06/26/2020
For those of you who have been with us during this 15+ years breeding Cleveland Bay horses I am sure that you have come to know our dedication and level of determination. Others have led the way before us and some have joined the effort along the way. We have poured our lifeblood and resources into the Cleveland Bays. Not a single day goes by without interaction with the breed and our horses.
2019 was a year of change and challenge for us. Coming off a particularly disappointing breeding season emptyhanded, we had not produced any foals, still had a stallion prospect, Epiphanybay Jacob for sale and we were growing tired. It was particularly challenging when Jacob raging hormones took over and he suddenly became a stallion. We never wanted to stand a stallion but were faced with few choices. Jacob was trained to be collected and bred to two of our mares, Epiphanybay Lady Arabella and Epiphanybay Abigail. We ultimately froze his semen and without a prospect for a buyer, he was gelded. Thankfully Jacob has returned to his loving self and forgotten what life as a stallion was like.
In June 2019, 8-year-old Epiphanybay Serendipity (Sera), Jacob’s dam, suffered from a field accident and had to be euthanized. Loosing Sera very literally took the wind from Mike and Carlene. In July, just before Mike had hip replacement surgery, we had to rush Arabella to Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center with what we thought was a severe colic. Arabella, in foal had an abdomen full of blood from a splenic bleed. Thankfully, Arabella survived and retained her pregnancy.
Fast forward to April 2020. Having foals is an energizing experience. There is nothing like new life to lift the spirits of a breeder. Arabella had a perfect purebred Cleveland Bay filly, Epiphanybay Lady Divine Grace. Five days later, Abigail had a perfect ¾ CB / ¼ TB c**t, Epiphanybay Bobby Dazzler. With high spirits and renewed energy 2019 was a memory. Until the 16th of June. Grace was kicked in the left rear leg, suddenly breaking it like a twig. After x-rays, we were certain that we would have to say goodbye to our sweet Grace. The x-rays were sent to Dr. Adams at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center. Dr. Adams quickly said, “I can fix that!”.
So now we are on another journey. Grace had surgery and the procedure was technically successful but not without complications and for us another rollercoaster ride (I hate rollercoasters!). We have never asked for help from others before and are only asking because Grace is only one of seven pure Cleveland Bay fillies born thus far in 2020. A GoFundMe page started by our daughter Emily, Divine Equine Healing Fund has been established to help Grace now and in the immediate future as she walks a very fine line and will do for some time to come.
If you feel inclined to help Grace, we would be eternally grateful. Please share this with your friends and family. We pray that this fund would grow to enable others an opportunity to receive assistance for their horse at a point that maybe their wind has been taken away………
Divine Equine Healing fundraiser is for a young filly, Grace, and the future of Cleveland Bay Ho… Emily Ohde needs your support for Divine Equine Healing Fund
