Well we started the year off with a bang into the back of Moses’ cart, just outside the airport. We got to the scene straight away and uploaded the two donkeys involved. Luckily only one donkey had been injured, however both in shock. Moses had a slight leg injury, the cart however, was finished. Moses has his supporters though and they generously offered to help him fix the cart. The donkeys on the other hand were our department. A day of good feed and rest, then both washed and wounds treated with the help of some willing volunteers. The rest of Moses ‘donkeys were also brought in for safe keeping whilst his cart is getting fixed.
Five donkeys and three pony’s hooves done.
Our Handsome Duke and his Bff, Afrika, were finally given the best home they so deserved. A loving couple came to view him and absolutely fell in love with Duke and his little, persistent friend who never leaves his side. Strange little donkey actually but no less important ;) Off they went on their new journey.. Sadly the journey back home was interrupted by a robbery at the robots. Thankfully no one was hurt but really man!!
Then our gentle old soul, Bullrun.. One of our happy adopters from 9 years ago had to sadly put his girl down for medical reasons and needed a companion for his old boy with perhaps an odd hack here and there. Now this is when I truly believe if you want something bad enough and trust in the process/God.. it will come. This adopter is just as kind as Bullrun and his daughter sealed the deal on the second visit. We delivered Bullrun a few days later and super happy all round. Bullrun did a nice little happy bronco around the camp as if to say thank you this is it. We so wish this for all our children, to find that forever home they will be looked after till the end ..Thank you Richard, Love you always Bully. Thank you for your kindness to all who you encountered at the unit. xxx
A lame donkey treated and tendered to by Stan and some Epsom Salts.
A very old girl, who is not looking good at all, is being monitored and managed by a vet on hand, we are told the right decision will be made before winter. I know it’s so hard to say goodbye, but I really wish that one day, if I get old, tired and sore someone could also relieve me of this world... Or else just go to Switzerland ;)
Next a surrender of an older Tb with back issues. When we arrived to collect him, there was no way he was getting into the box without getting seriously injured or injuring one of us. He looked like a Lipizzaner doing some sort of crazy capriole, with those leaps he was throwing at us. A decision was made to walk him to a foster home, closer than the unit where we can assess him further . Beautiful boy though ..
We finally got that spare tyre and rim for the horsebox replaced, a necessary ‘eina’. Funny how the cost of the insurance excess is always more than the cost of replacing the actual items stolen.. Any way, Best Drive were kind enough to give us a good deal as always . Thank you BEST DRIVE!
Then there was the trip to Graaff Reinette to collcect two semi wild yearlings. We were asked to collect them as no one was able to manage on that side. So the whole team travelled up on one of the slightly less hot days met by the new owners who made sure we were all fed and watered, Thank you Sonja and Nikki! We arrived in 37 degrees Celsius and after topping up with fluids we began the dance. A couple of pointers on the collection of wild/semi wild horses: 1. STAY CALM! 2. Preferably have the most experienced person ( with wild horses) in charge (in our case Stan). 3. Communication and team work is essential for everyone’s safety. 4. Take strong equipment. You don’t need halters breaking once caught and harnessed. Also remember this type of thing can look a bit ‘Rough’ through a female’s perspective but trust in your colleague always prevails in my case. Stan often has to tell me to back up and calm my energy down..lol Sometimes these animals cast themselves in a panic but with the team at their side they get through mostly un injured. We managed to catch and load them in good time and all travelled home very well. Wondering what all the fuss was about actually. A hectic day in all but we all survived bar a minor scratch or two. Both vaccinated and dewormed upon arrival. The Little darlings, Asterix and Northern Star,below:
Another Lame donkey assessed and all good to go, nothing serious thankfully.
FENCING FUNDRAISER: The Kibbles/ Springlands Farm Self Catering Cottages has kindly donated a magnificent weekend a way in order to raise funds for the last of our fencing. Thank you Heidi for helping the way you do and Marizanne for organising. Competition closes on 7th Feb. Get your tickets now for the draw @ R150 per ticket. Just make the payment into our bank account with your phone number as the reference and you could be a lucky winner . Trust me the KingFIsher Cottage @ SPRINGLANDS FARM is a MUST for anyone in the Eastern Cape. Even if you don’t win the competition do yourselves a favour and go!!!
Nine donkeys and three horses’ hooves trimmed.
Daisy and Pepsy were delivered to a grassy haven for a few months to Eat , Bray and sleep J
Advice on homing horses far away. This is a difficult one with many different factors playing a role, most importantly though 1 . How well do you know this person? 2. Can u trust them? 3. Is there anyone you can ask in that town/area that you could ask to do check-ups for you? 4. What are the other options for that particular animal?
A complaint re an old boy with lots of sarcoids.. Still trying to contact the owner..
A little white donkey’s hooves trimmed andtreated for mange.
One of our tbs that have been adopted out had a bout of colic, but thankfully passed a healthy pooh after being kept separate. All good thereafter.
Another pensioner looking like she will go to God before the winter. Hats off to all of those adopters who adopt the elderly and give them a peaceful an dignified ending .I wish there were more of you Thank you so much!
A euthanasia on my off day. RIP boy :(
After many failed attempts, we were asked for assistance to catch and collect a young donkey left behind on a farm. The owner had moved off the farm and was worried for its welfare. A date was set and off the team went. On arriving at the farm, it looked to be in a terrible state, dirty and dishevelled. Then we saw the poor pigs, OMG I have never seen a pig that thin ever in my whole life before! Anyway all my footage and a statement was sent off to the relevant authorities and an investigation is underway. So incredibly sad.. Live animals huddling with dead animals. Stuff horror movies are made from, only humans can cause such a horror. Oh yes the donkey was fine, caught and transported relatively easily and wound treated. So happy to get him out of there!
The Isuzu went in for clutch repair, crossing fingers ..
Then another euthanasia. Very sweet old boy well into his 30s deteriorated in last few months so the kindest decision was made. Well done to the owners for caring for him the way you did. He went well, he was ready. RIP Sweet old man xx
Lastly, the little bastards were trying to steal our donkey tunnel and poles over the weekend. We moved it back in clear site and are looking forward to some exciting new ventures and relationships to fight this ongoing battle. Sonja, one of our biggest supports with endless energy and Dark Water Ops Thank you!!
Well that’s it for Jan, till next month
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING January FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Donna Dowley lots of nice riding clothes for auction.
DONATION – 6 bags cubes from FEED N SEED
DONATION – Kate Tack
DONATION - Tracy Woolard – One bag of tack
DONATION – 6 bales lucerne from Katelyn
DONATION – Carol Newton 3 bags numnahs and day/show sheets
DONATION – 25 bales Lucerne from Sonja
DONATION – Flo Vernun – Couch Cot and books
DONATION – Alison Harris 2 bales and 4 bags of teff – C collected
DONATION – Two Water Troughs from Petro (Bocadillos)
DONATION – Heidi, bags of feed and coolstance
DONATION – Kelly, 6 black feed bins Great stuff!!
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
VOLUNTEERS – Brett
VOLUNTEER - Philippa
VOLUNTEER – Shannon
VOLUNTEER – Nicky
VOLUNTEERS – Sonja and Kierra
VOLUNTEERS – Susan
VOLUNTEERS – Gemma
VOLUNTEERS - Eugene
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.