Well, there went March. In the blink of the eye. Complaints, complaints, complaints.
We said a sad final farewell to Arthur Webber who has passed over the Rainbow Bridge. His donks and family miss him mightily. RIP, Arthur.
Moses popped in to ask for more donkey bits which he was given. Worried about his donkeys mouths. Good man is Moses!
A Kwanobuhle donkey owner phoned about his donkey with a proud flesh wound on its leg. Admitted and almost gone now so she should be going home next week.
Dr Charles came to geld one Shetland Pony and landed up gelding a donkey at the same time. Saved time and effort on all sides.
An owner who had ‘sold’ her horse but found that things were not quite as she had expected and requested us to ‘bring him in’ which we did. Matters progressing.
A trip down the coast for Stanley to deworm a horse, petrol paid.
And then a day of DISASTER: Carla and Sally in delivering a horse and donkey found themselves trapped on the N2 with an overheating engine. Helped by motorists, the equines were safely delivered and the bakkie admitted to Lesters for treatment.
At the same time, Stanley was sent to SPCA Uitenhage to collect a jenny with foal and a jack that had been severely beaten on the hindquarter and that SPCA is unable to treat. Unfortunately on the home trip, the jenny put her leg through the side of the horsebox into the wheel hub, leading to severe trauma of the hind leg. Stanley immediately stopped on the side of the highway to release the leg with the help of the grooms. I just do not understand. I have heard of hooves going through the floor but in all my years of trucking this has never happened before. BUT after a Vet consultation and recommendation, treatment with MIRACLE FOAM was instituted and two weeks down the line, the jenny is healing AWESOMELY!!
My staff does an awesome job and at the end of the day, we were all able to rest peacefully. BRAVO to my staff who came to the party and did what was necessary.
Instituting a ‘double deworm’ of a horse and donkeys was handed to Stanley.
Our Moses was found by one of our Unit directors, driving in the late afternoon,in a dark cart and it was recommended that yellow reflective tape be added to the cart for visibility. Thanks to a donation, Sally was able to apply the tape to the sides of the cart.
Then Jackson’s jenny surprised staff by foaling down with a little precious.
One of our fostered out horses showed up lame, but Carla removed a thorn from the bulb of the heel and now all is correct.
And then down came the RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. Wonderful!
Another jenny and foal was collected at the request of the SPCA. This time the foal had been attacked by dogs that had inflicted bites to his little face and neck and legs. On the mend eventually when the jenny was not overprotective – she was quite scarey!
Stan visited PINELODGE to deliver new harnessing and to instruct staff on best practice.
Another Kwanobuhle owner phoned on a weekend and had Carla and Alfred collecting the donkey for euthanasing. The owner recognised that we are unable to fix a broken leg and therefore made the request for us to collect and get it done.
A wasted trip to TELKOM was made to close our account as we have had no service for a month due to the rats that have taken up residence in the barn and chewed the cable. Please use the cellphone to phone us ‘cos we are not answering the landline.
A cast horse on the side of a country town, unable to get to his hooves, was the next problem. With the help of JBay Animal Care’s Trevel’s assistance, Stanley and two grooms took off to go and see how they could help. They managed to get the horse to his hooves and load him into the horsebox and then admit him to the Unit’s hospital camp. The next morning, he was taken for X rays – that showed bad damage to the fetlock, a broken sesamoid, chips and the recommended euthanasia was carried out. RIP
Unfortunately, on their return with the grey, the bakkie was T-boned by another motorist. Aaaargh!
On the final Saturday of the month, the Animal Welfare Society had a Fun Day and Sleepover on the property. We were asked to attend with a donkey or pony. Luckily for Sally who took on the job, we used our DAISY the donkey, who most of the time was happy to oblige subject to the availability of carrots!
Followed on the Monday with a Court Appearance for one of our Cases. Never a waste of time! But no finality in the matter, yet. A year and a half down the line.
DONATIONS RECEIVED OVER THE PAST MONTH FOR WHICH WE ARE THANKFUL:
MegM – donated Auction Items (Tracy will be back soon!)
SallyB - donated tack
Tarryn – donation of tack
Lesley – donated tack
Tracy – Donated 1 COOLSTANCE (Just in time!)
AWS– Donated cat food.
Anthony – clct a grass roll
Claire – donated tack
Jenell – donated tack
Evelyn – donated bag of feed.
WAGTAILS – 3 riding hats donated
VOLUNTEERS – Cara, Paige, Eugene, Hildegard, Louise Bella, Caleb and Nicole, Philippa
ISABELLA – Easter eggs for all the staff. Munch, Munch, Munch!
Banking Details: Standard Bank Account 080733875, Code 0512001. Reference: Your name or project.
Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT
Contact number: cellphone 072 357 2505
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