Whew! WHAT a month it has been with very little help from Eskom either!!
A Complaint received from a Mount Pleasant resident about Jackson and his donkeys that were hanging their heads. Luckily, Carla was able to explain that the donkeys live with us and had just been collected and taken to work. You have to giggle at how the donkeys con people that they are tired and overworked.
Moses’ donkeys on the other hand had been found at the AWS gate, waiting to come in for breakfast! So clever!
All on the first weekend of MARCH!
Followed by a Complaint of a dead donkey on the side of the road between Nanaga and Colchester! Even though there was little we could do for him being dead, we did go and check, but DID NOT FIND!
As the result of a Complaint about a horse looking poorly, the owner visited and discussed at length with Carla how best to find a solution for the horse. His poor heels were vrot with ticks and tick damage. It was agreed that the horse be admitted for treatment, and it was collected on the Monday, when tick removal was instituted as well as a deworming. Unfortunately, the old boy was assessed by our Vets and a recommended euthanasia was carried out some time later. But at least he had good food, pain relief and good equine and human company before we bade him goodbye.
Our magnificent SEATTLE BERRY was adopted out and we are so pleased for her.
A further Complaint was received about the farrier that was needed by a Touch Farm. But their farrier had already visited.
Our Licorice with suitable veterinary operation to fix his hind leg returned to us. Private donor paid for the op.
A Euthanasia Assist carried out for a horse. This entails being approached by a horse owner who simply does not have a clue as to how best to do this and who to phone and us guiding them through the process. Yes, it is difficult even when you don’t know the horse, but we like a dignified farewell for the horse. Donation received for which we thank the owner.
Stan and Jessie had their hands full with 3 ponies when at the request of the owner, they visited to do a complete job of deworming, tick greasing and trimming of hooves (in very bad shape). Dewormer paid for by the owner.
A ‘rescue’ pony admitted and gelded at the cost of the rescuer.
And then a little ‘night’ work. Stanley received an early evening call about a horsebox with two horses inside that had flipped and caused a problem on the N2 near Malabar. As we have occasionally received this kind of phone call, we round up the staff, hitch up the horsebox, and head off to the site of the accident. Luckily our Tracy had also been called and also pitched up with her horsebox. The traffic was INSANE!! Dr Davis was on site, and our Dr Charles also arrived. The smaller of the two horses had been released from the horsebox and in due course, was loaded to our horsebox and taken to a place of safety by Stanley. The bigger of the two horses was comatose on the tar with many willing helpers tending to it. As the horse was unable to stand in due course he was loaded recumbent into the supersize horsebox belonging to Tracy for a trip to the same place of safety. Through experience we know what to do in this kind of situation. Regrettably, the bigger of the two horses died overnight but the smaller of the two was returned to his ex owner later the next day.
I think the problem with this scenario is that you NEVER know what you are going to be faced with, so yes, we called our Vet, and took our horsebox. Rather two vets than none at all!
A late afternoon phone call for a donkey who had sustained a broken leg meant fetching him and having him euthanased. One of our other donkeys was adopted out the next day to be a companion to the one left behind.
Goodness! Two early evening problems in one week!!
A panicky owner phoned for assistance with his horse choking. We were able to give him the required information – a nearby vet’s phone number.
Collegiate Primary School visited and Carla did her first ‘talk’ about the Unit and the horses and donkeys. Well done, Carla!
Two horses surrendered due to cash flow problems. They have settled in quite nicely and are Available for Adoption!
A township resident phoned because his pregnant donkey jenny had been stabbed in the belly. Admitted for Observation and regular Penicillin shots and at this stage, all is well. No aborted fetus, still eating and doing all the right stuff, so hopefully she can return to her owner soon.
And then, because life as it is is not normal, a horse and two donkeys surrendered to the Unit. But then there were the lingering thoughts and finally a request for the horse to come back!! CRAZY!
Then, Stanley was out collecting grassmix and Carla and Jessie were out collecting the surrendered horse and two donkeys, when Stan found himself on Sardinia Bay Road with a stray donkey on the verge. Because we care about these animals on the road and having two horseboxes with four drivers on hand, we eventually, having checked with all our donkey adoptors down Sardinia Bay Road looking for her home. It was only later on checking Facebook that I found a plea for help in finding their donkey, that we were able to tell the owner we had the donkey safe at the Unit. She was identified later in the day, and this meeting up meant that our DAISY was adopted out as a companion animal to MAMA. Alls’well that ends well, especially if you are donkey. Really weird that we had two horseboxes, four drivers, and that we could not just load the donkey and go because both horseboxes were full up!
Daisy and Mama having ‘found’ each other.
Three days in Court for a contentious ages ago story. We wait for Judgement next month.
And then we did a recheck of 30 horses and found all to be present and correct.
A gelding of a pony conducted and the owner has paid in the cost of the op.
Not often that we get ‘pats on the head’, so this came as a welcome surprise. Well done, Stanley!
EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE
I take this opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude for the sterling work rendered by the Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit to the Traditional horse racing fraternity in the rural Eastern Cape.
Stanley is the anchor pivot at our events where he passes on advice, provides medical assistance and ensures that best practice with regards to horse welfare is maintained.
We are entirely dependent on ECHCU for meeting the high standards in horse care and to improve the profile of our sport.
The investment made by the Unit in the venture to look after the Equines in the Rural Areas is immense but is worth every cent.
Yours in Traditional Horse Racing.
Carehaven Residents visited the Unit to carrot the equines. Thank You so Much. We all know how our equine friends soothe our souls.
Have some fun this April Fool’s Day!
DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM VERY KIND DONORS AND THAT WE APPRECIATE VERY MUCH
Janine – donated 11 bags leavings
Rudi – donated two water baths to the unit.
Unknown - donated 3 lucerne and two grassmix
Nameless - donated Ulcer Muti
Another – donated bags Cubes
Jan – tack donated for Auction
Blue Steel Equestrian – donated bags cubes
YOGA GROUP MIRAMAR - R 440.
Volunteers – Eugene and Lee Ann and Amber
Banking Details: Standard Bank Account 080733875, Code 051001. Reference: Your name or project
Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT
Contact numbers Office;
landline 041 3661594
cellphone 072 357 2505
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