Summertime Blues
As we approach the summer months, which is generally, the time in which to reevaluate our facility and maintenance needs, as well as to get caught up on our outstanding veterinary bills, we are reaching out to you in hope to garner your support as we launch our summer fundraiser with a goal of $10,000, in order to address these pressing needs:
Beauty’s Haven has three trailers, all of which are essential for our daily work and are considered one of the most important and versatile pieces of equipment at the rescue; sadly, they are quite costly to maintain.
One of our two horse trailers is currently in the shop for important repairs and maintenance which include:
- Complete safety inspection
- Replacement of four brakes and drums
- Repacking of the bearings
- Replace breakaway brake system lanyard
- Replace cable and 7-way plug to truck receptacle which controls electrical components
- Replacement of two running lights and a plug
- Re-rivet/repair the leaking roof
- Repair of a damaged wall mat
- Replacement of DOT tape.
We also had to replace the rear door protective cover on this trailer recently, as the old one was badly deteriorated, allowing the stored hay to get wet.
The total maintenance cost of this trailer is $3,110.
Once this trailer returns, our larger gooseneck hay storage trailer (we can also use this trailer to haul up to three horses) will need similar maintenance and repairs. Plus, each of our three trailers require an application of “Kool Seal” reflective roof coating at $1,000 each. This protective coating will extend the life of the roofs on the trailers, prevent future leaks which will keep stored hay dry, and keep the interior significantly cooler – a benefit greatly appreciated by our team when they’re working inside filling hay bags during the hot summer months as well as by horses when being transported.
Our third trailer, a two-horse trailer which we use for local horse transport and is always at the ready for an emergency trip to the hospital, will also need a routine inspection and any necessary maintenance and repairs which are discovered during said inspection.
While we realize that helping us maintain our trailers may not seem as exciting or adrenalin inducing as rescuing a horse, it is an essential tool in the actual act of SAVING a horse; to transport a horse in distress to and from the hospital at a moment’s notice, oftentimes in the middle of the night, or simply to bring a horse home from a dire situation in hope of saving a precious life as we did with Aaleyah Belle and Momma Sue so many years ago. By assisting with this need, you are making a difference by actually helping us save another precious life in the future, whether it be in days, months or years. Think of it as a win win situation! In addition, we unfortunately do not have a barn in which to store our hay, so our trailers are priceless when it comes to keeping our hay dry and free from mold, making it safe for consumption by our beloved equines.
On the veterinary side, our recent bills are just over $3,000. These cover treatment for:
- Jo’s Pigeon Fever (culture, aspiration, draining)
- Addi’s eye issue
- Mo’s neck swelling
- Extensive diagnostic bloodwork (thyroid panels, ACTH, Insulin, CBC, Chemistry, glucose, and more) for many of our horses.
- We also had sheaths cleaned for JoJo, Jazzy, Danni, Mo, Skye, Willow, and Walker (JoJo and Jazzy made their opinions on this procedure very clear!).
As we are hoping to start Autumn with a clean slate, any help with our veterinary bills as well as with the maintenance and/or repair of our trailers will be so greatly appreciated. Please remember that all donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. Just click on the ‘Donate’ button below. If you are unable to help at this time, we truly understand, but we would be forever grateful if you could share this most important fundraiser amongst family and friends.
