Red Feather Equine Sanctuary

15/11/2024

This picture isn't much to look at but it pretty well summarizes the day... a beautiful blur.

Buck is eating his dinner under the light of tonight's super moon. It was a simple, rather rushed moment, but one worth capturing. We had a full day of dentals, x-rays and vaccines for the sanctuary horses, including Buck. I got to peek in his mouth in between rushing around from work meetings, farm chores and helping a friend whose horse was colicking. His teeth are aged, which we expected, and he is missing a few. But overall he is in great condition, and our vet said she is happy with everything she saw.

Often we are so busy in the hustle and bustle of the day that we don't take the time to enjoy the simplest things, like the beauty of a full fall moon reflected in the eyes of these horses we love so dearly.

13/11/2024

Mandy & Pop Tart 🤩 We are enjoying every last second of these pups before they go to their forever homes! (Mandy the Pyrenees is a permanent Red Feather resident)

11/11/2024

07/11/2024

Did someone order a Derpberry Shortcake?

Apologies for the lack of updates on Strawberry... We still don't have many answers after several check-ins with our vets, the specialists at NC State, plus other trusted partners.

The vet hospital suggested that we bring her in for advanced testing, which we are open to, although the cost is extremely high and we want to make sure we are seeking treatments that help her, and not just spending money on diagnostics that lead nowhere.

We decided that although her EPM serum test was negative, it is worth treating her with EPM medication since the test results can be inaccurate. We started her on the meds today, along with a Vitamin E supplement that is known to help neurological conditions.

Since Strawberry Shortcake does not present like she is in severe pain, we can take the time to try a few things and hope for improvement while we monitor her condition. She has to be kept in a separate exercise paddock instead of full turnout because she loses balance and becomes really unsteady on her hind end if she moves around too much.

She is so curious and full of life! Sweet Strawberry doesn't understand why she can't run and play with the other horses, and I desperately hope we can make this a reality for her one day. Cases like this, where the horse is mentally willing, but their physical bodies aren't cooperating, are the hardest for me personally. I would do damn near anything to help Strawberry get back to normal.

My friend and one of our equine body workers recommended a few different diagnostic routes so we will explore those options and provide updates as soon as we have them. In the meantime, please keep Strawberry Shortcake in your heart as we navigate her neurological issues in search of treatment. 🍓

06/11/2024

Capri is always here to loan a smile to anyone who needs one ❤️

04/11/2024

Thank you Robin and Karen for sending Buck a pair of Soft Ride therapy boots!! So much love to everyone in Buck's care community 🤍

04/11/2024

Medical Monday 🩺

Can you guess Shelley's diagnosis? In May of this year, she had a dental float and a wellness exam. Several months later, we noticed this large, moveable mass on her head that was not there before.

Dr. Miley lanced it in the field this morning to confirm that it is a melanoma tumor. Grey horses are especially prone to melanomas, which appear in more than 80% of those over the age of 15. Shell is 20 years old, and has several existing melanomas around her tail. They are usually harmless, however they can rarely grow large enough to cause other issues, or metastasize into surrounding tissues. We will be taking her to Carolina Equine at some point soon to have this removed.

Fun fact: Shell is the mother of Rocking R Ranch and Rescue, Inc. 's Flashlight! They were each rescued out of totally separate, unrelated circumstances but we were able to trace the connection through Shelley's Jockey Club breeding record.

Shell came to Red Feather in 2023 from a law enforcement seizure out of Louisiana. She had experienced long term neglect, and we had to have one of her eyes removed on intake. She has been dealt quite a few short hands in her life so we are going to make sure she gets everything she needs and more - that is the promise of sanctuary. 🤍

28/10/2024

Buck is really doing fantastic and I promise we would tell you if he weren't. He absolutely loves getting his multiple daily mashes - he practically picks up a trot to follow the grain bucket ❤️

He has a vet appointment coming up where he will get a tooth float plus regular vaccines. Our friends Robin & Karen are ordering him some therapeutic hoof boots so we can get him as comfy as possible in the time Buck decides to give us. We have also started adding turmeric to his feed to help with inflammation.

Nothing else matters now, Buck. We've got you.

27/10/2024

Strawberry Shortcake 🍰

The EPM results are back and they are negative, which means Strawberry's neurological symptoms are likely to be related to a cervical spinal injury. However, we will have to go to a specialist to figure out exactly what may be going on in her neck, because field x-rays (which our vet did) are not great at seeing issues with the vertebrae.

We will get this scheduled and keep everyone posted.

Now, a quick highlight on what we ruled out as the cause of her ataxia: EPM, which is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis; a parasitic infection that creates lesions in the brain and spinal cord. The test to diagnose EPM is not foolproof because it tests for elevated titers, which can only confirm exposure, not an active infection. Estimates show that a majority of U.S. horses have been exposed to the protozoa behind EPM, but most exposures don't result in a clinical infection.

Overall, I think it is a good thing that her EPM titers are low enough to result in a negative test. Usually the infection is pretty advanced once neurological symptoms are seen, and this damage can be irreversible. Being able to rule this out is a win in its own way.

We are going to keep fighting for answers and treatments for Strawberry Shortcake, because the sad reality is that someone probably did this to her during training. And even if the injury was accidental, she definitely didn't deserve to then receive no vet care, have people riding her and haggling over her worth. What if she is actually in foal? Can you imagine?

Maybe her story will turn on a lightbulb in one person's mind and heart, and make them think differently about the way horses are treated in this world. We need as many people as we can find to stand up for horses, to demand that they are treated better, with more kindness, more empathy. Maybe it will be you? ❤️

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24/10/2024

Thank you so much to all who have donated toward and shared Strawberry Shortcake's story ❤️ I haven't been able to post as much about her as I would like because we are also busy taking care of the Hurricane puppies, plus caring for our resident and foster babes, as well as working our day jobs and all the other chaos every day brings.

Our group is still working on hurricane relief for WNC and planning more supply runs. If you're interested in supporting those efforts please reach out at [email protected].

We still haven't gotten the diagnostics back for Strawberry so we aren't sure if we are dealing with EPM or spinal damage from the reining work she was doing at her previous home. As soon as we get the test results back, we will let you all know.

Make sure to check our stories for lots of outtakes throughout the day from our staff and volunteers!! You'll get to see Buck being his adorable self among other animal cuteness. Photos in this post are Strawberry - Waffles - Brody - Aladino - Jiffy

Thank you everyone for your support and kindness ❤️‍🩹

20/10/2024

Nine precious souls (8 coon dog puppies and big, beautiful Buck) came into our care out of the destruction of Hurricane Helene, and although their stories are borne from sadness, they represent nothing short of absolute love and light now!

The puppies are growing so fast, it is hard to believe they are the same dogs as the ones we carried down a washed out road in a laundry basket. They are enjoying lots of social time with our team, and we have been rotating them for sleepovers with our volunteer families.

Buck is just a very special boy. Senior horses are earth angels - Buck is kind, wise and loving despite the loneliness he lived with for who knows how many years.

It is because of your support, from both near and far, that we are able to impact these beautiful lives and we are beyond grateful. We love you all. ❤️

13/10/2024

We are in this together. Hurricane Helene made a lasting impact on our beloved Appalachia, but our collaboration of rescues are united in a passion to provide vital aid and resources to our neighbors.

With your help, our group of rescues have been working since day one to ensure that animal owners and nonprofit rescues in the path of Helene's destruction receive the ongoing support they need. So far, we have assisted more than 40 farms by delivering supplies including feed, hay, water, generators, fencing materials, batteries, OTC medications, neonate animal formulas and more.

Your purchase contributes directly toward our aid efforts and will be used to continue supporting hurricane relief for farmed animals.

Together We Rise, Together We Rescue

Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary
Red Feather Equine Sanctuary
Fairytale Farm Rescue & Sanctuary
Rocky Top Rescue
Flying Pigs Sanctuary

https://www.bonfire.com/together-we-rise-together-we-rescue/

10/10/2024

Buck and puppy updates 🩷

I am so happy to share that Buck continues to be bright with a healthy appetite! He enthusiastically greeted his breakfast this morning, and his lameness does already seem a little improved with anti-inflammatory medication on board.

We know that he is old, and we have experience with un-thrifty senior horses. While we appreciate everyone's concern, please know that voicing your opinion about euthanasia is not helpful and all comments to this effect will be deleted. Buck is now under veterinary care, and we trust our vets to guide us through his medical needs.

Now for the puppies - who we are calling the Breakfast Club! 🥞 Pop Tart, Benedict, Omelet, Frittata, Waffles, Toast, Eggie and Bruegger were bathed yesterday and we removed lots of ticks. They are not adoptable yet but we will keep everyone posted once they are fully vetted and ready to find forever homes. They are coonhound mixes and will get large (and loud) so keep that in mind if you are interested in adopting.

Thank you all for your support and kindness 🤍

07/10/2024

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06/10/2024

Every day, we are sending more of your donations up the hill, multiple trucks and trailers at a time. The supply drop locations are getting very well stocked with all of the weekend support coming into the area!! Tomorrow we are sending a load of winter horse blankets, fuel cans and first aid/medical supplies along with an entire trailer of large animal feed.

Through an amazing partnership with multiple area sanctuaries, we have directly delivered critical supplies to 27 WNC animal rescues in addition to filling hay + feed banks, and stocking private farms!!

The main need at this time is additional volunteers to continue helping unload at the various distribution sites, and to deliver supplies where they are needed.

We have tried really hard to respond to every message and email, but if we missed you please know it is only because we've been so busy trying to get people and items where they are needed. We appreciate your support so much. ❤️

Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary
Fairytale Farm Rescue & Sanctuary
Laila’s Legacy & HOPE Animal Refuge