Meet Miss Mae....before and after

Funnyfarm · Last edited by Funnyfarm on Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:51 pm; edited 3 times in total

A few of you may remember when I posted about Mae in Horse Health, the 30plus year old Arabian mare that I took on late March. She was the one who a younger gelding went after big time when I was gone for an hour.

Mae ended up with me when her owner phoned to see if I could help place her as they were moving. She faced euthanasia otherwise. Typical of me, she came home to my place tongue

I spend many sleepless nights wondering just what the heck I had gotten myself into down

She is at least 30 if not older. She arrived seriously underweight and with full blown Cushings which caused her to have very low energy, infections in both eyes, lost muscle mass and unhealthy skin. Then, much to my dismay, I quickly realized that this horse had horrendous teeth.....and I mean horrific :rip When I had the vet out he couldn't believe how bad her mouth was.....she had missing teeth, loose teeth, such long incisors that the molars she did have couldn't meet to grind food and some hooks. He didn't want to do her teeth as with her immune system so compromised because of her low weight and the Cushings, pulling teeth could quite literally kill her because her blood wouldn't be able to clot when the teeth were pulled and infection would likely set into her jaw.

So, here I was with a skeleton covered in fur that couldn't eat but I couldn't fix her teeth to help her eat down

She was started on Pergolide....$100 for 25 days worth :rip Then, it was a matter of finding what she liked and exactly how moist to make it. Common sense said mush for her food but she hated mush Rolling Eyes

Plus, it quickly packed into the bucket and she couldn't get it out. Make it into a slurry and she wouldn't touch it!

So, the next few months were filled with syringing Pergolide and trying every damned combination of food known to man!!!! She put me through the ringer, and I thought I had been there before laugh

I managed to get a bit of weight on her and with the Pergolide combined with me perking up her interest in life with varied things, Mae started to put on a bit of weight...not a lot...but enough that she could get her teeth done finally. She now has a total of six missing teeth! She also had several skin spa sessions as her skin was in poor shape due to her compromised immune system.

The combination of everything is finally starting to come together clapping

I gave her a bath today and for the first time ever, she didn't look emaciated cool1

The vet said she will never be a fat horse but hey, I'm pretty happy with where she's at clapping

Her attitude is lively, her muscle tone and skin/coat is way better and her eye infections are gone clapping

I love riding but I swear, it's looking after these challenging old cases and bringing them back that makes me really smile. She's my toughest rehab. to date and there were often times that I thought I was beaten. I'll tell ya....it's been so worth it as she is one incredibly special mare wub

Without further adieu....meet Miss Mae

Mae her first day here....the fur hides just how horribly skinny she was

In the field...you can see the lacklustre expression in her face down

A close up of her coat

Mae today after her bath....she reminds me of a young TB tongue

Mae has spotted the horses across the street!

Look at the life in this face wub

Look Ma...we have muscle tone clapping

Mae grazing....well passing time by chewing at grass tongue

Mae showing me that she thinks she could still do dressage Laughing

Mae running away from me with the camera as I was a little obsessed by this point tongue

I can't help it....I'm a proud mama wub

....notice the clip lines...some of her fur shedded out but I had to clip the rest!

And, finally....the pretty girl just being....I love this mare wub

*Kelly · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

Oh wow... my heart sunk a little seeing the before pictures. You've done a great job with her! wub

Nicole&Reannon · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject:

Holy Crap Mae is looking FABULOUS! She is SUCH a sweet mare, I am SO glad you have her and have been able to do everything you have to help her. She really deserved the chance and boy is she ever doing well! It is so nice to see some ROUNDNESS to that horse, and you can't even see her ribs in those pictures! Wow. Once again a phenomenal job Nicole, If you can bring a horse like Mae back from the brink, you can do anything! Can't wait to see her again, you can't help but smile when you are around little miss Mae clapping

WellWornChaps · Guest

A picture says a thousand words and obviously these have much to say..

How blessed are you to have Mae and Mae to have found her way to you.. As usual you have done a brilliant job in your care of your horses..

T

Paint Lover1 · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

Nicole you have simply outdone yourself..you AMAZE ME!! hug

And that lucky lucky Mare..... what was once a "MAE"-DAY cry for help, became the "Mae"-day queen...she looks so beautiful now and so full of life...

God Bless you

wub

howdydo · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

Wow - in never ceases to amaze me what a kind hearted person can do!

Grande Isle Farm · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

Miss Mae is truly blessed to be amongst such a kind a caring person such as yourself! wub

The "before" pictures made my heart sink........The "after" pictures gave me 'goosebumps'....of a horse that has truly a new lease on life. She looks like a million bucks!

thanks

for providing her with a new life!!!! tiphat

EventGirl · Dead Broke Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 2592 Location: U.S.A

I am sorry - I was actually brought to tears when I saw pictures of Mae's before pictures. down

I cannot believe anyone would allow a horse or any animal - to get to that point Crying or Very sad

You have shown her love, compassion, friendship - and what a fabulous job you've done showing her that side of humans.

AngelNTessa · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Wow, well done!

The difference in her is absolutely incredible! The after pictures warmed my heart, I love seeing happy endings wub

Gerri · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject:

Wow! what a difference you have made to this mare's life.

Funnyfarm · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone squaresmile

Mae's old owners weren't bad people....they gave me some money to go towards the vet which was a good thing as it cost me $540 :rip and I see the one girl off and on and she always asks about her. I think it was just a case of people thinking that older horses often end up looking this way.

Tracy....you are bang on when you say I'm lucky she found me...this mare is an inspiration to me every single day wub

PaintLover....Mae-Day.....Mae-Queen....you crack me up Laughing

My landlord said to me today, "I never in a million years thought you would be able to turn that scarecrow around!" tongue

shelly · Dead Broke Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 363

She looks great!! You are a very kind person for caring for her!!

laterider · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject:

What a difference you have made in her, well done.

savatar · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

Wow, that is very touching wub

xo.Lisa.xo · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject:

Absolutely fabulous job!! She looks like a different horse after. The world needs more people like you wub

Jan Webb · Newbie in the herd Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Nicole, what an inspiration. Thanks for sharing. I too, have an older horse and totally understand the amazing bond you feel with Miss Mae. My horse too, was a "rescue project" and it is so satisfying after many years to finally have gained his trust and realize much of his potential. Good on you and Miss Mae. She looks great!

Taz · Dead Broke Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 2313

Pictures say a 1000 words! Thanks for helping this old gal!

wub

cjbaretta · Dead Broke Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 1822

Incredible job FF!! clapping

You gave this elegant senior lady back her "spark". The look in her eyes before and after tells the story ten-fold of what you've been able to do for her physically. Her "dressage" picture defies her age! Fantastic. hug

Funnyfarm · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:38 am Post subject:

Thanks again everyone squaresmile

It's funny...as I just noticed that in the first picture there is a pile of hay laugh

Yep, that was when I realized quickly that she couldn't eat hay....at all. With six missing teeth, she still can't. Trying to find the right combination of foods to satisfy nutrition requirements AND balance that with her eating preferences...... with a horse that can't eat hay and doesn't like mushy foods was, and is, very trying tongue

The princess still keeps me on her toes!!

CJ.....I wish I had gotten a pic of her really trotting out....her movement astounds me clapping

Tina Barnes · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:48 am Post subject:

to you

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