Mishka is a 20 year-old Percheron gelding that was headed to slaughter when we intercepted him a few years ago. He was very thin with a condition called Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM) which causes severe muscle wasting and weakness. Recently, Mishka has been having issues in his front left foot which was thought to be an abscess. After days of poulticing, the abscess thankfully worked its way out of the coronet band which was a mighty mess, one which flies truly love to feast upon.
It would have benefitted all of us if we could have placed a Silver Whinnys sock on Mishka as it would have covered the coronet band in order to promote healing as well as serve as a barrier for bacteria and flies. However, we couldn’t keep his foot up long enough to put on a sock. We contacted the lovely folks at Sox for Horses who gave us some great advice – to sacrifice a pair of socks we had on hand and wrap/tape it over the wound. Within two days, the wound significantly improved and Mishka is now a much happier and mobile boy.
Unfortunately, the necessary care we provided to Mishka is quite costly. He also has arthritis and skin allergies and he must be sedated once he is placed in the stocks for each farrier trim.
Farrier care, prescription medication and supplements are $750 thus far for the month of October, so we are reaching out to see if anyone would like to help Mishka with his current expenses.
CUDDLY, a wonderful advocate for animals, is assisting us with a fundraiser for Mishka which you can view as well as donate by clicking on the image above. Contributions may also be made here on our website by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below (please be sure to note it’s for Mishka).
Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.
Theresa
Mishka, has had a few bumpy weeks between dealing with allergies to no-see-um’s and experiencing front right foot lameness. To help with allergies, he was gifted supplements, a flymask with ears, and a really nice flysheet and neck cover that’s cool, soft, and doesn’t weigh a ton – he’s huge (2000 lbs) and to get one over him is truly, quite a task!
When Mishka became lame a few weeks ago, it was thought to be an abscess. We moved him to a small paddock by the barn and his foot was treated many times to try to draw out an abscess. We weren’t making progress and Mishka wasn’t happy being away from his friends so Dr. Cardona came out and did x-rays. The results were not great, but they could have been worse. Mishka has side-bone in both front feet which is not uncommon in draft horses. There is a slight rotation in both, his sole’s are a bit thin, and there was a suspected gas pocket in the right foot.
Once we had the x-rays, coupled with recommendations from Dr. Cardona, we called Jason Wayne Hunter (Back to Basics Equine Podiatry) to help Mishka. When Jason started on Mishka’s right foot, an abscess at the toe opened up and when Jason began working on the left foot, another abscess at that toe opened up! Mishka experienced immediate relief! Jason put wraps on both feet and Mishka felt so much better now that he was able to go back out with his friends! This made us all very happy! We’re very appreciative of Jason, his work, and his patience with Mishka. And it was great to see Kyra (she used to be a vet tech with Dr. Ted) again – we appreciate her patience and kindness to Mishka too! Many thanks to both Jason and Kyra! Jason’s Facebook page is 
Whenever one issue is resolved, however, another seems to pop up as in the case of Warrior. Dr. Julia was here earlier in the week to treat our precious little guy’s ears which are covered with oozing blisters and nodules due to his constantly being bitten by flies and gnats. I now spend a great deal of time daily, cleaning and treating his ears while trying to discourage him from rubbing on anything in sight to relieve his ‘itchies.’ I have not as yet received a bill from Dr. Julia but that is yet another forthcoming expense.
In addition, the farrier will be at Beauty’s Haven today as well as on Monday, for another round of hooficures and once again, Bob will be making our weekly hay run this afternoon which, like last week, will cost another $900. As donations have been down considerably, I am beside myself with worry but thankfully, two wonderful friends and supporters have joined forces and are offering a MATCH GAME to assist with our many needs! All donations up to 
