Good Friday morning!!! And it is a great morning for Solace because his blood work indicates he continues to improve – baby steps!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb 
January 17th, 2013
I apologize I haven’t gotten any updates out this week – I’ve been sick since Monday with the stomach flu. Just when I try to get going again I find out my body isn’t ready and it’s been very frustrating. But I want to give a quick update on Solace while I can. We’ve had beautiful weather this week, until today, when it took a drastic turn.
In the early afternoon I ventured down to the barn for the first time and peeked in on Solace – he was down in his stall. He’d been doing so well – the good weather has been helping him, I’m sure. I wished all week that I could have spent some time outside with him. When I went down this afternoon I noticed something wasn’t right. I sat and watched him for a few minutes and it was obvious his tummy was bothering him and heart rate respiration were up. He had been passing poop but he was gassy. I called Dr. Ryan and gave Solace medications as instructed.
This evening Solace is tucked in his stall and looking better. The determined look in his eyes always amazes me. Bob went to the store this afternoon and for the first time in awhile so the humans cupboard isn’t bare. I can’t eat – just the thought of it is nauseating and the headache won’t go away. But the chills have stopped, I think. I wanted to lose weight but maybe this isn’t the right way to do it!
Hopefully Solace’s blood test results will continue to show improvement. I’ll post when I know more. Have a good night everyone.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
January 14th, 2013
Test results came back – values are slightly better! I’ll take “slightly better” over “worse” anytime! Solace so very much enjoyed the bath our volunteers, Marie and Bob, gave him today. Please continue to keep Solace in your prayers!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
January 14th, 2013
Ok everyone, we need prayers for Solace today please – getting ready to take his blood to the lab. The results have GOT to be good. Time to “let go and let God!”
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb 
January 11th, 2013
Solace’s blood work is slightly better!! He is no worse and that is what we were praying for today. Thank you God!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
January 3rd, 2013
It was a cold and wet day today. The morning was going ok until Beauty got to feeling bad. I had just gone to the office when Marie called me and said Beauty was down and acting strange. I got back to the barn right away and she appeared to be colicing. She’s got ouchy front feet right now and that wasn’t helping. So she had a double whammy. I called Dr. Ryan – he was coming out anyway to examine the new arrivals and Solace and to do a coggins on Dora (she will be leaving for her new home in a couple of weeks). Bob and I got Beauty up and into the barn and Dr. Ryan arrived shortly after. Dr. Ryan examined her and she was a bit gassy. After some meds set in she was better. She had me really worried. She’s never coliced before.
Solace was also examined and ultrasounded today. His lungs are scared for life but he is doing remarkably well. He didn’t get this way overnight and I will never understand how anyone can see a horse in this condition and turn their head and do nothing. This is basically what Ambrosia went through only she didn’t make it to us in time. She runs with the Heavenly Herd. Hopefully Solace will be with us for a long time to come. His IV cath is being pulled tomorrow and his antibiotics are being changed. Just look at the look on his face – bright eyes and always alert and interested in everything going on around him. He has gained a little weight but being sick hasn’t helped. He’s really an amazing horse with a huge, and I mean huge, love for life. He’s tucked in his stall for the night in his warm fleece and he’s eating a warm mash. Solace is being started on Prasend (Pergolide) which he will likely be on for the rest of his life (cost of about $115/month). If anyone would like to help with this expense I’m sure he would appreciate it (we would too). He’s also being started on EquiPride.
Thank you all for your continued support – please keep the prayers flowing. We will be coming up with some items to auction on Facebook to help raise money for another 2 tons of hay and to help with vetting and related needs. With the weather as it is we are going through more hay than we’d like to be but it is what it is. God bless and have a wonderful night 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
December 30th, 2012
It’s a busy day here but I’ve received some asking what some of our needs are. I had every intention of putting together a detailed list for each horse a couple of weeks ago but time has not permitted me to do that. Here is a general list of needs that come to mind if anyone would like to make an end of the year donation most of these things can be ordered online:
Endure flyspray: http://www.smartpakequine.com/endure-sweat-resistant-fly-spray-1042p.aspx?cm_sp=Category-_-TopPick-_-1042
SuperMask with double Velcro latch: http://www.smartpakequine.com/supermask-ii-classic-9615p.aspx?cm_vc=Search Sizes: Horse (6), Arabian (4), Xtra Large Horse (3) EquiSpot: http://www.smartpakequine.com/equispot-fly-control-3412p.aspx?cm_vc=Search
Electrolytes: http://www.smartpakequine.com/appleaday-34p.aspx?cm_vc=Search
Shavings: 60 bags of shavings for: $225 – we get these by the pallet load locally and we pick them up.
Hay: $545 per ton
A case (10) of WellPride Omega3 FishOil (I don’t know the price – waiting for them go get back to me but they did give us a discount before). It was at least $300.
Previcox: We have to order this as it requires a prescription from the vet: 
Thyro-L: We have to order this as it requires a prescription from the vet:
We need 12’ gates to replace at least 3 here that are broken and rusty. They are about $175 each. We are getting a different kind that are stronger. We get them from Sparr in Williston – one of our feed stores.
Regarding some specific horses:
Sunset: We have received enough funds to help her with initial vetting, hooficure, dental, supplements, back board, transport, and some feed and a blanket. I’ll post a need for additional help before her funds are depleted if necessary.
PrimaBella: We have received enough funds for her initial vetting, hooficure, and possibly her dental.
Solace: We don’t know yet – I need to get his latest vet charges and there will be more. He needs supplements and more medication.
The two horses that remain where we picked PrimaBella up: We have received no funding to help with them other than the first and only ½ pasture bale of hay we delivered to them last week. I’m going to check on them now. They need hooficures, dental, and vetting. We can have that done where they are located. We just have no room here. If anyone would like to offer either of them a home please let us know.
I have more I could share but I have to get to town before the feed store closes. Thanks everyone!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Update: 12/30/12
Last week was tough and losing Alyse was heartbreaking. On Friday morning I received a call from Dr. Clark – Alyse had taken a turn for the worse. Her HR went higher – to about 120 and her WBC had gone up. The meds were not keeping her comfortable. Dr. Clark had spent days running tests and consulting with others about the ulcerations and other issues – they could not determine what was causing her to be sick but they did feel it was a combination of things. One being the blisters in her mouth, on her tongue, and in her nose. They had scoped her earlier in the week and did not see any blisters past the esophagus and believed they likely stopped there (we later learned there was a large ulcer in her colon). The second issue being an unknown factor at the time that was causing increased HR and temperature. We agreed from the beginning that should it get to the point where Alyse couldn’t be kept comfortable while trying to maintain her for the blisters to heal, and trying to identify and treat a secondary issue, we would not allow her to suffer. A necropsy was done and we found that she did have a large ulceration in her colon and her gut was about to rupture – keeping her with us any longer would have been inhumane. We gave her all the time we could and I am so thankful to the Dr. Clark and everyone at Peterson and Smith for everything they did for her.
I was with Alyse when she crossed – her head across my knees in my lap – she knows she was loved. Dr. Clark said Alyse was a strong willed mare and had given it her best. And her care givers had done their best. Alyse was a beautiful and proud Arabian mare that was loved by many but God needed her more than we did and we must accept that.
Alyce in the Hospital
Letting them go takes a lot out of me – out of all of us here that are hands on at the rescue. And I’m sure it hurts others that love and care for the horses here from a distance too – the horses are truly blessed to have so many that care for them. I am so very sorry we could not save Alyse. Alyse and I had shared many spontaneous rides together which I’ll never forget. Those rides helped me put worries aside for a few minutes – they were very refreshing for the mind and body. After I left the hospital Friday I found I needed to stop in a parking lot and let the tears flow and try to regroup. Then I went to Burger King drive through to get a drink. I had left home without breakfast or anything to drink after Dr. Clark called to tell me Alyse was worse – I wanted to get to the hospital ASAP. After getting a soda I stopped by the feed store to buy a few things. While at the feed store I decided that while on my way back to the rescue I’d go by the location where the 3 Thoroughbred horses were that we had taken hay to last Wednesday night. I tried to go there on Thursday but on my way there that evening I got a phone call that one of the horses here looked to be trying to colic so I turned around and came back. By the time I checked on the horse it was dark and I didn’t want to go the location of the 3 horses by myself. So, after leaving the feed store on Friday, I did go there and I found one bay mare down and looking at her tummy. She went sternum and stretched out – she looked very uncomfortable. I tried to get her up and she did get up with some prompting but then she went down again. I called Dr. Ryan and he suggested we get her to the rescue since he would be on his way there as soon as he could to assess the incoming Percheron mare. I called Bob and had him hook up the trailer and come meet me to load the mare and we went back to the rescue. 
The Percheron mare arrived shortly after we got the sick OTTB mare to the rescue. Dr. Ryan arrived and examined both mares. We named the OTTB mare PrimaBelle and she was treated for a gas colic. She is Momma Sue’s daughter – she was born a year before Aaleyah Belle. Prima means first and Belle means beautiful = “born first and beautiful”. PrimaBelle was born a year before Aaleyah Belle and they are full sisters. Aaleyah Belle’s name means “beautiful gift from God”. Like her momma and sister, PrimaBelle is a very nice girl with a pleasant disposition. She raced and won about $12,000. She had a very gassy tummy on Friday which made her very uncomfortable. She felt better after receiving medications and has been feeling ok since. We had a family come to meet PrimaBelle today – a family that has adopted Mia from us this past year that lives not far from the rescue. PrimaBelle still needs to get her teeth done, vaccinations need to be done, etc. She will be up to date on everything and she needs to put some weight on before leaving for a new home. There are still 2 horses where we picked her up from that we are providing hay for that need homes. 
I named the 25 year old Percheron mare “Sunset”. She arrived during a beautiful sunset and it came to mind that she is in her sunset years. She’ll be able to live them without worry and with a full tummy and much deserved TLC. She is underweight and has skin issues. She has large lumps in her left ear described by Dr. Ryan as “cauliflower ears” likely caused from trauma which causes fluid to collect and separates cartilage causing it to die which causes fibrous tissue. She has the number “33” branded on her left hip – the number of her stall from her PMU years. She is a smaller Percheron – not quite as tall as Gentleman. It will be a few weeks before she is ready to leave here but we are expecting an adoption application for her to be received by tomorrow. If approved, Sunset will have a home not far from the rescue. Before she leaves, her wounds will have healed, she will have had her dental work done, she will be up to date on vaccines, etc. It will take awhile to get to that point but her road to a happy and healthy retirement has begun. She has the sweetest face and very kind eyes. Her ears don’t stand up but that’s ok – she is still beautiful! 
Yesterday both mares had hooficures. PrimaBelle was a good girl. This was her front right before her hooficure. We had Dr. Ryan x-ray it on Friday to make sure her coffin bone wasn’t affected and it wasn’t, thankfully. Sunset was a little challenging – she didn’t want to stand still but she’s in a new place with new faces. 
It was going to go into the 20’s last night so we blanketed both mares. PrimaBelle was an angel for her blanket to be put on – she stood perfectly still and seemed to truly adore it. Sunset was a little hesitant – I don’t think she’d likely ever had one. She moved away at first but with a little time and introduction she stood still. And after it was on she still there for quite awhile – at least 30 minutes! The blanket is short on her sides and left about 6” of her butt exposed but she loves it. I am ordering one to fit her tomorrow. She will also be getting a new fly mask.
Solace is about the same – he still has congestion in his lungs and is still coughing. Dr. Ryan examined him again on Friday. He will be out again late in the week to assess him again and to see if we need to modify his treatment plan. HIs appetite remains good. Solace really is an amazing horse. Let’s continue to pray that he recovers. Believe…
Holly is doing very well – what a sweet mare she is! 
The Christmas trio are all doing well. Gentleman and some others had their teeth done last week. I’ll include those pictures in my next update – I’m really tired and have much to do. To everyone that has sent a message or email regarding the loss of Alyse – thank you. I appreciate your good thoughts and prayers. I am behind on emails and PM’s but hope to get caught up on some this coming week.
Tomorrow will be very busy – more hooficures are being done in the morning. God bless and thank you all for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
December 22nd and 23rd, 2012
Solace didn’t have as much snots today. At times he is somewhat perky and alert but he does tire easily. His immune system is very weak. He has a long way to go but his attitude is positive which says a lot for a horse in his condition – he’s already defied the odds. His positive attitude will help a lot in his recovery. When a body is starved it will take protein from its vital tissues, including the heart and GI tract. I am still being asked if he will make it. And my answer is still – only time will tell.
Solace yesterday morning. It was COLD! He had is blanket and I found a fleece that kept his tummy warm too. It was a little big on him but he didn’t mind.
Getting his meds – he’s always good for this. This morning getting ready to go outside – he looks forward to getting out of the stall.
And the day warmed up – it was actually perfect! We cancelled Solace’s dental appointment for today – he needs to get better first.
But when you find a horse in his condition that greets you in the morning looking like this it sure makes you feel good and it gives hope.
Solace needs a miracle – but miracles do happen and I believe!
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
December 21st, 2012
I called Dr. Ryan back out to examine Solace again today and to do another CBC. Solace’s snotty nose was worse this am and he did cough now and then. He has not had a temperature and his appetite has been great. He’s drinking ok and his diarrhea cleared up. He is more animated each day. But something wasn’t right. Dr. Ryan scoped him and learned that mucus was not coming from the guttural pouches. But he did find that Solace’s trachea is surrounded by mucus – a lot of it. An ultrasound was also done which revealed mucus on the lungs but, thankfully, no abscesses were indicated. Dr. Ryan advised that Solace has chronic pneumonia. Based on his symptoms and the ultrasound findings this isn’t a recent illness – he’s been sick for some time.
An IV catheter was placed so we can administer medications – Solace has been started on antibiotics. He was a good boy – he just stood and let Dr. Ryan do what needed to be done – he was so good that Dr. Ryan gave him a couple of peppermints. 
Dr. Ryan said that for a horse that is a 0.5 on the Henneke scale to be standing and doing as well as Solace is, not considering the pneumonia issue, is more than amazing. Solace has a lot of will – there is no question about that. For the rest of his story – which makes me believe even more that there is a reason he found his way to us – he reportedly came from a farm that slaughters horses and illegally sells horsemeat. How would a horse in this shape get in that predicament? One example… there are a lot of free horses on Craigslist. I get calls from people asking for help placing more than one horse quite a bit – just today I was asked to help a family that has 4 horses that they can no longer keep. So let’s say the owner puts them on Craigslist for free – a kill buyer may contact the person running the ad and offer to take the horses – he just happened to be looking for a horse for each of his family members. Well, when he gets there to pick up the horses, 1 out of 3 of the horses may be in bad shape, but he will take the thin one anyway just to get the other two that are of good weight. And the thin and sickly ones, like Solace, that have no fat or muscle – they are not desired by kill buyers so they get dumped. And horses are often found wandering – just like Ambrosia. It’s sad and sickening – but it is reality.
Solace is tucked into a stall with some heat lamps and a warm blanket. He adores his mash. And we adore him. His recovery is going to take awhile. More tests may be needed but at this time Dr. Ryan didn’t want to stress Solaces’ body anymore than it already is. We’ll give him some time on the antibiotics – time for him to get stronger. Thank you for caring about him – please keep him in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://bhfer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb