Tag Archive for: Gypsy

06/29/16

In early 2013, we were contacted about a “very dangerous” six year old mare that may have been pregnant. The owner got her three months before. The mare had been at the trainer’s for about three weeks – they said she was “dangerous” and “needed to go” and if we didn’t take her, she would “go to big cats.” We made arrangements to meet a vet at the trainer’s the next day so the mare could be examined. I wanted to observe her with her owner, the trainer, and the vet, to learn as much as I could about her and to find out if she was pregnant.

The next day, when the vet was examining the mare, she looked a little concerned, but the vet was very patient with her. She was sedated in order to be palpated and we learned that she was not pregnant, thankfully.

We were told of inhumane things that had been done to her. She had been starved, beaten with a 2 x 4, and handled very roughly. We were told that she had an issue when in a small pen – that when you take off the lead, she becomes unmanageable – she will try to flee and take you out with her if you’re in her path. When someone walked past her stall, she lunged out and hit the person in the head – knocking them to the ground. The mare had attacked two people – one had to go to the hospital. Another person got kicked. The owner sent her to a trainer, but the mare didn’t do any better there. However, they said a couple of men got on her. I’m not sure what else happened, but the trainer wanted her gone. Like yesterday.

Based on what we were told, and what I observed, I think the mare was misunderstood. I think she may have been pushed too hard and too quickly when trying to get her under saddle – especially after the horrible life she had lived before the new owner got her. What I saw in her eyes was a beautiful soul behind a look shrouded by fear – but a longing for freedom from her past. I named her Gypsy. She arrived at the rescue the next day. Once unloaded, I took her into the quarantine paddock and rubbed on her neck and took her halter off while being reminded that she’s a bit nuts once the lead is off – I totally had forgotten all about that warning. However, she was absolutely fine.

I spend more time than the average person observing a horse when getting to know them but I learn quite a bit that way. I never went into Gypsy’s space looking for, or expecting, anything bad or negative to happen. I never felt intimidated or concerned. She seemed relaxed and comfortable.

The dentist did her teeth, without sedation, and she was great. She had a loose tooth that was pulled which likely, caused her discomfort – especially if she had a bit in her mouth. Doing a little massage on her, I learned she was sore in her left hip area. She likely had mental cobwebs from her past. She may have been told to do things she wasn’t comfortable with or just didn’t understand – maybe she was pushed too hard and too fast and her actions were misunderstood by humans. Perhaps, she tried to defend herself or flee when she was confused or felt threatened.

I’m a firm believer of groundwork and building a relationship of trust – it’s a foundation for everything else for the rest of a horse’s life. Gypsy needed good experiences and to be set up for win-win situations. Gypsy was smart and seemed to enjoy learning and interacting. We worked through, not around, any insecurities or fears she had. She wasn’t mean and I never felt that I was in danger. Gypsy never offered any resistance – she was honest and willing.

It’s always hard to let them go but this is what we do as a rescue. She now lives with her own adoptive family and is a happy girl. If people would only listen more to their animals, perhaps they could better understand them. Listening is just as important as whispering, in my opinion, and bonds that can be formed are rather amazing!

Please click here to view the amazing transformation of beautiful Gypsy.  We were able to help her because of support from others.  We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates from donations from the public.  Please consider making a donation today.  We can’t do it without you.  Our PayPal address is bhfer@earthlink.net.  Donations can also be made via our website.  No amount is too small.

Gypsy's Freedom

Gypsy’s Freedom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a free and easy way to help us win $10,000 for the horses!  Just vote once every 24 hours through the end of July.  And we also ask you to share it out and ask others to vote and share for Beauty’s Haven.  It’s the only way it’s going to happen.  We are currently #2 but the gap to #1 is getting bigger.  Please help us with this.

#bhfer #vote #equine #rescue #charity #makeasplash #gypsy

The walk Betsy Rose took last night was 185′ long and she did it on her own (with spotters)!

Look how happy she is – we were all happy! After she got going, she felt good enough to try to walk a bit faster but she tripped and thankfully, we caught her. She recovered and took a rest and then kept going. She’s a very smart little mare with a huge determination!

Remember Gypsy, the mare that was going to be fed to big cats because she was dangerous? I adored this mare. Here is a link to her story when she first arrived at Beauty’s Haven.

Gypsy

We would never knowingly adopt out a horse that is dangerous. Well, being around horses, there is always a chance for danger. But Gypsy is a loving and beautiful soul. Someone just needed to listen to her and communicate with her in a non threatening way and show her that having a relationship with a human could be a good thing. I spent some time on the ground with her – a few short sessions a day over a few weeks is all it took. She wasn’t mean or anything of the sort. As suspected, she was just misunderstood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TILUIjO2YlM

She went to her adopted home many weeks ago and she is adored!

The boys will be able to play together in a couple of months. Soon, we will have a castration day before it gets hotter. All 3 will get snipped.

Next week will be busy – and a bit stressful. Solace is tentatively scheduled to go to the hospital on Thursday, June 25th, to have his cracked tooth extracted – it’s all the way in the back of his mouth. Dr. Porter did x-rays and it appears to be cracked. This could be the source of infection that leads to his sinus. The estimate was $450. We have received $200 thus far and need an additional $200. Would anyone like to help with this need? The top picture was what he looked like when he arrived this past December – another horse that would not have lasted much longer. The picture on the bottom was recently taken.

 

Dr. Ryan was out to look at a spot just under Cookie’s left eye – it’s that dreaded “C” word – squamous cell carcinoma. Cookie is tentatively scheduled to go to the hospital on Monday to have it surgically removed. It does not appear that the eye itself has been compromised and we are very thankful for that. She had been adopted out but came back a few months ago. If anyone would like to help to sponsor Cookie’s surgery and aftercare please let me know – we need to raise $1000 – $1200.


Update: Solace’s surgery is taken care of – thank you everyone! Now we need to get Cookie’s cancer taken care of. SCC is an aggressive cancer and the sooner the surgery the better. Donations can be called directly into Peterson & Smith at 352-237-6151 to help Cookie. Please mention that the donation is for Cookie.

Please consider making a tax deductible donation to help us to continue to help the horses. No amount is too small. Donations can be sent to my PayPal address: theresa or made various ways via the “Donate” page of our website:  www.bhfer.org

Thank you all for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

 

March 17th, 2013

We hope everyone had a great weekend!  It was busy here but uneventful which is good.  I did move a couple of horses around this evening to help the “mareish” situation.  Solace paced a 2’ deep trench down the fence line in front of the house last night.

Cisco and Sunset.  Sunset will be heading home to Lisa’s in Colorado in a couple of weeks – we’re so excited for her!

Gypsy’s very beautiful blue eye…

Genesis – he’s doing ok but still having a little trouble with depth perception.  He will get better.

Calling it a day early – I have a Dr. appointment in the am and it’s going to be very busy here.  Have a good week 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

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.

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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

Tag Archive for: Gypsy