Sabine's Journal.

Sabine really dislikes the warm weather, and it has caused her some setback with her feet.  She has been spending too much time laying down lately, so we have been doing what we can to encourage her to get up and walk around so that she can recover.  One of the things that seems to help is soaking her feet in ice water- she really loves that!  Our farrier will be here this week, and he is always able to make her more comfortable.  This morning, Sabine laid her head on the lap of a volunteer and sighed happily as her feet soaked and another volunteer massaged her back.

Sabine, an 11-year-old horse with a medical condition known as “chronic founder”, was severely neglected before she came to us.  

Once barely able to sit up, she is now able to stand and even walk. This is due to veterinary care, daily nursing, and farrier care to properly trim her feet and provide her with customized shoes. Our veterinarian believes it may be as long as several years before she can walk comfortably.  

Sabine is a gentle, kind horse, despite being in severe pain at times. When we introduce new people to Sabine, she lightly sniffs and nudges them. When they return for another visit (which they almost always do because she captivates them so), she whinnies a greeting and gratefully accepts grooming, returning the affection 10-fold. Recently, Sabine warmed the heart of a volunteer who has been visiting her by resting her head on his shoulder, quietly embracing him in her own way.