Harmonias Echo
Donation protected
On January 30th Harmonia Equestrian was struck by a highly contagious equine illness called Strangles. Strangles is an upper respiratory tract infection of horses that causes the lymph nodes to swell, compressing the pharynx, larynx, and trachea, and can cause airway obstructions possibly leading to death, hence the name strangles. In most cases, the animal will recover, but not without great cost, especially to someone who earns their living on the back of a horse.
For a horse farm like Harmonia Equestrian, once Strangles is confirmed, day-to-day business operations must immediately seize and mandatory quarantines implemented to mitigate and eliminate further spread of the illness. Among a shutdown, vet bills begin to compound and all hands work long, arduous hours in unforgiving conditions to care for and vigilantly monitor horses for signs and symptoms of illness. Biosecurity measures are put in place, drawing out simple one person tasks to one which requires two, sometimes four staff members, to keep the integrity of the horses care intact, and adhere to the responsibility instilled upon us as equine professionals. Then, you anxiously wait.
As things seem to get better, another case arises and the 30 day quarantine clock resets to day one. The prospect of resuming business remains out of reach as you start all over again. February 4th was that day for us as Jens personal horse, Echo, among others, began to exhibit symptoms.
Echo first came to Harmonia as a clients horse for Jen to train. At the completion of training, Echos owner determined the bond created was like no other, offering Echo to Jen as her own. Since that day Echo has became an instrument to Jen, teaching Jen that she has no bounds as a trainer. Through their trick training and clinics, Echo has helped Jen grow, allowing Jen to push her talents to the limits, inspiring others to follow suite and reach the potential deep within them. Jens work is the answer to a calling that she has valiantly answered. Since I've known Jen, she has successfully trained three troubled horses, brought to Jen as a last result to avoid euthanasia. Jen has been successful each time.
When it became apparent that Echo was infected time stopped for Jen. For two and half weeks Jen and I treated and cared for Echo as the illness took its course. Echos lymph nodes began to swell as expected and warm compresses were used to encourage the abcesses to rupture through the exterior of Echos throat, face, and neck, but to no avail. Eventually it became apparent that we would need the assistance of our veterinarian to perform a procedure where a scalpel and sedation is used to drain the obstruction.
On Saturday February 20th Jen found Echo unwilling to walk throughout her pasture, only bearing weight on three legs. Proud flesh obstructed Echos incision inhibiting its ability to properly drain causing further swelling in Echos face. With four strong digital pulses in Echos feet and pale gums, a fear of founder from fever and toxicity in Echos blood had her rushed to North Carolina State Veterinary Equine Hospital where she remains for further testing and recovery.
In the wake of this all, horses of Kay's Acres also remain under quarantine further impacting the ease of recovering from an interruption to business and alleviating the associated costs.
Those horses are:
Miss. Little.
Commonly used to provide rides for elderly, young children, and individuals with special needs.
Bambi
Handy guide horse for large groups and parades such as the one performed at a nearby assisted living community, alongside Echo.
And Baby,
A young weight bearing draft horse employed to carry larger riders so that the older and smaller horses may be relieved.
We were estimated Echos treatment to range from $5,000 - $10,000.
Thirty days of shut down and quarantine at $10,000
Thirty days of two - four person integrity to monitor the health of 27 horses at $5,000
Please help us get Harminoa Equestrian back to the fun and energetic place many have come to love and enjoy, Echo the help she needs, and Jen reunited a partner, friend, and teacher. Not only for us, but for all of those Jen and her horse have inspired along the way. As for now, the arenas are bare, as Harmonia Echos.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
For a horse farm like Harmonia Equestrian, once Strangles is confirmed, day-to-day business operations must immediately seize and mandatory quarantines implemented to mitigate and eliminate further spread of the illness. Among a shutdown, vet bills begin to compound and all hands work long, arduous hours in unforgiving conditions to care for and vigilantly monitor horses for signs and symptoms of illness. Biosecurity measures are put in place, drawing out simple one person tasks to one which requires two, sometimes four staff members, to keep the integrity of the horses care intact, and adhere to the responsibility instilled upon us as equine professionals. Then, you anxiously wait.
As things seem to get better, another case arises and the 30 day quarantine clock resets to day one. The prospect of resuming business remains out of reach as you start all over again. February 4th was that day for us as Jens personal horse, Echo, among others, began to exhibit symptoms.
Echo first came to Harmonia as a clients horse for Jen to train. At the completion of training, Echos owner determined the bond created was like no other, offering Echo to Jen as her own. Since that day Echo has became an instrument to Jen, teaching Jen that she has no bounds as a trainer. Through their trick training and clinics, Echo has helped Jen grow, allowing Jen to push her talents to the limits, inspiring others to follow suite and reach the potential deep within them. Jens work is the answer to a calling that she has valiantly answered. Since I've known Jen, she has successfully trained three troubled horses, brought to Jen as a last result to avoid euthanasia. Jen has been successful each time.
When it became apparent that Echo was infected time stopped for Jen. For two and half weeks Jen and I treated and cared for Echo as the illness took its course. Echos lymph nodes began to swell as expected and warm compresses were used to encourage the abcesses to rupture through the exterior of Echos throat, face, and neck, but to no avail. Eventually it became apparent that we would need the assistance of our veterinarian to perform a procedure where a scalpel and sedation is used to drain the obstruction.
On Saturday February 20th Jen found Echo unwilling to walk throughout her pasture, only bearing weight on three legs. Proud flesh obstructed Echos incision inhibiting its ability to properly drain causing further swelling in Echos face. With four strong digital pulses in Echos feet and pale gums, a fear of founder from fever and toxicity in Echos blood had her rushed to North Carolina State Veterinary Equine Hospital where she remains for further testing and recovery.
In the wake of this all, horses of Kay's Acres also remain under quarantine further impacting the ease of recovering from an interruption to business and alleviating the associated costs.
Those horses are:
Miss. Little.
Commonly used to provide rides for elderly, young children, and individuals with special needs.
Bambi
Handy guide horse for large groups and parades such as the one performed at a nearby assisted living community, alongside Echo.
And Baby,
A young weight bearing draft horse employed to carry larger riders so that the older and smaller horses may be relieved.
We were estimated Echos treatment to range from $5,000 - $10,000.
Thirty days of shut down and quarantine at $10,000
Thirty days of two - four person integrity to monitor the health of 27 horses at $5,000
Please help us get Harminoa Equestrian back to the fun and energetic place many have come to love and enjoy, Echo the help she needs, and Jen reunited a partner, friend, and teacher. Not only for us, but for all of those Jen and her horse have inspired along the way. As for now, the arenas are bare, as Harmonia Echos.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Joe Musicaro
Organizer
Suffolk, VA
Jennifer Miodowski
Beneficiary