Lost Horse? I think NOT!

Finding a horse could mean an very worried owner is looking for her or it could mean the horse was dumped for a reason. What is this case?

Lost Horse?

A 'Save The Horses' volunteer, Deb, was heading out to the rescue farm with her kids. As she drove down Franklin Goldmine Rd, she spotted a horse just standing about 200 feet off the road in an abandoned subdivision. They pulled over, grabbed their halter and she left her daughter there with the horse while she came to tell us. We quickly hooked up the trailer. Not knowing what to expect, I was shocked to see the swelling to the mares head and neck. I thought it may be a snake or spider bite but I had suspicions in the back of my mind that is was something else. As soon as we got back to the barn, I gave her a steroid injection. The veterinarian was on her way out but I was anxious that the swelling might get so bad she would suffocate. Hurry Dr. Amanda! While we waited, we cold hosed her neck. It felt like tiny bubble wrap under her skin on her face and neck.

The Vet examined the mare and determined she was about 20 something years old. We looked closely for any type of bite or puncture marks but didn't find any at that time. Maybe when the swelling goes down, we will have a better answer. It usually takes 24 hours for swelling like that to recede. The vet also gave me more steroids to help reduce the swelling quickly. Three days passed and there was little change. Maybe it wasn't a bite at all. The images in my head when I first saw her were not pretty. I wondered if she had been roped with a lasso and then yanked over on her back. She did have a cut just about her tail. It was about 7 inches long and fresh when we found her. It was skinned of it's hide. How'd that happen?

Just across the street from where we found her, is a farm run by people who do things to horses I cannot watch. I have driven by and saw men on horses chasing other very frightened horses. They were chasing horses with lasso's trying to rope them. They had smiles on their faces and enjoyed the chase. The horses were running for their lives. Could this have been what happen to the mare we picked up? This is all speculative on my part. Dr Amanda and I discussed what seems to be a torn trachea. That's why the swelling didn't go down quickly like it would have from poision of a snake or spider. I think the lassoed her, flipped her over. Then saw all the swelling. She may have lost consienciousness as well. Maybe they took her to the back of the abandoned subdivision and left her for dead.

Someone told me the saw these men in the subdivision that day. When we drove over with the trailer, the men were out there and saw us taking the horse, loading her in the trailer. They didn't stop us, ask us any questions or seem to care that we were taking this mare.

April 18th, when Forsyth County arrested a man for animal cruelty including 4 dead horses, it made me think the pieces fit to the puzzle of what happened to this mare.
http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2011-04-18-186823.114126-sub-Four-horses-dead-in-pasture.html

We named her Clover. I didn't call the Sheriff. I didn't want to make accusations without proof. I also wanted her taken care of and treated kindly. I can see the distant look in her eye. I was scared for her safety. Maybe I didn't do the right thing. Maybe I should have reported a found horse but I did what was in my heart. Was she a lost horse? I think Not! Remember, this is just my opinion.

Storm Passing!

Stormie had an infected sinus when she arrived at the Rescue. Her owners had paid for strong antibiotics for her for 2 years and she still had a foul discharge out of one nostril or the other. Nothing was working. She was 28 at the time. An x-ray showed that some of the infection actually damaged the sinus cavity. We treated her with Oregano Oil and few times and it never returned. No smelly discharge, no discharge at all. She did well. She was a star at the rescue for a few years then a very loving couple came and Stormie put a big hug on Steve, the husband, and it was love for both of them. Linda, the wife, wasn't jealous though, she loved Stormie, too.

Linda and Steve bought a beautiful farm and adopted Stormie and a few other horses. Stormie was always the leader and was treated royally. Over the past few weeks, Stormie was having problems with her liver and her energy level was getting lower and lower. The veterinarians did everything they could. Steve and Linda did everything they could but Stormie passed over to the Rainbow Bridge. Stormie's spirit will live on in our hearts. RIP Sweet Stormie.

A Wooly Ole Gal!

Another one comes in from the auction. This old mare was brought to the auction, just thrown away buy her owners. We offered a whopping $10. for her. She has many stories to tell about her long life and how she ended up at a kill buyer auction but she's not saying a word. She's too busy eating all the grass she can find in our North Georgia pasture. She has the symptoms of having Cushings disease. It is a hormonal imbalance that can be brought under control. We have others with Cushings so it is not a problem for us. We really get great results from a product called Evitex. It is made from Chasteberry. No side effects, just a healthier horse! It is not cheap though. We haven't named this sweet old gal yet but she sure could use a sponsor to help defray costs of her Evitex. It's about $50. a month for her supplement. http://www.EmeraldValleyEquine.com/evitex.cfm She also has to eat, get her regular manicures from the farrier, and regular needs. If a few people send a small monthly commitment to sponsor her, we can continue to help her until she finds a special home where she is loved forever.

How old are you, Gypsy?

Happy Birthday Gypsy!

Gypsy is a very pretty Appaloosa mare. You can always find her in a pasture, she's easy to SPOT! She would love to find a new loving home with someone who only does light riding or just be a humans best friend. She came from a loving owner who because of finances, had to give her up. Gypsy has always been treated kindly, is loving and gentle. She looks great for her age. Today Gypsy is celebrating her 25th Birthday!

One Last Change for Strawberry!

One last chance for Strawberry!

After speaking with Dr. Lee, who removed the Strawberry's eye, he wants to examine her and is hoping it is not the cancer returned.

Patti is taking her to Alabama for the appointment. What we need is all your prayers, good wishes and positive thoughts that Dr. Lee will find something curable the local vet didn't.

We do not want her to suffer but we also do not want to euthanize her if there is a cure. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is an aggressive cancer and if it is the cancer causing her problem we will ask Dr. Lee to humanely let her cross over to the Rainbow Bridge.

I know I just complained about gas prices. (It costs me $150. to pick up a 28 year old gelding in NC). Patti will drive almost 3 hours one way so the vet visit and gas alone will be costly. The outcome will tell what other costs will occur so if you can spare a dollar, we will greatly appreciate it. Don't forget to spare a prayer and good wish for Strawberry!

Life's Journey of One Sweet Horse.

When Strawberry was born, her owner was happy to have such a pretty little filly. She has the look of a prized Medicine Hat on her head. It is mythical as well as very attractive to most horse lovers!

Medicine Hat horses are believed to have a special magical power to protect their rider through battle and their mainly white coats were decorated with symbols to help further protect the rider.

I don't know her full journey in her 15 years of life but I wish to think it started out with love. How did she get here? Our volunteer foster home with Patti in Milton, Florida found her on a local Craigslist Posting: Mare with bad eye needs home, FREE! Not any takers for a horse with a bad eye. We couldn't turn our back on a really needy horse. That's what rescue is to us...helping the ones who need help the most.

The story were were told was the horse was given to a child who's parents dropped off the horse at a friends pasture. No one every came back to care for her, feed her or show her their love.

She was treated with love at Patti's farm. Her journey continued to a wonderful veterinarian who diagnosed Strawberry with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in her eye. Our magical horse, Strawberry, may have protected her riders but no one protected her from the harmful rays of the sun. We had surgery to remove her eye. Dr Lee thought he had removed all the margins of cancer and she was on her way to better days ahead.

She seemed happier and was gaining weight. We were seriously looking for a new permanent home for her but suddenly, she started showing signs of paralysis on one side of her face. It was the side where the cancer was found. It quickly moved down to her left jaw. She is having trouble eating as you can see in the video. She has to move her head around to try and grind and swallow. I went to Florida and took the videos last week when only the left side was affected. Patti told me that her right jaw is now getting paralyzed. We sadly made a decision to let Strawberry continue her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. It is a heartbreaking decision for Patti and I. We both gave it much thought and knew it was the kindest thing to do, despite our sadness.

Thanks to the generosity of Patti for opening her farm and her heart to Strawberry. We feel it was worth the time and money spent to fight for Strawberry's life. Sadly is ended too quickly but she left us knowing we did all we could for her and showed her kindness and love in a sometimes not so kind world to animals. Below are a couple of Videos of Strawberry.