Job Title

Often, when we fill out applications, forms, reports, or other “outside” paperwork, we are asked for the name of a contact person and that person’s job title. That got us thinking. Unless a sanctuary is huge and actually has one person on staff to fill each separate position, most rescue-type people have a long list of job titles. On any given day in rescue, one worker may be:

Triage nurse
ICU or on-call nurse
Dietician
Chef
Waiter
Housekeeper
Waste disposal engineer
Maintenance and Repair
Groundskeeper

Pest Contol Technician
Veterinary assistant
Dental assistant
Receptionist
Volunteer coordinator
Fundraiser
Record clerk
Bookkeeper
Dispute mediator
Public Relations Officer
Publicity Chairman
Purchasing Agent
Consultant
Behaviorist
Trainer
Teacher
Weather analyst
Budget specialist
Researcher
Data Entry clerk
Motivational Speaker
Cheerleader
And
All Around Trouble Shooter

I’ll wager there are that many more job titles we missed. But what a resumé, eh?

Today I am Angry.

Having spent 15 years in the horse rescue field, I long ago learned to not get angry about the condition of new arrivals. Getting angry does not change the past and it certainly does not help a horse heal.

Today, however, I am angry. Maybe that is because Forrest's case is still so raw. Maybe because Nathan, the new gelding, has more serious problems than one horse should have to deal with. Perhaps its because an owner once again waited until it was likely too late to help before asking. Probably also because the calls to rescues all over Virginia are coming on a more frequent basis with no slowdown in sight.

For today, though, we need to focus on Nathan. We know he is very underweight. He appears to have Cushings. He shows signs of advanced neurological impairment. His feet have been neglected, at least one filled with maggots.

The vet, bless her, is again on her way on a weekend. We'll have a more thorough evaluation later today. Unless she can offer a miracle, however, we are likely facing a hospice situation. To deal with that, we will have to set the anger aside and let Nathan know that someone gives a damn. Inhale........Exhale...........Inhale..........Exhale.............wax on,.........wax off.

This is what we're here for.

Doesn't mean its always easy.

The Soul of a Horse

We don't usually use our blog for things like recommending books, but several weeks ago one of TREES' volunteers (Thank You, Tanya) began talking about a book she was reading. She related some of the author's thoughts and said it really helped her better understand horses, from behavior to health and everything in between.

After reading only 1/4 of the book, I have to recommend it to our visitors. The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd alternates chapters about "modern" horse management and training with vignettes illustrating feral or "wild" horse herd dynamics at work. Joe Camp, in writing the book this way, shows how we first need to understand horses' "language" if we want to communicate with them effectively.

Mr. Camp also talks about how many modern horsekeeping schemes are not at all in the best interest of the horses. If you think about it, almost nothing we do with or "for" horses is natural for the horse, including the foods we offer, the stalls in which we confine them, and the shoes, blankets and tack we ask them to wear. In some cases, traditional horse care techniques can even shorten a horses life. (For example, feeding to obesity and inviting laminitis, or keeping a horse in a poorly ventilated stall, irritating his respiratory system.)

Often, the way we keep horses is the way "its always been done." This excerpt from the book sums it up:

"Its still a mystery to me how people can ignore what seems so obvious, so logical, simply because it would mean change. Even though the change is for the better. I say look forward to the opportunity to learn something new. Relish and devour knowledge with gusto. Always be reaching for the best possible way to do things. It keeps you alive, healthy and happy. And makes for a better world."

This one passage also sums up what we try to do at Traveller's Rest. No two horses are the same. No two have the same personality, the same history, the same learned behaviors. Each one arrives as a puzzle, to be solved as we become acquainted. Only when we learn to interpret each horse as an individual can we develop a care regimen for that horse. To interpret each horse as an individual, we must understand how things appear to the horse rather than how things look to us. Then, when we feel we've deciphered a horse's needs, we do our best to customize care plans, but always starting with maximum turnout and forage based diets.

Does managing horses this way take a little extra work? Doing what's in the horses' best interests is not always what is most convenient for the caregivers. So in some ways, yes, individual management plans mean a little more work. In the long run, however, it often means the horses stay healthier and live and work longer.

In following Mr. Camp's advice, spend time just watching your horses. Learn how they interact with each other, how they communicate with each other. In other words, learn from the horses. After all, they have centuries of experience being horses. Who better to teach us how to care for them?

Honor the Wisdom.

Review Traveller's Rest!

Many of you are probably familiar with the ZooToo web site. Traveller's Rest has been listed on the "rescues" portion of the site for a while, but we've never taken advantage of the features of this site.

Time to change that, and you can help.

When visitors to the site look in the rescue listings, the default order appears to show those facilities with good reviews at the top of the list. Too date, nobody has rated or reviewed TREES on ZooToo, so we don't appear until page 7 or 8.

We're asking anyone who has visited Traveller's Rest to go to http://www.zootoo.com/rescuegroups/zip22553_travellersrestequineelderssanc , click the "Write a Review" button and....well......write a review. If we can bump TREES further up the list, that may encourage more people to visit the TREES web site and, in turn, that may help a greater number of elder horses, particularly through the articles and information about caring for older equine.

Thank you for your help! In addition to writing a ZooToo review, if you know of animal or horse welfare sites that we've missed, let us know and help us get the word out.

Honor the Wisdom!

Attention, Valley Vet Shoppers!

It seems as though we've been asking for help a lot lately. We have. With the horse market in the toilet, and many people cutting back on expenses, elder horses are often the first to suffer. Special diets, extra feedings, and frequent vet or dental exams combined with job losses and higher prices mean more people are trying to rehome their horses or need help getting over a "hump."

Trying to find as many ways as possible that you can help TREES help equine elders at small cost to you, we opened a gift registry at valleyvet.com . The items listed are small items that we use frequently. Please don't feel that "small" donations don't help. For example, during last December's Giving Tree program, shoppers at two local feed stores bought the same types of items while in the store...........all told, the total value of items donated was a little over $400, the equivalent of almost two weeks worth of feed for the entire TREES herd. The "little" things add up.

So, if you visit http://www.valleyvet.com to shop, please remember to look for the TREES gift registry at http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_registry_detail.html?ID=2347 while you are there. Every package of gauze and every roll of coflex will be sincerely and gratefully appreciated.

New Guy A-coming

This is one of those "Stay Tuned......." posts. We're making preparations for a new arrival, to be welcomed this weekend. All we know to this point is that he is 36 years old, a draft horse cross, has melanoma and Cushings, and needs to put on some weight. Challenges ahead..........?

Booty Call!

Alright. Not what you're thinking.

We mean Fly Booties! Seems there are at least twice as many flies this year as in past years. As a matter of fact, I don't remember them ever being this plentiful before. We've always had to put fly boots on some of the residents during the summer, mostly those who make a habit of schmearing their mashes on themselves turning their legs into lucious fly-bait, but his year it seems everyone may need to wear them.

For many of our Elders, these boots are more than a luxury. Without them, some stomp and fuss at flies so much that they begin to lose weight. The fly boots keep stomping and stress to a minimum, allowing the horses to maintain good weight and health through the Dog Days of summer.

We just received an order of boots, thinking we were prepared for an "average" summer. This summer, however, ain't average. So, we're putting out a Booty Call. If you would like to recycle, repurpose, or regift some fly boots that your horse can't or won't wear, we'll put them to good use! We're not married to any specific brand, style, or shape as long as we can keep the flies off the horses' legs.

Got Booties?

If "yes," please send to TREES, PO Box 2260, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. Or let us know if you'd like to drop them off in person and meet the recipients! 540-972-0936 or info@equineelders.org

Condolences to friends at White Bird

We'd like to express our deep deep sympathies to our friends and fellow rescuers, Jorg and Tom, the founders of White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue, on learning of the loss of their canine family member, Shandy.

We are often told there is a reason for, or a lesson to be found in, everything that happens, but this is one of those things that may never make sense.

Our thoughts are with you.

Stinkpot? Who comes up with these names?

The wet conditions keep bringing more interesting visitors. The dogs found this little water turtle in their exercise yard over the weekend. We don't know where she came in, and apparently neither did she when we found her.

As near as we can figure out according to our Audobon guides, this little turtle is called a Stinkpot. The guide describes Stinkpots as "feisty." That part certainly fit. Even though she was all of about 5 inches long, she made it very clear she intended to eat us if we kept bothering her.

She must have had quite a hike uphill to get to the dogs' yard from any usual water source, so we gave her a lift back down toward the river and released her near a natural spring at the bottom of the hill. As soon as she realized she was near water again, she made a beeline that would have put a hare to shame. Stay safe, Stinkpot, and try to avoid dog yards from now on.

iGive.com newsletter in support of Traveller's Rest

Support TREES residents by doing your online shopping through iGive.com. TREES gets a donation at no extra cost to you! How iGive.com Works

$2 Bonus Donation New Customers Save Beauty on a Budget All Stores


This week's iGive newsletter is brought to you by drugstore.com where 4% of your purchase benefits Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary.

We're also pleased to introduce a new store at iGive.com: DSW Bookmark: iGive.com/DSW (3.2% Donation*) kate spade new york - iGive.com/katespade (2% Donation*) How do iGive donations help your cause? Share your story on Facebook.com/iGive! Tell us about the stores YOU would like to see at iGive.

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Equine Sanctuary/Vet team up to help unwanted horse

For Immediate Release

Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary
PO Box 2260
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
540-972-0936
info@equineelders.org
Contact: Christine Smith

Rappahannock Equine Veterinary Clinic Demonstrates Commitment to Unwanted Horses
Local veterinarian teams up with Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary to provide vaccines for horses in need

Spotsylvania, VA (June 22, 2009) — Rappahannock Equine Veterinary Clinic, Locust Grove, VA, has taken a stand in support of unwanted horses by participating in the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). As part of the outreach program, equine veterinarians help rescue and retirement facilities provide healthcare for America’s unwanted horses.

Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary (TREES) in Spotsylvania has directly benefited from the program. The facility, which provides care for neglected, abandoned and unwanted senior horses, recently received core equine vaccines thanks to the support of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)-member Amanda Blanton, DVM. Dr. Blanton supported TREE’s UHVRC application to obtain vaccines to protect these horses against rabies, Potomac Horse Fever, Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, and West Nile Virus.

“Tens of thousands of horses end their days unwanted or unneeded,” says Christine Smith. “The horses in our sanctuary rely on the generosity of our supporters. We want to thank the Rappahannock Equine Veterinary Clinic for making a difference in the lives of our residents. Having Dr. Blanton on board in conjunction with the UHVRC is fantastic news for equine welfare.”

About the UHVRC
Established in December 2008 by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and the AAEP, the UHVRC is committed to protecting the health of unwanted horses by donating equine vaccines to qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities. Since January, the UHVRC has aided more than 1,400 horses across the country.

Equine rescue and retirement facilities are required to work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to complete and submit an application, the facilities checklist and the equine vaccine order form to receive complimentary Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health equine vaccines.

Three of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s equine vaccines are available through the UHVRC program: PreveNile® West Nile virus vaccine; EquiRab™ rabies vaccine; and Prestige® V (KY93, KY02 and NM2/93 flu strains, EHV-1, EHV-4, EEE, WEE and tetanus).

Equine facilities that follow the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities and have a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are qualified to receive support from the UHVRC. To download an application and the AAEP Care Guidelines or to learn more about the UHVRC visit: www.UHVRC.org.

Since Dec.1, 2008, a portion of all Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health equine vaccine sales has gone to support the UHVRC. To learn more about Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s full line of innovative, high-quality, equine-health products, visit www.intervetusa.com.


About Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary
Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary specializes in caring for elder horses that have been neglected or abandoned or whose owners have experienced catastrophic changes in their personal lives. Though the horses at TREES are available for adoption, many require specialized care and remain at the sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. In caring for its special residents, TREES often develops customized management techniques which are made available to the public via the sanctuary’s web site at http://www.equineelders.org and its Blog at http://www.equineelders.blogspot.com , and through information booths at community events.

About AAEP
The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

About Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is a leader in research and dedicated to the development, production and marketing of innovative, high-quality animal-health products for all major farm and companion animal species. For more information about Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health visit: www.intervetusa.com.


PreveNile, Prestige and EquiRab are property of Intervet International B.V. or affiliated companies or licensors and are protected by copyrights, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Copyright © 2009 Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved.

GodSpeed, Elmer!

Elmer, the pigeon, should be safely back in home in New Jersey by now. His owner, Bob, picked him up yesterday morning. Much to Elmer's delight, he shared his traveling quarters with a female pigeon who had been picked up in Delaware earlier in the trip.

Elmer's racing season is over for the year, so he now has many months to recuperate and enjoy the summer at leisure. By the way, one of Elmer's flockmates won the race that discombobulated Elmer, with an average pace of 48 miles per hour! That's faster than any of our Thoroughbreds ever dreamed of.

Bob told us that he credits the Internet with saving the lives of many racing birds that might otherwise be lost. People who, ten or fifteen years ago, would not have known how to care for an exhausted bird can now easily find the information on care, feeding and tracking down owners.

We'll miss Elmer (he appreciated mealtimes every bit as much as our equine residents do) but are glad he's been returned to family and friends.

Meanwhile......in TREES bird news........We've already seen quite a few young Mockingbirds this year. At least 5 of the 7 Bluebird houses the Girl Scouts built last year appear to contain nests. A pair of barn swallows have taken up residence on the weather station on the porch, in addition to those in the barns and sheds. We're glad to see all of them since this spring's wet conditions are encouraging the bugs to create way more bugs than in "normal" years.

There are also a plethora of sparrows everywhere and, just discovered, a mourning dove nest in a crabapple tree near the house. What is fairly astounding is that any of these nests are still in their trees after some of the storms we've experienced. They are a testament to nature's engineering skills.

{{{Sigh............}}}}

(yes, those are raindrops.)

Sigh..............

More about Saturday's SARA Orientation

Inaugural orientation class for the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) program will be held at Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary (TREES) in Spotsylvania, VA on Saturday, June 20th from 10am-noon. (Additional orientation sessions will be held as the program grows.)

From Janet Dobbs, founding SARA member:

I hope that you will be able to join us. The only requirement to become a TREES/SARA volunteer is you must be at least a Reiki level one practitioner and love animals. :-)

Traveller's Rest is a founding SARA shelter/rescue. I am very happy to be helping to get this program up and running, but we need you to make it happen. The more Animal Reiki volunteers we have the more successful the program will be and the animals will thrive.

To participate in the program you will need to attend a TREES/SARA orientation. Then you will be able to volunteer at Traveller's Rest, as a SARA participant, by offering Reiki sessions to the horses. Most of the residents of TREES have been participating in the Reiki level one and two courses for over one year and just love Reiki.

Let me tell you a little bit about SARA. Some of SARA's goals are:

- To teach and foster an understanding of energy healing
- Teach an ethical approach when working with Reiki and animals
- To document the effects of Animal Reiki on individual animals as well as shelters as a whole via the first ever database of its kind

- To serve as a world-wide information and referral resource for Reiki practitioners, shelters, sanctuaries as well as other facilities that assist animals in need that wish to incorporate an Animal Reiki program
- To educate the public, shelters, sanctuaries and other animal facilities on the benefits that Animal Reiki can provide for both animals in need and the humans that care for them.

To me one of the most important ideals of SARA is we teach people how to work with Reiki and animals in an ethical way and promote the highest standard of professional Shelter Reiki programs around the world.

Please let me know if you will be attending so I can send you directions and further details. If you know of someone that might be interested in this program or interested in offering Reiki to the residents at TREES please forward this email to them.

I look forward to seeing you soon.
All my best - Janet
SARA founding member
Animal Paradise - Communication & Healing, LLC
http://www.animalparadisecommunication.com/
janet@animalparadisecommunication.com

Thank You’s and other Tidbits

We have a lot of short updates and want to thank a lot of people today, so we’ll try to do it all in one post and hope we don’t leave anyone out.

We’d like to remind local Reiki practitioners that the first Shelter Animal Reiki Association orientation for the TREES program will be this weekend, Saturday, June 20, 10AM – noon. To participate, or for more information, please contact Janet Dobbs

The next Reiki workshop will be Reiki I, for both humans and animals, July 11-12. Saturday will be in McLean, VA, Sunday at Traveller’s Rest in Spotsylvania. For more information.

Our first resident update concerns Jubal. He’s back out with his “herd” (Fitz, Emma and Josh) and seems to be doing just fine. The wound on his fetlock is almost completely healed and almost all of the puffiness gone. Whew!

Lizzie is still gaining weight and doing well. She has settled in to the group including Sonny, Rienzi, Val, Marye and Wade. We’ve discovered she prefers to be called just Liz (not to be confused with “Just Jack” for Will and Grace fans.) Call “LIZ!” and she comes at a trot, but call “LIZZIE,” and she barely acknowledges your presence.

Josh is moving up in the pecking order in his field. Yesterday we noted that Fitz, who towers over Josh and outweighs him by several hundred pounds, was waiting in line behind Josh for a turn at the water tank. (The two boys and Emma all go for a drink immediately after eating a meal.)

Marye is still doing well and has not needed another Aeromask treatment yet this spring. Fingers crossed!

Now, the thank you’s!

First, thank you to Rennie, Gene, Carol, Michaele and Jim for coming to the sanctuary last weekend to help dry the place out after our freakish rainfall. It’s rained a few more times since, but nothing like the approximately 9 inches we got in about 24 hours that week.)

Thank you, too, to Gene and Carol for dropping off a new Wet Vac in case the weird wet weather continues.

Thank you to our neighbor, Patty, for arriving with a smorgasbord of seeds and grains about ten minutes after learning of Elmer’s arrival.

Thank you to COTH’s “Oldenburg Mom” for the gift of ~ 900 pounds of luscious smelling hay and to Samantha for coming along to help unload. Thank you, COTH’s “Nootka” for posting TREES’ contact information, making this donation possible.

Thank you, “Janet’s Dad” for a roll of quilt batting to use as leg wraps.

Thank you to Janet Dobbs’ students all, both Reiki and Animal Communication, who participate in workshops at TREES. It’s always fun to watch people’s faces as they come to understand that all things in nature are connected.

Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and support when Forrest arrived then departed in too short a time. Special thanks to Dr. Amanda Blanton who spent a good portion of her holiday weekend here. Thank you, again, to Gene and Carol for taking over the farm chores so we could focus on Forrest. Thank you Sam for transporting this determined old gentleman. Thank you, Janet, for being with Forrest as he crossed, and to Nelson, for bringing your backhoe out on Memorial Day, then returning a few days later with a donation. It seems Forrest touched a lot of hearts in the few days he was here.

We are continually (and gratefully) overwhelmed by the people who want to help offer retirement/hospice care to special needs elder equine. The horses, though, always feel there should be more visitors (more admirers.) If you’d like to visit and meet our special residents, please email us at info@equineelders.org or call 540-972-0936 (but remember that we’re somewhat telephonically challenged until Verizon comes June 24.)

Update on Elmer the Pigeon

This post obviously isn't about horses, elder or otherwise, but it is about recognizing, once again, the wonders of Mother Natures' creations. Granted, man's had a hand in developing domestic pigeons, but he had to start with Mom N's groundwork.

Let me begin by saying we've named our guest "Elmer," in honor of the great Elmer Bandit, the competitive trail horse that recently broke the existing total mileage record at age 37.

When Elmer, the pigeon, arrived yesterday, he was quite weak. When we approached him, he tried to fly away, but could not get more than a few inches off the ground. We scooped him up and placed him in a dog crate with a little water, then searched the Internet for more information. We found a wonderful source of information on the American Racing Pigeon Union's site, in their article "How to Care for Lost Pigeons."

After reading Elmer's leg band, we found he was registered with the International Federation, an American Homing Pigeon Fancier's organization that's been around since 1881. Researching the band lists on the IF site, we discovered that Elmer is a "member" of the Toms River Triangle club in New Jersey! We were also able to reach his owner.

It turns out that Elmer was a little off course when he reached Traveller's Rest, not surprising considering the ridiculous weather in the region over the last few weeks. His race began in Zanesville, OH and was to end back in New Jersey. Spotsylvania, VA isn't exactly on the way. To make matters worse, poor Elmer was still headed in the wrong direction. The day before he arrived at the sanctuary, his owner had received a call saying he was in Hartwood, about 30 miles north of us.

After talking with Elmer's owner, we found these birds more fascinating than ever. The fact the Mother Nature programmed them with such a keen homing instinct is awe-inspiring, regardless of Elmer's little detour. For the most part, these birds can find their way to their home roosts from hundreds of miles away.

Its not a non-stop flight, though. Naturally, a trip of this length burns up a lot of energy and the birds stop along the way for water, food and rest. As it turns out, that is why many horse farm owners are blessed with pigeon visits. Apparently, experienced racers learn that there is often grain to be found in proximity to horses so, as they fly along and become a little hungry, they learn that horses point to good prospective rest stops.

Many times after a little food, water and shut eye, the pigeons will go on their way. This time, Elmer needed a little assistance. We fixed up a small apartment for him in a large dog crate with grain, water, and a branch to roost on, and he seems much perkier and more alert this morning. As a matter of fact, we get the distinct impression he wants OUT!

His owner, however, asked us to keep Elmer right here until he can come to retrieve him later this week. We hope Elmer won't hold his confinement against us, but we learned that he has been missing for about a week and his owner is anxious to return him to the flock.

Meanwhile, we are grateful to Elmer for showing us yet another wonder of Mother Earth's inhabitants. Seems they're all around us if we only look.

Another new Guest at TREES!

A new arrival showed up this morning. Out of the blue, you might say.

Not an equine guest, but avian. After mixing horsey breakfasts this morning, we looked outside to see a racing pigeon in the front yard, looking a little lost.

For now, he(she?) is comfortable ensconced in a dog crate, having a snack and a drink. We've traced the owner to New Jersey! and will try to contact him as soon as the horses are fed.

More on Pidge later!

Weather and Communication woes

Jeesh! Just when we got dried out after last week's record rainfall, Mother Nature gave us another big Wallop a few days ago.

Early Tuesday morning, just as we were preparing to start feeding the horses, a line of unexpected thunderstorms came roaring through. Our poor Red Maple tree, which stands virtually just outside the front door of the house, took another lightening hit. The proximity to the house took out our phone lines, the satellite and a couple of electric outlets, all on the front of the house.

We now have one phone line working, but must switch between email and telephone on that line to keep up with daily communications. Verizon has been dealing with a large number or storm damage calls for weeks and won't get to us unti June 24!

So...until then, we ask your indulgence and your patience. Email may be the best form of communication for now. We can answer e-notes during "after-business" hours when our telephone is not needed as much. And...as you might imagine, even distant thunder now sends us running to unplug everything, at least until we replace all the surge protectors. (Bless whoever invented those little gadgets....they saved the computer, the phones, answering machine and television. )

The horses are all fine, though a little addled immediately after the big storm. Fitz wouldn't come into the shed to eat breakfast and a few others ate only parts of their meals and wanted back outside. Everyone is relaxed again now. but more storms are expected this evening.

Mom N.........we are in awe of your power and even these lightening storms are beautiful in their own way.....but we would be more than a little grateful for just a short break in the action!

Quick Jubal Update

We hoped Jubal would be back out with Fitz, Emma and Josh by now, but nooooooooo.........

The initial fever, swelling, and pain resolved quickly but, as always, there's more to the story.

Even though last weekend's ultrasound showed nothing of concern, there was a small pocket of infection under Jubal's innocent looking scrape. The wound opened up Monday evening, draining pus and blood. Tuesday morning we hosted yet another visit by the vet, who re-evaluated both the wound and the joint. Good news.......there still did not appear to be any injury to or infection in the joint capsule or the tendon sheath. Bad news, of course, was infection where we didn't expect to see infection.

The open wound was thoroughly cleaned, then flushed with a dilute betadine/saline solution. We were to continue as before, anitbiotics, clean wound and change wrap at least once a day, more often if needed. As of Thursday evening, there didn't appear to be much improvement, but things weren't getting worse, either.

Friday morning, however, at wound check we found more puffiness around the fetlock than there had been for several days. Another call to the clinic and a third vet visit followed. (Thank you, Jubal, for not waiting until Sunday again, which would have meant an "after hours" call.)

Ok. One more evaluation. Still no apparent involvment of the joint or tendon. Open wound again flushed. This time the vet added an antibiotic ointment to the regimen. This particular ointment is made for treating mastitis in cows, so comes in a plunger-type tube with a dispenser small enough to fit into the wound's opening itself. Now we can apply antibiotic directly to the source of the problem. The clinic is also now culturing the bacteria involved to see if it is something that won't respond to the current antibiotic treatment. A "sensitivity" test will also be performed to see just which antibiotic will be most effective. Treatment will be adjusted accordingly.

So......for now, Jubal is "maintaining." Not getting worse. but not healing as quickly as we had hoped either.

Fortunately, even though he is extremely bored while "in the hospital," Jubal has been a model patient.

If you have some free time and would like to visit the patient during his confinement, please email us at info@equineelders.org and schedule a visit!

Orientation: Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA)

June 20, 2009

Orientation for the Shelter Animal Reiki Association program at Traveller's Rest.

If interested in participating, or for more information, please contact Janet Dobbs at Animal Paradise Communication & Healing

Glub glubglub! VOLS! The Horses Need You!

Record rainfall, so the gurus say. No kidding!

We're thinking of changing the name of the sanctuary to Traveller's Rest Swamp. The sheds are flooded. Most of the stalls are flooded. There is standing water in many fields and paddocks. And it looks like another day of rain.

This is supposed to clear out tonight.

So, VOLUNTEERS! We need you this weekend! We're faced with stripping and rebedding pretty much every shelter on the place. This isn't worrying the horses nearly as much as its worrying the humans, but we'd still like to get their loafing and sleeping areas dried out as soon as possible. Can you spare an hour Saturday or Sunday? Give us a holler.

(This is the Po River at the back of the property. Normally, you can't even SEE the water unless you walk all the way down to the that poor little tree toward the upper middle of the screen and look down over the bank a few feet!)

Free Webinar - Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems June 18

The Horse: Free Webinar on Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems June 18

"This free Webinar on "Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems" is presented by Ed Robinson, BVetMed, PhD (Michigan State University). Assisting him in answering your questions live will be Melissa Millerick-May, MS, PhD (Michigan State University), and Bob Stenbom, DVM, a Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica equine professional services veterinarian and former private practitioner. "

More information

Hey Quilters! Can you help TREES' horses?

Quilters! Time to Search Your Stash! Jubal's recent leg injury requires wrapping for at least a few more days.

See the white padding under the elastic bandage?

That's nothing more than good old quilt batting. Excecpt that its been cut to a certain size, repackaged just for the purpose of wrapping horses' legs, and priced "accordingly." TREES received a package of "Leg Wrap Sheets" during our Giving Trees program last Christmas, but Jubal is making short work of them (he's getting each one dirty enough that we can't reuse them and must start with a clean wrap each day.)

This is where you quilters come in. Do you have any batting remnants sitting in drawers or closets that you hate to throw away, but feel you may never use? TREES can put them to good use! We'd like to think we won't need them often, but Jubal reminded us that we just never know what might pop up next and that there are certain things we should keep in stock in large quantity.

We're looking for pieces at least 15" x 18" but anything larger would be great. We can cut or fold to custom sizes as needed.

If you are a quilter or former quilter, or know a quilter or former quilter.......please Search your Stash. Batting may be sent to Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary, PO Box 2260, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. (If using UPS, FedEx, etc, give us a call for the street address. ) If you'd rather drop them off in person and meet the gang, give us a call at 540-972-0936, or email info@equineelders.org to schedule a visit.

Jubal and his chorts thank you!

Some Good News!

No commentary needed.........

Lizzie, May 7, 2009

Lizzie, June 1, 2009