Supper
#179.
Bay TB mare, Irregular Star. 23 yrs. old. Appx. 16 hands? This
is really
nice mare. She recently had a foal that died. They do not know
why the
foal died. Yes, she is older, but she is the Dam of 8 registered
racing TB's,
4 of which are winners. She was originally owned by N.B. Hunt
of Kentucky.
It is my understand that Mr. Hunt has passed away. Papers will
go to new owner.
Foaled 3/16/76
-
Out of Socializing
- Supper
-
By Noble Decree
- Supper
is a granddaughter of Vaguely Noble, who was the sire of Exceller.
Exceller died in a slaughterhouse in 1997 because his owner
didn't want to pay for his upkeep anymore.
Several
wonderful people banded together to send funds to pay Supper's
ransom! We were finally able to come up with her ransom, but the
problem was where was Supper to go? TIER has absolutely no room
and all the rescues in the area I contacted were in the same boat!
All of us are at full capacity. After doing some checking, we
contacted a fairly new rescue in the area. We received affirmative
feedback from various sources about this rescue before we asked
them if they had room for Supper. Thankfully, California Horse
Protection not only passed our screening, but they had room! Yes.
Supper arrived at CHP bright eyed. It was determined that she
has no back teeth (big contributing factor to her lack of weight
gain) and that she also has a uterine infection which is being
treated! (No wonder the gal couldn't put on any weight!). Thank
you CHP! http://cahorseprotection.myassociation.com/home.jsp
Update
9/24/00 - On September 24, 2000 my husband and I went to California
Horse Protection to
visit Supper! She is looking remarkably well and happy considering
what she
has been through!
Once
Supper arrived at CHP a vet determined that she had a raging uterine
infection!
Not surprising considering she had just had a foal.....not sure
whether it
lived or not. They had tried to breed her again, and when she
didn't take,
they dumped her at a feedlot. From there, a wonderful group of
people got
together, stepped in and saved her life! CHP is providing her
with
a wonderful
new home.
The
infection is now almost completely gone, but since it had been
left untreated
for so long, she is still, understandably, thin. But, she is
bright eyed,
curious and quite loving! She also managed to get an abscess on
her right ankle
which has been treated and is healing also. To ensure the
wound stays
clean, she has a wrap over the area which is changed daily. Supper
has a big gray TB mare as a roommate in her big living quarters.
She is
the sweetest thing! Comes right up to the fence when you call
her name.
Thank
goodness she is still living and breathing and someone calls her
name!
CHP
has said visitors are welcome to visit at any time. Although I
know some
of you aren't close enough to do so, the others that are close
enough can
call CHP (the website is listed above and their phone/address
should be there)
and schedule a visit.
Gail
Update
11/4/00 - Supper continues to improve. No one has ridden her yet,
and with all the other activity, she probably won't be ridden
soon.
JUST IN
TIME FOR SUPPER!!!
Supper was
seized by Animal Control on 10/04/2002 during a raid on the organization
that had assured TIER & TIER supporters that they would provide
a safe, healthy home for life. TIER picked up supper approximately
2 months after the seizure upon approval by the authorities. She
was still emaciated after being fed properly during the time she
was in Animal Control's custody.
She was severely underweight, had rain rot along her spine, thick/dull
coat, runny - swollen eyes and nose due to her weakened immune
system, and vaginal discharge, which she also had in August 2000
at the time of her placement with the organization.
WARNING!
Graphic pictures below! |
A vet was
called prior to her arrival at TIER and an appointment made for
an immediate full check up. Blood was drawn and samples of the
discharges taken for analysis. At that point, the vet indicated
that due to her emaciated condition, he was hesitant to prescribe
antibiotics as the impact to her liver & kidneys might cause
damage. Amazingly, results of the blood panel were normal!! Discharge
fluids (eyes, nose, vagina) results indicated deficient immune
system. She was immediately placed on a diet of Orchard hay, Timothy
hay, alfalfa, vitamins (Pawier vitamins for the first few weeks
and then Evergreen Insure vitamins) and Timothy/Bermuda/Brohme
pellets. When we had contacted the owners of the organization
immediately after the seizure, we were told, "You know, Supper
is a hard keeper?" This statement was/is completely erroneous!!
When we bathed
this beauty, the water that ran off her was a dingy gray and oily.
She was washed 3 times in one session! Her coat was matted with
quite a bit of unhealthy hair that had finally begun to shed.
2-2003
Supper has gained weight nicely. We have wormed her with Panacur,
as her system is still fragile. She is shedding out the dull/unhealthy
coat, which was the result of starvation. Her vaginal discharge
has cleared up considerably (although she does have a failed caslick),
as has the 'weeping' from her eyes and the runny nose.
Our lovely
Supper is a favorite with the youth groups who visit ever week.
She absolutely loves being groomed by those small hands!! She
is very careful about accepting treats from the youngsters and
will lower her great head for a rub/pat from the children. The
children were saddened when they first saw this regal lady upon
her arrival at TIER. The children asked questions as to "Why
would someone do this to this sweet girl?" "Why do people
do this?"; "What did Supper do to deserve being starved?";
etc. Unfortunately, we do not have an explanation.
Supper's magnetic
personality not only drew the children to her right away, but
she became Grace's best friend! Grace has not tightly bonded with
another horse at TIER prior to Supper's arrival. Although Grace
does get along with everyone, it was Supper that she loved to
be with. They would frolic together; eyes alight with joy as they
dashed around the pasture area! They would do a "rolling
duet" when turned out together. It almost seemed as if they
had choreographed their movements as they would drop to their
knees at the same time and then roll on one side, get up and then
roll on the other side. They would then jump up; throw those tails
in the air and run, run, run!! Finally, they would drop their
heads and graze side by side or stand together for hours.
Supper's personality
is so kind and gentle that we felt comfortable with letting her
out with Pearl!! Being that Supper was such a big girl and sometimes
so full of energy as she became healthier, we were hesitant for
Pearl to be around her as she is so much smaller and cannot move
quickly. But, Supper being Supper, was careful and loving with
Pearl! Why......Pearl never once yelled at her or had a bad thing
to say about her!!
This lovely
girl's gigantic heart and willingness to survive is amazing! Officials
told us that when she was originally seized from the organization,
one of the officers recommended euthanasia due to her obvious
condition. The attending veterinarian made the decision to not
euthanize her as he "saw something in her" that indicated
she was a fighter. We are so grateful!! The gentleman who went
with us to pick Supper up from the facility where she was being
held recently told me he had thought that she would die shortly
after we brought her to TIER. This gentleman has been around horses
for decades and has seen allot. In fact, when he came to TIER
a few weeks after Supper's arrival, he asked us "Where's
that starved Thoroughbred mare we picked up?" When we pointed
her out to him, he was surprised!! He didn't even recognize her
anymore!! The statement "You know, Supper is a hard keeper?"
is so very untrue!! All we had done was fed her properly, gave
her fresh water, vitamins, had her teeth and feet done, wormed
& vaccinated her (after she was healthier)!! Hugged on her,
brushed her, turned out to socialize and play. Felt her warm,
loving breath on our faces and looked into her knowing eyes. We
gave her normal horse care.......all the rest came from Supper!!
She blossomed and gave us so much more in return!!!
3/22/2003 - Supper has gone to her new home where she will
remain for the rest of her life. A wonderful TIER supporter adopted
her for the express purpose of providing her with a safe, reliable,
loving home for life. A Mom who understand the commitment and
the gift of having Supper in her life. Thanks so very, very much
Mom!
Our
thanks to Riverside County Animal control for being there........Just
In Time For Supper!!
A
BIG thank you to the TIER supporter who helped to arrange transport
for Supper to go to her new home! You know who you are my friend
and we thank you so very much for your continued support!!
Update
5/14/03 - Supper is doing good and will be even better after
Fri. She's scheduled to have her failed caslicks fixed & her
teeth floated. Her vulva stays irritated & she has a touch
of vaginitis (plus who knows what else). My vet says our ol' girl
will be a lot more comfortable once she's repaired & cleaned
up. We love seeing her roam around the house w/her little charges
tagging along. She seems to be happy & content wandering the
pasture at her leisure. Plus she comes in & helps mow my yard
occassionally.
Update
7/25/03 - Supper's doing really good. I've included photos
of her repair job just moments after it was done. It looks great
today & she no longer has any discharge. She's had her teeth
floated, hooves trimmed and must feel like a new mare. <g>
The heat's taken it's toll on all my oldies. Supper got a stylish
haircut to help her cool off since she never finished shedding
her winter woolies. Left the midline to protect her from belly
flies and her topline & sides to protect the old bones &
skin while resting & rolling. The clip job did make a difference
in keeping her cooler. And she loves for me to hose her off. I
think she'd stand for hours if I'd keep hosing. But even in all
our 100+ heat, the silly ol' girl likes to lay in her sand pile
in the sun. My dad put a couple tractor scoops of sand out so
she'd have a soft spot to roll. My folks have quite a soft spot
for "their" horse.
Supper's Mom
Update
10/13/03
-Dear
Friends,
It is
with much sadness that I forward the following update on Supper
to you. Thank you for being there for her. When I told the horses
of TIER that Supper was no longer with us, they all became very
quiet. As I turned out a few of the residents, they congregated
in the center of the arena for a bit. Almost as if they were having
a moment of prayer. Suddenly, heads raised and they were off!!
Tails flagged and dust flying! I feel that Supper was there running
in the wind with them as Grace stopped, lifted her beautiful graying
face and nickered to the wind! Supper was very much loved!!!
Gail
"On the
morning of Oct 3rd, a very gracious lady crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Supper was a most wonderful old soul who deeply touched everyone
who met her, and her passing has created an empty spot in the
hearts of all who knew & loved her. My elderly parents had
taken Supper into their hearts as "their horse", providing
her with goodies and a sand pile for rolling & sun bathing;
she was the perfect nanny and her little charges are lost &
can be seen looking up the pasture, wondering where their foster
mother has gone; Supper was a constant joy, always loving &
looking for attention, never letting her past destroy her gentle
nature & kindness; maybe my shoer said it best " a wonderful
old mare has finally found the green pasture she so deserved".
To everyone who worked so hard to save Supper and send her to
me, THANK YOU!
D"
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