"Isabeau" is a Halflinger who was very badly abused. She was severely beaten and has permanent damage to one side of her face and eye.  It took many months of rehabilitation before she could be handled, and even the veterinarians who first treated her had to rope her in order to give medical attention.  To know the sweet temperament of the Halflinger is to realize the depth of abuse Isabeau endured, and it breaks your heart.
    However, Isabeau has made a complete turnaround and is now very easy to handle, in fact, she stands very still while her feet are being trimmed, and she loves to be brushed and given her horse cookies.  She is in her mid twenties and is on Purina Equine Senior. 

UPDATE:  Last fall Isabeau had to have her eye removed due to a painful tumor.  I was very concerned because this was her good eye (her other eye suffered damage years ago from a very abusive owner). Isabeau came through the surgery and recovery period very well.  She hated to be kept in a stall for two weeks, but after being returned to her friends in pasture, she did very well.  It took her several weeks to adjust to having only one eye, but she keeps Nellie (the other Halflinger), on her blind side for comfort.
 
Thank you Dr. Craig, and Laurie......

   "Possum" is a grey Welch Pony mix in her thirties.  She has had some rough handling in the past and will stand off to the side until you earn her trust.  She just enjoys eating, being in the pasture, and splashing in the creek on hot summer days. Possum is a happy butterball who will put a smile on your face. She is on Purina Equine Senior and is on medications for chronic sinus problems.

     "Bright" is a 22 year old Standard Donkey whose parents came from the Death Valley wild burro adoption program.  She is just a big baby (and kind of a stinker), who has always had good care and loves to have the inside of her long ears scratched.  She loves to visit with all of the other animals, and thinks fences and pens were only made as an escape challenge for her, in fact, you never know what field she is going to be in next. 

     "Pepsi" is a beautiful paint Hackney pony. He is a good boy who loves to gallop as fast as he can across the pastures.   He loves to be brushed and fed cookies, but mostly he just loves the attention; he is a cutie and I believe he knows it.  He is a favorite of everyone visiting the farm. 

     Widow is a 20 year-old Tennessee Walking mare who has also been retired here to the farm in late 2006.  Widow is a very sweet mare who is especially personable, and I am really enjoying getting to know her.

AFTER

 Old Daisy is a 25 year-old Quarter Horse mare.  She came here in pretty rough condition, but she has put on about 50 pounds since she arrived.  She is stalled twice a day so she can get plenty of hay and grain without being run off from her share by the other horses because she is so timid.  The rest of the time, she enjoys grazing in the pasture; she is one of the sweetest horses I think I have ever been around.