Welcome the Lucky 8 from the ISPMB Seizure

31 October 2016

For a background and information on the current county impoundment and pending seizure of the horses at the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs & Burros,

please read this series: From Salvation to Starvation: How a Wild Horse Crusader's Dream Went Bad.

First up is our bright spot in all of this, little 3-4 month old colt Alexander Hamilton! He came in with his mother, the bay mare who is reported to be 4-5 years old that we have named Rachel, after Hamilton's mother.

Hamilton needs monthly corrective trims for a while and we'll have a better idea of what his feet need when our farrier gets a good look at them. Rachel is not sound at this moment, with a twisted front hoof reportedly from frostbite. We knew she was unsound when we picked her up. It is very possible we will not be able to make her sound but again, we will defer to our vets and farriers.

We have to assume Rachel is bred since she was with stallions until recently.

Next up are our Schuyler sisters - the three bay fillies. The one who is alone in pictures and came to GSH Main is Angelica. She is very thin and weak under that wormy belly. She was down in the trailer when we got home - long trip for her butt muscles - and not able to get herself up. We got her up and she seems to be doing better today. We were told she is a yearling but her teeth indicate to us she could very well be only 6 months old. She is smaller than Ash, our 7 month old weanling who is going in for surgery this week, and he's already considered small for his age by our vets. She will slowly be dewormed, we will be adding Red Cell/iron supplement and vitamins to her diet and slowly introducing her to Mare & Foal. She is currently in a stall for special care, wearing a halter, and already leading and will be allowed limited turnout with Ash. Farrier work is, of course, needed, but other than weight and some trims she seems like she should rehab just fine.

The other two bays are in pretty good shape including their feet - a couple trims, deworming, and good food and gentling and they should be ready for homes pretty quickly. They went to a foster and Dawn will have to let us know which one is Eliza and which one is Peggy. They are the two bays in one picture and are supposed to be yearlings as well. When we get a hold of their teeth we will see. They are bigger than Angelica but small for yearlings. Could very likely be weanlings.

All three were with a stallion. PRAY they are too young to be bred.

Next up is our blonde girl! She is reported to be a yearling, but we'll have to see her teeth. She's a delicate thing and we've named her Erin, after Aaron Burr. She seems a bit off in her movement but could just be her condition. She is similar to Eliza & Peggy in that just some good care should help her greatly and she should be available for adoption soon.

Erin is pretty bonded to our bald-faced pinto girl, who we are calling Lauren after John Laurens. She is a big, beautiful girl, reported to be three years old, but she has serious eye problems. One eye is probably fully blind with a full cataract. The other is red and appears painful. We suspect Uveitis and will do our best to keep as much vision as we can, and will explore all medical options to help her out. She is smart and friendly and we're very hopeful that we can help her. She was penned with a stallion, in a herd with stallions prior to that, so we have to assume that she, as well, is bred.

And finally, we have our big beautiful gelding Lafayette. This boy is likely 2-3 years old and breathtakingly stunning. He is gentle, has been haltered and is already leading. He needs a trim but the hoof appears to be in good condition before it goes long so we are very hopeful that with a couple of trims he will be ready to go right into training and a home. This guy is a very good example of what the horses can be with care. We have already fallen for our "Lafee".

NOW: WHAT DO WE NEED?

Hopefully by now you know that these horses will get everything they need. They are definitely going to cost some resources, though. Here is what we've identified as our initial priority needs:

Transport costs: we spent $600 yesterday between gas and a blown tire. Mare & Foal grain - $20/bag, we'll go through probably 2-3 bags a week when they are on full grain. Red Cell Iron supplement: $20 for a jug that will last us a while Hay: We have lots, but can use more, especially high quality grass and alfalfa squares. $5/bale or donations accepted. Also help picking up hay that has been donated. Halters: $10/horse through our wholesale distributors. We're short on weanling/yearling halters in particular. Dewormers: picking up 6 Strongid/Safeguard today at $8ish each. Rachel, Hamilton and Lauren can't have Quest due to their probably bred and nursing statuses.

Vet & Farrier fund: ok, this is going to be the big one. $240 for all eight horses to be trimmed each month, minimum. Will probably require some sedation for the first couple of trims, at $20/horse. May require shoes. Vetting: x-rays for Rachel for sure; eye exam and consult for Lauren, probably $400-500. We have vaccinations on hand but will need mare care for Rachel and Lauren unless they are able to be ultrasounded to be found open ... both cost money. Treatment after that, who knows. I'd like to build a general vet fund of $3000 to be sitting comfortable, and $1000 for four months of trims.

EXPOSURE! Share the word. Let's see if we can get the cast of Hamlton to notice and care for their namesakes! Tag them, use the six degrees of separation, whatever! Share the word.