The DROP IN THE BUCKET Fund

Each Month, HORSE AND MAN has a Drop in the Bucket Fund for a specific equine charity.  My theory is that sometimes it is easier to give anonymously in a very small amount than not give at all because one feels embarrassed to give just a little.

Well, many of us feel that way.  But, if we put all the drops in one bucket, it makes a difference in some horse’s life.  So, that is what this page is about.  If you feel moved by our monthly Bucket Fund story but only have a few dollars to spare, we are happy to help it grow bigger.   If the monthly Rescue horse is involved with a Non-Profit 501 (c) 3, all donations over $20 will receive a tax-deductible receipt from the Non-Profit.  If you have a donation under $20 and would like a receipt, just email us and I will forward your request.  No worries.  All donations are compiled into one larger donation to be gifted at the end of the month.

MAY 2013 BUCKET FUND:  Storm – she has an infection that will kill her.

Meet Storm.

She looks pretty good, eh?

Storm went from wild mare,  unhandled mare to sweet mare...

Storm went from wild mare, unhandled mare to sweet mare…

She had her very healthy colt, Thunder

She had her very healthy colt, Thunder

Storm loves kids!

Storm loves kids!

HER STORY:  WILD, PREGNANT, DUMPED then RESCUED, LOVED – and now very, very sick.

Storm was an unhandled, solid-colored, pregnant 3 year-old mare from a breeding farm.  She and 24 of her pregnant solid-colored herd mates were sent to the stockyards to be sold for meat.

Luckily Storm was saved by Annette – and with her kind and quiet help, Storm came around!  Now, Storm totally loves kids, can lead, play, trailer, trim, and even RIDE!

Wow!  A happy ending, right?…

Wrong.

BUT NOW THIS

She has Fistulous Withers.  No vet has been able to contain or clear it.

The medical diagnosis for Fistulous Withers:  a chronic inflammatory disease of the supraspinous bursa.  Swelling of the withers, drainage of pus from an open lesion resulting from inflammation, and infection that spreads from the infected bursa to surrounding tissues are common characteristics.

Storm withers 11.19.12
Fistulous Wither:  It gets big like this, pops, drains, but the infection will never resolve. The wound is cleaned and treated daily, but it will never heal.  Something inside her  (bone chip?) is creating this chronic infection.  It will eventually spread and kill her.
Fistulous Wither cannot heal itself.  This will eventually infect her whole body.
This Fistulous Wither cannot heal itself. The filling and draining is continual.

 

Storm wound
On some days, It looks like it will heal but then it flares again in a few more days… The vets have concluded that this will never heal on its own.   There is probably an infectious agent inside the wound – bone chip from her misfortunes?  Eventually, the infection will spread and kill her.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

No one knows.  Often it is a bone chip that works its way into an infection.  Did it happen when she and all of her friends were stuffed into the stock trailer to go to market?

Or when she was in the kill pen squished with all the mares inside pipe corrals?

SHE CANNOT HEAL HERSELF – IT WILL KILL HER EVENTUALLY

This infection will eventually kill her – unless she has surgery to clean it out once and for all.

This kind of surgery is very expensive.

Annette has been frantic to find a surgeon she can afford.

SURGERY GIFT

Luckily, through the help of National Equine Resource Network, UCD (UC Davis) has offered to do the surgery for $4000 (a huge reduction).

The surgery will scrape/cut out all of the dead tissue and find the insulting bone fragments.  Drains will be put in and will need to be flushed daily.  However, once all the infection and bone fragments (?) are removed, the wound should heal.

CAN WE HELP THIS MARE – WHO HAS COME SO FAR – TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIFESAVING GIFT?

Storm is a very young and happy mare who has learned all of her ‘good citizen’ lessons… She loves kids and people.

Can we help her reach the gold ring and have her surgery?

She can survive this.

 

  If you receive this post via email, click here to donate!

Fundraising Thermometer

 

  1. Lynne

    Maybe I missed it, but do any of these foals for adoption have papers, or is it known who the dam and sire are? I mean do they use decent mares and stallions for the breedings, or are these 4th gen backyard bred mares foals? Are there any draft mixes? Can you please refer me to where there is more info on the actual background of these little guys, I might be interested in adopting depending on a few things. How old are they when they are adopted out? and do they have any older nice horses to teach them horsey stuff… like a gelding or two to act as baby sitters.?thank-you for your efforts!

  2. Suzan Lee Jackson

    Casey–Thanks for your help in this matter regarding “Red”. I am looking forward to seeing the pedigree on this horse.

  3. Casey O'Connor

    For Suzanne Jackson, we are going to get “Red”‘s paperwork in a few days, per an employee at the Castaic shelter, and she said his name is “Pepe” something and seemed to be impressed at his lineage. I’ll be posted that as soon as I get it, I promise!

  4. Suzan Lee Jackson

    The Quarter Horse named “Red”, does he have AQHA registration? I am asking because he looks so much like the line of horses I used in my own breeding program and I have been hunting for these horses. I would appreciate knowing the dam of this horse if that is at all possible.

    Thanks in advance.

  5. Suzan Lee Jackson

    We can all honor the two mules slaughtered and stuffed out for a museum exhibit by boycotting the museum. There is no need for live animals anywhere to be sacrificed when fiber glass will do just fine. People of all ages need to use their God-given imaginations instead of being catered to, which only serves to dull an already lazy imagination.

  6. Michelle Olivera

    *CHAMP UPDATE*
    Hello so i volunteer at the ranch and i cannot explain fully how much love and work we put into these horses. Every single person that comes their does it on their own time and truly there for the horses, non of us gets paid and we do it out of our hearts. Champ has become much more alert and loves his baths i give him. He eats all his meals with joy and is drinking quite well. He has made good friends with the pregnant mare and looks like his strength is slowly coming back :) please please please donate as we are non profit and we have over 65 horses, you can only imganie how much a healthy horse cost now imagine 65, most which are recovering, all which were abused. The expenses are over the top. Every amount is greatly appreciated <3 Thank you all for the donations!

  7. dawndi Post author

    The email had issues on that day which was a big problem since it was a donation day… Sigh. I cannot fix emails once they are sent. But, I believe all links are fixed now. If you ever have that issue, please let me know – AND, you can always click on the HORSE AND MAN header in your email which will bring you to the main website where there are two links to the Bucket Fund. One at the bottom of the page and one in the right sidebar. Thanks for asking!! Today’s email works…

  8. Pam Cox

    I clicked on your picture of the the horse with the bucket (in the email). It didn’t go to the right place…in fact, it went nowhere. Broke? Or maybe my computer is having a performance problem?

  9. Kate Wheeler

    We’re going to do all we can to help Adella. What she went through is heart breaking. Such extraordinary courage she has, quite an inspiration to those determined to pull through adversity and carry on. I will never forget her.

  10. kathy cyphers

    Hi…god bless you all……I would love to volunteer if it is in my area….I can walk horses or whatever y ou need. I am blessed to have a 14, 11 and 3 year old that are happy and healthy.

  11. John

    Monday after Thanksgiving. Things are back on track. Autumn is growing like a weed and we are slowly adding back Goats milk. She is creep feeding on Foal-lac pellets and a measured amount of water (she plays and drinks very little) Her activity level has stepped up a notch and all is well with the wonderful Bizzy. Now the only hitch is the possibility that the hernia at her umbilicus is slightly larger We are watching it and any change may prompt a quick surgery. Thanks again to all that have donated, We will soon be last months bucket fund so anyone who is thinking about donating still has a few days left.

  12. Doug

    It looks like the donation thermometer hasn’t moved in a week. I know the Christmas holiday is upon us and we have shopping to do, but here’s a great gift idea for the horse lover. A donation to Autumn in someones name. I’ll make one.

  13. Cynthia Buczkowske

    How’s baby Autumn? I agree with Robin’s comment about how pretty she will be when she grows up. Looking good will be a tribute to her wonderful dam and sweet revenge on those humans who abandoned her. As we all know looking good is the best revenge.

  14. robin

    How is Autumm doing. When she grows up she will be so pretty. Just look at now as a baby. Keeping her in my thoughts.

  15. Doug

    Progress. God I love progress. Given the time of year and the beautiful way Mother Nature shows off her colors, Autumn was the perfect name.

  16. John

    Still moving forward. Friday after Thanksgiving, Slowly moving past a constipation episode (36 hrs). Still milking and feeding every 3 hours. Autumn is exercised outside or in the aisle a couple of times each day. Bizzy is reliably giving 600-1100ml of milk at each feeding. We need to reintroduce small amounts of goats milk to get her back up to the 1500ml she needs. Still a fragile little girl. Lots of new movements and behaviors. Starting to have to push back on acting out but she is very smart and gets it immediately.

  17. John

    Autumn is home for 2 days at Hope For Horses. Bizzy is lactating like a champ but we are being forced by Autumns rapacious needs to supplement with goats milk. Bizzy produces 750-900 ml every 3 hrs. We now feed Autumn on the same schedule and she needs at least 250ml and soon 500 ml of goats milk to reach satisfaction. She is ready to roll when we take her for walks but the vet wants her limited until we see better strength in her legs. We are now totally engaged (instead of paying Pilchuck) and its a 24 hr job. If you are in the Seattle area and have animal nursing experience and would be able to milk and feed 3rd shift please let us know. Spooning with a baby horse is compensation.

    Thanks to you all for helping to pay her ICU bill. You all share the credit for her survival. She was so sick, this proves it is possible for these premature, underweight, discarded foals to live and thrive. We will do everything we can to give her a life that reflects the love and care all of you have given her.

  18. John

    What a day. Started with a call from the Vet that Autumn had spiked a fever overnight and the Vet was worried that this was a trend up on her hidden infection. Since her gut is now working (Thanks to Bizzy the milk maid) and her joints look strong (no plate infection) so that left her umbilicus which is more outie than we would like. So talk moved to potential surgery sooner than later.

    However by this afternoon her blood work had come back and was normal for the first time so the Vet has backed down and we are working toward having her come home tomorrow. Truth is we were not ready so the day was well spent.

  19. Barbara Wood

    Little Autumn has been mentioned on Zenyatta;s diary, and several have donated. I love watching our donations grow each day as we join together to help Autumn…and Hope and…..
    Thank you all!

  20. Doug

    Hi Dawn. It’s been a while since we’ve talked and I still don’t get your blog. Luckily, someone sent it to me and I saw Autumn’s story and had to comment and put out another challenge. I am donating $250.00 to the Bucket Fund and challenge anyone to match or beat me. In fact, as I’ve done before, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU. Reading her story made me think of what a magnificent mare her Mom was to accept all that was thrown at her and still hang on as long as she did to deliver this precious miracle for us to see. How can you not help???

  21. Linda Clarke

    Dawn’s blog and bucket fund subjects have touched me as no other have. I love her sense of humor, thoughful topics and educational ideas. The pictures are great, also. Thank you Dawn for what you do helping the equine world be a better place for the unfortunate.

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  23. john

    I have sent this out to all my e mail friends and I hope that they will donate to this great cause… I suggest that all others send this site to all their e friends as well… I was going to include the address where people can send thier money….But have not found one… Several people have requested it…But I seen none posted… john

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  25. Shirley

    Thank you, for helping the rescuers save, feed, transport & rehab at-risk horses, with donations from the Bucket Fund!

  26. Pam

    I cried today when I read they had all been saved and are in their new homes. All the ones that need to be saved can’t be saved. But I was so moved that these babies were ALL saved. I know the mothers who weren’t saved are smiling now as they look down. And know their sacrifice was not in vain.

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  28. Mike Schiele

    Unfortunately, the same breeder is this week dumping another 50 pair. How can we get him under arrest or in court so he will stop breeding for meat!
    Last weeks group were all rescued with generous donations of thousands and astronomical efforts of many including supreme effort by Debra Hawk: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1621042469
    We will soon use up all available resources and people willing and able to help!

  29. Donna Banks

    Why not force the issue of neglect instead of intent as far as Champ’s case is concerned. Bring out all the pictures taken when Champ was found. It is only a miracle he is alive now – thanks to Alaqua Animal Refuge. You should see him now – so full of spunk, healthy, and normal weight. It would be a terrible and hateful act to return him to the very man who let him starve.

  30. Doug

    It looks like some of your readers have taken me up on my “Double Dog Dare” of donating $12 a month to the various causes. Way to go readers. Dawn supplied the veneu and the causes, now we must supply the means. There are other things going on that are branches of what Dawn reports on here in her blog. For instance, I just transferred 3 of the Christmas foals up to Monty Roberts’ Flag Is Up Farms for training. There was also a very pregnant mare and a mare and new foal transferred from the feedlots down to 2 rescues in southern California; the CA. Coastal Horse Rescue in Ojai, Ca. and the Xenophon Ranch in Morongo Valley. The story is available at my Facebook page Emergency Animal Rescue (Make sure it’s the one with the red logo with the horse, dog and cat). Well, I’m off to Paypal.

  31. Nina Eckhoff

    Love the Bucket Fund! I follow several rescues due to this site… including the intrepid LeRoy and the Junkyard Four… but my favorites (so far!) are the Nurse Mare Foalies. Thank you, horseandman for helping to encourage my renewed passions for equines! And, Happy Passover and Easter to all.

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  35. Karen Keefe

    Doug,

    I met March’s “challenge” with a showing of the green for the Junkyard horses!

    Thanks…
    Karen Lee M Keefe

  36. D Ritenor

    Rescues are so tough; we have rescued 3 horses and 2 donkeys in the past and they have forever homes here!! I’ll send what I can as I’m disabled..

  37. Jenn

    Where can I mail my check! I suggest keep running Dougs suggestion,
    make sure all readers read it. What A Great Idea Doug!

  38. NBE

    I want to donate but I do not wish to use Paypal; are there other method that I can use?

    Thanks and speedy healing to LeRoy the Wonder Pony! What will happen to him after he is rehabbed?

  39. Doug

    Everyone can do $12. It’s just $12. I can do it and I’m unemployed (and not by choice). Stupid pharmaceutical industry. I’m switching over to Green Energy Technology.

  40. Doug

    Way to go Karen. Now that’s a worthy Valentines gift.

    I just got back from getting 5 pregnant mares from the Fallon feedlot (thanks to our Equine Angel) and delivered them to 4 sanctuaries in southern California. These places rock.

  41. Doug

    You mentioned in your blog today (Friday, Feb.11, 2011) that you wished everyone who read your blog, all 200,000+ of us, would donate $1 a month to the Bucket Fund. What would happen if we all just did a years worth all at once? $2,400,000 is what would happen. So I put the challenge out to all readers of Horse And Man. $12 isn’t much. A bale of hay. 3 cups of foo foo coffee. But then do that EVERY month. $12 a month. It’s not much. 40 cents a day. And look what could happen. Imagine (John Lennon) what could happen. I’ll send in my $12 now. The challenge is on. I double-dog dare you.

  42. Sharon Jacobs-Salinas

    While reading the powerful article ‘There Is Something We Can Do’, it seemed the author had penned my every thought and feeling about the plight of our beloved wild mustangs and burros. Eerie, yes…but how wonderful to know there is another who sees, thinks and feels exactly as I do. Naturally, I clicked the ‘donate’ button then went to DreamCatcher WH&B Sanctuary site and read every page; what an amazing place! Couldn’t leave the site until I clicked their ‘donate’ button, too! I am so happy to have found Barbara and DreamCatcher WH&B Sanctuary!

  43. Donna Barr

    Ya know what makes my head spin about people saying that mustangs don’t belong here?

    Non-native monkey saying native herbivore doesn’t belong here. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

  44. Kym Sargent

    What happen to Honey Bandit is certainly what is wrong with what the BLM is doing.
    I am hoping this sweet little one lives to be able to make his presence known. He could go a long way on saving his species.
    So grateful Palomino took it upon herself to save him. Another true animal angel.

  45. Stacy

    I made a donation in the memory of Passion such a sweet filly here for a short time BHFER is an amazing rescue and wish I had know about the bucket fund I would have cross posted all month..

  46. Lois

    I just tried to paypal for the first time to help with the horses. If it does not come through E Mail me and I will try to send again. Those poor babies who would not want to help them.

  47. Barbara

    A donation was made in memory of Passion and in memory of my beloved dog Cindy who I to say goodbye to last night.

  48. Bruce, Shirley Allen and Critter Kids Too

    TO ALL, Please forgive my delay in writing to THANK EVERYONE for Iron Man’s Bucket Fund. Please know that ALL funds go directly to care for these babies and while BLM is helping us with Foal Lac for the BLM babies the others that come in like Iron Man rely on wonderful folks like all of you for helping with their expenses. Everybody has had their shots and are wormed and ALL are doing extremely well. Our little girls Ellie and Bella have very small belly button hernia’s (seem to be a few in the Calico herd) that will be having surgery in a week or so. These are not at all the extent of little Drew’s birth defect and hernia but please say little prayer. We have never lost one to this surgery so I expect all will go great and they will be up on their hoofers in no time. Again Thanks so much and this bucket fund is such a great idea for folks that want to help and be a part of saving and caring for the critter kids. It makes it so nice that anyone can contribute any amount that is comfortable for them and it sure helps the non-profit groups provide for care and little extras along the way. THANK YOU DAWN AND EVERYONE.

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