Update on Ruby Treasure - and power of HHO

[JanetGeorge]

For those who didn't see this story from the start, Ruby Treasure made her first appearance on HHO when a former owner tried to track her down!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=420710

And she was spotted advertised for sale in poor condition.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=482444

Ruby now belongs to Equine Market Watch - thanks to the kind support of members of this forum and my own forum - and has been with me for just over 2 months, being rehabbed! It's been a long road. She was in very poor body condition, with no muscle at all. She was lame in all 4 feet as a result of some pretty savage foot trimming which led to bad stone bruising. Her teeth were "like the Alps!" (to quote my vet)- and her digestive system was shot to hell!

She had a Panacur 5 day, her teeth were done, we started Keratexing her feet, and - of course - feeding her. For weeks, everything she ate went straight through in a hurry and her droppings remained runny and acidic-smelling. She was rugged up - stabled at night and turned out by day - initially she just mooched around, picking at a bit of grass or haylage, but showing NO interest in her near neighbours.

She was distrustful, hard to handle her feet, and downright miserable! Her feet didn't grow - after 8 weeks, there was not enough to need trimming - and he tail - which had been 'levelled off', hadn't grown at all. Her coat was dull and scurfy (and :whispers: she had teensy lodgers!)

At long last, we've turned the corner and although she still has a long way to go, she is at last fit to photograph!! She's happier in herself, her coat has improved, and if the weigh tape is to be believed she's put on about 80 kg! She now trots up the field when turned out, and chats with her buddy over the fence - has even been seen to volunteer a canter and a buck!

We haven't attempted to start work with her - she needs to be a lot stronger and healthier and we have doubts about whether a ridden career is likely in the future (she showed 'behavioural problems' in a past home.) So we might be trying to find a nice companion home for her (on an EMW Loan agreement) - or she might go to the EMW Sanctuary when space is available.

But she's safe - and will stay safe - thanks to EMW and a lot of kind supporters!

 

[jrp204]

Congratulations, you have done a great job with her and she is very lucky to have your time and support.

 

[*hic*]

She's been a lucky lucky girl. Well done to you, Janet and EMW and to all those who helped to get her to where she is now.

 

[Maesfen]

Well done Janet, you've done wonders with her and it looks like she's turned a corner. Onwards and upwards for her.

 

[attheponies]

Thank you so much for the update, well done JG and all involved for all your care and hard work helping this poor mare.

 

[aimsymc]

Great glad shes doing well!! Lucky girl to have found a nice home with you! x

 

[Ibblebibble]

lovely heartwarming update

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Great news. Thanks for the update.

 

[lannerch]

What a lovely update and she certainly looks like she is finally on the mend just shows you how long an abused malnourished horse can take to improve and how difficult it is, not just a simple job of just feeding still looks like ruby landed on her feet this time she is with the experts well done jg and emw

 

[Garnet]

What a lovely update! Ruby is lucky to have found you, Janet and you are doing a great job with her. 80kg is a LOT of extra food you have been stuffing down her! Great news indeed. Well done everyone who pulled together and donated for Ruby. Heart-warming stuff!

 

[Chestnutmare]

So nice to hear a lovely post she is looking loads better well done to all involved in her care, really hope she gets stronger by the day.

 

[Jesstickle]

Fantastic work

Do you have a 'before' piccy JG? Obviously her ad is no longer on t'internet so would be good to see just what a great job you've done!

 

[JanetGeorge]

Fantastic work

Do you have a 'before' piccy JG? Obviously her ad is no longer on t'internet so would be good to see just what a great job you've done!

This was one of the ad pics:

 

['S'teamed]

Well Done JG and EMW

But then, i am biased as i know you guys do fabulous work

 

[MurphysMinder]

A great improvement, huge well done to both yourself and EMW. I just hope EMW get the continued support they need through these difficult winter months.

 

[Brownmare]

Wow that is one hell of an improvement in 2 months! Can I ask what you have been feeding her?

 

[Fantasy_World]

This was one of the ad pics:

Jeez and this horse was for sale like that. Shame on the person selling her and whoever let her get into that state!!!!!!!!!


Well done Janet and EMW for the hard work with this mare. She looks soooooo much better already
Well done xx

 

[welsh horse rider]

Well done Janetgeorge she's a massive credit to you and the team at EMW xx

 

[charliesarmy]

Wow what a difference well done...I was only thinking about her the other day!! has her old owner been in contact with her?

 

[JanetGeorge]

Wow that is one hell of an improvement in 2 months! Can I ask what you have been feeding her?

As much good haylage as she would eat - and 4 small feeds a day of Graze-on and Bailey's Number 4 - with a dash of Soya Oil. I had to be very careful at first - even haylage made her scour - but now her system has adapted to food she should start to really pile the weight on.

 

[Brigadoon]

Oh Janet...What a happy ending. You have worked wonders with her. What a lucky girl to have found you. Christmas came early for RT xxxx

 

[Chestnuttymare]

She is looking great Janet, bet she is a much happier wee girly now. So glad she landed with you. x

 

[Brownmare]

As much good haylage as she would eat - and 4 small feeds a day of Graze-on and Bailey's Number 4 - with a dash of Soya Oil. I had to be very careful at first - even haylage made her scour - but now her system has adapted to food she should start to really pile the weight on.

Thanks I have a project tb who needs to gain some weight so I will try this. Calm and condition isn't doing much for him so far

 

[sheep]

Congratulations on doing a wonderful job with this little mare. So glad to read this update

 

[Cazzah]

The difference in only two months is amazing! Well done I do love a happy ending

 

[millhouse]

Lovely to have the update. Well done JG.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Thanks I have a project tb who needs to gain some weight so I will try this. Calm and condition isn't doing much for him so far

You have to be patient. You also have to check your eyes aren't deceiving you! I was very disappointed by how little weight Ruby had put on (distrusting the weigh tape!) It wasn't until I pulled out the pic of how she WAS that I realised she was actually doing rather well - although there's still a long way to go!

 

[Snipe]

Wow, she's looking so much better. Massive well done to you for all your hard work .

Couldn't help but notice you said you're keratexing her hooves, just thought I'd mention that keratex has formaldehyde in, and isn't the best thing to put on hooves, as there's evidence to suggest it can leech through the hoof capsule and damage the pedal bone.

 

[LauraWheeler]

She's looking so much better Well done to you all for all the hard work
She's one lucky lady Thankyou for the update

 

[Brownmare]

You have to be patient. You also have to check your eyes aren't deceiving you! I was very disappointed by how little weight Ruby had put on (distrusting the weigh tape!) It wasn't until I pulled out the pic of how she WAS that I realised she was actually doing rather well - although there's still a long way to go!

Very true. There is definitely a bit more curve on his bum that wasn't there before and his pot belly is shrinking but on the other hand the weigh tape is showing no gain

Sorry to hijack your thread, I think you are doing a wonderful thing for Ruby x