We started the month with a cry for help after a zebra foal had lost his mom during the birthing process L Even though a Zebra is strictly an Equine(Equid) they are a wild animals and a lot more complicated to raise then a donkey or horse. We contacted Shamwari Game Reserve who were more than happy to assist. Shamwari is NSPCA accredited and well equipped for wild baby orphans. Please contact Lisa on 065 614 9941 directly if you are ever in need of that type of assistance. Thank you Shamwari!
One beautiful youngster, Caltex, gelded and surrendered to the unit for homing. Roughly 3 years old he will settle, learn the basics until he is ready to be backed then adopted. Stunning pony! Watch this space.
Three horses administered with AHS vaccine.
A panicked passerby watching a donkey try to give birth was very concerned and phoned us for help. We contacted the owner and an hour later all was well, baby born safe and sound. It can be stressful watching a donkey/horse give birth but remember it doesn’t always happen too quickly, if after an hour and half from start of the birthing process, the baby is not out then yes, they will most likely need to be assisted. Give them this time and space before you worry too much. A recheck on foal few days later and all was still well.
Stan and Carli did a township inspection on a few donkey owners in Uitenhage. This can generally be a bit heart sore and unfortunately the newer generation aren’t always as obliging as the elders. If only we could get some sort of mechanical replacement for the donkey carts? Maybe a double bicycled cart ?? That does not need an innocent animal to carry the load for very little or no return. Any engineers out there that could create a possible replacement??
A late night call for a horse that was collicing. Advised to call the vet straight away. He did and horse thankfully good to go day later. Colic is NOT something you leave to chance , ALWAYS call a vet!
Our two surrendered Donkeys, Misty and Shrek, were kindly fostered to a home with lots of grass in the meantime with four other friends already there . Yay!
Then a SUPER STRESSFUL afternoon after one of our adopters saw one of their young donkeys recently adopted looking like she was trying to give birth. After nearly two hours and no progress the vet was called in. Thankfully a team of two vets came out to assist because the placement of the foal just wasn’t allowing it to come out. Dr Cameron and Dr Kayla, from 9th Ave, you are a DREAMTEAM! They struggled for almost three hours trying to correct the placement of the poor little thing, but it just wasn’t making sense . They had to take turns as their arms were going numb being shoulder deep for so long. Eventually it was discovered the feotus was already dead and not properly formed yet, she had been trying to abort it but it was in such a messed up position it was impossible for her to do so without intervention. If these two committed doctors were not there to assist, we would have lost her too. THANK YOU! I know it was touch and go there for a minute, but you kept going you were her saviours THANK YOU XX
Thirteen more donkey hooves trimmed.
Our Sylvester, who was surrendered back to us recently, was dropped off at an AMAZING foster home, to be a companion to a slightly anxious young mare. All good so far, they attached at the hips straight away ;) Go well boy you deserve this X
We were asked to check in on an older horse that was staying with carers who had signed a black and white contract with previous owner stating certain requirements. Remember if you have signed a contract with the previous owner of an animal, you are legally bound to that contract and its requirements. If you do not comply, you are in the wrong and are advised to co operate before any legal action.
Bailey our first Spring foal, suffered a pretty bad runny tummy , nothing a bit of diomech couldn’t sort out ;)
We were asked to do a quick interview on Kingfisher FM. Thank you for having us Kingfisher.
A complaint of a lame donkey sorted by Stan, wetter weather can create problems this time of year.
Concern over a horse with large sarcoid and correct treatment going forward. Owner and relevant parties spoken with and currently on a new treatment. Sarcoids are complicated, so many factors playing a role. For now the horse is fine. Will monitor going forward as the quality of the horse’s life is of most important. All involved know this thankfully.
Another six horses vaccinated for AHS.
A recheck on one of our older Tbs(Thoroughbred) looking better. With that said this winter has been extreme and with the shortage of fodder it has not made things easy. Let’s hope the fodder will now be more readily available and summer can bring on the warmth!!
A call for assistance from AACL/SPCA/ Dog control in uitenhage, for two donkeys being beaten by children driving the cart. After all authorities spoke with the adult family owner, it was agreed to hand them over. The one jenny was pregnant and the other we could see had a baby that was currently drinking, so we collected her too. All safe and sound at the Unit and will be up for adoption soon. Uitenhage donkey carts are a HUGE problem. For all the ones lucky enough to come to us there are ten more left that keep breeding and the cycle continues . Oh how I wish BREEDING was illegal!!!
Our handsome little Bobby was adopted to a very enthusiastic new mom, who made sure he had all he could possibly need in place before we brought him . Happy days for you Bobby and Thank you to your new mom.
Our second spring baby was born, STARBOY. Welcome little one. Although his mom took a little time to recover as she had been attacked by dogs on her private parts a month prior. Nothing a bit of penicillin (Instucted by a vet ) and thourough cleaning couldn’t sort out . Glad you feeling better mommy, you are such a sweetheart and very trusting of our interactions with him.
An unfortunate case of bilateral bleeding(from both nostrils) Advised to get vet in and stop all work /training immediately.
A complaint of a stray donkey in uitenhage. PLEASE NOTE GUYS – we cannot attend to this type of thing unless you send us the pin location and have the animal in your eyesight. It doesn’t help to email us, which we only get a day later or even an hour later. If you do not have the animal in your sight and wait for us it will not be there by the time we get there with our horsebox. It takes us at least 45 minutes to get there so we need you or someone to keep eyes on until we get there!
One donkey and two horses hooves tendered to.
One donkey gelded , so he can finally be with his girlfriends. Almost there Niknaks or should I say ‘Niks”Naks ;)
Two property checks done for two of our children, one good, one not so much.
Then we are ECSTATIC to share the news that we have been given a horsebox by 4RACING Woohoo! Specifically Thomas and Colin, who kindly responded to our request for a horsebox . THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKYOU! Thomas even organized two new tyres before we received it. Highveld Horse Care Unit kindly collected for us. Tereza(HHCU) you made this all possible and we want to THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts XX Johan(HHCU) thank you for collecting the box for us for safe keeping until we could organise to bring it down to us. Mandy and Martinus from CHEETAH EXPRESS, you kind offer to bring it down for us free of charge the following day was just mind blowing. All these angels made it possible , you are SO APPRECIATED . THANK YOU SO MUCH. Your support truly humbles us. We have truly been blessed!
A horse in trouble in Maltino, lame and being ridden by kids AARRGHHH, because of the distance and the difficult owner the SPCA in Stutteheim have been contacted to assist. Still pending ..
One of our foster donks had bad accident and punctured her inner thigh, vet was contacted straight away and stitched up. All good now thankfully.
We were then brought to task for not thanking a donor for three bags of apples a few months ago. The unit has so many things going on each day and yes we are only human and if you see my diary some days, there is literally no space left to write. We obviously prioritise the big things, ie emergencies and animals in need. Our horses and the donkeys were fed most of these apples but some we had to throw away as they were too rotten to fed. We and the animals do really appreciate each and every donation of feed we get I can guarantee you that. Most donors prefer to remain anonymous but those that want to be acknowledged please check in with me around the time you donate, so I make a point of writing it down.
The Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre bought their children for a talk on equine education and interaction. What a wonderful group of kids. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and by the end we had made new friends.
Four donkeys and five horse’s hooves trimmed.
Our vehicle unfortunately had to go in to get the clutch replaced. Thankyou Mark, From Wheeltech for giving us the best possible price and doing all the extras too.
A HUGE thankyou to Ansie and Geoff for delivering some fodder to us in the meantime . You guys are stars!! Thankyou!
We had our first Reading with Horses participant, and went very well! Please contact Philippa 0833 608 468 if you are interested. Lovely idea for children with difficulty reading.
Another lame donkey tended to by Stan.
A recheck on two older horses, hopefully significant improvement on next visit in a month’s time.
Till next time
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING September FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Three bags of apples – Jackie
DONATION – 5k Mr Crabbia. Thank you!
DONATION – Grant - Drill bit and nails
DONATION – Kirsten - saddle
DONATION – Benita 5 x bales of teff
DONATION – Kibble 3 big bags of Naartjies
DONATION – Naartjies from Charlene
DONATION – Tack ( Alan )
DONATION – EC SHOWING CLUB – lovely Fly sheets and blankets
DONATION – Jess – Nice Hooded Blanket
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.