Tag Archive for: Niña

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Niña’s Blessed Last Months

It’s been a tough few days here, losing Niña and then Bria the day after. I want to share what happened with each special mare but will first start with Niña. I’ll share about Bria tomorrow.

When Niña came to us in late February, she was shy, underweight and a bit frail. She hadn’t lived with another horse for years. She was vetted the day after her arrival and on the following day, we found her down and unable to get up. After running fluids and giving her time to rest, she did get up, with assistance. After Niña’s blood tests came back and speaking with the vet, we adjusted her feed and added Succeed to the supplements she received and she started to improve and gain weight.

Niña was in our quarantine (QT) paddock for the first two weeks where she would stand by the fence and watch the other horses. She received lots of attention and warmed up to humans.

After two weeks in QT, we opened the gate to her paddock so she could wander about on the two acres surrounding our house, get good exercise, and make friends – but she did not do so. Niña would simply, walk to the gate and stand for a bit but she wouldn’t leave the paddock. We haltered her and hand walked her around the property a few times, and tried to encourage her to go out, but we weren’t going to force her. But then one morning, I went by her paddock, opened the gate, and continued up to Frosty’s Knoll to start soaking hay. I thought I heard something behind me and smiled when I realized she was there. We went up the Knoll and she stood and looked out over the farm (it’s the highest part of the property) for a couple of minutes.

I gave her some scratches and then she trotted down to the fence line at the main paddock and followed it to the far side of the house where I couldn’t see her. I later found her under the “Friendship Tree” with Peggy Sue and Cricket – it really did my heart good!

Niña continued to put on much needed weight and muscle – her transformation in such a short period of time was truly amazing. She was beautiful inside and out. She would go out and graze with her new friends and could sometimes be found just hanging out under the “Friendship Tree” with them. Unfortunately, we found her down again in early March, but after getting some fluids and rest, Niña was able to get up (with assistance). Niña had her 30th birthday in March.

Niña did well throughout April. It was a pleasure to see her trot around here and there. Sometimes, she’d take off and run like she was going to be late for something and she looked so happy. Cricket adored her and they could often be found together.

In early May, Niña was exploring a paddock she hadn’t been in before when she took off, slipped and fell on wet grass, and couldn’t get up. We let her rest for a bit and tried to help her up but we weren’t successful. I called the vet and gave her some fluids and her meds. When he arrived, Niña received additional fluids/meds, and DMSO. Thankfully, after the meds/DMSO took effect, we were finally able to help Niña stand after several attempts to do so.

This past Thursday, Niña went down for no apparent reason while she was up on Frosty’s Knoll. It was like a rerun of the previous falls but sadly, this time, even with help from the vet, we couldn’t get Niña up.

The look in her eyes reinforced what we knew – it was time. The decision to let any of them go to Rainbow Bridge is never easy.

But if there is nothing more our care team can do to help them, and it’s in their best interest, we love them enough to let them go knowing we will see them again someday – and I do believe this.

Many thanks to everyone who helped Niña and cared about her. And even though we wish she were still here, we feel blessed to have had her with us, where she was surrounded by love, if only for a few months.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Niña and Bria, Together Again

It is with a heavy heart to inform you that our beloved Niña & Bria peacefully went to Rainbow Bridge within a mere twenty-four hours of one another. Although we are deeply saddened, we find great comfort with the knowledge that Bria & Niña, together with sweet Cricket & all the other precious souls who have gone before them, are now running freely with the Heavenly Herd.

Please keep Bria, Niña, Theresa and Bob in your prayers.

Warmly,
Jeanne

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Poor Niña!

Niña truly gave us a scare today. She apparently got spooked by a sprinkler and took off running, then sadly, she slipped and fell and was unable to get up. We immediately ran some fluids and gave meds as per the vet’s instructions while we awaited his arrival.

Our poor girl was truly headed in the wrong direction but got a much-needed boost with some DMSO thanks to Dr. Becker, coupled with the power of prayer.

Niña is now resting comfortably and is tucked in for the night.

God is good. Believe.

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Niña, Penny & Bria all fixed up!

Niña

Niña is looking much better. When she lays down now, she’s strong enough to get up on her own. Niña recently, managed to injure her lip, but she was such a good girl and great patient when getting her wound cleaned and treated.

Penny’s Happy Mouth

Dr. Bess Darrow (Tune Ups Veterinary Equine Dentistry and Services) worked on Penny’s teeth last week. Penny had recently started to quid. Penny is a blind 30+ year old Belgian. Elyza Rose is her seeing eye pony and BFF.

Bria’s Happy Feet

“Got treats?”

Bria is holding her own and is most comfortable in her SoftRides boots. Take them off and it’s a different story – she has thin soles and some rotation in both front feet. But you can sometimes see her sprinting around looking for Little E or Cricket.

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Niña – A Sudden Scare!

We were a bit worried about Niña during her first 48 hours here at the rescue. We learned that she had access to a tub of grain on her transport here and we didn’t know how much, if any, she had consumed. She went down the morning after she arrived and couldn’t get up. We had to roll her over in order to help her stand.

After receiving some fluids, Niña started to perk up a bit. She gets a warm soupy mash several times a day which she seems to enjoy. Her blood test results indicated highs and lows – typical values for a malnourished horse. Her immune system is quite compromised, she likely has ulcers, her kidneys are a bit stressed, she has a high parasite load, she’s pretty anemic, etc. Appropriate supplements have been been identified that we are adding to her re-feeding program.

Perking Up

Feeling Proud

Watching

 

Yesterday, we put a blanket on Niña – I don’t know if she’s ever worn one before, but I believe that she felt very special. She looked like a different horse in the blanket. She held her head high and it appeared that she was very very proud!

Niña watches the other horses all of the time. She hasn’t been with another horse in at least 16 years and I have to wonder what she’s thinking. When she is stronger, and the time is right, she’ll be introduced to another.

A wonderful friend and supporter has come forth to offer a Match Game to assist with the initial and ongoing care of sweet Niña. All donations up to $150, will thereby, be matched dollar for dollar.

Niña does not have any monthly sponsors thus far, so if you would like to be her ‘Angel’ for a few months or longer, you can sign up for as little as five dollars per month via our Website. If you would prefer to make a one time donation, you can do so here on our website, or via PayPal.me. If donating via PayPal, please designate your contribution to ‘Match Game.’ Please know that all contributions are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.

We would also like to thank everyone who has assisted with Niña’s expenses thus far. We are forever grateful for your extremely generous contributions, loving prayers and most thoughtful well-wishes. And we know that this sweet girl is truly, feeling your love as well!

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

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Niña

We’re calling this precious mare, Niña. She settled in well overnight and made new friends from a couple of fence lines away. Yesterday, she made new human friends who really liked her.

Gail held Niña while Dr. Julia did an exam on her and she was very cooperative. She’s underweight, has a heart murmur, her temperature was a bit low, and her teeth need attention by Dr. Bess. Niña also has a couple of summer sores that we’ve started treating and we’re so very thankful that we have a pair of Silver Whinnys (SoxForHorses) on hand that fit her. Dr. Julia estimates her to be at least 30 years young. We will know more when the blood test results come back, hopefully, tomorrow.

Many thanks to those who have donated to help this grand older gal! She’s going to need ongoing support so if you’re interested in signing up to become a monthly sponsor for her (no matter what the amount is – lots of little bits add up to make good things happen), you may do so here on our website.

Donate Now

You can also forward a donation via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your contribution to ‘Niña.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small.

PayPalMe

Thank you, all, so very much!

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A Lonely Life

We were contacted about a mare that has lived alone for many, many years. She needs everything – an initial vet exam with bloodwork, dental and farrier work, as well as assistance with her aftercare. Bringing a horse in is just the beginning. Dr. Julia is scheduled for Monday to pull Coggins on some of the horses and I’d like to get this mare here before then so she can be vetted. If anyone would like to assist in helping with the initial and ongoing expenses of this sweet mare or contribute toward the Coggins tests (total $395) on our other ‘Velvet Nosers,’ it would be so greatly appreciated.

Donations may be forwarded via various means here on our secure website. If you wish, you can also sign up to make an automatic monthly donation of any amount which may be discontinued at any time.

Donate Now

You can also forward a donation via PayPalMe. If donating via PayPal, please designate your contribution to ‘Lonely Mare’ and/or ‘Coggins.’ If you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. If you’re not in a position to donate at this time, we completely understand, but you can still help by sharing this need via social media or amongst family and friends (see links at the bottom of this post).

Thank you!

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Tag Archive for: Niña