Meet Some Of Our Rescue Horses

15.3hh Holsteiner Mare, (Showtime Lady) 15 Years Old. Imported from Germany and competed as a three-day eventer. In my opinion, this stunning mare must have been worth at least $50K in her prime. I can safely assume that due to the devastating injury to her knees, she must have had a catastrophic fall onto her knees. She has multiple fractures, which have now fused and limited her mobility. She has ruptured her oblique carpal extensors and the digital extensor tendons have been ruptured.  This means Diva is unable to dorsal flex.  It was pretty bleak.  We had her on extensive pain killers and added Neigh-Lox to prevent her insides getting ripped apart with the low dosage bute. She is also on MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. We also introduced Hydra-RX although this amazing product was really out of our budget at this time.

Regardless of her unthinkable pain (where the kindest thing would have been to sadly euthanize her), Diva was shipped off to Georgia whereby she was used as a kid's lesson horse. She was pretty beaten up and very underweight when a rescue group in Georgia stepped up and removed her from the riding school. Diva was then shipped to Ocala, and then to another rescue group in Floral City. This particular rescue group contacted Horses In Harmony and asked us to take her. This poor show horse has been through so much, we agreed. After a vet evaluation, we had to decide whether it was kinder to euthanize her. At the time, she was in constant pain and bone was literally touching bone. Even if I could get her comfortable, we did not believe she could  really be a broodmare as she would not be able to lie down to have her foal (nor carry the weight of a baby). The decision is a tough one - whether to give this precious mare a second chance at life as either a pasture ornament or a babysitter - or gently hold her as we kindly put her to sleep and stop all the pain.  However, Diva had other plans and wanted to show us she was far from giving up! 

A few weeks later, our vet was  thrilled with how much improvement she saw in Diva's knees, and also her happy attitude and ease in rolling, grazing and playing. We went ahead and vaccinated Diva and decided  to keep her at Horses in Harmony. The vet informed us that Diva was happy, comfortable and well enough to have her own foal. On her advice, we went ahead and bred Diva to an amazing Oldenburg Stallion called BRAVO. This fertile girl took the first time she was artifically inseminated. She was so good, we have never had to sedate her for insemination nor ensuing ultra-sounds.

Once Diva was happily pregnant, we decided to consider adopting her out to the most wonderful family who could make use of her wonderful, calm disposition and submissive temperament. The family would have to understand that Diva requires supplements, medication and frequent vet visits.

It just so happened that a wonderful family DID approach us. Offering Diva an experienced, loving and pampered home on their 100 acre farm in Alabama.  The family are so excited to be welcoming Diva into their family - and the foal will be the future sporthorse partner for their talented and competitive daughter.

Diva is scheduled to go to her forever home on 14 September 2008.  A fairy tale ending for a special and deserving horse.

Congratulations Diva and The Gaasch's!

About The Sire of Diva's Foal!

Silver Bump, 16.2hh, 14 year old ex-champion racehorse. Winning 21 of his 47 races! This character who oozes personality, love and unlimited cuteness once gave his owners and riders recognition, pleasure and financial gain. Once he started to slow up, he was discarded. He ended up the hands of the most heartless and cruel woman in Central Florida. A woman who stuck this talented horse in her backyard (along with a pregnant mare) and watched him starve, go thirsty, get too hot or too cold .. and let him live through his consequential pain. At the end of the day, this MOTHER (yes folks, she has children!) would rather put fuel in her Harley and fill her own expanding stomach with food and beer. This person also threatened to shoot and kill Ghost to "hide the evidence" of her abuse. Horrifyingly enough, this disturbed female is planning on getting another horse for her daughter. Meanwhile, Ghost has had thousands of dollars invested into his rehabilitation. We had to take our time re-introducing feed and grain, we had to spread out his vaccination and worming program and gently introduce supplements again. The farrier said that Ghost was in incredible pain with his feet (in fact, half of his hoof came off due to an untreated abscess). Ghost cribs (bites on fence or stall edges and sucks in air). This vice has developed because it releases endorphins. When he was starving and in pain, he would crib to disguise the pain and hunger he was going through. Apart from being an undesirable vice, the harsh reality is that it has worn his teeth almost to the gum. We are desperately trying to break him off this habit, as once his teeth are gone - eating will once again become a major issue.

Ghost is now available for adoption.  He is fully rehabilitated and up to weight.  We have started lightly riding him again.  He does require a more confident/intermediate rider.  He has super clean legs and a beautiful, floating trot.  Very comfortable to sit to.  He will need to be brought back to fitness slowly.  I would recommend him as a dressage, hunter or trail horse for a competent rider.

Adoption Fee: $1500

Picture Above: Hours away from death - taken on 4 April 2008.

Picture below taken 6 weeks later ...