Ferrell Hollow Farm

FHF Senior Horse Sanctuary-Mary

Mary is a 26 y/o Standardbred mare who came to Ferrell Hollow Farm almost 3 years ago, with pal Francis. She is a very large gal, built much more like a Warmblood/Draft cross! She has an illegible lip tatoo, so I have not been able to trace her in the STB registry.  She most likely had an early career on the trotter track, then transitioned to a life as a carriage horse.  Mary worked the streets of NYC, but it is unknown for how many years.  She was retired to Pets Alive before she turned 20.

Mary does have some arthritis which has become more prevalent over the past two years, however the most noteable condition that I have had to treat her for his hoof canker.  It has been a long battle of using many topical products touted for "curing" canker, and boosting her immune system with no success.  My feeling is that hoof canker can not be cured, at best it can be reduced or kept under control.  Mary's is deep seated and all 4 feet have been affected.  In fact, last Fall when she became very lame, having had no success with any treatments, I felt an end of life decision was going to be needed to be made.  Then I was told about a little known canker formulation created by an equine sanctuary in NY, and arrangements were made to get it to me.  I was leery at best.  However to our utter amazement, the canker began to dry up on 3 of the 4 feet!  The drought spring & summer conditions were very helpful, as canker thrives in a moist environment.  With the help of our trimmer, once a month we can trim away more tissue to expose yet another deeper layer of the canker so it can be treated.  As of now, we are just battling canker in her right front foot.

Currently Mary is sound and happy, which is our goal for her--she is the picture of health otherwise!  She maintains on a sparse grass area, eats lots of hay, demands daily grooming sessions and tail scratching and requires a daily joint supplement. Of course the canker treatment will always need to be on the supply shelf!

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is a registered non profit corporation, filing for 501c3 tax exemption status.  We advocate for senior, special needs horses everywhere!  Your donations will help support the wonderful souls we are currently caring for :) www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

FHF Senior Sanctuary Horse-Francis

Francis is a 29 y/o black Percheron who spent most of his working life as a NYC carriage horse.  He's the smallest of our Percherons at 15.3 hands, and weighs 1,500 lbs.  When his carriage career ended, he was placed at Pets Alive, a no kill shelter in NY.  That is where I found him almost 3 years ago!

Francis is a very special needs horse.  He has an old deep digital flexor tendon injury in his right hind leg that has very thick scar tissue.  Therefore it is difficult for him to stretch that tendon and place that foot flat on the ground, so often he uses his tip toe.  This also makes it difficult to trim his opposite hind leg.  However his trimmer and I are able to work around his physical challenges and have improved his feet over the years.

Most recently, he has developed an issue with his right hip, and some days are a challenge for him to get around, while others are not.

Francis also has some vision impairments.  He has cataracts in both eyes, which have gotten worse over time.  He can still see, and is very familiar with his environment, but things such as carrying a bucket towards him, or a hose or cord can cause him to shy.

He also has some dental challenges, at times over producing salvia in his meals, making them a sloppy mess, and will quid hay occasionally.  He loves to have hay pellets placed in his treat toy/tub every day!

Francis's diet is tailored to his specific needs and consists of a small amount of senior feed with a comprehensive joint supplement, flax based vitamins & minerals, probiotics, spirulina and at times prescription anti-inflammatory medication.

Francis is a happy horse, full of personality and life, and super sweet!

If you would like to contribute to the upkeep of Francis, we would appreciate a donation below. Our special needs sanctuary horses cost about $500/month each to care for.

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is a registered Non Profit Corporation, filing for 501c3 status, which allows for tax exempt donations.  Our mission is to advocate and care for special needs senior horses over the age of 20 in need of a sanctuary setting, that are not afforded adequate care and would be considered at risk of neglect or abuse, if left in their current situation.

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

Ways to help FHF Senior Horse Sanctuary

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is now a registered Non Profit Corporation with the State of Tennessee!  We are currently filing for 501c3 tax exemption status.  Our mission is to dedicate permanent sanctuary care to senior horses with special needs that do not have resources available to them otherwise.  We are the voice for the underdog.  The special ones with health issues, mobility issues, chronic issues, and no longer sound or serviceable.  To us they have value, and are worthy of putting time, effort, caring and love into.  To give back to them what they have most likely always given to someone else.  We will be here for them until the end.

How can you help us help these sweet souls?

If you shop on-line, choose us as your cause:  

  http://www.iGive.com/FerrellHollowFarmSeniorHorseSanctuary

If you purchase Triple Crown feeds or forages:

    Cut out the Proof of Purchase (POP's) from all feed bags and send them to us so we can redeem them  and save on future feed purchases!

Purchase any of our hand made, all natural horse and body care products:

  http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html

We will be sharing other ways you can help soon!  Of course let us know if you think of ways as well!

Visit our website for more information about us at: www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

 

 

Special Needs Horses

The definition of a "special needs horse" may mean different things to different people.  I have made it my life's work to help the ones I consider special needs & senior horses.  They are no longer sound for work, and have a number of issues or disorders that require careful monitoring and individualized care.  Just during my 4 hour morning feeding routine this morning this is what I observed in some our residents:

Willie-age 32, has some unusual swelling in his fetlocks

Maggie-age 31, has a wavy mouth and having more issues with getting down her soaked meals

Big Mack-age 27, has hives on one side of his body

Buddy-age 11, pastern dermatitis sores are open and bloody on all four feet

Siegfried-age 23, has a bounding pulse in the left front foot and is very foot sore

Mary-age 26, is lame in her cankerous foot

Francis-age 29, is lame and sore in his entire right hind leg and foot.

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is dedicated to providing individualized care to horses like these that need it.  We are a registered Non Profit Corporation with the State of Tennessee as of 7/20/12.  Visit our website for more information!  If you would like to make a donation, you may mark it as a gift thru paypal at [email protected]

Siegfried having his left front foot soaked this morning!

Ferrell Hollow Farm is going Non-Profit!

After much thought, research and consideration, we have decided it is our best interest to pursue a Non-Profit charitable status for Ferrell Hollow Farm!  We are very excited about this new direction for our senior horses.  We will still offer retirement boarding for special needs seniors who have an owner willing to support them, as well as offer permanent sanctuary for senior horses who do not have a special person to provide for their care. 

We have filed our Charter with the State of TN, and the rigorous process of completing mountains of paperwork has begun!  As part of this, we fully intend to become a 501c3 charitable organization where we can offer a tax benefit to all who support us in our cause by donating goods, services or money!  Keep us in your thoughts, and both I and the senior horses thank you!

Cindy Daigre

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

Goodbye to Striker

I am very sad to say that today we had to say good-bye to Striker ;( 

He came to Ferrell Hollow Farm last fall, after a significant stifle injury that left him unsound, but he was able to enjoy his time here, even with his leg issues. This week he sustained another injury to that stifle, from possibly slipping or getting up, and was not able to recover.

Striker was an adorable black and white spotted saddle horse who brought a smile to every one he met.  Always curious about everything, he loved to follow me around, sniff my pockets, and nudge me for one more face scratch. 

I will miss your sweet face!

Ferrell Hollow Farm is a unique retirement facility for special needs senior horses. 

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

 

 

 

FHF Welcomes Big Mack!

Ferrell Hollow Farm welcomed Big Mack, a 17.3 hand grey Percheron gelding, today as a new companion for Buddy!  Big Mack is estimated to be in his mid 20's and was rescued by his current owner from an abusive & neglectful situation a couple of years ago.  He has severe arthritis and he too, needed a companion.  So he has come to live at Ferrell Hollow Farm!  We look forward to getting to know Big Mack, but we already know that he is a big sweetie :)  and that Buddy likes him!

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses.

She is continually inspired by the beauty of the gardens she lovingly cares for and regularly creates unique herbal blends based with the plants surrounding her home. As with all of our products, only cruelty-free ingredients are used.

In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine.

Sales of all of FHF products go towards helping the senior horses we care for!

http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html

Happy Anniversary Siegfried!

One year ago today a blessing in the form of a huge white horse was bestowed upon me :)  Siegfried the jousting horse, came to retire at Ferrell Hollow Farm!  I had taken one look at a photo of him (in his winter woolies and up for adoption) and knew that we were destined to be together. I can't say enough good things about this magnificent horse.  He and I have developed a deep connection and bond from the beginning.  This past year has seen it's challenges with my ACL reconstructive knee surgery and his mysterious health problems.  But today we are both better, stronger and doing well :)  He is one of my master teachers and there will be more lessons to come I am sure of it.  Here's to many, many more days of being together big boy!

Siegfried, age 22 in 2011 comes to retire at FHF.

That breathtaking look!

Almost a year later at age 23.

Siegfried June 25, 2012

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses.

She is continually inspired by the beauty of the gardens she lovingly cares for and regularly creates unique herbal blends based with the plants surrounding her home. As with all of our products, only cruelty-free ingredients are used.

In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine.

The proceeds of the sales of all of our products go towards helping the senior horses in our care!

http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html

Goodbye to Slim

Today we said goodbye to Slim ;(  His body was too damaged to fight off the EPM, and he was in heart failure.  Slim was a grand old horse, who deserved a loving retirement, and at least I was able to give that to him for the time he was with us.  My life is richer for having known you Slim---Buddy and I will miss you!!

Cindy Daigre is the owner of Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Retirement Facility in Middle TN, catering to the special needs senior horse! www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

Update on Slim

On June 4^th, Slim began displaying neurological symptoms and the very next day the vet was out to evaluate him and pull blood for testing. A week later, the test results are in and Slim does have EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis).  The testing protocol is the IFAT which detects antibodies to the protozoa Sarcosystic Neurona that invade the central nervous system.  Dr. Wright said Slims test read the highest he’s ever seen and that he was a very sick boy.  On the Mayhew neurologic scale, Slim is graded at a 4, with 5 being the worst.  The drug of choice, Marquis, which is a paste administered once a day for 28 days, expects to improve them 1, possibly 2 grades on that scale.  So we do know that Slim will never return to normal.  The protozoa that are attacking his central nervous system are doing too much damage.  To date, he has been treated with 10 days of Marquis, but no improvement so far.  My decision is to continue treatment for the entire 28 days, and if he does not respond, then we will stop treatment. 

Caring for a horse with this disease is very costly, labor intensive and emotionally draining.  However when I take on a senior horse as my own, I promise to love and care for them to the best of my ability, and Slim deserves a fair chance to see if he can beat the odds.  Please continue to send positive energy and well wishes our way, as the next few weeks will be quite challenging for us.

Cindy Daigre is the founder of Ferrell Hollow Farm Equine Retirement Facility, specializing in individualized care for the senior, special needs horse.

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net