Saying Goodbye to Daisy

Social media allows the ability for people to instantly upload photos and make post for all to see, not so with a blog.  It takes time to create a post and this one was many days coming.  The loss of any animal brings heartache to those who loved it and finding the words to express myself about Daisy have been tough.  Not for lack of love or caring, but simply the unexpected circumstances and working through it in my own way with time and prayer.  

I remember last spring when a post was made of Facebook for a skinny horse in Ramona needing help.  Jen at Baker Ranch Equine Rescue opened her door and her heart to this older Appaloosa mare and took her in on April 22, 2013.  The vet checked her out and was diagnosed with a degenerative disease of her hind pasterns (DSLD) she was put on Previcox for pain which seemed to help and she regained her weight and good body condition.  She had been fostered, adopted out, then returned and Jen & I agreed she could come here.

11-7-13 grazing in the oldster pasture

On November, 1st we transported Daisy and another horse named Autumn from Baker Ranch Equine Rescue in Ramona to our facility in Snowflake to live out their days in wide open spaces.  The vet was consulted about her pasterns and Daisy was cleared for transport saying the trip would be ok.  She settled right in and after slowly being introduced to the other oldsters, she totally enjoyed the room to roam in their pasture and was even seen running and kicking up her heels from time to time.  

Below is a picture I took of her sticking her tongue out after a grooming session and one of my favorites. She loved the individual attention, but also loved being with her new buddies.

11-4-13 making faces after a grooming session

On the morning of the 12th, I noticed she wasn't joining the others to eat and went to her to see what was wrong. She had a puncture on the front of her left leg above the knee, but not much blood meaning it had recently happened but no obvious signs of what caused the injury.  I moved her into a stall and immediately called the vet to come.  I then cleaned and wrapped the wound, gave her pain medication and iced the area.  Her mood was good and I let her have a nice bucket of Senior feed on an upside down water trough so she wouldn't have to bend down, brushed and talked to her.  She didn't seem in much pain, no swelling or heat of the leg, but she didn't want to put weight on it. Not good. 

In an effort to keep the weight off her front leg, she was putting it on her hind legs with the weak pasterns (ankles).  I had wrapped all her legs with standing wraps to give her support while waiting for the vet.   When he arrived he confirmed that she had a fracture that would not heal without giving her great pain on her hind legs.  He saw nothing obvious to indicate how the fracture had happened, but we suspect in a burst of energy she was running and stepped in a gopher hole.  With the burden to her weak pasterns the only loving thing to do was humanely put her down.  

Unlike the urban areas there is no removal service for body and having the space we decided to bury her here so she can stay forever.  Our deepest gratitude goes to Doug Gunther, a neighbor we had not yet met, who came to us on the 13th with his backhoe and helped us bury Daisy.  He dug a deep grave and very gently and respectfully laid her to rest.  Clearly he had done this many times.   Lary took time off work to be with me as we said prayers for this sweet horse who we were just beginning to know, but already loved.  As a tribute I marked her grave by planting Gerbra Daisy's and we finished just as the sun was setting.  

11-14-13

I am not sure who started the phrase of animals passing over the rainbow bridge, but rainbows are a sign from god of his promise to all the living that he will guide us through any storm.  On Saturday a rainbow appeared at Daisy's grave, went over our barn and up into the heaven's.  To me a sign that he wanted Daisy to be with him more than he wanted her to be with us.  

11-23-13 Rainbow over Daisy's grave

Rest in peace and run pain free Daisy.  It is an honor to have you here.


Christine
EqWBR, Founder & President
760-703-4860


EqWBR is funded by the generous donations of those who love horses and want to help support our mission. If you would like to help with her final expenses or with any of the other horses at EqWBR your donation is greatly appreciated. Donations can be made online by clicking the donate button:

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.

EqWBR receives GuideStar Exchange "Silver Participant" designation!

Great news!   Today we received an email from GuideStar and here is what it had to say:

"Congratulations! You have just earned the Silver participation level for your organization through the GuideStar Exchange. This is a testament to your organization’s commitment to data transparency."

We are very please to receive this designation and recognition for our organizations transparency from the largest Non Profit information site in the country.   If you are not familiar with GuideStar.org here is what their web-site says about them:

"Here at GuideStar we gather and disseminate information about every single IRS-registered nonprofit organization. We provide as much information as we can about each nonprofit's mission, legitimacy, impact, reputation, finances, programs, transparency, governance, and so much more. We do that so you can take the information and make the best decisions possible."

Since we are such a small organization this was just so exciting we that we just had to share.

I will update you real soon on all the other things going on this past month, but I can tell you that we have rescued and saved 3 horses, are assisting in the rehoming of two others as we speak and next week bringing 2 more rehab horses to our facility in Snowflake.   Exciting details and pictures to follow.

Have a great weekend!  

Christine Griffin

President & Founder

EquineWellBeing.org

760-703-4860

501c3 Public Charity #45-2835562

Our Website

Two fillies need our help NOW! They are getting skinnier by the day! - UPDATE -SAVED!

9-19-13 UPDATE it is with great excitement that I can announce we raised the funds to purchase the neglected fillies.  They will be picked up tomorrow by Laura and it is with great excitement we have found a home in TN for the yearling filly so we can stop raising funds for transport.  

Laura has offered to keep the filly with her so she can start her care immediately, provide training and eventually find a home for her.   I think God had a different plan for this filly and wanted her to stay in TN.  

We can't thank Laura enough for all the leg work negotiating and handling the transaction with the seller, transporting to safety and immediately starting to care for their needs.   Also to Summer who has opened up her home to take in the weanling and provide for her needs. Laura will be transporting the weanling to Summer on Saturday.   Both these fillies will finally be getting the food and care they need.  

Stay tuned for pictures and a follow-up story when they are settled with their new families. 

We would like to thank the following donors: Lisa L, Maritza, Linda J, Debbie S, Cindy S, Cheri L and Terri L. Mark R & Lynn L, Lisa D and Kelly D for your donations to help the horses.   What an awesome horse family we have!!!!     You have helped save two more young lives!!!!

--------------------------------------------Original Blog---------------------------------------------------

It has been a while since my last post and I have had every intention of giving you an update of all the work going on at the ranch to prepare the barn for the winter and repair delayed maintenance, but daily care of our special needs horses and all that other work has kept me pretty darned busy. So please accept my apologize.

Over the last several weeks I have been monitoring a post through Paso Fino Urgent Rescue's FaceBook page that started on August 4th with a link to a Craigslist ad.   A man in Tennessee was trying to sell 3 Paso Finos, the mom, her yearling filly and this year foal which he had weaned from the mare so she needs to feed herself.

He purchased the pregnant mare and her filly last year as a surprise for his wife. The surprise turned out to be that she is not interested in the horses, now he wants them gone as they have other horses too.   They were skinny in August.   Over the past months there have been no buyers even though they are registrable with great breeding and he has lowered the prices dramatically.  No rescues have stepped in to help either.

More recent posts from Laura, a lady who went out to visit the horses, stated that they are in worse condition than advertised because they are pasture fed and that particular area of TN has gotten little rain to keep the grass growing.  These are not the only horses feeding off the pasture and the younger ones are chased away by the older horses. They do not feed hay or grain to supplement.  These young fillies are getting skinnier by the day!  Laura found someone interested in the mare, but not the fillies.

Having just adopted out our orphaned foal Prince William, also a Paso Fino in dire straights, we have stepped in to rescue these sweet babies.   With Laura as our local coordinator we are working to get the horses to safety and start proper nutrition and care as we speak.   They are malnourished, underweight, wormy, need their feet done, vaccines and look worse than their pictures.

Paso Fino weanling approximately 6 months old 9/13/13

Paso Fino yearling filly picture taken 9/13/13

We have found a home for the weanling foal in NW Tennessee with Summer Holloman through our fellow rescue, friend and hauler Deanna Tierney and Summer has offered to take her in, get her healthy and provide a loving home.   The precious yearling we have not been able to find a local home for so we need to bring her to EqWBR to receive care, get her health and once healthy get her training just like we did with Prince William.

We need your help.   Funds are needed immediately to buy them from the owner (he has reduced his price to $300 per horse - $600 for the two fillies) by week end, transport quoted is $900 to get the yearling to AZ, initial health care needs and ongoing feed for the yearling filly (the lower picture above).    Our fundraising goal is $2000 and we are hoping that you can help us reach that goal.  Please share this blog post with others so they can help too.

Donations can be made online by clicking the donate button:

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.

Time is of the essence for these young horses since every day they stay with the current owner, they are neglected and don't have enough to eat.  Our hearts go out to babies who are true innocents of circumstances or in this case the poor choices of the humans who own them.  Each day they remain there, their health worsens.    Help us help them!

Thank you all so very much for your continued support without you we simply couldn't help horses like these sweet fillies.

All our best,

Christine Griffin, Pres.
760-703-4860
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.

501c3 Public Charity #45-2835562

Our Website

Fun Fundraiser to Feed the Horses!

EqWBR has five oldsters with special needs and one youngster growing like a weed.  Our funds are running low and the need for food donations is great so we are offering two fun items that you can order and help us care for the horses.  We stepped in to rescue emaciated, abandoned and other horses in GREAT need, then Liam the baby who needed and received his surgery, now we need help with their on going care and feed (pictures below). 

A wonderful family sponsors Maverick and we got donations for Ashley back in May which is such a true blessing, but Max, Danny, Gwen and Liam have no sponsors and very little in funds ever donated to provide for them.   To feed and provide for those four costs over $500 a month so every dollar donated is greatly appreciated.  

Please consider making a donation, helping the horses and having a pretty wine glass or mug to enjoy and show off to your friends.   They would make great gifts too.   Donate via PayPal using email: donate@equinewellbeing.org or snail mail to EqWBR PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937.  

Hand painted $20 donation

Coffee mug $10 donation

Shipping will be extra based on what you order and where it is being shipped and I can let you know how much it will be and bill you.   Call or email me if you have any questions. 

If you are willing to be a monthly sponsor or partial sponsor for any of the horses that would be AWESOME!  

A very big thank you to Jen Baker who has hand painted the wine glasses in an effort to help our horses.  

On behalf of Maverick, Danny, Gwen and Liam,  Thank You!

Christine Griffin

Founder & President

760-703-4860

EqWBR is a 501c3 Public Charity

EIN #45-2385562   Donations are tax-deductible

Max - elderly TWH from Riverside Animal Control Sept 2013 & after a few months.  At 30+ and with few teeth left he requires mostly senior feed and some hay to keep his weight on which is a big challenge since it requires a lot.   

Danny 23+ gaited horse rescued Sept. 2012

Danny  April 2013

Gwen 20+ TWH rescued 2008 is prone to colic so she gets very special attention

Liam rescued from Mike's Auction in Feb. 2013 approx 4-6 months old,  needing hernia surgery and castration.

Liam 7-16-2013 our ambassador to young people wanting to learn about horses pictured with Devin.

If you would like to sponsor any of these horses on a monthly basis through regular donations of any size, please let me know.  

We are a 501c3 Public Charity, Fed ID #45-2835562   Donations are tax-deductible

Maverick's Left Hind Leg Injury

Earlier this week Maverick, the gelding rescued from Riverside Animal Services after being abandoned, started to limp a little and walk on the toe of his left hind leg.   Thinking that he probably got kicked or kicked a pipe panel and it was sore, I kept a close eye on it checking for swelling, heat, lack of pulse, flexibility and did light stretching to give controlled movement and anti-inflammatories (Previcox which is easier on their stomachs than bute).

It just wasn't getting better and he started to carry it knuckled over so I called the vet.  On Thursday the vet came out and didn't see anything obvious so we decided to take x-rays.   We got those on Friday and really didn't find anything conclusive enough to cause him to not want to put weight on his toe and drag it like this.   A small amount of periosteal reaction on the dorsal aspect of the P2 - little extra bone growth on the front/top side of the short pastern or 2nd phalanx.   

  

The picture below shows a good view of the lower leg area and the P2 is the 2nd phalanx.

In discussion with the vet here and also with Dr. Grove at West Coast Equine Medicine, whom I used to work for and is helping by donating his consultations, we decided to splint the injury while it is healing so the tendons and ligaments don't want to stay in the knuckled over position.  If this isn't working over the weekend, we will start casting it on Tuesday.

Hummmm....make a splint, easy if you have everything on hand, which we had most because I like to keep a variety of medical needs here, just not the actual splint stays. Little did we know when we bought a table saw last week to cut and trim the lumber we are using to fix the barn that we would be using it for medical care for one of the horses.   We had a 2'' diameter pvc pipe so Lary cut is to make two side splint pieces.   

We filed down the edges so they wouldn't dig into his leg under pressure and then covered them with duct tape to further soften the edges.  Plastic sweat scrapers may have worked, but we didn't have any on hand. The picture below shows how we wrapped the split stays with tape.  

Padding the leg first to prevent any pinching, we were able to get the foot slightly extended and apply the splint.   We then covered it with wraps so if he did kick out with it, he wouldn't hurt himself further.   We did not get his hoof extended as flat as we would have liked it, but a little at a time is important to not cause him additional pain.  The picture below was from Friday night.

Saturday morning we went out to remove the splint so I could do some physical therapy once again stretching the hoof and lower leg so he could lay it flat in a normal position.   It is SO tight this takes a lot of stretching so he relaxes it and we get movement.   I also did some muscle massage through the hips, pelvis and leg muscles on both sides to give some relief from the muscle compensation to offset his weight.  

Back at the table saw again, this time Lary took 4'' ABS plastic sewer pipe and made splint stays that would work on the front and back giving more support from the bending and to distribute his weight so he can try to start standing on his toe and eventually flat footed.  Again lots of padding is applied first to avoid any pinching then the plastic is taped really well so the tape won't break under movement.  

Maverick is a good patient.   The vet was surprised how well he did taking the x-rays and though the physical therapy and splinting causes discomfort, he doesn't do anything more than try to pull his leg away.  We can't sedate him to do this because his front legs are so arthritic and his right hind is already bearing too much weight, sedation could make it more difficult for him to stand.   It's not fancy, but it is functional.  

As you can see with the extra support of the splint, he is actually bearing some weight on his toe.  We will check/change the splint a couple times a day to check for pinching, swelling, lack of circulation and to allow me to provide some more physical therapy.   We are hoping this is just a tendon or ligament issue and with constant care and stall rest over the next many days, we can get him back to normal.   Without that, his other legs simply won't be able to sustain his weight in the condition they are in.   This poor old boy was definitely used hard before he was tossed away.   We love this guy and will do everything we can help him.   

We finally got his weight perfect, the dermatitis issues resolved and now this.   His mood is good, his appetite great and he is a friendly as ever.   This last photo shows just what he thinks about this whole thing....

Maverick says, "you can have that thing."

We will keep everyone up to date on his condition and ask for every one's prayers for a full recovery.  The alternative is a route we don't want to take unless there is no possible other choice.  If you would like to help, we appreciate any donations that will help us by splint materials, bandage materials, medicines and the vet bill with possible more x-rays.  

5-28-13 Update 

5-28-13 starting to bear weight on it.

We have removed the splinting and he is starting to bear some weight on it and walking around.  He still limps and yesterday the vet said he felt the diagnosis was fibromyopathy - where he is have muscle weakness from possible prior injury as a roping horse or whatever he was used for.  He has recommended surgery down in Phoenix that will cost approx. $2000.   I will need to contact the vets in Phoenix to determine what the recovery process would be and how the arthritic legs would sustain the weight during recovery and what the success rate is for a horse of his age.   Not looking forward to that call.   It is an option I will be getting a lot of information about first.   In the meantime. I will start taking him out for short walks and see how he does.   

To me much of this unknown really does lead to guess work by many with no history on him and with inconclusive xrays, it is a process of elimination of what the issue truly is and how we move forward to help him heal, if he can.  

Donations can be made via PayPal using our email  donate@equinewellbeing.org  or checks can be mailed to 8369 Buckskin Trail, Snowflake, AZ  85937 (we have given up on the Ramona Post Office forwarding our mail) and are greatly appreciated.   Thank you So much!

Happy Memorial Day and Thank You to all who have and do serve our country and keep us free!

Christine
Pres. & Founder
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.
760-703-4860
www.EquineWellBeing.org

We are a 501c3 Public Charity, Fed ID #45-2835562   Donations are tax-deductible

Checks can be mailed to EqWBR 8362 Buckskin Trail, Snowflake, AZ 85937 Thank you!

Our Hearts and Prayers to the families of the Tornadoes in OK

Horses bodies are scattered among the debris.   Devastating loss of life for animals in the tornadoes path. 

The major news stations have aired so many pictures of the tornado and talked about the horrendous damage and loss of human lives which is devastating.  The loss of animal lives was huge.    Orr Family Farm in Moore, OK. sustained a loss of up to 100 horses.   Most dying in the tornado and many having to be put down because of the injuries sustained.    All the buildings have destruction and some can be seen on their Facebook page OrrFamilyFarm.

If you feel you want to donate to help various ways, I have a few things noted below where you can make donations.   We are not endorsing any of these, rather just sharing the information.

They are also accepting donations via PayPal using this link: Donate to Orr Family Farm.  

Neighboring farm, Celestial Acres, was also hardly hit, but there was 34 horses confirmed alive.  I am unsure if they are needing funds or have set up a fund raiser.

The American Quarter Horse Association is raising funds and here is their link: Aqua Tornado Relief Fund .

I found this post on Facebook (but have not confirmed):

Facebook has several pages for recovery, found pets, lost pets, how to help or donate, etc. that you can search. Here is the link to: OK Pets lost and found

As always, the Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping and will take donations.

As a horse owner, and a horse rescue, we understand the close relationship people have with their beloved horses and know these owners hearts are breaking to pieces as are those whose families lost children or other family members.    We feel great sadness for them all and will continue our prayers to ease their pain.

Christine

Fundraiser for Kristin's Animals

UPDATE: 4-11-2013
Over the last two days we were able to deposit $230 into the accounts for Kristen's Recovery which was enough donations to help with health maintenance items like vaccines and dewormer for the horses in addition to at least one hoof trim for each horse.   We want to extend a big thanks to Marta Zarella who worked with us to facilitate the fundraiser and donations from Lucy Gonzalez, Michele Kanter, Jennifer Schroeder, Nina Reid and the Griffin family.   I also want to thank Cheryl Erpelding, Alicia Anthony and Kim Miller at California Riding Magazine who read our blog and are going to mention Kristin's needs in the May issue.

FUNDRAISER FOR KRISTIN'S ANIMALS    4-2-12

Having had two horse riding accidents myself and one where I needed an ambulance ride to the ER, this hits home with me.   By the grace of God I was not hurt badly. I recovered without spending anytime in the hospital and my recoveries were weeks, not many, many months.  My heart goes out to Kristin, Joe (her fiance), her family and friends for all they are going through to help and support Kristin.

Kristin Heinecke shows her love for horses 

Please help us raise funds to feed and care for the horses and other animals that Kristin loves so much while she is on her very long road to recovery from a very traumatic head injury.

Kristin has no health insurance and funds are being raised to help with medical expenses through other fundraisers, we would like to help raise funds for the on going needs of her family animals.  She and her fiance Joe, recently moved into a house in Ramona with all their animals.    Over the next many, many months her animals will need food and health care so any donations to help with those expenses so the animals can all stay home and be there when she finally gets out of the hospital will be greatly appreciated.    Here is her story:

Feb 23, 2013

EMT's taking Kristin to the helicopter taking her to Palomar Hospital

Copied from the Kristin's Recovery post on Facebook. "A lot of people have been asking, what happened to Kristin? In the photo, you can see the EMTs carrying Kristin on the stretcher to the Medevac helicopter waiting just beyond the field of view.

On Saturday, February 23rd, Kristin and her fiancée Joe were having a late morning ride on their horses. They live in a beautiful part of North San Diego County, in a community designed for horses, with trails meandering throughout the town. Soon after they moved in this past November, Kristin told me about her and Joe dropping off cookies to the neighbors to introduce themselves, of course, all done on horseback.
But on this particular day, fate had something entirely different in store. During that ride, her horse became spooked and ran off at full speed, with Kristin literally holding on for dear life. Joe took off in pursuit and when he came around the bend, he found Kristin unconscious, in a bloody heap. 

Joe applied first aid and soon, the EMTs showed up and airlifted Kristin to the hospital, where they determined she had a fractured skull and immediately began a four-hour surgery to repair the damage.
The doctors found that roughly half of her skull was damaged and removed a third of it in surgery, in order to manage the swelling. The neurosurgeon said this was the most severe head injury you could every sustain and still survive. 

Happily, today (March 11), she sat up and brushed her teeth, talked and continues on her miraculous recovery. She is still in critical but stable condition, still in the ICU, and has several more surgeries to go before she can be fit to recover. We have no idea what condition that will leave her in, but she is so far talking, more and more alert and thankfully, she is now reporting being able to see, although we don't know what she sees or how well."

Joe at Kristin's bedside at Palomar Hospital

"4-2 from Stu (Kristin's brother) -- Kristin continued her amazing march toward recovery today, gaining more and more strength, achieving greater clarity, and moving though her physical therapy exercises with greater ease. Her doctor says it may be just a matter of a few weeks before she is able to return home with Joe, based on her progress. But she still has the surgery to replace fully one third of her skull yet... still so far to go. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!"

In the past few days Joe's job as an independent contractor was ended due to cut backs of Sequestration, so help is needed now more than ever.  There are ongoing fundraising efforts to help with her medical and other bills through Wells Fargo.   EqWBR immediately donated hay with the help of Jen Baker (Baker Ranch Equine Rescue), as have others in and around the community of Ramona, but the horses need to keep their hooves trimmed, the animals will need vaccines, dewormers, other typical health care needs and food over the long haul so we would like to offer people the opportunity to help.  

Over the Easter weekend we started a fundraiser. Please click here

if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help.  EqWBR will absorb any fees and give 100% of your donation to them. 

Other important links:

Kristin's Recovery Facebook page

Article commentary by Marta Zarrella - Ramona Home Journal

Please share this information and pray for Kristin, her family and friends while they all try to help with her recovery.  

Thank you to all for sharing her needs, donated funds and prayers.

Christine

President & Founder

760-703-4860

Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. is a 501c3 Public Charity

IRS #45-2835562