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Date Posted: 18:08:14 02/04/02 Mon
Author: Sahsa
Author Host/IP: 216.175.44.173
Subject: Well more news, some good some bad. (READ)
In reply to: Sky Classic 's message, "Re: Gallops over..." on 17:17:46 02/04/02 Mon

*ooc: I am 13 also, but i have the advantage of all 3 of us, my family owns a 115 acre horse farm, but it's not all devoted to horses like these, however i am. let me give you a chart first its of horses that were killed :

Year U.S.A. Canada Total
1999 62,813 24,026 86,839
1998 72,120 23,152 85,272
1997 88,086 21,729 109,815
1996 113,399 26,082 139,481
1995 112,677 30,000 142,677
1994 109,353 35,000 144,353
1993 184,320 51,000 235,320
1992 243,585 60,000 303,585
1991 236,467 74,000 310,467
1990 315,192 70,000 385,192
1989 342,877
1988 300,263
1987 246,505
1986 170,576
1985 143,423

Now for a little chear-up, I'd like to share w/ you this touching story. and i have good news at the end of the story.

Several weeks of rolling coins - your donated change - has netted us one of the most intense rescue efforts in the history of the Equine Rescue League. Your change, including over $400 in pennies, added up to $851 and was (partially) used at an auction to purchase 6 horses that were otherwise destined for slaughter. The grief and sadness of that day, along with the faces of the 5 who were humanely euthanized, is permanently etched upon our hearts. Cecily's Gold is the last survivor of the six that were rescued that day. What follows is her story. *

Probably the oldest of the six, it is somewhat ironic that Goldie outlived the others. Her age is conservatively estimated to be early to mid thirties. Weighing in at only 60% of her normal weight, Goldie was the most severely emaciated horse that any of us had ever seen survive. We were only half kidding when we joked about angels holding her up in the trailer during the 3 hr. ride back to the shelter.

Despite the will to live that burned brightly inside her, Goldie's body had already started it's process toward death. Her metabolism had slowed so much that her body temperature was a mere 96 degrees F. - four to five degrees below normal. A heart murmur was detected, along with a fluid filled cyst on her right ankle. As we already suspected because of her constant quidding, Goldie's mouth was an equine dentists worst nightmare. Some teeth had super erupted into the roof of her mouth, others were broken or missing. She was placed as a minus 1 on the Henneke horse conditioning scale. Her digestive system was in a state of constant uproar. Her golden coat was ragged without any sign of good health. Her frail body was liberally laced with hundreds of scars that bore mute evidence of a life that had been less than grand. She was dirty, stained, and carried with her a most obnoxious stench that refused to wash off.

Goldie's first major victory came exactly 14 days after her rescue when she was able to lay down to sleep. We theorized that she knew she would never be able to get back up in her severely emaciated state, so she simply just never lay down. More than one tear was shed while watching her leaning against a wall, dozing in the summer sunshine.

Another major victory was achieved when Goldie was healthy enough to be given a bath. What a joy it was to scrub through the layers of filth and discover the glow of her softly golden coat. At the conclusion of her bath she held her head proudly, pleased with the elegant mare she had become. She was enormously pleased to be the object of desire of a handsome black gelding who spent the afternoon nickering at her.

Sometimes it seems as if her rehabilitation can be measured in leaps and bound instead of day by day. Despite having only the bleakest odds of surviving her ordeal, she has seized her renewed chance at life with a gusto that continues to surprise us. She has gained over 300 lbs., and is thrilled to have 3 hot meals a day, plus all the hay and grass she can quid. Her dental problems were so severe that she required surgery. We remain extremely grateful to Dr. Ray Hyde and Dennis Lynch for their expert work on Goldie's mouth.

She has progressed so well that she is now turned out with several other mares. Goldie loves her pampered lifestyle and seems to grow sweeter with each passing day. Despite her horrific experience she shows no malice or suspicion toward any of her human handlers and nickers happily to us at times when we walk by. Goldie is currently available to adoption to a home that can continue to pamper her, as well as shower her with love and treats. She would like nothing better than to spend the remainder of her life as a much loved and treasured companion.

* This story was written in the fall of 1996, only a few months after Goldie's arrival at the ERL. She has continued progress and is truly one of the most inspiring creatures we have ever met.

Update on Cecily's Gold
September 1997
Cecily's Gold - "Goldie" to most people - has become one of the Equine Rescue League's most popular residents. People who hear her story make appointments to tour the farm just to meet her. When she first arrived, nobody was even sure that she would even survive. Not only did she survive, but Goldie had shown us more about grace, spirit and and indomitable will to live than many people will ever encounter. A "walking anatomy lesson" Goldie put on weight very rapidly once she was placed on a diet that she could eat. Her teeth had been badly neglected and although she's had major dental work done since her arrival, she cannot eat hay or grass, but does very well on soaked pellets. (She wants potential visitors to know that she also does very well on ripe bananas, pears and baked apples with sugar on top.) The remnants of the straw like coat that she arrived with held her physical beauty. Though she quickly grew enough hair to to cover the bald places, it remained coarse and greasy until this past spring. When her winter coat finally shed, she turned out to be a most gorgeous palomino, regaining softness and sheen she probably hadn't had in a while.

It was apparent from the start that Goldie had been well brought up and well treated earlier in her life. Her manners are perfect and she returns affection in a quiet and regal way. Her past may have included the show ring. When she was brought into the arena during an ERL Open House, her head went up, ears forward, neck arched, and she knows how to prance! Her performance earned her the new nickname " the Gold One".

Goldie though well into her 30's still surprises everyone with her upbeat attitude and sense of humor. When a new volunteer arrives at the farm, Goldie is often the first horse that person learns to lead. She walks quietly until her "leader" gets out of position. Then, she simply stops. Not another step until the volunteer is once again next to her left shoulder. On the other hand a "know it all" can be the subject of pranks. The Gold ONe does not tolerate "attitude" or poor manners. And, if any horse can understand English, Goldie must be the one. When someone says anything that might be taken as impolite, she has a sideways glance that can only be interpreted one way (even though Goldie would never return an insult).

Goldie has been at the Equine Rescue League just a little over a year. The staff and volunteers feel blessed at being given the opportunity to know her. Does her previous owner have any idea what he gave up on? Would he even recognize Goldie today?

Goldie's rescue and rehabilitation was made possible by the contributions of funds and through the blood, sweat and tears of caring ERL supporters. Sometimes rescue work can be disheartening. At times it seems there is a never-ending waiting list of horses in need. Some animals cannot be saved despite heroic efforts. But Cecily's Gold has been an inspiration. How could any human give up when she could not?
Before: After: Now the good news, i'm starting a orgenatation for these horses, and i invite you to help, this summer i am race over 10 races, over 1200 miles of trails, endurence riding, and hopefully place some, my goal is to get $8000, sounds impossible, but not, and I'd like you to help me find other ways, to help theses horses, and if you find a horses like this that need a home, just e-mail me. any time day or night. thank for all your help, and please keep writing.

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Replies:

  • Well more news, some good some bad. (READ) -- Sahsa, 18:09:18 02/04/02 Mon
  • *Gallops over* -- Storm Winds, 19:13:33 02/04/02 Mon
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