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Feeling so very grateful!

It’s been many days since I’ve had a chance to share the daily happenings at Beauty’s Haven, but we’re still here and as always, extremely busy!

A few days ago Dr. D’Agosto (aka Elisabeth – a volunteer from years ago – so proud of her accomplishments!) came back to work on a number of our horses and implant some microchips. We are so very grateful to Elisabeth as well as to our wonderful village of supporters who have made our wish for a new Microchip Scanner & Chips a reality!

Ruby received a wonderful grooming and acupuncture treatment by Dr. Elisabeth. Later in the day Dr. Mangan examined Ruby’s eyes as she’s been having issues with her left eye – a flare-up of chronic uveitis and her cataract has worsened a bit. Warrior was also having eye issues so he was examined by Dr. Mangan as well, and is now also receiving some meds. We are so appreciative of Dr. Mangan!

Tilly and Peggy Sue just love the grass. Tilly has COPD – some days can be quite the challenge for her. She also has a rather large hernia on her side which doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable. She’s a really sweet and happy little mare.

Peggy Sue can’t bend her back leg because many years ago, when her humans “helped” her deliver her baby, they shattered her pelvis in multiple places. Thankfully she gets around pretty well. She’s a happy little mare, too.

Thanks to you, our amazing supporters, we’ve been able to help many with special needs. They are all so very precious.

Congratulations!

Lastly, thank you to everyone who participated in our second Betsy Rose Birthday Fundraiser. Congratulations to Pamela H. for being the lucky recipient of this very special collection of Betsy Rose themed items!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week. Stay Safe!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Spring has been Sprung!

Miracles do happen at Beauty’s Haven!

Remember Spring, the mare who was brought to the rescue a few weeks ago? Watch the wonderful video above that was recorded just two weeks following Spring’s arrival at Beauty’s Haven. Since Spring’s quarantine period has ended, she was able to go out and make new friends. She has gained weight and is feeling good!!

Many thanks to our friends & supporters who have helped us, help Spring!

Wishing everyone a safe & happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Her Name is Spring

This sweet mare arrived safely on Tuesday evening. Her name is Spring. Spring settled in quite nicely and was comfortable throughout her first night at the rescue. The vet did discover sand in her BM the day prior, so she was oiled. She has a good appetite, appears to be quite content, and her welts have thankfully, disappeared. I do wish she would drink more, but she is getting water in her soupy Fibre-Beet meals. The vet returned yesterday to do a complete physical examination (including blood tests) and I will keep everyone apprised as soon as we receive the results.

Many thanks to those who have helped with Spring’s expenses.

*Just a reminder for everyone to check your paddocks for creeping indigo. The vet walked Spring’s paddock yesterday and found some. Creeping indigo is toxic to horses – it can kill.

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Bria’s Story

 

In mid-November we received a call about three horses that had been abandoned on foreclosed property. We had just taken in Dancer and Jo and had no plans to bring in more horses for the cold season – resources were very tight. But we had to do something so we went to work reaching out to others to see if we could find help for them. We were very blessed to find a great home for two of the horses.

The third horse, a mare named Bria who was almost 30 years old, would need special care so we decided she would live out her sunset years here at the rescue.

We promised Bria that we would do everything we could to make her comfortable for as long as possible. We also promised her that when she got to a point where her quality of life was not good, and there was nothing more we could do to help her, we would love her enough to let her go. She was quite thin and she had Cushing’s Disease along with degenerative suspensory ligament disease (DSLD). Unfortunately, there is no cure for DSLD – it progressively gets worse and, at some point, the horse’s quality of life declines to a point where the most humane thing to do is euthanasia. Bria’s coat was terribly unhealthy and her mane and tail hadn’t been brushed in years. Her teeth needed attention as well, as she had sharp points and waves. Her front feet were a mess – she had thin soles and coffin bone rotation (with bone loss) in both.

Fortunately, Bria was comfortable in Soft Ride boots. She wore them 24/7 and, at times, she could even be seen trotting around. She was a beautiful mare and had a way of communicating very well – I’m sure in her younger days she could be very opinionated, sassy, and a fireball of energy. Little E became Bria’s best friend and they could usually be found hanging out together under the Friendship Tree by our house or wandering about, grazing. Bria made other friends, too – Peggy Sue, Cricket, Tilly, Lucy, and even Nina would hang out with her. She also made friends with many humans – all of the volunteers truly loved her.

Over the last couple of weeks, Bria had been less active as were some of the other horses – we’d had some pretty high temps and humidity. But this past Friday morning, Bria didn’t want to move when I took breakfast to her.

She gave me a look that clearly said she needed help and she was resting her back left leg in an odd way. I can’t feel anything with my hands (due to my spinal cord injury) so I couldn’t tell if there was heat in her back foot and/or leg. I gave Bria pain meds and waited to see how she would respond. When she tried to walk, it was obvious that her back leg/foot had issues so we called the vet to come out to the farm.

Dr. Rigby found heat (increased pulses) not only in Bria’s back foot but also in both front feet. Bria was a horse trying to walk on one good foot and that is just not possible. Dr. Rigby advised the most humane thing to do would be to help Bria go to Rainbow Bridge.

Little E had stayed close to Bria all morning – I’m sure he knew what was happening. We let them have time together as Dr. Rigby got meds ready that would release Bria from her pain.

As much as it broke our hearts, we kept our promise to Bria to let her go when the time came. I prayed for a smooth transition and she did go peacefully – I stayed with her the entire time.

After awhile, I left Little E alone with Bria so he could have time to process what had happened. He’s up there in years (37) and sadly, he has had to say good-bye to many of his friends – I do worry about him.

I’m sure Cricket, Nina, and Bria met up at Rainbow Bridge where they now frolic in green grass free of pain. They will always be in my heart and I know we’ll meet them again someday. They were all loved and we were blessed to have them with us for as long as we did.

Thank you all for caring.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Niña’s Blessed Last Months

It’s been a tough few days here, losing Niña and then Bria the day after. I want to share what happened with each special mare but will first start with Niña. I’ll share about Bria tomorrow.

When Niña came to us in late February, she was shy, underweight and a bit frail. She hadn’t lived with another horse for years. She was vetted the day after her arrival and on the following day, we found her down and unable to get up. After running fluids and giving her time to rest, she did get up, with assistance. After Niña’s blood tests came back and speaking with the vet, we adjusted her feed and added Succeed to the supplements she received and she started to improve and gain weight.

Niña was in our quarantine (QT) paddock for the first two weeks where she would stand by the fence and watch the other horses. She received lots of attention and warmed up to humans.

After two weeks in QT, we opened the gate to her paddock so she could wander about on the two acres surrounding our house, get good exercise, and make friends – but she did not do so. Niña would simply, walk to the gate and stand for a bit but she wouldn’t leave the paddock. We haltered her and hand walked her around the property a few times, and tried to encourage her to go out, but we weren’t going to force her. But then one morning, I went by her paddock, opened the gate, and continued up to Frosty’s Knoll to start soaking hay. I thought I heard something behind me and smiled when I realized she was there. We went up the Knoll and she stood and looked out over the farm (it’s the highest part of the property) for a couple of minutes.

I gave her some scratches and then she trotted down to the fence line at the main paddock and followed it to the far side of the house where I couldn’t see her. I later found her under the “Friendship Tree” with Peggy Sue and Cricket – it really did my heart good!

Niña continued to put on much needed weight and muscle – her transformation in such a short period of time was truly amazing. She was beautiful inside and out. She would go out and graze with her new friends and could sometimes be found just hanging out under the “Friendship Tree” with them. Unfortunately, we found her down again in early March, but after getting some fluids and rest, Niña was able to get up (with assistance). Niña had her 30th birthday in March.

Niña did well throughout April. It was a pleasure to see her trot around here and there. Sometimes, she’d take off and run like she was going to be late for something and she looked so happy. Cricket adored her and they could often be found together.

In early May, Niña was exploring a paddock she hadn’t been in before when she took off, slipped and fell on wet grass, and couldn’t get up. We let her rest for a bit and tried to help her up but we weren’t successful. I called the vet and gave her some fluids and her meds. When he arrived, Niña received additional fluids/meds, and DMSO. Thankfully, after the meds/DMSO took effect, we were finally able to help Niña stand after several attempts to do so.

This past Thursday, Niña went down for no apparent reason while she was up on Frosty’s Knoll. It was like a rerun of the previous falls but sadly, this time, even with help from the vet, we couldn’t get Niña up.

The look in her eyes reinforced what we knew – it was time. The decision to let any of them go to Rainbow Bridge is never easy.

But if there is nothing more our care team can do to help them, and it’s in their best interest, we love them enough to let them go knowing we will see them again someday – and I do believe this.

Many thanks to everyone who helped Niña and cared about her. And even though we wish she were still here, we feel blessed to have had her with us, where she was surrounded by love, if only for a few months.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Niña and Bria, Together Again

It is with a heavy heart to inform you that our beloved Niña & Bria peacefully went to Rainbow Bridge within a mere twenty-four hours of one another. Although we are deeply saddened, we find great comfort with the knowledge that Bria & Niña, together with sweet Cricket & all the other precious souls who have gone before them, are now running freely with the Heavenly Herd.

Please keep Bria, Niña, Theresa and Bob in your prayers.

Warmly,
Jeanne

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Poor Niña!

Niña truly gave us a scare today. She apparently got spooked by a sprinkler and took off running, then sadly, she slipped and fell and was unable to get up. We immediately ran some fluids and gave meds as per the vet’s instructions while we awaited his arrival.

Our poor girl was truly headed in the wrong direction but got a much-needed boost with some DMSO thanks to Dr. Becker, coupled with the power of prayer.

Niña is now resting comfortably and is tucked in for the night.

God is good. Believe.

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Beauty on the Mend

Beauty Update

I’m very happy to report that Beauty is better! An abscess finally worked its way out of the bottom of her foot and thankfully, this morning, another blew out from her coronet band so hopefully, she is now, well on the road to recovery.

We also discovered Frodo camped out in Beauty’s stall this morning. Beauty was standing at the feed room door – something she hasn’t done in days. It’s great to see her feeling better.

Kitty Cat

Kitty Cat was given approximately 2 months to live several months ago due to a mast cell tumor that had metastasized. I love that he’s doing well and still greets me at the golf cart every morning. Do I believe in miracles? Always.

Sweet Dreams

“Wishing everyone a Good Night! We hope you have a terrific Thursday!”

Love,
JoJo

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Cricket Has Her Wings

In Loving Memory

On Monday afternoon, the vet was called out to the farm to treat our precious Cricket for colic. After doing all that could be done and being unsuccessful with clearing her impaction, and surgery not an option, it was decided that we could no longer let her suffer. She was simply in too much pain. Cricket was such a wise and brave little mare to the very end and she even enjoyed some time with her dear friend, Tilly. The vet returned last evening and Cricket was peacefully transitioned to Rainbow Bridge at 9:00pm, surrounded by all who loved her so dearly.

We know in our hearts that her beloved Jiminy was awaiting her arrival, and both, with youth restored and free of pain, crossed the Rainbow Bridge together.

We love you, sweet Cricket, forever & always.

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Challenging Times

Blessed

Hi Everyone,
I hope this newsletter finds you all safe during these most challenging times. We have been hunkered down here at the farm as we practice social distancing with our wonderful team of volunteers who bravely, come out to assist us with the herd. It is with great hope that you will find some peace and joy as you read this update about our beloved ‘Velvet Nosers.’

Warmly,
Theresa

PICTURED: Penny, our adoptable Belgian mare. For more info on her, click here.


The Friendship Tree

This tree has been home to many friendships. These are some of our seniors – Little E, Niña, Peggy Sue, and Bria having a post breakfast gathering.


Bria’s Happy Feet

Bria is very beautiful and a very sweet mare. She still has to wear her SoftRides 24/6 but she doesn’t seem to mind at all.



Keeping Cool

Little Tilly has COPD. She hangs out at the barn on the days that are a bit challenging for her. She has a Portacool available to her but she prefers the shade of the tree.

Warrior, on the other hand, really appreciates the Portacoolers since he doesn’t sweat at times and also has seasonal airway issues.



Grateful

We are really appreciating the Carryall 700 that was donated to the rescue a couple of months ago. It saves a lot of time since we only have to make one trip to give out hay instead of 2 or 3 with a golf cart.


Shadow

Lastly, what would an update be without featuring Shadow!

Shadow was recently gifted a cooling mat which he truly loves! His training has been going very well. He is such an awesome dog who is always smiling for the camera!

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