Broken Fences

A heartfelt thank you to all who are praying for Newroz. On Tuesday our two very gracious vets came, Doctor Ali from Kirkuk who is the only equine specialist in the country (thanks to his ongoing studies abroad and online with British equine institutions) and Vet Aram the only vet in the country with a portable x-ray that is usually used on rabbits and small animals under his care.

We particularly appreciate their time and travel investment during their fasting period of Ramadan.

The x-ray results show that her broken leg is fusing, it is healing but they see a lack of alignment. Their opinion is that despite the lack of alignment (only made possible by surgical fusion, and screws) IF the natural fusion is strong, her leg will "hold" Dr Ali is more of a realist, he sees arthritis, and damage to the weight bearing three legs. We hold out for healing.

After thorough examination, she was given a new cast which will be opened and checked in three weeks. We anticipate keeping her in a cast for up to three months. We have had to modify her diet, ordered food from Baghdad as she is in bed rest, and need to avoid any increase in insulin which could lead to colic. A huge learning curve for us all. And of course, the medical bills mount up slowly.

Today we are asking you, and your networks to consider helping us both with Newroz’s medical bills, around $300 every time the two vets come, so once a month.

And of equal importance, all our wooden fences are now totally rotten, a danger to the animals, and a danger to our students. We have been patching the fences for some six months, but can go on now longer. The original fences are beyond redemption.

We have brought several local welders and landed on Shex Nihad who has worked with us previously. His estimate for the large pen, the round pen and entrance gate, is a total of $7000 including the concrete needed for installation

If you can help us, please, we have no savings to pull this money from and do not want any more accidents with our God-given animals. Watching an injured animal is so hard to bear.

Neither do we want our students to be harmed in any way.

In HOPE.