Save Orphan Filly with Big Heart (Echo)
Donation protected
Whisper came up as a post on FB, pregnant and headed to slaughter in Mexico. She was well-built with a great eye. I couldn't let it go. I bought her sight unseen knowing nothing about her. A friend was coming back from Montana and picked her up in Colorado for me. She arrived two weeks later, unbroken and completely feral. For six weeks we waited for the baby. The filly was born on April 10, 2020 - Good Friday. We named her Echo. I watched Echo and thought something wasn't right. She was dry but unable to get up. Her legs were severely contracted. I realized that she wasn't getting her colostrum and that we were in trouble. I called the vet who was an hour away and told them I had a newborn that wasn't nursing going on 12 hours. We managed to separate the mare from the foal with a round pen panel so we would be safe to handle the foal. Echo got IV plasma, vitamin E and selenium and the vet tubed her full of mare's milk replacement.
Over the next three days it became clear that Echo could not nurse and Whisper rejected her. We separated them on day three. Shortly thereafter we learned Echo's IGG was under 400 and her chances of survival were less than 50 percent. I bottle fed the filly every 2 hours around the clock in a stall of her own in the barn. First on my agenda was to get her up on her feet whatever that took. We used braces, wraps, slings, and often three people to help her stand and walk a few steps. Meanwhile she was running a constant fever and experiencing digestive issues. We treated for ulcers, infection and stress.
Within the last 10 days through the help of antibiotics, probiotics, and antacid we have her digestion under some control. We radiographed all of her limbs from every angle to learn what her actual problems were. We discovered severe contracted tendons, severe angular deformity, and severely windswept hind legs. We added physical therapy twice a day every day including joint manipulation and hand-walking. There's a laundry list of veterinarians, farriers, colleagues, friends, and even a human PT who have assisted with Echo's ongoing recovery. All of this cost thousands of dollars.
The money from this campaign will go toward recouping some of Echo's significant medical expenses, continuing her physical therapy which includes special silicone shoes, and just to feeding her and keeping her healthy and alive. I have been a professional my whole life and this filly taught me why I'm in the horse industry. The bond that I have with Echo is why she is still alive. She speaks to me about grit, courage, heart, and the will to live. I am so appreciative to those who with an open heart have given to the Echo Fund. I am humbled by gratitude. I am now reaching out formally to any of you who are able to help. There is no judgement on amount as every dollar helps protect Echo's future. Please also know Whisper is safe and thriving with my friend Roberta who is teaching her how to be a domestic horse.
An update on Whisper (05-25-2020): Visited Whisper today and I'm thrilled with her progress. She is still very cautious but clearly attached to Roberta. I am very deeply happy about this.
Whisper (Echo's Mom):
Over the next three days it became clear that Echo could not nurse and Whisper rejected her. We separated them on day three. Shortly thereafter we learned Echo's IGG was under 400 and her chances of survival were less than 50 percent. I bottle fed the filly every 2 hours around the clock in a stall of her own in the barn. First on my agenda was to get her up on her feet whatever that took. We used braces, wraps, slings, and often three people to help her stand and walk a few steps. Meanwhile she was running a constant fever and experiencing digestive issues. We treated for ulcers, infection and stress.
Within the last 10 days through the help of antibiotics, probiotics, and antacid we have her digestion under some control. We radiographed all of her limbs from every angle to learn what her actual problems were. We discovered severe contracted tendons, severe angular deformity, and severely windswept hind legs. We added physical therapy twice a day every day including joint manipulation and hand-walking. There's a laundry list of veterinarians, farriers, colleagues, friends, and even a human PT who have assisted with Echo's ongoing recovery. All of this cost thousands of dollars.
The money from this campaign will go toward recouping some of Echo's significant medical expenses, continuing her physical therapy which includes special silicone shoes, and just to feeding her and keeping her healthy and alive. I have been a professional my whole life and this filly taught me why I'm in the horse industry. The bond that I have with Echo is why she is still alive. She speaks to me about grit, courage, heart, and the will to live. I am so appreciative to those who with an open heart have given to the Echo Fund. I am humbled by gratitude. I am now reaching out formally to any of you who are able to help. There is no judgement on amount as every dollar helps protect Echo's future. Please also know Whisper is safe and thriving with my friend Roberta who is teaching her how to be a domestic horse.
An update on Whisper (05-25-2020): Visited Whisper today and I'm thrilled with her progress. She is still very cautious but clearly attached to Roberta. I am very deeply happy about this.
Whisper (Echo's Mom):Fundraising team: Team Echo (2)
Evelyn Voorhees
Organizer
Worthington, MA
Ulrike Pohlig
Team member