Today’s the day! Our 12th Birthday! Anybody wishing to pop in and wish us is most welcome – no cakes but we’ll be happy to give you a cuppa! Oh, and bring carrots and indulge in some feeding of our Herd – very therapeutic. Onwards and Upwards! I remember being told that PE did not need a Horse Care Unit many years ago. My, oh my, But how wrong he was!!
Another reason for celebration is the fact that there was a heavy frost in the AHS stricken area on the second last night of the year. So hopefully, the Culicoides are all dead now. BTW – your horses are now due for their Annual AHS vaccination, sort of. The Government recommended period is from 1st June to end October. However, it is not recommended to vaccinate in the middle of an outbreak! We are experiencing an outbreak at this time, so we will only do our Unit horses in about three weeks. Unfortunately two dead horses of AHS happened on Wednesday this week. Don’t delay, vaccinate later and pray for frost soonest.
We started the month with a Recheck and were happy to find that the Crossbreeds that had received a Complaint were looking much better.
Followed by the Surrender of 2 Thoroughbreds. They were not looking as they should but were willingly surrendered to us due to unavailability of water. On arrival in the hospital camp, Stanley instructed Vuyo to fill the buckets in the camp with water. Well! What a shock we got. Both horses with a bucket each, dived into the water and the buckets had to be filled 3 times. Gobsmacked! Then the work started: dewormed, Fiproteked and handled.
Another Recheck following a Complaint received was done for 14 ponies and all was found to be just fine.
One of our adopteds had their parent in a tizz. A quick visit by Carla revealed that he had Cynanchum poisoning! With the drought hitting all, the pony had gone for the only green plant he could see on the fence line. The suggestion by Carla to remove it at the roots was done shortly after the visit, and now, no more problems.
Our ANNABELLE, adopted out many years ago, was returned to the Unit and is now Available for Adoption. Arab Cross mare, chestnut.
Three donkeys were brought in at the request of their owner in Colchester, surrendered. Although devastated at sending his friends away, the owner was happy that we could rehome them. Daisy, Dot and Dexter are really friendly and have settled in well with the herd and are Available for Adoption.
Our ‘winnings’ from the Grass Roof Charity Dinner arranged by Traci Vink including the Raffle was R3900. Safely in the Bank!
And then there was a Facebook overload about 3 horses on the Draaifontein Road. Twice the owner was phoned and asked to get them in.
Our DANCING SPIRIT, reclaimed by his owner was sent off to Johannesburg after a Pre Travel Drench by Sally and arrived safely, much to the delight of his owners. Over the three months he has been with us, he has improved immeasurably having come in all tatty and underweight. We wish him well.
Carla and Tom headed off after receiving a request for help with a donkey with flystrike from the corner of the eye and to get them haltered. All sorted.
A request for the Equine Dentist, Donovan, phone number handled.
Yet another remand in Court leading to a ‘wasted’ day’s work. This is nearly two years down the line!!
A Complaint of ponies being whipped in Rowallan Park was received, and the matter was handled with the assistance of Animal Anti Cruelty. Stan and Carla visited with them, but as they had been moved off Cape Road two weeks earlier, we were not worried about weight.
Our gorgeous DIBBLY DOBBLY was delivered to her new home in Grahamstown, where she was met by all her new Friends and Family. Already enjoying her outrides!
In December last year, we were given an offer we could not refuse – 39 big bales of oathay. Collecting them has been a bit of a ‘mare’! ALL staff using their shoulders, butts and backs to get them onto the bakkie, sometimes with the help of the Audi. They are all now at the Unit, being fed to all our Herds who are enjoying it. Now all that remains is to pay for them! If anybody has any spare cash lying around with nothing to do in these difficult times, you are most welcome to send some to the Bank Account!
Our SallyS knowing that hard cash is ALWAYS an issue at the Unit, organized a Raffle Prize of a helicopter flip and a try out in a simulator. We know that not everybody wants to do the heli thing, but were pleased with the response of those who wanted to try it. A splendid amount of R4100 was raised and I do happen to know that the winner took their flip this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to all those who bought tickets and sorry if your ticket was not drawn. And, of course, thank you to SallyS.
Finding an aborted fetus in the Girls Camp had us scratching our heads though. We were not aware than anybody was preggers!
Our REINETTE and SYLVESTER were delivered to their new home and have settled in well.
A Complaint was received of three horses on the Seaview Road. Stanley took off and found them, checked the fences, got them off the road, and made recommendations to the owner.
DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING THE MONTH FOR WHICH WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL
FEED N SEED - bakkie load sweepings of readymix. (combination of fodders)
Anonymous - donated bales teff via Feed n Seed.
Donation from whom? Bags of tack in horsebox.
Bernadette – donated bags Equus cubes.
Helen donated bales of grassmix via Feed and Seed.
Julia - 50 bales lucerne. Thank you, J, for your constant support and lucerne supply!!
Kevin – donated saddle and attachments
Janine – donated bale teff and bags of leavings.
Charmane donated a bottle of Donkey Sanctuary South Africa – sent to Auction Room
Volunteer– Eugene – Caral, LeeAnne and Amy, Eugene.Kayleigh, Hildegard. Megan and Emma – carroting
So, that’s it for May, in amongst all the mundane things like collecting fodder, horses and donkeys and the general work that goes with running a Stable.
Banking Details: Standard Bank Account 080733875, Code 0512001. Reference: Your name or Project
Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT
Contact numbers: cellphone 072 357 2505
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