Yes 2023 has come and gone. During which we managed to carry out 296 Inspections and/or rechecks on cases ranging from mild to severe. Adoptions were a little quieter this year, only 7 Thoroughbreds, 12 X breeds and 17 donkeys.
Our Burn victim, Bobby, from last month, with burns on 40% of his body, has been recovering well. Donkeys carry pain so well, I do believe if it were a horse it would have been a MUCH bigger deal. He is over the worst of it and so well behaved too.
We received a call from Moses to please bring him some wound spray and Epsom salts, as one of his working donkey’s had a bad graze on two of his legs and was lame. After we visited and assessed all his donkeys, we decided to bring the injured donkey (Arthur) in rather, as Moses was not going to use him over the festive season anyway until he was fully recovered. All good, Arthur seems to be having a wonderful vacation at the unit in the girls camp nogal ;) and yes he is a gelding..
A very kind gesture/donation was given to us in lieu of a Wedding Present. Thank you Geoff and Ansie, Great idea!
A complaint received from Steynsberg, of a horse roaming in town with an eye problem. Always a little complicated when it is so far away. Advised the complainant to try and get the ‘horsy’ community to try and arrange to contain the horse somewhere in order to go further. Still waiting for feedback.
A firm reminder to a donkey owner to get his hooves done regularly.
Accompanied AACL on a recheck on a complicated complaint re all the animals, very insightful actually , luckily the Five horses looked good.
Some concern over one of our adopted out OTTBs (Off Track Thoroughbred). All smoothed out mostly. Tbs take some time to properly pick up after their second life begins, especially if there have been some medical issues. It’s good to know we have eyes and ears everywhere though ;)
Three Donks and a horse dewormed on request of the owner.
A recheck on two of our donks that were adopted out to be companions to a real sofa of a donk lol sorry but she was Huge!
A call from Uitenhage to collect a pregnant lame Jenny, that was found being used on a cart a few days prior. We left to collect the lame, very preggy mama . It’s really a hard life for the donkeys in uitenhage, anyway now she has a safe warm place to have her baby with lots of treats too of course ;)
Seven horses and four donkey’s hooves were trimmed.
A recheck on one of our rehomed TBs. Always such a pleasure. Thank you for taking such good care of Kimmer Farm Charmaine ! He is such a lucky happy chappy.
Two tired souls were sent to heaven to relieve arthritis and old age . Thank you Terry from KKGP for doing the job so kindly and efficiently.
Finally our third Annual Wilbur WALK! What a wonderful turn out with great prizes sponsored and won on the Day. Thank you so much to Grassroof, Nicky, Jaz, Marizaane, Daron and Luc for your generous efforts and to all of you who brought tickets and attended. Thank You ,Can’t wait till the next one!
Seven more donkeys and two more horse’s hooves tendered to.
Then a call about an elderly donkey who was down and could not get up . After getting the vet out to assess and meds administered it was decided the following morning that the kindest thing, was to say goodbye. PTS peacefully and buried on the property. RIP Sweet old girl.
The gorgeous little Smeagol was adopted into his new home. Making many new friends and super stoked to be there. All the best Boytjie!
An Inspection done on a livery/ breeding yard = not ideal. Let’s hope that now, after being evicted, their new ‘yard’ will be suitable with better management.
A complaint re a thoroughbred in bad condition. Apparently the horse has had bad laminitis. Will follow up though, as horse was not lame at the time and the carer unwilling to give owner’s details. Not a young horse either but will follow up in a few.
Then yes, on Christmas Eve, we got the call to please come out to Uitenhage as three donkeys had been knocked over by what seemed to be a truck on the highway. Two were already dead and the third was not able to get up. Luckily Michael from KKGP was, as per usual, willing and able to help. We met him on site where the SPCA and Traffic Control had already cordoned off the area. Michael you are and Angel, Thank you for you endless kindness and gentle approach in these horrible situations. Rest in Peace beautiful Children L
Two stray donkeys brought in for safe keeping, Owner collected.
A call from Uitenhage about a lame donkey, but were unable to find it.
A few more interested parties visited the unit and will be adopting one little Chester donkey in the New Year. As well as two horses, hopefully going on to be adopted after a trial foster for a bit. We usually give a month or two to foster before adopting , most times it ends with the intended result ;)
Then a very happy ending to the year. Our heavily Pregnant, lame jenny we collected from uitenhage a few weeks prior, gave birth to a beautiful healthy filly. And to think your mom was being used cruelly on a cart just a month before. Welcome to the world darling may you live a long happy life free from suffering and pain. SEE BELOW : BEAUTY
Let’s take a moment to give thanks for the gift of life. Make the best of it, try being useful and kind where you can, make it count!
Wishing you all Peace and prosperity for the year ahead.
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING December FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Sonja Fly traps
DONATION – Susan – Big bag of Epsom salts
DONATION – Feed n Seed 31 bags of feed!! THANK YOU
DONATION – 2 x cakes and carrots – Dr Mark.
DONATION – Bernadette - Round of Teff – Stan and guys went to fetch in colt.
DONATION – Saddle - Colleen
DONATION – Janet R50
DONATION – Marizaane - 8 x Bales lovely Grass mix! (C collected)
DONATION – Matilda, Monique and Marcelle. Our MMM family 150 bales grass mix delivered! Whoo hoo THANK YOU GUYS!
DONATION – North Field Engineering 30 bales grass mix – Stan and Sel collect . Yay!!
DONATION – 5 x bales Lucerne from Ellie in Oz
DONATION - 2 x R100 vouchers from Guidos (KKama Road – Thank you Leigh!)
DONATION - SBGWE – (Christene Lee and her steed organised a fundraiser and raised R1080 for the Unit.
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 – Brett
VOLUNTEER – Nicole
VOLUNTEER – Dr Mark
VOLUNTEER – Philippa
VOLUNTEER – Susan
VOLUNTEER – Buhle
VOLUNTEERS – Estelle, Maddy, Greg and josh
VOLUNTEERS – Sonja and Kierra
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.