July '24

So Winter has officially arrived. The month started with a complaint of an old brood mare looking worse for ware .. Shame after inspection, euthanasia /surrender was suggested. However there are some human welfare issues too, so monitoring situation for now.


AHS (African Horse Sickness) - It seems there is a shortage again this year. We cross fingers there will be more available later this year.


Two very sweet donkeys surrendered to the unit. Luckily enough we managed to find them an amazing home far away.. Delivered safe and sound, after a minor error of geographical judgment  early along the way ;) . Go well Ladies!  You will thank us later ;) We just may even take them two more geldings next month ;) Counting Blessings, Thank you J X


One chubby donkey hooves done after a bit of effort.


Some good relationships formed over an enjoyable lunch. It is always more beneficial to work with people than against them. For the animal’s sake. So feeling grateful.


The beautiful Jail Breaker, delivered to his new home. It was love at first sight ;) So happy for your future boy. You have one wonderful life ahead of you! X


Bobby, is now Available for Adoption: He is just over 13hh and will be suited to a confident child that can be a one horse owner, definitely has competitive potential. A little Bossy with other horses so ideally separate camp for feeding or companion to a mare who will re-educate him lol ;


Animal Welfare’s Christmas in July was a lovely day whereby little Smeags brought much happiness to lots of little humans J Thank you Smeagol for behaving so well you are a true gentleman.


Who knows why ‘Animal Lovers’ choose to sell their ’Beloved’ children for a mere few K, with no safety net in place. ie black and white contract . When you sell an animal with no ’first option to buy back ‘in place, you are potentially sending that animal to end their life in suffering. Yes that ‘first’ Buyer may be ok, but what when that buyer sells to the next buyer? Would you know or approve of them? And what about the third, fourth, fifth? There is no way to ensure your beloved ‘animal will live to retire in the home he deserves. You should be their guardian for life! That’s what we do with family…


Seven donkeys and five horse’s hooves trimmed.


More horses getting out onto a main road. Don’t have animals if you can’t keep them safe. Please ensure regular checks on fencing and animals, especially if you know there is a problem.


First Time Donkey owners Please take note : Recheck feeding schedules for winter.This time of year the grazing is at its worst, Nutritionally and  in scarcity. Donkeys do forage on other shrubbery but if their area is limited, their diet will become insufficient. Please supplement with fodder, Ie Teff, grass /mix at least once a day. This cold will burn too many calories and they will need the extra roughage for weight/warmth. But then again if you have lots of space and grazing, NO problem!


Nine Unit Donkeys  vaccinated against tetanus,  good to go for another year. If you can’t vaccinate annually , than at least once every two years.


Recheck on 10 x breeds done – acceptable for now


We were lucky enough to rehome four special donks, after adopters emigrated, to a wonderful, dare I say even better home. Go well family of four, enjoy the adventures in your new happy place.


An Adopter’s Tb Showing odd symptoms. When not showing obvious signs of illness there are 3 important things to do before calling a vet. 1. Separate into own camp next to others in order to tell if he is passing both 1 and 2 s. 2.Take temperature 3. Watch him and monitor his actions at regular intervals. These will give the vet important information to help better assess.


An Unexpected perfect Foster for one handsome youngster, after and the elderly companion passed away. We love it when things fall so perfectly into place. He behaved like an absolute angel, impressing his (hopefully) new parents ;) Good child Phantom, you got this!


Eight donkey hooves tendered to.


Madiba Day: A huge thank you to Reinecke, from Bay REMAX for spending some time with the kids and donating 3 bags of cubes! You are too kind. Thank you. Hildergardt – Thank you for bringing the children and all those carrots and apples.  Angie from Remax and Juanita too X


After checking in on one of our adopters, we were pleasantly surprised by another unexpected adoption. Yes by the same adopter. So special as the boy’s chances were slim , TB, 17hh plus and slight existing injuries.. Yay! Everything fell perfectly into place Just goes to show follow your gut, preferably more often than not.


Owners were worried if their new born baby donkey was managing to drink from his mom. First things first. SEPARATE mom and baby from any other animals. Give them some privacy and time to bond. Do not overcrowd her, leave them in peace for at least 3 to 6 hours, casting an eye from afar. We know how absolutely adorable they are, but you will get time for that later. After that you can go closer to see if foal is drinking and look for first signs of poop (Meconiam). This is almost like goose poop in size and form and can be both milky brown or darker brown but generally of a runny, glossy consistency. This means they have received their essential colostrum and have a good chance at surviving. Next MONITOR for a few days after to assess the energy of the foal. If he gets stronger and faster, he is drinking, if he starts getting slower and more lethargic then it is likely not getting enough milk and further measures will need to be taken. The little boy in question however was thankfully doing all the right things and happy days for all!


Two philandering Jacks went awol one icy morning but were thankfully found by lunchtime. If only donkeys could write books. I tell you they go on some very interesting escapades..


Then a call out from AACL to three overloaded, overworked donkeys pulling a cart Kwanobuhle. One pregnant jenny and two babies maximum two years of age. Staff went to collect that night in order not to lose them by the morning, Handed over and admitted to the Unit. Bevi, Bindy and Violet will now never have to pull a cart again. Well done AACL for catching them in the act! Oh and we think Bindy and Violet are twins!! SO Amazing have never seen twins at the Unit before, they are literally attached at the hips and do everything together. SEE PHOTO:

Some concern over two ponies standing on concrete, seems to have resolved for now.


Two more horses surrendered to us. Collected, dewormed and admitted back to Unit. Camps filling up again.


After a pro bono visit (Thank You So Much! ) from Jacques, Equidontia, to pull two teeth, it was discovered that Bevi, the pregnant Jenny  from Kwanobuhle had a possible break or fracture on the lower jaw. It had already healed but so sad to think she had been pulling a cart for who knows how long with that injury already. Ai, Donkeys are too tough L thankfully after a further visit from the vet it was deciphered that there was no real pain anymore and probably nerve damage. So we get to home her as soon as she has had her baby and had a good rest.


Six more donkey and two pony’s hooves relieved with a trim.


A complaint of people buying neglected horses to fatten up and sell. Well, is there really a problem if they are helping the animal?


Rolo, the boisterous Jack was gelded in preparation for his new home.


Lastly, Just a reminder to all our adopters, our contract states NO BREEDING. Thank you


Keep safe and warm till next time.


Carla


GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING July FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!

DONATION – ANON – 8 x bales fodder from Feed n Seed – Stan collected

DONATION – Showing Cub collected numnahs and halters from western Shoppe

DONATION – 7 bales teff Nauti tech – Suzuki

DONATION – Hildergardt and school LOTS of carrots and apples

DONATION – Angie Carrots


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 – Philippa

VOLUNTEER – Susan

VOLUNTEER – Alex


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.