It’s time to update everyone on Elyza Rose – I think we’re “over the hump” now. After she came to us, Dr. Julia Simonson did a physical exam on Elyza, including blood work. Elyza was obviously underweight, her feet needed trimmed, her teeth were a mess, she was dehydrated, and her coat was long and matted. It’s possible she has Cushing’s disease but we didn’t test for it – sometimes unhealthy coats just need good nutrition. When Dr. Julia checked Elyza’s eyes, the only thing noted was that she had a weaker menace reflex in her right eye (that was Betsy Rose’s bad eye). Elyza had an “I just don’t feel good” demeanor which was understandable – not only had her basic needs been neglected, she had witnessed some of her pasture friends die.
After blood was drawn, we started Elyza on our routine intake refeeding and supplement program. Supplements include milk thistle (helps detox the liver), APF-Pro (supports overall immune system), aloe (helps the GI tract with its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties), etc. Blood work results were typical for a starved horse – there were some high values as well as some low. But what was most concerning were values indicating issues with her liver, kidneys, immune system, and digestive system. Additional tests were done to rule things out such as Theiler’s disease and fatty liver which came back negative. It is believed that Elyza ingested something toxic – many toxins can cause liver disease. The liver plays a vital role in the digestive process and nutrients that are absorbed in the GI tract pass through the liver. Toxins can also interfere with immune function and cause blindness. Sometimes, clinical signs of poisoning may not appear for days, weeks, or even months.
A few days after Elyza Rose arrived, her eyes became irritated. We thought it was from dust blowing off the road so we put a flymask on her. One morning, I found her lower right eyelid torn and bleeding but it wasn’t bad enough for stitches. We treated it with triple antibiotic multiple times a day and we put a hard cup mask on her to prevent her from rubbing and causing more damage. The next morning, I found her with the left side of her face wet from that eye draining which indicated possible injury. I thought this odd because she’d been wearing the hard cup mask. Dr. Julia came out and stained both eyes and found a very small ulcer in the left eye. She defined a treatment plan and advised that she was going to go out of state for several days. The plan was for her to recheck Elyza’s eyes when she returned from her trip unless the eye got worse in which case we would call another vet.
We checked both eyes daily and treated her left eye multiple times each day. We had already arranged for Dr. Cardona to come out that day to see Tinsel and Warrior and when he did, we asked him to examine Elyza’s eyes. He found her right eye to be ok – the torn lower lid had healed nicely.
Dr. Cardona also did another round of bloodwork to see how Elyza was progressing with her immune system and other issues. We were very anxious to get these results back to see how they compared to the first set of blood work that was done on February 22nd. Well, we’ve gotten the results back and I’m very happy to report that things look much better and Elyza’s eye is healing nicely, too, which is a huge relief!
Elyza is getting stronger, her coat looks healthy, and she’s gained some weight! She’s taller than Betsy Rose and she has a heavier frame but her mannerisms and expressions – well, it’s like déjà vu at times. Love this little mare!
#ElyzaRose #BetsyRoseStrong #believe #bhfer
When Elyza Rose came to the rescue, she got a physical, including blood work, by Dr. Julia Simonson.
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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.
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Elyza Rose tore the lower eyelid.
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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.
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We’re happy to report that Elyza Rose is doing well!
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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.
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We would like to offer our congratulations to the winners of the #EagleRareLife Award contest. There were so many inspiring stories – they are all winners in my book! While we didn’t win this year, we do thank all of you who voted for us. You’re all winners in my book too!
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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.
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.
Yesterday, Sophie and I made a trip to her new home! It’s not far from the rescue and she has a new friend named Dancer. Dancer is a 30+ year young TB that lost her BFF (who was also 30+ years young) a few days ago. Their human mom raised them from babies and Dancer was very, very sad with the loss of her BFF.
Dancer became more animated by the second and we let the girls meet over the fence. Then we hand grazed them for awhile. When I felt the time was right, we took our leads off and the girls walked off like they’d known each other for years. It was a warm and wonderful feeling!
I stayed for a couple of hours and watched the girls and chatted with Sophie’s new mom – it certainly didn’t seem like we were pretty much strangers. We have a lot in common and could’ve talked for hours. With every adoption, our family just expands!
And so, a new chapter in Sophie’s life begins.
This was Sophie when she came to us in 2015. She was skin on bones and had terrible teeth and feet. With proper TLC, Sophie blossomed into a beautiful and happy mare.
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Theresa is currently in Sixth Place in the ‘Most Read’ category of the Eagle Rare Life contest, thanks to each and every one of you! Please continue to cast your daily vote by clicking 
November 9th, 2017
Little Grace just loves her new home! And her foster family has fallen in love with her – so much so that they are adopting her! Grace has been blessed with her own human family! And we were blessed to be able to help her when she needed us, thanks to the wonderful assistance and support from our village!
Magic is still stunning! Notice the two birds? They are never very far from him. Magic was a bit under the weather for a few days, but thankfully, he is now feeling better.
There must me something magical about the stairs to the office – I never know who I’m going to find there!
Penny is such a sweet and trusting girl. She’s a Belgian that was born blind and is about 30 years young. Please consider giving Penny a home for the holidays. She’s an absolutely wonderful and kind mare with lots of love to give.
JoJo knocking at the office door – he wanted to make sure we didn’t forget to turn the clocks back an hour on Sunday. He was so excited at the thought of turning back time! Silly donkey!
Beauty in 2004. We were getting ready for our first ride at a park in Tampa. She’s the mare that started it all…..
Elizabeth and I gathered up the boys and got to the show just in time.
Luija and Warrior were really good about getting into their costumes.
Luija and Karen led the way. Warrior was a bit shy and was happy to follow.
Both boys seemed to be very proud to participate. Especially Luija – he’s the animated one. Warrior is a really mellow “in your lap” boy.
Just look at those ribbons! So proud of Luija and Warrior!
It seems as if we are constantly asking for help and that isn’t easy for me. But we are a charity which operates solely from donations and grants and we must depend upon help from others in order to make a difference in the lives of our horses.
We are also in need of a pallet (50 bags) of Fibre-Beet from Emerald Valley. We are down to our last bag and are borrowing a bag from a friend until we can get our pallet. Buying it by the pallet, which usually lasts a year, is the most economical way in which to purchase Fibre-Beet (even with the cost of shipping). Betsy Rose, Little E and the other special needs horses that comprise our beloved little herd are fed this along with a ration balancer and needed supplements. Betsy Rose and E are fed five times a day (smaller portions) – they are hard keepers. Betsy Rose has Cushings and a history of choke so she has to be fed a soft diet. Little E has teeth, but they are so worn down, that he, too, must have a soft diet and when the weather is like it is now, he gets gas colic quite often unless he’s on Fibre-Beet. When we have colicky horses, this is a great way in which to keep them hydrated. Fibre-Beet is excellent for horses that have, or are at risk for, laminitis, ulcers, and Cushing’s. A bag retails for $41 but we get a good discount and while we do have some funds already set aside, we still need help as the estimated cost is $1100.
We were truly blessed to learn on Friday that two wonderful supporters have come forth to offer a most generous Match Game, whereby, all donations up to $1500 will be matched dollar for dollar to assist with the cost of the replacement batteries as well as a pallet of Fibre-Beet. If you would like to play the Match Game, you may do so via various means here on our website or via our PayPal address: bhfer@earthlink.net. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation to, ‘Golf Cart/Feed Match Game.’ If you select the tab for ‘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.