Provide Quality Care for Rescued Horses in Texas

Sugar came to Easy R Equine Rescue 3 years ago in the spring.  She was one of those horses we get calls about on a frequest basis.  The owner doesn't want the horse, can't take care of the horse, or can't make money off the horse any longer.  We agreed to take Sugar--a well-mannered, well-trained, easy to handle Cremello mare of about 16 years old.  She had developed a lameness in her front leg which limited her ability be used as a lesson horse any longer.  

The staff at Easy R soon learned that she was the best horse to use with children and teens.  As the pictures attached to this report show,  kids could ride her, bathe her, groom her, hug her, without any complaints on her part.  She was used for the "Horseplay" summer groups for two years in a row.  Many children had their pictures made with Sugar, and many said that she was their "favorite horse".  

Sugar was moved to a foster home when the composition of the group of horses at Easy R needed a change.  She was placed with a couple who had plenty of space and plenty of love to give this retired lesson horse.  In fact, she soon became the "Queen Bee", as they called her.  And spoiled.  Which is totally acceptable for a horse like Sugar who has given so much to people and children during her lifetime.  The staff at Easy R would often receive pictures from the foster parents of Sugar grazing on green grass, rolling in the mud, or running to her pen when they rattled her feed bucket.

Early one morning last month, the foster parents called Easy R and reported that Sugar was not well.  She was having a difficult time getting up and felt cold and clammy (in the hottest part of the summer).  We rushed over and knew the situation was not good.  She was in shock, was extremely dehydrated, and was showing signs of colic.  In spite of our initial attempts to help her condition improve, we knew she needed the assistance of the best horse vets in this area--75 miles away.  And even as sick as she was, she obediently loaded in the trailer and made the hour trip.  

The initial assessment by the veterinarian was guarded, but semi-hopeful.  We told her Sugar was not a candidate for colic surgery due to the cost ($4000) and the mostly poor long-term prognosis of horses who go through the surgery.  But we did ask that she do everything possible, short of surgery, to help Sugar pull through.  After 9 hours and several phone calls, the vet suggested euthanasia.  The blockage in her gut was not resolving and Sugar was in terrible pain without the constant pain medications.  That decision is always a difficult one, but we never keep horses alive because it makes us feel better.  We make the decision that is best for them.  We never want them to suffer.  

Sugar had a wonderful last three years of her life at Easy R Equine Rescue.  She was loved by many children, and loved even more greatly by her foster families (she acutally had two during her time with us).  We never regretted our decision to accept her into the Easy R herd of rescue horses.  A few days after her trip to the vet, we received a bill for almost $1200.  The cost of examining her, doing an ultrasound, giving her muscle relaxers and pain medications, the euthanasia and the cost of the "truck" to come get her body added up to that amount.  We do not regret giving her that last chance.  And we don't regret having to pay $1200 for it.  But that is a hefty bill.  

The donors who give to this Global Giving project are part of Sugar's contribution to our summer camps and the smiles on the faces of many kids.  When the word got out that Sugar had passed, we had many families who had participated in activities with Sugar call or write us and offer their condolences and share their sadness.  And the donors are also a part of giving her a peaceful passing instead of an extremely painful natural death as a result of colic.  Thank you to each one of you for being a part of a horse's life and, as a result, many childrens' lives, in Lubbock, Texas.  We cannot do what we do with these majestic creatures and the precious families that come to Easy R without you.

Links:

• Website
• facebook page