It is with a very heavy heart that we must report the devastating news that Sapphire passed away this past week. We are all heartbroken. A few years ago, Sapphire was bitten by a black widow spider, and even though we had the vet out immediately, she developed cellulitis (a bacterial infection under the skin), and her leg swelled up overnight so badly that last January we were concerned we would have to put her down. The vet, however, gave her some steroids and antibiotics, and soon she … [Read more...]
Update: Sapphire (August, 2020)
Sapphire is a 30+ year young Thoroughbred that Hanaeleh rescued over a decade ago. Her previous owner had hit her with a car while driving through the pasture (he said he thought she would move), and it took us over a year to rehabilitate her from that injury. She had chiropractors and massage therapists working on her every week as she had a rib out of place and a lot of muscle damage. Thankfully, we were able to successfully rehabilitate her from that injury. Last November, however, … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Sapphire
Last month, our lovely Sapphire developed some swelling along her leg. There didn't appear to be any cut or heat, so we wrapped it, thinking maybe that she had cast herself. The following day, however, the leg was *MORE* swollen, so we knew that there was something else going on, including cellulitis (a bacterial infection that is under the skin). We had the vet out, who confirmed the diagnosis of cellulitis, and wrapped the entire leg and started Sapphire on antibiotics and steroids. She could … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Sapphire
Our lovely Sapphire developed cellulitis a few weeks ago in her left hind leg. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that occurs underneath the skin, often from a small wound. Unfortunately, Sapphire is just not as able to fight off infection due to her age, and while we do inspect the horses daily, sometimes a very small cut can end up becoming a larger issue with horses like Sapphire who have compromised immune systems. We had the vet out, who put on a "sweat wrap" on the leg and gave us some … [Read more...]
Update: Sapphire is Back!
Sapphire is back at Hanaeleh. Yes, you read that correctly. Last week we drove down to San Diego and picked up Sapphire. Tamahome had to go along for the ride, as Sapphire refuses to load into an empty trailer (she'll get into any trailer as long as another horse is in there, however). She spent the trailer ride back home making nicker-noises to Tamahome the entire way. Sapphire was adopted out last June to a very loving family down in San Diego. Unfortunately, Sapphire just was not the … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Sapphire’s New Home
Today we took Sapphire to her forever home in Encinitas, CA. It was both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time; we are so very happy for Sapphire and her new family, and we have wanted her to have a special family to love her through the end of her years. At the same time, Sapphire is a very special horse, and we all grew to love her very much, and will miss her presence at Hanaeleh. We started out this morning taking Sapphire to the arena to say our own personal goodbyes (it doesn't … [Read more...]