Shala - Safely Home At Last Amen

Arriving at EqWBR on 9-24-11, after spending several weeks at a feed lot in Fallon, Nevada.  She was injured with an open wound on her right front leg and listed as a 2 year old.  Part of a group of horses whose rescue was being coordinated by Debra Hawk at Stinkin Rose Ranch, no one had shown any interest in helping her.  We bailed her out and arrangements were made for her to come to us with a load already coming this direction.  

She haltered easily and let me lead her with no problem.  Our initial intake exam showed not only the wound to her leg, but a huge bulge on her left cheek that appeared to be food she was packing in that cheek so she could eat.  Additionally both her eyes were infected (cornea ulcers) causing her to be sensitive to movement and a little uncoordinated.  She was underweight, bony, total loss of her topline and muscle tone was weak.  Her coat was dull, dirty and had many spots of alopecia (hair loss).  I also noticed gray hairs on her muzzle and instantly knew she was a mature horse.  We started her recovery plan of treatment right away.  

By examining her teeth, I determined her age to be approximately 12-14 years old.  She was packing food in her left cheek because she had a loose tooth that was rubbing and bruising her cheek every time she chewed.  It was necessary to extract the tooth which took very little time since there was so little attachment to her gum, that it was barely hanging in her mouth.  She has another tooth that has a fracture, but that can remain until she is healthy enough for the removal of that tooth.  


(click on picture to enlarge)

Thorough veterinary examination and blood tests found that she could see out of both eyes, so once the infection is gone, full sight would be probable.  Blood test showed that her parasite level was so high (highest Eosinophil level the vet had ever seen with a horse) that the worms were not being sustained by the food she was eating, but had now started to take stored nutrients from her muscles causing weakness and severe anemia.  We suspect that the itching from the parasite load caused her to rub her face and injure each eye leading to their infection since bi-lateral (both sides) melting corneal ulcers are uncommon.  

Bottom line is Shala is one sick horse.   With the loose tooth gone she immediately started eating better and had the ability to chew her food properly thus getting the most nutrients out of her food.  We added Purina Nature's Essential 32 (Enrich 32) which is a standalone supplement of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and probiotics that works with any grain or hay and will eliminate the anemia and help to rebuild her muscle strength and topline.   

With a parasite level so high, standard deworming protocol can actually be toxic to a horse.  A normal dose of ivermectin would cause so many worms to dye off that the decomposition of the worms would become toxic in her body and a large dye off could actually cause an impaction in her intestines causing her to colic.   

So slow and steady deworming is needed to gently eliminate the parasites in her system.  Half the normal dose, every other week, for several weeks.  Quick disposal of her manure is also essential to keep the worms from spreading to other horses as it dries out and blows away.  

The initial round of antibiotic ointment for her eyes just wasn't enough to reduce the infection and we recently had a few cold, rainy days, that with her weakened health, caused the infection in her eyes to increase.  We have now started a regiment of two types of eye drops, each given four times a day.  The purulent drainage needs to be cleaned regularly too.

While cleaning her eyes, I have removed two large hay stems that have been in her eye lid for some time.  Her right eye is worse than the left and when she has her eye closed and I put a cool cloth over it, her eye is very hot.  She loves the cool cloth and rests her head into it.  

She has been seen twice now by vets, both Christi Garfinkel and Dawn Brown (one of our board members) and they both say her recovery will take many, many weeks.  It could be 4-6 weeks for the infection in her eyes to stop and longer for  the anemia to go away as the parasite load is eliminated.  We are planning on doing a second blood draw in 2-4 weeks to see how her recovery is doing.   

This is an extraordinary mare. 


I know her eyes are painful, yet she lets us doing the cleaning and drops several times a day.  She did nip me once, but that was after needing several injections (sedatives for cleaning her eyes and pain meds) and she was just tired of being poked.  It was much like the horses nipping each other when one is irritating the other - more of a herd reaction than intent to hurt me.  I understand that and felt so sorry that these needed treatments are causing her more pain.  She is stoic and we sense that she knows we are trying to help her and just endures the discomfort of the cleaning and eye drops.  

I strongly suspect she is fully trained.  When I trailered her to see Dr. Brown yesterday, she followed me right into the trailer no fuss, no muss and was content to just hang in the trailer while we waited for her exam.  She unloaded just as easy.  She stands tied, lets me pick up her feet and has a very, very sweet nature.   

I feel sad when she stands at the edge of her quarantine enclosure and looks on at the other horses and I know she is lonely.  But she doesn't pace or whinny or show signs of her loneliness.   In another week, we can open the closure between her and the other horses so they can come visit.  But she will need to remain in her own stall while she continues her treatment.   She is a doll and cuddly as can be.   

Thanks to everyone who has donated to help pay her bail and to help cover her veterinary expenses and medications.  I also got her a soft halter and a fly mask to protect and shade her eyes.  Donations allow us to get her everything she needs to recover her health and are appreciated more than you will know.   We don't mind doing all the work that is needed to care for her if you guys can help us get her everything she needs through your donations.  

Additional donations are needed for her upcoming blood test, supplements and medicine and dewormers that will be needed.  She also needs her feet trimmed, vaccinations and eventually complete dentistry including the removal of the other fractured tooth.   Donations also can help cover the food and care of the rest of the rescued horses here too...  

I will keep everyone updated on Shala and hope to have an adoptive family step forward that wants a beautiful and excellent natured pony mare to be part of their family.   She will need a good, loving home once she has recovered her health....

If you have any questions you can call me at 760-703-4860 or email to Christine@EquineWellBeing.com 

Update on Feedlot Horses 8-17-11

Today I had the time to stop and visit the first six of the rescued horses that have made their way down to Ramona.  It was just 3 days ago that Jamie and Laura made the trek up to Bishop to pick them up.  After a tire blow out on the way they spent the night with a very gracious Hawk family and on Sunday loaded up these six and made the long drive back to Ramona.   It was hot, over 100 degrees, but the horses did awesome with several stops for shade and water and they arrived late Sunday.  

The horses quickly started to settle in and after the first day were no longer scared to have Laura enter the enclosure and a few even got brave enough to approach her and nibble food out of her hand.  

Today it was apparent that they feel extremely comfortable in their new surroundings.  I saw lots of yawns while I was there.  Several approached me and were sniffing and allowed me to rub their muzzle.  Then as though on cue, they got in a line and all turned to look at us as if to say, "see, we made it!".  

I dropped off some halters so that Laura and Jamie can eventually start halter breaking them and get them used to being handled.  While their feet look relatively good, they will need a trim in the next few weeks and when their quarantine is over they will be able to be moved around some more.  So far no signs of illness from any of them, but they will remain in quarantine for a few weeks to stay on the safe side.

It wasn't but a few hours later I got a text message from Laura with the picture below.  The very friendly dun filly (#8), who is the first to approach everyone at the fence, was already wearing a halter and acting like it was no big deal to have it on.  I was SO excited I called Laura right away to share the joy.  These are the sweetest horses that have been through the worst of times through no fault of their own.  And here this little filly is accepting enough to let Laura put a halter on her and not fuss about it.  I makes my heart smile. 

So many people have come together to save these lives and we are all sharing in the joy of these moments.  Sadly there are still twelve on the feed lot, three mares with foals at their sides, that need to be taken off that lot.  We need people who have room and can take one or more so they won't end up on the truck going to the Canada slaughter plant in a few days.  

If you have room, please contact Debra Hawk at 760-933-8797 or dhawk@schat.net

Donations are still be accepted via PayPal  using email   Donate@EquineWellBeing.com

or they can be mailed to Equine WellBeing Rescue, PO Box 324, Ramona, CA 92065

and donations are still needed to fund the medical care of #24 who's vet bill was $346 for an issue with her eye. 

Let's make it so we can see pictures like these of the remaining horses, rather than worry they have been sent to their death through no fault of their own.....

They are Safe!!! Update on the orphaned foals.

We are so excited to find out that things have come together so these two orphaned foals will be pulled off the Fallon feedlot today or tomorrow.   Pam Jonitis, who has been hauling the one and two year old's off the lot and taking them to her place in Reno, will be picking these two up.

The little black colt will be able to have his injury addressed right away and the little creamello will be checked out too.   We have had people come forward who want to provide a permanent home for each and the details of that are being worked out in coordination with Debra Hawk.

In the meantime, the funds raised for these two will be used for the care and transportation as needed.  I can't thank everyone enough who stepped in to help these babies out.

Sadly several of the mares with foals at their side are still on the feed lot.  I am praying that people will come forward and offer a home for each of them.  Time is running short.  My understanding is the truck for Canada comes again on Thursday this week.  

So if you know anyone who may have room for a mare and foal, or one of the few remaining young ones, please refer them to Debra Hawk at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2126565616644.114624.1621042469

or call her at  760..933...8797   if she doesn't answer, please, please leave a message.

Orphaned Foals need help $$ needed ASAP

We need your help!!! Again!!!! There are now two orphaned foals, approximately 8-10 weeks old that have been left at the Fallon feedlot by the same breeder as the last group of 20 that we just helped rescue.

The black colt is injured and needs immediate care for his left hind leg. We are trying to raise $500 to bail them both, fuel to transport them to the ranch in Ramona, vet care, medicine and foal feed. They will receive the proper quarantine here at the ranch in case they have been exposed to any virus at the feedlot (which is always a possibility with any place groups of horses are in close proximity).

Debra Hawk, who is overseeing the entire rescue recently posted pictures of these two babies in her "Fallon Feedlot" photo album on Facebook. What started out as 33 horses has now grown to over 50. The above two are numbered 50 & 51 on her album.

Donations can be made via PayPal by using Donate@EquineWellBeing.Org or if you would like to send a check please send it to:

Equine WellBeing Rescue, Inc.

1984 Equestrian Trail

Ramona, CA 92065

Time is of the essence with these two, they are small and need medical care and proper nutrition now. Please share this blog and post on your media sources. We need to get them out of there this week.......

Thank you SO much.

Christine

Equine WellBeing Rescue, Inc.

www.EquineWellBeing.org

http://www.gentledmustangs.com/DONATIONS_JER6.html

20 Horses Saved From Filthy Feed Lot

Our first rescue as EquineWellBeing Rescue, Inc.

a non-profit organization

formerly GentledMustangs.com

Feedlot Rescue

What can I say other than this has been a most amazing effort by a group of absolutely wonderful and caring horse people. It started when I received an email about young horses that were on a feedlot in Fallon NV, heading to a slaughter plant in Canada. A lady named, Debra Hawk, was trying to get the word out because 33 yearlings and 2 year olds had been dropped there by a Quarter Horse breeder who was going out of business.

A week prior, Jill Starr and her crew from Lifesavers rescue had taken in a livestock trailer of mares in foal, mares with foals by their sides and weanlings. But there was neither room nor the funds to also help the one and two year olds. So Debra stepped in.

In response to that email, I went to Debra’s Facebook page and found the album with pictures of all 33 horses. I chose a Palomino filly and put a comment under her picture that Equine WellBeing Rescue would be raising funds for her bail (the fee the feedlot wanted for us to purchase the horse) and transporting her to San Diego. Within two days, Facebook friends and others had pledged and donated enough funds that we could save her life.

Then Pam (a friend of Debra’s who lives in Reno), made a post asking if we can continue raising funds and donating through Equine Well Being Rescue? I thought we might get the funds to save one or two more horses, but you proved me wrong. Within a week, we had received the funds and pledges, and had enough people step forward to provide homes for 19 of the 33 horses. 

As these sorts of last minute rescues can be, this was a whirlwind. The community of Ramona in San Diego County stepped in full force providing funds and homes for 10 of the horses, then 3 others going to Winchester, 3 going to Anza, 2 going to Yucca Valley and one going to Fallbrook. With many folks donating funds if someone else could take the horse. What a huge team effort.

Getting the horses bailed out was one thing, the logistics of how to get them from Fallon, NV, to southern California was quite another.  Lots of forms and procedures to follow to get them where they need to go.

When Debra and I first spoke on the phone, it was after about 10 of the horses were spoken for and funds raised. We both admitted that what was happening was beyond our understanding and we both felt we were just intermediaries in a plan that was so much bigger than what we anticipated, divine intervention at its best. I know the Lord played a big role in this because there is nothing that I possess or have to offer that could bring people out of the woodwork to help as has happened for these young horses. Not only are they going to homes, but they are going to homes where they are wanted and people are excited about getting them, some given names before even being seen for the first time by their new owners.

Some of these are becoming part of the family and others are going to be handled, trained and then a permanent adoptive home will be found. The hardest horses to find homes for are untrained horses and elderly horses with physical needs. This training will give these young horses a step up in life and a chance at more successful relationship with people.

This time and these young horses will be forever etched in our minds. A successful triumph of caring people working together for the good of innocent animals that were dumped by their breeder destined for slaughter. A new lease on life these sweet horses will have a chance at a long life with happy relationships with people. Like a graduating class of students we will watch how they mature and what they become as they grow up, rather than meat on someone’s plate.

There are so many people to thank, so many people who cared to step up and make a difference. You are all angels to these horses. You all saved lives. God bless you all for your part in this amazing rescue effort. We are still raising funds to help cover the transport of the horses.

Horses saved through our efforts and their new homes are:

#1 to the family who initially quarantined her in Bishop

#2 to Rachel and her family in Winchester

#3 yearling filly to Steve and family in Santa Ysabel

#7 to Jamie in Ramona

#8 to Jamie in Ramona

#9 to Steve & his family in Santa Ysabel

#10 to Heather

#11 to Liz in Anza

#13 to Jamie in Ramona

#14 to Kathy & Her family

#15 to Jamie in Ramona

#19 to Liz in Anza

#20 the original Palomino – adopted in Bishop

#21 to Rachel and family in Winchester

#23 to Jamie in Ramona

#24 to Karen in Ramona

#25 to Jamie in Ramona

#26 to Laura in Ramona

#27 to Heather

#29 to Liz in Anza

Fresh Coffee in the Morning...

Hi to all,

I wanted to send an update on Coffee and pictures of his first day with Cheryl, Hanna and
Rocky.

Like I said yesterday it was a rainy blustery day and while today is still blustery, the sun has been out and I haven't seen a rain drop yet. Perfect weather to spend out with the horses and the proof is in the smiles on Cheryl, Coffee, Hanna and even Rocky's faces (really look, the horses are smiling too).


It's tough on a horse to live by himself, even with people who love you around. It just isn't the same as having that ever present horse friend right there with you all day and night. How great do these two guys have it? Two beautiful women dotting all over them. Well, what horse could ask for more.

I asked Cheryl how Coffee was doing today and she let me know that they put the two horses together shortly after I left yesterday and within a short period of time Coffee was rubbing his face on Rocky's back. Mutual grooming -- one of the best aspects of herd living.

While Coffee does fine in a larger herd environment, though he tends to be lower on the pecking order, he doesn't have that concern when there are just the two of them. Cheryl said he settled right in and they were able to completely brush, fly spray and fancy him up with a fly mask. You really should have sun glasses on when you are out in the sun.....

So here is a shot of Coffee - neat!


He sure cleans up pretty....Do you see the amazing dun striping off his neck, shoulders and dorsal stripe? What a beauty!

New Brand of Coffee at the Dollick Home....

In between rain showers we got the break needed to bring Coffee to his new foster family in Ramona. ha, ha, ha... a Coffee break!

All of us looking like drowned rats, couldn't have been happier than to have this sweet horse meet his new family. It was blustery out with a hard wind, cold temps and rain, but so worth it for the smiles on the family's faces when our trailer pulled in the yard.

One of my long time dentistry clients, Cheryl was recently over at our ranch and I told her about Coffee and she immediately said "I would love to have him as a foster companion for Rocky", her late teenage quarter horse. I spoke to his sponsors, Dawn and Clint, and it was agreed that it was a wonderful situation since Cheryl hadn't wanted another riding horse, but one to keep her riding horse company while we continue to look for a permanent situation for Coffee.

Rocky was glad to see another horse at the house too... While they are in separate enclosure till they get used to each other, Rocky made no bones about the fact that he wanted to get to know Coffee better. Rocky was frolicking around as if to say "come play with me". Poor Rocky hasn't had a herd mate for almost a year...

Hanna was excited to finally have a once wild, but now very tame and loving, mustang at her house. Most kids (and many adults) dream of one day having a wild mustang and now that dream has come true, at least for a while . Like his other Carter Reservoir herd mates, Coffee has a very calm demeanor and loving nature. Hanna put her hand under his nose so he could sniff and he licked her hand like a dog - a sweet way to get introduced.

It is nice of people to step up to help while we are trying to find a permanent placement for Coffee. In the meantime he will continue to get daily love and attention he so deserves.

Details about Coffee and his past can be found on his page at

http://www.gentledmustangs.com/Coffee_anyone_.php

It has been a BEAUTIFUL Day!