28/12/2023
My apologies a message to the many that were wondering what happened to us during Cyclone Jasper. Jasper crossed Wed and that was easy to deal with, the worst was yet to come unbeknown to us. 2,5 meters of rain in 5 days. Since 15th December life has been a complete horror movie for us (Guess me in particular) and I can only bring myself to tell you all now as I found it hard to stop crying, but crying and physical hard work help. I think my emotions are just catching up to me now that we are not so hectic.
OK five horses died as a result of the aftermath, Exposure no food water for 5 days, not a break at all. I've never witnessed anything like these type of injuries or distress in horses, and I've owned horses 30 years in the tropics, wet seasons /cyclones had been all ok except cyclone Ita and that had nothing on this.
Saxon and Pete found 3 dead horses and walked two more home, they were blind and died later in the yards, I didn't think to ask the vets what exactly killed them as just wanted the medicines and get back home and the vets were dealing with a lot of horses I will ask next time or do more research. Some choose the wrong places to hide, We think too much fever, to weak. Maggots in their legs, It goes on, their hair fell out , some came in pretty perfect so it maybe did come down to some chose the wrong places to hide and was too much for old ones.
The morning the rain stopped first thing horses started coming back by lunchtime 7 were still missing. 3 found dead two still alive along with other people getting horses home to care takes a long time, painkillers and walking 50meters in a couple of hours. Our 2 others followed home to later die, one still unaccounted for Sax and Pete couldn't find Apollo so we thought for sure he was dead.
Next morning he walked in maggots hanging out of his legs, skinny, thirsty, fever, hair fallen out too like others, vet told us already what to do as we tried for the others... So lucky to have him alive too.
The road got washed away and had no access for a week, no internet no phones, we were fine, the horses were our priority, first couple days no worries then it was the waiting game, lucky not more dead horses so trying to feel grateful for what I have in amongst many moments of despair and profound sadness.
Nicole got through from Mareeba first day rain stopped, emergency services let her through as she had horsefeed medicines fuel for generator, got to the hole in the road ...her and the kids walked 3 km to the farm then Pete drove them back to the hole to chain the supplies back to our side.
Marnie brought in supplies too and was lucky enough the excavator popped her stuff over as chain gang with the horse feed was a long way.
We burnt the horses as plenty of timber, it was exhausting and time consuming so got rid of my anger and so sad watching their spirits go skyward. I covered them is all the silk and pretty fabric we could find.
On a day with the big excavator on the road the workers dumped made a ramp and got Marnie and her big 4 wheel drive through so we were able to tow bodies to locations where there was timber and Pete collected lots from the driveway and road. Nothing left, like they never were, just ashes
The dead were my very old queen brumby Goldie, the kids favorite a younger horse Chakor , a horse I rode a lot loved Flash but I felt I got a bit fat for her and two of the older ones Diva and Starfire, My older horses Sailor (the dad of most) Breeze survived and Verrity which I'm grateful for as they are ancient too and tiny Pumpkin picture perfect profound. It was truly worthy of a very sad movie, still processing the whole thing/
5 horses came in looking skinny but perfect condition. Others were badly compromised and will be fine with care and time and good food now, except one still blind. Nicole Marnie Pete Sax paid for lots as I don't have much money I had enough to pay feed and vets for a session. In lots of ways I'm a lucky woman, I have good people and am grateful.
I don't feel like working again yet, cannot deal with people and talking about what happened and I have the other horses needing my time in care,
Marnies sister babysat her child and she stayed working dawn until dark to medicate and care for so many horses, there is much to clean up and do as the place is flattened, buildings Ok, just flooded lots of water and mould...
We had a very quiet Xmas. I'm not religious anyway...
Doggos are fine. I cannot thank you enough for your kind offer we didn't get it in time as just got things going again here Xmas eve.
ince has been a complete horror movie for us (Guess me in particular) and I can only bring myself to tell you as I find it hard to stop crying think my emotions are just catching up to me now that we are not so hectic.
OK five horses died as a result of the aftermath, Exposure no food water for 5 days, not a break at all. I've never witnessed anything like these type of injuries distress and Ive owned horses 30 years in the tropics wet seasons /cyclones had been all ok except cyclone Ita and that had nothing on this.
Saxon and Pete found 3 dead horses and walked two more home they were blind and died later in the yards, I didnt think to ask the vets what exactly killed them as just wanted the medicines and get back home and the vets were dealing with a lot of horses I will ask next time or do more research. Some choose the wrong places to hide, We think too much fever, to weak. Maggots in their legs, It goes on, their hair fell out , some came in pretty perfect so it maybe did come down to some chose the wrong places to hide and was too much for old ones.
The morning the rain stopped first thing horses started coming back by lunchtime 7 were still missing. 3 found dead two still alive along with other people getting horses home to care takes a long time, painkillers and walking 50meters in a couple of hours. Our 2 others followed home to later die, one still unaccounted for Sax and Pete couldn't find Apollo so we thought for sure he was dead.
Next morning he walked in maggots hanging out of his legs, skinny, thirsty, fever, hair fallen out too like others, vet told us already what to do as we tried for the others... So lucky to have him alive too.
The road got washed away and had no access for a week, no internet no phones, we were fine, the horses were our priority, first couple days no worries then it was the waiting game, lucky not more dead horses so trying to feel grateful for what I have in amongst many moments of despair and profound sadness.
Nicole got through from Mareeba first day rain stopped, emergency services let her through as she had horsefeed medicines fuel for generator, got to the hole in the road ...her and the kids walked 3 km to the farm then Pete drove them back to the hole to chain the supplies back to our side.
Marnie brought in supplies too and was lucky enough the excavator popped her stuff over as chain gang with the horse feed was a long way.
We burnt the horses as plenty of timber, it was exhausting and time consuming so got rid of my anger and so sad watching their spirits go skyward. I covered them is all the silk and pretty fabric we could find.
On a day with the big excavator on the road the workers dumped made a ramp and got Marnie and her big 4 wheel drive through so we were able to tow bodies to locations where there was timber and Pete collected lots from the driveway and road. Nothing left, like they never were, just ashes
The dead were my very old queen brumby Goldie, the kids favourite a younger horse Chakor , a horse I rode a lot loved Flash but I felt I got a bit fat for her and two of the older ones Diva and Starfire, My older horses Sailor (the dad of most) Breeze survived and Verrity which I'm grateful for as they are ancient too and tiny Pumpkin picture perfect profound. It was truly worthy of a very sad movie, still processing the whole thing/
5 horses came in looking skinny but perfect condition. Others were badly compromised and will be fine with care and time and good food now, except one still blind. Nicole Marnie Pete Sax paid for lots as I don't have much money I had enough to pay feed and vets for a session. In lots of ways I'm a lucky woman, I have good people and am grateful.
I don't feel like working again yet, cannot deal with people and talking about what happened and I have the other horses needing my time in care,
Marnies sister babysat her child and she stayed working dawn until dark to medicate and care for so many horses, there is much to clean up and do as the place is flattened, buildings Ok, just flooded lots of water and mould...
We had a very quiet Xmas. I'm not religious anyway...ATM I think religion sucks Mussies Christians jews are all part of cults as far as I'm concerned as a real believer /spiritualist wouldn't condone killing other humans nor destroy the home of innocent animals ( home too planet Earth). God is nature not Allah Jesus Jehovah or whatever false beliefs humans have, Nature is a god we can see, feeds us, and can take from us better to worship the earth people.
Doggos are fine. I cannot thank you enough for your kind offer we didn't get it in time as just got things going again here Xmas eve.
Warm regards
Suzie
