STORIES AND NEWS

Stacy is a 13 year old bay mare who came to Eagle Hill Farm in the winter of 2004. Prior to being rescued from her farm in Canada, Stacy had not had the most humane life. Statistics would dictate that she had had eight or nine foals. Five months of each 11 month pregnancy were spent in a tiny stall, strapped to a catheter catching her urine to produce a Hormone Replacement medication for post menopausal women. She shared her fate with more that 60,000 other horses. Pregnancy is required to produce this urine and, thus, the byproduct, a tiny foal with a life of its own, often was taken from its mother to be served as a culinary delicacy in the finest restaurants in Europe and Asia. Stacy and her stable mates would be bred back immediately -- only to begin the cycle again and again and again.

Stacy was to foal within three months of arriving at Eagle Hill Farm. How fortunate that she had some time to begin gaining the 350 pounds that would put her up to a normal weight. She fit right into our herd of other PMU mares, and enjoyed grazing in her 10 acre field. It took her some time to enter the run-in shed. It probably looked too much like the structure where she had spent so much time on line, often without an adequate amount of water so that her urine would be more concentrated.

Three weeks before birthing, we walked her down to a field close to our barn, where we had arranged a birthing stall for her and her soon-to-be baby. It took an act of courage for her to enter the barn but once inside she saw the size of her new living area, smelled the fresh hay, the pine wood shavings on her stall floor and, of course, discovered a nice bucket of grain.

As I worked around the barn, Stacy would follow me everywhere, so pleased with a pat on the neck, a scratch behind her ear, and a kind word directly only towards her. She was beginning to see that life could be pretty good.

One morning it appeared that she was about ready to deliver her foal. Two hours later she had not progressed. Our vet came immediately and after an examination was concerned that she might be aborting, since there was very little movement of the baby. The next morning Stacy was worse, not able to even move her bowels. Our vet referred us to Blue Ridge Equine Clinic a specialty hospital in Charlottesville about 60 miles from our farm.

An ultrasound showed a very active baby, but an internal exam indicated that Stacy had a twisted uterus, a very rare condition and one that is seldom detected by anyone but a physician specializing in state-of-the-art medicine. Immediate surgery was needed just to save her life, for the uterus was blocking her ability to defecate. The cost of this surgery was impossible for our rescue to spend, when those same funds could be used to save oh so many other horses whose lives were in jeopardy.

It was a very long and lonesome drive home. I knew we had made the right decision. But I also knew that Stacy has gone through so much in her life, and was just beginning to trust and enjoy her new freedom. How sad to come so far only to miss out at the last moment.

My husband, Steve, had just arrived home at seven as the phone rang. It was Dr. David calling to tell us that “Stacy is doing well after surgery.” I could hardly believe what I was hearing. He explained how infrequently this problem is discovered and that it was possible that the three young interns at his hospital might never again see such a rare case. So with the aid of the most experienced veterinarian these young doctors were able to save Stacy and the foal.

Two days later, with hundreds of stitches in both sides, Stacy was back to her new permanent home, her sweet smelling stall and, yes, her bucket of grain.

And so, to make this a “Happily ever After” story, Blue Ridge Another Chance was born, a healthy, active, and handsome colt, to spend his youth walking beside his proud mother.

Stacy seems to sense that Chance will be with her until he is ready to move to the next field with the other weanlings. She is very proud of her son, and is willing to share his love with those who stop by to see her. I hope Stacy relishes all these moments and that her memories of motherhood will be based on this one. For Chance will be her last baby. To see Chance now, see our Adopted section.

Steve and I would like to thank all those people who devote their lives for the betterment of all animals. The kindnesses we have witnessed working with these rescue horses is overwhelming – and thus – all’s right in the world.