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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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A Precious New Arrival

Orphan Newborn Donkey Needs Special Care

The vet has arrived and this sweet little one is a baby girl. Although she has a temperature, she did take a little milk. The plasma the vet had on her truck wasn’t guaranteed to be suitable for donkeys so another bag should be arriving at the farm any minute now. She did get some fluids and antibiotics have been started. We’ve haven’t lost a dummy foal yet and hopefully, this won’t be our first. I’m choosing to believe that this little girl is a fighter and will be just fine. I’ll update after the plasma is administered.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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New Year Ushers in Good Fortune for MacGyver, Aries & Raz



Recent Rescue Settles In

We have named our precious new arrival “MacGyver,” an 18-20 year old Warmblood cross who is such a love. Dr. Templeton came out on Thursday to examine Mac and perform bloodwork, and on Saturday we gave him a much needed bath. Mac is quite thin under his shaggy coat and he has horrible dander from head to tail, but I am most certain that he is feeling so much better following his bath! The farrier was here on Sunday to assess his feet.

Mac has settled in really well and he reminds me so much of Doc, another of our wise old souls, who sadly went to Rainbow Bridge many years ago. 

Mac does need sponsors to help with his initial and ongoing needs. If you would like to sign up to become a monthly sponsor for this precious boy, you may do so for as little as five dollars a month, simply click here. If you prefer, you may also make a one time donation. Please remember that all donations are always so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.



Aries & Raz Adopted!

While Dr. Templeton was here, she also checked on Raz and Aries and was beyond thrilled to see their improvements. They both have gained a substantial amount of weight and their rain rot is much better. They have spunk and the light in their eyes is much brighter.

The year started out in a great way for them – they were adopted to a wonderful forever home where they will want for nothing and will be so very loved.

We’re so grateful, it was truly a blessing. We wouldn’t have separated them, they are full sisters and are very bonded to one another. Thank you all, for helping these very special mares!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Hope’s Incredible Journey

As you all know, Hope had colic surgery in early December. During surgery, they had to do an enterotomy into the small colon (fecalith) as well as one into the large colon (sand). The day she returned from the hospital, almost two weeks later, she had a great appetite but we were seeing more input than output, and she simply wasn’t interested in drinking her water. We tried adding different flavorings to it (molasses, peppermint, etc.), we even tried different buckets and water with varying temperatures, but still, she simply wasn’t interested in drinking. That evening she showed signs of potential colic – stretching and parking out but she wasn’t having bowel movements.

After treating her per her vet’s instructions with no luck, we took her back to the hospital the very next day. Wouldn’t you know it – she had a good BM on the way to the hospital!

But we decided to continue to the hospital as planned. There are just too many things that can occur following colic surgery (endotoxemia, adhesions, salmonella, laminitis, etc.) and we simply did not want to take a chance.

Hope received fluids at the hospital and she did quite well the first night. The next evening, she was given hay, but soon, started to park out and stretch again. She wasn’t passing manure like she should and she had a temperature. Over the course of the next couple of days, she had another colic episode which thankfully resolved, and additional tests and x-rays as well as an ultrasound were performed. To say it was a a roller coaster ride for us would truly be an understatement!

It was believed that adhesions may be the issue so hay was removed from Hope’s diet and she thankfully improved. On the following day, however, her temperature was high once again.

More tests were done and it was determined that Hope had an infection at the surgical incision site, so she was started on antibiotics.

By this time, she was passing “normal” BMs, but then, the poor little one got diarrhea, likely from the antibiotics. If she stayed at the hospital, she would have gone into isolation due to her diarrhea so the vet thought it would be in her best interest to return home.

Once back at the rescue, we watched Hope like a hawk around the clock for the first few days (we had to administer her meds and take her temperature often). She’s receiving mushy meals, but she still isn’t interested in drinking, but it does make me happy knowing that she is, at least, getting adequate water from her meals. Since Hope has done fine thus far, we gradually reintroduced hay (soaked) to her diet which makes her so very happy. She also gets hand walked which enables her to graze a few times a day.

We’re also happy to report that we now get to sleep through the night (but Hope is under a camera 24/7). She is still on stall rest for another couple of weeks. After that, she will be able to go out into a small confined area where she will be unable to run around and possibly hurt herself – her tummy needs to heal and her muscles need to strengthen. After ninety days, if all is well, she will be able to become a little horse once again!

Hope’s diet and BMs will always have to be monitored and any issues that may arise, must of course, be dealt with swiftly. She’s a smart little girl who really enjoys life, although I’m sure she will be happier once she is able to be turned out again!

We truly appreciate everyone’s support throughout Hope’s incredible journey. We’re still a bit short for her veterinary fees, but we have faith that the need will be met. We’re thankful and so very blessed that we have been able to help this precious little one and that she’s doing so well on her road to recovery. We’re looking forward to leaving 2020 behind and plan to enter 2021 with a hope for a better tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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And… Hope is Back at UF

On her first day home Hope had a good day with the exception of not having a substantial bowel movement. She did have a BM on the way home on Thursday, once more in the evening, and then again sometime during the night. On Friday morning, she made a tiny BM but her temperature, heart and respiration rates were all normal. She had a great appetite all day and munched on soaked hay but didn’t care to drink. Late morning, she walked in a circle and stretched out – not at all good signs.

I tried different concoctions to get her to drink but she simply wasn’t interested. Last evening she circled and stretched out again so I contacted her vet at UF and was instructed on what to do.

Hope seemed fine but she just would not drink. By late evening, she did more stretching so I called the vet once again and we decided taking her back to UF was in her best interest.

The vet said with the drastic change of weather, many horses are having issues regarding not wanting to drink which can lead to colic.

When we took Hope to UF on December 4th, she weighed only 88 lbs. and scored a 2 on the Body Condition Scale. When they operated on her that day they removed a lot of sand and a fecalith – she was truly lucky to be alive. Hope is only three years old and deserved a chance. She has come too far to go backwards so taking her back to the hospital was, in our opinion, the right thing to do. Upon arrival at the hospital last night, she did have a good BM so we are optimistic. Please say a prayer for our little girl.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Our Little Girl is Home!

Our little girl is finally home and she has settled in nicely, surrounded by all her new friends at the rescue! She was absolutely perfect during her ride home from the University of Florida! Because of her extended stay at the hospital, however, her bills continued to mount which is quite understandable, so if anyone would like to assist with her additional medical fees, it would be so greatly appreciated. You can donate via various means by simply clicking on the ‘Donate’ button below.

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Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to help our special little Angel. We could not do what we do without your love and support. Thank you, too, to Hope’s amazing care team at UF. You truly lessened our worries knowing that our little mini girl was in the very best of hands. We are truly, so very blessed!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Hope Never Gives Up

I was so hoping to bring Hope home today! However, when I spoke to the vet at UF this morning, he expressed concern about Hope potentially having Peritonitis or some lingering Pneumonia. Her heart rate was elevated and her temperature was at the high end of normal. Although the hospital was willing to discharge her today, there is no way that we would risk bringing Hope home since the hospital staff can immediately respond to any issue that may arise.

We decided that Hope will remain at UF until her symptoms subside, which of course, is in her very best interest.

We are so very grateful to each and every one of you for your generosity, love and support, which has up until recently covered both Hope’s surgery and hospital stay. But due to her recent setbacks requiring her to remain at the hospital for a longer period of time, we must regrettably continue our fundraiser to cover her additional hospital fees.

If you wish to help Hope donations may be forwarded in a variety of ways here on our website (CLICK HERE), or via PayPal. Please designate your contribution for ‘Hope.’ If you are unable to donate at this time, we truly understand, but you can still help by sharing this post amongst family and friends.

Thank you all so very much for your understanding and please continue to keep little Hope in your prayers.

God bless,
Theresa

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