Update on emaciated mares, Rimson and Buddie

We can't thank you all enough for helping us help the three beautiful, but emaciated mares that arrived on 4/25/20. Shortly after our last email went out we were contacted by the Hovden family who wanted to cover the entire cost of the digital livestock scale. We ordered it right away and by Friday Lary and Dennis were assembling it for us. Quite heavy itself (500lbs) it took all their strength to get the two pieces assembled and leveled so the readings would be accurate. With several volunteers here we took advantage of all the help and started weighing the mares. Willow was the first, she weighed in at 645 pounds, the weight tape we had used on her 13 days prior gave us an approximate weight of 590-600 pounds. While I don't think she gained 45 pounds in that time (though she has been eating non-stop) 20-25 pound increase would not be uncommon. "Rain" Dancer is the tallest of the three at 15 hands high or 60" at the whithers. She should weigh around 1100-1200 pounds for her big boned frame so she is approximately 300 pounds underweight as she weighed in at 839 pounds. We kno she had already put on some weight since arrival. Sable is by far the skinniest of the three with little visible fat or muscle anywhere. She is just an 1.5 inches shorter than Rain, but weighed in at 117 pounds less. As a big boned horse standing 14.2 1/2 hands (58.5 inches) tall she should weight between 1050 - 1150 pounds. Amy, who is almost the same height weighed in at 1117 pounds yesterday. Sable needs to gain 350+ pounds and we know she has already gained a little in the last 13 days. Tomorrow we will reweigh all three. While they are getting better, the blood work showed both Rain and Sable anemic, their lower legs are swollen and all three horses have areas of dermatitis on their bodies. We got a wonderful donation from Marty Bowers, who sent some Equiderma lotions and Neem oil to help them, she also contacted the Equiderma company who will be sending us an assortment of their products for all the horses as a donation to the rescue. We are so very excited to have these products to help heal the girls and others. The other thing that is notable about Sable and Willow is the loss of their coat. As the nutrition is kicking in their undercoat is letting go of the long winter fur and a shiny new coat is growing. It is very thin, but soon they will have shed all their old coat and I hope the bad memories go with it. Thanks to a donation by the Wallis family we have ordered each of them UV protection light weight sheets to wear so we can keep dirt off while their skin issues heal. We are patiently waiting for those to arrive. So many of you answered our call for help and opened your hearts to these special mares. I promised them they will never go hungry again and together we will be sure they are always fed. Yesterday Willow got her feet trimmed along with Peaches, Peanut, Amy and donkeys Ricci and Ramey. In the past the donkeys have been a challenge but yesterday they were as good as gold. Willow was not a happy camper having her feet picked up so we suspect she has rarely had her feet trimmed. Rain and Sable are not stable enough to have them stand on 3 legs while a hoof gets trimmed. It all takes time and I am so glad we are heading into summer and not winter as they recover. The corporate office of Tractor Supply Company, one of the sponsors of the A Home For Every Horse program we are members of sent us a $100 gift certificate which we used to purchase each of the mares their own grooming brushes, combs and supplies which will help their skin issues clear faster and they love the grooming too. Huge thanks to TSC. On 4-27-20 our vet was out to castrate Rimson, Buddie and Willie, and they are all doing well in there recovery. Unfortunately we had some very hot days which is very unusual for this time of year and with the spring winds blowing silty dust in their incision areas we followed up their surgery with antibiotics and some anti-inflammatory pain meds. While not fully healed they are doing much better than last week. They are all showing some spunk and their appetites are as good as ever. They too have been getting a lot of attention from our volunteers. We are currently at 23 horses, donkeys and mini donkeys and continue to get calls daily for people looking for homes for their horses. Sadly at this time I am having to say no because the mares need all of our attention and caring for each of them daily adds an extra one and a half hours to the morning chores, many days more time than that. Volunteers to help with grooming and other small tasks would be very welcome. Our emergency food fund is available for those in need of hay or feed assistance during these uncertain times with Covid-19. While many places are starting to loosen up Stay at Home requirements, many will struggle financially for the months to come and your donations have given us the ability to help those horses, donkeys and minis stay at home with some short- term feed assistance. So far we have granted over $2500 in assistance during this crisis. We hope that you and your family are all well and we know that many had serious health issues prior to all this and are going through various needed treatments and therapies. We are keeping each and everyone of you in our prayers and will continue to do so. You have blessed us so richly by supporting our mission which has allowed us to help many horses, donkeys and minins in need. Our volunteers work so hard to help with the care and feeding of those at the rescue and help in many, many other ways too. We appreciate each of you SO VERY MUCH. You all make a difference in many lives. Thank you, Thank you!!! One final note, we have tentatively schedule our Open House for Saturday, June 27th in hopes that more people will be able to safely attend. It will be a very special day because we will be celebrating Sydney, Rimson and Buddie's birthdays. A wonderful day of celebration. We will keep you updated on the recovery of the mares and plans for the open house so we will be talking to you soon. Have a great day and wonderful upcoming weekend. Wishing you good health and many blessings. Christine Your support is so greatly appreciated, we simply can't thank you enough! Donate Now! Thank you SO much.

3 emaciated mares arrive at the rescue 4-25-20

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Ten days ago I received a call from someone wanting to know who much they should feed their horses since they were thin. She stated she found out she was giving them poor quality hay and now was feeding hay pellets, but wasn't sure how much to feed them each. Through the call I found out that an inspector had been out there and stated they were too thin, body condition score 2 of 9 and she needed to feed them. She told me they were over 35 years old and we discussed at length how much of what she already was feeding she would need to feed daily to get them up to a normal weight and that those instructions were clearly printed on EVERY bag of hay pellets she was buying. I went one step farther to tell her with the hay pellets she was feeding it was going to cost her $30 per horse, per week to feed them enough. She had 5 horses in total, just the 2 skinniest would cost $240 a month for pellets only, $1200 for all five per month....just for pellets. It was then I offered her the option to bring them to us, thus saving the funds to purchase for the 3 horses in her care. It did not take long before she called me back and offered to GIVE us the two skinniest horses. On 4-25-20, they brought us three horses instead. What arrived in two separate trips was absolutely heartbreaking. The first two horses were hundreds of pounds underweight, filthy, bad feet and weakly able to walk. The extent of their long-term malnutrition was so obvious. These horses were skin and bone! Sable and Rain Dancer were the first two to arrive and we put them in our quarantine stall so they would have room to move around, could be together and we could monitor their food consumption yet they could see other horses so they would not feel so alone. Their winter coat was so long that it was hard to tell just how thin they were. After a few days of grooming the lack of muscle mass or any fat on either was so very obvious. Sassy, now called Willow was in the best condition of all and that was not good either. In this picture the photo on the left was her on arrival, you can see the filth all over her body. And as we have gently cleaned her over the last days we have found embedded crud, scabs and dermatitis along her back and legs which we have found on the other two also. On 4-27-20 our vet was out to castrate Rimson, Buddie and Willie, and while here did an exam and pulled blood on all three of the mares. When she saw the extent of the malnutrition Rain and Sable have endured we both stood their crying and she said the only skinnier horses she had seen were dead. Pulling ourselves together we discussed the feeding plan and needed future treatment. The blood work is back and shows anemia consistent with long-term malnutrition and explains the weakness in walking, depression and listlessness upon their arrival, the stocking up (swelling of their lower legs), dull, long hair and so much more. Additionally we determined the age of Rain and Sable to be in their early 20's, not 35+ as the owners stated and Willow (Sassy) to be a little over 10 years old. We have slowly changed their feed from the pellets that had little nutrition to a good senior horse feed, and have increased they amount of good quality grass hay to a large bale they can eat freely from 24 hours a day. None of them have to worry about when their next meal is and the relief is obvious on each of their faces. They have many months of needed care. Because Sable and Rain are so weak we will wait to get their feet trimmed, 30 more days after who knows how long is not going to matter much. We will treat the sores and clean the debris mired in their skin and matted on their coats a little at a time to not over stimulate and wear them out. We also want to weigh them weekly and for that we need a livestock scale that will digitally give us their accurate weight rather than a weight tape which gives you and idea of weight, but not the true weight. The cost of the scale with shipping is $1200, the cost of the feed $110.88 a week plus their hay, topical medicines, supplements, etc. Donations have already come in to cover the blood work, initial feed and care but they will need more blood work in 60 days, farrier care, dentistry, etc. I will be contacting the inspector to let him know we are getting a scale so we can accurately tract their weight weekly and we are keeping records of all their needs and treatments. While I am still very worried about any organ damage to Rain and Sable and worry daily till they get show signs of recovery we are so hopeful that they will make a full recovery and everyone will see that it was not their age that caused them to not gain weight. On this Giving Tuesday if you would consider a donation to help us restore these three horses back to health so they can live happy lives and hopefully forget the years of neglect inflicted upon them it would be so appreciated. Funds also help the other 21 horses, donkeys and minis in our care and others we try to help. EVERY donation makes a difference. We also want to say a special thank you to all over our volunteers who assist here at the rescue, help with administrative work, planning committees and everyone who helps in so many ways. We are 100% volunteer organization with no staff so funds donated go so much farther to help so many more in need. Thank you so very much! Your support is so greatly appreciated, we simply can't thank you enough! Donate Now! Thank you SO much. ©2020 Equine WellBeing Rescue, Inc.​​ | 8369 Buckskin Trail

Today is Arizona's Day of Giving

Today is Arizona Gives day the annual fundraising day for charities in Arizona. For those who can participate with a financial donation you will help us provide for 26 equines here at the rescue, 2 in training and others daily asking for help we appreciate it so very much. In these uncertain times here is what we would also like you to give: Give someone a call who is closed in and struggling with circumstances, Give an email to your friends letting them know they are on your mind, Give a thank you to those essential workers that you see if you have to run errands for they are on the front lines and risk exposure to be there so you can get what you need, Give patience to things that take a little longer because so many things are on hold to keep us safe, Give prayers to those who are sick with cancer, dementia, any illness not just C19 and for those who have lost a loved one and cannot congregate to celebrate their life and to those health care workers caring for all who are sick and worried they or their family may become sick too, Give yourself the time to just sit, breathe and look for all that is good in your life. And we have something to give you.....we Give you love, prayers and thanks for helping us in all the ways you do. And if you have extra....Give someone who needs it toilet paper! Much love to you all from everyone at EqWBR.

Your support is so greatly appreciated, we simply can't thank you enough!

Donate Now! Thank you SO much.

Construction event temporarily postponed....

We had tentatively scheduled our joint work project here at the rescue for this coming Friday and Saturday and hoped that things might be better with C19 by this time, but that is not the case. With President Trump moving the guidelines to limit travel and social distancing till 4-30-20, we have moved the date of water and electric construction project till May 1st & 2nd, and later if deemed necessary.

We want to remind everyone that the rescue is located on our private ranch and not a store front like many dog and cat shelters. As such we are limiting those who come to the property to any volunteers who have been at the ranch for feedings, worked events, or other special projects....those who already know our safety rules and don't need supervision. Any of you who fit that criteria are still welcome to come groom, scoop poop, tend the garden, help with needed repairs, etc. Just contact me to schedule a time. We will also be doing limited adoptions and remain available for intake of equines needing rescue....again by appointment.

Buddie and all the horses, donkeys and minis want to thank you for seeing us through this uncertain time and hanging in there with these changes we have had to make. We appreciate all of you so much and will continue our updates via email, our blog and Facebook. We want everyone to be safe and stay healthy. Sending love!!!!! Thank you so much! Christine 760-703-4860 (Call or Text)

Your support is so greatly appreciated, we simply can't thank you enough!

Donate Now! Thank you SO much.

Can you help our Emergency Food Fund?

In these uncertain times we know that there will be families in great need of financial assistance to feed their horses, donkeys and minis. Funds for many will be tight and with folks primary concern their families we don't want animals to starve because funds are so tight and the future unknown.

In 2017 we started Hope's Legacy Equine Emergency Food Fund after the starvation deaths of 2 local horses. Through donations from local businesses so far the fund has assisted 80 equine (and a few goats/piglets) from 32 families for a total of $3412.40. A small portion of those funds were used to assist 3 equines whose health required humane euthanasia and the families wanted to do the right thing but needed financial assistance. In an effort to be sure those equines didn't suffer a day longer than necessary we assisted with limited funds.

Tractor Supply Co., a sponsor of A Home For Every Horse program which we have been a member of for many years, has helped us in many ways especially in difficult times like the exceptional drought in 2018. Our local Show Low and Holbrook, AZ managers, John and Meggan have once again agreed to help us. They are posting flyers letting customers know the funds are available and allowing us to order hay or feed with discounts as available from them and having the grantee pick it up at the store.  We would welcome other feed stores to do the same. This will be a huge help to us and the families in need since both stores are centrally located and will have good stock of needed items. Their continued support of our efforts over the years has been extraordinary and working together we can make a difference in the health and wellbeing of many horses, donkeys and minis here on the mountain. This will be a one time grant for feed or hay. Applicants must fill out a form stating their need and other pertinent information, it will be reviewed and a site check done when warranted and one of our volunteers will follow up afterwards. People can contact us for an application via our FB page, Website or call/text 760-703-4860. We will ask volunteers to post the flyer on area bulletin boards and we will post on social media and CraigsList to get the word out.

It is our goal to raise an additional $3000 to help feed those equines in need. If you would consider a small donation, I know I am asking a lot in the current crisis, but we can make all the difference to those animals who still need to eat regardless of what is going on in the world. No dollar amount is too small, combined donations can feed so many. $5, $20, $50 and more all adds up and can save lives. We don't want to see any horses, donkeys or minis starving if we are here and can do something about it. If we pull together we can do this!!! We are guided by our purpose in every way. Rimson, Buddie and all of us thank you so very much for all you do to help.

Your support is so greatly appreciated, we simply can't thank you enough! Donate Now! Thank you SO much.

Waylon & Willie, now just Willie. We are so sad!

It hasn't even been a month since we picked up these two sweet mini donkeys up on 2-17-20 and whom we named Waylon & Willie on the right. Difficult family circumstance created the need for a new home and health issues of Waylon, limited who could actually help...he had cancer. Set up to help with medical cases we offered them a home.

You can see the tumor behind his right front leg. Last October he had the tumor removed and biopsy was submitted to Texas A & M University for results. Initial findings, not definitive, said it was a fibrosarcoma and a 'malignant neoplasm likely to be locally infiltrative. The neoplasm extends to the specimen boarder." Fibrosarcoma's are very different from a sarcoid cancer which is very common and usually easily treatable in equine. By February of 2020, this aggressive tumor had grown back. The vet had recommended another surgery with follow up chemo therapy, but the family didn't have the funds and they could not find anyone who were interested in both the boys with one having cancer.

I spoke to the treating vet in Gilbert, AZ, a wonderful practice called Herd Health Management, Dr. Brownlee. She said he would do much better if he had surgery under general anesthesia so a larger area could be removed with wider margins hopefully getting the entire tumor and surrounding cells. She forwarded the information to AZ Equine Medical & Surgical Center and I spoke with Dr. Taylor there. After reviewing the medical records he explained the surgery that would be needed, follow-up chemo and let me know there was a 50/50% chance it could return. We decided to get the boys and bring them to the rescue so Dr. Helzer and I could see first hand what we were dealing with. I had heard good things about Continental Animal Wellness Center (CAWC) in Flagstaff and specifically, Dr. Bruchman specializes in oncology so we contacted her to discuss Waylon's situation. On 2/25/20, my friend Patty came to help me bundle and load the boys in the trailer for the trip to Flagstaff.

When the boys first arrived, I shaved the area of the tumor, cleaned off the dirt and debris and covered it to help prevent infection. With the hair shaved we could use a very sticky medical tape called Elastikon which helped adhere a telfa pad to the area, then we covered that with a 6" wide and very long ace bandage to protect the area and we covered that with a XXXL t-shirt so there would be less movement of the ace bandage and hopefully keep the telfa pad in place. I also shaved his neck so we could administer IV pain meds as needed and we started him on Excede antibiotic hopefully to prevent any infection brewing from the tumor being exposed to the elements. We also used a topical antibiotic as well. All of the care already done made things go smoother when we arrived at CAWC . Dr. Bruchman had consulted a local equine vet that specializes in donkeys and had also contacted the pathologist prior to my arrival. With input from all we decided to get another biopsy and send to TX A&M University to confirm the prior findings which would help us determine the appropriate treatment, surgery and/or chemotherapy.

We have had some very cold days, even snow so keeping Waylon bundled up while we continued his nursing care and daily wound care. We did our best to keep him comfortable. He was hard to handle when he first arrived and needed to be sedated just to clean the area, it didn't take long before he allowed me to gently do our daily routine without sedation even though he really didn't like it. Over the years I have learned to listen to the equines when they talk to me. They talk through their actions, demeanor, movements and mood. Waylon's mood was declining and he started quivering every time we did our daily routine. Even with pain meds, it hurt. While we waited for the biopsy results, it was clear that not only was Waylon in pain, but the tumor continued to grow. One of the concerns we all had about surgery was the aftercare. Not that I couldn't do it, but rather how painful a huge incision could be to heal and how long it could take. Now that Waylon and Willie had been here a few weeks, it was clear to me that follow-up care would be more intensive than what I was already doing.....and Waylon disliked it at best. Our goal to at the rescue is to consider all aspects of their wellbeing, not just the physical or medical, but also quality of life. His quality of life was greatly diminishing and with an aggressive tumor that could very well return we decided to release Waylon from his pain.

Waylon and Willie have been together for over a decade. Bonded equines can suffer depression when separated. Knowing that, and Waylon's condition, we have had the boys next to and in with Carmen and Cumari since arrival. Willie's wellbeing is just as important as Waylons so much consideration was given to the entire situation in anticipation of all outcomes.

This morning when I went out to see the boys I captured this beautiful picture of Waylon with a ray of sun shining on him from heaven. Some of his former family drove up from the valley to say their good-byes and helped us when Dr. Helzer arrived. Waylon passed very peacefully and though tears were being shed we all knew that any further pain, it would only be selfish to keep him alive. After he passed we brought Willie to visit him so he could see for himself that Waylon was gone. Equines recognize death and can deal with the loss better when allowed to see for themselves the one that has passed, and not wonder what happened to their friend. Willie has been in with the girls ever since. When the decision to let Waylon go was made after several sleepless nights earlier this week, I let Dr. Bruchman know our decision and she said while such a difficult decision, she felt is was a wise one. When I returned from burying our sweet little Waylon, there was an email from Dr. B. The biopsy results arrived and showed that Waylon had a rare cancer called "sarcoidosis". "While still rare, equine sarcoidosis—not to be confused with sarcoid tumors, an unrelated skin condition—can appear in even the healthiest of equines", and statistics show that the majority who have sarcoidosis need to be euthanized. I am in tears while I write this because it is never easy to let them go and the decision is never made lightly without research and prayer. He has educated us all, even the vets, about this rare cancer and he humbly tolerated the pain while we went through this process. He is a little hero to me and I will miss him so much. As I cry I am also happy that he can run in heaven with a complete body and has no pain. I know that he will watch over Willie and help him adjust to his new life. What a blessing Waylon is. If you would like to make a donation to help with Waylon's final expenses, to help care for Willie or any of the 24 equines at the rescue we would be honored by your donation which will help us to carry on our mission to provide loving rehabilitation, nursing and hospice care for equines with medical needs and finding homes or sanctuary for others at risk.     Click this link:  Donate Now to the Rescue

Goodbye kisses from Waylon. We only had you a little time, but long enough to fall in love, to feel your love, and to know you have blessed our lives. Run In Paradise Waylon!!!!!