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Post by aoconnor on Jan 4, 2017 13:24:40 GMT
A Deputy from our neighboring county called me yesterday morning, she said I just HAD to go see some darling little mini mules while they were at a vet clinic near me. She told me their owner, an 86 year old gentleman, had stopped caring for them as he aged, and he finally made the decisoin to let them go...but they couldn't walk because their feet had been neglected for so long that the hooves had rolled under themselves while the toes grew terribly long. Some of them had the hoof wall embedded in their soles. It was pretty awful. The pony is the worst, unable to walk at all but still standing, bless her heart.
I went down to look at them, then called the sheriff and asked her what I could do to help...pretty much she said I was their only "out", and I already knew that and knew I was bringing them home:-) The pony will live in a stall in my barn until she is more able to move around, and the mini mules I'll be pastured up next to our house on my top pasture so I can keep an eye on them. They will all need hoof care for some time, but I believe all I'll recover well. I'll post pictures when I can. There are 4 Molly mules and one John. Should be fun!!
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Post by mzgarden on Jan 4, 2017 14:00:35 GMT
aoconnor, you have a giant heart for these animals that need rescuing. Hopefully we'll get some pics so we can follow along with their recovery.
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Jan 4, 2017 15:05:28 GMT
Definitely sounds like fun!
Are they tame? I've always wanted a mini donkey but doubt I'll ever have one. I did come close...years ago I bought a mini-hinny from a father and son who "cowboyed" her. She was in good physical shape but the poor thing was a mess mentally. She was ok working around her front end but would go into a vicious kicking frenzy if approached from the side or rear. It took many months of daily work, but she finally stopped kicking and I found her a great home with a young couple who fell in love with her.
Getting a a mini donkey or mule is still on my bucket list.
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Post by shellymay on Jan 4, 2017 15:18:56 GMT
aoconnor , Not sure how you carry that heart of yours around, it MUST be huge and heavy?  hope they all recover and I will enjoy reading about your journey correcting their feet and caring for them......
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Post by here to stay on Jan 4, 2017 15:30:16 GMT
I worry about not being able to care for my animals as I get older too. But what to do about them is an issue.
I have a 25 year old mare but her companion is only 16. I keep thinking about what to do when the older girl goes and leaves the younger alone.
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Post by Woodpecker on Jan 4, 2017 16:03:37 GMT
Aoconnor ...what a blessing you are to these animals in need. You must be a very strong woman, like shellymay said, with a big loving ❤️
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Post by aoconnor on Jan 4, 2017 18:32:04 GMT
Thank you all! I love being able to help those in need, no matter what they are!
The mini mules are all able to be handled once haltered, but they prefer not to be friendly otherwise. The pony mare is about 22 years old and has foundered badly, probably for a long time by how she is shaped and walks. We may get her comfortable again, that's my hope, but if not I will put her down. So sad, but it's all I can do for her if I can't bring her feet around.
The mules, they are in great physical shape except for their hooves. We'll see how they do! They are younger, around 10 or so. I'll post pics soon!
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Post by horseyrider on Jan 7, 2017 17:44:51 GMT
aoconnor, in addition to having some really awful feet, I'd expect a lot of pain going up the column of bone. After all, she's 22; and the torque on joints trying to travel on feet so bent out of shape has to be awful. You might want to add a good joint supplement, perhaps some MSM, and some aspirin or bute for a while. With feet like that at her age, it'll get worse before it gets better. You might first have your vet run a CBC and chem panel to see what her organs are doing. That might make your decision for you. Bless you for taking this on! There are angels among us, and not all have wings. (((((hugs)))))
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Post by aoconnor on Jan 7, 2017 19:19:39 GMT
aoconnor, in addition to having some really awful feet, I'd expect a lot of pain going up the column of bone. After all, she's 22; and the torque on joints trying to travel on feet so bent out of shape has to be awful. You might want to add a good joint supplement, perhaps some MSM, and some aspirin or bute for a while. With feet like that at her age, it'll get worse before it gets better. You might first have your vet run a CBC and chem panel to see what her organs are doing. That might make your decision for you. Bless you for taking this on! There are angels among us, and not all have wings. (((((hugs))))) Oh for sure! Already have her on bute and joint supplement. She had radiographs and a full blood panel as well. She is out in a small paddock with her pals during the sunny day, then stalled overnight so I can get her feed/meds in her:-). Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it so much:-) |
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Post by motdaugrnds on Jan 8, 2017 1:22:19 GMT
Aoconnor you're such a blessing to those near you. I do hope those little mules' feet improve.
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Post by aoconnor on Jan 8, 2017 2:38:34 GMT
Aoconnor you're such a blessing to those near you. I do hope those little mules' feet improve. Thank you my friend. The poor little things, their feet are horrible just to look at, I can't imagine the pain they must have endured while in their previous home. I am blessed with having a master farrier do my trim and shoe work on my herd, he can definitely help these little guys. I was just thinking about their first trim here, I am hoping we can do it without sedation, they really need to learn how to stand quietly while having work done. |
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Post by bergere on Jan 10, 2017 16:23:34 GMT
You are an Angel!!!!
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Post by mollymckee on Jan 11, 2017 6:33:20 GMT
It's a wonderful thing you are doing for those poor little guys!
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Post by countrymom22 on Jan 12, 2017 3:15:49 GMT
What a wonderful person you are! I'm so used to people bringing me dogs to groom that are matted from one end to the other and telling me how they are grooming them at home and only in the last 10 days did the coat get out of control. Not! You restore my faith in humanity!
I look forward to following the progress of your new additions, and hope the pony mare can be made pasture sound to live out her days. Keep us posted!
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Post by aoconnor on Jan 17, 2017 3:00:07 GMT
I haven't had five whole minutes to get pics of the little mules and pony mare. I got yet another call on Thursday from the sheriff, so on Friday I picked up a small Paso Fino stallion, very old, toes were almost 10 inches long. Badly foundered on fronts. I took him straight to my vet, we gelded him today, treated his feet again (first vet he was at cut the toes back), and he was given his shots/wormed/coggins. If he is able to regain any kind of comfort in his front feet, he will be brought home in a month and retired to the pasture with my guys.
Sigh, people suck. Why would someone let this guy get so bad....
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Post by countrymom22 on Jan 18, 2017 18:48:20 GMT
Because they don't care. They don't feel this animals pain, and what they want/are doing for themselves is more important than getting that guy the proper hoof care.
There are days that I'm ashamed to be human.
Thank goodness he's come to you now. Keep us updated!
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