Minidreamz0581
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While I was out at the barn where my TWH is boarded last week, my friend told me about some minis that the owner was threatening to shoot if no one took them. On Friday she was able to go out and see them...thankfully, 2 of the minis already got homes. A little 4 year old mare was left. She had lived her life tied to a tree by either a big dog collar or a belt with extra holes punched in it. The barn is currently unable to take in another horse be it big or small, I agreed to take the little girl in.
As you can imagine, she’s in bad shape. She’s a healthy weight, but her coat is in bad condition, her tail was so long that she was stepping on it and her mane was so matted that I had to cut the whole thing off when we finally got her home. Someone had done a hack job on her forelock and part of her mane...it looked like a kid had attacked her with scissors. She was afraid of the clippers so I’ll have to gradually work her up to completely roaching her mane so that she can grow a fresh new mane. I won’t keep it roached like Coady’s as she will never be able to be a driving horse, so she can grow back and keep her lovely little mane. Once I trimmed her mane short I saw that the collar or belt or whatever it was (I didn’t care at the time...I just wanted to get that poor little baby out of there!!) rubbed the hair off of a good sized spot on her neck. The worst thing is her poor little hooves. They’re not super long, but they’re in really really bad shape. It looks like they just cut the toe off with a hacksaw when the hooves got long. She’s actually walking on curved under hoof wall instead of the sole, and her left back leg is actually crooked because of how the hoof has grown. She’s walking on the side of her hoof instead of the bottom. She’s shy and has no idea what a halter is or how to lead. Once her hooves are done properly I think she’ll be around 30”.
So that’s the run down on our little rescue girl. I’ll include a few pics and add more once I can get some better ones. Anyone who has rescue experience with a neglect case, I would love to hear any advice that you have gained from your experience. I got my first mini Shasta over 16 years ago, got Coady 7 years ago and have worked with many minis and more than my share of full sized horses in that time so I have plenty of experience with horses in general, but I’ve never dealt with a case quite like this, and you’re never too experienced to learn something new. Especially if it’s for the good of the horse!
Our current gameplan for our new girl who we have named Rosie:
Tomorrow morning we will call the vet to get this girl her shots, coggins and overall health checkup. I’m concerned about her teeth so those will get checked as well. She is currently quarantined in a 12’x12’ stall that she is learning how to walk around. She doesn’t even know what to do loose. She had about an 8’ circle when tied to her tree. I’ll make her her own little turnout area soon. Her hooves need work before I can even think about turning her out with my ‘megaminis’ as she understandably has a little trouble walking. Tomorrow morning we will also call a farrier in the area who is known for being able to help horses who have major hoof problems. She is very well educated and from what I’ve heard of there’s anyone who can help Rosie, this lady is it. We’re also going to deworm her and start her on some supplements to help her skin and hooves. That’s the care plan at the moment, along with lots and lots of love. Once she’s settled in I’ll give her a much needed bath.
So yes, that’s the story of little Rosie so far. Apologies that this post is so long. Any thoughts and advice are appreciated!!
As you can imagine, she’s in bad shape. She’s a healthy weight, but her coat is in bad condition, her tail was so long that she was stepping on it and her mane was so matted that I had to cut the whole thing off when we finally got her home. Someone had done a hack job on her forelock and part of her mane...it looked like a kid had attacked her with scissors. She was afraid of the clippers so I’ll have to gradually work her up to completely roaching her mane so that she can grow a fresh new mane. I won’t keep it roached like Coady’s as she will never be able to be a driving horse, so she can grow back and keep her lovely little mane. Once I trimmed her mane short I saw that the collar or belt or whatever it was (I didn’t care at the time...I just wanted to get that poor little baby out of there!!) rubbed the hair off of a good sized spot on her neck. The worst thing is her poor little hooves. They’re not super long, but they’re in really really bad shape. It looks like they just cut the toe off with a hacksaw when the hooves got long. She’s actually walking on curved under hoof wall instead of the sole, and her left back leg is actually crooked because of how the hoof has grown. She’s walking on the side of her hoof instead of the bottom. She’s shy and has no idea what a halter is or how to lead. Once her hooves are done properly I think she’ll be around 30”.
So that’s the run down on our little rescue girl. I’ll include a few pics and add more once I can get some better ones. Anyone who has rescue experience with a neglect case, I would love to hear any advice that you have gained from your experience. I got my first mini Shasta over 16 years ago, got Coady 7 years ago and have worked with many minis and more than my share of full sized horses in that time so I have plenty of experience with horses in general, but I’ve never dealt with a case quite like this, and you’re never too experienced to learn something new. Especially if it’s for the good of the horse!
Our current gameplan for our new girl who we have named Rosie:
Tomorrow morning we will call the vet to get this girl her shots, coggins and overall health checkup. I’m concerned about her teeth so those will get checked as well. She is currently quarantined in a 12’x12’ stall that she is learning how to walk around. She doesn’t even know what to do loose. She had about an 8’ circle when tied to her tree. I’ll make her her own little turnout area soon. Her hooves need work before I can even think about turning her out with my ‘megaminis’ as she understandably has a little trouble walking. Tomorrow morning we will also call a farrier in the area who is known for being able to help horses who have major hoof problems. She is very well educated and from what I’ve heard of there’s anyone who can help Rosie, this lady is it. We’re also going to deworm her and start her on some supplements to help her skin and hooves. That’s the care plan at the moment, along with lots and lots of love. Once she’s settled in I’ll give her a much needed bath.
So yes, that’s the story of little Rosie so far. Apologies that this post is so long. Any thoughts and advice are appreciated!!
