Marta

We have been so busy moving Safe Harbor Stables that we have neglected a few very important updates. Our sweet mare Marta has a new foster home. Marta’s long term foster mom and dad, Eileen and Andy, cared for her for many years as if she was their own. They loved her very much but at this time needed to move the horses off their property. SAFE is incredibly grateful for all their years of care to the SAFE horses that lived on their property and appreciate all the work and donations they gave to caring for them.

We had known that one of our alumni, Kat (now called Clover) needed a new friend after her adoptive brother passed away. We called Clover’s owner Susan and told her about Marta. Susan has 10 acres of horsy paradise with lots of room to spread their legs and enjoy life. After talking with Susan over the phone about the two mare’s personalities and that there was a good chance this would be a good match, Susan opened her heart and invited Marta to come live with her family.

Eileen and Andy brought Marta to her new foster home and with a few goodbye tears and hugs they introduced her to her new friend Clover. The two mares got along right away. Clover being the established matriarch of the pasture was kind and welcoming but also told Marta “this is how we do things around here.” They are settled in and have been very good companions.

They also have a very trust worthy protector named Toby. He is a 16- month old Great Pyrenees and a loyal companion and friend. He is already 34″ at the shoulder! That’s  the size of a pony so he gets along great with the horses and watches over the herd and land for any unwanted predators.

Susan reports that Marta is very sweet and calm. She follows Clover around the field and they come running in for their evening grain. Both are doing well and look forward to a great summer together.

Here are some photos of the girls together in a snowstorm in February and a photo of Toby and Marta.

Ms. Marta continues being her fancy “prancy” self.  Every morning, she puts on a show, arching her neck, snorting and trotting with her fabulous self-carriage.  She likes to remind us that her sire was the famous Probat and that many of her family members are National Champions.

Unfortunately, Marta’s heritage does not protect her from bug bites.  This fall has been tougher than usual with its bad combination of moisture and warmth.  The midges, gnats and other invisible annoyances have always caused irritation in Marta’s udder area; this year the irritation has moved to her ears as well.  Marta has also had a serious allergic reaction which caused much swelling all over her body. After a few days of Banamine and other fun drugs, she is now back to her usual spirited self.  We’re hoping for a nice freeze to kill off these pesky invisible flying critters very soon!

The vet commented that Marta looked like she was carrying twins.  Poor girl, being a brood mare for most of her life, she has a definite brood mare belly that will never go away.  Marta also has lost most of her upper back teeth due to earlier poor care. This is actually a plus because it helps her maintain a healthy weight without too much special care.

With the cooler temperatures on the way, I’m sure we’ll see Ms. Marta continue to prance about, especially when Shay is around to play with!

An update from Marta’s foster mom! Thank you, Eileen!!!!

Marta had her hooves done on the 21st  by the lovely and talented Greer Hei, farrier and horsewoman extraordinaire. Marta was a good girl as always. Whenever there is excitement, like the farrier visiting, or lots of wind and rain, it can sometimes cause some fancy prancing and snorting. Ms. Marta is, after all, exceptionally well bred and she likes to remind us all of this. However, she is an older lady and so the prancing and snorting is usually limited to a few brief moments and then she settles down and is very easy to handle.

The farrier remarked that Ms. Marta has nice movement for a twenty year old lady and I have to agree. Marta even choses to use her correct lead when cantering around in the pasture.

Marta still eats mostly mush and she is very happy to see you coming and nickers and whinnies when it is mealtime. Hay is also available for snacking when it is especially windy, rainy, or cold.

Marta heard the Budweiser Clydesdales were in town and so we had a day of beauty recently which included a mini photo shoot. You can’t be caught with a tangled mane and a muddy blanket when so many famous, handsome, eligible bachelors are in the neighborhood!

Thank you to Marta’s foster mom Eileen for this wonderful update and video of our girl!

Marta is doing well. She is sleek, shiny, a wee bit plump, perhaps, and getting fuzzier as the cool weather sets in. It is a little hard to judge her ideal weight because she was a brood mare for most of her life as I understand it. Consequently her “trim” may be a little more rotund than another horse. Marta is nibbling on little bits of grass in the pasture, LMF low carb complete mash, and a bit of timothy hay for snacking. Because Marta’s teeth were not floated and maintained in the past, her top back molars were worn down to almost nothing and now eating hay has become more difficult for her. She does quite well on the mash and grass, though.

Marta is definitely a survivor and a trooper. She has withstood the hardships she experienced with gusto. This morning she played and bucked in the pasture when I went to greet her. She always says hello with a whinny and/or a deep nicker. She is also quite the hair dressers dream. She likes to just stand around and be groomed and pampered. No need for a halter, just pull out the gel curry comb and the soft bristled brush and she will hang out almost indefinitely.

I have been impressed with Marta’s ability to survive and adapt. She seems to take everything in stride and has developed a wonderful rapport with me. The last time the veterinarian came out to float her teeth we didn’t need much in the way of tranquilizers. Marta has learned to trust me and that is always a feeling that warms your heart. Well, that and the nicker each time I go out to feed her! Marta is a guaranteed smile generator for sure.