Bridgewater Mares
Are you aware of any horses who have not been checked for some time?
Please, check your horses if they are turned out somewhere, ask your friends how their horses are doing if you know that they're unsupervised somewhere, particularly in this time of drought. Horses may not be doing as well as they normally have in past years, on the same pasture.
8.04.07
Following up on an email from a concerned local, these are the scenes which greeted Jaimee and I on arrival at this paddock. Seven Standardbreds, five mares, two of them with foals at foot. The pictures speak for themselves. Their owner lives three hours away, and upon speaking to him, is allegedly unaware of their condition.
We spent most of the day out there today, feeding them small amounts of hay, and retrieving a couple from the neighbouring property onto which they'd strayed. The two of particular concern are the two mares who have foals on them. One other young mare is exceptionally poor, another marginally better than her, and one of them has fared a bit better than the others. The chestnut mare spent some time on the ground and could not manage to get to her feet for some time. She has a foal. The tall bay mare with a foal lay down intermittently through weakness, and has trouble eating and drinking at all. At one point she actually slipped on the dam bank and found herself in the dam. Much to my amazement she thankfully found the strength to extricate herself.
We called the RSPCA to inspect the horses, along with a Vet. They have all been graded by the Vet as having a body condition score of 1, excepting the better mare who was deemed a 1.5. We need too find a solution for these horses, and fast. Following negotiations with the owner, he is apparently going to drive up tomorrow, and hopefully surrender these horses to us.
9.04.07
Well I thought it prudent this morning to get out to the horses very early, to avoid any possible confrontation with the owner. I set the alarm for 5am, threw a bale of hay in the boot and took off. Much to my dismay, when I got to the paddock there was a car and float entering the property. It was dark, I was on my own, and I wasn't stopping out there in that isolated area. My fear was that they were going to try to move these weak horses, with all manner of disastrous consequences. Through an intermediary who knows the people, I passed on the message that it is an offence to transport livestock in such condition of these horses, and that they would be pulled over and charged if they attempted it. We consequently agreed that they take the mare who was in the best condition, as apparently it was not their horse.
The intermediary soon arrived at my property with a signed document releasing the remaining six horses to our care. I indicated that I was happy to speak to the owners as long as there was no malice on their part. Shortly afterwards, the owners arrived at my property. They said they had no idea just how bad the horses were, as they hadn't seen them in "a month or so". They agreed to the short term use of their paddock to enable us to treat these horses prior to them being strong enough to travel to my property. They also offered to go and purchase a couple of round bales of hay to leave in there, but I asked them not to, as this could create further issues for the horses, a sudden intake of feed like that. They left $200 with me towards the costs of the rehabilitation of the horses.
So....meet the six new members of the family! *gulp*
Breaky time this morning.
The horses definitely seemed a tiny bit perkier this morning, and got stuck into their breakfast with great enthusiasm. These mares are very sweet natured, if a bit timid. The foals, although registered, have not been branded. They are a long way from out of the woods yet, but all we can do is be as observant and as careful as we can. They will get every care possible. All of these horses are going to ultimately need re homing once rehabilitated. They are a long way off this point at this stage, but worth mentioning for you to bear in mind, should you know of anyone who may, in the future, be in a position to offer one of these horses a safe, loving, and permanent home.
Horses doing ok this afternoon. I have my heart in my mouth every time I drive down their road...but all standing, and all ok. They had eaten their hay, had a drink I hope, and were having a snooze, so good timing for more hay...hopefully the last bit is being digested well.
To introduce you:
Chestnut mare & her filly foal.
Big bay mare & her filly foal.
Bay mare 2 Bay mare 3
At this point I have not caught any of the horses to age them etc. I won't be doing this for at least a week or so, as for the time being my priority is just to have them eating well, without inducing any colic etc. In time I will also contact the previous owners and gather as much information as I can about them.
10.04.07
Here is our first girl who has been well enough to make the trip home to CP. This mare is in much better condition than the other mares, not having had a foal on her. She was an angel to catch, float and travel. When she had settled in, Jaimee spent a lot of time with her, just getting to know her, giving her a good grooming, and of course, a lot of loving. She really revelled in it, and dozed happily in the sun enjoying the attention. She's a very sweet natured mare. We will have more information about the girl as we come to know her, and look into her history, but at this point this lovely lady is the first of our Bridgewater girls who is hoping for a sponsor.....and a name!
SPONSORED! Thank you to Pieta manning and her family from 'Kalimbah Standardbreds' in the ACT.
Pieta has named this mare 'Dawn' as she says that she is at the dawn of her new life.
11.04.07
This little girl left, along with her mum.. SPONSORED!! Thank you so much to Clies and Jasmin Russell for their support in helping us to help these lovely girls. Bub's name is 'Wish', Mums name is 'Harmony'. Clies named her sponsored mare Harmony because she says that "the mare just seems so happy and settled, with disaster all around."
SPONSORED!! Thank you so much to Rhonda Bramich of the Loddon Bridge Hotel for her commitment towards the future care of her newly sponsored horse. Rhonda has named this mare 'Lucy'. after Lucy Lawless, who played the part of Zena Warrior Princess. Rhonda says that her girl has to have had the heart of a Warrior Princess to have clung on the way she has.
SPONSORED!! Thank you again to Rhonda Bramich of the Loddon Bridge Hotel for her commitment towards the future care of her second mare sponsored. Rhonda has named this mare 'Cherish', for very obvious reasons.
SPONSORED!! Thank you so much to Julia and David Walker for their support in helping us to help this filly foal, who has her whole life ahead of her now. Little one has been named 'Astraea', which Julia says means 'Star', and is the name of the Goddess.
When Jaimee and I went out to the paddock today to take the girls their lunch, I couldn't see them anywhere. Of course I immediately began to feel sick to the stomach with worry. Jaimee and I found them in a derelict shed on the property. Do you know what they were doing...they were eating it! After we'd put out their feed we went in to have a proper look. The horses have been literally eating everything possible in and around this shed. The yard rails have actually collapsed as the horses have eaten out most of the posts. Some of these posts are treated pine.
12.04.07
All girls doing well this morning. I think that we, (and the girls), have been very lucky so far. They are obviously tough ladies. They are looking so much brighter in themselves now. Of course there has been no real noticeable change in their physical condition, but they are moving around the paddock more, and I haven't seen any of them down on the ground for a couple of days now. One of the bay mares is very vocal now, and gives us a big welcome in calling out when we arrive. Her mum, who is the mother of the smaller foal also, LOVES the car. If I'm not quick enough in getting the hay out, she gives the car a big licking!
What a wonderful response to the call for sponsorship, and what a great feeling to know that so many people have come together to get behind these brave ladies and their bubs. Thank you everyone. Everyone has a name now too, to go with their new beginning. Thank you so much to the wonderful people who have offered their support and sponsorship to some of these girls; Julia and David Walker, Clies and Jasmin Russell, Rhonda Henderson, and Pieta Manning. I can't wait for you to meet the horses you have sponsored, because I know that when you do, you will immediately realise just how special they are.
Last feed today:
I will make a page for each horse so as to follow their individual progress, but for the time being,
will share pictures of the girls here until I find the time to do so.
Cherish & Astraea
Lucy
Harmony & Wish
Harmony & Lucy
Dawn at home having a bath.
Aside from those who have directly sponsored these girls, there are some individuals and organisations who we would like to thank. These people have either made a financial contribution towards the rehabilitation and care of the horses, or have contributed in some other way towards their support:
Standardbred Association of Tasmania Inc. 'Promoting Life after Racing' / Natalie Fisher / Jude Lawson / Erin Williams
Our deepest appreciation for your support in helping these girls. Amazing things can be achieved when people come together.
13.04.07
Cherish said thank you today
Cherish and her Astraea
Harmony
Harmony's Wish
Lucy
Dawn
14.04.07
16.04.07
The girls seem to be doing ok. They seem a lot more settled, and actually look content in themselves with all those full bellies. Cherish is the most affectionate horse that I have ever come across. She was very interested today to meet my daughter Elise, and spent most of her time smooching with her. I just love this horse, I can see that she is VERY intelligent, she is an incredibly diligent mother, and she is very sociable.
Cherish's bub, Astraea, is not blooming as yet. She still looks stressed, and still has that desperate glint in her eye a lot of the time. She is very unsure, and clings to mum most of the time. I have started making up some hard feeds for them all, in the hope that little Astraea will have less trouble getting them down than the hay. She is eating the hard feed, and I think it is working, as she is now lying down and resting like a foal should, as opposed to wandering the paddock, grinding at the dirt for something to put into her belly.
Lucy is her mother's daughter, and just as sweet. She is like the 'kind aunty' to the babies. They push in when she's feeding and generally annoy her. When she tells them to leave her alone, the just ignore her, and she just lets them walk all over her. She has a very soft nature. We are going to move Lucy tomorrow. She may go straight to the property where Rhonda has her horses on agistment, which is only five minutes away from here. Rhonda has offered to care for her there, as we are going to be pressed for room here when the ladies come home with their bubs.
Harmony is doing well, but still looks pretty dam bad. She has a huge wormy looking belly. The past owner says that there is no way that she's in foal, so I'm guessing she just needs a thorough worming. I have wanted them all to become a bit stronger until I did this, but will have to do it shortly. She too is a curious and friendly girl, but has trouble getting enough cuddles, as Cherish does her best to keep all the cuddles for herself, and will chase Harmony away.
Little Wish...well, what a little toughie this girl is. She was never in danger, being in far better condition that the rest of the horses. Harmony's condition has paid the price for feeding this bub. She is an eating machine, and is blowing up in no time at all. She's actually eating too much, but while I am still unable to feed the horses separately, there's not a lot of control that I can have over this.
Dawn is going strong here at home. I wormed her yesterday, and she has moved from the yard to the paddock. She took it all in her stride, pretty much relaxed in her new paddock right away, and got down to the business of eating her hay. One thing that I have noticed with Dawn is that if she is unsure about what you are going to do, she grinds her teeth. I'm sure that this will diminish once she has confidence in the people around her,as she is by nature a quiet and calm horse.
SO...another day goes by, and I am feeling a bit confident about the girls well-being. Little Astraea is the only question mark I think, and I think we have turned the corner now with her.
30.04.07
Well I am now in receipt of the girls registration papers, along with completed transfer documents. This is great, as now we can pin-point the ages and backgrounds of the horses. For you Standardbred buffs out there, it will mean that you can do a search also on the Harness Racing Assoc. site if you like and see what the girls have been up to. (As you can see, the 'foals' are not the foals we thought they were, but are both in actual fact, over a year old).
|
|
Registered Name |
Sire x Dam |
Foaling Date |
|
Dawn |
'Ted's Lass' |
MAORI'S IDOL x LODDON LADY |
12.08.90 |
|
Harmony |
'Encaisse' |
R C'S DEE JAY x ENTENTES PRIDE |
18.12.94 |
|
Cherish |
'Heavenly Glory' |
RED COACH GLORY x SCOTTISH ANGEL |
03.10.92 |
|
Wish |
no registered name |
DIGGERS IDOL x ENCAISSE |
08.01.06 |
|
Astraea |
no registered name |
DIGGERS IDOL x HEAVENLY GLORY |
28.03.06 |
|
Lucy |
'Diggers Glory' |
DIGGERS IDOL x HEAVENLY GLORY |
28.10.97 |
Here is a poem which has been written by Astraea's new 'mum to be', Julia. Julia visited when the girls were still out in the paddock that we found them in, and has summed up very well just what the feeling out there was I think. Thank you Julia
A Dusty Paddock
In a dusty paddock stands a group of mares and foals.
The bare ground, mere dust, is littered with remains,
Not food but wire, tin and wood, well-gnawed, once sheds
And there they wait.
Heads hang, dejected, in despair watching their youngsters,
No energy is left for such a task.
Close knit and fearful little group abandoned to their fate.
The Life force dimmed within their eyes yet,
Courage and beauty their demeanour belies.
Dishonoured by mankind.
A tragedy unnecessary, blight upon humanity!
Hang your head in shame and know that dwelling on your troubles,
You betrayed a faithful few.
Those which, in past days, when your hearts desired,
Were vessels of compassion and of hope!
Valiant creatures, gentle of spirit imbued with the divine,
Abuse of which is all the more a crime.
One wrought by hearts un-mindful of fragile souls within,
And caring less, think us a better creature.
These in truth know nought and rank beneath the lowliest.
So for this act would recompense be sought!
And in far worse a place may they remain!
Whilst in a dusty paddock stands a group of foals and mares,
Rejected, resolute, resigned and there they wait.
©Julew 2007
You can now check on the progress of the girls on their individual diary pages:
* Some pages currently unavailable due to website maintenance. Returning soon.
Cherish / Astraea / Harmony / Wish / Dawn / Lucy
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