Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Continuing Story of a Determined Horse!
Gracie is back in GA and is enjoying life. I've never seen a horse with such determination and spunk - "a little squirt" is what the driver of her transportation back to GA called her!
She did not return to HRRRF as Dr. Richardson's discharge papers stated that she needed a quiet home where she could rest as much as possible and have a small "level" grassy area right outside her stall for hand grazing. Those of us involved with HRRRF know how busy and noisy the barn can get at weekends so Gracie is at a private farm not too far from HRRRF. She has been on stall rest for the last five weeks and has one more week to go before she can be left to graze without a lead rope.
In this time, her leg has healed beautifully. She had her follow-up x-rays last week and they were forwarded to Dr. Richardson at New Bolton. Our local vet reviewed them before sending them on and said that everything has healed as it should. She is putting weight on all four legs now and, just looking at her, I believe she feels she can run the Kentucky Derby and win!!! And this is just so uplifting to see considering the prognosis from KESMARC was that she should be euthanized.
Gracie is now adopted and in the wonderful care of a lady who loves horses and knows how to nurse them back to health (she already has two horses that she took from death's door and that are now romping around the fields like the world is their oyster!!). And the lucky little horse has a number of dedicated fans who continue to fundraise privately to pay off the remainder of her medical costs.
The original bill for her medical costs was $15,117.78. Synthes, the orthopaedic company that manufactures and sells plates and screws, donated the material that straightened out Gracie's leg - that took $1,115.80 off the bill. Also, University of Pennsylvania, made some pharmacy adjustments downwards of $171.50. This left $13,830.48 owed to UPENN. Thanks to a very successful garage sale and many generous donations from people in the local community and across the country, we have paid $7,498.50 already. This leaves us with $6,331.98 still to pay and our goal is to have this paid off by the end of the year. If anyone would like to donate, they can make checks payable to "George D. Widener Hospital" and send them to:
George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals,
New Bolton Center,
382 West Street Road,
Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Checks should be marked: "Accts. Rec. for Gracie"
For credit card payments call 610-925-6264 and ask for Claire
Gracie would like to thank all her fans out there who have supported her in so many ways (operating on her, nursing her, your prayers, love, hugs & kisses, and your financial help). She is so grateful to you all for putting her on the path away from "the end" and onto a future where she can be a horse.
She did not return to HRRRF as Dr. Richardson's discharge papers stated that she needed a quiet home where she could rest as much as possible and have a small "level" grassy area right outside her stall for hand grazing. Those of us involved with HRRRF know how busy and noisy the barn can get at weekends so Gracie is at a private farm not too far from HRRRF. She has been on stall rest for the last five weeks and has one more week to go before she can be left to graze without a lead rope.
In this time, her leg has healed beautifully. She had her follow-up x-rays last week and they were forwarded to Dr. Richardson at New Bolton. Our local vet reviewed them before sending them on and said that everything has healed as it should. She is putting weight on all four legs now and, just looking at her, I believe she feels she can run the Kentucky Derby and win!!! And this is just so uplifting to see considering the prognosis from KESMARC was that she should be euthanized.
Gracie is now adopted and in the wonderful care of a lady who loves horses and knows how to nurse them back to health (she already has two horses that she took from death's door and that are now romping around the fields like the world is their oyster!!). And the lucky little horse has a number of dedicated fans who continue to fundraise privately to pay off the remainder of her medical costs.
The original bill for her medical costs was $15,117.78. Synthes, the orthopaedic company that manufactures and sells plates and screws, donated the material that straightened out Gracie's leg - that took $1,115.80 off the bill. Also, University of Pennsylvania, made some pharmacy adjustments downwards of $171.50. This left $13,830.48 owed to UPENN. Thanks to a very successful garage sale and many generous donations from people in the local community and across the country, we have paid $7,498.50 already. This leaves us with $6,331.98 still to pay and our goal is to have this paid off by the end of the year. If anyone would like to donate, they can make checks payable to "George D. Widener Hospital" and send them to:
George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals,
New Bolton Center,
382 West Street Road,
Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Checks should be marked: "Accts. Rec. for Gracie"
For credit card payments call 610-925-6264 and ask for Claire
Gracie would like to thank all her fans out there who have supported her in so many ways (operating on her, nursing her, your prayers, love, hugs & kisses, and your financial help). She is so grateful to you all for putting her on the path away from "the end" and onto a future where she can be a horse.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
"Her Highness" continues to thrive!!
Gracie's post surgery recovery is moving forward in slow but steady steps. See update from Dr. Dean below. But, as Miss Kathy mentioned in our HRRRF blog, she may have to attend "Ms. Manner's School" when she returns to GA!!!
"We removed the cast today and took radiographs. Everything looks very good. We put a shoe on the RF and replaced the cast with a splint and bandage. We'll see how things progress for a week or so before making a decision about shipping her.
Her attitude is excellent. (although her manners sometimes are not!!)
Dean"
"We removed the cast today and took radiographs. Everything looks very good. We put a shoe on the RF and replaced the cast with a splint and bandage. We'll see how things progress for a week or so before making a decision about shipping her.
Her attitude is excellent. (although her manners sometimes are not!!)
Dean"
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Amazing Gracie!!
And she truly is!! Despite all she has been through, she's got real spunk! And an inherent charm that will melt your heart once you meet her......
Gracie is a two year old filly who came to us from Rockdale County Animal Control - she was found her on a road apparently hit by a car. She had broken ribs and a broken shoulder. Our vet's X-rays showed the shoulder was broken but we could not tell how badly.
Dedicated volunteers did all the physical therapy that could be done at the rescue. A brace was made for her leg to help her walk better. It was donated by Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics of Cumming, Ga.
Gracie was then taken to KESMARC (Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center) where we hoped she would be able to be rehabilitated with swimming and other therapies. Their more sophisticated x-rays showed more damage than originally thought and the prognosis was not good.
However, the team at HRRRF do not give up easily! Gracie is now at New Bolton Veterinary Center in Pa, where Dr. Dean Richardson who operated on and tried to save Barbaro, the Thoroughbred race horse, practices. Dr. Richardson also operated on Rebel who we've all had the pleasure of watching prancing around the pastures at the farm - a heartwarming success story.
Dr. Richardson performed surgery on Gracie's leg Thursday April 9th. She is now in a cast, learning to walk, learning to lay down in her stall and nibbling on treats from those who come by to visit her (she wins hearts wherever she goes!!). We are praying for her full recovery and are so looking forward to her return to Georgia.
We can't wait to see her "strut her stuff" and tease the boys again (she had this down to a fine art before she departed for KESMARC)!!!
Gracie is a two year old filly who came to us from Rockdale County Animal Control - she was found her on a road apparently hit by a car. She had broken ribs and a broken shoulder. Our vet's X-rays showed the shoulder was broken but we could not tell how badly.
Dedicated volunteers did all the physical therapy that could be done at the rescue. A brace was made for her leg to help her walk better. It was donated by Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics of Cumming, Ga.
Gracie was then taken to KESMARC (Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center) where we hoped she would be able to be rehabilitated with swimming and other therapies. Their more sophisticated x-rays showed more damage than originally thought and the prognosis was not good.
However, the team at HRRRF do not give up easily! Gracie is now at New Bolton Veterinary Center in Pa, where Dr. Dean Richardson who operated on and tried to save Barbaro, the Thoroughbred race horse, practices. Dr. Richardson also operated on Rebel who we've all had the pleasure of watching prancing around the pastures at the farm - a heartwarming success story.
Dr. Richardson performed surgery on Gracie's leg Thursday April 9th. She is now in a cast, learning to walk, learning to lay down in her stall and nibbling on treats from those who come by to visit her (she wins hearts wherever she goes!!). We are praying for her full recovery and are so looking forward to her return to Georgia.
We can't wait to see her "strut her stuff" and tease the boys again (she had this down to a fine art before she departed for KESMARC)!!!
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