The Serious Side
What Would You Do?
What would you do if you came upon a Trailer Accident locally? Or maybe a horse was stuck in a ditch? Or, maybe, let's just say, some how your horse ended up in your swimming pool? Who would you call?
PEER (Polk Equine Emergency Rescue) was formed for just these types of emergencies. Trained and staffed to handle these emergencies, PEER is reached through 911.
Want to donate to PEER's Equine Ambulance Fund and help support the equine ambulance ? Contact Judy Donlan at 828-894-6524.
Dear Friends,
Just three months ago my life hung in the balance in the kill pens in Louisiana. I was only two hrs. from being loaded onto a truck headed to t he slaughter house in Mexico.
I
was one of the fortunate ones. A group hoping to save some of us videotaped me and put it on Facebook. That was the beginning of a new life for me, a second chance with a family who cared for me and is helping me heal. I have a severe case of Lymphedema in my hind leg.
I was a log puller and worked very hard with an untreated wound until my leg was grotesquely swollen and painful. I did my very best but the people who owned me sent me and my partner away to slaughter. My partner, August, was only 4 and he had the same leg problem and a painful pelvis from being started too young pulling such heavy loads. He too was rescued by a very nice family but he didn’t make it and was humanely put down. I hope that is a comfort to them, they did a good thing.
Since coming to my new home I am treated with so much care and compassion from so many people. Through your kindness and expertise, you have already helped me in so many ways. Dr. Bibi Freer, started me on the road to getting better by cleaning out the infection and starting me on antibiotics. Farrier Daryl Meyers fixed my neglected hoofs. Cindy Boyle made lots of phone calls and told professional horse people she knew, all about me. Connie Brown gave me a massage. Anita Williamson has come almost every day to stack wrap my leg with a Kaolin Clay Poultice that Dr. Robert Cahoon suggested. Anita says it’s like wrapping a tree trunk but she is very good at it and so far it's really helped me.
Dr. Rich Metcalf, from Tryon Equine Hospital, came over and gave us other good ideas to vary my treatment and suggestions for my care long term. Shelley Griffitts, who works tirelessly on a state and national level to end horse slaughter, has offered her help in any way it’s needed. Linda Ketchum and Still Creek Farm lent us circulating ice boots that feels great. The folks at Mg12 graciously donated their Dead Sea Salt and Magnesium products. A towel soaked in warm water and sea salt then wrapped around my leg, feels like heaven. Speaking of wraps, Don, at the Hay Rack, has helped by giving us the expensive elasticon bandages at cost.
A wonderful family, Lee & John Major and Debra Carton, gave me two beautiful miniature donkeys. They also found and brought us some delicious hay. I'm a big gal and they knew we were going to need a lot of it to get through the winter. Debra has been a daily helper, researching my problem, bringing supplies and helping to care for my leg. The "Donkums" as I like to call them are Lilly and Claree. They are such good company. We are very close and love to take naps together in the sun.
We’ve still got a long way to go but it feels good not to be alone, and knowing I'm finally loved.
Some of you I have met, some of you I hope to meet one day.
Thanks to all of you who have done so much to help me.
By the way, my new Mom Jackie says it was a leap of faith when she saved me.
She’s always looking up to the sky and saying she hopes Norris is watching over us. He was her late husband, a Captain for Delta Airlines.
I know he’s watching. She didn’t know it until after she bought me…
My name is Delta.
What to help Delta's recovery? Contact Jackie Marston about donating to her care.
Here's a tragic story with a happy ending-- all because of the caring horse community