I’ve been watching this tragic story of Betsy Rose for a month now…
I didn’t want to ask you to give …and then lose her.
I know that happens… but this time, it looked more likely.
So, I waited.
Today it has been a month and this tiny but formidable mare keeps fighting. She keeps improving.
Meet Betsy Rose. She is approximately 20 years old. Welsh Pony. Left to starve and die in her own home.
This is the first photo sent back to BHFER by the advance team that went out to evaluate her condition.
BETSY’S STORY
I’ll keep this short because the photos tell the story.
BHFER was alerted to a ‘down mare’. BHFER sent a small team to see her – the report back was almost more than any horse owner could bear.
Against veterinarian suggestions, BHFER decided to help her live instead of help her die. The mare had light in her eyes. They took bloodwork to see if her vital organs were compromised and then proceeded to create a plan to transport her back to the Rescue. If she needed to die, she would die with dignity.
The vet evaluated the tiny, starved mare. Things did not look good.
But, she had light in her eyes, so BHFER rounded up their volunteers and created a plan to safely transport her back to the Rescue.
The vet and volunteers braided her hair to give her some dignity in case she passed in the trailer on the way to the Rescue. (They used tape to secure her braids…)
Volunteers helped manage this tiny mare into a trailer and bring her to BHFER where they immediately started IV fluids, ran the appropriate blood tests and started her on a safe re-feeding program.
She couldn’t stand without help. She couldn’t roll over or change her weight without help. She could barely lay sternum.
But, she tried – a lot.
The next day, her bloodwork came back… her organs were good, but she had tremendous infections.
As soon as she could be lifted safely, BHFER put tiny Betsy Rose in their sling and brought her outside… the little mare was willing herself to live.
Betsy Rose wanted to walk, but she had no strength and could not hold her own weight. Here she is going through the motions but has very little weight on the ground.
Each day, the little mare, now named Betsy Rose, rallied.
Each day, the staff at BHFER stood with her, around the clock, tending to her many needs.
Betsy could not stand. She had sores on her body from laying down. BHFER padded her sore spots and cleaned/treated her wounds. They rolled her outside every day.
Betsy Rose spent most of her time in her sling, eating, napping and recovering while BHFER tried their best to tend to her many ailments.
This photo was taken 3 WEEKS after her rescue… she had gained weight! Can you imagine? (As you can see, there are precautions to help her not have any ‘rub’ wounds caused by the sling.)
After three weeks (4th of July), BR’s attendants carried her out on a patriotic sling to let her hand walk. And she did. Two steps!
In the last week, she has been able to stand on her own for a short amount of time! Her bloodwork remains cautiously good.
Her 4th of July historic walk…
Just a day ago, BR stood on her own briefly and walked a few steps!
CAN WE HELP THOSE WHO STEPPED UP TO HELP THIS VERY NEAR DEATH AND HOPELESS MARE?
Can you imagine the uphill battle that BHFER, their vets and all of the volunteers took upon themselves to commit to this mare whose only thing going for her, literally, was the ‘light in her eyes’?
Can we help those who defied the easy way and have spent so much time, effort, love, money and care to help this mare – whose care is intense and ongoing…? They had to help her… She still had hope in her heart.
I’m lost for this little girl. I just can’t believe her condition and in the worlds of worlds how could someone let this happen. Make them so sorry for doing this. Jail for a long time.
Thank goodness she’s responding to help, God bless her forever and the people who got her through it
We are not in a place, yet, to be able to give money, but the prayers flow from us to everyone at Beauty’s Heaven. The folks there are wonderful. Theresa, her family, and her wonderful team of volunteers are the best. Betsy Rose is just one of their success stories. They have 40+ horses there. Some will never leave there and some are up for adoption. They never say no, unless there is no room, then they still try and find a place for the animal. Not just horeses, but donkeys, too. They have posted a video of Betsy Rose taking a walk. It makes your heart smile! God bless all of them and you, too.
I hope you will keep us updated. I would love to see her filled out, healthy and not a bone in sight!
SHE IS VERY MUCH ALIVE!!!
God bless the wonderful people at BHFER and God bless this amazing little mare. Her will to live must be amazing. To her owners MAY YOU BURN IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY
I noticed the last of the story you were commenting in past tense. Is she still alive?
Dawn, if you write about Betsy Rose again, maybe you could mention that the kind folks at Equi-spa, who make The Balm, are donating some Balm to BHFER? I wrote to make sure they were still offering it, before I suggested BHFER look into using it — and they are sending some on their own. Thanks for making her the Bucket Fund recipient! Also, Melissa, I believe that charges are in fact being brought against the people who neglected her so cruelly.
Oh my gosh! This is SO HEART WRENCHING! The tears flowed for this brave little mare! God has a plan with her! My donation is not much, but I hope it helps!
What a sweetie! And what wonderful work BHFER does! Wish we could give more!
Was there any charges brought against the owers? I sure hope so!!!