OCTOBER 2023
Well we started the month off with a bang!! Thank you lovely Ladies, Heidi, Nicky and Marizaane who organised a fantastic fundraiser (Ponies and Primates Barn Bash) at the special venue, SRINGLANDS Farm Self Catering Cottages. What a fantastic day, once in a lifetime experience J Thank you so much to everyone involved. See below:
Finally the problematic J Bay Donkey owner had is two donkeys impounded by the Humansdorp SPCA, after careering around town drunk and overloaded. Well done to both J Bay Animal Rescue and SPCA for sorting out this issue.
A Property check for a companion donkey all good , just need to think of the best donkey to place.
Stan transported a companion for one of our adoptee s to Ghrahamstown.
A call to assist two working donkeys in Uitenhage, who were looking a little worse for wear. Owners located but the donkeys were nowhere to be found! The next visit will hopefully be more fruitful.
We then had a concerning call on a cold, wet, rainy morning re two donkeys on the N2 stranded on the middle Island. We asked an owner living close to check if they were not hers, not hers but she kindly went to check and managed to move them across the highway to the verge, keeping them safe until we arrived, Thank you Izelle!! To our surprise they were two of our donkeys that were being fostered out, one was lame and the hooves were shocking so we took them straight back to Unit , needless to say they will not be going back to that foster home!
Ten horses vaccinated for AHS.
Another very panicked call for assistance. Stan was asked to please go and fetch two horses in Kareedouw urgently as the owner of the land wanted them gone otherwise he was going to chase them into the road off his property, endangering the horses and others on the road. Don’t ask, it was a long story but thankfully Stan and the grooms were able to catch and load and bring them into the Unit before any rash decisions were made. Full day mission though. Dewormed and stallion will be gelded before possibly returning to his original owner.
Then the decision to collect two of our adopted out donkeys as the property was being overgrazed and it started to show in the weight of the animals. Please be advised with large livestock it is recommended you have one 1.5 hectares for the first animal and I extra hectare per every other animal thereafter, or else feed extra accordingly. I think this was just a case of ignorance but hopefully a lesson learned as already seen a difference in the weight of the two left behind.
Ten donkeys in desperate need of a trim were seen to by Stan. With all this wet weather in spring, their hooves have been growing fast and causing issues. Wet conditions are not conducive to healthy donkey hooves..
We were then requested to collect a young stray donkey in Uitenhage. She was this sweetest friendliest little filly who found herself in a very kind family’ s home. Welcome Misty! Your owner did not attempt to look for and claim you, therefore we can find you a lovely safe new home!
The elderly owner of the two elderly horses is still holding on, feeding extra now, with extra help. They will still be monitored to ensure proper care is given.
We collected a dead donkey from the township , suspected colic from eating plastic most likely. RIP boy.
Another very sore donkey Jenny , Stan plus copper sulphate = sorted.
Recheck on the horse with the sarcoid. Still not looking great. Another warning,
Another two very lame donkeys – Stan sorted with Copper sulphate.
A very good month for six of our children. This kind lady decided to firstly give the two old pensioner brothers, Hugo and Tommy, a wonderful retirement home! Yay!! Thank You Uli, we hate having to make that decision for two at a time. Two lucky Donkeys were also selected, as well as our sweetheart Willow. Lovin u Baby, (sixth Child) decided to freak out in the horse box before we left and ended up staying behind until she can be sedated, poor child, very traumatic experience for all involved but luckily she will be fine just a few bumps and scratches.
A request to come and collect two donkeys who were tied up on a private property. No owners to be found and no one looking for them, so another two safe homes will be found! yay!
A concerned mom worried about clumps of hair falling out her donkey. Told her its normal this time of year, she needs a good groom and perhaps a wash with Vetguard.
Another lame donkey. Advised and owner sorted out it out herself by soaking in Epsom salts a few days in a row. Epsom Salts is amazing stuff!
Another concerned lady thought her horses had mud fever. We visited and after a proper check and clean realised no issues just two happy mares! Yes I said happy mares ;)lol
Another 6 donkey’s hooves trimmed.
Then the sad tale of the mama donkey, who was but a baby herself, involved in a nasty accident with a vehicle with her foal at foot. A kind gentleman kept them safe in his yard until we collected. A terrible but clean break. The poor mom, after getting her and baba safely into the box she subsequently lay down as if to say ‘Ok we are safe now I can rest assured’. She was so tired poor child . Unfortunately we had to make the decision, but we told her it would be ok and we would make sure her little one would be properly cared for. They understand your true feelings they really do. Oh the little Roo .. It was a really rough day and we were struggling to get baby to drink at the Unit , he was pretty shell shocked obviously. Tired and emotional we made the call to ask a foster mom for help for baby’s sake so he could get the best care possible. Nicky, you are a Godsend!! Thank you for saying yes, it helps us so much to know he is in experienced, loving hands. Thank you!! Little Roo is currently doing fantastic, we are so grateful!! Thank you X
This same day , we got a call from Moses re two of his stallions that got into a bad fight. Shohh, It was bad, both had severe injuries but the ‘loser’ very badly hurt. We cleaned them up as best we could followed up by a vet visit and lots of meds. He should be fine but unable to work again we think.
A bottle of Bayticol dip supplied to another donkey cart owner, (on his request ) Thank u for asking Jackson!
Recheck on lame skinny minis, doing much better! However need a good brush and deworm. Please remember to de worm AT LEAST 2 times a year!
A bit of a computer panic attack from my side, but thankfully the kind staff at Computer Bits n Pieces were there to assist as usual. Thank you for always being available to help us guys ! You really are SOOO appreciated. We do equids, you do computers.. THANK YOU!
After a recheck, Dewormed four donkeys as they were way overdue.
Ten donkey hooves tendered to.
Two more horses vaccinated for AHS.
A complaint of a ‘Breeder’s ponies getting out all the time .. eish , Why do you have to breed , just do the responsible thing and geld the colts please!!
The stallion we collected from Karreedeow in urgency, was gelded and will be returned to owner when he has recovered completely .
Last but not least HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Rhoda! One of our longest supporters. Never forgets us on ger Birthday. They brought treats for the residents and staff. Thank you Rhoda X
That’s it for now and please remember fireworks are IILEGAL!! Report any perpetrators to the authorities.
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING October FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Mariaan bag of Shavings!
DONATION – Carol – old bridles and tack.
DONATION – Flo - Books and Riding /show shirts/bits/ plaiting equip
DONATION – Ashleigh 1 x bag of feed and two bales
DONATION – Theordor Herzle - 4 bales grass
DONATION – Ralston -Carrots , lettuce and spinach , dropped @ office
DONATION – Tack Charmaine (client)
DONATION – Michelle Garner – Numnahs
DONATION – Ryan Mahieu – 40 bales of beautiful Lucerne for the fur kids from the kids
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 – Penny
VOLUNTEER - Alex
VOLUNTEERS – Cecile
VOLUNTEERS – Estelle, Maddy, Greg and josh
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.