WELCOME KIWI!
                                                                                                         *Photos not to be copied without permission.

After picking her up we called our vet to meet us back at the rescue.  She arrived with a bad case of diarrhea and she was dehydrated.  Her temperature and respiration were ok.  She was lactating.  Her tummy was making a lot of grumbling noise and her diarrhea was really bad.  The vet tubed her with Bio-Sponge and she got many liters of IV fluids.

06/11/08:  Kiwi is doing better each day but still has a ways to go.  She is over her diarrhea and is eating and drinking good.

She was good for the farrier today even though we were having a terrible storm.  She was a little antsy but it was to be expected - it was the first time she'd been in the barn and the rain hitting the metal roof is so loud you can't hear anything else.

We tried to get the tear stains off of her face but they wouldn't come off.  For being blind she really is a trusting horse. 

She has thrush in all four of her feet but we are working on cleaning it up.  The weather here is not cooperating - we've had severe thunderstorms for the last 3 days.

06/13/08:  Kiwi is doing well.  We have been letting her out graze in what we call the "house" paddock.  It's got the best grass on the property!  Jake, a QH with feet issues, is there most of the time.  He walks very slowly because of his feet and today he approached Kiwi, grazing, and he was a few feet away from her when she all of a sudden was startled.  She backed up (going uphill) and fell over.  She got right back up and we checked her out and she was ok.  We will start putting Rhythm Beads on Jake when he is out with her. 

Kiwi will be getting her teeth done tomorrow by the equine dentist along with the 2 Paso's.

 

According to her teeth, Kiwi is between 25 – 30 yrs old.  She is missing quite a few teeth, several teeth had sharp edges, and she had 2 lose teeth that were causing her a lot of discomfort. 

Evidence of years of neglect was very present. 

The dentist didn’t do everything that needed to be done today – it would have likely been too much on Kiwi.  She’ll be back in about 2 months to do some more work on her.

Kiwi is such a trusting mare - very friendly and she really does love attention (and treats!). 

Thank you to everyone that has helped with Kiwi's vet and related expenses.  It really helps. 

If anyone would like to be an angel to Kiwi please contact anneboris@windstream.net.  No amount is too small and donations are tax deductible.
 

6/18/08:  Kiwi must be feeling MUCH better.  She wondered up to Magic's area today and must have winked at him or something.  Magic is a stallion.  Kiwi had been grazing around the house paddock for days and never showed interest so we were very surprised to find Kiwi and Magic "courting" over the fence. 

We quickly escorted Kiwi back to the barn paddock and explained to her that her wondering days are now over.  She will be staying in the arena on overcast days where it is safe for her or around the barn on sunny days. 

I don't think she was too happy about it.  But she has many horses surrounding the arena to socialize with.  She likes playing games over the fence with the Paso's.
 

Kiwi has been living in a paddock with another mare that arrived in Sept 2008 - her name is Tinkerbelle.  Tink had severe arthritis and could not move fast.  She had not been with another horse for 20+ years!  She and Kiwi formed a beautiful relationship.  Where ever Tink was, Kiwi wasn't far behind. 

Sadly, in mid October, Tink's health started to decline.  She had severe ulcers and likely had cancer.  She colic'd but got better.  Then she got worse again.  She was treated for her symptoms for over 3 weeks before the decision was made to help her cross Rainbow Bridge.  She let us know that her health issues were too much for her.  She was ready to run pain free.  Tink left us on October 17th, knowing love and she had her friendship with Kiwi, that I'm sure she'll always treasure.