EqWBR earns 2018 Platinum status from GuideStar

We are so excited that GuideStar has given our little rescue the Platinum Seal of Transparency, (the highest seal they give to non-profits in the United States) that we just wanted to share the awesome news with all of you! Here is a link if you want to visit our profile page on their website: Equine WellBeing Rescue GuideStar Profile It is SO AWESOME when good things happen to the rescue, especially when so much of what we deal with to save horses, donkeys, mules and minis is heartbreaking. We are just so humbled.

Many thanks for all you do to help the rescue! Christine

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Nat'l Park Service Donates to EqWBR

BIG NEWS!!!!!! The National Park Service - Petrified Forest National Park, Acting Superintendent Doug Lentz said in an email, "park horses Trooper and Gus have served the park well and both are now being officially retired. On Monday March 5, I took a trip to Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. just outside of Snowflake, AZ and spoke with founder/president Christine Griffin. Christine started this operation in 2006 and it has done well."

"I found the operation to be well run with a quality program and facilities." "So, hats off to Trooper and Gus and may they enjoy the Arizona sunsets, open spaces, good grub, and peaceful retirements for many a day. And, thank you to Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc for working with Petrified Forest National Park and taking good care of two of our coworkers & friends."

Trooper arrived Wednesday night and Gus will be arriving later today. We can't tell you how excited and humbled we are to be entrusted the National Park Service to help both Gus and Trooper and give them the retirement years they deserve. After assessment we will probably make them available for adoption where we will look to find a loving, forever home for each.

Many, many thanks for all you do to help the rescue! Christine

Mihi's tooth is finally out!!!!!

After four more hours of surgery Wednesday and another overnight stay, we were finally able to bring Mihi home mid-day Thursday. Huge thanks to Dr. Forbes and everyone at Aspen Veterinary Clinic in Flagstaff, AZ for taking such good care of our sweet girl. We are sure she will be happy to be home in her own stall.

These are a series of pictures of the tooth that was extracted. The root is on top and the bottom, where the toothpick sticks out is the cavity that caused the infection. That toothpick is 2.5 inches long. In both pictures you can see a bulge in the tooth, that is part of the infected area and the bulges (on opposing sides of the tooth) is what made removal so difficult. It was so tightly wedged between the tooth in front and behind it, they needed to use a surgical hammer and punch to force it down between her good teeth. You can see the tooth itself is over 3 inches long.

The picture of normal molar teeth show you how smooth the surface of the tooth is and the size of the infection caused bulge on Mihi's tooth.

This picture shows you the chewing (occlusal) surface of the tooth and on the right you can see the cavity in what is called the infundibulum of the tooth. This allowed food debris to get inside the tooth and the infection took many, many months to get so bad that she had the swelling and food debris on her face.

Now we start the after surgery care with one antibiotic given 3 times a day, another two times a day, both for two weeks. She will get pain medication injections twice a day for 3-5 days and Rescue Matrix to mix with her equine senior mash to help boost her system. Huge thanks to Mushroom Matrix for donating a 180 day supply of Rescue Matrix just for Mihi. Info on Equine Matrix products

In two weeks Mihi needs to return to Dr. Forbes to have the packing/plug that was placed in the open space left from her tooth removal and to see how she is healing. Since she needed two surgeries to get the tooth removed, our bill was double what I had originally anticipated. With the hospital stay, surgery, medications and transportation we have already spent over $2500 and there will be more expense for her recovery and follow up vet visit. Thankfully we received enough donations to write a check out for the surgery and when I did the vet said, "Wow you are a real rescue, we get so many that call themselves a rescue and can't pay for care.". I told her how wonderful all of you are and how you support and care about the rescue.

In addition to the extraction, they did blood work, fecal test for parasites and she has a skin bug infestation. When we got home we applied topical Frontline for the bugs and today I spent a long time grooming her coat to remove the bug debris and loose hair that is shedding. She enjoyed every minute of the brushing while enjoying the warmth of the sun. If anyone wants to come help with grooming her over the next few weeks, please let me know. She will also be dewormed and have her feet done. One thing at a time. Mihi and I have bonded so well and as you can imagine we are both tired. I am truly humbled by the outpouring of donations, prayers and people sharing her story and need with others. YOU saved her life. If this tooth would not have been removed, she would have gotten sicker and sicker and eventually died. What you have done for this sweet mare is remarkable and brings tears to my eyes the love and support you give the fur babies here at the rescue. You are all such a blessing!

Mihi needs surgery can you help?

Meet Mihi (Meehee). We got a call from a young family who had three horses they asked if they we could help. The worst of the three is this sweet 8 year old pony mare with a large swelling on her face. It has been there for 3 months and they treated it with penicillin, but weren't able to afford vet care and she was continuing to loose weight.

We were in CA for my dad's memorial which was on the 17th, we left early enough on the 18th to come home, hook up the horse trailer and go get Mihi and her daughter Peanut. With a big winter storm heading in we got them tucked safely in the barn out of the elements. We started Mihi on antibiotics and some herbal anti-inflammatory.

You can see from the intake pictures Mihi doesn't have a lot of meat on her bones so we kept her blanketed and fed her separate so she could eat all the food given. Her symptoms indicated an abscessed tooth and xrays would be needed to determine for sure. But first we needed to get her stabilized for travel to a clinic that could do the xrays and tooth extraction the same day. Being underweight makes sedating for surgery more stressful to their systems.

Thursday and Friday she had a bout of diarrhea as her stomach adjusted to the antibiotics (she was given pain meds and probiotics) and by Saturday that had cleared up and she was feeling much better. Yesterday her appetite was good, her mood was much better and I could tell she has put on a little bit of weight. At 13.5 hand tall (54 inches) she only weighs 650 pounds. We were able to use my dental equipment to see inside her mouth and we noticed an open pocket between her upper tooth and inside cheek that had food debris packed in it (I was unable to get a picture). Is the opening from an abscessed tooth or a foreign object she ate, perhaps a stick, it is hard to say without xrays, but symptoms are similar to the many abscesses I have seen over the years and she needs veterinary care. Many calls were made to find a hospital/clinic that had an opening. We have an appointment tomorrow at 10am in Flagstaff, a two plus hour drive from here where they can do the needed diagnostics and can surgically remove the abscessed tooth. We have another storm heading in tomorrow night and if all goes well we will be back home with her tucked safely in the barn before it hits. There is lots of after care needed to keep the surgery site free of food debris so it can heal and healing takes several weeks.

We are asking for donations to cover the costs to get her to the vet for diagnostics, surgery, after treatment, medicines, normal health care (vaccine, deworming, dentistry & hoof trim) and feeds she will need to get healthy. Our goal is to raise $1200 and we have received $375 already, part of which I used to order a blanket that will fit her correctly and it should arrive today. If you can help with a tax-deductible donation just click the button below (this time I promise it will work the first time). This very sweet young horse will thrive once she is healthy so please help if you can by sharing our email, donations and prayers for Mihi.

Many, many thanks for all you do to help the rescue! Christine

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Happy Valentine's Day!!!

You are special to us and we want to wish you a VERY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Much love and many hugs from all the horses, donkeys and mini's. Gwen, Princess, Mr. G, Peyton, Caleb, Thumper, Nuna, Sumara, CC Bloom, Dove, Jasper and the donkeys, Ricci, Ramey, Elsa, Hershey Kiss and Moscato.

Many Hugs from us too! Christine & Lary

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Jill Tinkel's State Farm raised funds for the rescue

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to Jill Tinkel, who owns and runs the State Farm insurance agency in Show Low and Ed Hamilton for working together to raise funds for the rescue over the holidays.

After a call out for used horse shoes, Ed welded some fabulous and festive artwork.

So creative to make snowmen, reindeer, large and small evergreen trees all out of used horseshoes.

After welding they were buffed up to create a nice shiny finish. Ed donated all his time and welding materials and made a few dozen to help raise the funds for the rescue.

Posts were made on Facebook directing people to pick up their choice at Jill's State Farm office on the Deuce in Show Low, some were ordered from people out of state and one lady from Alaska arranging pick up of 4 while visiting.

We can't thank Ed, Jill and her office staff enough for all they did to raise an awesome $765 to help care for the equine here at the rescue and to all who purchased these creative statues. These funds were a very nice holiday gift for all the fur babies here and this will go a long way to help with their needs.

Having moved to the area just 5 years ago, we are so humbled to be recognized and supported by local businesses. It is so wonderful to feel like a welcomed part of the community.

My heart sings!!!!

Christine
Founder/President

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Equine WellBeing Rescue is a 501c3 Public Charity and 100% volunteer organization providing loving care for equine in need. Help us save and care for more lives with your tax-deductible donation by clicking the donate button up above.

Thank you so very much.

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Rescue Update and Love to Journie

There are many great charities that help in wonderful ways and at the end of the year people want to make those last minute donations for tax purposes. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to us when making your choices. Right now we have a special purpose in mind. For over 10 years we have relied on borrowing a trailer. With a special donation we received this month and the additional amount we hope to raise by year end we will be able to purchase the trailer above, our goal is to raise at least $1500. From mid September till now Naomi, Amore' & Tanner, Little, Millie & Walker, Blue & 2J, Atlas & Timothy, Sig & Elizabeth, Peony & Woody, mini donkey Brandy, Sam & Elliott, Prince William and Hank (Spanky) have all gone to their new homes...most needing us to use a trailer to transport them. Just think of how your donation can help us continue our mission and help so many horses, donkeys and minis!

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I also want to take a moment to celebrate Missy's one year anniversary at the rescue. She arrived with a body condition score 2 of 9, emaciated. She is thriving and enjoying her retirement with the other oldsters at the rescue.

November 16th, Sumara and Nuna joined Peyton, Caleb and Thumper who were also rescued from the ISPMB (Intl Society for Protection of Mustangs & Burros) in South Dakota after horses were impounded by local law enforcement. These two mares have spent little time around humans and will get training this spring after settling in.

December 5th, CC Bloom rejoined the rescue as is currently being fostered by Jill O'Shea and her family while we find a wonderful adoptive home for her. We had her teeth and bodywork done and Jill had her feet done. We can't thank the O'Shea family enough for fostering her during this process.

Also on December 5th, I drove through rain and snow into the very, very rural community along Blue River to bring Pancho to live a the rescue. In his mid-twenties, his owners were unable to keep him any longer and with no other livestock he was lonely. He fits right in here and is such a love bug.

JOURNIE

Sadly on Dec. 22nd, we had to say goodbye to Journie. She arrived at EqWBR in January of 2012, one of many orphaned foals rescued by Debra Hawk in 2011. She was adopted by Allie who took such wonderful care and loved her with all her heart. At age three it was discovered she had ring bone in her left hind foot, probably caused by an injury as a foal and could not be ridden until the bones fused. Journie came back to the rescue in 2016. She was put on pain meds and we hoped the pastern bones would still fuse.This fall her lameness worsened so we had more xrays taken. It was clear the bones would not fuse and surgery was not an option because there was too much arthritis.

We doubled her pain meds, but the cold winter weather made it clear she was in tremendous pain and her quality of life had gone done hill quickly. She spent too much time laying down to take the weight off her foot and became very nervous. As pray animals horses get fearful when they can no longer escape a possible predator quickly or easily and never truly relax or sleep well, and she had difficulty getting up once down for a while. We made her final months as happy as we could with lots of love and extra special care.

Our hearts are broken with her loss. She was such a beautiful, vibrant and loving mare. These decisions are so very difficult and after losing our two older dogs and my father this fall, her loss at Christmastime has hit us hard. Run in paradise beautiful girl...free from all pain and fear. Your beauty will always be in our hearts and memories. Please watch over us, Allie and her family....we all loved you very deeply! Grateful thanks for your continued support in helping us care for these beloved creatures. Through great times and tough times we appreciate and treasure you! Christine Equine WellBeing Rescue Founder/President

Equine WellBeing Rescue is a 501c3 Public Charity and 100% volunteer organization providing loving care for equine in need. Help us save and care for more lives with your tax-deductible donation by clicking the donate button up above. Thank you so very much.