Well, here we are finally almost at the end of a year that has shot past. This will be the final newsletter of the year, the next one being due on 1 January 2018.
Our Stanley was attacked in his shack again!! This time they brought petrol to burn him out ‘because he ‘hurt’ two of their friends when they came the previous time. So it appears if you hurt somebody when they attack your home, you should not try and stop them!! He is now making arrangements to change his place of abode. He also took a few day Leave to recover his scattered wits!
A local complaint about a ‘black’ horse on Sardinia Bay Road was received. Was taken in in the meantime but owner claimed him and took him home. Sounds simple, does it not? But takes a lot of hands on, bakkies and fuel to attend the scene but all ok as the horse was fine and was unharmed and is now home.
Then two strays wandered onto a Friend’s property. She sent us a picture via whatsapp that was uploaded to Facebook. Claimed!!
A donkey jack brought in for gelding, part of our population control work. Being a mature adult, at the end of the gelding, he weighed much less than when he came in. Thank you, Dr Charles!
Then a new to us Langa, Uitenhage donkey owner phoned to say something was wrong with his jack. Carla and Tom went and brought him in straight to Dr Hilda at 9th, who found that he was tympanic (his tummy sounded like a drum when tapped) and his insides coming out of his anus!! Why? Who knows. The recommended euthanasia was carried out shortly thereafter and now he is safe forever. RIP.
Two horses delivered to their new home as soon as the correct owner presented her ownership papers.
One of our recently adopted out horses aborted a stillborn foal. It appears she was pregnant when she came in as a stray. Adoptors sad as are we.
And then Traci Vink organized a dog walk at Grassroof with carrots and apples being the ‘cap fee’. The donkeys were so happy to see and of course, they do not have a problem with sharing with their bigger Friends, the horses. Thank you, Traci!
Thanks received from a horse owner who we were helping with a leg wound caused by a neighbour’s donkey climbing through their fence and ‘terrorising’ her horse. Long slow process but with the correct procedures in place, almost healed.
A written request for help getting 3 donkeys haltered was received, but the owner has yet to phone and make a date.
And then on a Monday morning on arriving for work, staff found two donkeys tied to the gate! Thank you to whoever made sure they waited for us to open up. Owner notified.
Our TO BE A DANCER finally, after a horrible start to his second life like our Bullrun, has found his admirer and has settled down well.
Two non-thoroughbreds ‘left behind’ with two people who knew little about horses when they bought the farm, visited by Stan and Tom when they were dewormed and their hooves and their AHS vaccination done. Now that they have been haltered, they will become less feral because it was a joke to try and catch them the first time!! It’s also amazing that the landowner has put up a small camp where the horses can be contained when waiting for our or a Vet visit. Well done, Colin!
A down the coast visit for rechecks and recommendations to various equine owners done by Stanley.
For some time, we have been thinking about our grassy camp at the back of the property and how the horses would really enjoy its lushness. So, I asked HARRY THE HORSE if we could have our money that he has been keeping for us for some years. A fund raising initiative by Equine Angel Joanne at Highveld Horse Care Unit. It took a little while to actually getting around to buying the poles, but once they were in hand, the staff took a couple of days to erect the fences. Looks really bonza and the horses and girl donkeys took a short time to suss out the way there and back again, and once inside the camp, heads are down and tails are a-swishing for the three/four hours they spend there! My thanks to the staff for doing the hard yards so quickly even though they hit rock that required the hire of a jackhammer!!
Our SPLINKY went off to stay with STEFAAN who was very happy to see his new friend.
TRANSKEI – On this monthly Transkei Mission trip, 171 horses were scanned and vaccinated and hoof problems sorted out. 8 donkeys were dewormed and had their hooves trimmed. All good so far.
WESTERN OFFICER, MARIZA and AZUZA surrendered after their racing carreer is over and are now available for adoption.
One of the perks of the job is being the one to say THANK YOU! To all those who have helped us keep our heads above water over the past year: THANK YOU! New Turf Carriers, 'The Greek' George Sarmias; Rainbow Beach; Triple 8 Clothing; Isizwe Catering; Mynhardt; Shamfam Shavings; the Stonebridge Family, Messrs Baars and Cox, Ken and Cindy Hall, Dr J and last, but NEVER least, Dorrie and Mark.
Sadly, just like happens to all the other people out there, our hardworking laptop, (donated by Enid Lovemore some years ago) decided on a permanent fan strike. Computer Bits and Pieces were able to source a second hand laptop and transfer all our data across. Thank you, Computer Bits and Pieces, for ‘saving our bacon’!
Wandile from Langa phoned for his hot water burned donkey jenny. Burns are difficult, but we are making progress with the debriding and healing now that she and her foal are with us. We are assisting him with this Case opened against the hot water thrower!! Well done, Wandile!
The GLENDORE ARMS POTJIE COMPETITIION, that has been running without a hitch for the past year was attended by Sally and I. A lot of very avid cooks making lots of Potjie that was sold. Well done, Nola, on the organisation.
The Grassroof Yard Sale Raffle Draw for the (very) fluffy Dog, collected by Mandy and Alyssa who was really chuffed to take it home.
And then there was a PROTEST, the first one in ages, but again it affects our equines. So on the day, they only got their breakfast nosebags at 9.30am. Supper was not a problem. Thank you to Carla and Sally for assisting with the feed ups. Thanks also to WO Matt (Walmer SAPS) and the NMMM Town Ranger who helped us get into the premises twice and getting us safely home!
A stand out occasion was when we received a Complaint of a horse on Standford Road!! Well, after a day and a half of all staff out, finding and trying to catch her, running (and riding) over hills and dales, the staff was exhausted and the horse was still on the loose. Stanley was not to be denied and managed to find the owner after a thorough search. After a very deep discussion, the owner has decided to sell her as he himself can’t catch her. So rather than leaving her there, and finding on the off chance that she had moved back down to the very busy Standford Road, becoming a bit of a traffic hazard, the owner has decided to sell for her own good.
Our Annual Raceday is scheduled to take place on the 15th December at Fairview Racecourse. The cost per head is R125, the venue is very posh and the menu is very special. So, we look forward to an entertaining afternoon. Seats available from Dorrie on 0825720505.
DONATIONS RECEIVED THAT HELP EVERYTHING WE DO GO SMOOTHLY:
Leskey Ascendis - donated Dermovet.
Treloar - donated tack.
Juliet and Kate – donated tack
Liz and Phil – tack and sweepings
FEED AND SEED – donated sweepings
Nicky – donated leavings.
VOLUNTEERS – Josh – grooming and carroting, and Megan with carrots and apples
So ends the November newsletter. I will take this opportunity to wish to a very Happy Christmas and a great start to 2018.
M
Banking Details: Standard Bank Current
Account Number: 080733875
Universal Branch Code: 051001
Account: Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit (all donated monies are used by us in the Metro and beyond!)
Landline: 041 366 1594
Cellph: 072 357 2505
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fb: East Cape Horse Care Unit