Click here to view video of Naysa's story.

Update: July 23, 2007

Naysa Well On Her Way to Recovery.

As the days and weeks progress, Naysa continues to grow stronger and more spirited. Her physical wounds are healing quickly and she is well out of harms way. She been integrated in with her foster mom's small herd, and the strength and will that allowed her to battle through her abuse are quickly becoming evident. For those of you reading between the lines, yes, that means she's stubborn. Below is a first hand account from HfH President, Jerry Finch, in charge of administering Naysa's sedative pre-surgery today:

"Several things I can guarantee about Naysa - 1) she is a hundred times stronger that when she came in 2) she hates needles and 3) she seriously does not like people with needles being anywhere around her.

My first job this morning was an in-the-neck shot to attempt to bring her down a little. The first attempt led to a broken syringe when she went flying across the stall. The second attempt was successful, but only because I was hanging on for dear life and decided that I might as well push the plunger while I'm flying through the air.

IM sedation did absolutely nothing. I spent 30 minutes in the stall with her, asking everyone else to leave us alone, while I calmed her down and tried to communicate. I don't know if many of you are of the opinion that horses talk with us, but I can tell you in no uncertain terms that Naysa was not a happy camper and had plenty to say both to and about me. There's just not a whole lot of "horse whispering" going on when the horse is jabbering a mile a minute.

But then it was time for the second shot. The vet arrived, took one look at Naysa and handed me the syringe, which is fine. It's not his job to be injured while sedating a horse. Not really mine, either, but since I work for free and Naysa already has my number, I knew that it was show time.

There was quite a lot of dancing, but I hit the vein on the first try with the needle, then hung on for dear life while she went ballistic for a few minutes. I handed Debbie the syringe and through some form of magic, the sleepy time liquid poured into the blood system.

Two minutes later, Naysa's nose was touching the floor. There was not a bit of reaction to hands being placed everywhere. One would think that, as sedated as she was, the final shot would be a breeze. It was not to be so easy. She actually reared up on that shot, but she finally, thankfully, plopped down for a nap.

Doc removed about 10 more bone fragments from the sinus cavity and can now confirm that it was indeed a bullet that caused the problem as we initially thought. Both holes joined together (yes, we are letting the DA know) and the fragments were in that space between the holes.

She was cleaned, drained, patched up and sleeping peacefully at last, waking up about 20 minutes later and walked over to hang out in front of the fan. I won't tell you about the words that came out of that poor lady, but they were by no means proper for mixed company. Naysa has, shall we say, an attitude, which is well understood from all she's been through. Our goal right now is simply to get her well, and personally, I am thrilled that she has so much spirit. I've seen far too many horses that have given up after only a small part of what Naysa has been through. Naysa is not going gently into any dark night. She's going to fight and that is no doubt the spirit that has kept her alive.

A few hours later, Debbie said Naysa is out in the pasture, grazing peacefully. I'll see her again tomorrow and no doubt she have a few words to say that will not be pleasant, but Debbie and I will listen and tell her that she is loved and try to explain and I'm betting that she will stop complaining long enough to listen, and she'll lay her head against my chest and just want to be held for a little bit.

Because horses, if given a chance, will forgive humans for everything we do. "

Update: June 12, 2007

The Miracle Mare Gets a Name.

The Louisiana Mare now has a name! After many suggestions the Louisiana Mare now has an official name, Naysa (pronounced nay-ee-sa), a Hebrew name meaning "miracle of God".

Naysa was given extra loving attention by her foster mom after her arrival. All of her wounds were extensively cleaned and treated. She also received a visit from our local vet. An assessment, and later x-ray, showed that the hole in her sinus cavity has several small  bone fragments within it. A surgery is planned to remove some of these fragments pending a further reduction in the swelling of her face.

Damage to her hooves appears to be limited to the left rear and should heal with time. There also appears to be trauma to her left eye that may be irreversible.

But throughout it all Naysa still remains strong. She has moments of spirit and others where she obviously is in need of rest. She has a long road ahead of her. Her full physical recovery will take many months, but as long as she is willing to fight we will continue to support her. She will continue to receive care under watchful eyes from loving hands. Check back soon for more updates on her progress.

June 10, 2007

The Louisiana Mare Arrives at Habitat for Horses.

Habitat for Horses received the call from Louisiana on Thursday about an injured mare in desperate need of special care. She had been dragged behind a trailer and badly hurt. She had spent 7 days in intensive care. That’s all we knew at that point, and by Saturday morning we were on our way. Arrangements for her new home had been made and the transport team left not knowing what would lay ahead.

As the trip started Saturday further details came trickling in. When found the mare was wearing a halter wrapped in barbed wire. She also had a hole than ran straight through her nose all the way through her sinus cavity presumably from impact with the trailer and of course her hooves had been worn down by the road.

We all began to marvel at the fact that this little mare had made it this far…we had no idea how far she’d really come.

Saturday afternoon our transport team arrived at the vet clinic. More news. The mare had not only been dragged but the trailer had been backed over her and had to be moved before she was rescued. There was virtually no heel left on the mare’s back hoof. The hole in her nose…appeared to be the entrance and exit wounds of a bullet.

There stood a little mare with so much spirit who simply refused to give in.

The Louisiana Mare arrived at her new home late Saturday evening. As the trailer door opened she stood timidly, unsure of what would happen next. Trembling as she was touched by human hands which in the past had brought her so much pain, but at the same time comforted by the gentle voices coaxing her on. She was not forced but allowed to slowly take her time emerging from the trailer. Her small audience watched in marvel. How had this little mare made it through?

She slowly made her way to the barn. Noticeably stiff, sore, and limping, but walking just the same. Refusing to give up.

She settled into her stall greedily munching her hay as hushed voices surrounded her. Bits and pieces of her story floating up through the rafters of the barn. He had paid 35 dollars for her and sold her for 100. Obviously she was worth much less than that to him. The reason for her punishment…she balked when he attempted to load her into the trailer. The photos of her rescue day were passed around. Everyone looking from photos to the mare and the mare to the photos. So hard to believe that she was standing there in front of us. The still lifeless in body in the photos had made her way to this stall.

The Louisiana Mare has a long road of recovery ahead of her. Most of the flesh from her face is missing because of the halter, the dragging and the bullet wound. Her hooves will have to regrow, but even more needed is the restoration of trust. It will take many hours to restore what one individual so quickly tore apart. But there was one thing that he couldn’t take away from this little mare. Try as he may he couldn’t break her spirit. He couldn’t destroy her will to live. He couldn’t convince her she was worthless and unneeded. Try as he might he didn’t win…couldn’t win. Despite being beaten, tortured, dragged, run over and shot, this little mare follows HER will; the will to live.

Now it’s our turn. This little mare has fought longer and harder than should have ever been asked of her. It’s our turn to shoulder some of the burden for her and help her through. This wasn’t an accident. This wasn’t one of those things that “just happens”. This is an innocent animal who has suffered needlessly. She needs the love of many good hearts to offset the damage of one bad one. Please keep her in your thoughts or consider sponsoring her on her road to recovery. Click here for sponsorship information.

 

The Louisiana Mare, June 9, 2007, upon arrival at her new foster home.

Click here to view more images of The Louisiana Mare. Be advised that these images are very graphic and may not be suitable for everyone.

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