Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue

11/06/2024

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOUR HORSE IS ACCIDENT-PRONE...🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make horses especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

Do you know what to do if your horse is cut or bleeding? The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing, and maintaining your presence of mind could save your horse's life. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency; how you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances, and on the advice you receive from your veterinarian.

11/05/2024

If you ever wondered why you’ve seen TPDR rescuing horses, mini horses, or ponies, here’s just one example of why:

Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue is focused on rescuing donkeys and mules, but TPDR sometimes steps up to help horses (short ears) in need. We refuse to discriminate. Here is a true success story that makes us beaming with joy.

This is what rescue is all about!

We were called on by our great colleagues and friends in NJ, Donna and TJ, who had been called to come assist in a hoarding and neglect rescue case involving about 100 horses. You can still look up the rescue that took place in MD. It was a huge endeavor involving several rescues and individuals who stepped up to help get these horses safe and healthy. TPDR took ownership and financial responsibility of 2 pregnant mares. They were so pregnant that they stayed with Donna and TJ at Arline Acres in NJ as Michigan to far to send 2 pregnant mares in poor health that were so close to birthing their babies. Arline Acres was also better suited with nice big stalls suitable for foalin. Donna and TJ did an awesome job taking care of the girls physically and psychological needs. These horses were basically feral and unhandled for years, so they had to earn their trust to get the health needs tended to safely. We named the mare pictured below Angelica and her c**t Tommie.

Here’s the best part. Tommie is all grown up now and has his very own girl to love him ! He has been with Skylar for 3 years now. When Skylar got him, he only was trained on ground manners. look at him now. He is in incredible condition and an amazing barrel racer. What an awesome job training and loving him she has done. We could not be more pleased with how this story is playing out. He’s such a beautiful powerhouse and loved so much by his momma.

Every once in an awhile TPDR will be called upon to help wonderful people rescue horses. How could we ever refuse helping to change the lives of any equine out of a terrible situation if we have the means to help (even if they have short ears).

Such an amazing lesson on how a lot of love and patience can change the lives of even the most traumatized animal and give them a second chance at an amazing life.

10/03/2024

Here is your reminder to check your alfalfa for the presence of blister beetles prior to feeding it to your horses—especially if you feed alfalfa hay from a new or unknown harvesting source.

"The blister beetle (Epicauta) is highly toxic to sheep and cattle, but primarily to horses," says AAEP member Dr. Benjamin Espy. "As little as four (4) to six (6) grams of blister beetles can be deadly to a 1100-pound horse. Blister beetles swarm in alfalfa fields and are drawn into bales by accident. Even small parts of these beetles are toxic to a horse, and whole insects need not be present to be dangerous. Although cantharidin can exist in the alfalfa used to make pellets and cubes, cantharidin toxicity is very rare by this route. Some people believe that it has to do with the processing, others believe that it’s because the feed companies are using alfalfa from reputable sources that have good insect control."

If you suspect your horse is showing signs of toxicity, call your veterinarian immediately. While there is no antidote for the toxin found in blister beetles, your veterinarian may still be able to save your horse by providing supportive care to combat dehydration, help evacuate toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and delay potential absorption. Since there are many representatives of the species Epicauta, contact your local agricultural agent so they can help you identify any beetle that looks suspicious.

09/18/2024

Safe quick release knot to use when tying your horse, mule or donkey.

07/25/2024

Thank you FarmHouse Fresh Animal Sanctuary. Love love love partnering with you. Together we save more lives.

07/25/2024

🫏URGENT INFORMATION 🫏

[email protected]

This person just tried to scam someone into sending them money just to visit the donkeys to adopt claiming they were Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue and in Dansville. Luckily the person went onto our website and sent the money to us and emailed me.

I, Tia Bonkowski, am the only person who does any adoptions for Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue. I will never ask you for a deposit to come and meet the donkeys. I will never ask you to send money to me personally or any other way besides our website or direct means to the Rescue. I will always have you approved to adopt and then make an appointment for you to meet the donkeys. The only deposit we ever ask for is to cover the coggins draw once you have selected your donkeys, and that is because people have backed out after we paid the vet and lost that money which is so precious to the donkeys care.

This person or people undoubtedly have many emails and messenger names and fb pages. Please do not send anyone a deposit for any animal before seeing them and verifying that they even exist, especially through friends and family or other app that does not provide purchase protection. Those are both huge red flags that you are about to be scammed. Sadly l, these individuals are likely not even in the country, so there is very little we can do to get it to stop.

Also many many many many, in fact just about all, donkey adds on fb are total scams. Please be aware and be diligent about checking them out. Ask a lot of questions. Never pay money to hold or see donkeys. We have found and called out several of these people on the fb adds to try to help people from being scammed. They are everywhere. Get referrals. Check pages for actual posts.

Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue can be emailed through our website or by calling or texting 517-623-0000 or our fb page. But be aware that people can slightly alter the fb and website name to try to trick you. We have purchased website names with .com and .org to try to reduce risk of scammers.

Please pass this on to anyone you know looking for donkeys. Save them the money and frustration. I’m sure this happens to other well known rescues too. So contact them directly from information on website.

07/20/2024

So thankful to FarmHouse Fresh Animal Sanctuary and their wonderful team for helping TPDR do everything we can to help Poppi. Praying she will heal and be strong and comfortable enough to come to Michigan some day. She's a love bug and I just want to kiss her nose and hug her neck. ❤️❤️❤️

06/21/2024

FB just removed my Birthday fundraiser because I put other donation options in it. Unbelievable. I’ll share a birthday fundraiser. But here are other options to donate if fb link is not working.

PayPal: [email protected]

Website: www.turningpointedonkeyrescue.com

Check to: PO Box 248, Dansville, MI 48819

01/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/w5PSSm9JUhQWhTWX/?mibextid=I6gGtw

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source—just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being locked up in a stall now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure your animals have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well fitting blankets are great but be sure horses do not get sweaty under them or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold, and covered is worse that dry, cold, and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!) to double check.

7. “Trick” your horses into consuming extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

01/06/2024

Karen McDaniel

Thank you so much for the enrichment toys for Daisy, John, and Buttercup. They send their love along with lots of hugs and kisses.