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Update on Bella and baby

July 12th, 2012

Just a quick update…

Bella got somewhat of a much needed bath today. Still working on that mane. We couldn’t stay out long because the baby isn’t supposed to be out. Bella has layers of dirt so it’ going to take a couple more baths to get her good and clean. She really is a doll. Jean drove up today to help out – thanks Jean!!

Baby managed to get the catheter out of his neck so the vet is coming back out to put another in. I’m so sorry to have to put the baby through this again. It wasn’t wrapped but you can bet that this time it will be. He is still straining to go poo. It’s hard to believe that momma is providing more milk already but she is – she actually has a little bit of a bag. J

Have to run – the vet just got here.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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Spirit the Blind Mare Has Arrived

June 28th, 2012

The blind mare, which I named Spirit, is now likely more comfortable than she has been in a long, long time.  Our daughter, Katie, went with me to pick her up today.  It was a good 3 hour trip getting there due to road closures because of flooding from Tropical Storm Debby but we were determined to get her here.  When we arrived she seemed stoic – her head was down and it was like her mind was in another place and time.  I was worried about her injuries and how bad they looked – worse than they did on Saturday.  And there were new, open injuries.  I whispered to her and rubbed on her a bit.  But when I reached up to put a halter on her for the trip home she turned her head into me and stayed there for a few seconds.  I told her she was going home to where life would be much better and different for her.  She stayed close as we walked to the trailer.  She had never been loaded onto a trailer – she was born on the property (2004) where we picked her up from.  She walked into the trailer in less than a minute – it didn’t take much coaching.  Just patience, a calm hand, and reassurance.  But she wasn’t happy once we got to moving – it had to have been a bit stressful for her but she unloaded really well at the rescue.

While we waited for Dr. Ryan Meeks, we hosed her off which she seemed to like.  Then we waited together – he arrived about 30 minutes later.  I will warn you that the photos after the picture after this one are graphic.  Don’t scroll down if you don’t want to see them.  How does anyone allow this to happen?  How ??

Dr. Ryan examined Spirit and said she wouldn’t have lasted much longer.  Her needs have gone neglected for a long time.  She is malnourished and has obviously been terribly beat up, repeatedly, over time.  She has many old and new wire injuries (that were infected), bites, sunburn, open sores swelling, blisters, etc.  Inside of her upper lip she has a wide cut that runs along her gum line which is likely why she isn’t very interested in hay.  She is finally drinking but we’re encouraging her more with electrolytes.

She has no vision in her right eye.  It’s possible that she sees a very small sliver of light in her left.

The puncture wound at her chest is wide and the open wound goes down deep – all the way to her sternum.  Her scars – they are everywhere.

Not surprisingly her feet haven’t been trimmed in a long, long time.  There are many open injures, new and old, on her legs too.

The injury on her nose goes to the bone. Dr. Ryan says we need to keep an eye on this – there may be sequestered bone.  More cuts and scratches all over her face and lots of swelling all over.

Spirit had been through a lot and will wear scars to prove it for the rest of her life – from nose to tail.  Just think about the many times she’s been bitten, kicked, run into things, and how scary it must have been for her.  I was so worried about her during Tropical Storm Debby.  She was on almost 30 acres with about 20 other horses, including studs.  There were also cows, an area with trees, and a lot of debris including barb wire.  Tomorrow she will get a good bath and these injuries will get all cleaned up.  I didn’t want to do too much more to her today but let her chill – she’s had a tough day.  It truly hurts my heart to see her injuries and to think of how horrible her life has been – a living nightmare, 24/7/365.

There are even bites around and under her tail.

Spirit will be stalled for awhile – her injuries will take quite some time to heal and she should not be in the sun – but she will get hand walked often.  Injuries will get cold hosed, cleaned, and treated.  It is a true blessing that she just stands and allows doctoring.  She could be all over the place, pushy, and untrusting but she isn’t.  She’s calm and seemingly appreciative – she likes me to hum to her.  She is resting now and seems to be enjoying just “being”.  There are no others here near her to pick on her or for her to be afraid of.  We can’t say for sure that she will make it but we can say she wouldn’t have made it much longer where she was.  But she is now on the road to recovery.  She is a diamond in the rough and truly does deserve a chance.

Thank you all for caring about her and for helping.  For those that have pledged a one time donation or a monthly sponsorship – we now ask that you follow through.  Spirit has a chance – thanks to all of you.  God bless and I’ll update tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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Blind mare update 7 pm

Additional update soon but for now – she is here and has been seen by Dr. Ryan.
In short – she has been through hell and survived – all of us, including Dr. Ryan – feels she deserves, and has, a chance.  I’ve named her Spirit.

Thank you to everyone that has been praying for this special girl.

Thank you Greg for the beautiful artwork!

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Blind Mare Update

The blind mare has been caught and is in a stall for the night. I’m told she sustained a couple of more injuries since we saw her this past weekend. There were really bad rains and flooding where she is – some high winds too. I was worried about her getting through the storm ok and was sorry to hear she has more injuries.

I’m going to map my trip now. I will get more pictures and data on others that also need help while I am there tomorrow. We need to help find safe places for all of them.

I am not sure at this point how to handle pledges because I don’t know how/if she will be ok being handled/loaded/trailered to get here. I think I prefer that everyone hold onto your pledges until I get back tomorrow and we get her settled in and examined. I added up what I received via emails today and we’re still short on the total amount needed for her initial vetting plus 6 months care but we’ll address that tomorrow evening. If she is badly injured and if loading seems too much for her and it puts her at risk for more injury then perhaps helping her cross may be best.

In the mean time please let’s all pray for a smooth loading and trailer ride to the rescue tomorrow and that examination determines that her injuries can be treated and that she will be able to lead a comfortable life. After we get here and settled in tomorrow then I will update on her status and the funds pledged/still needed.

Think positive everyone – God bless and thank you for caring! I’m off to bed early in order to get a good night’s sleep – I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a long day.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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Itsuko Update

A trip down memory lane… Some of you may remember Itsuko. She was a TB mare we helped in 2011. Itsuko was born in 1991, had 99 starts in her racing career and earned almost $100K. She had multiple babies. We found her starving and living in an unsafe makeshift backyard pen.

Itsuko the day she came to Beauty’s Haven – June 14th, 2011. She clearly needed help ASAP.

She was skin on bones.

But we saw a lot of light (and gratitude) in her eyes.

This is Itsuko 2 ½ months after rehabilitation – taken August 28th, 2011. What a beautiful mare!

During the first week of September 2011 Itsuko went to Black Beauty Ranch (HSUS) in Texas where she will live a lifetime of carefree living. I think these recent pictures speak for themselves…

It’s really good to share happy updates!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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New Star in the Sky Tonight and Orphan Baby Donkey – 05/22/12

05/22/12

It is with a very, very heavy heart that I post this update. Smarty Pants crossed Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. She had been improving, or so we thought. We knew she could take a turn for the worse at any given time. Infection and damage to internal organs had been a concern since day one. While edema in her front legs today had decreased it became significantly worse elsewhere. Dr. Ryan examined her, gave us his prognosis, and ran more blood work to confirm what he suspected and it wasn’t good. Verbatim from Dr. Ryan. “Her body was shutting down – resulting in poor tissue perfusion (blood supply to the muscles). All of this caused tissue necrosis – basically like gangrene. She may have lasted another day or two but it would have been pure hell. No doubt you made the right decision.”

While she surprised us with a short walk on her own in the sling today (with us humans by her) we didn’t know it would be her last. You can see in her eyes she wasn’t feeling well. We would not allow her to suffer – we promised her this from the start.

This little filly that captured so many hearts would have been one year old tomorrow. It just isn’t fair – I don’t know why things like this happen. I don’t understand it. I could go on and on with my thoughts about this but I won’t – at least not at this time. Today has been hell and mentally and emotionally overwhelming. And I’m not feeling the loss alone. My family, including our volunteers, feel it too – we all loved her terribly. We took turns sitting with her and caring for her – even through the nights. We love you Smarty Pants – you mattered to so many but we loved you enough to let you go. We will always love you. Now you fly with angel wings – until we meet again on the other side of The Bridge – know you are in our hearts, always.

And with tears still fresh we welcomed baby donkey. She was very hungry when she arrived and didn’t hesitate taking a bottle. Lacey has been providing some milk and we have milk replacer – the baby will isn’t picky and will drink either source.

Dr. Ryan had a very hard time getting the catheter into her vein in order to run the plasma.

She is currently sleeping – something she needed badly.

She’s had a tough start in life but like Smarty Pants she arrived with light in her eyes that we pray will shine brighter with each passing day. When Pam went to pick her up she found her standing between two pine trees, shaking – we were having a really bad storm. Her mom was off elsewhere. I wonder what this little one thought? But she is here now and she will have a full tummy all night long and she won’t be alone.

And tomorrow is another day. I don’t know what it has in store for us but there is already a void – Smarty Pants had become a part of all of us. We did everything we could to help her and she knows she was loved. She didn’t die in the sand and sun – alone or afraid. She was surrounded by love. While I will never stop believing in miracles and had prayed hard for one with Smarty – I have to think God had other plans for her and we are not to question that but rather accept it. Yes, she would have been one year old tomorrow – a day that won’t come for her on this earth. Each day we had with her was a gift – a blessing. And when I look up to the sky tonight and see a bright shining star I will think of her – I know she knows she is loved. And even though she runs with the heavenly herd she is still with us. She will always be with us. God bless all of you for caring about this little girl – our little Smarty Pants.

Run with the angels sweet girl – we are so very proud of you and how hard you fought for life. You are, and always be, an inspiration to me and your eyes are etched into my heart forever.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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Smarty Pants and Peggy Sue – 05/19/17

05/19/12

Dr. Das worked on Smarty Pants yesterday. She was amazed at how bright her eyes and attitude are despite her condition. Smarty will need additional treatments.

Yesterday we found Peggy Sue with what we thought were ant bites and she was given some Banamine. Late yesterday evening we found her down and looking like she was colicing – the lumps from the bites had multiplied and looked a lot worse. Checking her over, we found a very piece of wood lodged deep in her neck. It appears that she’d rubbed against the shelter to scratch the bites and that is where the sliver of wood came from. She was so swollen – even her face. I called Dr. Ryan and he advised me what to do. I got the wood out in a quick pull and gave her some medications. She got a good bath and spent the night in a stall keeping everyone awake with her whinnies. She doesn’t like to be stalled. She is better this am.

The piece of wood.

Have a great day everyone. Smarty’s hoist is being modified today and once done it will allow her to move about freely in her sling. We did get her out yesterday for a short walk in the grass and she enjoyed that but tired quickly.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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BHFER Update 05/01/12

May 1st, 2012…

First I want to share some pictures of others here at the rescue.

Gentleman chasing Peaches. It’s the first time I’ve seen him move out this fast in months! Peaches was just moved to this paddock – she swapped paddocks with Nikole.

Gentleman looks like a brindle color since he got clipped – and yes, that is a heart on his butt! He is much more comfortable since he was clipped.

Lady Jane is doing very well. She is a social butterfly and a very sweet mare. She carries herself very proudly.

Legacy – as handsome as ever. Princess is behind him.

Classy is doing well. Her front feet have been holding up good.

And Peggy Sue – she is such a doll! She absolutely adores attention and will wrap herself around you for hugs! The stifle surgery definitely helped.

Magic taking a rest.

And Lacey – she is still rolling and waiting for her baby to decide to join the outside world.

Today was a pretty good one for MoonShadow. We have learned that his registered name is “Salty Verdict.” I think the GastroGard is helping. He did better through last night and actually drank about 2 gallons of water which made me very happy. And he was hungry this am. His body temp stayed within normal range today.

This is truly a tragic case but hopefully it will have a good ending – or new start – depending on how you look at it. This is MoonShadow – the picture on the left taken February 7th just a couple of days before he went to the people we got him from. In just a matter of 2 ½ months this is what happened to him – see picture on the right.

I did some backtracking with information I did have on him and had some luck. One phone call actually led to a couple of families from his past. Both families came today to visit with him and were very upset to see him in this condition. It’s heartbreaking too see a horse in this condition – especially a horse that you loved and thought was going to a good home. I’m glad he was feeling somewhat better today – he was a tiny bit more active and alert.

This family owned him for many years after he retired from the track after his first and only race. They brought him gifts today and spent some time with him.

I don’t know if MoonShadow is out of the woods yet. I think I can more comfortably answer that question by the end of the week. I know that today he was a little vocal and his eyes were brighter – he held his head up a little higher. I know it sounds silly but his eyes actually spoke to me and it was comforting.

Please continue to keep MoonShadow in your prayers. Once he is feeling better we need to have his left stifle x-rayed and he’ll need chiropractic/acupuncture. He needs his teeth done and his feet worked on a bit more. God bless – have a wonderful day tomorrow! Thank you all for your continued support!

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Peggy Sue Update

PEGGY SUE UPDATE

Good Morning, Everyone,

Peggy Sue is doing fine and will be arriving home later this afternoon. Peggy Sue’s right rear stifle was sliced and an x-ray revealed a broken pelvis which, according to the previous owner, occurred six years ago when Peggy Sue was giving birth. It appears that the foal had to be pulled out and by doing so, Peggy Sue’s pelvis was fractured. This misalignment created a shortened leg which was quite painful to walk on, thereby causing the muscles to atrophy over the years. The vet confirms that this most undoubtedly is the reason for Peggy Sue’s present condition.

Peggy Sue will be placed on Previcox and Milk Thistle and will wear a pad on her shortened leg to assist her in getting about. The cost of Previcox for Dogs is $75 for sixty tablets which will last two months and the cost of Milk Thistle from the Healing Barn is $171 for a sixth month supply.

http://thehealingbarn.com/newthb/hilton-herbs-milk-thistle-plus/

Peggy Sue and Narissa are in need of sponsors.

Theresa will be picking up the Percheron Mare tomorrow.

Thank you all for your continued generosity, love and support.

Jeanne

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Peggy Sue Needs Surgery – 04/07/12

04/07/12

“Hi! I’m Peggy Sue! They used to call me Patty but we decided Peggy Sue suits me more and I like it. I have an injury in my left hip/pelvic area and my right stifle gets stuck. Dr. Ryan says if I go to the hospital they can do x-rays to see what is wrong with my back left that is locked up straight – I can’t bend it. And that leg is a couple of inches shorter than the left. It’s likely an old injury that can’t be fixed but they want to figure out if putting a pad or boot on that foot would help. But we need to get my right locking stifle fixed first. I get stuck sometimes and it takes me awhile to move my body to an angle that allows me to get unstuck. Mommy Theresa asked if the stifle surgery would give me a better quality of life and the vets said yes. So, we want to go for it! Would you please consider helping with the cost of the x-rays and surgery? I’m supposed to go to the hospital this coming Wednesday and have surgery on Thursday. I’m a little afraid, but much more excited!”

“Mommy Theresa says we need another $375 so I can go to the hospital for the x-rays and surgery. Would anyone like to help? I’m only 16 years old – I’d love to spend the rest of my life a little more balanced and without locking up. Thank you wonderful people!”

All donations are tax deductible. No amount is too small. Donations can be called directly into the hospital at 352-237-6151. God bless and have a wonderful weekend!

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