Zaynah

Zaynah Please click on the thumbnails below to see a larger image ... *Photos may not be copied without permission.
01/23/10	ZAYNAH HAS HER WINGS We had a visitor this morning and, while I was speaking with her, I noticed Zaynah go down –- it was like she just sort of lost all control and went down. Then I saw her legs go out straight up into the air. After a few seconds, I saw her try to get up, and she rolled over. Her legs went out and up straight again. I knew where she landed was a soft depression, not far from where Captain likes to lay each day. As weak as her front legs are, I was very concerned about her hurting herself if she struggled to get up; I figured she’d get stuck. We went over to assess how to help her and realized that something just was not right. I called Bob and had him bring the thermometer, stethoscope, etc., while we comforted her and tried to keep her calm. We checked all her vitals. Her heart rate and temperature were low, and her gums were pale, but her breathing was normal. At first we thought she was trying to colic as she’d lift her head to look at her tummy, but there was more to it: she also seemed incoherent. We gave her time to rest. After a while, once she was up, she went, very slowly, back to the shelter to be with Captain. S he was out of sorts and unsteady. She didn’t want to put weight on her front left or her back right. She really didn’t want to put weight on her front right either, but she had no choice -– it was the stronger of the two, which were both very weak. She started doing a strange thing with her head, and her tongue dangled out of the side of her mouth as she turned her head sideways, almost like she was trying to choke. She did this quite a few times, and she’d shake her head. She walked into the side of the shelter a couple of times and rubbed her head against it. I called Dr. Ryan. He had the weekend off and was in Tampa. We talked about what had happened, and he said it sounded like Zaynah had a stroke and, while trying to get up, or possibly when she went down, she injured her old injuries, making them worse. He called Dr. Nathan (also from Peterson & Smith), and they spoke about what had happened. When Dr. Nathan examined Zaynah, he also felt that she’d suffered a stroke. We felt her prognosis was not good and, with her front legs already compromised, and now her back hip/leg not bearing weight, she was in danger of hurting herself even more. What if she fell down again and nobody was there to help her? If she were to go down and lay for even five seconds, struggling and alone, I would never forgive myself. There were many scenarios, and none were good. Before Dr. Nathan even arrived, Zaynah had already told me, very clearly, that she understood her body was failing her and that she was ready to cross. As with the others, before we started our walk up to Frosty’s Knoll, I explained to Zaynah that she was about to start a journey to a life without pain and suffering: a life where there would only be tears of happiness and joy. I reminded her that many people love her and that she will never be forgotten. I promised her that we’d meet again someday on the other side of Rainbow Bridge. And as with the others with whom I’ve made that long walk up to Frosty’s Knoll, she held her head up high -- her pain seemed to go away, and her eyes got bright. It was then that I was absolutely sure that we were doing the right thing. She was ready, and she walked with determination and pride. She was a dignified mare -– she was regal! She’d lived a long life and humans had done very cruel things to her, and she suffered a great deal; but she survived. She was truly a survivor and had my utmost respect. In the end, she determined when she was ready to leave this earth; and she gave me comfort knowing what we had to do. As she gazed at the Knoll and heavens above, she gave me a renewed faith that we will meet each other once again. I do believe in my heart that horses are one of God’s most precious gifts to humans, gifts that are to be treasured. They give love and comfort that can’t be explained. They forgive and accept. When Zaynah held her head high and looked up toward the Knoll and heavens above, I felt her strength to move forward; and it took my breath away. I tried not to cry –- I didn’t want her to feel my pain -- but the tears flowed. I am so proud of he, and she will be greatly missed. As she left us, I could almost feel her life force and strength moving forward, across the Bridge. She was a strong-willed mare who understood that her body was no longer able to sustain her. I have every bit of faith that she is running joyously and without pain. I can picture her tossing her head like Arabians do as she runs. She is so beautiful in her angel wings that she rightfully earned. She will be with us, always. Some say horses don’t cry. I believe they do. They have feelings –- they love and care for other horses, and humans. Zaynah left behind many humans who love her, and I know she felt our pain in letting her go. I’d like to think that this is a tear of joy as she crossed the Bridge. Run with the Angels, Dear Zaynah –- you truly earned your wings. Captain seems to be OK. After Zaynah left us, he stood in a corner of his paddock where he doesn’t usually stand, for a long time; he seemed to be staring at something ahead of him. Then he walked from his paddock and went under his shelter and stood in the corner where he could usually find Zaynah. He’s also a strong-willed horse that has been through a lot, and now he has lost his best friend. I bet the stories of what he has lived though would give you chills and tears. Please say prayers that he finds the strength to accept the loss of Zaynah and that he’ll be OK. We are so blessed, thanks to the help and support of others, to be able to offer TLC and a safehaven for these precious horses, if even for a short time. But when God calls them home, I have to admit, it hurts like hell. God bless and again, please keep Captain in your prayers. Thank you all for caring. Sincerely, Theresa
08/04/09	We would like to ask for prayers for Zaynah; she is not doing well. Three days ago, we noticed that she was limping and was brought up to the barn paddock for rest and to prevent further injury from other horses in the main paddock. This morning she was worse. She had no appetite for her soaked alfalfa cubes or hay, but did munch on her grain a bit; and she was showing signs of colic to include foaming at the mouth with a decrease in temperature. She had no interest in drinking. Dr. Ryan was called; he recommended Banamine for her and electrolytes. Throughout the day, she did start drinking; and she ate all her lunch and dinner and did at times did much on her hay. Zaynah is very lame on her front and back legs, and today she showed some signs of improvement; but tonight she seems more robotic. Her legs continue to get rubbed with liniment, and she wears her knee boot. Zaynah remains in a "guarded" status tonight. She is no longer foaming at the mouth, but her respiration is still three times the normal, at rest. She has been drinking more water. Her mood is better, and she is more alert. She stood all day at the barn aisle in front of the Port-A-Cool.
06/26/09	Zaynah also had her treatment as her friend Captain looked on.
06/23/09	Captain and Zaynah watching Sienna enjoy her “freedom” this evening.
06/18/09	Zaynah is doing better each day, and spending time with her new buddy, Captain. We would like to thank Ms. Lori Roets for publishing Zaynah’s story. Please take some time to read her story and leave comments on her page. http://www.examiner.com/x-2984-Charlotte-Equine-Examiner~y2009m6d18-The-will-to-survive--Zaynahs-story
06/13/09	Here is Zaynah getting worked on by Dr. Das yesterday. Dr. Das, like Ryan, is amazed that Zaynah gets around as well as she does. Dr. Das gave her some TCM for the fractures. The blown tendons and ligaments don't seem to cause her pain. This is the knee with two fractures that have started to fuse. There isn't anything we can do to fix it at this point but try to keep her comfortable. The other leg has tendons and ligaments blown, and she also has foundered in that foot. She's somehow managed to adapt. She is an amazing horse with a huge love of life and will to survive. Sometimes I can't talk about her without getting upset. I went to the feed store today to collect donations in our donation jar and. when the lady at the register started talking about he.r I literally had to stop and compose myself. Then the lady got all teary-eyed too. I don't usually do that but, with what happened to Tonka and his mom, Sienna, and now this mare, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed. Zaynah appears to have nerve damage to her lower lip which dangles all the time, and she has a small part of her lip missing -- it is still healing. Zaynah. When you're around her, you can't help but to feel positive energy -- she has such a love for life and is very vocal.
06/11/09	Here are a few pictures from today. Zaynah is just beautiful. How anyone could cause her harm is something I will never understand. Zaynah was really good for Dr. Ryan today. Some of the positions she had to stand in were not comfortable for her at times, but I think she knows we are only trying to help her. It was especially hard for her to pick up her left leg and even harder for her to bend it. Dr. Ryan taking more x-rays.
06/10/09	Zaynah has settled in and is doing OK. She's a real sweetheart. You can't help but feel much respect and admiration for her when you look at her legs and body and yet still see such spirit in her eyes. We won't ever know the true story of what happened to her, but her injuries tell a story. There is a lot of calcification in her left knee; if there was a fracture in her left front leg, it has already fused; and there is likely ligament damage -- the leg points out to the left when she stands. In her right leg, it appears that ligaments and tendons sustained heavy damage -- but she had to put her weight on the right leg when the left was injured -- she foundered in the right foot. I don't think she has any fractures in her right leg, but I don't know. Can you imagine a 300 lb. man riding her?? We'll see what the x-rays and Dr. Ryan say tomorrow. When she walks, the left leg bends inward from the knee down. She has scars from being dragged by her front legs; I truly just can't imagine. From observing her today, I think we should be able to manage her pain so she can live comfortably. We gave her Previcox after she settled in today, and she moved around some. When Anne saw her a few days ago, she pretty much stood in one place and wasn't active. She is getting electrolytes and Pro-Bi. I saw her stumble a couple of times today when she was walking and turning -- one of her front legs appeared to give out, and it did scare me. She doesn't have any fat or muscle tone. She won't be able to be turned out with any of the other horses except for Captain. If she is startled or has to move quickly and goes down, it would not be good. She has bed sores on her hips and some rain rot. She is very thin and has arthritis. She definitely needs an appointment with Dr. Bess for her teeth. Dr. Ryan will be out tomorrow to examine her and do x-rays. Dr. Das will be here on Friday to treat her. She is drinking, eating, and pooping; and her urine looks OK. Thank you all for caring. We'll update more tomorrow after Dr. Ryan comes. We're very glad that Zaynah is here.
06/09/09	Meet Zaynah, the latest victim of human abuse that has found her way to Beauty's Haven. Her story is horrifying. We were told this Arabian mare is about 27 years old, the same age as Nick when he found his way to us. Early this year, she was very underweight but ridden into the ground routinely by her 300+ lb human. One day, after about 45 minutes of galloping, both front legs snapped and she went down. She lay where she landed for over a day and then somehow mustered up the strength and will to take small steps; then she'd go down and rest, and then get back up and take a few more small steps, in an effort to get back to the barn. A lady went to the property where this mare was to buy a horse and saw the mare down; she asked the owner what had happened to her, and they told her. She told the owner something needed to be done -- the mare was suffering -- so the owner put straps around the mare's legs and began dragging her. The lady asked what he was doing, and he said he was going to drag the mare to the back of the property and shoot her. So the lady called someone else to see if they could help. They loaded the mare into the trailer again, and off she went to another home where people really cared for her. She did improve to an extent, but they reached a point where they realized that more specialized care was needed. During this time the mare foundered and gained little weight and, to date, no x-rays have been done. The humans that have been caring for her tried for many weeks to help this mare get better. Anne saw the mare this past weekend, learned her story, and offered our help. I have a very soft spot for Arabians and older horses that have given so much only to be discarded like trash. We are grateful that the folks that have been trying to help this mare cared so deeply to allow her to be transferred to Beauty's Haven. Some people won't ask for, or accept, help; and the horse only suffers more. Some, even though euthanasia may be best, just can't do it.
	The look on this mare's face says it all, IMO. Defeated? No, I don't think so. Uncomfortable, likely in pain, confused, and wondering what she did to deserve what she has been through after giving to humans what they asked of her for 27+ years? Likely. This mare has suffered a great deal and could have given up weeks ago, but she has not -- she has the will to live in her eyes -- Anne has seen it face to face, and I feel it in my heart. I discussed the mare's case with Dr. Ryan and Dr. Das today. She arrives tomorrow. On Thursday, Dr. Ryan will do x-rays of her front legs and feet. We'll discuss what is learned in the x-rays and, if Dr. Ryan feels she can live a good quality of life with help for pain, we will have Dr. Das treat her on Friday and blood work will be done. The farrier will assess her after her x-rays are done and do her feet. We'll worry about her teeth after we get through all of this. Dr. Bess is out of town for two weeks anyway. Our team will assess the whole horse and, if it is decided she can have a good quality of life as a pasture pal, we will give that to her -- she deserves it. If it is determined her quality of life will not be a good one and that euthanasia is in her best interest, we will give her a few days of TLC and manage her pain and help her cross. But she won't leave this world without her dignity being restored, and she will know love. Yes, those are the marks on her legs where straps were used to drag her to the rear of the property. You can see on her right leg (the one to the left in the photo) that she has either a large bowed tendon, or it is possible that the tendon ruptured when she fell. You can see the large knot on her other knee and notice the leg is twisted to the outside. We will know more after she is examined by Dr. Ryan. Can anyone help us to help this mare? Cost of the x-rays for both front legs will be around $180. X-rays for both front feet, $100. Dr. Das will be no less than $135 (more if she gets B12 or other). The total amount needed to help her with the above plan is $415. She will likely need supplements or some TCM, but we won't know what until she is assessed. Anne will be announcing a raffle to help with her feed and care later this evening. Please help us give this mare love and care for her remaining days, however long they may be. Thank you in advance.