Roycene
HOMED
* You may click on images to enlarge.
20 yo Thoroughbred Mare.
Roycene has been monitored over the past few weeks by Deirdre and David Oswald. They have very patiently and sensitively been negotiating with her elderly owner as to her condition, his limitations, and the best course of action to take in Roycene's interests.
Roycene's elderly owner has finally conceded that he has not been able to see his horses for at least the last 2 months, due to ill health and hospitalisation. He is not in the best state of mental health, being very slow, and obviously has difficulty recalling facts, hence the slow progress. In the meantime Deirdre and David have been providing basic sustenance for Roycene.
On Friday, and while in an aware state, he did stress to Deirdre that he was grateful for the feeding that she and David have provided over the past few weeks, and that he realised he could no longer provide the care that Roycene needed. He made the decision that he was willing to surrender Roycene.
A very kind local couple have agreed to collect Roycene and deliver her here. The elderly gentleman tells us that Roycene is 20 yrs old, but aside from that, we have very little information about her at this point. She was in a paddock with her 6 yr old 'foal', a large Andalusian cross mare, who has had no handling or education. This mare is in fairly good condition, and at this stage, the owner is not willing to surrender her. We will continue to keep an eye on her condition, and offer assistance should it appear that the owner/mare needs it.
This is a classic example that neglect is not always a case of blatant indifference. Prior to the elderly gentleman, (he is in his 80's), falling ill, he had been seen regularly visiting his horses and feeding them. Sometimes unexpected or unfortunate circumstances can mean a horse finds itself in an unacceptable position. If an owner has little support in these cases, often their horse/s will suffer. Often it is also hard for an owner to accept that they can no longer cope, and some gentle persuasion, or an offer of help can sometimes be all that is needed. Quite often an owner in such a situation is not aware of any options available to them. Don't be afraid to extend a helping hand if you are aware of such a scenario. Your offer might initially be met with defensiveness and anger at your interference, but sensitive perseverance may win the day for the horse/s involved.
13.05.08
Roycene arrived at Rebecca's home today.
18.05.08
Well Roycene seems to be doing ok. She is feeding well, and beginning to relax enough to lie down and nap after breaky most mornings. She is proving herself to be a soft natured girl, just a little anxious at times with anything new, which is perfectly understandable considering how little she has had done with her over her lifetime.
I needed to expedite the rugging lessons the other night when we were hit with a sudden drop in temperature, and heavy rain. Roycene was very good, considering that I had to put two rugs on her in the driving rain and wind, very clumsily because I was on my own. Surprised and weary, but trusting enough to allow it happen. Very well done, as she has never had anything put over her/strapped onto her. Anyhow, she is now snug as a bug.
It's very hard to rug them when they are so 'pointy', as they very quickly wear away their hair on the pointy bits, from the weight and movement of the rug. She has borrowed some of Fanta's rugs, a stretchy Polar Fleece under-rug, which will hopefully cling to her, as opposed to shifting around on her. On top of that, a light weight waterproof combo sheet. Fingers crossed that this combination will keep her as rub free as possible.
29.05.08
Dentist day for Roycene today, for the first time in her life. Russ confirmed that Roycene is about 20 yrs old. It was a very stressful experience for her, considering her minimal handling, and the fact that she has never had a bridle on or a bit in her mouth, let along a gag. Unfortunately as well as needing a deal of work done in her mouth, Roycene also had a loose tooth that needing extraction. I don't expect that she'll ever let me catch her again, what with her second worming yesterday, and her ordeal with the Dentist today! I didn't get a picture of her having her teeth done as I had my hands full, but I do have this for you, a picture of her tooth. If you notice the tiny piece of flesh on the tooth, that's all it had been hanging in with for some time. It had been loose for so long that she had worn away one side of it with the uneven pressure.
3.06.08
Well another surprise from Roycene today. When doing a the poo run this morning I noticed a pile of gravel on top of a poop. It was gravel that I don't have here on the property, so very strange. Upon closer inspection I realised that it was actually all through the manure, and that Roycene had obviously passed it!
2.08.08
Roycene is making gradual headway in her rehabilitation. It's not easy for the girl to be needing to regain her condition in the middle of winter, but she's slowly getting there. She has revealed herself to be a very good natured mare, very 'soft' and gentle in her manner. She has had a lot to become familiar with since arriving...brushes and being groomed, rakes, wheel barrows, pockets....all of those things that we take for granted that horses are accustomed to. Everything is new to her. It's really been like handling a weanling in a grown horse's body. Quite interesting actually.
Roycene's been very difficult to catch, but is improving on that front also. Once caught, she is beginning to tentatively smooch and scratch on me...which is great. Every day she becomes more brave. She still has a long way to go, but it is heartening to see some improvement, and when she feels more secure, she's going to be a very affectionate and 'people orientated' horse I think :)
28.08.08
17.09.08
22.09.08
Roycene is doing very well coming into Spring, both condition wise and handling wise. We would be very interested to hear from anybody who feels that they have the experience, time, and resources to provide Roycene with a permanent loving home.
Please note:
Roycene is not ridable and is seeking a home as a companion/best friend. Not to be bred with.
Roycene is a lovely quiet and gentle girl, both with humans and other horses, but must go to an experienced home who understands that she comes from a background of virtually no handling for 20 yrs. I find her easy to rug, groom, catch etc....but it is always done quietly, calmly and gently.
Roycene has revealed herself to be extremely affectionate, and loves a scratch more than anything else. I have no doubt that she will quickly endear herself to her new mum, and repay her new owner with affection in spades.
There is no fee attached to Roycene's re homing. All we would ask her new owner is that we are provided with periodic updates of Roycene's well being, along with photos. She will leave with the understanding that she always has a place here should circumstances dictate that her new owner can no longer keep her.
If you have your own property and feel that you have the skills and experience to care well for Roycene, please consider offering her a home. She will be sorely missed here, but I must make room for other horses/ponies who are needing care. Without the wonderful new homes that our horses and ponies go to, I would be unable to continue to accept into care other horses and ponies who are in dire need. It is one small way in which you can 'give back' to these wonderful animals from whom we all derive so much pleasure...to provide a home for one so disadvantaged.
Roycene having a snooze yesterday :)
14.10.08
28.10.08
Roycene was a very lucky girl yesterday. Wonderful Equine Touch lady, Janis Hobbs, and her husband Bruce dropped in to work on the horses. Roycene was VERY receptive to the therapy, and spent a lot of time licking and chewing, resting her legs, focusing on what Bruce was doing, and at times ..just standing in a kind of a stupor, processing it all. She was a very relaxed girl by the time they were finished.
I'm very proud of Roycene. She has come a long way, and had many things to learn over the past few months.
The daughter of her past owner dropped in the other day. She has been away for some time apparently, and was not aware of the predicament of her father and his horses. She was very happy to see Roycene, and spoke lovingly of her as a foal. It was interesting to get some background on Roycene from her, although not much to tell. Apparently Roycene was bred by her father (TB x TB). As a youngster apparently Roycene jumped a fence in a thunder storm, and injured herself and was not touched since. She said that if they had to move paddocks etc., they would ride the other horses and Roycene would follow, as they didn't even Halter break her. What a steep learning curve Cenie really has had since she arrived! She was quite surprised that I could even catch her.
The daughter has a property and horses, and is going to take in the remainder of her father's horse's, as her father is now in a nursing home. Unfortunately she is not prepared to take Roycene in.
5.12.08
Roycene has been moved to Tony's farm until such time as the right home comes along for her. My property is a very small one of approximately 3.5 acres. Roycene no longer needs the concentrated care that she can be provided at my property. Space is always an issue, and moving Roycene to the farm frees up a space that can be made available to another horse/pony. Roycene has been turned out with the gang there, and has fitted in really well. She has the company of half a dozen horses, many of them also past welfare cases, and a couple of older girls like herself. She is thriving on pasture alone, and the only care she is receiving is the standard feet/teeth/worming. In fact, she has a bit of a weight issue now, as in too much of it!
We are still seeking a home for the girl, as the farm has its limits also. We are lucky that we have that option, but Roycene really needs 'her own person'. We have other welfare cases at the farm who are seeking homes, and also a couple of oldies who will live out their days there. She really is a hassle free lady these days, but in saying that, she will only go to a well established experienced horsey home. As mentioned earlier, there is no fee attached to Roycene.
15.07.09
Well it's been way too long since an update was done on Roycene's page, but we have been snowed under over the past few months, and there has just not been the time to update the horse's pages. Unfortunately it has taken a very very sad event to prompt this update.
To go back a few months, Roycene was finally offered a wonderful home by a very big hearted young lady, Leah. Just the perfect scenario for Roycene, a home as a companion to Leah's horse Blu. Leah is a Vet Nurse by profession, and dedicated to the welfare of all animals. We very much appreciated Leah's kind offer, as Roycene has not been an easy horse to re home. Being aged and unbroken, it was always going to be the case. Despite this, Leah opened up her heart and home to Roycene, and has been providing Roycene the very best of care and attention. Leah quickly became very fond of the old girl, and we were always so thrilled to hear news from them. Truely a perfect outcome.
Roycene with her buddy 'Blu'
Leah had recently noticed some changes within Roycene. She arranged immediate Veterinary attention, and has been investigating Roycene's problems with her Vets for the past couple of days. Sadly, yesterday Roycene was laid to rest, as her quality of life rapidly deteriorated , a tumour of the liver suspected. Her condition became critical, and Leah made the hardest, but the right decision.
We will be forever grateful to Leah for providing Roycene with one on one care, love, and attention in the final period of her life. Leah is shattered, as are we all, but none of us would change a thing. Roycene deserved the respect and care she received in the last year of her life. She did not suffer and die alone, and she left this world with dignity, surrounded by those who cared about her.
Leah is to be commended for her commitment and sincerity in taking in a girl who was only ever going to be needing care, without the consideration of what she was ever going to 'get out of it' herself. (Of course, any of us who have been in Leah's position know that in actual fact, you actually get sooo much back from caring for these horses.)
Thank you to Leah, from the many people who came to know and love Roycene in her time with us.
Rest In Peace sweet girl.
Many thanks to the following people for contributing towards Roycene's rehabilitation and care through a $5 per week sponsorship program: Deirdre & David Oswald, Jo Le Mura.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
