FINAYLE AND MYRACLE

Finalye, August 9, 2010

On August 9, HRRRF purchased Finayle for $200 from a kill buyer. She was taken into foster care because of her awful condition. A vet visit confirmed that her condition scored a 1 on the Hennekke scale, indicating her severely depleted body weight, which certainly was not surprising to us.

Finayle is down on August 9, 2010

However, we were completely shocked to learn that this dangerously undernourished horse was pregnant and due to deliver within days. Information was spread quickly on Facebook and soon hundreds of people were talking and taking an interest in a horse that no one would have otherwise heard of.

Anxious volunteers quickly gathered to prepare for the impending birth. Good thing, too. On August 12, only three days after her arrival, Finayle went into labor. A handful of volunteers were on hand to assist. The plan was to try to have Finayle deliver on her feet, hoping to enlist the support of gravity and put less demand on Finayle's breathing. But, with almost no muscle strength, she was unable to stand for the delivery. On the ground, one volunteer helped the foal by pulling for what seemed like hours, but was much closer to a few minutes, and suddenly, there she was, alive and beautiful.

Myracle's first day, August 12, 2010

Human stress levels were extremely high. The chance of losing mother and/or baby during the ordeal of birth were very real, so there was great joy when the foal arrived safely and looking pretty good, although thin. She was named Myracle because, in truth, that's exactly what she was -- a miracle.

Every day after that was an adventure. Photos of mom and baby were all over Facebook, everyone ooohing and aaahing and rooting for these two amazing creatures. Finayle only weighed about 550 pounds, so rescue volunteers were watching carefully to see if she could handle mommy duties.

Finayle had a tough road as thin as she was.

Worries persisted since baby Myracle's insistence on nursing was draining mom of energy and nutrients she desperately needed. She even wanted Finayle's grain! Behind the scenes, volunteers suggested different bottles and formulas and the search was on for other nursing sources. Eventually, Myracle began accepting some foal lac and milk pellets and has been growing and developing well.

Myracle, August 23, 2010

Finayle, too, seemed to be improving. At last weight, she was up to 680 lbs, still painfully thin, but headed in the right direction . . . until Monday, August 30. She was down and was experiencing a lot of pain. The vet, Dr. Duvall, was called and arrived quickly. She administered some medications and Finayle began passing gas and seemed more comfortable. Volunteers offered massages and constant vigil during the night. Facebook buzzed with questions and you could almost hear the collective intake of breath as we all waited through the night.

Finayle and her filly, Myracle

The morning message was not good -- Finayle was again in pain and Dr. Duvall had been called back. She worked on her for awhile and we learned that the vet would return at noon when a decision would likely be made . . . for good or bad. All afternoon we waited for word, chatting with each other on Facebook, dreading to learn the  outcome, but hoping that no news was good news. At 5:30 on August 31, we learned that Finayle had crossed the Rainbow Bridge around 5 p.m. with the aid of loving friends and Dr. Duvall. Sadness permeated the quiet messages of mourning, and concerns for Myracle were expressed.

Mom and her baby August 17, 2010

Today is September 1 and all of our lives have been changed in some way by the loss of Finayle. Although I never actually met her, her photos were so compelling that I find the tears hard to contain, tears of love and anger. Her presence and passing are haunting, but this is what rescue work too often involves. We live on an emotional roller coaster, full of elation and delight with each successful rescue and full of sadness and anger with the loss of a rescued animal because of someone's cruel abuse or neglect.

Finayle & Mracle Aug 30, 2010

Finayle with Dr. Lee on August 31, 2020

Finayle is safe and whole now and we can let her rest in peace; her legacy is Myracle and we will do everything we can to give her a life full of kindness and love. We honor Finayle for her courage and strength which helped her survive long enough to bring a miracle into the world. Finayle's story has come to an end, but Myracle's story is just beginning.