So we started off March with a very sad call from Kirkwood, re a very neglected stallion (Tommy). He belonged to a member of the community who let him roam and who was helped by the locals re food and treatment from time to time. They hadn’t seen him for a while and when they did find him he was a mess, severely underweight and extensive tick damage/infection all over. They had organized to euthanse him that day, but phoned just before to ask our opinion and if it was the right thing or could he be helped. They sent videos and pictures, it was heartbreaking, the poor boy, and unfortunately our experience with horses like that is not good. The infection just doesn’t go away so we had to agree to euthanase. Thank you to those kind souls who took it on themselves to help him.
Then a complaint about a livery yard that was not up to standards.. Still monitoring that one...
Big Drama about a young girl’s horse that had been stolen in Humansdorp. The kids in that area are renowned for taking other peoples horses for joy rides. The horse was lucky enough to be found the next day with no real harm but we have had others that were not so lucky. Advised her to move the horse away from that property asap, as he is now an easy target and next time he may not be so lucky!
Another nine Donkey hooves done.
The beautiful, Trip To Ibiza was adopted to a gushing new mom, who thinks she is just perfect! The type of homes we want for our children. Happy All round Yay!!
We then collected a stray in Elands river who’s eye had been punctured and ruptured along with considerable tick damage on sheath area and what looked like to be a backyard gelding. After a visit to the vet, sadly euthanasia was suggested and then carried out. He was such a good boy, but the eye op just would have cost too much for us. We were torn and felt terrible, he did not deserve that.. RIP darling boy..
Two boisterous Donkeys, Hurly and Curly, were adopted after three months trial and reasonably good behavior ;)
One donkey with bad abscess on hoof tendered to by Stan the Man and thanked by an extremely grateful mom!
Our Two orphan babies have had all their boosters and necessary vacs and seem to have made it out the woods. They will be up for adoption soon and will hopefully go together as they are understandably very close.
Received a complaint of two skinny horses with owners we know. I did explain that these owners let the geriatrics live their best lives until they can’t anymore. The bad one was 30 yrs plus. After my phone call however they did make the hard decision and oldest went to God before winter s clutches arrive. The other will carry on for a little longe. They are stabled and cared for believe me!
All our staff received rabies boosters.
We had to euthanase a thoroughbred with more than one chronic condition. RiP darling, so hard when we have to take them from unit.
10 more donkey hooves done..
Two of our adopted out boys came in to be snipped. One well behaved and the other, well let’s just say our muscles were sore the next day all 5 of us! ..Shew.. Anyway all good and mended. Sorry boys but it’s for the best ;)
Facebook complaint of pregnant mare to good home – Discussed with seller and hopefully coming to us after had baby..
Dewormed four donkeys that were overdue.
The property check for Harry and Thomas was so beautiful and definitely approved. So sent the boys off to paradise , no problems there may be room for more too Yay!!
Then a sad return of Ha Penny, who had been placed in a happy home for 12 years. This is however what we ask of you if you can’t keep them anymore, you have to let us know. She is a super sweet girl and I’m sure she will find another happy home. Although she has gone through a semi- smooth adjustment she will be fine.
I took a few days leave.. Yes God forbid ;) but I needed it and back to full form on return. This type of work can break you if you don’t take a break from it all, we are all only human and the emotional strain on a regular basis wears you thin. There is also just never enough time to get everything done!
More abscesses attended to by Stan..
A property check that needs a few alterations before donkeys can be homed there.
Then a complaint of Donkeys getting out in the road all the time, turned out to be a grey area, as donkeys were in good condition but the fencing keeps on getting stolen due to new settlement gone up right next to their property. The Rocklands’ area in particular, struggles with this irritation to say the least.
Another Surprise baby born to one of our adopted girls who seemed to have an encounter with a rogue stallion..Eish.. But the cutest little thing . Born into a beautiful home and a filly thankfully.
A township call to Kwanobuhle after broken leg was reported . Did the right thing and sent him straight to God. RIP boy.
Recheck on 20 + Thoroughbreds acceptable but still to be monitored ..
And Another on 11 Crossbreeds which are looking good.
Then the fantastic P’ CAUSE FASHION SHOW! What a huge success !! Marizaan you did an amazing Job! and Wilbur did us so proud as the Star of the show! Thank you soooo much Nicky for giving him the best home and pulling off such an amazing event. Thank you to all of you that were there or made donations. The initial count after the evening was 66k but Marizaan was not done yet. In one day she pulled in the rest to make a whopping 70k !! Thank you guys this could not have come at a better time .Blessings to all of you angels, the bidders , the sponsors and absolutely everyone that was involved.
Wilbur looked so handsome don’t you think!
But back to reality : An old alert to a Thoroughbred in a not so good location, that we have been monitoring for about two years could not be found for the past few months. Finally I spotted her hidden away and realized why, the poor thing severely underweight. I entered premises and basically demanded she be surrendered to us immediately. This they did. I really wish these poor animals were not left to fend for themselves like this after all they have done in their careers. She is safe and warm with us now, all the right stuff is being done with lots of donations from our kind supporters. What a sweet girl she is. I will post pictures of her later as want to keep this month positive as there was more positive than negative I think..
We received a complaint and video of a donkey cart in uitenhage that has been seen beating their donkeys while driving the cart on a regular basis. The video helps, so now to find where they stay as don’t recognize them from our usuals. We are working with the SPCA Uitenhage to try catch these guys. Please when relaying any complaints try take as much video footage/photos/information as possible it really does help!
Two more sad surrenders coming in next week..
Connor very kindly donated all his monies from market day to our donkeys at the unit. He has one of his own from us that he loves to know end. Thank you Connor, I know you will do great things one day!
Recheck on one of our adopted Tbs, a little worrying but hopefully the dewormer will sort it out. Keeping a close eye. Just to mention, this is why we don’t like to home animals too far away. Rechecks on adopted animals are made a lot more difficult (timely and costly) when animals are homed too far away. So please understand.
We then had to assist with an old chap, who’s time had come. Everything went as smoothly as could be hoped for thankfully. RIP old boy. It is not easy to do this particular part of the job. We understand and know we need to do it for the animal’s sake but it definitely takes its toll on the both of us.
Lastly, a very little fellow came in to be gelded and was brought in the back of a bakki with Shavings J The cutest thing and behaved so well. Back home same day and happy for it.
So many donations this month, monetary, materials and more. We would just like to thank everyone from the bottom of our feed bowls ;) Lots of love from all the equidae at the Unit xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Till next time
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING MARCH FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – John 5 x bales Lucerne
DONATION – Chris Adendorf R600
DONATION – Colleen Muller -1 roll teff from Antionette
DONATION - : 5 x bales teff (anon)
DONATION – Ralston Carrots and spinach
DONATION – Equifeed -2 bales teff
DONATION - Cape Wire Pieter – C collected 4 big rolls of wire , binding wire and staples.
DONATION – Connor R1000 he raised for us at his Market day
DONATION – Eva – saddle
Sabina – Birthday donation 630 cash and 200 in bank
DONATION – Heidi - Omnivet and bag of Coolstance -Kibble
DONATION -Tanja Radke /Blue Steel Equestrian – Donated prizes and horsy good from show on weekend as well as R2340 in cash from Tins collected Yay!
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
VOLUNTEES – Jozlyn
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.