03/16/06:
This 27 year old Thoroughbred mare came to us fitting the name she'd had
her whole life - Bones! She was severely underweight, had
rain rot, she had very bad teeth, and her feet were terribly overgrown - she tripped often.
We decided she needed a new name to start her new life of
retirement so she is now known as Grandma. We have talked with her original owners that live in Colorado.
They were sad to learn of her condition and stay in touch to see
how she is progressing. The last time they saw her, about 3
years ago, she was healthy (except for arthritis) and headed for FL to
enjoy life in a warmer climate.
Grandma is on
a "mushy" diet and fed 4 times a day. She is on supplements to
help with arthritis and general health. She also gets massages.
03/20/06: The dentist worked on Grandma's teeth. She only has
a few in the back of mouth to grind her food up with.
05/06/06: It seems that Grandma has become Chloe's "other mom" and
follows and herds Chloe almost everywhere. When Cookie is around
Grandma steps back and lets Cookie take over. If Cookie isn't
around we know where to find Grandma - trying to keep up with Chloe!
05/20/06: We've seen a transition over the past couple of weeks
and it seems Chloe has become attached to Grandma! Grandma loves
it! She's more alert and energetic. She seems to have a
purpose now. What a wonderful relationship this is going to be!
05/26/06: Grandma started laying down today with Chloe! We
think this means she feels better physically and mentally!
06/04/06: Grandma loped today with Chloe for the first time since she
has been with us! She must be feeling better!
06/10/06: The dentist worked on Grandma's front teeth again.
He estimates
it will take a year to get them as good as they can get as long as
she continues to improve in her health.
07/07/06: Grandma is continuing to gain weight. Just look at
how much better she looks in her July 4th picture!
07/20/06: Grandma got a beautiful set of Rhythm Beads from angel
Alli!
09/07/06: Grandma is better and still loving life mothering
Chloe. She is even tolerating Chloe trying to nurse her!
09/22/26: Grandma is maintaining her weight and is doing
good. We're very proud of her.
09/23/06: Chloe was out playing with Bud today and when it got a
bit out of hand Chloe ran to Grandma for support. Grandma got
between Chloe and Bud and went down on her right side. She got up
and tried pushing Chloe to the right - away from Bud and she went down
again. I managed to get to a gate and open it so she could run out
of the paddock. Once she got out she went down for the 3rd time
but this time didn't get up. She rested for while we hosed
her off. We were afraid she was going to have a heart attack or
her lungs were going to burst. Once Chloe was out of the
paddock a big sigh of relief came over Grandma. After a bit
she was able to get up but is very unsteady on her right side. She
was given some bute and is moving around tonight. We'll be keeping
a close eye on her.
09/30/06: Ms. Susan arranged for Miss Maggie to visit with Grandma and give
her a massage. Grandma's muscles did a lot of shivering and quivering, but
it truly helped. When Maggie was done Grandma just stood there and looked at her like she wanted more! Grandma
says "Thank you Miss Susan and Miss Maggie!"
10/12/06: Grandma suffered a big setback this afternoon. She
fell down right before her afternoon feeding and could not get up.
The vet came out and after about 2 1/2 hours of trying to help her up
and failing, we decided she was ready to cross Rainbow Bridge. As
the vet was preparing for this, we had an idea - Chloe! We brought
Chloe to Grandma. They touched noses and each let out a very soft
whinny. A soft light flickered in Grandma's eyes again.
Chloe stepped back about 15' and all of a sudden, Grandma got up!
That little filly did what 6 people couldn't. We took both of them
to the barn, slowly. Grandma had someone on all sides of her in
case she needed help with balance. We removed the wall between 2
stalls to open up the birthing stall for Grandma and she settled in.
Chloe is right across the aisle from her and they both seemed very
tired, but relieved when we called it a night. We were very
blessed tonight. Grandma is a very special mare to give it her all
for Chloe. Chloe is just not ready to let Grandma go.
Neither are we.
Thank you to everyone that is keeping Grandma in your thoughts and
prayers and provided assistance with Grandma's emergency medical costs.
A holistic vet has treated her and feels that with appropriate
treatments, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and rest, she has a good
chance of recovery. She may never be able to run with Chloe again
and we will have to put her in a small paddock without any other horses
to reduce the risk of further injury. At night, she will stay in
the barn with Chloe.
10/16/06: It was a beautiful day so
I decided to give Grandma the option of getting out of the barn for a
walk. I put on her halter and let her walk which ever direction
she chose. She walked into the paddock behind the barn, very
slowly with me on her weak side to help with her balance if needed.
She got in the paddock and I took her halter off. She looked at me
as if to say "thank you - but I'm a bit nervous" and slowly walked about
15' away and faced the other horses in the lower paddocks. She
stopped, held her head high, let out a whinny that made her body shake,
and stood still long enough to hear the other horses whinny back.
She then slowly turned, lowered her head, turned around, and
walked to me, almost losing her balance - I could see and feel the panic
in her face and just gave her a smile of encouragement and held out my
hand.
I met her half way and she stopped to regain her balance while I put her
halter back on. We slowly walked to her stall. Once back in
her stall she seemed relieved and held her head low as if she was
exhausted. I didn't know it at the time, I wasn't paying
attention, but Chloe was behind the barn standing, watching. I also didn't know that my daughter had been taking pictures
the whole time.
I stayed with Grandma for awhile and had a very upbeat talk with her
about getting better. I had no idea that this walk would be
Grandma's last walk outside.
10/18/06: Grandma
fell down hard around 10:30 this morning in the birthing stall. We
were with her and it appeared she lost all control over her hindquarters. We gave her time to rest
and tried to encourage her to get up. She tried once and that was
it. She never tried again. We took Chloe into her stall to
spend a few minutes with her to see if it would help. This time,
when Chloe lowed her head and whinnied to Grandma, Grandma didn't whinny
back. That, along with the look in her eyes, we felt was her way
of letting us know she was ready. We put Chloe in Grandma's
paddock behind the barn where she stood at the gate for a long time,
waiting.
We called the vet and made arrangements to help Grandma cross Rainbow
Bridge and for her burial. Grandma
crossed at 2:30 pm. She left hearing many "we
love you's" and I held her head until well after she had gone.
There was a prayer vigil for her by many across the U.S. at the
time of her crossing.
Grandma left knowing she was loved. She wasn't hungry, alone,
cold, or afraid. She was a proud, strong willed mare and she
wasn't ready to go but had come to realize her body was broken and she
could no longer go on. We did all we could for her
but I still feel it wasn't enough. Somehow, we want to find a way
to share Grandma and Chloe's story with the public to help education
others about neglect, abuse, the nurse mare foal industry, slaughter,
and so much more. There just has to be some good come out of this,
somehow.
We know Grandma is no longer in
pain and she's likely already found her some babies to love on the other
side of the Bridge.
I feel an emptiness now - we all do. And Chloe, she has been
left an orphan now twice in the first 6 months of her short life.
We worry about how she will cope. The other mares push Chloe
away - she is sort of an outcast even though she tries to make friends
with everyone.
We know Grandma will still be watching over Chloe. The
relationship these two outcasts formed is one I just can't describe.
They touched every emotion there is. Anger felt at the people that
threw Grandma out like yesterday's trash and treated Chloe like she was
a commodity. The compassion and love that formed and grew between
these two I will never be able to put into words. The story
of two that came together and helped each other, if only for a short
while. They taught us so much. The communication between
them just left me in awe. We are so blessed that they each found
their way to our farm. Grandma will always be in our hearts.
Thank you to everyone that has been keeping up with Grandma, thinking
about her, keeping her in your thoughts and prayers and to those that
donated to help with her treatments and vet expenses.
Thank you Alli for being
Grandma's angel!
10/22/06: Today we
learned that there is a very special filly that, like Grandma, had been
saved from terrible fate. She was saved by many caring people.
She has been named "Satin's Honor" in honor of Grandma. Thank you
to everyone that helped this filly. She now has a chance to live life
and I know Grandma is proud of her and the many people that pulled
together to save her and others.
The more I look at this filly's face the more of Grandma I see in her
eyes. We love you too Satin's Honor!
Sadly, Satin has crossed Rainbow Bridge. Her life on earth was cut
short because of the way humans had treated and neglected her. Her
little body was just too weak and she is now on the other side of the
Bridge with Grandma.
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"Fooler's Satin" aka "Bones" aka "Grandma"
Grandma on arrival: 03/16/06
Grandma on: 07/04/06
Grandma was a wonderful
babysitter for Chloe, a nurse mare foal.
Chloe gave
Grandma purpose.
Grandma in turn,
watched over and protected Chloe.
She loved that filly to no end.
Chloe trying to nurse.
Chloe imitated Grandma in many ways - like a shadow.
Grandma getting a massage from Miss Maggie
Grandma In early October - Looking Great!
Grandma's Last Walk Outside - 1
Grandma's Last Walk Outside - 2
Grandma's Last Walk Outside - 3
Grandma's Last Walk Outside - 4
Saying goodbye is never easy.
Grandma crossed Rainbow Bridge
on October 16th, 2006.
She left knowing she was loved.
That is so important.
Many die everyday not knowing love.
They die hungry, in pain, alone,
afraid, and/or sad.
We all need to work together
to help as many as we can.
Grandma touched many hearts.
She was a blessing to us.
THANK YOU GRANDMA - WE LOVE YOU!
Satin's Honor - a filly saved
and named in honor of Grandma.
Satin is now running pain free with Grandma.
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Barbaro - A Legacy
Barbaro - a courageous, majestic, brave,
kind, and honest horse that took the world by storm. He loved
people. He loved life. He had hope. Barbaro gave us an
opportunity to see good in humanity. By donations being made in
his memory, horses are being saved from neglect, abuse, and even
slaughter. Thank you Barbaro.
We would like to thank those that have
made donations to our cause in memory of Barbaro - "The People's Horse":
Ms. A. Boris & family, Florahome, FL
Mr. & Mrs. Lance, Ocala, FL Ms. Deborrah Reiss, Ocala, FL
Ms. B. Bramlett, Ocala, FL
Ms. J. Hulse, Ocala, FL
Mr. J. Hinds, Ocala, FL
Ms. R. J. Bibb, Ocala, FL
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Barbaro
April 29, 2003 - Jan 29, 2007
"The run for the roses so red --
And it's run for the roses.
As fast as you can.
Your fate is delivered.
Your moment's at hand.
It's the chance of a lifetime,
In a lifetime of chance..."
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