It started with a call out to a donkey who’s eye appeared to have a huge blood blister on it. Carli and Jack went out, struggled considerably to contain the donkey, but eventually managed to assess and treat only to find out the eye had been blind initially. Most likely the reason for the injury. It really is advisable to handle you donkeys if you luckily enough to own one, otherwise when accidents occur (and they will) you may not be able to treat it when necessary. Not all vets or farriers are donkey wranglers so do your bit as their guardian..
Then a request to come and assess a small riding club that will be starting in humansdorp. PJ phoned asking if we would be able to assist them in an educational talk on how to treat and handle horses as well as a general welfare check on the horses. Only six horses were brought to the meeting this day, 5 were in acceptable condition but one mare, very old and underweight was of some concern. Advised to retire her asap. Carli and jack had a good afternoon with PJ and the kids, dewormed and assessed the horses, treating one wound. A good relationship was formed and another visit for more horses has been set for End of September.
A horse out on Seaview road at 6am. By the time we got there was gone..
Moses’ two working donkeys have been in and out too many times to mention.. Two stallions , who get up to a lot of mischief..
The sweet gentle King and brown barrel, Ms B J Have found their new home. These two were abandoned by a so called “Sanctuary”and have a very close connection. For years they gone through endured hardship together, so when the family interested in King decided to take Ms B as well we were ELATED!! King was an absolute gentlemen with his little rider and Ms B behaved well enough to give the mom a horse to ride too.. Property just under improvements but should be delivered early September. Sooo happy for these two special souls..
Another dispute between livery owner and client.. Aai.. Ill give the usual explanation a skip this month.. No doubt it will be in next month’s newsletter again anyway .. rolling eyes..
The beautiful boy Prince , who was given to the tsitsikama community, with buddy Johhny, who had cancer where his one eye was supposed to be.. Johnny was given a month or twos grace when the tsitsikama welfare ladies took them in. He put on weight, on pain meds and feeling very comfortable and loved in his last days. Thank you Jenny for caring for him/them the way you did. Prince then however was handed over to us and is now available for adoption. Prince will be a project horse, he was used at a trail rides lodge for years then passed on too many times before he ended up at us. He is a timid, gentle horse, who has small sarcoids on the leftof his left barrel. This may cause complications with riding but he is apparently an enjoyable ride none the less. If you are a one horse person, who can spend the time and commitment he deserves, give us a call. Ten year old chestnut gelding.
A recheck on 6 crossbreeds acceptable and 5 donkeys too. Donkeys were acceptable but advised that the two older Jennys should have their teeth done as have lost some condition.
An inspection on another sanctuary that has recently moved to town. Quite a few of you have been asking about it. We saw 34 horses in total and one very cute mule. The horses mostly looked to be in good condition, however as often in welfare, animals do come in from time to time underweight, untreated who need some extra tlc. The property itself still needs a lot of work but the needs of the animals are being met as far as we have seen. Understandably, moving and keeping 60 equines on a property with little grazing and years of dumping is no small endeavor. However we were comforted to hear their plans and will pop in again to see how things improve..
A recheck on four old crossbreeds looking good.
We are still battling with ringworm and mange on some of the boys, have now resorted to using Lime Sulphur and this really seems to have made a difference. Camps are going under treatment too.. eish , so tired of ring worm …
A surprise donation/fundraiser from EQUINE MARKETING SOLUTIONS and BLOODSTOCK SOUTH AFRICA. Wow! What a blessing. Thank you Grant and Jo Knowels for choosing us as your beneficiary at the Blood Stock Racing Masters held in Durban. They managed to raise a WHOPPING 234K for us!! THANK YOU to all who played their part, from all of us at the UNIT we are truly grateful.
Being spring and avid tree lovers, we planted a Broom Cluster Fig between the three main camps at the Unit. This tree is indigenous and provides an abundance of fruit for the birds, monkeys and yes even horses and donkeys enjoy eating the fallen figs. The idea is to create one communal shade tree with fruiting once a year as spoils for all the life around. It has been planted inside a safety camp as we know the tree wouldn’t last a day exposed to all those curious muzzles and lips ;) SEE PHOTO: Our newest addition.
Thanks to HOLLYWOODBETS, we are once again getting some more renovations done to the unit. The ‘Boys’ camp is getting a new safe shelter and much needed hospital pen, where we can contain and treat severely injured or diseased stallions. They will also be sponsoring a new horsebox shelter to house both our horse boxes as the existing wooden one is like 20 yrs old and unsafe to be honest. So Thank you Hollywoodbets!
A recheck on 45 horses acceptable (Three properties)
A late night complaint of a stray horse out, next to the Tsitsikama highway . The complainant kindly moved the horse to a nearby area off the road, no injuries and in acceptable condition, the horse was not found again. So hopefully the owner retrieved..
One beautiful stallion was gelded at the owner’s request. What a good boy he was. It’s sad how people just wanted to use him for his sperm, such an intelligent darling, well done to his new mom for telling people to back off, he is going to be gelded. Go well Fire Cloud you are truly lucky to have your new mom at your side.
Then upon another recheck on five horses, we found a mare to have what seemed like cancer under her tail (Pink skin). After information divulged, a vet is overseeing the horse and because it is in good health and condition and still living the good life there is no need to pts, however needs daily treatment and cleaning until the day does come..
Lame donkey miraculously healed itself in 24 hrs..;)
Unfortunately Northy was requested to be returned .. Too much to handle for a not so young gentlemen, so shes back at the Unit. As Northy as ever but will be looking for a young capable rider who has confident and experienced with strongminded ponies. Five yrs old and lots of potential for one committed person..;)
Artex (AKA Bobby)on the other hand, sadly had to be returned as owners emigrating to USA. This boy managed to find a lovely retirement home however as companion to another retired mare .. Sounds like a fairy tail wouldn’t you say?
Another parasitic donkey was treated and looks to be on the mend but continuing treatment. Please guys if you own donkeys they need to be dewormed at Least twice a year, three times if necessary..
One of our adopted out ponies needing Xrays.. Lots going on .. Hoping for the best .. We see next week..
Two horses vaccinated for AHS
A colicking pony thankfully got the vet in in time.
Dusty the elderly donkey who drastically lost weight over the recent months, had his teeth done by Jacques and is doing much better today. Thank you Jacques for always donating your services to our ones in need. Dewormed, more feed, Probiotics new blanky and lawn to graze.. Styling .. SEE PHOTOS:
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Lastly a donkey cart owner in uitenhage, whom has had his final warning, was relieved of two of his donkeys for being driven on a cart by minors. The donkeys were being lifted off the road by the incorrect fitting cart and reckless behaviour of the kids. The children were chased, the Cart (if you could call it that ) was removed and donkeys admitted to the Unit. One colt and one pregnant mama (Go figure) both resting quietly, head shy and shut down. These poor two souls will be given the some good tlc for the next couple of weeks , especially seeing Walter (colt) will be gelded early September too.
Till Next Time
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING August FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION - MUCH APPRECIATED FLY SPRAY from VICTORIA via Mandy. 20LITERS of GOLD
DONATION – Ruth Warren – old Tack
DONATION – Cindy – Nieu Bethesda – Tack Blankets – Outreach stuff
DONATION – Anon Boxing boots and day sheet
DONATION – Flow Vernon – pics and riding hats
DONATION- Old Tack – Wagtails AWS
DONATION – Hah – tack for NBSTDA (Trace)
DONATION – Tack Bridles AWS
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 – Danell
VOLUNTEER - Molly 10:30- ride King and Ms.B- pics, great!
VOLUNTEER - Nicole
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.