Monday, March 1, 2010

Poor Old Gal

Got a call last night just as I was feeding my herd, from a gal I know through the mini yahoo group here... Jaci called me because she remembered I lived in Wittmann, near her son. He was out 4-wheeling in the mud in the desert north of my place (and his) and came across a wandering horse, skin and bones. Like any good kid, he called his mom! Long story short, I got Randy to take me out on his 4-wheeler, met up with Jason, and he took me to the horse. It was about 2 miles north of us, way out a dirt road (ok make that a MUD road!) We had no choice but to ask the horse to walk out, after getting stuck in my own yard yesterday there was no way to risk taking the trailer out there - and with that road crossing several washes, I don't think I could get it out there even on a dry day! It's an awful rough road for such a big rig...

Anyway skin and bones was right, and I checked, yes it's a mare. Pretty face and very sweet, no trouble haltering her but she didn't really want to walk. We gently but firmly convinced her that she needed to come with us... so I started walking her south and Jason followed me with the truck lights on, it helped me see where to walk AROUND the puddles and with the truck behind her the mare was more willing to cooperate with me... at least until we got to a spot where water was all the way across the road. I managed to tiptoe around the edge but she wasn't thinking she wanted to come with... Jason edged closer and she decided the water wasn't as bad as the truck!

After about a mile we got back to Randy and the 4-wheeler, and I hopped in the back to see about ponying her like that, it worked for a bit although I lost the rope a couple times when she lagged, but she didn't take off, just wanted to STOP. Eventually I couldn't convince her to follow the 4-wheeler so I got back out and walked her some more. In the dark, in the mud, both of us old gals were getting pretty tired! Jason took pity on me and put me in his truck while he walked the mare the rest of the way to the pavement, and she made it about 100 yards further and then just QUIT. (In the meantime I had called Hilary and asked her to put food and water in the round pen, no telling where this mare has been or what might be wrong with her so can't risk putting her near our own herd...) Her sides were heaving by then, and her head hanging, she has just HAD IT! Well OK we are on the pavement now so we left Jason with the horse and went home to get the trailer. I am praying she gets in with no trouble because it has been well over an hour now, Jaci called JUST before dinner, Randy was so good about helping when I KNEW he didn't want me to get involved, he worries I have too much going on already... he was tired and cold and wet and hungry and his back hurt... but he didn't complain. With a handful of carrots for bribery, we headed back. Well this old gal sure knows what a carrot is! But we didn't even need them to get her in, I told her we brought her a taxi to take her to some food, and she jumped right in the trailer with me! So I gave her another carrot as a reward :)

Got her home and settled, she stuck her head right in that bowl of pellets Hilary fixed her and never moved a muscle except her jaw! Meantime took Randy to get something to eat too... then back at home, pellets are almost gone so grabbed her a flake of bermuda to snack on overnight and the camera to take some pictures!

She's in awful shape...





But such a pretty face!

Found a small owie on her chest too:


Then inside to start e-mailing and informing and asking... finally got to bed at almost midnight! Which is quite late for THIS old gal!

This morning, more pictures in the daylight.

She is NOT in good shape :(


See how deep the divet is? This should be a ROUNDED rump!

And this is her hip bone protruding...

Surprisingly her hooves are not too bad.

NOT surprisingly, she sure likes her food!



Such a sweet face!

Discovered she is oozing yucky yellow goo from her vulva... guessing an infection of some kind. A couple of good people went over to brave my dogs and get her cleaned up earlier than I could do it so that she will be dry before it gets dark and cold.

The underside of her tail:

I'm sure she will be more comfortable once she is all clean!




The reactions are coming in to my e-mails and postings and lots of kudos going out to Jason for DOING SOMETHING - so many would have turned their backs, and some would have even added to her stress by torturing or teasing her...

As for us, I'm arguing with those who call us heroes - we are just ordinary people who love animals. Someone somewhere once loved this mare as I love my horses. I can only hope that if one of mine ever ended up in a situation like this, someone would take pity on them and lend a hand. How can we do any less? The real heroes are the people who are responding to this situation with offers of time, help, feed and money... although I have specified for any donors, they MUST agree that the money can be used to euthanize if it is determined that is the best course for this poor gal. Jason provided money to feed her for a week so we will defer a decision until after I return from Sonoita on Sunday, to give any possible angels out there a chance to step up if someone wants to take on the challenge of her rehabilitation, and amazingly there is another gal on the mini group who thinks she might actually KNOW this mare... so giving her time to look into it as well. And giving the mare time to relax and rest and eat to her heart's content, so that even if she does merit a quick end, at least she will have had a good week at the last!

She DOES have a tattoo, not all the numbers are legible but in the middle is 2-4-7...

Check back, you can bet there will be updates on THIS!

12 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

Oh. Damn. Girl.. just.. damn.

I'd take her in a heartbeat if she didn't have to ship all the way to GA. Right now she'd like as not survive that haul from the looks of her.

Just... damn.

You got a paypal account?

Horse Filled Days said...

How could anyone just turn a horse out to starve to death....ugh!!! I am assuming that is what happened, surely if someone was looking for her they would have found her way before now....by her body condition, she has been out there for a long time wandering around! Thank God you went and got her, BLESS YOU!! Her face looks absolutely gorgeous, and I'm sure the rest of her will too when she fattens up....can't wait to see her in a couple months....keep us updated....:)

http://horsefilleddays.blogspot.com/

small farm girl said...

WOW. What can you say about something like that? That girl was lucky you found her. Even if it means that you do have to put her down. At least she is not going to suffer much longer. You can tell she was a nice looking horse. I hope she does get better.

PaintedPromise said...

i wish you were closer Mrs. Mom...

paypal is crazyhorselil@msn.com but PLEASE understand before donating that if the decision is made to euthanize her, that is what the funds will be used for. if by chance there is extra (so many people are promising to donate) i will forward it to AERO which is a very good rescue program here - i have fostered for them before (Gus and Ruthie) and they have my little rescue mini mule working on her trust issues right now - in fact they may well keep her forever which would be fine, so long as she is happy! i get updates, she is doing so well... anyway off track here. yes paypal and GOD BLESS YOU!!!

horsefilleddays and small farm girl - i would love to see her get better as well, but once we have a chance to fully evaluate her that just may not be the best thing for her. if she is as old as i think, it would be an awful hard row for her to hoe... better to let her slip peacefully away after a week or so of good chow and lots of loving!

Mrs. Mom said...

Well, if I suspect what will need to happen to treat that internal infection (antibiotic infusion), you are going to need any extra you can get. IF she can handle the treatment. And IF there are not other underlying issues as a result of the extreme starvation.

I know you won't let her suffer, and have no problem with the bit I can scrape up to use for euth if need be. In fact, I'd be upset if it DIDN'T go to that if that is what needs to happen!

Now I gotta go learn how to use my paypal account.. lol

Leah Fry said...

Poor baby. Bless you for giving her some good days, where it's one or thousands.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Oh the poor pretty Gilr ! Yay for people like you and Jason who care enough to take a chance on her!

Shirley said...

First of all, bless you for taking the time and effort to rescue this horse. Are you having a vet evaluate her? Her teeth might be an issue, specially if she is old. But I'd bet some time, antibiotics, and good feed will be all this old darlin' needs- and a good home!

Callie said...

Aaawww, Poor baby. Glad she found you.........

2horseygirls said...

Sent a little something to you for her care or euthanasia. God bless you for taking the time to bring her in and take care of her.

photogchic said...

Any guess on her age? Her feet don't look too bad...might turn out to be a diamond in the rough. Hope the infection is something easily treated. I am hopeful...wish the world had more people like you. Thanks for taking care of this girl whatever the outcome.

City girl turned Country Girl said...

I blog hopped here by Mikey's..

Oh dear God I cannot even imagine the horror that you guys felt upon seeing her condition.. WOW, it breaks my heart to see horses being thrown away in such a manner. They deserve better than that..

Thank you to all who help in rescuing these sweet souls...