IPHIGENIA ("EPHY")
“Lady Day”
This sorrowful, marked up, senior black Percheron mare has decades of history, but her tale must be deduced, because she can’t relate it herself. Ephy has likely had many owners and many ‘jobs’ until very recently, when it was likely determined that she was unfit to continue. The mare was tired, homeless, unmoored and alone. In very poor condition, old and worn out, she needed help right away. She was first spotted by another rescue group, Maple Hill Farm Sanctuary, who stepped in to help her immediately, then reached out to Rosemary Farm to provide the long term help the mare desperately needed. She was welcomed with open arms.
Winter is a tough time for rescuing, because the physical effort is more complex, with snow and ice affecting transportation, safe moving, stall and water access, etc, so it took some time to get the mare safely from the holding facility and into the Quarantine Barn at Rosemary Farm. Another gelding, Tristan, accompanied her, and together they completed their quarantine time, before being introduced to others (Tristan has already been adopted!).
Ephy’s rehab began right away, in stages. Damage done over years may take years to unravel and correct. Standing 17.1 hands, with a full tail and roached mane, she was wearing recently applied work shoes on very long, thrush ridden feet. Sore, and scared, she just wanted to be left alone. Her body language spoke of a horse that had little positive experience with humans. First, to help her, she received small soaked meals, which slowly increased, then a vet exam, vaccines, and shoe removal. Lots of time just being near a new horse, speaking softly, has value. The horse shoes Ephy was wearing were mismatched in size and type, nailed onto extremely neglected and sore hooves. In her mid-20s, Ephy has the arthritis typical of old work horses, and standing and holding her back hooves up is difficult, but she tried, and seemed very happy to have them removed. Her feet look so much better already, after multiple trims and treatment for deep thrush and infection. As the weather warmed, Ephy discovered that she liked to be brushed, and her thick old fur began to come off, as she began to trust her new humans. The grey in her face is there to stay, but her mane is growing in with thick black hair. Her front teeth are gone from extensive cribbing, but she still has her molars, and goes through large quantities of hay daily, in addition to her soaked meals.
Now in the company of the Saddlebred Patrick, she is set up in Trooper’s Glen, a small, tree filled paddock at Ella’s Place. This is a wonderful safe spot for the pair to continue to heal. There was something deeply sorrowful about this mare upon arrival, but the glimmers of happiness are already peeking out.
Ephy still has life to live and the support of a sponsor can make a big difference! Sponsor Ephy today to help us help her enjoy every day!