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We wish we had better news about Tinsel today, but we don’t. She has an infection in the hock region that is aggressively being treated. There is quite a bit of heat and swelling in the area, but she does put weight on that leg at times. It initially was thought to be a fractured bone. However, Dr. Ted Specht did x-rays which ruled out a fracture and Tinsel was started on antibiotics right away.
Cultures and other tests have been done, repeated, and more will be needed. Dr. Ted is measuring serum amyloid A values (SAA) among other things. The first set of tests didn’t disclose bacteria. However, the most recent culture is growing bacteria so we hope to know more tomorrow. In the meantime, Tinsel is getting heavy duty antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and other medications and supplements.
Dr. Ted inserted a catheter in Tinsel’s neck yesterday which makes administering daily IV meds less stressful for both Theresa and Tinsel. Medications are given around the clock and Tinsel’s water intake, how much she eats, her temperature, heart rate, etc. are all being monitored. Her temperature fluctuates – Theresa said that it was 103.9 on Saturday morning, but they were able to get it down to 100.3 in a short time. Tinsel has a great appetite even though she has lost some weight.
As long as we can keep Tinsel comfortable, and she is willing, we will not give up on her providing there is a possibility that she will be able to overcome this issue. Most horses that come to Beauty’s Haven are in a very compromised condition from neglect/starvation. Tinsel’s immune system was compromised when we were asked to take her – she was 20 years old, underweight, and she had a horrible eye infection. Theresa has also learned that Tinsel had an infection in her hip just months before her eye injury occurred. Once she arrived at Beauty’s Haven, Tinsel overcame her eye injury, gained weight and had been doing so well. Theresa says Tinsel is a pleasure to ride and has been looking for a forever home. Then, last month, Tinsel overcame pneumonia and she was so happy when she was turned back out with Little E.
Tinsel’s vet bills are rapidly mounting due to numerous farm calls by Dr. Specht, several very expensive medications/antibiotics, x-rays, blood tests, cultures, catheter placement, IV fluids/bags, leg wraps and various supplements. She has also has to be in a heavily bedded stall so we are rapidly going through shavings on a daily basis. None of this has been inexpensive and we don’t know how much more is ahead of us. To give you an idea of some of the cost – just one of the needed medications is $220 a day! You can’t put a price on life. Tinsel is a wonderful and loving mare with a lot of life in her. She is also Little E’s best friend and she is loved dearly by many humans. She needs help from our village of supporters.
A dear friend and supporter has come forth to offer a $250 Match Game to assist with Tinsel’s expenses and all donations up to $250 will be matched dollar for dollar. If anyone else would like to add to our Match Game funds, please contact us via email at bhfer@earthlink.net.
As you can imagine, Theresa is beside herself with worry about Tinsel, as well as how the rescue will bear the burden of these expenses. Please help if you can. And, share this out amongst family, friends and co-workers in hope that they would be willing to help Tinsel as well.
If you would like to play the Match Game, you may do so via various means on our website at www.bhfer.org/donate. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to: ‘Match Game for Tinsel.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. Please be assured that all donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever considered as being too small.
Thank you all for your love and support. Please continue to keep our beloved Tinsel in your prayers.
April 1st, 2018
Tinsel came to us in November 2016. She was a rack of bones with an absolutely horrible eye injury. With 24/7 eye treatments, and the best care we could provide (thanks to our village of supporters), Tinsel beat the odds and we were able to save her eye. She gained weight and was ready for adoption.
April 2nd
April 3rd
April 4th
April 5th
We also had annual blood tests done on Magic.
Thank you for your continued Love and Support!
Dr. Mangan came out a couple of days ago and checked Elyza Rose’s eyes. The injury to her right lower eye lid has healed.
Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Equine Dentistry) did some much needed work on Elyza Rose’s teeth a couple of weeks ago. Some teeth had sharp points which caused painful ulcerations in Elyza’s tongue and cheeks. This can cause a horse to lose weight as was the case with Betsy Rose when she came to us. It wasn’t even possible for Betsy to chew – her teeth had been neglected for quite some time and the way they had grown literally prevented her from chewing – just trying was painful! If a horse can’t chew, food isn’t broken down properly. A horse may appear to be eating, but if the food is not broken down properly, weight loss and even stomach ulcers can occur.
Elyza can now comfortably chew and graze. However, because of Elyza’s compromised condition, Dr. Bess didn’t want to sedate her in order to do all of the work that needs to be done. Dr. Bess will be back in the next couple of weeks to finish up.
Elyza was a very good patient and she really enjoys grazing as you can see in the video below – it’s what a horse is supposed to do and it’s important that they are able to do so pain free. If you’re a horse owner, please make sure to get an equine dentist or veterinarian to take care of your horse’s teeth at least annually. Senior horses may need to be done every 6 months. It can actually be a matter of life or death!
When Elyza Rose came to the rescue, she got a physical, including blood work, by Dr. Julia Simonson.
Elyza Rose had more of a menace reflex in her left eye than she did in her right. Betsy Rose’s bad eye was her right one.
Elyza Rose tore the lower eyelid.
The right eye got cloudy and there appeared to be blood in it – I became VERY concerned, knowing that she had ingested something poisonous – sometimes effects aren’t seen until days or weeks after.
We’re happy to report that Elyza Rose is doing well!
Elyza has put on some weight and her coat is healthy looking. She’s bright and alert. She seems to be a very happy little mare.
We would like to offer our congratulations to the winners of the 
Dr. Cardona came out yesterday to examine Tinsel and Warrior. Both were not feeling well. Their heart and respiratory rates were elevated. Tinsel has also been running a slight temperature and hasn’t been finishing her meals.
Little Warrior was such a good boy for Dr. Cardona.
Dr. Cardona also examined Elyza Rose’s eyes. She recently tore her lower right eyelid, but thankfully, it’s healing nicely. The ulcer in her left eye is a bit worse. So, more meds, more often. In addition to running blood work on Tinsel and Warrior, Dr. Cardona also ran blood work on Elyza to compare to her blood test results from two weeks ago as there were some issues at the time. I need to send out a detailed update about what’s been going on with her. Hopefully, we will receive the blood test results today. I’m not sure how much yesterday’s vet bill is, but I know it’s a lot. Two exams, one eye exam, blood tests on all three, and medications. It’s going to be several hundred dollars so if anyone would like to help it would be very much appreciated.
One of our awesome farriers will be here on Monday to give hooficures to many horses. To support happy feet, we need to raise a total of $425. If anyone would like to help, our ‘Velvet Nosers’ would be forever grateful! Donations are tax deductible and can be forwarded via our PayPal address: 
Lastly, thanks to all of you, we have won the SunState Federal Credit Union Charity of the Month Contest for the month of February! The $1000 prize could not have come at a better time and will greatly assist with the purchase of hay and/or other needs for our beloved herd.
Elyza-Rose saw Dr. Julia last week. She somehow managed to injure the lower eyelid of her right eye. She didn’t need stitches, but we wanted to make certain that the eye itself wasn’t injured.
Freckles enjoys spending time with Elyza and introducing her to more friends. Today, I found Camel telling his story about how he got here and about some of his past adventures. It was amazing – Elyza-Rose seemed to like the little ones and grazed very intently, making sure not to step on any of them.
Elyza did, however, plant her foot in another feed tub again today. According to Freckles, one of the donkeys told her a couple of days ago, that if she stood in a feed tub, a human would feel badly that the tub was empty and then put food in it. Those boys!
We went for a few walks in a grassy paddock and Elyza absolutely loved it! I think she’s gained some weight already! I know her coat looks shaggy – I clipped her in a hurry but I wanted to get that thick and unhealthy Cushing’s coat off her. I wanted to inspect for lice, ticks, etc. I haven’t had any time to clean up the poor clip job, but at least she feels better.
Yes, Elyza-Rose, you’re “home”!
Elyza is about 16 years old.
Elyza needs her eyes examined by Dr. Mangan – there’s something going on in her right eye which is the same eye that Betsy Rose had issue with.
Her teeth are a mess and I’m going to bet she puts on weight nicely once her teeth are taken care of by Dr. Bess.
She’s pretty thin (a 2 on the BCS) but she has a great appetite.
Elyza’s feet needed to be tended to and Stephanie trimmed them today.
When I hugged Elyza Rose for the first time, I felt an overwhelming and much needed sense of peace.
We also have a Match Game in progress to assist with this week’s purchase of hay and all donations up to $225 will be matched!
Lastly, please continue to keep our beloved Beauty in your thoughts and prayers.