pretty Bean
New horses always take time settling into their new lives as SAFE horses. In the first few weeks they’re here, we get to know their personalities, what they like, what they don’t like. We start to dream of what kind of home will be the perfect match. Bean had been a pleasure to work around, right from the start. She is kind, gentle, and very sweet. She has large thoughtful eyes and has quickly become a favorite.
Dr. McCracken came out to give Bean a health evaluation. She had her teeth floated and was vaccinated. Overall, Dr. McCracken says she’s pretty healthy. She does have two swollen areas on her hind legs. The swelling on the outside left hind is close to her fetlock, which being so close to a joint, could be an issue. Dr. McCracken detected some fluid and scar tissue but doesn’t feel it’s too serious. There is also a hard bump on her right hind but this is in a superficial area and not a concern at this point. We’ll be keeping a close eyes on her, but for now we have the okay to start working her.
We will boost Bean’s vaccines in three weeks, which is our standard protocol when we have no vet history on a horse. Bean was great for the work up and with the injections. I can’t say enough good things about this girl!
Note: We’ve been contacted by a few people who knew Bean in her previous life, several of whom have told us her original name. When Bean, Jessel, and Tess were signed over to us by Animal Control, we did not have any information as to what they were called in their old life, and even if we had known their old names, it’s a tradition at SAFE, especially with horses who have suffered neglect or abuse, to christen them with a new name for a new life. The privilege of choosing that new name is given to people who are special to SAFE as a way of saying thank you. Bean was given her new name by Heather Evans-Keliher, a four year veteran of the SAFE volunteer ranks, who is to this day one of the people who keep this rescue on its feet, day in and day out. Heather named Bean in memory of a beloved dog that is no longer in her life but who lives on in her heart. Similarly, Tess was named by the unbeatable Jackie Liles, in memory of her dog Tess, and Jessel was named by our Volunteer of the Year Jeanne Stine, in memory of, you guessed it, her dearly departed dog Jessel. See, SAFE is more than just unforgettable horses…it’s about our unforgettable volunteers and the ones they hold dear.
