The Best Christmas Gift of All!
The following is from All About Equine Rescue:
As we count down to 2024, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses this year and every year.
Today we’re sharing the story of Diesel and how he’s about to have the best Christmas yet…
DIESEL
Handsome Diesel came to AAE with his buddies Scout and Diego in November 2016. The trio was originally part of a mustang herd in the Carson National Forest in New Mexico and had been rounded up and moved around by the US Forest Service. Some of the gathered horses were adopted. A small group of five who weren’t adopted were transported to the Monty Roberts International Learning Center (MRILC) in Solvang, CA for a wild horse gentling program. At the end of the program, two of the horses were adopted, but Diesel, Scout, and Diego were not. The USFS was about to offer them at $25 each in a Craigslist ad, but instead, thanks to staff at MRILC, they found their way to AAE.
In 2017, Diesel returned to MRILC to participate in another program. Unfortunately, his stay was cut short when he became lame in his hind end. Once back at AAE, he was put on stall rest, and subsequently diagnosed with Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM). Despite treatment, he has residual neurologic deficits that make him unsafe as a riding horse. That said, this 9 year old is still a spunky and kind young man. He has a playful and curious personality, but he is unsure and unconfident around humans at times.
This Christmas, after the longest-in-waiting at AAE, Diesel is going to get the best gift ever! He has finally found his person, and they will be heading home soon!
As we wind down the year, our goal is to raise at least $35,000 this holiday season to jump start our funding for the new year and make sure 2024 is merry & bright for horses-in-need.
Like you, we have felt the pressure of the changing economy. Hay, fuel, supplies, and other care costs have increased substantially. The effects are compounded for nonprofits across the country, as many of us have seen a decrease in overall donations. Rising costs and fewer donations are stretching us thin, impacting our ability to serve the number of horses we typically serve. We’ll scale back as we need. We need your support more than ever.
On average, it costs about $8 per horse each day for feed and health care for the horses at AAE. Expenses add up quickly when caring for 50+/- horses and other animals, including costs for basic care, diagnostics, treatments, medications, surgery, and emergency care, when needed.
We know your lives have been impacted, too, we’re all in this together. If you’re able, please consider making a year end donation to support this life-saving work and make it possible to help more horses-in-need.
Expenses can add up quickly, but your donations can, too! If every one of our followers made a $5 donation, we could surpass our goal by thousands.
You can help make similar stories to share next year by donating today. Any amount is very much appreciated, and it makes a big difference for the horses.
Ways to Give:
(1) Set up a bill with your bank for a one-time (or recurring) donation
(2) Mail a check to:
All About Equine Animal Rescue
2201 Francisco Drive #140-174
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
(3) Drop off your donation at:
AAE Used Tack Store
4050 Durock Road #6
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(4) Donate online using a credit card, Venmo, or PayPal by clicking here or any of the red “Donate” buttons
(5) Text GT4AAE to 53-555
(6) Venmo your donation to @allaboutequine
We certainly love him, slobbery face and all!
A New Way to Give
Earlier this year, she developed a huge abscess in her left hind hoof, and it took its toll. After prolonged lameness, radiographs showed not only the residual of the abscess, but her coffin bone had rotated substantially, just breaking through her sole. Charley’s hoof was kept clean and wrapped with frequent changes, she wore Soft Ride boots, and she had TheraPlate treatments three times a day for several months. Subsequent radiographs showed her sole depth improved tremendously, and she’s recovered incredibly well.
Mags, then, a 23 year old mustang mare, was very thin, and lame on her hind left when she arrived. She was in much need of hoof and dental care, too. She wasn’t readily handleable, but once sedated for dental and hoof care, we discovered there had been a three inch piece of very stiff wire (like a thin nail) fully embedded in her left heel. Fortunately, with vet onsite, she was evaluated and by good fortune, the wire did not do any major damage. It was removed and she recovered well.
Once at AAE, his hoof and dental care were updated, and he received vaccines, deworming, and a microchip. Radiographs of his front hooves and hocks showed he had advanced ringbone in his front left hoof, and his pastern joint was nearly fused. His front right was a moderate club hoof, and both hooves had thin soles. Fortunately, he did not have any coffin bone rotation (founder).
Diesel returned to MRILC in 2017 to participate in another program. Unfortunately, he became lame in the hind end, so his stay was cut short. He returned to AAE, and he was put on stall rest for a few weeks. Sadly, on his follow-up vet visit, Diesel was diagnosed with Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis or EPM.
