Equine WellBeing Rescue, Inc.: Maverick's Anniversary!

It was a year ago today we were asked to help a horse at Riverside Animal Services by fellow horse advocate Donna Kaplan, she sent me some photos of a gelding scheduled to be euthanized needing help that day. He had been abandoned, set free to fend for himself or die. Found emaciated and picked up by animal control. He reminded me of Precious who we also rescued from them under similar circumstances and though hard to do since we were now 500 miles away in Snowflake, AZ, we set out to rescue him anyways.

1-30-13 Riverside Animal Services photo

We kicked into high gear and contacted Jen at Baker Ranch Equine Rescue who would transport and help by housing and starting his rehab for us. Our Gelding In Jeopardy fundraising blog was posted and mailed out to supporters and help started rolling in.

1-31-13 arrival at Baker Ranch Equine Rescue

On 1-31-13 he arrived at Jen's in extremely poor condition. We had already scheduled the vet to come out and examine him so we could determine the damage caused by malnutrition. Blood was drawn, fecal test for worms and complete head to toe exam. Blog post "Meet Maverick Now Safe"

Severely underweight and anemic amazingly he didn't have any worm load. He had scars, hair loss and really bad knees. We got Jen the food, supplements and medicine he needed so she could get him stabilized before moving him to our ranch in Ramona with the rest of EqWBR horses.

He was named Maverick in honor of the Wagner families cattle dog, also a beloved rescue, who had recently passed away. What a heartfelt tribute for a family member of our friends and long time supporters.

A few weeks later he come to EqWBR in Ramona along with Max (also rescued from RAS emaciated and scheduled to be put down). Though still underweight, Maverick was enjoying the space he had to kick up his heels.

2-18-13 Maverick with a little pep in his step

In April all the horses arrived in Snowflake to their new digs on the 20 acre ranch. Maverick settled right in to the spacious 3 acre senior pasture and continued to put on weight and heal. The end of May he had a set back. His right hind foot was bent backwards and he couldn't straighten it or put weight on it. Our new vet came out, took x-rays and suggested he be sent to Phoenix for further diagnostics, possible surgery or put down because of the pressure now being placed on his arthritic front legs.

Not good options so we decided to reach out and consider all resources by sending the x-rays to vets I worked with in San Diego and posted them on Facebook. We got several responses and we decided to try one recommendation to splint it forward, to slowly get the angle back to normal and see if he could bear weight before trying to transport 200 miles with him unable to straighten it on his own.

Lary made heavy duty splints out of PVC pluming pipe and we changed the splint 2 times each day to further adjust the angle of his foot. After a few days he was able to put weight on his toe giving us hope that this was working.

5-24-13 the splint is doing its job

Blog post with details of his injury, splint making, xrays and more.

5-25-13 Maverick trying to shake the splint off...not really liking it

After many days, the angle of his foot went back to normal and he was able to carry weight again. At the time we didn't know if he had been kicked, kicked a pipe panel or had injured it in some other way. In the months since then, I have noticed him start to bend it over again so I started giving him massages and that helps tremendously, especially in the colder winter weather when he is compensating to take weight off his bad knees and stressing his hind end with the unbalanced weight.

He enjoys the massages, but on cold mornings he is very stiff and has trouble walking so I bring his food out to him so he can stay in the sun and let the heat help his muscles. While he can come in the barn at anytime he prefers to stay outside. Blanketing on the cold nights helps a lot too.

In addition to the massage and pain medications he gets for his knees, he also gets liquid supplements and now wears Whinny Warmers to keep his legs warm and protected from the damp chill or cold wind. Two sets were sent to us as a generous donation from the inventors who wanted to help him get through the winter. We can't thank Paula and Raymond Petterson from Sox For Horses enough for this wonderful Christmas gift for Maverick.

He loves his Whinny Warmers

So today we celebrate the one year anniversary of saving this guys life and honestly many times I wondered if he would make it this long. Lary and I never thought we would be able to get him through the winter. But here he is which just goes to show the fighter in him. No wonder he survived fending for himself roaming the streets and countryside in Riverside, he has such a strong will. Not bad for a 14.1 hand high (57") crippled curmudgeon who was scheduled to be euthanized a year ago.

This photo best reflects a horse with such a vivid personality that we all love so much. Basking in the sun, one sock up, one down with a twinkle in his eye and waiting for food!

1-30-14 a year later. Our sweet curmudgeon

So many people to thank. Maverick has a huge fan club. Mitch and Renee Wagner have been with us every step of the way and it is remarkable how much like their beloved cattle dog this Maverick is. Donna Kaplan who works tirelessly to save horses at RAS and Jen Baker who is remarkable in her love and care of these old and battered horses and who we have had the pleasure of working jointly with for years.

Thanks to Mariah and the A Home for Every Horse program and one of its sponsors Purina Mills who donated 20 bags of Equine Senior Feed to help Maverick and all the oldsters here. Thanks to all of you who support us in many, many ways. This is the result of all of us working together for the 'WellBeing' of a horse!

Happy Anniversary Maverick! Special treats for dinner.........

Blessing to all,

Christine

Christine Griffin, Founder & President

Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.
A 501c3 Public Charity
760-703-4860

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Checks can be sent to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937.

We are a 501c3 Public Charity #45-2835562 so your donations are tax-deductible.

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Members of: Unwanted Horse Coalition, Homes for Horses Coalition, A Home for Every Horse program, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assoc., Fleet of Angels and many more.

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