Horses of Tir Na Nog

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delikatd
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Real Name (first and last name): Donna Delikat

Horses of Tir Na Nog

Post by delikatd »

EPN member Donna Delikat has worked this year with the equine sanctuary Horses of Tir Na Nog in San Diego County to help bring more attention to and greater awareness of the plight of abandoned and abused horses. This is their story.

Horses of Tir Na Nog is the oldest non-profit horse sanctuary in San Diego County. At Horses of Tir Na Nog, our mission is to create a haven for horses who have no remaining options, providing them the safe, loving home they deserve.

Horses of Tir Na Nog is proud to serve as an Adoption Partner with the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services as a placement option for equines deemed unadoptable and facing euthanasia. In addition, we build connections between people and horses, increasing awareness about responsible horse ownership and care through education. As an all-volunteer organization, 100% of each dollar donated goes to provide the best possible care for our equines.

Amy Pat Rigney, Director of Horses of Tir Na Nog explained that there are many philosophies when it comes to horses and their care. Our goal is to keep our horses as healthy as possible given their age and physical condition. We cannot turn back the hands of time for our older herd members, nor can we cure every condition that ails them. Through regular veterinary care, sound nutrition, and thoughtful overall management, we strive to ensure a high quality of life. In addition, through behavior management efforts, we strive for "happy" horses, with low stress levels.
Horses of Tir Na Nog is currently caring for thirty-seven equines.
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delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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On October 15, 2011, three severely neglected horses rescued by County Animal Services officers were brought to a nurturing new home, the Horses of Tir Na Nog. “We are extremely grateful that Horses of Tir Na Nog has agreed to care for these horses,” said Dawn Danielson, Director of the County Department of Animal Services. “As an organization that relies strictly on donations, they are making a significant commitment to these horses and their well-being.”

All three horses are extremely emaciated and are now receiving veterinary care, medicine and gradually increasing amounts of food.

One of the horses is a 13-year-old grey mare who has an abscessed shoulder wound that had gone untreated before the rescue.
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delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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Another is a 16-year-old bay mare who is about 8 to 10 months pregnant. We hope that with proper care and nourishment, the pregnancy will be successful and the Mom and foal will survive.
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delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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The third horse is an 18-year-old chestnut mare for whom dental care is required.
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delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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HORSES OF TIR NA NOG SUCCESS STORIES

ROSE
Rose is a PMU foal, a bi-product of the Premarin industry in Canada. She was originally rescued by a horse lover in Florida. She was named “Nantucket Rose” because of the work her first owner did in Nantucket one summer to earn enough money to rescue her. Sadly, the ranch where her first owner was boarding Rose was sold and she could no longer afford to keep her. Eventually she came to be part of our little herd.

Rose is a medicine hat paint and has two crystal blue eyes that match the color of San Diego’s skies on a clear summer day. As beautiful as she is on the outside, Rose’s true beauty comes from within. She has a very gentle soul and loves to spend quiet time with people and her horse companions.
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delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
"Special" is one of the few horses for whom we know the life history. He is a local son, foaled right here in San Diego County 29 years ago. For the first twenty years of his life, he was owned by the same person. In the fall of 2003, San Diego County was devastated by wildfires. Many areas were evacuated, including the mountain community where Special lived. His owners were faced with a heart-wrenching decision. Which of their three horses should they evacuate in their two-horse trailer? Special was left behind. Thanks to the heroic efforts of local firefighters, the fire was stopped before it reached his paddock. After the fire, the owners decided that they never wanted to find themselves in that situation again. They gave Special to a long-time friend who was very fond of him. He received excellent care with his new family. In 2005, Special was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease and laminitis, and in 2006, he was moved to Horses of Tir NA Nog to enjoy retirement. In spite of the chronic nature of his laminitis, he continues to defy his age. Most people seeing this big, beautiful black horse for the first time have a hard time guessing his age. Special has a heart of gold and loves people. He is truly a very "special" member of our herd.
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delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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BAMBI
Bambi is a Tennessee Walking Horse. What most people first notice about her is her unusual color. Bambi is a classic champagne, the rarest of the champagne colors. The other thing that volunteers quickly discover about Bambi is that she is a very talkative girl. Bambi has an amazing range of vocalizations and spends a lot of time talking to the other members of her herd and to her equine neighbors.
We suspect that Bambi suffers from Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM), which is sometimes referred to as "Tying Up Disease”. We carefully monitor her, maintaining high levels of fat in her diet. In addition to EPSM, Bambi has lameness in her left rear leg. Bambi cannot be ridden but volunteers love grooming her, doting on her, and "talking" with this lovely girl.
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Last edited by delikatd on Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
delikatd
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

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Companionship

Horses are herd animals and with few exceptions, they are happiest when in pairs or small groups. At Horses of Tir Na Nog, every effort is made to match each horse with a buddy or several companions. Sometimes odd couples are formed, but they are never lonely and they all have a forever home.



Please visit the rest of our herd on our website at:

http://www.horsesoftirnanog.org
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Carien Schippers
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Re: Horses of Tir Na Nog

Post by Carien Schippers »

Donna, thank you for sharing this! It is good to know these horses are now safe.
"Doing what you love is freedom,
Loving what you do is happiness"

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