This page is dedicated to the horses that we have or have had in our Rehabilitation program.  A program that not only consists of weight gain and injury issues but of mental and emotional issues as well.  Feel free to follow the on going stories of the horses here at Lone Oak.  Share with us our triumphs and our tears as we work to bring these horses love, dignity and the ability to go on with their lives as healthy horses of sound mind and body.  Some battles we win, some we lose but that does not stop us from trying to do our best for the horses.  Thanks for joining us................

Ace

In June 2008 a Lone Oak member purchased Ace a registered breeding stock APHA mare as a trail riding prospect.  On July 17th as I was checking the horses I noticed Ace was off by herself and not moving.  This was not normal for her to be away from the other horses as she is an alpha mare and quite the leader of the herd.  I was snapping update pics and as I looked at the pictures I had taken I noticed Ace's right foreleg and immediately left to go get a trailer.

 This is the original photo that prompted me to go retrieve the trailer July 17th 2008.  Ace was trying to walk but could only manage her weight on 3 legs and was dragging the front right or standing on the toe of her hoof.  She was transported immediately to the vets office and after an extensive exam we were told that her muscle was torn and there was nothing that could be done.  The best guess our vet had was she had been kicked by another horse.  I called my boss and asked him if I could use a stall because I just wasnt ready to give up on her.  Her new owner was distraught and said we should just put her down.  I asked for 60 days to see what I could do.  My wish was granted.

Ace's regimen began immediately upon arriving at her temporary "rehab home"  I begin with twice a day hydrotherapy and massage therapy on her leg.  I used a equine muscle rub ointment and vet wrap to try to keep the muscle from falling any further than it had already.  This picture was taken July 23rd 2008.  Ace is still not putting fullweight on her leg, more of a drag shuffle.  My son is taking Ace out for a short graze after I wrapped her leg.

Ace July 30th 2008 She enjoys the hydrotherapy so much that she actually would stick her leg out in front of her to let the water run down the leg.  There was a LOT of heat in the leg and Ace has begun to compensate by shifting her weight to her hind end.  She is beginning to lose weight even though her appetite is good.

 August 1st 2008  Things continue to go downhill fast.

Ace had an old scar from an injury that happened years ago.  For some reason the infection or injury caused a huge blowout and the heat navigated down her leg.  The only place for release was the old scar and it ruptured with a vengeance.

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August 1st 2008

August 1st 2008 Ace is overcompensating so severely it is unreal.  I am seriously beginning to doubt that I can do anything for her.

August 1st 2008  That is not a scar-the skin was so severely stretched it looks like this.

August 15th 2008

August 15th 2008 

August 15th 2008 Ace is out by herself for the first time for her exercise session.

August 30th 2008  Ace taking a nice roll and loving every minute of it.  As of the 30th I have stopped wrapping the muscle but the hydrotherapy is continued.

 Ace running and bucking September 10th 2008

 

September 15th 2008

September 17th 2008 Two months to the day.  Ace is bearing full weight her back is back to normal and she shows no signs of injury except for the lump on her leg. And the Ummm bump in her belly??

I am so very pleased in Ace's progress in her recovery but I asked permission from her owner to get her preg tested.

 

Ace-doing super and the suprising news was she is pregnant-Oh Boy that was not expected

Ace Ocotber 2nd 2008-Looking and feeling awesome.  Update-Ace's story continues on the New Arrivals 2009 page :)

A special Thank you to Ace's owner for having faith in me and especially Ace to give me the oppurtunity to work with her.  It has been an amazing 2 1/2 months :)

Introducing Horse With No Name aka Bolt

On June 26th 2008 I acquired a pony.  The man who had him no longer wanted him and said he didn't have time for him.  Why I am even shocked at the condition people allow their animals to become, before they decide they can't or won't take care of them anymore, is truly beyond me.  But, I just couldn't turn him away.  He was horribly wormy and thin as a rail.  The best I can figure is he is a cross between a shetland and hackney pony.  He carries himself beautifully and this little gelding is going to make something of himself I am willing to bet on it.  So here begins Bolts journey towards a new life..............

Bolt June 26th 2008

Bolt July 9th 2008  He kept getting to close to the fence :)

 

 

Bolt July 16th 2008

 

Bolt July 23rd 2008

 

Bolt August 2nd 2008

Bolt August 15th 2008  Sorry about the quality of the photo but all I had was my cell phone camera at the time

Bolt September 2nd 2008  I had just woke him up from his afternoon nap and he was not to happy with me :)

Bolt September 28th 2008 in all of his goofy glory :)

Bolt in his new Winter Pasture October 5th 2008  He looks great, feels great and has started putting on a healthy light winter coat.  Bolt will be allowed to hang out over the winter with Hawk and both can just relax and enjoy life.  Come Spring Bolt will begin his training.  It is my hope that he will work out well for pulling a light cart.  After his training is fully complete Bolt will be for sale but until then he will stay with us.

 

 

Peanut

In May 2008 I had a guy ask me what I thought of his new roping horse.  I voiced my concern that she was aweful thin and I asked how far along she was and if he really thought it was safe to be riding her while she was pregnant?!  He became extremely irritated with me and said, "That mare ain't pregnant."  End of conversation.  I could not purchase the mare as he refused to sell but I checked on her daily.  On July 15th I knew something was different about the mare and I showed up early the morning of the 16th and low and behold there was a foal.  The new filly wasn't very old and it was obvious she was in trouble.  I helped her nurse for her first time and she just wasn't feeling quite right.  I was limited in what I could do for her since neither she nor the mare where mine.  I went to town to get some errands done.  Later that day I ran into the owner of the mare and colt.  I was immediately informed that he refused to have a worthless colt on his property and when he got home he was going to "Knock it in the head"  I asked him if there was anyway that I could get the colt?  He said sure just get it off my place.  I took me an hour to convince him that the little filly was in trouble and needed to stay on her mother for a while that I would come every day and take care of BOTH of them until it was time to move her.  It was all agreed upon and I set to work with my newest charge.  Because she was so very tiny and fragile I named her PEANUT.................................................................

 

Day one July 16th 2008 Peanut is exhausted and weak.

 

Peanut still day one.  She is not walking around in this photo she is rocking her body back and forth because of the stomach pain.

Peanut-2 vet visits and 3 days later July 19th 2008  Peanuts dam snoozes quietly as Peanut prepares to try to venture about a little bit, but making sure her mother is still close by :)

Peanut August 12th 2008 just short of 1 month old and looking awesome.

October 5th 2008 was a big day for Peanut.  Just 11 days short of being 3 months old I had to take her away from her dam.  Because another of the Lone Oak members and I purchased a couple of paint weanlings we thought it best that Peanut go stay with them for a few weeks so that she would not be moved to the farm by herself.  She was weaned, haltered, loaded on a trailer and taken to a new and strange place with strange horses and she did AWESOME.  Everything went smoothly and I got her settled into her temporary home.

 

 

 

Peanut hanging out with her new family October 5th 2008

Peanut and the Gang moved to the farm October 27th 2008 and all are doing well :)

Peanut and the crew hanging out under the watchful eye of their adopted Mother Amy October 28th 2008

Introducing Hawk

The first time I had ever met Hawk he was being ridden by a 300 lb teenager, needless to say I was floored and I inquired about Hawk.. His story was that Hawk did not fit on a kill truck at the auction he was sold at and was brought home to fatten up and then he was going to be transported to Mexico.  Long story short I acquired Hawk.  He is aprox 18 to 20 years old.  His teeth were broken and cutting into his mouth until I had them floated.  His feet were in terrible condition, his former owner had wormed him with a pig wormer and damn near killed him and he had been turned out to pasture with an ill fitting halter and he had gotten his head caught in the fence and almost choked to death but had managed to rip the halter off but not without injury to his head and neck.  He was urinating extremely frequently and had a bloody discharge and massive diarrhea (we later found out it was due to the wormer that was used and the source of feed he was being given.)  Hawk is 16.3hh  So we have started the long slow process of Hawks recovery.  He was purchased by Lone Oak members August 15th 2008. 

 Hawks right side August 15th 2008

 

Damage from Hawks Halter Accident August 15th 2008

He is just so miserable.  August 15th 2008

The big picture August 15th 2008  You will notice the pot belly on Hawk this was acquired by the wormer damage and the vet says he will always have this belly.  As far as the vet could tell there was no damage to Hawks Heart.

Hawk upon arrival to his recovery pasture August 20th 2008

Hawk August 24th 2008

Hawk August 30th 2008  He is such a sweet boy always seeking out attention a true Gentle Giant

Hawk September 7th 2008  Hanging out with a friend

Hawk September 17th 2008

Me and Hawk hanging out September 22nd 2008

Skipping ahead to October 5th 2008  Hawk is making very slow progress but is progressing non the less.  He is enjoying himself in his new winter pasture.  He has two other pasture buddies now and is very content-their stories coming soon..........Hawk feels good enough to show some "attitude" haha  you go big fella :)

 

2008

A hard lesson learned-be very careful with whom you entrust your animals.

Saved from Death

Legend-This is what he looked like BEFORE winter started.

This is Legend one month after I started his rehab May 4th 2008  I immediately started all horses on a feeding program and wormed them and they are free to graze 24 hours a day plus their grain and supplements.

May 16th 2008 we have been working hard to get Legend back into shape and get all the winter hair off that was still clinging to him.  He is slicking up nicely and is feeling quite perky :)

May 26th, 2008 Legend is enjoying his own personal mineral block

June 4th 2008  Legend is pouting because he had to be tied up to eat due to the fact he was trying to steal everyone elses feed

June 19th 2008 Behaving himself and looking awesome although he refuses to leave his feed in a bucket :)

June29th 2008 Always looking for attention.  Legend is a sweetheart and will remain in my care free from harm and abuse.  Legend is still recovering from an injury that he recieved in 2007 which severed some nerves and an artery in his left front leg right above the hoof he still stumbles on occasion but not near as frequently as he used to.  Legend will remain in retirement even at his young age until he is fully healed.  As far as his weight he is fat and sassy and doing wonderfully.

Sadie Lady

BLM Mustang Mare 12 years old.  Sadie received the brunt of the neglect and was in the worst shape of the three horses that survived the ordeal.

Sadie BEFORE

Sadie May 4th 2008  All of the three surviving horses were placed on the same recovery plan (different feed scale for each horse as required for there own personal recovery) and the photo time line is pretty much the same plus or minus one day.  Sadie and Legend

Marshall and Sadie May 16th 2008-Marshall has been helping me more and more with the horses and has been doing a fine job.  Sadie enjoys her grooming as she eats her grain.

Sadie May 26th 2008  Sadie is not gaining as quickly as I would like but she is doing good and is gaining at her own pace. 

Sadie and myself hanging out on June 4th 2008 as Sadie eats her grain

Sadie June 19th 2008 now she's picking up the pace.  You go Sadie :)

Sadie June 30th and sporting a lovely knot in her hair and always in the same place How exactly do you manage that Sadie Girl :)

Jumping ahead to July 16th 2008 Sadie looks wonderful and feels great and no she is not pregnant she is FAT and Sassy and absolutely Beautiful :)  Sadie is in her forever home here at Lone Oak and neither she nor any other horse I ever deal with will be entrusted into the care of others. 

HICKORY

Hickory BEFORE

Hickory April 11th 2008 Absolutely Heartbreaking :(

Hickory May 4th 2008

May 16th already looking really good :) and losing that nasty long hair.

Hickory is a real Lover and enjoys attention.  He is pictured with Marshall and my Grandaughter Autumn here on May 26th 2008

Myself and Hickory June 4th 2008

Marshall and Hickory also on June 4th 2008

Hickory and Sadie June 19th 2008

June 29th 2008

Gorgeous !!!  July 3rd 2008

Hickory Happy as a Lark July 16th 2008

Hmmmm might be time to slack off on the grain Hickory, you have fat wrinkles :)  August 8th 2008

The above photos are both on August 20th 2008  I apologize for the quality of the photos I did not have my digital camera only the camera phone.  But they were all running and playing and having an awesome time.  They will soon be moved to where they will winter with us.  Thank you to the Gentleman who aloud us to rent his pasture for the Rehabilitation process for the horses.

 

 

 

 

 

Helping those that can't Help Themselves

2007

Our story begins with 4 horses that were entrusted in the care of a "Foster Care" facility in Murray, Nebraska where something went horribly wrong.  Whether it was pride that stopped this facility from asking for help or the fact they just didn't care anymore will probably Never be known.  It was by the Grace of God that we were led to the circumstances in which we were able to remove these poor creatures from the environment in which they lived.

Our story begins with Black Beauty.....Black Beauty was delivered to Lone Oak June 14th 2007 in horrid condition.  Many medical problems were to be dealt with and was taken on immediately.

  Beauty was sent to the Foster Care Facility.  She was there 45 days, all the while we were receiving reports she was doing well and gaining weight.  It seemed that she was for a time but then it was reported a stallion at the facility had gotten out with all the mares.  When I went to go see Beauty she had a horrible injury to her spine and was very thin and lethargic.  Her and a horse named Ranger( August 6th) were removed from the facility as soon as arrangements could be made for transport.  Myself and a friend had removed two horses( Snickers and Oats) just days before from the same facility.(August 1st 2007)

Beauty upon arrival from the  foster faciltiy August 6th 2007

Black Beauty on 8-15-07  She seems to be improving little by little.  Beauty has a tendency to colic so we have to watch her carefully.

August 22nd 2007 Beauty was transported to the vet.........

Wednesday evening after all of the horses had been fed I went back out to check on them.  I found Beauty standing by herself and in severe pain.  She was colicing and showing signs that her back injury had her in real distress.  Beauty was immediately treated for the colic symptoms and was transported to the vet clinic.  She has been under close watch since that time.  Beauty has a history of colic and tends to do so on occasions and is treated quickly when she shows symptoms.  However, this time was different with the sudden onset of the colic and showing signs of worsening pain from the back injury.  Beauty will remain at the vets until we know for certain her FULL prognosis and what we must due to treat her completely.  At this time Beauty is stable and standing quietly in the stall. 

August 24th 2007Bl

aBlack Beauty was diagnosed with stifle and flexor injury due to trauma- trauma caused the onset of osteo arthritis, and severe pain when a misstep is taken-Treatment 1 gram of bute in her feed daily until vet says otherwise-Glucosomine daily for the rest of her life-mare may never be rideable again-absolutely no guarantee of soundness from here on out- Colic issue-suspected that Beauty wolf's down her feed-I have not witnessed any wolfing of feed but will change feeding regiment to standing with her and feeding in one pound increments until she has finished that feeding.  Vet said to gradually increase feed over a 2 to 3 week period for Beauty, Oats, Snickers and Ranger to 16 lbs of feed each.  While at the vet clinic, Beauty received a pregnancy test, (have to return in 3 months to check again), had her teeth floated(which was long overdue), blood panels drawn(which revealed she was anemic)

AUGUST 26th 2007

Beauty, Snickers and Oats came home from the vet today.  In the above picture is my Youngest Daughter and her and Beauty have and understanding of sorts.  Cheyenne has an almost uncontrollable fear of horses (a welsh pony she used to ride reared up and flipped over backwards with her when she was 5) Beauty and Chey hang out alot together and Beauty has made my daughter comfortable enough to be around her.  Beauty is quietly taking a nap as Chey brushes out her tail shortly after Beauty arrived home from the vet.

 

Beauty in her fly suit taken this afternoon as she hung out in the yard.  Raymond (my other half) says it's not polite to take a picture of a Lady in her Nightie :)

September 1st 2007

Once again on the road to recovery.........................

 

September 5th 2007

Yesterday afternoon Karl called  my work  frantic, stating that Beauty was down and could not get up.  I told him to have Raymond try to get her on a trailer and I would meet them at the vet.  When I saw Beauty, I was horrified.  Her legs and bag were swollen to 3 x's the normal size and her chest was shrunken and wrinkly as was her nose.  She had HUGE quarter to 50 cent piece size lumps all over her body. Then I went into panic mode.  Wasn't sure what to think of this.  She had had a slight swelling in her back pasterns the day before and we had done some hydro on her and the swelling went down and she took off across the yard looking for grass.  The vet tried to calm our fears by telling us she was approx the 20th horse he had seen in this condition in a 3 week period.  He had even been called in for an emergency situation on Sunday for a trailer load of 6 trail horses that had attended a trail ride in Missouri on Saturday.  All of the horses looked exactly like Beauty.  He started her immediately on Steriods and Antihistemines (sp) and is keeping her until at least tomorrow.  My brain was really buzzing while he was talking to us and I was trying to absorb everything he said and I asked a million questions he did assure me that it was nothing we had done and the best news of the day was when he stated that we were doing a great job with Beauty and she looked wonderful compaired to when we took her in the first time.  That made me feel so much better.  Beauty's back injury is worked with on a day to day basis.  Beauty has good days and bad days and we must make sure she stays on fairly level ground so she doesn't take a misstep and the process has to start all over again.  I hope we are doing as good a job with Beauty as the vet feels we are.  Weight gain is a slow process but I feel Beauty has made awesome progress.  Because I am so close to the horses on a day to day basis I don't always see the weight gain and worry about it continously.  Therefore I take updated photos on a regular basis so I can compare them side by side on my computer.

BEAUTY's Diagnosis September 6th 2007

Black Beauty has a condition called ONCHOCERCIASIS CERVICALIS also known as Ventral Midline Dermititis.  Onchocerca Cervicalis is a **filarid nematode**  Adult O. are known as **Culicoides sp** which feed on the skin of a horse produce large numbers of **Microfilariae** which migrate through connective tissues to the superficial layers of the skin.  Up to 90% of horses have microfilariae in the skin.  Transmission is by insects or VECTORS, usually ** Culicoides sp** which feed on the skin of the horse laying eggs under the skin which causes irritation.  If allowed to continue the eggs will hatch and develop under the skin.  Severe reactions to the bites are edema in the lower extemities, Alopecia(hair loss) and pruritic( itchy irritated skin), hive like areas occur on the body usually along the ventral midline but in heavy infestation can be found in other parts of the skin including eyelids, and the appearance of dry skin or outward signs of dehydration on the face(muzzle and eyes) and other areas of the body. 

Diagnosis is made by mincing a small piece of skin off of the horse and placing it on a glass slide, covering with saline and incubating at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Therapy-Diethylcarbamazine Citrate( mixed in grain) 3 grams a day for 21 days kills the microfilaria.  As the microfilaria die it causes an intense itchy and flaking of skin and hair loss.  This is why the corticosteroids are used the first few days of treatment to ease the discomfort and help start the healing process in the skin.

If a good response to the therapy is obtained the horse should be treated 4 times per year.

** Culicoides spp- also known as Punkies, No-see-ums, Biting Midges Horse/Deer Flies (not to be confused with mosquitos-which are Culicidae)

 Punkie

 Biting Midge

 Horse Fly aka Deer Fly

**Filarid Nematode-Hookworm hatched from Biting Midge egss under the skin

**Microfilarae- refers to the larvae forms of Nematodes

Beauties condition today was much better.  The edema is gone but her hair is sluffing off and has a greasy feel to it.  Other than that she is doing fine.

September 8th 2007-Beauty is back home and working on recovery-if you notice Beauty has pink lips and what appears to be rough hair on her neck.  This is where the hair is sluffing off after treatment.  The next picture will show the hair on her shoulder during recovery.

Holy Cow this girl has been through it all but we are well on our way to a full recovery now.............

Beauty 9/8/07

It just doesn't get any better than this!!!

Beautiful Black Beauty still has a few pounds she could gain but oh what a gorgeous gal she has turned out to be!!!

 

 

 

Ranger

Ranger-fondly known as Ranger Danger :)

Ranger is approx 34 years old.

This is what Ranger looked like BEFORE going to the Foster Care Facility where Snickers, Oats and Black Beauty were located.

Ranger was rescued by BreakHeart Ranch off the slaughter line.  He was so very depressed and still had cleated shoes on!!

Ranger upon arrival to Lone Oak from the "Foster Home"  August 6th 2007

Ranger along with the rest of the horses was taken to the vet for bloodwork and floating of his teeth..  His teeth had been so neglected and were so grown out that he was not able to close his mouth completely and had major difficulty chewing.  He made a sqeaking sound whenever he tried to chew his food.  Rangers teeth were so neglected that the roof of his mouth had started to concave towards his nasal passages in order to compenste for the over growth. -this the information that came directly from the Veterinarian.  Rangers bloodwork came back with only one negative and that was that he was anemic.  There was NOTHING else wrong with him other than his teeth and he was anemic.

After having his teeth floated Ranger was pretty sore in his mouth for about a week.  I started him on a Senior feed, beet pulp, and supplements mash and he thought he was in Heaven :)

The following pictures are Rangers progress throughout the summer of 2007.........

August 28th 2007

September 15th 2007

UPDATE-- Ranger "Danger" who has endeared himself in our hearts forever has found his new forever home :)  Congrats to Ruth and Scott and their family.  I will be able to see Ranger on a regular basis and he is doing so well that he not only has gained his weight back but he goes on rides with the rest of the family.  To see him now makes my heart leap with joy.  He is so very full of life and sly as a fox-LOL  We Love you Ranger "Danger"  so very glad you are in a great home.

Oats

Here is Oats BEFORE going to the "Foster Home"

The next few pictures are of Oats the night he arrived here at Lone Oak and the very next morning.  August 1st 2007 Oats was so emaciated he collapsed on me in the trailer when it was time to unload.  Oats was covered with Lice and his halter had been to tight and rubbed the hair off of his face.  He had also been scratching constantly to try to ease the biting of the lice.