In October 2014, we rescued Jewel, a 10 year old Tennessee Walking Horse with some needs her trainer could not address. She exhibited some bad behavior problems and hormonal issues at the same time. Our goal over these past several months has been to diagnose and treat her medical issues and see if that resulted in positive changes in her behavior.
Through a process of elimination we addressed her health starting with potential stress ulcers from the moves she had including coming to us. We tried to balance her hormones with herbs with no change, so we did an ultra sound and then treated large follicles on her ovaries with medicine and followed up with a round of Regumate to help regulate her cycle. All of this was done under the direction of Dr. Kari Christianson and consultation from specialists in the Phoenix area who frequently treat similar cases.
It was decided if she had a change in her raging behavior with the treatment of the prescribed medications we would consider spaying her stop her hormone cycles all together. If not, we were told with this dangerous behavior horses should be put down for the safety of all around them. Sadly the medical treatments did not change her behavior, she seemed worse and has required two people to handle her for safety sake. I am a skilled horse handler having worked with many unhanded and ill-mannered horses in the past, but volunteers and others coming to the ranch do not have that level of awareness and thus could not be allowed near her. It was no wonder her last trainer passed her on.
If the treatment had settled her down but she still had some mild training issues a wonderful lady in the Phoenix are named Aliki Otey, was going to assist us with training and even follow up care if the surgical route of spaying was recommended. Since the treatment did not change her behavior putting a trainer at physical risk is not something that we were willing to do. Our options were getting fewer and our choices most difficult.
More searching for answers was done and all agreed this behavior to intimidate and bully with such unpredictability was learned and if she was to have any chance, she needed to be placed where it was safe for that behavior to be changed and hopefully by those of her own species because it would not be tolerated.
So with that goal in mind we have the most wonderful news to share. Yesterday we delivered Jewel to her new adoptive home not far from us. Dana, her new mom is a veterinary technician with years of experience ranching horses. She will live on several hundred acres with a herd of 70 other equine including mules, 2 Shetland ponies, a few Icelandics, many Paints and a few other TWH. Though hard to see, the herd is behind her in the far distance and spread out as they graze.
When we first unloaded her I was worried that she would stress in such a rough and wide open place. Without being able to see the other horses, she may run towards the gate and pace back and forth when we left. Prepared for that we led her out quite a ways and let her sniff around and eat the grass.
It wasn't too long before her head was up and her interest on the herd in the distance. So we took off her halter to see what she would do. Within a very short time she took off toward their herd. Head held high, stretching out in her beautiful gait, showing no signs of stress or fear. She headed straight for the herd looking magnificent as she ran their way and much to my mixed emotions, she never looked back. Clearly this was our answer.
We feel very blessed to have Dana step forward and offer her this opportunity at a herd life. In a few months all the horses will come in from the pasture and we can reassess her then. Perhaps she will have settled down and can once again be ridden and Dana can give her a job and if not, she can spend the rest of her life living with the herd in wide open spaces. Many prayers have been answered because the thought of putting this beautiful, young horse down was a decision I didn't want to have to make.
We were invited and plan on helping with the round up in spring. In the meantime she will be under Dana's watchful eye as we all work together and want what is best for our beautiful Jewel.
I hope you are as excited as us with this successful outcome from Jewel. It is with your support and generous donations that we are able to give horses like her thorough medical diagnostics and care and seek solutions for their well-being. I consider you all part of our team and appreciate everything you do to help us help horses. You made a difference in her life!
In addition to finding an adoptive home for Jewel this last week we also provided horse feed for a lady who is struggling with a short term personal issue and with the purchase of feed she is able to keep her horse while getting everything in order. That is called 'sheltering in place' and when feasible we prefer to leave a horse with their family if short term help from us allows it.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the nine horses we have here at the ranch and others we are able to help. We know there are many good causes, some more urgent than others so helping us continue to provide for these horses who are just trying to live out their lives with love and kindness means so much to us. You can donate by sending a check to EqWBR, PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937 or make a single or monthly donation clicking this button:
