RECENT RESCUE - QUARTER HORSE COLT "MAC"

Strawberry Mountain Mustangs, Inc.

Contact us by email: troy-darla@softhome.net

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About Sheldon Mustangs

Strawberry Mountain Mustangs Welcomes "Mac"

A Very Special Rescue

Updates added ~~ Please scroll down

~~ SKIN GRAFTING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21ST ~~

Friday the 13th is notorious. People tend to tip-toe around as if they are avoiding black cats and crossing under ladders. Friday, April the 13th will always have a very special place in our hearts however.

Late in the day I received a call from our local zoo, Wildlife Safari. They are often called by horse owners to euthanize and haul away animals to be used for food for the big cats at the park. The call they received this day, however, just didn’t “feel right”, so they did something wonderful - and for which I will always be grateful. They called me.

The horse they were called to pick up was a young Quarter Horse colt, less than a year old, not even weighing 500 lbs. The story was that he had tried to jump a fence and had cut is leg. According to his owner, his nasty, aggressive disposition made him “not worth saving”.

Although the story varied with each telling, what we were able to piece together was this: some time the previous day (Thursday) the husband had decided it was time to halter break that rogue colt. After running him relentlessly for THREE HOURS and not being able to wear him down, out came the lariat. At this point, the little boy was doomed. We often hear of these young horses being roped and yanked off their feet, usually when patience wears thin and the macho side of things really comes into play. The owners claim that after he was roped, he tried to jump out of the makeshift round pen and injured himself. In my opinion, this very stiff, very severe lariat became wrapped around his leg and they refused to let go. The outcome was horrific.

I was able to talk the owner into giving me this “dangerous aggressive colt that wasn’t worth saving” and with the help of 3R’s Ranch and fellow rescuer Julie - we headed right out there. This young boy was in shock, standing with his head down, the lariat still choking him and tangled about his feet. He was only too willing to walk away from his previous owner and climb into a stranger’s horse trailer. Once inside, I approached him slowly, talking quietly. His first reaction was to pin his ears as if defending his space. Once my hand was on his neck, he seemed to sigh and settle instantly. I was able to remove the rope from his neck (which at this point had been on for probably two full days) and threw it out of the trailer. The feeling of that bloody, stiff rope is not something I will ever forget.

This little man’s injury starts right below the flank and runs horizontally almost completely around his leg. The top of the wound is a clean cut, most likely where the rope sliced through. From there, the leg was degloved, the skin rolled down like a tube sock to his hock. Because of the length of time that had elapsed, only part of the skin could be pulled back up and saved. The rest of the gaping wound (if laid flat - exposed muscle and tissue would measure about 1ft tall by 3 ft long - running almost the entire circumference of the upper leg) must be left open and exposed, although bandaged, and will eventually regrow new skin. No tendons were injured and there was very little muscle damage. Remember, “he’s not worth saving” was what we heard over and over.

That Friday the 13th was the beginning of a new life for little Mac. (Mac is short for MacGyver - due in part to all of the duct tape and other creative bandaging ideas we’ve had to use!) The vets worked on Mac for several hours that night and we brought him home the next day. The bandage that finally held? Incontinence pads (the only thing big enough), duct tape, vet wrap, elastikon and SUSPENDERS!!!

Mac’s story has touched many lives, not just mine. I received a message that a young girl opened her email to see Mac’s pictures and his horrific injury. It haunted her so much that she spent days working on a letter to us (and Mac I’m sure) to tell us how she felt about this little boy and his rescue. After writing and re-writing, we hear it is finally ready to mail. I look forward to sitting with Mac and reading it.

The most difficult part of this amazing rescue? Believe it or not, it wasn’t seeing him in this horrible shape, it wasn’t seeing the vet bill, it wasn’t trying to “play nice” with the owner to get him out. I have learned to put emotion aside at times like those and get done, what needs to be done. The gut wrenching emotion comes later. At times when Mac stands quietly without sedation while I fumble and fuss with his bandages. The tears come when he jumps because I let a rope touch his haunches - and he looks at me as if to say “WHY would YOU put a rope there?” The anger comes when he sighs and leans in to me for a scratch or some love. For, after all, this is a colt “who wasn’t worth saving”.

Obviously Mac’s vet bill was astronomical, and the after care will be much more. This wound will take many many months to heal, but WE value Mac’s life, and WE will do whatever it takes. Bandaging materials and ointments will be a huge expense for many weeks to come. Add to that, bute, antibiotics, supplements. I hope Mac’s story strikes a chord in you. If you are able to help Mac or the other rescues at Strawberry Mountain, please send your tax deductible donation today.

Strawberry Mountain Mustangs Inc

An Oregon Non Profit 501(c)(3) Organization

Donate via paypal

or by mailing to

PO BOX 2133

ROSEBURG, OR 97470

UPDATE May 13th, 2007

These photos of Mac’s injury were taken two weeks in. One week after his rescue, the sutures holding the extra skin tore loose, allowing the skin to sag. The skin was very much “alive” at this point, and with extra bandaging, we were hoping to hold it in place and salvage it. Unfortunately, pressure sores and ulcers would soon develop.

This set of photos documents week three, after the excess skin had to be removed. The granulation is even, filling in the only muscle damage that had been done. A new “tear” in the granulation developed at the back of the leg, and one of the pressure sores can be seen clearly in the second picture.

These photos, also taken week three, show Mac has a beautiful little head and cute shape. He is developing ulcers and we are struggling to keep weight on him.

Week four photos - one full month from date of rescue. More tearing and swelling show in these pictures after a particularly rough day.

Mac’s next visit to the vet will be for skin grafting on May 21st. We are currently trying to raise funds to cover this procedure, along with Mac’s current, unpaid bill and future costs. Any donation helps. DONATIONS ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Mac’s story is spreading far and wide. It has been a joy to chat with some of you and read the wonderful emails and messages you’ve sent. Thank you all for your encouragement.

Mac has been a subject of interest as far away as Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey! A big thanks to Dr. Fugaro and his class for taking the time to study the photo documentation of Mac’s wounds. Dr. Fugaro also had this to say:

"I read a little of the commentary of the email. She is very right in saying that this costs a fair bit of money. When I look at these lacerations, I tell people that they will spend between $3-5,000 in aftercare and bandaging over a years period of time. It's not cheap. But rest assured that it will heal well and look very good in another year or two..."

So, we keep plugging along! Mac is a trooper, no doubt about that. I don’t think just any yearling would allow us to kneel under his belly, wrap our arms around his hind leg or “truss him up like a Christmas Goose” with all our bandaging, duct tape and suspenders! He truly is a “very special rescue”.

Mac would like to thank:

Bailey Vet Clinic’s staff & doctors ~ Roseburg, Or.

3R’s Ranch ~ Oakland, Or.

Lifesaver’s Wild Horse Rescue ~ Lancaster, Ca.

Whispering Winds Equine Rescue ~ Sandy, Or.

DC Farmer’s Co-Op ~ Roseburg, Or.

Rick’s Medical Supply ~ Roseburg, Or.

Tired Dog Ranch ~ Westfir, Or.

Winchester Tack ~ Springfield, Or.

Pony Oaties ~ Aloha, Or.

Karen Volk Realty ~ Roseburg, Or.

Watermark Farm (and especially Demi) ~ Fulton, Ca.