, ,

The mare going to big cats…

Yesterday I was contacted by the owner of a 6 yr old Saddlebred that I was told may be pregnant. The mare is at a trainer’s – they say she is “very dangerous” and “needs to go” and if we don’t take her she will go to big cats. I contacted a vet and made arrangements to meet him today so he could examine the mare. I wanted to observe her and learn as much as I could about her. Jenny said she would go with me so off we went this morning to meet this mare. It was an absolutely beautiful day. When I first saw the mare running today, an incredible feeling innocence came over me.

image0092

She moved beautifully and an old Fleetwood Mac song immediately came to mind (I still can’t get it out of my head!) – Gypsy. I didn’t know what her name was but in my mind it was Gypsy. So, meet Gypsy!

The Mare Going to Big Cats

While she looked anxious and concerned, the vet was very patient with her, she behaved well. She was sedated in order to be palpated – the good news is that she is not pregnant but the vet thinks she will soon be ovulating.

image0113

We were told of inhumane things done to the mare before the current owner took her in about 3 months ago – she has been at a trainers for the last 3 weeks. She had been starved, beaten repeatedly with a 2 x 4, and handled very roughly. I asked question after question. It was explained that she has issue when confined in a stall or small pen – that she is ok until you take off the lead rope at which time she becomes unmanageable. They said that once the lead is off she will try to flee and take you out with her if you’re in her path. When she was in a stall at the owner’s barn someone walked past her stall and she lunged out and hit the human in the head – knocking her over. I was told the mare had also attacked two people – one had to go to the hospital.  Another person got kicked. They decided to send her to a trainer.

image0133

Based on what I was told, and what I observed today, I think this mare is just misunderstood.  I think she has been pushed too hard too quick in trying to get her under saddle – especially after the horrible life she led before her current owner got her. What I saw in her eyes was a beautiful soul behind a look that is shrouded by fear – but a longing for freedom from her past.

image0101

Her past is ugly – humans have molded her into the mare she is today. I’m told she has papers (but the previous owner wouldn’t give them up) and is a Saddlebred but I think there is some Arabian in her too. We’d like to help her but in order to do that we need help from others – she needs sponsors. At this time we are asking for pledges to help her. If anyone would like to help sponsor her please email me and put “GYPSY” in the subject line. Time is of the essence. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small but again, at this time, we are looking for pledges. Once (if) we know we have enough support we will ask that pledges be turned into donations. We’d like to get her here, safe, as soon as possible.

Thank you.
Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
,

Starving Horses – Update 12/26/12

12/26/12

Dear Lord please give me strength!

I am leaving to take hay to 3 starving horses – one that is near and dear to the BHFER family. I’ll have to post more later but right now I need to go. They have not been fed in a long time. So sad. I’m just glad the owner finally called me. It’s going down to “feels like” 27 degrees here tonight. The thought of them being thin and hungry and cold is sickening. I’ve been following 2 of these 3 horses for 3 years.

Hint: I know Momma Sue has a hand in this – she was/is a good momma – even from above. Can’t disclose anymore at this time. Oh, and Story is colicing and the vet is on the way to see him. More prayers needed.

Momma Sue and Aaleyah Belle – 2008

Momma Sue and Aaleyah Belle

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
, , ,

Solace – He Has Found It Here

December 16th, 2012

This horse was found wandering down a road in south Florida, very close to death.  He reportedly walked away from an illegal backyard slaughter operation.  He obviously has no meat on his bones that would bring money.  When starved, a body feeds off its fat, then muscle, then its organs which is where this horse is.  By the grace of God, and the help of a few, he found his way to us in the wee hours this morning.  Here, he has found solace just as Hollie and the Christmas Trio (Nevada, Sachet, and Noelle) have.  I don’t know why the name “Solace” came to me the first time that I touched him, but it did, and so it is.  Maybe the events of this past week – I’m sure many of us are seeking solace – I hope we all find it too.  

There are pictures below that some may consider graphic.  If you don’t want to see them then please don’t scroll down.  But I choose to share what these horses go through and what we do to help them – the good, the bad, the ugly.  It’s a roller coaster ride and you are all invited to ride with us.  You can follow his progress and see how your donations are used.  He looks like he just walked out of a concentration camp.  

Dr. Tanya scored Solace a 0.5 on the Henneke Body Condition Score scale.  Horses that get down to a 1 don’t usually survive.  This says something about his will to survive.  His stool is full of sand and he has little energy.  He was very cooperative with when he was oiled.  Dr. Tanya thinks he is still a stud but he is so thin she really couldn’t say for sure.  His rehab will take some time – it must go slow and steady.  Too much, too soon, could kill him.  He needs a miracle and hopefully, it will come.

At some point in his life Solace sustained blunt trauma to his mouth – his top front teeth are on a pretty bad angle and there is a scar in the gum line.  Dr. Tanya couldn’t tell how old he is but he is aged.  His teeth are just so messed up – we will have the dentist out soon.

His temperature was low normal.  Blood tests are being done and a stool sample was taken.

When Solace poops, it flows in the hollow under his anus which is chaffed and irritated (this can cause infection) and then it runs down his legs.  We hope to give him a warm bath very soon.

He got fluids (including vitamins) via IV.  He was a perfect patient and seems content being here.  I think he knows we care.  🙂

As much as I don’t like asking for it – we need help.  Today’s vetting was $490 and the transport cost from to get him here (he was 4 hours away) was a very good price but it wasn’t inexpensive.  

I know Christmas is upon us and pockets are empty but please know that any amount of a donation helps.  One of our volunteers told me a few minutes ago that she collected all of her lose change and it came to almost $40 – she is donating it to help Solace.  If many people do this it will all add up.  If you’d like to call a credit into the vet’s office the number is 352-237-6151 and, again, no amount is too small.

We are still nursing Hollie, Nevada, Sachet (she is better), and Noelle back to health. They were all in bad shape too but they are slowly recovering.  I don’t know why these 5 horses came to us but I’m glad they did.  But again, we need your help.  Tax deductible donations can be made via PayPal to bhfer@earthlink.net or via our “Donate” page at https://bhfer.org/donate.

His body has withered away to bones and I hate to think of his past and the stories he could tell of what he has lived through.  His love for life, and will to live, must be strong for him to have survived and find his way to us.  Most others would euthanize him.  But I see a flicker of light in his beautiful eyes.  Somehow, I think he realizes that his life is beginning again, with people that will love him unconditionally and properly care for him.  Will he recover?  We choose to believe he will.  Please keep Solace in your prayers.  

Today is our Christmas gathering with our wonderful volunteers.  They will get to meet Solace as well as Hollie, Noelle, Nevada, and Sachet.  God bless and I’ll update more when I can.  Thank you all for your support.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org   Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
, ,

Another trip down memory lane…

12/13/2012

Another trip down memory lane… January 28th, 2010. I got a call about a horse that had been abandoned on a huge parcel of property – the grass was dormant. An adjoining neighbor had been tossing hay over to the horse for months and luckily there was a big old metal tin container that collected rainwater. But the neighbor was moving and the horse would have been all alone with nobody to know if he was sick, alive, or dead. Jenny went with me to meet the horse and gather facts from the neighbor and as we were getting ready to leave the horse followed and whinnied to us as if saying “Please wait! Don’t leave me here!” I went over and stroked his neck and the name “Heart” just came to me – I promised Heart we’d come back.

We brought him to the rescue – you couldn’t have found a sweeter or more appreciative horse. Thinking about him living on the empty property through the cold months with no blanket, no shelter, and very little hay made me very sad. Heart got strong over the next few months and was ready for a home. In early November he had an appointment to meet a human family when the unthinkable happened – he coliced! He was sick for many weeks – we didn’t know if he would make it. And we were not sure the family would wait for him or if they would want a horse that had coliced. But Heart improved and when he was better the family came to visit with him on December 5th. The son, Sam, had lost his horse over a year before and he had been looking for just the right horse. During the visit, Sam took Heart for a walk – you could see and almost feel the connection. It was very moving to say the least! Heart beamed and looked so proud to have this nice young many on his back!

Heart was going to have a home – they wanted to add him to their family! But then Heart got sick again and was not able to leave until December 31st but what a day that was – a day we all had been waiting for! It’s a day some senior horses never experience – going to a forever home where they will have their own human to love and care for them. But this grand senior horse finally had his forever home and his own boy to be his best friend! Who says story tales don’t exist and dreams don’t come true? Bah – humbug! We have proof they do!

Heart’s human family keeps us updated – this picture was taken last month. Sam still adores Heart and the feeling is mutual – Heart adores Sam. Sam’s sister, Emma, has her best friend Snicker’s. This is what we want for all of them – love, dedication, respect, full tummies, no worries – a forever loving home.

Thank you Laurie, Scott, Emma, and Sam!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
,

Urgent – Trio Needs Help – Christmas Save

I find myself reaching out to you all again for help. I got the call this afternoon – three horses are going to be sized by AC tomorrow if we don’t take them. The ACO told me they have been rescued in the past and here they are needing help again. I’ll be darned if they are going to be put into another bad or iffy situation! There are 2 QH’s and a Morgan. They are ages 8, 12, and 13.

Please help by becoming a foster for one or more of these horses – be it a onetime donation or a commitment to make a monthly donation to help. If anyone can help please email me ASAP with “Holiday Trio” in the subject line. Let’s pull together and help these horses to have the same chance Hollie got. Hollie is doing well. Her teeth were done today and she is quite amazed with her “new” mouth.  We can’t help these horses without help from others. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. All donations are appreciated. God bless and thank you.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
,

Holiday Save Racking Mare

11/25/12
We went on faith and prayer that needed help for this mare would come – we were very blessed that Pam (transporter) was able to pick her up on her way back from a haul up north. Pam said the owner offered to hitch the mare up to show how she drives or to saddle her up to ride her – even in this condition. How sad! Pam politely declined and loaded the mare up. The mare is said to be 10 years old but she’s older, I’m sure.

She is grossly underweight – no fat or muscle which is hard to see because she does have a winter coat which is a good thing although I imagine she has still had some pretty cold nights with an empty tummy. Her feet are long and she is still wearing shoes. Pam stopped to put a stable blanket on the mare and she is comfortably munching on hay for the trip to the rescue.

It’s hard to see how thin she is because of her color and the shadows in the trailer.

We need donations to help with this mare that desperately needed to land in a good place. We need help with costs for vetting and transport. No amount is too small and donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made via our website or PayPal or snail mail. We’re estimating at least $500 for the first month and another $300 after for at least 6 months. If you send a donation please mark it for our “2012 Holiday Save”. This mare haunted me for many days and nights this past week. I’m very glad she is now safe. Let’s pray that she can recover and live a happy long life.

I know this is a bad time of the year. Donations are already down and the economy is taking a toll. If Rosita had not found a home we would not have been able to take this mare. But God has a way of helping things to work out and we really did take a giant leap that help would come. We are praying that if many people send even $5 it will all add up to enough to cover her expenses. Please share this email with family and friends – perhaps someone would like to help. Help us to make a difference for this mare. God bless and thank you!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Donate: www.bhfer.org/donate.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
,

Racking Mare Settles In

November 24th, 2012…

Little Racking mare has settled in. She enjoyed a warm mash and is comfy in her blanket. She is in good spirits but we need her to drink a bit more than she has been. Many thanks to Pamela Zarem and her family for going above and beyond to get this girl home. Now, a good night’s sleep – although, will likely check on her through the night. 🙂

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
, , , ,

BH 11/24/12 Update – lots of photos

November 24th, 2012…

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was beautiful here. But the nice day closed with temperatures down into the high 30’s yesterday morning. The babies and seniors were blanketed and comfortable. We’ll have to break out a few more blankets though – looks like it’s going down to freezing tonight. Brrrr!!

There’s been so much going on – it’s always busy. I wanted to make time tonight to update on some things. Mostly good things. Morning Star was adopted by his foster family which is simply awesome! I was so happy when Chris told me they wanted to adopt him! Morning Star is a very talented boy and there is never a dull moment with him! Jenna and her dad, Chris, come to help out a couple of days each month and boy it sure helps to have many hands!

Just like her momma, Dora has a special scratching spot.

So does Starbuck.

Cisco wrapped up nice and warm. He didn’t mind that the blanket is pink. He’s just that way – happy go lucky. He’s looking for a forever home.

Beauty and the boys – Genesis and Cisco. And Beauty standing for me to trace her foot so I could put some pads into her slippers – she was sore in the front. She seems to be better today.

Dr. Cogswell working chiropractic on Peaches a couple of weeks ago. And then she worked on Beauty. Dr. Cogswell comes through the Ocala area once a month and does a great job! Dr. Ryan recommended her and I do too! Her website is www.cogswellvet.com.

Lace is ready for a forever home. She’s a sweet girl. Rides nicely but I’ve only ridden her at a walk/trot.

Penny… determined to find a few crumbs. She’s become quite independent and is still as cute as she could possibly be!

Baby Girl – still gorgeous! She munched on some hay until it was her turn for a hooficure. She loves scratches!

And this is Jenny being silly with Penelope on Thanksgiving!

Princess – still a pretty girl. This is Laura doing a hooficure and Kim holding which we appreciate very much!

How the farm looks from up on Cisco and Genesis. Me on Cisco and Kylie on Genesis – it is seldom we get these little pleasures.

Cookie getting a little extra attention from a volunteer – one of the UF students.

Little Rambo now lives with a mini donkey (named Casper) that wasn’t treated very well before going to his current home. Rambo is helping Casper to learn that all humans are not bad. This is Casper getting his first hooficure since he’s been at his new home. Rambo is outside watching. Little Casper did well.

I took some time to take a short ride on Genesis on Thanksgiving Day. And I was actually able to talk Bob into going for a short walk around the paddock! I visited with all of the horses on Thanksgiving and they all got carrots. Both human kids were home and it was just a beautiful day!

Spirit is doing well. She is adjusting to her new surroundings and has made new friends! Her new human mom is doing a great job with her!

Some more good news – Rosita will be leaving for her new home late next week! Some other news – we have been asked to help a very thin Racking horse mare that needs a safe place to land. We would like to make her our holiday save. Even with somewhat of a winter coat you can see how thin she is. Even thin, she is hooked up and driving. We need help with sponsors – she needs about $500 her first month and then about $300 each month after for at least 6 months. Would anyone like to help her? If anyone can help us to help the mare please email me. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Please help us to give her a new start in life – I know she would appreciate a full tummy and warm blanket for the holiday season.

We hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. Don’t forget about our fundraiser – the beautiful drawing of Ambrosia – current bid is $150. God bless and thank you for your continued support! And again, please help us to help this mare.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Donate: www.bhfer.org/donate.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

/by
, , , ,

Our Little Pony – Valentine

Last night I posted about Valentine on Facebook – she’s in Equus Magazine this month (picture at Myth #7)!  Valentine was a little pony that came to us in February 2009 with no name from another county.  Valentine seemed to be an appropriate name for this little cutie.  Authorities told us that her owner had recently died in a car accident while trying to get to his herd of three horses to check on them after a terrible storm.  Upon his death, his wife became very angry that she lost her husband because of his horses.  She made one trip to see the horses but never returned to see or care for them again – they were abandoned.  Two of the horses, which were healthy, were picked up by someone else. However, the third, a pony, was left behind because she appeared to be colicing. The officer that worked the case said she’d almost dug her own grave over the course of 3 days.  She also had evidence of blunt force trauma to her back and sacrum area.
Valentine

Upon arrival, Valentine was examined by our vet, Dr. Ryan Meeks, and it was apparent that she didn’t know where her backend was.  He continued to treat her as a colic case – she still wasn’t passing poop.  Dr. Meeks also did x-rays on her neck.  Valentine got acupuncture and chiropractic treatments by Dr. Hami Das.  While she improved in her backend coordination, her ability to eliminate on her own didn’t improve.  This is Dr. Meeks and Dr. Das discussing their findings and Val’s condition.
Valentine

It was believed that Val had sustained nerve damage and may never be able to pass her own poop.  While for some horses that may be a death sentence – Val wasn’t ready to give up.  With each passing day, her eyes got brighter.  We couldn’t afford to pay a vet to come and clean her out each day so I learned how to do it.  It wasn’t hard and she was extremely cooperative.  When she needed this done (at least twice a day, sometimes more) she would just stand, without even a halter, and tolerate the “cleansing” which brought relief.  She was a happy little pony.  I would often find her waiting for me at the gate to the barn in the morning – ready and willing to be cleaned out so she could enjoy her breakfast and go on about her day.
Valentine

Valentine had over two good years with us but started laying down more often in the fall of 2011.  One morning in late December, instead of greeting me at the gate, I found her down at the gate.  She clearly said it was time.  We gave our little pony with the deepest and most beautiful dark eyes a very pampered few hours before being helped to Rainbow Bridge by Dr. Meeks.  Now, our Valentine runs with the heavenly herd – pain free and happy.  She is with her best friend, Captain.

This morning I opened email and found this beautiful artwork by Greg Ambrose. Mixed bittersweet tears came. This little pony was so very much loved and I miss her. Thank you Greg.

Valentine – our little pony…

Artist:

Greg Ambrose

http://www.gravideo.com

/by
, , ,

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

/by