June 14th, 2013

I got a call from someone about their pony mare that is down and can’t get up – they don’t know what to do and they can’t afford to have a vet out.  When I started asking questions, I didn’t like the answers.  When I asked how old the mare is the owner said they didn’t know but they’ve had her a long time and a little girl has been riding the pony, but without a saddle.  I asked for a photo and was appalled.  This mare has been laying there on the ground, like trash, for days.  It’s June in Florida and it doesn’t even appear that anyone has even taken the time, or cared enough, to brush out her winter coat.   Even with the coat, you can clearly see she’s skin on bones.  There is no excuse to allow an animal to suffer – and this mare has obviously been suffering for awhile. 

We have a vet on the way to her but we need help.  I am asking for pledges at this point – I don’t know if this girl can be saved or not but a vet will be there soon to assess and advise.  If the mare is too far gone she will be humanely euthanized – she won’t be left to linger and die and she will not die alone.  If she can has a chance, we have a transporter on standby with MMC Eventing, and we will give her our all.  One way or another, this pony will know that she matters. 

The vet arrived and the pony is being run fluids now.  Her HR is very high – please pray that it comes down and that the fluids will help and that she will be able to get up.  We have someone enroute to transport her to us if she can make it.  She doesn’t deserve to die like this.  The vet recommends the pony be helped to Rainbow Bridge but I feel a very strong need to give the mare a chance.

After receiving fluids, and with assistance, she was able to get up!  She’ll be loaded and brought to the rescue where we will do everything possible to help her to recover.  Please keep the good thoughts and prayers coming!  This one is tugging hard at my heartstrings – there’s just something about her….

To everyone that offered a pledge to help her – thank you!  Please send when you can.  I’ll update once she’s here and settled in.  We’ll be awaiting blood work results too.  Let’s pray it isn’t too late.

The pony has arrived and it doesn’t look good for her.  She’s too weak to stand or to even hold her head up.  I’m amazed that she is alive.  But this says something about her will – we’re going to give her all of the help we can until she tells us she’s had enough.  She has a determined look in her eyes that says she’s not ready to give up.  We will see what the blood work results are to see how badly her organs have been effected and then regroup.

We got her up and into the sling which will be a key tool to her recovery.  It’s going to be a long ride but we’re in it for as long as she is willing and wanting to heal.  She doesn’t seem like a mare that is going to give up easily.  There’s still light in her eyes.

We can’t leave her in the sling – the amount of time that the pressure the sling puts on her body has to be limited since she can’t even stand.  We will take her out periodically in order for her to lay flat to get good rest which her body needs.

We will turn her every couple of hours to help prevent damage to her organs.  She drinks and munches on her mash and when she is awake she is alert. But she tires easily – she is in very bad shape.   We really do need a miracle.  I’m going to call her Betsy Rose.

#betsyrose #believe #wecandothis #prayersneeded #bhfer

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

May 20th, 2013

We hope everyone is had a great weekend. I hate asking for more help but it’s only because of help from others that we are able to do what we do.

The vet is coming out today and we need help with:

– examine/ultrasound Amy and Ariel.

– examine Solace.  He seems to feel ok but there is an odor coming from his nose which may indicate infection.  The vet said he man need x-rays.

– Princess needs both front feet x-rayed.

– We need to resupply some medications (Banamine, SMZ’s, etc.)

– We will need funds to have Stetson gelded when he is ready. Vet will be checking him again today. He’s doing well.

– We need a lot of flymasks in sizes mini, horse and Arabian. Several of the ones we have are just plain worn out and between the flies, lime rock road dust, no-see-um’s and blowing sand we use a lot. We try to have 2 on hand for most horses – one to wear while the other gets cleaned.

– Flyspray & flytraps

– We’re going to need hay by the end of the week.

Donations can be made via PayPal to Theresa or via various ways through our “Donate” page at www.bhfer.org/donate.  The vet’s office can be called directly at 352-237-6151.

I’ll try to post pictures with an update from the weekend and today later this afternoon. It’s already very busy here but I had to take a minute to reach out for help.  Thank you all – have a blessed day!

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

April 9th, 2013

Solace has a new snotty nose with an odor to it.  He hasn’t run a fever but he’s not as interested in his meals and just seems somewhat “off”. We’d like to have Dr. Ryan examine, scope, him and do a culture to determine if he’s got something new going on.  This would be about $150.  Would anyone like to help him?  Just 15 people donating $15 each would cover this.

Dr. Ryan will be examining Lucy today, checking out her trach, and pulling some bloodwork.  This will be about $110.  Just 11 people at $10 each will cover it.

Two horses that we had to bring back need vetting and this was not in our budget.  One needs an exam and CBC which will cost about $92. The other needs more – I’m guessing $125 with Dr. Ryan and he will also need Dr. Julia Simonson to work on him for about $125.  Any and all help with these two would be so greatly appreciated.  I’d like to get Dr. Julia out here as soon as possible.  She’s our holistic vet.

Donations can be called directly into the vet’s office at 352-237-6151. Please specify if you call how you would like your donation applied – to a specific horse or to our account in general. We truly appreciate your continued support.  If anyone would like to help with any of these needs you can donate via PayPal address bhfer@earthlink.net or via our website page at www.bhfer.org/donate.  Just indicate what your donation is to be used for.  Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small.  We operate totally from donations – your support makes what we do possible.  Please share this out.  I don’t like asking for help but I have to.  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

April 8th, 2013

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  The weather here was perfect! Here are a few pictures and updates on a few of the horses.

Sisco yesterday – his cancer site looks good.  We are still applying the cream.  Dr. Porter says at this time he does not think Sisco will need another treatment.  Sisco is so funny – like a big kid!

The other Cisco – he’s looking for a forever home.  He is a Haflinger cross.

Little CaryLou is all boy!  He keeps his momma on her toes!

Lucy is doing ok.  She’s had some tremors Friday and Saturday evenings which caused me a bit of worry.  Dr. Ryan will be out tomorrow to examine her and to pull some blood.  When she was released from the hospital she had hyperlipemia and hepatic lipidosis – her prognosis was poor and very guarded for survival.  She wasn’t eating or drinking, had body tremors, had aspiration pneumonia, and had been running fevers – the odds were against her.  Upon arrival, I immediately modified her diet and put her on Well-Gel and other supplements.  Giving her IV fluids/meds was very important so you can imagine how we felt when the vein on one side of her neck collapsed – the other had collapsed at the hospital.  After the other side collapsed here, the catheter was placed in a remaining good vein in her leg.  But then that collapsed.  It has been a roller coaster ride but we continue to keep the faith and we have hope.  Lucy’s attitude has been bright and positive which helps tremendously.  She is monitored closely – her poop, water intake, appetite, attitude, temp.  I have to laugh at her – she’s feeling better enough to now run the other way when she seems one of us coming with meds in our hands! LOL!  Lucy adores our little tank, CaryLou.  This evening Twinkle finally allowed CaryLou to visit with Lucy without her supervision. Lucy isn’t out of the woods, not by far, and her recovery is going to happen over many months.  Please continue to pray for her.

Silver Belle has made new friends and is doing really well.  She will be starting school soon.  I don’t know what Patti and Silver Belle were looking at in this picture but aren’t they beautiful?

Rayo is also doing well and is enjoying school!

Remember Lexi?  She is Lacey’s 2 year old and Dora’s full sister.  She is also doing great – a very beautiful girl.

We need a load of shavings – the pregnant mares stay in all night and Twinkle/CaryLou also stay in during the hot part of the day. A load (60 bags) of shavings is $230. Would anyone like to help?

Solace has a new snotty nose with an odor to it. He hasn’t run a fever but he’s not as interested in his meals and just seems somewhat “off”. We’d like to have Dr. Ryan examine, scope, him and do a culture to determine if he’s got something new going on. This would be about $150. Would anyone like to help him?

We have had two horses come back in the last week that need vetting – any help with them would be greatly appreciated.  Donations can be called directly into the vet’s office at 352-237-6151.  Please specify if you call how you would like your donation applied – to a specific horse or to our account in general.

We truly appreciate your continued support.  If anyone would like to help with the vet expenses, shavings, hay, etc. you can donate via PayPal address theresa or via our website page at www.bhfer.org/donate.  Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small.  We operate totally from donations – your support makes what we do possible.  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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

January 17th, 2013

I apologize I haven’t gotten any updates out this week – I’ve been sick since Monday with the stomach flu.  Just when I try to get going again I find out my body isn’t ready and it’s been very frustrating.  But I want to give a quick update on Solace while I can.  We’ve had beautiful weather this week, until today, when it took a drastic turn.

In the early afternoon I ventured down to the barn for the first time and peeked in on Solace – he was down in his stall.  He’d been doing so well – the good weather has been helping him, I’m sure.  I wished all week that I could have spent some time outside with him. When I went down this afternoon I noticed something wasn’t right.  I sat and watched him for a few minutes and it was obvious his tummy was bothering him and heart rate respiration were up.  He had been passing poop but he was gassy.  I called Dr. Ryan and gave Solace medications as instructed.

This evening Solace is tucked in his stall and looking better.  The determined look in his eyes always amazes me.  Bob went to the store this afternoon and for the first time in awhile so the humans cupboard isn’t bare.  I can’t eat – just the thought of it is nauseating and the headache won’t go away.  But the chills have stopped, I think.  I wanted to lose weight but maybe this isn’t the right way to do it!  

Hopefully Solace’s blood test results will continue to show improvement. I’ll post when I know more. Have a good night everyone.

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

January 3rd, 2013

It was a cold and wet day today.  The morning was going ok until Beauty got to feeling bad.  I had just gone to the office when Marie called me and said Beauty was down and acting strange.  I got back to the barn right away and she appeared to be colicing.  She’s got ouchy front feet right now and that wasn’t helping.  So she had a double whammy.  I called Dr. Ryan – he was coming out anyway to examine the new arrivals and Solace and to do a coggins on Dora (she will be leaving for her new home in a couple of weeks).  Bob and I got Beauty up and into the barn and Dr. Ryan arrived shortly after.  Dr. Ryan examined her and she was a bit gassy.  After some meds set in she was better.  She had me really worried.  She’s never coliced before.

Solace was also examined and ultrasounded today.  His lungs are scared for life but he is doing remarkably well.  He didn’t get this way overnight and I will never understand how anyone can see a horse in this condition and turn their head and do nothing.  This is basically what Ambrosia went through only she didn’t make it to us in time. She runs with the Heavenly Herd.  Hopefully Solace will be with us for a long time to come.  His IV cath is being pulled tomorrow and his antibiotics are being changed.  Just look at the look on his face – bright eyes and always alert and interested in everything going on around him.  He has gained a little weight but being sick hasn’t helped.  He’s really an amazing horse with a huge, and I mean huge, love for life.  He’s tucked in his stall for the night in his warm fleece and he’s eating a warm mash.  Solace is being started on Prasend (Pergolide) which he will likely be on for the rest of his life (cost of about $115/month).  If anyone would like to help with this expense I’m sure he would appreciate it (we would too).  He’s also being started on EquiPride.

Thank you all for your continued support – please keep the prayers flowing.  We will be coming up with some items to auction on Facebook to help raise money for another 2 tons of hay and to help with vetting and related needs.  With the weather as it is we are going through more hay than we’d like to be but it is what it is.  God bless and have a wonderful night everyone.

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

Update: 12/30/12

Last week was tough and losing Alyse was heartbreaking.  On Friday morning I received a call from Dr. Clark – Alyse had taken a turn for the worse.  Her HR went higher – to about 120 and her WBC had gone up.  The meds were not keeping her comfortable.  Dr. Clark had spent days running tests and consulting with others about the ulcerations and other issues – they could not determine what was causing her to be sick but they did feel it was a combination of things.  One being the blisters in her mouth, on her tongue, and in her nose.  They had scoped her earlier in the week and did not see any blisters past the esophagus and believed they likely stopped there (we later learned there was a large ulcer in her colon).  The second issue being an unknown factor at the time that was causing increased HR and temperature.  We agreed from the beginning that should it get to the point where Alyse couldn’t be kept comfortable while trying to maintain her for the blisters to heal, and trying to identify and treat a secondary issue, we would not allow her to suffer.  A necropsy was done and we found that she did have a large ulceration in her colon and her gut was about to rupture – keeping her with us any longer would have been inhumane.  We gave her all the time we could and I am so thankful to the Dr. Clark and everyone at Peterson and Smith for everything they did for her.

I was with Alyse when she crossed – her head across my knees in my lap – she knows she was loved.  Dr. Clark said Alyse was a strong willed mare and had given it her best.  And her care givers had done their best.  Alyse was a beautiful and proud Arabian mare that was loved by many but God needed her more than we did and we must accept that.

Alyce in the Hospital

Letting them go takes a lot out of me – out of all of us here that are hands on at the rescue.  And I’m sure it hurts others that love and care for the horses here from a distance too – the horses are truly blessed to have so many that care for them.  I am so very sorry we could not save Alyse.  Alyse and I had shared many spontaneous rides together which I’ll never forget.  Those rides helped me put worries aside for a few minutes – they were very refreshing for the mind and body. After I left the hospital Friday I found I needed to stop in a parking lot and let the tears flow and try to regroup.  Then I went to Burger King drive through to get a drink.  I had left home without breakfast or anything to drink after Dr. Clark called to tell me Alyse was worse – I wanted to get to the hospital ASAP.  After getting a soda I stopped by the feed store to buy a few things.  While at the feed store I decided that while on my way back to the rescue I’d go by the location where the 3 Thoroughbred horses were that we had taken hay to last Wednesday night.  I tried to go there on Thursday but on my way there that evening I got a phone call that one of the horses here looked to be trying to colic so I turned around and came back.  By the time I checked on the horse it was dark and I didn’t want to go the location of the 3 horses by myself.  So, after leaving the feed store on Friday, I did go there and I found one bay mare down and looking at her tummy.  She went sternum and stretched out – she looked very uncomfortable.  I tried to get her up and she did get up with some prompting but then she went down again.  I called Dr. Ryan and he suggested we get her to the rescue since he would be on his way there as soon as he could to assess the incoming Percheron mare.  I called Bob and had him hook up the trailer and come meet me to load the mare and we went back to the rescue.  

The Percheron mare arrived shortly after we got the sick OTTB mare to the rescue.  Dr. Ryan arrived and examined both mares.  We named the OTTB mare PrimaBelle and she was treated for a gas colic.  She is Momma Sue’s daughter – she was born a year before Aaleyah Belle.  Prima means first and Belle means beautiful = “born first and beautiful”.  PrimaBelle was born a year before Aaleyah Belle and they are full sisters. Aaleyah Belle’s name means “beautiful gift from God”.  Like her momma and sister, PrimaBelle is a very nice girl with a pleasant disposition.  She raced and won about $12,000.  She had a very gassy tummy on Friday which made her very uncomfortable. She felt better after receiving medications and has been feeling ok since.  We had a family come to meet PrimaBelle today – a family that has adopted Mia from us this past year that lives not far from the rescue.  PrimaBelle still needs to get her teeth done, vaccinations need to be done, etc.  She will be up to date on everything and she needs to put some weight on before leaving for a new home.  There are still 2 horses where we picked her up from that we are providing hay for that need homes.

I named the 25 year old Percheron mare “Sunset”.  She arrived during a beautiful sunset and it came to mind that she is in her sunset years.  She’ll be able to live them without worry and with a full tummy and much deserved TLC.  She is underweight and has skin issues.  She has large lumps in her left ear described by Dr. Ryan as “cauliflower ears” likely caused from trauma which causes fluid to collect and separates cartilage causing it to die which causes fibrous tissue.  She has the number “33” branded on her left hip – the number of her stall from her PMU years.  She is a smaller Percheron – not quite as tall as Gentleman.  It will be a few weeks before she is ready to leave here but we are expecting an adoption application for her to be received by tomorrow.  If approved, Sunset will have a home not far from the rescue.  Before she leaves, her wounds will have healed, she will have had her dental work done, she will be up to date on vaccines, etc.  It will take awhile to get to that point but her road to a happy and healthy retirement has begun.  She has the sweetest face and very kind eyes.  Her ears don’t stand up but that’s ok – she is still beautiful!

Yesterday both mares had hooficures.  PrimaBelle was a good girl.  This was her front right before her hooficure.  We had Dr. Ryan x-ray it on Friday to make sure her coffin bone wasn’t affected and it wasn’t, thankfully.  Sunset was a little challenging – she didn’t want to stand still but she’s in a new place with new faces.

It was going to go into the 20’s last night so we blanketed both mares.  PrimaBelle was an angel for her blanket to be put on – she stood perfectly still and seemed to truly adore it. Sunset was a little hesitant – I don’t think she’d likely ever had one.  She moved away at first but with a little time and introduction she stood still.  And after it was on she still there for quite awhile – at least 30 minutes!  The blanket is short on her sides and left about 6” of her butt exposed but she loves it.  I am ordering one to fit her tomorrow.  She will also be getting a new fly mask.

Solace is about the same – he still has congestion in his lungs and is still coughing.  Dr. Ryan examined him again on Friday.  He will be out again late in the week to assess him again and to see if we need to modify his treatment plan.  HIs appetite remains good.  Solace really is an amazing horse.  Let’s continue to pray that he recovers.  Believe…

Holly is doing very well – what a sweet mare she is!

The Christmas trio are all doing well.  Gentleman and some others had their teeth done last week.  I’ll include those pictures in my next update – I’m really tired and have much to do.  To everyone that has sent a message or email regarding the loss of Alyse – thank you.  I appreciate your good thoughts and prayers.  I am behind on emails and PM’s but hope to get caught up on some this coming week.  

Tomorrow will be very busy – more hooficures are being done in the morning.  God bless and thank you all for your continued 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

December 21st, 2012

I called Dr. Ryan back out to examine Solace again today and to do another CBC.  Solace’s snotty nose was worse this am and he did cough now and then.  He has not had a temperature and his appetite has been great.  He’s drinking ok and his diarrhea cleared up.  He is more animated each day.  But something wasn’t right.  Dr. Ryan scoped him and learned that mucus was not coming from the guttural pouches.  But he did find that Solace’s trachea is surrounded by mucus – a lot of it.  An ultrasound was also done which revealed mucus on the lungs but, thankfully, no abscesses were indicated.  Dr. Ryan advised that Solace has chronic pneumonia.  Based on his symptoms and the ultrasound findings this isn’t a recent illness – he’s been sick for some time.

An IV catheter was placed so we can administer medications – Solace has been started on antibiotics.  He was a good boy – he just stood and let Dr. Ryan do what needed to be done – he was so good that Dr. Ryan gave him a couple of peppermints.

Dr. Ryan said that for a horse that is a 0.5 on the Henneke scale to be standing and doing as well as Solace is, not considering the pneumonia issue, is more than amazing.  Solace has a lot of will – there is no question about that.  For the rest of his story – which makes me believe even more that there is a reason he found his way to us – he reportedly came from a farm that slaughters horses and illegally sells horsemeat.  How would a horse in this shape get in that predicament?  One example… there are a lot of free horses on Craigslist.  I get calls from people asking for help placing more than one horse quite a bit – just today I was asked to help a family that has 4 horses that they can no longer keep. So let’s say the owner puts them on Craigslist for free – a kill buyer may contact the person running the ad and offer to take the horses – he just happened to be looking for a horse for each of his family members.  Well, when he gets there to pick up the horses, 1 out of 3 of the horses may be in bad shape, but he will take the thin one anyway just to get the other two that are of good weight. And the thin and sickly ones, like Solace, that have no fat or muscle – they are not desired by kill buyers so they get dumped.  And horses are often found wandering – just like Ambrosia.  It’s sad and sickening – but it is reality.

Solace is tucked into a stall with some heat lamps and a warm blanket.  He adores his mash.  And we adore him.  His recovery is going to take awhile.  More tests may be needed but at this time Dr. Ryan didn’t want to stress Solaces’ body anymore than it already is.  We’ll give him some time on the antibiotics – time for him to get stronger. Thank you for caring about him – please keep him in your prayers.

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

December 20th, 2012

Why can’t the weather be more cooperative? Near 80 today and now it looks like it is going to pour but it’s not supposed to for another couple of hours.  Temps going to a “feels like” of about 38 degrees tonight.  Dr. Ryan is going to come tomorrow – Solace still has a runny nose and I’ve heard him cough a few times today.  But no temperature and he’s eating and drinking.  His poop actually looks about normal.

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