Well another cold miserable month come and gone..
We started off with Stan being asked to assist a donkey cart owner with transporting his donkeys for him. We don’t generally do this but it is a responsible owner who would rather have us transport his precious cargo than an inexperienced driver pulling a them in a trailer, then we will assist. In saying that, it is not against the law to transport donkeys in a trailer, provided there is a wind break in front, a secure non slip floor and obviously comfortably loaded(ie not overloaded).
Unfortunately a complaint of 2 stray skinny donkeys in Clarkson area was not able to be followed up for obvious reasons.
A concerned owner who has emigrated and left their older horse in the care of supposedly capable hands, was worried about it’s well-being.
The horse was eventually collected and placed in trustworthy hands for real this time.. PLEASE follow up on animals you have passed on for whatever reason. First prize would be to only let them go to a home if there is a black and white contract in place.
A recheck on 3 ponies and one donkey acceptable.
Eleven Donkeys and 1 mini’s hooves tendered to.
An ongoing complaint of a horrendous sarcoid is surprisingly doing much better! Knowing that it will probably never go away completely , we are happy to report that after an insisted visit from one of our vets, it is under control and improving .
A complaint against a yard in Sardinia Bay was followed up. An inspection was carried out by myself and a local vet with relatively ok results. Breeding will always have more complications than normal day to day horse care, it is a precise management where one needs to have extensive knowledge with a support system that is functioning and trustworthy. We will carry on with our spot checks until the yard is no longer a concern..
We moved our little adopted mini Lily and her four goat companions to their new residence. A first for the Unit, loading goats and a Mini in the horse box, interestingly not as easy as you would think. Anyway all arrived at their new destination safe and sound and settled well.
Eight more donkey’s hooves done.
Five donkeys and one Mini dewormed on request of their owner.
Ntombi , Volly and Smudge were delivered to their new home with friends after the Adopter read our last newsletter. Thank you so much and so glad the herd is behaving !
Two Horses and three more donkey’s hooves done.
The wall going up around our entire premises is looking great! Not quite finished yet but already serving its purpose. We also had the TLB level and clear out the top sand camp for better use for riding. We are so excited it almost looks like an arena, Thanks Arno!
Another complaint of an old skinny mare, close to her thirties, in a public setting. The owner, knowing the girl is old has booked their vet in for regular check-ups for both their older horses. A few extra tips were given in caring for older horses Ie Blankets , teeth , Extra feed/supplement. It was also confirmed, after the most recent visit from the vet, that all is still ok with regard to the vital signs, so no decision to euthanase just yet. The vet will also be monitoring on an on-going basis.
A lot of older horses have been reported over this winter. Please be advised both owners of old horses and the complainants thereof. Just because a horse has lost a lot of muscle tone and condition in its older age does not mean it is necessarily suffering. Yes if it is out in the cold, with no shelter and no one to care for them daily with extra feed etc. but don’t always expect the worst. If you see and old skinny person you don’t report them and automatically assume they are suffering do you ? But yes getting old is not for sissies, so please bear in mind, when that time comes and your horse is suddenly now an old horse, take all factors into consideration. Sometimes a happy last meal, with their loved ones before being sent off to heaven, is not such a bad idea.. Make the kinder decision before too much suffering occurs.
Three ponies and one more donkey’s hooves done.
The beautiful Easter was delivered to her new home.. All very excited and she settled into her new herd no problem. Go well Girl!
Then a very sad scenario of one of our adopted out thoroughbreds, riddled with cancer at the tender age of eight. Her adopted mom was in such turmoil, it’s not easy to see your best friend suffering with this, ultimately terminal disease. No most people, including the Unit cannot afford the chemotherapy treatment either.. So the decision was made and carried out on a warm sunny day with carrots and a nice slice of fresh lucerne while she can still enjoy it. Rest In Peace Beautiful Girl L Life is not fair, we are so sorry your time was so limited but at least you knew love.. Condolences to her mom and thank you for showing her the care and love that you did X
Madiba Day : What a lovely day. Our new auditors, NOLANDS PE, decided to spend Madiba day varnishing our wooden shelters and demolishing an old hazardous shed . They worked in 3 teams and got things done in no time. The boss men also made a perfect braai for all of our staff and the Animal Welfare’s too , even the guys building the wall scored ! Thank you David for bringing your wonderful team to our aid. You guys are really such a fun loving work ‘family’ and we wish you all the best . They even left the Weber braai for us to use in the future, how kind ;)
Our Isuzu had a much needed service and all round tending too. Driving much better now , just need to get the rust sorted .. Vehicles.. An evil necessary..
Six more African Horse Sickness vaccines administered at the Unit .
The little Graaf Reinette boy, Asterix, finally dropped his rocks, and was very well behaved for his gelding.
Tetanus shots were given to two ponies and two donkeys, who had not yet received them at the Unit.
Then the wonderful ordeal of the blow out and snapped suspension on the horsebox. Thankfully there were no animals in the box at the time and it happened in town, close to our loyal supporters ;) Thank you Bev and Riaan for trying your best and eventually overcoming g the first challenge of getting the wheel off and then to Dr H and Arno who helped with the second challenge, lifting the broken suspension with ropes in order to get the box to Springwell safely. Different day , different challenges .
One of our Queens town owners brought his Stallion in to be shod and spent the night at unit before fetching him the following day. A real looker, had lots of admirers.
The beautiful Wall of Sound was also luckily enough to find her forever home (99 % sure) Even though we had no box to deliver her and not knowing when we would get it back , the adopter concerned decided to walk her home there and then after a try out. No time like the present and luckily they did not live too far away . Hoping all goes well for you girl, you deserve it!
Then we were lucky enough to take our special boy Zephyr and retired cart donkey, Yster, to their new VIP retirement home. We are so unbelievably happy and grateful for this gift that has been given to them. Yster was funnily enough in the same cart team as Rich, so no issues there .. Rich has been at this retirement paradise for almost a year and he looks ten years younger already! Unfortunately one of the elderly residents had passed away a few weeks prior and the herd were in mourning , until they met the gentle, handsome Zeph that is ;) It was love at first sight, they treated him like absolute Royalty! Go well now beautiful herd and will miss you Zeph X See below : Can you see how loved and special he felt ? Love this picture, so much emotion.
A complaint received of an old mare in amongst the cows on a farm. Apparently a very old mare but visibly skinny. Still trying to organise to meet with the owners..
Stan tendered to all of Moses’ donkeys hooves on request of Moses himself. Clever Moses.
Two adopted out donkeys rechecked and given tetanus vaccinations as well as tick treatment. Their first time Adopter is still learning but only to eager to do the right thing. That’s all we ask, try to do your best for them. Tetanus and Rabies vaccines are the most important vaccinations for donkeys, if you haven’t yet, get them done!
Jackson brought his two working jacks in for safe keeping before the stormy weather this past weekend, Clever Jackson Thank you!
This Cold stormy weather has been hectic , we hope everyone has been safe and warm and out of harm’s way.
Till next time
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING July FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Susan 1 x big bag Epsom salts
DONATION – Eva 2 Fleece day Sheets
DONATION – Lee ann and Amy Blanket ,boots, halters ,books brushes etc.
DONATION – Benita Bekker 10 bales Lucerne
DONATION – Marcel and Matilda Donkey Rainsheets x 15 – Kennith Delivered Beautiful !! Colour coded Yay!!
DONATION – One Webber Braai and R16 250 into the bank account! Thank you NOLANDS!
DONATION – Mariaan 4 x bags shavings
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 - Alex
VOLUNTEERS – Estelle and Josh
VOLUNTEERS – Greg and Maddy
VOLUNTEER – Staci
VOLUNTEERS – Sonja and Kierra
VOLUNTEERS – Susan
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.