Last week, I told you about Buddy. If you missed that story, click here.
Buddy is another old horse (28 yrs), dumped at a feedlot. His rescuer wrote a moving missive in his defense, that I read. I was moved to help this horse.
Buddy is now getting the care he needs to live out the rest of his years.
Buddy upon intake
UPDATE:
Farrier and Vet visits today! His feet didn’t look too bad for an old, malnourished horse.
I actually spoke to the vet. He sent over Buddy’s file. We spoke about Buddy’s condition. The vet felt that although Buddy has a heart murmur, he presents as what one would expect for a 28 year old horse. Blood was drawn and they are awaiting results. Buddy’s worst issue is his nutrition. He needs lots of healthy, soft foods to gain weight as he is missing a molar. Buddy needs to eat in a safe, calm environment.
The vet also said that Buddy’s lungs were clear. They did a Coggins test. And the vet added that Buddy walked with a sway which was not ataxia. He feels the issue is an old injury to his hip. Because of this, we have arranged for an equine massage therapist to have a session with Buddy.
As far as eating as an old man with few molars, here is what was told to me: “He actually chews hay great. He has all of his chewing teeth except the one missing in the back. He’s also on 2 lbs soaked beet pulp and 2 lbs alfalfa pellets soaked plus 3 lbs Pro Force Senior feed. We added rice bran meal in for a supplement and a joint supplement.”
He gets a new, personal blanket tomorrow.
Buddy with the farrier.
We are at our original goal for Buddy’s care! WONDERFUL! THANK YOU. However, he does need continued body work for his wonky hip, so if you’d like to contribute for Buddy, the overage will go towards his body work and massage/chiropractic care. Thank you!!
All donations are 100% tax deductible! THANK YOU for helping us help Buddy.
CONCERNS
I wanted to address the people who are against Horse and Man helping this particular horse because it is at a rescue they don’t like. I hear you… but I don’t pick sides. If the vet and farrier I speak with answer my questions, then my only concern is the health of the horse. If we can make sure that Buddy gets the help he needs – through professionals caring for him – then Buddy wins. That is our goal. To make a difference in the lives of the horses we help. Today, we made a difference in Buddy’s life. No question.
As an aside, Skydog had haters, too. Since I worked there and saw what happened first hand, I could easily defend Skydog… But it didn’t matter our due diligence; the haters kept hating. I learned that there is no appeasing those who hate.
What is important is doing good work.
Buddy sniffing a bit of the new round bale that arrived today.
His eye leakage is getting better, too! I will have more pics later this week.
Thank you… I understand and agree.
Wow! The difference in Buddy’s eye and expression from the 1st picture to the latest speaks volumes about the love and care he is receiving. The first picture literally made me cry, not just because of his condition, but the look of fear and hopelessness in his eyes.
The new pictures put a smile on my face :)
Dawn, thank you for using your platform to help him. And God bless his rescuer.
Have to say, while I have no issues with the subject involved rescue, the ultimate goal is to help the horse. I sympathize because there is a breed rescue operation on the east coast that is an incredibly great rescue, high-Guidestar rating, multiple awards for their rescue and rehoming work, but they will absolutely not say a darn word against the people who are actually surrendering these used-up, lame, injured, starving, abused, sick horses FOR A PRICE to the rescue. That’s right. There is a group of people who use (misuse) the specific breed and when they are “done” with the horse guess what – they first consign the horse to one of the worst, kill-buyer-frequented auction houses in the northeast, whereupon the middleman calls the rescue and says here’s the get out of jail dollars we want. To me that is the most immoral, unethical, scurrilous, abusive, disgusting behavior imaginable. Yet the rescue will NOT say a single bad word against the people who are doing this – and the rescue has foregone a lot of potential donations because they will not take a moral stand. Because, why? Because they feel RIGHTLY that the ultimate goal is to save the horses. But it sure is a cognitive dissonance issue for a lot of people.