Welcome to the HHO family little man! We’ve been waiting for what seems like forever for you to decide it was time to meet us! Happy mammy and healthy baby born last night and out for a stroll with some of the other mammies this morning.
Run Free Bella
This morning we bring you some heartbreaking news, yesterday afternoon our little Bella passed peacefully with those who loved her. It was the professional opinion of her vet and her farrier that the kindest thing to do for her was let her go. We had all been worried over the last number of days and weeks that her progress had slowed and in fact was non existent, she was finding it harder and harder to walk, her treatment wasn’t having the effect it needed to be having on her much to the disdain of all who had a part in her rescue and her aftercare.
Like everything in life, the hardest thing to admit is when you have lost. We won a series of mini battles with Bella but ultimately previous neglect won the war, it too much for this very special little girl.
The little girl who was so unwanted by so many people, who lived a life of torture, was also the sweetest kindest little girl one could meet.
We had her life mapped out for her, she’d never want again, she could stay with us for the rest of her life, nodding around with some of our oldies, she’d always have a place to call home, we wanted to show her the world, a world of kindness and compassion something Bella missed out on all her life. In 7 short weeks Bella stole the hearts of the team at HHO,since receiving the devastating news yesterday that she wouldn’t get any better, there has been a quiver in the voice of anyone speaking her name, eyes watering in those who were listening, we’re devastated to say the least, our hearts ache today, there is someone missing around the HHO yard this morning, a void that will never be filled.
Bella’s stable lies empty this morning, her little gate still hanging as if she is still there watching what activity is around the yard, her rubber matting still in place and a bed of straw fit for a princess remains unslept in. After what has been such a difficult week, we’re at such a low. Our beautiful girl, with her beautiful heart is at rest now, we’re hoping she knew how much we cared about her, how much we loved her, how much we willed her to live and be happy.
Rest now sweetheart, you were one in a million, we’re so happy we plaited your mane, groomed your little body. smuggled extra carrots into your stable, took all those moments to sit and speak to you.
Thank you to everyone who sent Bella little gifts and thank you to everyone who sent a donation towards her farrier and veterinary treatment, to those who sent bottles of “buteless” to help with her pain.
Bye Bye Darling girl, we’re sorry we couldn’t save you, we tried so so hard. xxx
A new Dawn for a forgotten horse
HHO Dawn cracks us up. We’re blessed she has been rehomed to a family who continuously update us on her progress. Dawn comes from very bleak beginnings but looking at this photo we can’t help but smile and be assured she has long forgotten her days of hunger, hopelessness and neglect. She stands today, still only a baby but with a whole life of happiness ahead of her.
HHO Henry enjoying his new life with Lucia
HHO Henry enjoying his new life with Lucia. Awh how we love happy endings. Rumour has it Henry will be making a big move to Spain in August to join Lucia and her horses back home, where he will live out the rest of his life.
Abandoned, Impounded, Rehomed, Abused and Seized
The story of a little girls life, born to be abused and unloved. How sad that little Bella has suffered so terribly for so much of her life. A pony, we’re sure would have been a child’s best friend, a valued member of the family, to get stuck in a viscous cycle of neglect and human incompetence.
Bella’s Hoove’s hacked in a DIY botch job
Bella’s life started with neglect which resulted in her being impounded in 2009 and it almost ended with horrendous neglect. Here at HHO we tortured ourselves all day yesterday, all night last night, we all shed tears, we all voiced anger, shouting at each other about how unfair this girls life was. we dug and dug for answers. We had braced ourselves to hear the worst and to give her the first ounce of dignity she has ever been shown. We decided, she’d never see pain again.
There is now a Ray of Hope for this once forgotten little girl.
A good friend of ours said to us yesterday as we were torn between two decisions “She’s with you now, whatever the result for her, you can be assured that’s the last of her suffering”.
We woke up this morning in a daze, Bella still on our minds, prepared to hear the worst from the professionals. Only to hear that she has a chance of survival and living a life pain free, with professional and regular care. She’ll need specialist attention, she’ll need regular farrier treatments, she’ll need regular veterinary care and until her treatment is over she’ll need correct pain management and there is a good chance she can live out her life normally. Wow! We’ve seen cases like Bella before, only a fraction of whom could be saved. Maybe she is meant to be, maybe she was meant to come to us, who knows but we’re fighting and she’s fighting.
Bella has an infection in both her feet, she is also quite underweight(fluffy coat), she’ll be seeing the vet again on Monday and has been administered pain killers and all sorts of concoctions for infection, she has been fitted with a poultice and some shoes on both her hooves.
Bella’s road to recovery is long and we’re willing to help her every step of the way but we’re calling on you to help us help her. Bella’s care in just over 24 hrs has been 300 euro. We don’t expect it to continue at that per day but they will be consistent and constant.
We’ve been advised after the initial pain has subsided that we switch her from bute to a buteless pain killer a natural alternative as it will be easier for her little system to cope with and will have no side effects, these cost 21.50 per syringe.
Can you help us help her? Please donate to her care!
Just click the link:
http://www.hungryhorseoutside.com/donate/
Rescue Pony turns Showjumper
Every now and again when times are tough, we at HHO get a reminder of why we do what we do. We got a magnificent surprise emailed to us today, a photograph of HHO Max, a face from the past, a beautiful 12.2hh palomino gelding showjumping in France. Not only show jumping but easily clearing 140cm. We had always known Max could jump but wow! Not too shabby for a pony who was left to die a horrendous death of starvation and neglect. Looks like the HHO ponies are turning heads not only in Ireland but in Europe too. Best of luck to Max and new owner Mia and we’re looking forward to hearing your updates.
Max and Mia take on 134cm!
Meet and Greet at Maxi Zoo
A huge thank you to everyone who supported us at Maxi Zoo Longford today and met Timmy, Bella and Daz as well as ponies Jamie and little Ginger . We really appreciate it. A huge thank you to the team you were fantastic. See you all next month.
Busy Times for Hungry Horse Outside
You may have noticed we have been unusually quiet over the Christmas period , whilst our internet presence has been low the volunteers of HHO have been far from idle. The past month of continuous storms have taken it out of us physically, emotionally and financially. Mending damaged buildings, tending to animals and their owners in need of help, rescuing animals at a rate which has left us dizzy. Today started at quarter past 5 this Morning when the lorry set out, later this morning the two horse boxes went in different directions to help more horses in need. Whilst another couple of volunteers nurse a very sick trotter mare at home and our little weak foals and look after the rest of animals already in our care Reports coming back are so far there are two very cold and poor condition foals on board, 2 little Shetlands, a little filly and we are waiting on further updates. We’ll back online when we come up for air!
Dog Show Fundraiser for Hungry Horse Outside
Many thanks to Gertrude Malone and the volunteers at Midland Dog Welfare for organising and running a fabulous dog show in aid of Hungry Horse today. Big thank you to the Scouts Den for allocating the venue . To everyone who sponsored prizes and classes, to Michael Croghan for his pet photography. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who helped make the day happen in some way or another.
Of course Santa deserves a mention and a huge huge thank you to the beautiful huskeys that delivered Santa to Longford. We hope you all enjoyed the day and we’re be looking forward to next year already! Gertrude Longford’s dogs would be lost without you and today certainly would not have happened without your hard work.
Rescue Equines steal the show at Ballinamore
Team Hungry Horse bring it home again. We’re so proud of all our rescues who competed at Ballinamore show today. Many their first day out, each one of them behaved impeccably. Each one of them abandoned, abused, neglected not so long ago, we’ve watched each one of them develop into the super stars they are today.
Huge congratulations to all their handlers especially some of our younger volunteers who showed today for the first time ever. We’re proving over and over that rescue horses and donkeys(sorry Mortamur) can win, hard work, dedication and a willingness to succeed is all it takes. If you are willing to put the effort in, it is most definitely worth considering a rescue. More homes mean more room for others in need. Well done team HHO!
