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Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Focus

FocusFocus, a 6-year-old TB, was badly injured in a storm. He had a gaping hole in his chest, measuring a foot long and a foot wide, which continued through to his abdomen. Everyone rallied round to help him survive.

Focus receives a kiss from Dr. Laura Kellam, veterinarian in residence at the St. Andrews College Equestrian Center. Kellam slept in the barn across from Focus’ stall during the first week of his injury to monitor his progress. slideshow An injured horse that was not expected to live is on his way to a full recovery >>

Focus, a six-year old thoroughbred horse injured in a severe storm last May in the Scotch Meadows area of southern Scotland County, has proven to be "an amazing horse with a lot of heart (who) fought to live", according to the family that kept him in foster care.

"On the morning that the storm hit, about 8 a.m., Focus was standing outside in his paddock when the torrential rains and heavy winds began," said Nancy Stanton, who with her husband Jim owned the farm where the horse was staying. "He had access to his stall, but as some horses do, he chose to ride out the storm in the paddock. As the tall pines fell onto the fence line, Focus panicked and jumped over two sets of broken fences. While it will never been known exactly what happened, the end result was a gaping hole in his chest, which continued through to his abdomen, measuring over a foot long and almost a foot wide, possibly caused by metal roofing material given how cleanly the tissues were cut. Once the storm was over and all the animals were accounted for, Focus was found trembling and going into shock. The skin around his wound was literally flapping in the wind."

FocusFocus was being fostered by the Stantons for the United States Equine Rescue League and had only been at the farm for one month when the accident occurred.

Fearing that Focus's injuries were so severe that euthanization would be the only option, the Stantons called Dr. Laura Kellam, veterinarian in residence at the St. Andrews College Equestrian Center.

"Dr. Kellam quickly arrived on the scene and took charge of Focus, beginning IV fluids and pain medication," Stanton said. "Natalie Norwood and Erin Balduf from Wilson Farm next door came to assist Dr. Kellam, and the gruesome task of cleaning the wound of debris began. Following two hours of treatment, the suturing began, which took another seven hours. Dr. Kellam literally sat on a bucket suturing for nine hours to get Focus ready for transport."

Once the horse was stabilized, the horse was transported to the St. Andrews Equestrian Center for further treatment.

"Peggy McElveen, director of the Equestrian Center at St. Andrews, graciously allowed Focus to temporarily live there for the next few months so that Dr. Kellam could care for him daily, so that he could have the expert care he needed from the barn managers there."

Kellam slept in the barn across from Focus’ stall for the first week of his recovery, monitoring his condition and providing medication around the clock. The first few days were critical, Stanton said, with Focus' life hanging in the balance in the early days and weeks of his recuperation.

"The horse was hand walked daily by the barn managers at St. Andrews and volunteers who followed him in his journey," Stanton said. "St. Andrews Assistant Dean of Students and Rescue League volunteer Jenn Bruner assisted Dr. Kellam at each dressing change, and grew fonder of Focus as the weeks and months progressed."

In October 2009, Bruner adopted Focus through the United States Equine Rescue League.

"I was friends with Nancy Stanton when she and her husband took Focus in as a foster," Bruner said. "I was attracted to the horse from the beginning, but I think we all felt he was such a great animal it wouldn't be long before he was adopted."

FocusIt was during the time that Bruner and others were assisting Kellam in Focus' recovery that they developed a real bond with the horse.

"So many of us gave so much time toward his care after the accident that we would've been heartbroken to see him leave," Bruner said. "I decided to adopt him so that he could stay here with us."

His wound is almost completely healed, according to Bruner, and she and St. Andrews equestrian student Ashley Snead are riding him once again.

"He still has a patch of about one inch by six inches that still needs regeneration," Bruner said. "But if you asked him, I'm sure he would say he's perfectly fine."

Stanton finds it ironic that Focus now lives on land once owned by the late Buddy McCarter, an advocate of equine rescue.

"Buddy gathered a group of concerned citizens together three years ago to join up with the Rescue League in order to rescue horses in need in the county," Stanton said. "It is because of Buddy’s vision that Focus and other horses now live full, meaningful lives."

Bruner stressed the importance of supporting the Rescue League in their efforts to provide safe environments for horses who may be neglected, often unintentionally, by their owners. "The number one priority of the Rescue League is education," she said, "to help horse owners understand the responsibilities that come with caring for an animal. Often horses are given to an individual or are purchased cheaply; the result is that the new owner sometimes doesn't realize the costs involved, and becomes overwhelmed. I have found this to be the prime reason that horses are recovered by the rescue league."

FocusThe United States Equine Rescue League works in partnership with animal control officers, including Scotland County Animal Control, to assist when horses and other equines (mules, donkeys, etc) are in need of placement due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. The downturn in the economy has resulted in a staggering increase in those numbers in Scotland County and elsewhere. In order to help these horses, Rescue League has an immediate need for volunteers who can serve as foster homes for these animals.

"All that is needed in order to serve as a foster home is a pasture with safe fencing with no barbed wire, a three sided shelter, fresh water, daily feedings and a willingness to provide loving attention," Stanton said.

Those who are willing to foster a horse are asked to contact Bruner at 610-2001, Jodi Harding at 276-5300, or Stanton at 277-0753 to make arrangements.

The Rescue League website showcases horses in foster care that are now available for adoption. If you cannot foster, but wish to help these horses, tax-deductible donations may be addressed to Rescue League, 9660 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 138, Box 300, Raleigh, NC 27615.

"Rescue League volunteers wish to graciously thank all the people who helped support Focus in the race of his life, whether it was through encouragement, concern, supplies, donations or prayers," Stanton said. "This is what community is all about."

 

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