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Belle, Ace & Elsa

We hope that everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday weekend. As we batten down the hatches and place safety collars on each member of our beloved herd in preparation for Hurricane Elsa, I just wanted to give you all a quick update about our most recent rescues, Belle Star and Ace.

Belle Star has put on quite a bit of much needed weight and her coat now shines! She was having an issue with her right eye last week but Dr. Giuliana Marie Templeton fixed her right up by flushing her tear duct.

On Friday morning, however, Belle didn’t greet me at the gate as she normally does, a sure sign that something wasn’t right. I found her in the corner of the shelter with her head down and her respiration up – it was obvious she didn’t feel well.

Her temperature was high (103.7) and she refused her breakfast. Blood tests indicated that Belle was fighting an infection (of unknown origin). She’s been started on antibiotics and is also getting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. By Sunday, however, I am happy to report that Belle was better. She was not quite 100% yet as she still had a slight temperature but, thankfully, her eye was much better. Belle is truly such a very sweet mare.

While she was at the farm, Dr. Templeton injected Ace‘s knee which is quite bad. We hope and pray that it brings him some relief.

Lastly, we still have a few horses that need sponsors for their “hooficures,” so if anyone would like to donate it will be so greatly appreciated. Thank you, all, and please stay safe!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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P.S. We watched a goat across the street give birth to two babies on Friday while we were awaiting the arrival of Dr. Bess. The babies are simply precious!

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A Very Busy Day!

It was a very busy and productive day at Beauty’s Haven on Monday. Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto spent a good part of the day working on some horses – we appreciate her very much!

Peaches had laser therapy, Ace and Chloe had acupuncture, and Belle, Nicky, Warrior and Frodo also spent some time with her. Warrior’s asthma is sadly, acting up again.

Belle had a hooficure by Stephanie and she feels so much better – her toes were very long. She’s a very nice mare and is truly grateful for all that is being done for her. Peaches and Mishka also had hooficures today by Andrew.

We had really bad storms in the wee hours of Monday morning, the electricity was off for several hours. We are so very grateful to have automatic generators!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Keeping up with Kiah

Kiah is still at the hospital and today, if she is up for it, she will be microchipped, some blood tests will be performed and she may receive her vaccinations. She won’t be spayed, however, until she has fully recovered from her surgery. Dr. Schirmer advised us that getting healthy granulation tissue to grow over the exposed bone is the next step and if this is not possible, Kiah may have to have another surgery.

Keeping Kiah’s foot clean and bandaged and monitoring the healing over the next few weeks is going to be very important. She’s not 100% out of the woods yet from losing her leg, but if it comes to that we will know we did all we could, and she’s one that would keep going and never give up. she would adapt, I’m sure. We don’t know when we will be able to bring her home, but it is very possible it may be today.

We are very thankful for everyone’s support and I know Kiah would thank you, too, if she could.

She’s precious and is like a little kid experiencing new things. The expressions on her face are priceless. She’s the most photogenic dog I’ve ever known! When I talk to her, she looks at me like she truly understands what I’m saying. While it may be a long healing process (due to the bone healing issue), we believe Kiah will recover and be a happy girl. You all made this possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Kiah Update

We were happy to learn on Sunday morning that Kiah had a calm night at UF. After we left her at the hospital, she received IV fluids together with pain medication. After evaluating Kiah, we were advised that her left leg would need to be amputated. However, after we received a morning update call, we were informed that our private practice vet could very well perform Kiah’s surgery for less (and that it may be less stressful for her as well) and we were asked if we wished to explore this option.

Dr. Schirmer of West End Animal Hospital in Newberry performed both Max’s and Kitty Cat’s surgeries and did a wonderful job on each. He gave us several more months with them for which we will be forever grateful. We sent Dr. Schirmer photos of Kiah’s injury and he believes it’s possible that he can save her leg! He can’t guarantee it, but he will try. She will lose three toes but still have enough foot left to enable her to have a fully functioning leg. However, if the leg cannot be saved, we are quite confident that she will successfully adapt as a tripod. Either way, she will be having surgery on Tuesday.

Kiah returned to the rescue late Sunday afternoon. Watching her… well, it’s like watching the wonderment of a child experience new things. She’s really warmed up to the human touch. She’s a good girl when taking her meds and we are thrilled with the possibility that she might be able to keep her leg.

Kiah weighs 16 pounds and is about a year old. She’s heart worm negative so that is a plus. She was covered with fleas which have been treated. Her bloodwork results could have been better but she’s getting the medications that she needs at this time. She’s young and has a positive spirit about her, and most importantly, she’s tough. I can’t imagine the pain and neglect that she’s endured in her short life, while being all alone, but she has made it this far without any help from humans.

We believe Kiah will recover and be able to live a happy life with or without her leg. She will never know hunger again – her needs will always be taken care of, and she will be forever loved.

A very dear friend of the rescue recently offered a Match Game in honor of Bonnie Blossom, who sadly passed a few years ago. That match game was completed in a blink of an eye, but yet another very special friend of the rescue has come forth to offer a second Match Game to assist with Kiah’s veterinary needs and all donations up to $500, will be matched dollar for dollar. If you would like to help Kiah while doubling your donation at the same time, simply click on the ‘Donate’ button below.

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Thank you for your outpouring of love for sweet Kiah and for making an incredible difference in this precious little girl’s life.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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She was wandering alone on the side of the road


This is how we ended our night last night, helping this little girl. She was wandering along the side of the road, alone, thin, hungry and in pain. Her front paw is nearly severed and the smell of infection is extreme. She may have gotten her foot caught in something and had to chew her way out. We’ll never know. She’s as sweet as sweet can be and she truly, deserves a chance. We have named her Kiah.

Kiah was rushed to UF in the wee hours of the morning and has undergone many tests, but the vet said it is most likely she will need to have her foot amputated. Hopefully, the infection can be successfully treated. It’s estimated that Kiah is about a year old.

We hate having to repeatedly ask for help, but we must. UF has estimated her bill to be between $3K to $4K but they will try to keep it at the lower end ($3K). Can anyone help us help Kiah? If so, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. All donations are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.

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Please keep Kiah in your prayers. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Meet Scooter, our newest rescue

I would like to introduce our latest Beauty’s Haven rescue, Scooter. He’s only about four years old and sadly, he has issues with his feet that likely could have been corrected a long time ago.

Upon Scooter’s arrival, we noticed that he didn’t pick up his feet very high when he walked, he just kind of scooted around. In addition, he had quite a few healing bite marks on his body, but he was, thankfully, of good weight. Dr. Giuliana Marie Templeton performed an exam, ran blood tests and took x-rays. His bloodwork indicates high and low values, he’s definitely been lacking proper nutrition. Stephanie, one of our awesome farriers, worked on his feet after the x-rays were done.

It’s going to take several months to get his feet in optimum shape. He may never be able to run and play like a horse with normal, healthy feet.

The mere act of walking with his feet in such a state has affected Scooter’s joints a bit, but he’s already more bright and active. There was a lot of licking and chewing when the farrier finished working on him which is a very good thing, indeed. He’s a real sweetie.

Scooter would really appreciate some sponsors to help with his veterinary and farrier bills, upcoming dental appointment, and ongoing care.

If you would like to help this adorable little guy, just click on the’Donate’ button below. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. Scooter may be pretty small but his expenses, other than the amount of feed/forage he receives, are the same as that of a big horse.

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Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Missing Penny

I still look for Penny each morning. She was such a kind, gentle, and brave mare who will forever remain in our hearts.

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A Very Good Day!

Andrew, our wonderful farrier, and Dr. Elisabeth D’Agosto, one of our amazing vets, were both at the farm one day last week. We all appreciate their skills and time, very much! Miles needs to gain a few pounds but is doing well. Simba had a little cough but his lungs sounded good – winds here have been really bad for the last few days so it was likely due to dust that has blown everywhere. Simba is as precious as they come. Frodo, Jo, Peaches, and Beauty got red light treatments. Peaches also got to wear the Benefab blanket for awhile. It’s a size too small but we made do! It was really, a very good day!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Teeth Twofer – Ford & Elvis Get Dental Care

Ford and Elvis had their teeth taken care of on Thursday which both so desperately needed. While Dr. Bess worked on Ford, Elvis was a very good boy standing patiently just outside the trailer awaiting his turn. We are happy to report that both of these precious boys have settled in nicely.

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!

Sincerely,
Theresa

Got Hay?

We are less than halfway there to reach our goal for this week’s hay run for a ton of orchard, 21 bales of coastal, two bales of alfalfa and three big half-pasture bales, for a total of $1180.

If anyone would like to help with this need, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. Or, if you would like to offer a Match Game, it would truly make our hearts sing!

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Illness Strikes Beauty’s Haven

I am reaching out to you on behalf of Theresa who has been dealing with sick horses for the past few days. On top of her routine daily chores, the necessity of keeping the sick horses isolated from the remainder of the herd has created quite a bit more work for Theresa.

Luiji, Warrior, Sassy, Peggy Sue and then, Dancer, started coughing over the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, some started running a fever and by yesterday, they all were feverish.

Thankfully, none of them have stopped eating. The vet was out yesterday morning to examine and do bloodwork on all of the sick members of our little herd, so, hopefully, we will have the results sometime today.

A few weeks ago, Jo was examined by the vet and bloodwork was done. Based on her behavior and symptoms, the vet advised that Jo was displaying symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (dementia). Over the past several months, changes were noticed in both Jo’s personality and behavior. At times, Jo has appeared to be lost – she would just stand in one place and stare off into space, she has spooked a few times (which is new), and oftentimes, she takes a bite or two of a meal and then wanders off which is totally out of character for her. In addition, Jo has been fighting an eye ulceration which thankfully, after a few months of treatment, appears to have finally healed.

Jo’s blood test results were not great – there were some high and low values. She is anemic (a symptom of a larger health issue TBD) and her liver is a bit sluggish, both of which has greatly affected her immune system.

Anemia is caused by blood loss, blood destruction, or by the body not making enough red cells. Because she was walking away from her food at times, and she was due for her annual dental exam, her teeth were addressed last week but nothing of significance was apparent. She started running a fever a few days ago (it is currently normal) but there is now a foul odor emanating from her mouth which could indicate that there is something amiss in either her sinus passages or respiratory system. Theresa is making adjustments to Jo’s diet and supplements, and she will likely need additional diagnostics.

Days such as these are the reason why Theresa doesn’t post on social media as much as she would like to as she, Bob and our wonderful team of volunteers are literally caring for horses around the clock.

By the time the horses are all tucked in at night, there is little time for sleep before the next morning arrives. Volunteers help on most days until mid-afternoon and they make a tremendous difference. We are so truly grateful for them – they are such a blessing and we couldn’t do what we do without them!

Sadly, we must once again ask for assistance due to the additional and unexpected vet expenses, medications and supplements created by this current crisis.

If you would like to assist with this emergency situation, just click on the “Donate” button below to forward your contribution and please know that each and every donation is greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.

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Thank you, all, for your love and support. Please keep Jo, Dancer, Peggy Sue and our “Littles” in your prayers.

Warmly,
Jeanne

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Eat. Play. Love.

Remi has reached yet another milestone! She’s finally decided that she likes her milk pellets. Soon it will be bye-bye bottle! Remi is a quick learner. She’s very curious and likes to learn and experience new things and she simply, loves to please. She loves to snuggle too! Remi is growing like a weed and it is quite amusing to see her run like the wind when she gets her “zoomies.”

If you click on the image above you will see, firsthand, what a good little girl she is!

When Dr. Julia came out yesterday to examine Jo, Remi got lots of hugs and kisses. The child just plants herself in front of you and gives you that “gotta love me’ look and it’s automatic – you just want to hug her! She wraps everyone around her little hoof.

Remi was a “dummy foal” and didn’t receive colostrum from her mom – she couldn’t nurse. She was in a very bad way when she came to us 24+ hours after birth. Her white blood cell count was only 1 and her blood glucose level was only 2! The odds were stacked against her. She received plasma, around the clock care, and many prayers were said for her.

Remi is our little long-ear miracle girl who didn’t give up and a perfect reminder of why we do what we do.

This is made possible by your kind and most generous support. You all make an incredible difference.

 

An Update on Jo

We brought Jo to the rescue in October, 2019. She was fighting infection – her kidneys and liver were stressed. She had blotches of skin without hair, no fat, and severe muscle atrophy. Jo was at least 300 pounds underweight – her immune system was weakened due to malnutrition and starvation. Her feet needed attention and her teeth were in such poor condition, it wasn’t possible for her to chew. And when she did try to chew, it was very painful for her.

Dr. Bess Darrow, our equine dentist, discovered ulcerations in Jo’s cheeks, gums, tongue, and soft palate, due to sharp points. One sharp point put the palatine artery at significant risk of being cut which could have caused Jo to bleed out. Jo’s front teeth were on a slant due to misalignment. This caused limited mobility of her jaw and physically obstructed the right/left and forward/back motion which a horse needs to properly chew. Jo was starving to death.

About two weeks after Jo arrived, we were able to bring her best friend, Dancer, to Beauty’s Haven. Dancer was also in poor condition but, together, they grew strong and healthy and have been doing well. Both are in their 30s. Jo does require multiple smaller meals a day due to her teeth.

A few days ago, Jo seemed a little off, but she was eating and didn’t have a temperature. It was a day after a pretty bad thunderstorm. Jo got back to normal over the next couple of days and was doing okay. We had another thunderstorm in the wee hours of the morning and a couple of hours later, we found Jo off again.

She reminded me somewhat of what Frodo and Victoria were like after they took indirect lightning strikes several years ago.

Dr. Julia came out to examine Jo on Friday morning although Jo did seem to be her old self at the time. We should have bloodwork results back today and I’ll update again once they are reviewed. Jo does need to have her teeth re-checked which will get taken care of next week.

Jo could use some good thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

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