Welcome, LadyBug!

Please click on the thumbnails below to see a larger image ... 

I won't get into details about the discussion that took place between myself and LadyBug's previous owner other than to say that she told me that she was alerted that the mare (LadyBug) had been attacked by dogs (at someone else's home) on Thursday, December 4.  LadyBug had been in a paddock with her filly and likely ran at the dogs head-on to protect her filly when she was attacked.  I asked about the filly and was told she wasn't injured.  On December 5, the owner went to see LadyBug and took pictures and tried to get LadyBug back.  On Sunday, December 6, LadyBug went back to the owner's property.  On Friday, December 11, a vet, Dr. Heirs, did see and treat LadyBug; and the vet bill was paid for by someone else that donated the funds.  On Tuesday, December 15, LadyBug was surrendered by the owner to Beauty's Haven.  We brought LadyBug here to the rescue where she is recovering.

LadyBug's recovery is going to take quite awhile.  She will not be available for adoption until she has fully recovered, her abilities are assessed, and any limitation(s) and/or special needs are identified.  At that time, LadyBug will be placed on the "Available Horses" page -- all limitations and/or special needs will be posted.  Applications for her adoption will be accepted and processed in the order received.  If it is determined that an applicant meets all requirements for adoption, our Board of Directors will vote to approve or disapprove the adoption.

After "socializing" for a bit, she decided to stop, drop, and roll.  Then she was ready to go back into the barn -- she really loves her stall.

When LadyBug first arrived there was swelling, a foul odor, and a lot of dead and dying tissue which has since been removed.  Her many injuries are healing very nicely.  She's a very good girl about being treated, and I'm very thankful for this.  I have a titanium rod in my right arm which doesn't take pulling and tugging at it very well -- combine pulling and tugging with cold weather, and it makes it pretty uncomfortable.  But LadyBug puts her head down and really does cooperate wonderfully.

The hair loss on her face will grow back. To prevent this from happening with an open and draining wound, you can apply Vaseline to the area around and under the wound.

There's lots more to do tonight so I had to keep the update short but wanted to at least let you know how LadyBug did today.  It's hard to believe that Christmas is only two days away -- I'm not close to being ready!
 

She has quite a few injuries.  I really can't imagine this happening to any horse -- she must have been terrified.  She met Meagan and Max -- our big dogs -- since she's been here, and she was fine with them.

We're trying hard to save the area just above the ear canal so that it is protected from rain, etc.  But we won't know for a few days how it will turn out.  More dead tissue came off today as I cleaned it up, but nothing like it was her first day here.  The wounds are healing nicely and are now fly free!

LadyBug will be getting her feet trimmed on Tuesday.  Once her head and neck injuries are all healed, Dr. Bess will be out to do her teeth; but that will be some weeks away.  We'd like to have Dr. Das come to work on her -- I'll call her to schedule an appointment on Monday, but she likely won't be able to come until after the first of the year.  I know Dr. Das will make her feel better.

Thanks to everyone sending good thoughts, prayers, and donations for Ladybug -- we appreciate everything!

I don't know why all of her mane was cut off.  In the pictures I saw of her before she came here, she had a beautiful mane.  When I look at her and see how close the injuries came to her eye, I thank God for keeping her eye safe.

She didn't even have to be held for her IV meds today.  She stood like a little lady for Dr. Ryan, and he is pleased with how her wounds are healing. Because of where her many wounds are, we can't put a halter on her.

She seemed genuinely interested in everything going on at the barn.  She'll greet you with little knick ers.  Her whinny is a little weak, but I'm sure it will grow stronger over time. When I think about the attack, it gives me goose bumps.  It had to have been holy terror for her -- I just can't imagine.  he pain that she must have endured had to have been great.  The attack was two weeks ago today.

And here are Legacy and Haley.  They are quite the pair and make us laugh! Maybe Haley will have a Christmas baby!

Legs and Baby Ray played some today -- I'll post more pictures tomorrow. I'm sorry this update is so short, but I really need to get chores done and try to get to bed at a decent hour.

She had a good night although we did see her shake her head now and then. Her right ear was flapping around and was of no use to her -- it seemed to irritate her, and she couldn't control it.  The ear was attached only by a small part of tissue.

Dr. Ryan came on Wednesday morning and, after palpating LadyBug to see if she was pregnant (she's not!), he sedated her and got to work.

The majority of the ear tissue was dead to a lack of blood supply - Dr. Ryan opted to remove it.

It took quite a while to remove dead tissue and clean up the wounds.

There are scratches and puncture wounds to her neck -- one went all the way through.

LadyBug was a very good girl for Dr. Ryan.  Granted, she was sedated, but even as the drugs were wearing off she didn't get antsy but actually seemed a little relieved.  The rest of the day, she didn't shake her head nearly as often as she did when her ear was somewhat attached and dangling.

More puncture wounds and scratches were cleaned up.

There were a few injuries to her flank area and to her back legs.

She may look "different" but, with time and a lot of attention and treatment, we think she'll be OK.

Dr. Ryan did a great job -- as always!

LadyBug has been through a lot -- I can't imagine the terror she must have felt when being attacked.  Please keep her in your prayers.  I'd love to tell her that she has a few angels that will help with her care.  Her recovery is going to take a while, and I hope and pray that, after a few days of cleaning and treating the injuries and administering her meds, she doesn't turn to run the other way when she sees me coming!