July - Gandalf Arrived and Settled in

Gandalf arrived from PAWs and has settled in, his operation wounds (he was gelded), have healed and the farrier completed his hoof trimming so his feet are now in execellent condition. For the first week we kept him stabled while his wounds we being treated, then he was led out for walks past his future companions. As his hormones were still in the blood he was turned out solo for a week but on 29th July we put him in with the 'little herd', Aziza, Jenny and Jemima. He first made friends with Aziza as Jenny was not very welcoming but after two days he was accepted and now is enjoying life with his new friends.

Gandalf just after his rescue

Gandalf in the small paddock with Aziza

 Gandalf (left) talking to Jemima 

PAWS Rescue Horse Mo'giza 

 At the end of October 2007 we read a distressing article in the Arab Times about the plight of some horses in Kuwait. We at Failaka Heritage Stables could not ignor the cry for assistance. We were visited by PAWS  - (Protecting Animal Welfare Society) and agreed to assist them with any horses they may be able to rescue. A few short days later PAWS had rescued, after the owner had signed her over, a beautiful pony mare that we named Mo'giza (Miracle). Mo'giza was despirately malnourished with very nasty saddle sores on her back, her hooves were so overgrown that she could not move without pain. She was still being ridden the day before PAWS rescued her. Mo'giza came over to Failaka Island onboard the public ferry on Friday 9th. November 2007 

Photograph of Mo'giza's back showing saddle sores prior to rescue

Mo'giza hooves before remedial farrier

Mo'giza on arrival at Failaka Stables

Mo'giza's back after more cleaning and wound powder also showing "poverty line" and wasted back muscles

 After remedial hoof trimming

The little mare has thrived with plenty of care, love and good food. She ha become a kind and gentle pony for small children to ride.

Mo'giza January 2008

PAWS, Denise and Chris Hartley would like to thank the following, without whom this rescue would not have happened.

Gemma Brewer and the owners of Messilah Equestrian Club,www.messilahclub.com, telephone 47133222/4 who loaned their horse trailer plus driver and groom to bring Mo;giza to Failaka Island.

Chelley and Dion Barnard for all their assistance and knowledge on the mainland.  

Rescue Horse Tawfiq

A telephone call I recieved on Friday 17th April started a chain of events involving several good people and saw us taking in another rescue horse. Astrid Poirier had found a horse she knew in terrible condition standing in a stable which had not been cleaned for several months, she asked me if I could take him in. Having a spare stable I immediately said yes. The owner gave Tic Tack to her as they had no further use for him. The condition of the stable, with the high acidity of the accumalated urine and faeces and lack of hoof care had turn his hooves to sponge. A German lady, Madame Grit and her son Florian helped load the horse and gave him his first grooming for months and plenty of love. 

Dr. Lidwien and Dr. Lucas from the Bait Al Arab Clinic examined Tic Tack and gave him food and accomodation for his first night for free. His hooves had to be cut back severly as foot rot has set in and the hooves had spread. Next morning the horse was transported to the ferry port and on to the ferry by Abro and Younas who accompanied him to his new life and a new name on Failaka.  Thanks to PAWS who donated KD 25.000 to help cover the cost of the horse box and to Masharee Al Khair and Mr. Chris Hartley GM Failaka Heritage Village who arranged and paid for the ferry crossing. We are extremely grateful to all those great people who donated time, money, sweat and expertise to give a discarded horse a second chance.

Tic Tack now has a new life and a new name - Tawfiq, meaning good fortune

Tawfiq has settled down nicely, because he was very footsore I have put him on a course of  "Bute", an equine pain killer so he can move without pain until his hooves have grown back. Drs. Lidwien and Lucas recommended that he be kept as active as possible to stop swelling in his stiff joints, so he was turned out with the herd on his first night with us. This caused a bit of a stir in the paddock with much sqealing and posturing on all sides but Tawfiq took it all in his stride with young Failacha following him around like a puppy! Surprisingly it is Safir who has become Tawfiq's best friend!!!

 A new friendship blossoms

Mutual scratching - bonding equine style! 

Once Tawfiq's hooves are strong enough we shall start him with some gentle long-reining and maybe some trips to the beach to gently build up strength and muscle tone.