own!

03/06/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

#HelpaHorse, Horse Updates, Veterinary Care

UPDATE ON EMMA – THE FILLY THAT WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES

02/23/17
Emma’s bandages are off, staples and stitches are out, and she’s sporting her new socks from Sox For Horses! These socks are a great alternative to bandaging and they’re easy to use and maintain!

I have no feeling or sensation in my hands so leg wraps/bandages are difficult for me to put on the horses. I don’t have to stress anymore! Silver Whinny’s are easy to put on and take off! They are a breathing antimicrobial knit that allow airs in, permits free motion of the joint, and inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold – they create a great environment for wounds to heal! They protect the legs from flies and you can even bathe your horse while they’re wearing these incredible socks.

Many thanks to Sox for Horses for helping Emma! This isn’t the first time we’ve used this amazing product (Silver Whinny’s) and it won’t be the last! Learn more about them at this link – your horse will thank you! http://www.soxforhorses.com/faq_summerwhinnys.html

02/25/17
Emma totally enjoyed a brief walk outside today. It helped her mental state of mind, I’m sure.

We had to call Dr. Lugo today as Emma experienced a choke. Thankfully, it was cleared. Dr. Porter will be out on Tuesday to examine and likely scope her. The issue could be due to facial nerve paralysis as per the following quote from Dr. Lugo: “The facial nerve might get better with time but it is unknown. I removed a bullet fragment close to the nerve in the hope that it will help. The nerve paralysis is secondary to damage done to the nerve by the bullet.”

02/27/17
We are very appreciative of Deputy Wells’ (Levy County Sheriff’s Office) support in Emma’s case. He checked on her again today. It’s encouraging to have someone at LCSO assigned to AG cases who cares about the animals and is committed to doing a good job. We want to raise awareness in the community – if you see or experience an animal in distress, call on Deputy Wells and he will respond! If anyone has a minute – please visit the LCSO’s page, look for Emma’s picture, and leave a “Thank you” comment regarding Emma.
https://www.facebook.com/Levy-County-Sheriffs-Office-107651212629/

02/28/17
Emma was really good for Dr. Porter (PHD Veterinary Services) today. He came out to determine why she was coughing. She’d been treated for a mild choke a few days before. Learn more about Dr. Porter and his services at his website.

Dr. Porter ultra-sounded Emma’s lungs – she has pneumonia. She also has facial nerve paralysis (caused by the bullet) causing upward displacement of the soft palate. He said the paralysis may resolve – to give it six months.

Emma still has moments when she’s reactive when someone approaches her or she hears a loud sound – almost in a panic. But once she has a moment or two to process what is going on, she calms. However, I ask humans that go into her stall to visit with her to go slow and, if Emma retreats or turns her head away, to stop and let Emma give thought to the moment – she will come around in a minute or so. It saddens me to think about what happened to her and how she must have felt – it had to have been terrifying. It’s very sad that any human would hurt any animal.

Hopefully, Emma will overcome her reservations and her unpleasant memories will fade. She is certainly loved, very much. It’s easy for this little filly to grow on you. She makes me laugh when she nuzzles up to my cheek or wraps her neck around me as if to give a hug. We are holding our annual Celebration of Life in April in conjunction with the ASPCA Help a Horse Day – we invite you to come meet Emma and the other members of our beautiful herd!

#justiceforfillyemma #nevergiveup #believe #rewardoffered #lcso #hsus #bhfer #share #emma #helpahorse #openhouse #celebrationoflife #share

03/04/2017/by Theresa Batchelor

Fundraising, Horse Updates

Bolero Horse Adoption Network Helps Emma!

02/24/17

Bolero Horse Adoption Network, sponsored by SpanishHorseTack.com, is composed of Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network and Bolero Appaloosa and Spotted Horse Adoption Network. Their members network gaited and spotted horses that are in kill pens destined for slaughter, as well as those that are currently, in horse rescues. The groups were named for Summer’s Bolero, a registered Paso Fino, who ended up in a kill lot in Pennsylvania where he would soon depart for Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption. Because of the efforts of Omega Horse Rescue and over 200 Paso Fino lovers, Bolero was saved from a horrifying death and Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network was born.

We are so very grateful to Tracy Stevens, the owner of SpanishHorseTack.com, for bringing Emma’s story to the attention of Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network and Bolero Appaloosa and Spotted Horse Adoption Network, whereupon the members, subsequently, voted to select Emma as one of their monthly donation recipients. Beauty’s Haven is so very honored and blessed by Bolero Horse Adoption Network’s most thoughtful and extremely generous support of Emma, our precious little filly who was so cruelly shot, multiple times, while grazing.

To learn more about this amazing network, please click on the following links:

Bolero Gaited Horse Adoption Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bolerogaitedhorseadoptionnetwork/

Bolero Appaloosa and Spotted Horse Adoption Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoleroAppaloosaHorseAdoptionNetwork

HSUS ADDS $5K TO EMMA’S REWARD – WHO SHOT EMMA?

Friday, February 17th, 2017

Emma is feeling better this evening. I was concerned about her yesterday as she refused her breakfast and didn’t lay down for a nap which was quite unusual as she generally does so a few times throughout the day. She ate some of her lunch and all of her dinner. Then the coughing began. Her temperature was normal and she was drinking normally. When her bandages were changed yesterday, she wasn’t as cooperative as she normally is – I think she may have been uncomfortable. Perhaps she had strained her knee in the early morning hours.

Last night, Emma didn’t lay down. This morning, she ate breakfast and later laid down for a nap. And nap she did – she snored! It made me feel better. The way she was laying looked quite uncomfortable to me, but when she awoke, she looked so much better.

The way she was laying looked quite uncomfortable to me, but when she awoke, she looked so much better.

Emma coughed approximately four times throughout the day. She ate her lunch and dinner. Tonight, as I was taking Cookie out of the barn, I saw Emma from the corner of my eye, two hooves in the air – she looked like she was doing the “Hi Ho Silver” move! I kept walking and as I got halfway to the gate to turn out Cookie, I heard a big bang. Then I heard the sound of rushing water! Emma kicked the wall hard enough to break a water pipe! I couldn’t help but smile – she’s feeling better! But then I thought, “Oh gosh, she could have hurt herself!” She, thankfully, seems fine and her appetite is great tonight.

Emma drooled more today than usual due to facial nerve paralysis. Time will tell how this resolves. Here is a excerpt (quote) from her hospital report:

“The facial nerve might get better with time but it is unknown. I removed a bullet fragment close to the nerve in the hope that it will help. The nerve paralysis is secondary to damage done to the nerve by the bullet.” There are multiple bullet fragments and debris embedded in soft tissue structures in different areas of her body. It may do more harm than good trying to remove them.”

The reward funds for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for shooting Emma are now up to $7000. We are so very grateful to the HSUS as well as to Diane and Kathy for assisting us with this. Please share this news in hope that justice will be served.

We are very grateful to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Wells (AG Deputy) has been out a couple of times to check on Emma. It’s quite unusual to get this kind of support, but now that the county has an AG Deputy, I do believe support for horses and livestock has taken a turn for the better! Deputy Wells really cares and I’m looking forward to working with him on future cases, albeit I wish there were none. The County is very limited in resources when it comes to abuse/neglect cases, but with help from the community, perhaps we can help to change that!

#justiceforfillyemma #rewardoffered #hsus #bhfer #lcso

02/18/2017/by Theresa Batchelor