So we started our 16th Birthday with a euthanasia. Two donkeys in a bad state left on the property after owners moved, were in trouble. The new owner only had them for a few months but phoned us to ask if someone could come and have a look at one of the donkeys that was still lying down since yesterday. On arrival it did not look good for the poor old boy, skinny and old, he just couldn’t anymore.. We did the kindest thing and suggested we take the youngster with us as it was not a suitable area for donkeys to be kept. The new owners agreed and after admitting to the unit he has picked up weight and had all the right things have been done in order to give him the best chance. Welcome Ice Man..We got you ;)
We have been monitoring a wound on a horse that just doesn’t seem to be healing .. The owner is convinced they can get it right by themselves with no vet. Checking in weekly , will give them a fair chance But there is a limit, which is coming soon .. To be continued..
A Recheck on a pony with a wound, has improved considerably. She has also picked up weight after dewormer administered. Good news..
One of our Donkey patients with a very painful abscess on bulb of his heal is finally better, after two months poulticing. Not going back to township either.. We have named him Manfred and is now up for adoption.
A complaint of underweight horses in Humansdorp which we have not been too successful in finding. But haven’t forgotten and will keep on it..
We had a very generous donation from Hollywood Bets via the National Horse Trust. Deposited into our bank account in the nick of time! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!
Two donkeys admitted to the unit had hooves in a terrible state, so stan attended to and off to a heavenly new home not even a week later . Lucky Ladies!
Then another case of a horse left behind on a property after property being sold. Luckily new tenant very much an animal lover and asked if we could assist with a wound on hind pastern (Which we so often see from tick damage )We visited ,treated and showed them exactly how to clean. Also dewormed and rabies shot administered , very sweet old girl. Should be feeling much better now. Just glad her new caretakers did the right thing.
Then the dreaded news that we are not going to have enough African Horse Sickness vaccines this year. Very scary and typical of the government institutions in this country at this moment unfortunately. We are all hoping that next year they will be back on track (Onderstepoort that is) but in the meantime if you haven’t managed to get any vaccines, please take all the necessary precautions.ie Fly sheets, sprays, stabling and any immunity boosters and hope and pray for the best . The youngsters/yearlings that have not been vaccinated are at most risk. So if you need to decide on who gets the vaccine and who doesn’t, the youngest need to get it to help build an immunity.
On our late Megan Hope’s birthday we delivered two very sweet older ladies to one of her dearest friends. It just worked out like that and what a lovely birthday present for and from her. Happy days..
We don’t always get to recheck all our animals that we have adopted out, but rechecked two we were not too sure of and definitely happy .
We collected our Mariza and admitted her back to the unit after her parents split up. Yes the four legged children also suffer in divorces. A real sweet heart and sure to be adopted soon!
A complaint of a yard using older horses for outrides appeared to be less urgent than initially expected. After inspecting 30 plus horses, all seemed to be content and have acceptable weight and condition. Please if you see anything you regard as cruel take photos or videos , this really helps and is more effective then he said she said.
Eight donkeys and 1 horse’s hooves tended to.
We then had a quick raffle draw put together by Marizanne to raise funds for our new shelter to be put up in the girl’s camp. With the winning prize being a photo shoot with the talented Mariaan Browne. Well done to Heidi Kibble who won the prize!! Looking forward to seeing those photos, in such a stunning setting. Thank you Mariaan for donating your talent for our shelter ;)
So over this relatively quieter time we have been experiencing, we have been tending to all those niggly jobs that you usually don’t get time to tend to. Putting up shelters , fixing fencing, cleaning up camps and trying to make the premises more appealing to both horse and human ..Grateful for the time to get these things done. Including the servicing of vehicles and niggly issues that need to get fixed but aren’t urgent enough to override other jobs.. SEE BELOW
We then delivered our Kit Kat to her new home with new Bff Lady. Go well darling, will miss our cuddles..
Administered three more rabies shots.
Seems to be lots of colics around this time of year, please ensure your horses drink enough water ! This is usually the cause. Keep you water containers in sunny positions so not to get too cold for them. You can also add a little salt to feed to encourage more drinking..
A recheck on 19 horses that we are monitoring, some better than others but will keep monitoring..
Another 9 donkeys hooves tended to and two dewormed.
We aslo dewormed all our residents at the unit, which we try to do every three to four months. They all obliged very obediently surprisingly enough ;)
Then early on Sunday morning we received a call of a horse injured and lying down on the island on the N2 just outside Sundays River. When we arrived there were luckily some good Samaritans keeping the boy calm and safe . A youngster not even two, looks like he slipped on the tar when trying to cross. Very lucky boy indeed, christened ‘Heavens Highway’ by the helpers ;) We loaded him up and took him straight back to unit to be assessed and treated accordingly . Luckily all superficial wounds, just very shaken . Dewormer and rabies shots were given a few days after as well. If the owner doesn’t come forward by Monday , he will be adopted out to a new, safe home.
Till next time keep you and your four leggeds warm and safe.
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING JUNE FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Steven ( Atlas )Roof sheeting and poles for shelter
DONATION – Debbie poles
DONATION – Liz Mesh fencing
DONATION – 3x bales fodder( Anon)
DONATION – Susan - 25 kgs Epsom salts.
DONATION – Tack (Anon)
DONATION – VIT B Supplement ,Natasha
DONATION – Kitchen cupboards and draws - Marizanne
DONATION – Susan – Grooming Kit and fly spray
DONATION – Let – Aqueous cream x2
DONATION – Ansie, 30 Bales Grass mix
DONATION – Mastertons Wilbur’s Magic beans coffee
Please note we also have donators who put money into our account every month, even though we don’t mention your names and amounts, please know how grateful we are to you for it!
VOLUNTEER – Alex
VOLUNTEER – Brett and Eugene
VOLUNTEER - Philippa
VOLUNTEER – Angie
VOLUNTEER – Josh and Mariette
VOLUNTEERS – Gaby Susan and Let.
Banking Details: Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit: Standard Bank Current Account 080733875, Code 051001. Reference: Your name. Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT Contact numbers Office cellphone 072 357 2505 NO LANDLINE email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.