Day 16: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
The sweet Miss Mabel!
MABEL
Mabel, a mid-teen donk came to AAE in August 2019 with her two year old (intact) jack, Max, when their caretaker was unable to meet their needs. We shared some of Mabel’s story last year, and we have more updates. Before coming to AAE, Mabel endured enormous, deep sores on her legs, and irritating bites across her body. Their owner moved out of state and left Mabel and Max behind with her elderly mom who was unable to provide Mabel the care she needed to support severe fly sensitivity/allergy. Rather than see Mabel suffer through another summer, she was going to euthanize Mabel. As fate would have it, Mabel had a special friend that advocated for her and asked AAE if we could help.
Who could resist those faces? Mabel is the sweetest donk on earth; well, most of the time. She didn’t used to be. When she was initially seen for veterinary treatment in 2018, she was basically unhandled. In time, she understood her doc was helping her. Through that long healing process, she learned humans were ok. That made it much more practical to change her bandages and treat her legs. Mabel enjoyed her little donk pals, too. They looked up to her.
If you want an idea of what this poor girl went through, you can see Graphic photos of Mabel’s legs during healing at AAE, and photos from 2018 before coming to AAE.
If you noticed the swelling on her right cheek, Mabel also had a supernumerary (extra) tooth that was extracted when her dental was done shortly after arrival.
There was one more thing Mabel came with, but we didn’t learn about him until February 29, 2020. Mabel and Max had lived in separate paddocks a their previous home, but sadly, we were surprised to learn they spent at least a little time together before coming to AAE. Turns out, Mabel was pregnant and aborted an approximately 9 month old lil’ jack. We named him Maddox. Half of her placenta passed sometime in the early morning. When we found Mabel in the morning, she was calm and quiet, stoic as ever, seemingly unphased. It was an extremely difficult situation (baby was breach, and the cord was around his neck and between his two front legs). The vet came to AAE but was unable to remove Maddox’s lifeless lil body, so Mabel was transported to Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center. The docs struggled to remove the lil’ guy, and it wasn’t until their last ditch effort of suspending her hind end, were they finally successful. Though sedated, this was one stoic girl, and we are so happy she survived the ordeal like a champ.
Through all this, Mabel is still an incredibly sweet gal, and she’s grateful to all for helping her heal. She’s recovered well, and her legs have healed in all but one small spot on her left leg. It’s a highly mobile area, and the skin is tight with scar tissue. There’s about a quarter sized spot that is as stubborn as Mabel. On a positive note, Mabel made it through the 2020 fly season with minimal issues; however, she was on a steroid and antihistamines to help with itching from flies. We also used a war chest full of fly products and used hock shields to protect her scarred areas. It all worked quite well.
So, the bestMabel has an extreme sensitivity to flies, and she is high maintenance during fly season. She needs an adopter who can commit 100% to her fly control/fly management two to three times a day. This year, we used hock shields to cover the scarred areas, and they were effective, but they can’t be used long term because they cause rub sores. Mabel is a sweet and friendly donkey who is mostly easy to handle. She’s not crazy about the farrier, but does well with sedation. Mabel is looking for an experience burro/donkey home. Mabel and Sandy, our other burro, are bonded and get along very well. Ideally, they will find a home together.
The most fun part of the year was when Mabel met Sandy…..or when Sandy met Mabel? Sandy hadn’t been around another donkeyburro for about seven years. The photos say it all. How sweet is that? They have been together ever since.
They’re waiting at the gate for you. Mabel says she really loves it here at AAE, and she loves all of the wonderful volunteers, be she’s really ready for happily ever after! Are you the one to make her holiday wishes come true?
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
Choose a horse to sponsor today!
Patriotic Mustang T-Shirts
Horse fans will love this shirt!
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
shipped for an additional cost.
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
Have you considered adopting a rescue horse?
If you are interested in adopting one of our beautiful animals, please take time to complete AAE’s