Ella was one of two horses rejected from Mike’s Auction in November 2015. She was turned away because she had a gapping wound that had been left untreated for some time as it had developed a foul odor. It looked as if she had been skewered in the shoulder by a T-Post. Mike’s Auction insisted that this mare be surrendered to Forgotten Horses Rescue. In turn, FHR asked Neigh Savers to take over her care. There she was, injured, starving and surrendered in a parking lot at Mike’s Auction. We welcomed this sweet girl with open arms and immediately made a call to Sommer advising of the mare’s condition and need for medical attention.
These are a few notes from barn manager-owner Sommer Smith upon Ella’s arrival: “Extremely thin and no muscle tone. Friendly but a little spooky. Ugly cut on shoulder. Needs feet done.” As of Monday, Dr. Heaton of West Coast Equine has treated the wound, cleaned it up and sutured it close. Ella is on antibiotics and we are hoping that everything stays closed without incident.
If interested, please fill out an Interested Adopter Form.
Decemeber 2015 Update: Ella is doing fantastically well! She has packed on the pounds and is filling out nicely. This is definitely attributed to her excellent care at NexStar Ranch and the Wild Gold and GastroBalance that she is taking. Her shoulder wound is healing and about the size of a quarter. Healing wounds are itchy. We are doing our best keeping her from picking at her wound. This girl is sound. Once the shoulder is healed up a bit more, she will start under saddle.
February 2016 Update: We are pleased to announce that longtime supporter and previous adopter, Amy C. has adopted Ella. Amy contacted us just as soon as she heard about the plight of the Lancaster 19 horses. Amy is an incredibly experienced horse person. She and her husband, horses, and dog live outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. When the weather turns cold and bitter, Amy seeks refuge in Arizona or Nevada. Amy has the time and ability to put serious training and time into a horse. She knew we were inundated with horses and offered to take a couple of horses to further their training and make room for a new horse. This is exactly what she did. Amy adopted Ella, Pippi, and Onyx Be Good. She is currently in Mesquite, NV, where she is working with a trainer developing each of these horses.
Amy reports:
[quote]Ella is getting so bold! She will come up to everyone. She is learning to reason her way out of situations rather than spooking. I lead her around with the golf cart, lunge her, groom her and she is pretty darn good. Noises behind her will still give her a start, but it really isn’t too bad. We are working more on that. I left my ground driving stuff at home so I have to have my husband box it and mail it down here. I think that will take care of any issues she has. Today she did the old cowboy ‘follow the feel’ work with a long leadrope. It’s where you put the lead rope around the horse from the opposite side you are standing on. It goes around their hind quarters just above the hocks and to your hand. (you are still standing at their head.) Then you pull a bit and see if they will follow the feel of the pull of the rope and essential turn a 360 degrees circle away from you and back to face you. She was a super star, never freaked out and had a nice way of thinking about things and figuring it out. I am very hopeful for her. She is a nice little girl.[/quote]
Thank you Amy for being such a tremendous supporter of our program and champion of our horses. We look forward to seeing how these horses evolve.