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Addi and Mo

Addi has been having trouble adjusting to a new baby camel and baby ostrich that moved in next-door causing her great anxiety. She started having open sores down the left side of her face and around her eye which appeared to be the result of rubbing against something. Also, as she is allergic to flies and no-see-ums, she must wear a flymask 24/7. Rubbing with the flymask on does worsen the sores, but we simply cannot leave off her mask. We moved Addi to a different paddock last week, but, as of Sunday, she still had very bad rub marks over and under her left eye. I stained her eye and was happy to see that it did not appear to be ulcerated but out of an abundance of caution, we had Dr. Julia out on Monday to check Addi’s eye.

Dr. Julia stained Addi’s eye once again and confirmed that no ulcer was present and nothing was stuck beneath her eyelids. Addi has therefore, been placed on both a calming supplement and Coat Defense. We also ordered a special mask to protect her eye from further injury should she continue to rub it. As of yesterday, the calming supplement seems to be greatly helping her anxiety while Coat Defense is clearing up her sores nicely. Addi is such a magnificent horse who truly appreciates human attention and everything that is done for her. And as always, she was a perfect, well-behaved patient!

I also asked Dr. Julia to check Mo’s neck as I had recently discovered a large knot which I believed to be the result of ant bites. Mo experienced no difficulty swallowing and did not have a temperature. But, at this time last year, we had a very long dry spell resulting in an outbreak of pigeon fever which brought back terrible memories, as three of our horses, including Mo, were affected. Thus far, this year, while the weather has been just as dry, I’m happy to report that Dr. Julia agreed that Mo merely has ant bites and is doing just fine!

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our most recent Hay Fundraiser which was a complete success!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

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She’s so SASSY!

As many of you may be unaware of Sassy’s history, I thought I should share her story. When Sassy first came to Beauty’s Haven in 2020, she had been colicing for days, so we took her straight to UF. They had to perform surgery in order to remove a blockage which can leave scar tissue, which, in turn, can lead to recurrent colic. The top image above shows us as we made our way home from UF in 2020.

Everything about Sassy is quite small – she only weighs a mere 161 pounds. So, we naturally became quite concerned this past Friday when our little girl experienced a tummy ache. While her temperature remained normal and she did have gut sounds, she still had not had a bowel movement.

Although she appeared to feel a bit better by the afternoon, Sassy still had not passed manure, so we immediately headed to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala.

Once there, tests revealed her bloodwork was normal and she was not dehydrated. Sassy’s ultrasound did show some fecal matter, but there was no indication of sand or an impaction being present, so fluids were run throughout the night.

When I visited Sassy on Saturday, she was not at all a happy camper about being in the hospital! She was also unhappy that I could not give her any treats. She was still hooked up to her IV drip and she was now, thankfully, passing some manure. She was also started on a feeding program.

We were able to bring her back to the rescue on Sunday, where she soon was back to being her little Sassy Pants self!

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Prayers for Beau

Beau was acting colicky last evening so Dr. Rivkin came out to tube him and administer electrolytes/fluids, as he was a bit dehydrated. Although he was feeling better afterward, he was not at all happy that he had to remain around the barn area last night as he could not have any hay or feed.

After a very long and cold night, Beau, thankfully, appeared to be much better this morning after having made four bowel movements! Our Prayers had been answered! Our excitement, however, was short lived, as early this afternoon, Beau became uncomfortable once again despite having been administered his medications. So, we are on the way to the hospital as we speak. Beau has always been a healthy horse since his arrival at Beauty’s Haven and I truly believe that these drastic changes in temperature do have a negative effect on the overall health and well-being of our beloved horses.

As Beau’s hospital bill will most undoubtedly be quite costly, any contribution to help our sweet boy get better will be so very much appreciated.

Thank you and please keep Beau in your prayers.

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Grant a Wish for Good Boy Beau

Poor Beau has had quite a time this past week. He somehow managed to slice open an area under his jaw, so I treated it as best as I could. I felt it more prudent, however, for the vet to come out in order to better clean the wound and discern if there was an embedded foreign object which needed to be removed. Thankfully no object was found, but the wound was quite deep and simply in a bad place. After Dr. Julia had cleaned the injury, Beau proceeded to rub the area all along the top fence board, thereby, making it even worse. As the farrier was here, Beau then had his hooficure, after which Jessica and I dressed him up in a Sleezy (which he most definitely didn’t appreciate) to aid in his wound healing.

Since Beau was such a good boy for the farrier, I promised him I would include his Christmas Wish in this post in hope that his very special wish will, indeed, come true!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

Hey Everyone!

Beau here, asking if anyone would like to be my sponsor to make my Christmas Wish come true. I presently, do not have any sponsors, even though I am a very good boy! Won’t you please make my Christmas Wish come true?

Love,
Beau

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Valley Girl Home from the Hospital

Valley Girl returned home on Thursday from the Equine Medical Center of Ocala after having twelve teeth removed due to Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH), a condition that results in resorptive lesions of the incisors and sometimes, the canine teeth. She thankfully appears to be doing well. Jo missed Valley Girl and she is so very happy that her best friend is back at the farm – we all are. Please click on the image above to view the girls’ truly joyful reunion.

Valley Girl’s hospital bill which includes the cost of the extractions, coupled with the fees for her hospital stay and follow-up visit is $2,925.

A dear friend and wonderful supporter of the rescue, however, has offered to match all donations up to $500 designated for Valley Girl’s expenses, and I am confident that with the assistance from our wonderful little village, we will get this done. So, if you would like to help with this need, while doubling your donation at the same time, just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. All contributions are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small!

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Valley Girl and Beau – So Brave!

On Tuesday, Valley Girl was transported to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala to have several teeth removed. Brookledge was right on time and the gentleman who helped me load her was so very nice and patient. Valley Girl’s surgery was scheduled for Wednesday and she is to arrive home later today.

Jo was a bit anxious when Valley Girl left as both have been pasture pals since Dancer went to Rainbow Bridge. One of the hardest things for me is when any member of our little herd leaves, whilst hearing their friends crying out for them as they leave the farm.

At the beginning of the week, we were very busy blanketing the horses due to the arrival of unusually frigid weather with a ‘feel like’ temperature of 25 degrees in the wee hours of the morning. Beau reluctantly accepted his blanket albeit with a little encouragement and patience – this was a very new experience for him. We do not know what his past life was like prior to his arrival at Beauty’s Haven, but sadly has not accepted anyone approaching his backend and has always kicked out. We’ve been working on this issue and I’m so very proud of the progress he has made. Good boy, Beau!

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Sweet Amira Update II

On Friday, just three days following her eye enucleation surgery, Amira already appeared to be on the mend. Although she was not passing as much stool as we’d like, she was drinking better and her appetite had returned. She was much more comfortable in the small paddock behind the barn than she was while confined in a stall, especially on Saturday, when we experienced some horrific torrential rains.

Amira had another really great day on Sunday. She is now eating, drinking and passing stool! She was so very brave and never flinched while I used a battery powered saw to cut the lower limbs from a tree in her paddock to prevent any future injuries.

Thank you, all, for your good thoughts and prayers. Amira is a very sweet and deserving mare and I’m so very grateful that we were able to provide this life altering surgery for her.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Sweet Amira Update

After being transported on Monday by Pam of Double B Equine Transport to the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Amira settled in nicely upon her arrival at the hospital. Amira’s surgery on Tuesday for removal of her left eye, thankfully, went well and she returned home yesterday. Amira soon became a bit spun up, however, as she immediately, wanted to go out and rejoin all her friends in the paddock.

Amira was in fine spirits this morning. Since she previously only saw shadows from her left eye, she will hopefully easily adapt to having just one eye. I have faith that she will. She will, at least, be much more comfortable. We have had many horses who have been blind in one or both eyes – some have adjusted well, and some, not so well. Most have done fine, but each horse is different.

Please keep Amira in your prayers as we always worry about colic after a surgery such as this.

Thank you, all, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Please Help Sweet Amira

Amira is an Arabian mare who came to us in September, 2023, skin on bones. She had sores all over her frail body, her left ear was bent due to scar tissue and she had uveal cysts and scarring in both eyes. She was a mess, but she was, and continues to be, a truly beautiful soul as you can see in the video by clicking here or on the image above.

Amira’s rehabilitation went well and everyone simply loves her. We constantly monitor her allergies and eyes and treat her issues accordingly. Sadly, her left eye has progressively worsened, whereby, not only does she have little remaining vision, but she is quite uncomfortable as well. On Monday, she will be transported to EMCO for an eye enucleation which will, hopefully, provide her with great relief.

We are reaching out for help with her veterinary bill which is estimated to be $2000. If anyone would like to help, donations can be made simply by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below.

Thank you for your love and support and please keep sweet Amira in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Bemer Time!

On Wednesday, Jo, Dancer, Valley Girl, Peaches, and Mishka had a Bemer therapy treatment and they all loved it! The chewing and licking was amazing! This was our first time – many thanks to Kathy for arranging the treatment and many thanks to Mireille and Lisa of MD-Equine Therapy for taking such great care of the horses. You do great work! Mishka’s smile spoke for all of the lucky horses today!

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