How Beauty's Haven Got Started...

Theresa had to undergo surgery some years ago to remove a tumor that was slowly growing inside of her spinal cord.  She'd been treated for over a year before the surgery for a viral infection of the spine.  But her symptoms got worse and an MRI revealed a tumor was almost severing her spinal cord - she underwent surgery.  The tumor was removed but not without doing permanent nerve damage.  Life for the Batchelor family changed dramatically.  Theresa was left quadriplegic and was told she'd never walk again.  But with much determination, physical therapy, and faith, she did regain use of her limbs.  However, she has no feeling or proprioception below her neck.  She has no idea where her arms and legs are unless she is looking at them.  She was advised not to do many of the activities she enjoyed before her injury such as horseback riding.  Theresa returned to her job as a Program Logistics Manager with the Federal Government.  A couple of years later she experienced more health problems and had to retire on disability - only 3 months short of 20 years.

An MRI showed that Theresa had three herniated disks at the same location along her spine where the tumor had been removed.  Surgeons refused to do anything due to the high risk that she could end up quadriplegic again and she was told to learn to live with the pain.  Not long after, Theresa and Bob started sending their kids for riding lessons.  While the kids had their lesson, longing to be back on a horse again, Theresa started riding an Arabian gelding.  A few weeks later, she received a call about a young Arabian mare that had been seized by the county due to neglect/abuse.  Theresa knew she needed the mare as much as the mare needed her. 
 

The mare, now named Beauty, had been traumatized and didn't like people (especially men).  She was young, knew very little, and had to be trained from the ground up. 

Theresa spent a lot of time each day working with Beauty.  Over the course of a few months she taught her to work off of voice commands in order to help her from being confused with Theresa's arms, hands, and legs that would sometimes tremble due to nerve damage.  Beauty seems to somehow sense Theresa is "different" and takes good care of her.

Theresa and Beauty developed a beautiful and trusting relationship and Beauty will be with her always.  It took Beauty four years but she has even come to let Bob touch her!  Theresa feels very blessed that Beauty chose her to be her human. 
 

Theresa wants to eventually establish a therapy program for people with challenges such as hers.  Horses are the best therapy for her - physically and mentally.  People ask how, with no feeling or proprioception, she manages to stay on a horse and she tells them - she has no idea - it must be angels keeping her up there!  She feels very blessed to have a family that has helped her in her dream of helping horses.  And it seems that horses that need help the most, ones that many humans would give up on, find their way to Beauty's Haven. 

After Theresa's surgery, the doctors explained how fortunate she was be alive, and suddenly everything in life took on a different meaning to her.  Words from the Tim McGraw song, "Live Like You Are Dying" have a special meaning to Theresa - she wants to help all needy horses like there is no tomorrow.  They all deserve a chance.  The young and the old - and breed doesn't matter.  And to watch a horse that has arrived battered, depressed, and "lost" - recover and grow strong and regain their pride - it is a feeling that is overwhelming.  They are all a wonderful gift from God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Here we are - Theresa, Bob, and Katie with Grandma a few days after Grandma arrived in March, 2006.  The picture below it is our son, Joshua, playing with Chloe, our nurse mare foal in April, 2006.  Sadly, Granma crossed Rainbow Bridge in October, 2006.  We miss her terribly - especially Chloe.

We have 5 dogs; 2 Chihuahua's named Taco and Belle, a Sheltie named Brea, an elderly Lab named Bailey, and Expresso, a Shepherd mix from a shelter in West VA.  We had a cat named Peanut that we rescued from a box that had been taped up and tossed into a dumpster.  Sadly, at the end of June, 2006 Peanut disappeared.  We hope someone took him home to love and that the coyotes didn't get him.  We did get a new rescued kitty, named Kitty Cat, and we also have another kitty named Oreo.  Lastly, there is Timmy, our goat.  We got him for Frosty, a very sweet but 100% blind Appaloosa that was with us until he crossed Rainbow Bridge in September 2005.

We have a 6 stall center aisle barn with a feed room, a tack room, and two wash racks.  Two adjoining stalls can be easily converted into a birthing stall.  There is also a workshop with attached garage for farm equipment.  Horses enjoy freedom in nice green pastures.

The perimeter of the farm has no climb top board fencing and most paddocks have 3 board fencing.  One quarantine paddock has a barn (2 stall that can be converted to a birthing stall) that is completely surrounded with no-climb top board fencing and is on 2 acres.  There is an arena, round pen, and shelters. 

Here's Chloe running along side Jet in May 2007 - it's hard to believe she's a year old now.  Jet is the first horse that has been willing to run and play games with her.  We're glad she finally has a friend.

Our current project is to build a hay storage building.  Currently, we have to use 2 of the 6 stalls in the barn.  We do not have the funds to do this.  If you would like to help with this project (time, materials, or funds) please email us.  If you want to make a monetary donation to help go to the homepage and click on the "Donation" button.  Please be sure to specify what the donation is for.
 

Our wonderful volunteers:  Blodwyn, Jim, Laura, Sue, June, Arnette, Bernice, Katie, Robyn, Stacy, Sandy, Dan
Website Support:  Franklin

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