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It has been almost a year since this beautiful horse was dumped and left to die on an empty piece of land. Someone turned her loose, closed the gate and drove away. No water source and very little grass, mostly lava rock on the ground. She found her way to a fence and a family that were shocked to find a horse there. Luckily they had some hay they had backing their bow and arrow targets and were able to bring a bucket of water to the fence so she could eat and drink. No horse had ever been seen on that piece of land.
They reached out to us and the authorities, who also reached out to us. We posted on social media that a horse had been found asking if anyone recognized her. After we got no responses, they authorities gave us permission to go get her. It took a long time to walk her the quarter mile to our trailer because of all the lava rock and she really struggled.
When we got her to the rescue, we could see she still had difficulty walking. She had shoes on her feet that had clearly been on way too long. So we called our farrier right away. She was underweight and in pain. She started our refeeding program and we added pain meds, giving our vet a complete update after our intake exam. She clearly appeared to be an older horse. We later determined in her early 20's. |
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When our veterinarian was able to see her we took xrays of her front legs and feet to see the extent of her injuries causing the pain. We found she had navicular, a painful disease of the feet and she also had tendon injuries that required her to have limited movement to see if they would heal. She got special shoes and pads, and we started treatment for the torn tendons. Over time she started to walk better and we eventally put her in the smaller enclosure with Forest, our blind pony. |
She has enjoyed the warmth of the summer sun, the comraderie of Forest, who really liked her and after we got Partner in August, he joined the two of them in their pasture too. Grace got LOTS of TLC from all the volunteers and visitors to the rescue.
As the cold weather approached we noticed her limping more and not walking as much. The vets came and took more xrays only to find the tendons in her legs were not healing. We brainstormed about some additional medicines we could try and perhaps some supplements and different shoes.
We changed the shoes and increased her pain meds. She has always been so tolerant of all the diagnostics and things we have tried to make her more comfortable....just a remarkable spirit, how anyone could have abandoned her to die is so beyond us we can't even fathom it. |
We are able to see most of the horses and donkeys from the house and it was clear our efforts to help ease her pain in the cold weather just weren't working. Last week we had our first snow storm in the forecast, with high winds and dropping temperatures, we made the decision to let her go so she would not have to endure the bad weather, even blanketed in the barn, the damp, cold weather was just so hard on her.
It has taken me many days to write this. The storm came and we actually had 3 days of snow. While we miss her so much, we are glad that she is not struggling with pain in the cold weather. It is hard to look out the door and not see her in the pasture.
The above picture is one of my favorites of this sweet old mare. Resting, taking a load off her feet and know she was safe and loved. |
If you would like to help with her recent bills by making a donation it would sure be appreciated. Providing the care needed is our first priorty, even when that care means breaking our hearts by letting them go.
You make such a difference in the lives of the horses and donkeys in our care and we appreciate all of you. Thank you!
Thank you for your friendship, support and prayers now and through the years.
Together we change so many lives!
Many hugs from myself, Christine, and all of us at the rescue.
Run In Paradise (RIP) sweetheart. No more pain. Know you were so loved and are missed every day. You brought joy to all of us during the many months you graced our rescue.
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