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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

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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 2:20 pm

Hi Everyone,

I just spoke with Theresa.

The mare has successfully loaded onto the trailer albeit she appears to be lethargic.

Theresa stated that the mare has sustained additional injuries and her previous wounds have worsened causing concern.

Theresa should arrive home within two hours if all goes well at which time, Dr. Ryan or one of his associates will meet them at Beauty’s Haven.

Since Theresa is unsure of the prognosis, she has asked that everyone please hold off on forwarding their pledges.

Please keep this precious girl in your thoughts and prayers.

Jeanne

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After the Storm – A Blind and Injured Mare

Hopefully the worst is over and those in the path of what is left fares well. We are very happy that all horses and humans here are ok. We had so much rain and some heavy winds that some of the older fence posts snapped at ground line. They need to be replaced as soon as possible. But overall it wasn’t too bad. I will say that generators are a good thing.

Before we started dealing with Tropical Storm Debby I was asked if we could help some horses that are located in another county. Melissa and I drove to the location on Saturday and were not happy with what we found – over 20 horses on about 30 acres. Studs, mares, mares with babies and a couple of geldings. All mares have been exposed (again). Only one of the horses was ok with human touch. Young ones were curious and some came over, but most were leery of being touched. Well, one young one did tolerate a soft rub on the nose. The babies haven’t been handled and most 2 years old and under haven’t either. Ages range up to about 10 years old.

The most in need of help that I can’t get out of my mind is a blind mare. It’s obvious she’s sustained quite a few injuries over time. The worst injury now is a gaping hole in her chest. As you look at the picture below you can’t see the hole that goes off to the side – deep in towards her right shoulder. I couldn’t tell if there was a foreign object in there or not. The picture is somewhat misleading – it sort of looks like the hide is just skinned off but I assure you that isn’t the case. It is oozing and was full of flies and gnats. She keeps biting at it which is making it worse. The mare is afraid and doesn’t want to be caught and a stud herds her everywhere including away from humans.

She is very thin with scars, hoof prints, open sores, and cuts all over her. She looks so very sad and lost.

Front and back legs with injuries.

Certainly looks like she ran into something. Look at the open sores and scars on her legs and face – I hate to think of what she has endured.

She can’t see – not even shadows from what I could guess. I got close to her by walking slowly next to a little colt that had decided I wasn’t too bad to be next to. When he walked past her I just squatted down – she listened intently. When the herd runs she runs but is all over the map. Oh – and she could be pregnant.

We are, like most other rescues, over capacity but we want to find a way – this mare needs help badly. Can you imagine living like this in a dark, dark world with others, including studs, being so unkind to you?  Running from them while running into trees and other debris scattered around the property?

Right now we are asking for help in two ways:

1. Please share information with others about the horses we have here that are available for adoption in an effort to place some into good homes. This will free up space for others like this mare. I’m happy to report that Buttercup did go to her new home this week and is doing well. We have many more here that are healthy and happy and ready for their own human. Please visit our “Beauty’s Haven Equine Rescue Adoption Page” on Facebook and share!!! Our adoption fees are low – it isn’t about money – it’s about finding the right forever home for each horse. We really need help with this.

2. Unless someone else is willing and has the means and experience to help this mare and can take her – we want to help her. At this time we are only seeking pledges – not donations. We need to make sure we can take on the responsibility of her care and needs first. We need pledges to cover at least 6 months of her care and her initial vetting needs. I don’t know how much it’s going to take initially but after the initial month I’m estimating it will be about $275 a month – this is just a quick estimate – I’m in a hurry and need to get out to finish chores.

I don’t know how she will accept to being handled and doctored but we won’t know if we don’t try. I’ve asked the owner to try to get the stud and the mare into a corralled area where the stud can be haltered and separated in order to catch her. The stud supposedly has some time under saddle. The owner has a small stall he can put the mare in until we can pick her up – which I would hope would be shortly after being caught but it’s a good 1+ hour drive to get there. If she can’t safely be caught then we will have to have her darted (sedation). Once here, we will have to put her in the quarantine paddock and see how she will adapt to being handled and doctored. Hopefully, she will settle in and be ok – she is young and deserves a chance.

The alternative is to have the mare put down which may or may not be in her best interest. When I asked the owner how he would put her down if she can’t be caught he said she’d be shot. I asked how that could be done humanely if she couldn’t be caught – a moving horse is not a target for a humane shooting, IMO. I can’t imagine this poor mare suffering any more than she already has. Can we, with help from others, help her? It’s not something we can decide here alone – we know we can’t make a commitment like this without help from others. If you would like to make a pledge to help us to help her please email me at bhfer@earthlink.net and let me know what you would like to pledge. Donations are tax deductible and even small amounts added up can be powerful.

I’m praying she makes it through the storms without further injury and I hope we can get her here soon. But if the owner calls tomorrow and says she has been caught and is waiting we want to be able to hook up the trailer and go get her (provided the weather allows us to). Perhaps there is another rescue or individual that could provide the care she needs? That is another option – please let me know if this is the case.

Thank you all – have a blessed day. Will be back at the computer later. Off to do chores and check on the horses. Hay – a ray of sunshine is peeking through the clouds!

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

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Paso Case Update

01/29/12

Below are a few pictures from today. Carla went out to feed this afternoon and Jacky and Tres helped – it was a pleasure to meet more people that are willing to help. I went out with hubby to take more hay and I wanted to spend a little time with the horses while hubby did a few minor repairs.

The structures in the back of the horses are not on the property.

The group with the gray mare was much calmer this afternoon.

These two mares stick together much of the time. They are both starting to enjoy touch – at least on their noses and sides of their face. I really enjoy just sitting with them and getting to know them – the time goes by too quickly!

Here are some of the horses a few days ago – the hay they were eating looked like cow hay.

Yesterday they got some very nice hay which they love!

And today we took more hay. The temps are going into the 30’s tonight – I think they will appreciate the hay very much.

Carla has graciously accepted the task of compiling a list of people that would like one or more of the horses – as well as to coordinate volunteers to cover morning and afternoon feed shifts.  Our priority over the weekend was to get hay/grain to the horses, get the studs out of their stalls for awhile so they could get some fresh air and graze while their stalls could be cleaned, to clean waterers, and to make minor repairs to fencing, gates, to put together a core team of volunteers to help to manage the many tasks, etc. Horses will be catalogued over the next few days – please be patient because it won’t be an easy task. These mares out in the paddocks have not been handled in a long, long time.

It’s really a wonderful thing – people coming together to help those that can’t help themselves. These horses appreciate everything done for them and we appreciate everyone helping us to help them – we couldn’t do it without help from others. Where there was little light in many of their eyes only a few days ago – the light is getting brighter each day and it’s such a great feeling and rewarding thing to experience! They will come around and enjoy human touch again. They will find wonderful forever homes. It may take time, patience, and resources – but with help from others we’ll do our best to make it happen. Thank you all!

God bless and we hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

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Paso Case – Almost 40 Horses

The day was very productive and I think much was accomplished. Yesterday we made a trip out to look at a herd of 30+ Paso Fino’s that need homes – their owner was murdered several months ago. Today we focused on getting the horses hay for the next few days as well as providing them with grain and salt/mineral blocks. Feed tubs, waterers, and stalls were cleaned. The studs were all locked up in stalls at the barn – they have been there for a long, long time. While the mares are thinner than most of the studs – the feet on the studs were worse than the mares – the mares constantly move – they are out on several acres with no protection from the elements. The studs had been getting some grain while the mares got none.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday.

And today…. It was really nice to meet new people – working together we got a lot done! I’m going to post some pictures tonight – will have to post more info tomorrow. It’s been a very long day. But I want to thank everyone for caring and for helping! These horses need homes but at least for the next few days – they have food. And the studs got out of their stalls today for the first time in ages – if only for 10 minutes or so – and it was great watching them. And when they went back into their stalls they were clean.

Sincerely,

Theresa

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

www.bhfer.org

Click here to make a tax deductible donation.

Click here to help BHFER via Life’s Abundance Pet Food

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Update on Pony – He’s Here!

Well, the darling little pony is here. We picked him up this evening and he has settled in – I wouldn’t have been able to sleep tonight had we not picked him up!

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Welcome home – let’s get rid of that halter! He got a bath before I first met him this morning – he does have a nice winter coat.

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It will take some time for him to put on needed weight and grow stronger but he will. He’s now on his road to recovery – thanks to many. And what a sweet boy he is!

He’s got much kindness, gratitude, and light in his eyes – his name is Ghost.

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Thank you to everyone that made it possible for this sweet pony to come to the rescue! Please forgive me if I haven’t responded to your emails or posts on FaceBook (which I’m still learning how to use) today – once the wheels were put in motion to help Ghost the day was non-stop! I’ll try to get caught up tomorrow. But please know that we appreciate every one of you and your support. It’s only because of others helping us that we can help those in need like little Ghost. Donations are greatly appreciated – no amount is too small and all donations are tax deductible.

Update on Harley: Dr. Ryan stained his eye yesterday and changed his eye medication to include Dex. If we don’t see an improvement in a week it may not be a good thing. Please pray for Harley.

Update on Haley: Today was the first day we’ve seen her feel even a little bit better. She got a good medicated bath for a skin condition and she was started on medication to treat EPM and is also getting some homeopathic remedies. The day Dr. Jackson worked her Haley we were told that we should see an improvement in her by Monday so we’re 2 days ahead of schedule! Please pray that we continue to see Haley improve.

Update on humans: Tired!

I’ll update more tomorrow – it’s been a really busy day.  Have a blessed day tomorrow!

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