Amazing what a difference a little TLC can make

On my travells today I went up to see 2 of our rescue ponies at their foster home. The difference in the pair is amazing!

The first difference most noticable is their appearance. One of the mares, Beauty, is very much the same as she wasn't in too bad a condition when we picked her up, but Velvet (we think is Beauty's daughter as they share very very simular unique markings) is a whole new pony!

Here's Velvet when we picked her up:


Disgustingly over-length hooves, bald at the top of her tail, obese and absolutley riddled with worms.

Now, 6 weeks later she has lost some weight, her hooves have been trimmed back comfortably so she can actually walk rather than just hobble! She's been wormed and the hair around the top of her tail is growing back beautifully.

She also has daily interaction with rowdy children and both she and Beauty have proven themselves to be practically bomb-proof lead-rein ponies. Beauty is quite timid around adults but very gentle and perfectly obedient for the children. Velvet is a touch more confident and will boss the kids at tea time but is generally very well behaved!

Another month or so should see both ready for new homes.

Whirlwind

What a busy week!

To add insult to injury, poor Romeo had an abcess on his cheek which burst and of course we're now cleaning it out twice daily which he isn't enjoying and to be honest neither are we much, nasty stinky thing. Poor boy!

We have been assisting the property owners of the location we rescued Asha and Harmony from, offering advice for a tricky situation involving two of the remaining horses on their land and have made several trips out at their request to give what assistance and advice we could. We've recieved word that their owner hasn't been to see them in almost two weeks now and so feed has been provided as she has not organised feed for them.

Also Asha's foal which is currently in care due to his pnuemonia was well on the mend when the poor fellow have his carers an absolute heart attack started having seizures or fits at around 8:30 last night. The Vet was called immediately and went over him from top to tail and her diagnosis was a concussion. She began treatment immediately which involved an injection of steroids to help stop his body reacting so violently and now the poor lad must be kept in and quiet for a few days and very closely monitored. However great news; he's eating well and looks like he's recovering nicely but he won't be completely out of the woods for a day or two. If he survives I'd like to vote a name change; to Cat - he seems to have 9 lives! (well, 7 now)

I made the trip down to Boddington yesterday to see Oscar and Nemo and to try them under saddle to see how they'd go. Oscar is so fat if he's a mare I'd be expecting a foal any day! He truly runs on the smell of a chaff bag as he has 3 hours of grazing and 2 tiny hard feeds a day for his vits more than anything and still looks like a beached whale. So we're restricting his diet a bit more whilst he isn't working.

He's not a happy camper under saddle. He was incredibly grouchy about the whole thing, and incredibly resistant. There was no go button at all and it took half an hour of ask, turn and reward to get him even walking around the round-yard. He resisted at any change of direction, resisted any attempt to get a trot and resisted any effort to get his walk more animated. He crabbed and cow-kicked and even managed a full pig-root, ears plastered to his head.

I get the distinct impression that the poor chap hasn't been broken to saddle at all and the people who owned him just jumped on expecting a good ride and then gave him hell when he didn't know what they wanted. Now he's just sour and still doesn't know what we want. So over the next couple of weeks, we'll move him up to one of our more specialist carers for some riding and groundwork to install an accelerator! (The brakes work just fine, thanks!)

Today the feed order has arrived and so I must sign off and get out there and sort it all out.

First Aid a real success

Yesterday saw us launch 2008's educational services with the Horse Health & First Aid Workshop. I was so pleased, it went very well and everyone had a great time and learned a lot about general horse health, various diseases, illnesses and lamenesses that affect horses and how to diagnose and treat them. We will be holding another in March so keep your eyes open for information on that one!

I had a busy morning, got up early to feed the horses here, then scooted to Oakford to pick up two of the test subjects only to find Shishka, one of the Gingin rescues had foundered! The poor girl has been borderline since we collected her and we've been working hard to try and prevent her going down that road as we can tell by her hooves she's foundered before but sadly she went downhill yesterday. So I put her in a sandy yard, gave her water and shifted the two horses for the Workshop and then drove back to Oakford to meet the Vet.

She checked Shishka over, gave her a shot of bute and we booked the poor darling in for Xrays. The farrier's booked and she's now on a diet of soaked hay (gets a lot of the sugar out) and a handful of chaff to mix her magnesium and bute in.

Then I drove back to Kelmscott to help with the workshop, and then came back up for our other vet Donna Colvin to take a look at Spud and she decided she wanted to Adopt him which is fantastic! Then back to the workshop for the end of it, load the horses up and take them back to Oakford again.

Then I had my own horses to clean up after and feed, then a family to feed as well. It never ends in this line of work but every minute is worth it.

Today was orientation for our new Apprentices and everyone seems very keen and gung ho about it so I have a very positive vibe about SC's 2008 progress!

The last couple of days has been so busy! Wednesday the 16th saw us arrive to collect Harmony. She did the usual ears-back-grinding-teeth routine so I spent a few minutes leading her around and working on her manners. She wanted to push past me often so I kept halting her and asking her to back up when she did this. She often flattened her ears and ground her teeth at me, a sign of annoyance that I was not leaving her alone. But after a few minutes she began to get better and not do it so much. I think the key with her was to reinforce my position by asking her to back out of my space when she did this and then praising her the moment her ears came forward and she relaxed. I let her go again whilst I waiting for the float to arrive.

When it did, with the two people helping me, Gary went to catch her. Harmony didn't want to know and trotted off down the paddock. "Should have left the halter on." Neryl remarked. So I had a go to catch her and what do you know she just stood up for me no problem at all. So it seems she might have a disliking for men but I can't be sure without testing this theory.

Harmony loaded onto the float immediately and without hesitation or fuss, I was so relieved as I didn't want her stressed any more than necessary. We took her to the Vets and left her there for the day and lo and behold, she is in foal, and the Vet says she's about 3 months along. Due to her lift being caught up and both they and myself assuming the other had called the Vets, Harmony spent an impromptu night at the Vets and early Thursday morning I shifted her to her new home. She settled in well and I am very pleased and confident she is in the best of hands.

"Ohhh she's so skinny!" her new carer cried, comparing her to their 'butter-fat' broodmares.

Then I high-tailed it to Oakford as a photographer was coming to get a shot of Asha and her carer for an article in the local paper. I missed him as I was running late but saw Asha and I must comment on how she has changed. She is now very friendly and not at all concerned with being handled. Her aloofness has turned to interest and she is also moving better, she looks like a different horse!

Her foal has had a snotty nose since before we picked them up and we were very worried as he had a temperature and was not eating well. Yesterday we had to act, the Vet was summoned and it seems the poor soul has equine pnuemonia although we need to take him for an ultrasound be certain it isn't something more sinister or contagious. We had to immediately isolate him in the weaning box on a different property to his mother just in case and we're hoping he'll pick up quickly now with the anti-biotics.

Poor chap! If his owner had caught it when it was just a cold and treated him, he'd never become so ill. Constant viligance. If your horse looks a bit off, particularly with a nasal discharge, GET THE VET!!!

One down...

Today we collected Asha and her foal (we're weaning the foal and halter training him for the owner as we were worried he may hurt himself in the paddock they were in if we just removed the mare) and things went exceptionally well.

We had a bit of song and dance from the foal to begin with, he pulled and pulled, and tried to get away and when that didn't work he lay down on the ground and looked at us as if to say "NOW what are you going to do?" But once he realised laying down wasn't going to make us go away he became quite ameniable. Funny little fellow, he's full of spunk but he's smart enough and learns fast.

He had a brief halter lesson on the way down to the float and followed his mother quite well. When it came to putting them onto the float we removed the partition so they'd have plenty of room and asked the foal to come up first. With the aid of a bum rope and lots of praise when he tried for us, he came on very quickly. Then we asked his mother to come on and she wasn't so sure, poor girl was nervous. But we gave her some time to think about it, kept her calm and then after 5 minutes with a light tap on the bottom she walked right in and stayed in! Such a good girl.

Both travelled like a dream and unloaded calmly at the other end. I was so pleased as we were expecting a right rodeo but both horses were very sensible about the whole thing.

We swung by the Vets and got Donna from Serpentine Vet Hospital to have a very good look at her shoulder and it was deemed that she is not in pain from it, and is using it quite well. Overall Donna was fairly happy about her general health and says with hoof, teeth care and good feeding she'll come along well.

She lifted her hooves up for a good look and had a look in her mouth and although unsure, Asha behaved very well and was much more relaxed about us handling her than she was at our initial attempt to make her comfy on Saturday.

Then we reloaded Asha (who went on even quicker this time) and made the haul to the foster home.

Asha is as I speak tucking heartily into a hay roll and has not lifted her head from it since she arrived!

Now we just have to collect Harmony, get her preg tested and on to her foster home tomorrow. I do hope she is as cooperative as the sweet Asha!

Trust us

Today I became aware of many people believing SC advertised somebody's sale of horses that had nothing wrong with them and seem disconcerted with the fact we appeared to be helping somebody make money.

I would like to say, without saying too much, that we advertised the sale for a genuine reason and in good faith on part of the sellers. The fact that they raised prices last minute is not something we can be responsible for.

Also animals sold were certainly in excellent condition. The individual animals we became involved with were not present and we cannot disclose details of the problem.

We appologise for misconceptions however please trust us... there is much we'd like to say but cannot but please bear in mind neglect comes in many forms - not just obvious ones.

Trust us, we had horses wellbeing in mind and for those who are wondering, SC did not recieve any of that money at all.

The most amazing people

In this job I meet the most amazing people. Each and every one is amazing in their own right. Some are so very dedicated and passionate about horse welfare that they amaze me. Some out so much hard work into something for us, they amaze me with their selflessness. Some people have such big hearts, or have the most incredible skills... the list goes on and on.

And then, there are people who amaze me for the wrong reasons. Yesterday I met probably the most amazing person I have ever come across and sadly, all for the worst.

This particular person has proven themselves to be utterly selfish, self centred, self promoting, ignorant, compulsive liar and a long-time habitual neglector. It was horrible to watch them at work and morbidly fascinating at the same time.

The conversation with this person left me completely gobsmacked and I really began to wish that I had gone to Uni to get a psychiatrist degree. Surely, the human mind is the most incredible instrument and when it 'goes bad' it is even more amazing, if not downright frightening.

You know you are in trouble when you come across somebody operating under a name that means 'bringer of death'.

I can't quite get over the fact this person advertises the fact!

Rescues are go!

Wow wasn't today a busy one!

First up I changed Romeo's bandages. (For those who don't know, last Saturday I came down to the stables to find he'd gone through a solid post and rail fence and torn his leg open to the tendon) He's much more co-operative about it now, so I am able to do it alone without the need for somebody to hold him. Still a tricky job, anyone who knows will sympathise with the 'need-for-eight-hands' feeling when you're trying to juggle bandages, padding, gauze, dressing for the wound, the tape to go over it and the horse itself all at once!

Then I went off to see Shelley McCaw with the intention to do facial readings for all the horses on her place. Well, I got time to do one and then was suddenly drawn into negotiations via third party for the life of the skinny mare in yesterday's blog. Then I was able to speak to her owner in person and after a little while she finally agreed to surrender this mare and one of her others into SC's care. HOORAY!

So I spent good part of the rest of the day organising to go there tomorrow with the paperwork and feed (and thanks to a couple of helpers, somebody to try and trim those poor feet!!) and to do a full assessment.

And then lo and behold I decided to touch base with another horse owner whom we'd been involved with over a severe neglect case in July 07. Turned out she was planning to sell majority of her horses and so I sent out notifications to everyone I could possibly think of to help find buyers for these animals.

For anyone interested who may read this before lunch time tomorrow, the message went like so:

OK the horses are at Big Valley Ranch which is on Flynn Drv in Wanneroo. There’s a big sign so you cant miss it, pretty sure it’s the first driveway on the left as you get onto Flynn off Wanneroo Rd

BIG VALLEY HORSES - Wanneroo

All animals under $1000, prices negotiable. Mixed breeds, have Appaloosa, Clydesdale and Arab blood. Possibly others as well. NONE (except perhaps the 3 adult & broken in horses) are registered nor registerable and we very stongly advise that these horses are NOT taken for breeding purposes as they will make LOVELY pets but are not breeding quality and as stated, cannot be registered.

They are however strong, hardy and good doers.Ages range from foals to 15yo... handling varies from fully broken adults to unhandled horses.Cash only and horses will be available to view TOMORROW between 10am and lunch time. And this is the ONE AND ONLY time they will be offered for sale.

There are:1 Grey gelding, approx 14.2hh broken in and nice natured, about 12yo1 Grey gelding, approx 14.2hh NOT broken but halter trained, bout 12yo3 chestnut & white paint colts, weanlings and will mature around the 14 – 15hh mark all unhandled13 Bay horses, mares and geldings, all unhandled, mixed heights and from weanlings to 12yo1 black weanling colt, mature approx 14 – 15hh, unhandledThere are also a couple of buckskin foals not yet weaned, they must be sold with their mothers as a package dealMany mares MIGHT be in foal (as they run in a brumby-like herd) again and the other big thing is that she can only keep the horses in until Monday evening – then she has to let them go again so anything not paid for and collected by Monday won’t be able to go. The sale is this weekend only, horses are ONLY able to be viewed between 10am and 12pm tomorrow.

Just a small window of opportunity but this is much better than not being able to help any horses at all!

With any luck somebody tomorrow will get photos for me. I can't go... I'll be dealing with the other mares!!

Argh gees effin' goodness!!

I simply cannot believe people sometimes!

I was called out to be asked advice on what to do about some horses whos owner had not paid their agistment for some months and the horses were looking a bit off. Found this girl with a 4 month old foal at foot. A bit off? You've got to be kidding me!!



This is neglect to a high extent! This horse is JUST 12 YEARS OLD!

Im no expert but even I could feel the razor edges and hooks on the poor things teeth.

We are working exceptionally hard to save at the mare and with any luck we will be able to.

... this is severe neglect. Unforgivable and unacceptable.

Gee I love Standardbreds!

Yesterday (Friday) I went out to see and take some bits and bobs out for two of our rescues, Oscar and Nemo. I can't get over how quickly they've come good for us - very resiliant horses.

When I went to catch Oscar to stand him up for a photo he decided he didn't want to be caught and nicked off. After a couple of minutes he decided to give in and stand up for me. Took the photos and let him go again. He had this expression on his face... "Oh, is that all you wanted?"

But man I get SUCH a good vibe about that horse. I can't explain it but I just know he's going to make somebody very happy and will be somebody's best mate. He's very well put together for a Stb - I'm not particularly fond of how his croup slopes but heck he's a nice type - good bone, good feet, good teeth and strong. I just can't wait to bring him in for work. For some reason I am so excited to have the prospect of riding him... I am more enthusiastic about him than most of the others. (Except Viento, have a special place in my heart for that one).

But he really reminded me how much I love Stbs!

Nemo is a darling, he's also going to make somebody happy as he's such an absolute sweetheart.

Here's some photos for you all:

Oscar -

Nemo -

So different to when they first came! See their pages on our website for 'before' pics. www.schrar.org

All systems go!

Well hasn't the year begun busily! I have a feeling this is a sign of times to come. I have had four 'at risk' horses reported to me, one I've actually seen so far and another three. One is even a retired RDA horse - the story goes that the current person responsible for its care is being paid $100 for its needs... however the money is not being used for the horse which is going without feed other than its grazing, is kept in a fairly green but small paddock with poor fencing and was rugged in full winter doona LAST WEEK when it was stinking hot!

We're doing some research to find the legal owners to get this situation sorted as soon as possible and sadly we don't have a lot to go on but we are working on it and with any luck will have a result soon for the poor creature.

Today the current President of Horse Rescue Australia came to visit and touch base with us. It was great to meet somebody from the org which is based outside of Sydney. They have 200 odd acres they opperate from and he tells me they've arrived at the property to begin their chores to find horses tethered to their front gate with a note attached "Please look after this horse". Another thing SC can expect once we have an actual base of operations I expect. Sad old world, isn't it?

Another busy day tomorrow, shuffling horses backwards and forwards getting the dental appointments sorted for the newer ones. Will be great to get their age estimated by a pro and I am certain they'll pick up beautifully once this is done.