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Post by SandyG on Jan 21, 2014 9:02:25 GMT -5
I'm calling Stillwater Vet this morning to try to get Miss April in for an x-ray and diagnosis. She has been touting an abscess for the last week in her left front. Yesterday, a tiny crack opened and about a drop of fluid expelled. Signs that the infection is going inward instead of outward.
She is strong and able to right herself with much effort, so she can recover from surgery, if needed. Not wasting or watching - going instead.
Again, your prayers for working machinery in this frigid air. Sharp, knowledgeable eyes. And a strong mare that will not give up.
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Post by SandyG on Jan 21, 2014 17:17:55 GMT -5
An uneventful ride for Miss April to her temporary stall while we see what is troubling her left front foot. I had bute'd her and she loaded like a champ. She stopped to call to Handsome (her Dream Boat) before she went into the trailer and then took the ride.
When we arrived, we x-ray'd both of her front feet and got her settled. The Specialized Farrier was called to come to the clinic and remove her shoes and pads and trim her feet so hoof testers, etc., can be used to see if there is an internal infection.
We are so blessed to have our Specialized Farrier. He loves Miss April and is heading there tomorrow morning to do what he can for her. Whatever was on his schedule is moving because she is needing him and he is going. Gotta love the relationship that has built between those two over the years.
So by noon or so tomorrow we will have more information. For now, she is eating hay, staying on her bute, and calling to all of the other horses to let them know that there's a new sheriff in town. Her!
There seems to be nothing critical but my guts begin to churn to leave one of the fold behind. Please lift Miss April up and send her positive support and we do our best to help her. Amen.
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Post by SandyG on Jan 22, 2014 10:39:19 GMT -5
This very moment, Miss April is being suspended from the harness in the operating room while our Specialized Farrier pulls her shoes and pads and trims back her heel and toe. Then everyone will contribute and attempt to locate the cause of her discomfort. I'm hopeful that an infectious track is visible immediately.
I will post as soon as I hear how it went and what was determined. Remember to say a prayer!
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Post by SandyG on Jan 22, 2014 16:53:46 GMT -5
Perhaps one of the greatest gift, ever, to Refuge Farms was the day we found our Specialized Farrier. He arrived at the Vet Clinic this morning and worked with his girl even though he has stitches in his body and torn muscles in his back. I doubt anything would keep this man from helping his Miss April.
Her shoes were removed, frogs checked, toes and heels trimmed, and toes trimmed back. A recent infection track in her left hoof was located and given room to drain. Her right foot shows signs of tracks that may become infected or may not, but again room was left for drainage.
I would have loved to have been there to watch these two in action. When we trim her at THE FARM, I am truly the "odd one out" since these two communicate without words after all these years.
Miss April's prognosis is good but there is concern about her metabolic status since she is big in the neck and the hind quarters but thin in the ribs - all signs of something amiss and so we will work with the Vet to see what we can do. Treatment may help her laminitis, as well.
Tonight she is in an entirely different space than last night. All of us can rest knowing Miss April will return home to rule her roost again!
Thank you for your emails, telephone calls, and prayers.
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Post by SandyG on Jan 24, 2014 10:11:55 GMT -5
We drew enough blood for 4 tests - early Cushings, IR, EMS, and thyroid. Tests will return next week. Any of these conditions will help to retain the laminitis so they, too, could contribute to the "stalling" we have hit in her feet healing.
In the meantime, she can return to her roost and with a good left front foot!!!
Thank you, David! ;D
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Post by SandyG on Feb 2, 2014 9:33:33 GMT -5
I'm happy to say that our Miss April is "back to normal" given the hard, frozen ground and her chronic laminitis. This is great news and I am desperately relieved that her left front is recovering and it did not manifest itself in her coffin bone.
Once again, this horse escaped the other side - largely due to the efforts of our Specialized Farrier. No wonder she loves that man!!!! 
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Post by SandyG on Feb 9, 2014 13:08:31 GMT -5
After a week of watching her, Miss April is "normal" for her given the frozen, hard ground and the cold air. She will limber up when it gets above zero and I will continue to keep a round bale in the barn for her (and the others) so she can eat and sleep on a soft bed. I would much rather do that than have her out resting and standing on packed icy snow.
This is an excellent example of why Refuge Farms does not use bale feeders. Many of our horses (Miss April, Liz-Beth, Shortey, Lanna, Spirit) need a bed to rest in so they can rejuvenate their crippled legs. Without the hay pads, they do not have a bed other than a snow patch or an icy mound. Some say we are wasteful. I agree but then I point to these specific horses and say we purposely give them a bed - and if that is wasting to some, then that's just what it is. To us, it is keeping a promise given.
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Post by SandyG on Apr 11, 2017 11:58:58 GMT -5
Our Specialized Farrier was here to reset Miss April's shoes and trim Gracie's little feet. And his news was so good I asked three times if it was right? Not a joke? Was he right?
Miss April is growing new hoof in the big hole in her left front from the abscess that ate the center of her lamina. Yes, new hoof! The foot, crippled as it is, is recovering the best that it can! Miss April is going to spend more time and hopefully years with us!
AS I tell myself, The Master Plan will unfold itself. But there are times, like with this one with Miss April's foot, that I do not see how it could NOT be possible that the outcome would be just as it is - a new hoof will grow in place of the damaged one that was destroyed. It will take a full year, at least, but she will have a sole again and be more comfortable again. Could not have been a better response to our prayerful requests!!
Now, we need to see the same glorious result in little Gracie's front feet! Hey, Master Planner - are you listening?
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Post by SandyG on Aug 12, 2017 15:09:51 GMT -5
Our Miss April is feeling the weight of having to stand in the barn on the hard floor surface all day to be out of the flies . By 5pm, she can tolerate it no longer and so she is outside - in the flies - resting her legs and then up to graze for the night. On Thursday, I moved Miss April and Gracie into the corral for the non-green hay bale (a remnant of last winter's hay supply) and the significantly less fly population.
While spending most of the day out with the horses yesterday, I noticed Miss April's left front foot was once again giving her grief. Knowing how risky and borderline that foot is, I called our Specialized Farrier who, by the way, LOVES that mare and explained that I thought she was worsening and maybe we should have him stop over before his next scheduled appointment? What did he think?
The dear man was here at 12noon today. Like I said, he loves that girl!!!
We found an active abscess in the front of the hoof and the tender spot - which is where the coffin bone is rotated. However, we both let the air out of our lungs because the very worst situation was not present. Both of us admitted much later that we had dreaded looking at the trimmed foot for fear the coffin bone was protruding. But nope! Our girl was not there! Thank you, Lord!
Miss April was born starved and had been starved even while still in the womb. Her Mother, Ima, was a lovely little mare that was dry of milk and beyond emaciated herself. However, within 6 six hours after arriving here at Refuge Farms and having a stock tank filled with a bale of hay laying at the bottom of a layer of cool water, the mare had eaten the wetted down hay and was producing milk for her weak, skinny baby girl!
Ima lived with us for over 6 years before her kidneys finally failed. Miss April has never stopped fighting since she was born into that manure pile. And fight she does! She loves the big horses and was madly in love with Jerry, the Roan Horse. And he in love with her, too! And she loves to simply live as proven by her fighting through abscesses, rotations, thrush, and just the general discomfort of front feet that do not work well.
After she had suspended from the shoeing bed for a while today, she gave me the look that told me it was time to pee and so out of the bed she came. As we walked back to Gracie in the corral, her steps were noticeably easier and smoother so our Specialized Farrier had once again worked his magic and given Miss April another chance to overcome yet another episode.
We are both in there for the long haul - in there "all the way", as they say. We both love this mare. Respect this mare. And will do what is best for this mare. Right now, that means a boot on her foot, dental packing to support the toe, Styrofoam for cushioning, and prayers. Join us, if you will, in sending Miss April's needs to the Universe so the spot in her left foot can continue to grow and harden and she may continue the journey of her life here at Refuge Farms.
Amen.
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Post by SandyG on Aug 20, 2017 21:51:24 GMT -5
So a bit of history -
Miss April is a Clydesdale/something mix and was starved prior to being born. She arrived here within 24 hours of being born in the manure pile and her 19 years with us have been an unbelievable experience as her spirit is enormous and constant! She is a sweet mare but quite a handful! A bit unpredictable and crafty as heck!
Tonight, she is in a deeply bedded stall due to a hole in her sole that we are working to granulate and seal up. Miss April is, however, an outside kind of a girl. As I was tucking her in for the night with hay, fresh water, deeper shavings I turned went to fill the bucket I use to top of her water. My mistake! She waited until my back was turned, pushed open the gate, and scooted outside. On three feet!!
I thought it would be rather quick to just use my arms and create a human fence to herd her back inside. WRONG!!! We played the old playground game of Keep Away until I finally ran into the barn for a lead rope. And even then, it was 50 feet before I could catch her! Once roped, she was compliant but when I pulled the rope from her neck you could see her trying to calculate if she could scoot by me again and get back outside!
This mare is more than amazing! She is a solid block of determination. Gotta love her! She not only inspires me but she gives me my cardio exercise!!! G'nite Miss April!! I need rest!
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Post by SandyG on Aug 23, 2017 21:18:04 GMT -5
Just coming into the house from a long day BUT the shoeing bed is modified so now horses will walk into the bed, be treated, and then walk out - instead of having to back out of the bed! HURRAY!
None of this would have been possible if not for a very generous man who came to THE FARM directly from work with his grinder, his welder, and his knowledge and time. Old pieces cut off, new pieces welded on, and then before he left another piece added for additional security. And now, Josephina will have the luxury of "hanging around" in the shoeing bed to take the weight off of her legs and give her a chance to take a break. Cool.
Many thanks! And just think - this person needs to be in Madison by 8am in the morning!!!!!
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Post by SandyG on Aug 24, 2017 8:09:46 GMT -5
I am reaching out for positive thoughts and prayers for our Miss April and Josephina this morning. Both mares are facing life threatening hoof issues with our Specialized Farrier arriving at 11am for assessments and plans after his examinations.
After a full day of work, one of the kindest men I have ever met arrived last evening with his cutting and welding equipment and remodeled our shoeing bed so Josephina can now use it - meaning she can walk in, be treated, and walk out! Prior to the remodel, she would have had to back out and that is just too dangerous for her with her bad hips.
So we are in a good position to treat both mares if the exams show us we can improve their conditions. Hence, my request for your messages to "the universe" for healing, if that is to be.
I'm doing my best self-talk of the positive paths for these girls but I'm a bit shakey with these two. I do understand The Master Plan isn't always what we want but I still fight it once in a while! Hence, my request for your thoughts, your prayers . . . whatever it means to you to throw some energy their way and give them the courage and me the wisdom to accept The Plan.
After all these horses and all these exams and the thousands of hooves, I still believe that the best work is done when the community comes together and asks for the magic to happen one more time in this barn.
Thank you for taking the time to think or to pray or to sing. However you do send your support, it will be felt by them and we humans will do our job and medically treat them, just as we promised them we would.
Much Appreciation,
Sandy and The Herd with MIss April and Josephina
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Post by SandyG on Aug 27, 2017 11:16:08 GMT -5
The toll that left front foot was taking on Miss April was increasingly great. Her spirit was failing and her determination to beat this thing causing such pain in her foot was diminishing. This morning, I saw a horse that had not moved all night and was refusing to rise to eat her breakfast. April was telling me she was done and ready to move on where she could run and run and run! It was time for us to stop trying to heal her and let The Master Plan come to conclusion for this dear creature.
Dr. Rande came on this Sunday morning and helped this beautiful soul to her freedom at roughly 10:30AM. Prior to Dr. Rande's arrival, April and I spent some time in the yard eating fresh grass and I filled her tummy with apples! She was content and happy as she crossed.
Never again will there be a spirit as Miss April! And never will young adults in wheelchairs have an advocate as beautiful as Miss April! And never will there be such a compliant but strong willed horse in our barns who wanted nothing more than to walk like a normal horse. My peace comes from knowing she is running - after waiting 19 years to do so - and she is with her handsome Jerry, the Roan Horse.
And we must all thank our Specialized Farrier who gave her the majority of those years! Many vets and farriers had told me to put her down - until we came across this talented man. He loves "Apes" as much as any of us do! And he, too, will cry at her grave. But I certainly hope he rests well knowing he made a quality life possible for this horse for many more years than she would have had without him. Thank you, Kind Sir. Thank you from me but most of all, thank you from your "Apes".
I will see you on the other side of that bridge, April. And we both will run!!!
Amen.
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Post by SandyG on Aug 27, 2017 14:40:09 GMT -5
"Tears are falling over the loss of that most beautiful of mares. So thankful that you were there to lovingly care for her all these years, and for Dr. Rande's dedication, too. What a hard loss for The Farm, you, and the rest of Miss April's many friends. Bless your heart and hers, Sandy." Linda J. of Eau Claire, WI
"Run free Miss April, run free!" Anne N. facebook
"Oh no. I'm sorry to read this." ❤️ Sara J. facebook
"So sorry for your loss. Hugs, she was loved." Vicki K. facebook
"April was lucky to have found such a loving home." Lori A. facebook
"Sorry for your loss. Run free April!" Karen M. facebook
"She lived a life with love and care she might not have otherwise - you were such a blessing to her and she felt it. So sorry for your loss." 💗 Stephanie L.
"God Speed Miss April and enjoy Rainbow Bridge with all your friends who went before you and are all running free of pain. You have touched so many hearts while here on earth and are going to be missed so much. Sandy I'm sending you a hug and hope you can feel it and all the love ❤️ that comes your way at this time. You take such good care of the Herd and their needs come first, before your own needs. God has a special place for you and your herd in Heaven when your time comes, which won't be for a long time as you have the Herd relying on you still. God be with you and the charges you have under your care and grant you peace knowing you are doing the best you can for those in your care. Takes a special, selfless person to put the lives of God's creatures before your own. Prayers and good vibes coming your way." Luanne V-M facebook
"So sorry for your loss, Sandy. Saying goodbye is necessary at times but never easy." Jeanne B. facebook
"Run Free, Miss April!" Sarah W. facebook
"So sorry for your loss." Mary Kay H. facebook
"So very sorry! She was beautiful!!" Cassi H. facebook
"So sorry for your loss, she is so Beautiful!! Debi H-O facebook
"Our love, support and prayers go to you and the herd." ❤😔 Emily W. facebook
"Sending lots of love" ❤️ Paige D. facebook
"Beautiful tribute to your Ms April.... I feel like I knew her and am sending many hugs and blessings your way as you mourn and celebrate this wonderful animal! God Bless you and til the two of you meet again....." ❤️ Sandra B. DeC facebook
"Thank you for your beautiful tribute. I am so sorry for your loss. For any of us who have nursed an animal through chronic health problems, this testimony means so much. We truly are just caretakers and do the best we can to take care of the wonderful animals God has entrusted to our care until it is time for Him to take them home. God Bless you for your generosity, love and selflessness. Be at peace knowing that your sweet girl is happy and free of all suffering!" Julie N. facebook
"Sandy, thank you for your loving care. God bless you for this work you do!" Mary Ellen K. facebook
"Godspeed on your new journey Miss April. We will watch over Gracie Girl for you. Hugs to you Sandy and the herd she now watches over." Tricia M. facebook
"So sorry for the hurting heart, but like always, this incredibly hard decision was made around what was best for beloved Miss April." Robyn F. facebook
"It take a strong person and much love and respect to help a spirit move on. My sympathy to you." Cathy R. facebook
"Oh my, Sandy, you certainly had a trying morning! My condolences for the loss of Ms. April. You and the farrier were truly her angels here on Earth. She will be eager to greet you when it’s your time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Take care…" Toni P., Spring Valley, WI
"Oh Sandy! I'm so sorry for your loss!!! What a beautiful mare that was so blessed to have lived her life at refuge farms. Thank you for your continued commitment to not just saving her but ensuring she lived!!!!" Jen T. & Family, Milwaukee, WI
I am so sorry for your loss! I will be thinking of you. Wishing you love and prayers today. Kendra, Menomonie, WI
"Hi Sandy, I just read about Miss April on the BB – I’m so sorry to read this. I know the feeling in making a decision like that, and I know you were thinking of her best interests in the end. Thinking of you -" Colleen B, Eau Claire, WI
"Beautiful tribute, it touched me, pure love, hugs and prayers your way. I don't know you but I can tell you are a special caring person and a blessing to many." Gail P. facebook
I am so very very sorry!" Laura A-H facebook
"Run Free With The Wind" Sherrie C facebook
"So sorry for your loss." Lynn dickmann facebook
"Oh no! So sorry." Diane S. facebook
"My prayers are with you but she is without pain." Carol L-G facebook
"What a beautiful memory you have to hold onto! I am so very sorry for your loss of this fabulous April! She was blessed to have such a beautiful soulmate.....you! Be kind & gentle with yourself as you grieve these upcoming days. God bless you! 💜" Sandy K. facebook
"So so very sorry for your loss but so much love and respect for what you have given her in her life. She's at peace and running freely in her new forever home." Patti S facebook
"Sandy, I'm so sorry for your loss. Rest assured that she is now at peace." Carol B. facebook
"Sending love & understanding. You did the best you could & Miss April surely knew that." Penelope A. facebook
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