This old boy continues to blossom as evidenced by his picture.  A complete change in his physical health from when you helped rescue him and he was so close to dying.   It really took GUS a long, long time physically to mend.  He now plays with Donkey at times and remains the sweet boy he has always been.  I think he is much happier now that he has BEAU and Donkey for friends.

GUS was literally knocking on death's door according to the vet who first saw him after he was pulled from the killpen thanks to our supporters!  Vet stated that he probably would not have lasted 3 more days!  After months of diligent care by Jennie Sloan of RJF Equine Inc. in Oklahoma and then further rehab by Kathy Lake of Starburst Ranch, this old timer is shining brightly!

Because people actually cared, retirement at Starburst Ranch has changed his world!  He would have just been a picture on the internet and soon forgotten if not for TIER Supporters.  THANK YOU!!

Picture below was taken 2 WEEKS after he was rescued!

GUS is doing so well!  Previously, when out in the pasture with BEAU, he seemed to be a bit intimidated by BEAU's attempts to get him to play.  Now, he gives as much as he gets!! HA!

It has been pretty cold in his part of Texas for awhile now.  GUS has become healthy enough to grow a decent winter woolie coat and developed some muscle!  A far cry from when the vet told us he figured he would have died in the next 3 days if we hadn't been able to rescue him!   

At the end of April 2022, TIER supporters assisted us in helping a seriously starved and neglected senior horse get out of an Oklahoma killpen.  We named him GUS.  Shortly after his arrival at RJF Equine, Inc. for quarantine, Jennie Sloan transported him to the vet.  He had dental done (a badly infected tooth was removed) and the vet indicated that he thought if he had been left at the lot 3 more days, he would have died.

We think that starvation had been going on for a long time.  GUS’ recovery has taken quite awhile. 

From Kentucky Equine Research:  “Moderately starved and thin horses usually regain body weight within 60-90 days. However, severely starved horses may take 6-10 months.”

Even with ProBiotics, nutritious Senior Feed, Alfalfa Pellets, etc. being fed daily (several daily small feedings in the beginning); Alfalfa Hay in front of him 24/7 and regular turnout, GUS’ recovery was extremely slow. By September 2022 (5 months into his recovery) when he arrived at Kathy L.’s Starburst Ranch in Texas (where he ultimately has retired), his system had finally reawakened although he was still thin.  Jennie had provided his jumpstart to recovery.

Kathy continued with the feeding program that Jennie had started and added Rice Bran pellets to his feed.  3 months later he finally began to blossom. 

7.5 months of the right kind of care by the right kind of people, support from donors for the right reasons, and GUS is on his way to being whole again.  He recently met up with BEAU, Donkey and Kathy’s horse out in the pasture.   Introductions to his new herd were uneventful…thank goodness!!!

GUS is developing some much needed muscle tone.  Kathy even told him that he is developing an “apple butt”!

Our supporters rallied for this old soldier and you cannot deny the results. Hay & Feed prices continue to be higher than ever, so the cost of GUS’s Retirement Board has gone up a bit.   If you can spare a few dollars every month to help sponsor GUS or make a one time donation, just click on the PayPal link below.  Any amount is very much appreciated.  It’s been a really tough year for everyone!!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=9WB75BTL2G284

GUS is finally starting to put a bit of weight on!  Whoo Hoo!  Due to his age and the long time neglect/starvation, his weight gain has been really, really slow.  Obviously, he gained weight at the beginning of his recovery, but he seemed to have come to a standstill on further gain.  Situations like this are a cause for concern as starvation can damage the organs to the point that they cannot recover properly.  

At long last, there is noticeable improvement along his topside and ribcage.  We are hoping that this continues.  At some point in the future, if he continues to improve, he will be able to go out to pasture with BEAU and friends.  Probably not any time soon though as we want to make sure his system is truly on the mend.

BIG thanks to his waitresses Jennie & Kathy for kickstarting him down the road to recovery.  They have spent countless hours mixing & soaking feeds to help him on his way.  HUGE THANKS to our supporters that make it possible for this old soldier to have a chance of being whole again.

The hits just keep on coming!  Our transporter arrived in OK on 8/20/2022 to pick up CALVIN & GUS.  That very morning before Marlene arrived, CALVIN was down in his stall and resisted Jennie’s efforts to get him up.  He was drooling a bit.  A call was put in to the only vet who does farm calls, but she was in another county and wouldn’t be able to make it out.  Marlene was about 15 minutes out when this occurred and said she would try to help Jennie get him up, and if needed, transport him to another vet.  By the time Marlene got there, CALVIN was up and acting like nothing was wrong.

Jennie & Marlene observed him for some time and he seemed okay.  Marlene, Jennie and I made the decision to NOT transport the boys that day.  If CALVIN went down in the trailer in the middle of nowhere, it would most likely not end well.  Transport is now put off for another month.  BIG thank you to Marlene for hanging out for awhile to be on hand if needed for CALVIN!

I looked long and hard at the costs involved in keeping the boys in OK for another month.  As you know, we are financially struggling more than we have in YEARS.  We thank those of you who have been so generous with your contributions to help TIER in these difficult times.  You have helped immensely, but the bills keep coming and prices are still at an all time high for feed, vet, fuel, medications, etc.  Thankfully, CALVIN seems to be ok.

We made the decision to send CALVIN & GUS to Texas to stay with Kathy for the next month.  In the long run, this will save us about 250. Boarding costs are less in Tx AND transport from Tx to CA is a bit cheaper than from OK to CA.  Transport from OK to TX is 685 for both of the boys.  Steve from Steve's Horse Transportation LLC gave us a good price because he was the same one who had hauled Shadow to TX for us.  Thank you Steve!!

The boys arrived safely at Kathy’s on 9/2/2022 in the middle of a much needed downpour!  They have settled in well with the exception of CALVIN having soft stools.  Kathy will be giving him some Bio Sponge over the next few days as we are thinking he might have ulcers.  It is not diarrhea, just very soft manure.  GUS still needs to gain some weight/conditioning.  Hoping that his recovery continues to improve. 

 Truthfully, I’m glad that CALVIN’s little episode caused us to reschedule transport.  The heat has been brutal and I’m not sure either of them would have done well on the trip to TIER.  Especially GUS!

We had hoped to be able to send GUS to Kathy's for Retirement Board with BEAU.  GUS has been through a long time neglect and starvation and is quite the old soldier.  I'm VERY concerned about his ability to make the trip to California, as a trip that long is hard on the old ones.  Especially in this heat.  Please consider helping us to retire GUS with BEAU at Kathy's. He will have excellent care, friends and pasture to roam.  We have no pasture here.  I have been personally covering the bulk of BEAU's retirement board, but am on a fixed income and just don't have it to cover GUS too.  

Please consider setting up a monthly contribution to help retire GUS.  It would really help!

We are pretty desperate.  Haven't been in this position for years!  Hay/Feed prices have impacted us terribly.  Electric bill is almost 500!!!  Wow! The plumbing issue will be addressed when funds allow.  We will make do for now.

ANY help would be so very much appreciated.  I am very scared.  We are, of course, putting a HARD PAUSE on bringing in any more horses at this time.  Breaks my heart because there are so many more in need due to hay prices being insanely high.

Donate via PayPal: whoanellie@earthlink.net

OR

Donate via Zelle:  whoanellie@earthlink.net

(If using Zelle, please email us and let us know so we can send you an acknowledgement letter for your records)

OR

check (17130 Van Buren Blvd 45, Riverside, CA 9204).  

Thank you!

GUS had an appointment with the vet to be examined for his Health Certificate so that he can travel to Texas to retire at Starburst Ranch.

As usual, he was the perfect gentleman.

His first visit to the vet right after he got out of the killpen, poor GUS only weighd 700 lbs.  He's well on his way to getting healthier & happier.  At that time, he had not been able to eat due to a HUGE abcess in his mouth from a bad tooth, so he was seriously emaciated.  Thanks to our supporters, we were able to have the tooth removed, he was treated for bad rainrot and received antibiotics.  This wasn't something that had been going on for a few weeks.  It had been neglected for a very long time.

Life is better now for this old soldier and once he lands at Starburst Ranch with Kathy and BEAU, he will have the opportunity to live his days with friends, excellent care and continue on to better health!

GUS had his feet trimmed in preparation for his trip to TIER around 8/25/2022.  Getting closer!

GUS got himself a bath in preparation for his trip to TIER.  He will see the farrier on 8/15/2022 to have his pancake feet trimmed up for the journey.  He should be leaving quarantine in Oklahoma around August 25th to head to TIER.

GUS is coming along quite nicely with his weight gain.  He seemed to plateau (reach a state of little or no change) for awhile. 

Since he is an old soldier, Jennie increased his pelleted and senior feed.  He doesn't do well on the grass hay...can't really chew it.  He does okay with alfalfa though.  As you can see, he is quite fond of shavings!

GUS continues to thrive under Jenne's care.  Quite the change from 1 !/2 months ago when our supporters ralled to get him out of a killpen. 

He is really progressing well!  Now that he is in better condition, Jennie felt comfortable worming him yesterday. 

Amidst all the ups & downs associated with MAIME & LOUIE yesterday, I neglected to provide an update on sweet GUS.  Great news for this boy as he is doing really well!  Contributions helped us to have Jennie purchase fly masks for both MAIME & GUS.  

I must say he looks rather handsome in his traffic cone colored mask.  Hard to believe that just 1 month ago he was a traffic stopper because of his horrible condition!  

He is filling out nicely and I’m not AS worried about him as I was.  He still has a long road ahead of him and has another follow up visit scheduled at the end of the month.

Thanks to our donors and Jennie’s diligent care, GUS is walking on the sunny side of the street!

GUS had his follow up appointment with the vet and all is good.  Vet is pleased with his progress so far.  At this point, after discussion with Jennie who is quarantining him, we have decided to let him stay in Oklahoma until time to come to TIER.

As usual, GUS was a very good boy.  He loaded/unloaded just fine and traveled well.  He was a gentleman for the vet.  BUT.....Rumor has it that Mr. GUS has now become an escape artist.  He has been found in the barn aisle in the mornings visiting with his new buddy.  His buddy is an appaloosa that belongs to Jennie and that has been on stall rest.  He has become Gus' grazing buddy.  

We now know he is slowly recovering (still not out of the woods yet) and that he is a smarty pants houdini horse!  YAY!

GUS is slowly recuperating from his long time starvation & neglect.  He has an appointment with the Vet on Wednesday for a recheck on his health, etc.  He has had his feet done and is now able to go out with others.  Jennie says that he is able to eat all his hay, senior feed and alfalfa pellets with no more tooth issues. Video is from 5/22/2022.  YAY!

GUS is doing great!  So good, in fact, that he was able to be turned out with another older horse.  He was grazing and there is a light back in his eyes! 

YAY!!

Today, 5/17/2022 he had those long hooves trimmed.  No hoof issues other than his feet were long.  Jennie said he was the perfect gentleman.   

The rainrot is gone from his coat.  Thanks to Jennie's grooming, the yucky hair is almost gone and new hair is growing in. 

He is looking more like a horse and less like a hatrack.  Thank YOU to our supporters who are making it possible for us to help GUS.

This morning, GUS presented with a snotty nose.  Arghh!  Fortunately, he does not have strangles, sinus or respiratory issues.  WOOT! WOOT!

HUGE thanks to Jennie for taking him to the vet so he could be evaluated and the swelling on his face could be addressed.  The swelling  and snotty nose was caused by a rotten infected tooth!  Poor guy.  No telling how long this had been going on.

The vet extracted the tooth and floated his remaining teeth.  He also got his sheath cleaned (Yay!).  He has a follow up appointment in 2 weeks.

Taud Charette, DVM, put Gus at a minus 1 on the Henneke horse body condition scoring system!  Most likely he would have been dead by now had we not been able to purchase/care for him.  We were only able to do so because of YOU.  Thank YOU!  

He is on antibiotics until his next appointment.  GUS was given Panacur wormer and he will be getting as much senior feed & alfalfa pellets as he can handle.  By tomorrow, he should be able to eat hay comfortably.

Because he is so emaciated and requires long term rehab, he will remain in the more than capable hands of Jennie Sloan during his quarantine.  This means that we will have to cover boarding fees, vet fees and farrier fees (farrier due out next week or so).  Transport fees from Oklahoma to California will be a bit more costly due to distance/fuel prices.  We will keep him with Jennie until he is able to safely travel.

Thank you so very much for helping us to help GUS.  I can only imagine how long he has suffered without being fed and also having a long term abcessed tooth.  His story would have ended in a killpen if not for YOU.  

Your responses for renaming FERGUSON to either Davey or Gus were overwhelmingly in favor of GUS...as in the character from Lonesome Dove.  So, his new name is GUS!

Thanks to YOU, GUS made it to RjFarms with Jennie Sloan where he will begin his journey back to health.  He loaded & unloaded fine.  He has a light in his eyes and is HUNGRY!  Feeding will be done slowly so as not to tax his system too badly. 

We had paid a bit extra to put him in a stall instead of him having to compete for feed with the other horses until Jennie could transport him to her facility. The extra cost was for the stall, alfalfa and grain.  Since he is so thin, I asked them not to grain him as their feed consisted mostly of oats and corn.  I think he got fed the grain anyway because when Jennie picked him up he had diarrhea  On the way back to her ranch, per my request, Jennie stopped at a feed store and purchased ProBios, a Fungacide for his rainrot, alfalfa pellets, Purina Equine Senior a halter and a lead rope.  

Later in the evening, Jennie groomed him as best she could and applied the Fungacide.  Right now, he hasn't had any more diarrhea.  YAY!  Videos of his arrival, before & after grooming and photos can be seen at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EudZAuaZrh5x2ceSA GUS

TIER was notified about a senior horse who needs help.  TIER purchased him last night.  We paid 2 days boarding fees so that he could be moved into a stall, be fed individually and not be pushed around by other horses.  We have named him GUS.

We contacted Jennie at RJF Equine, Inc. (a private Mustang rescue not far from where GUS is) and she will pick him up on Friday morning.  Due to his really poor condition we have opted for Jennie to board him at least until May 4th/5th when transport to long term quarantine in Texas is available.   

Hopefully he will be in a little better shape to travel at that time.  Jennie will also be feeding him better than he has been fed and address his rain rot, plus we are hoping for a farrier visit too.

At some point he will need to see an Equine Dentist.  Right now the main concern is getting nutrition into him without causing complications.

Link to video & pictures:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EudZAuaZrh5x2ceSA