On January 3, 2001 a fire broke out in Alpine, CA, 40 miles east of San Diego.  Our two horses, Foxy and Tabari, were at “ground zero.”  They were watered down and set free—there was no time to do anything else.  Although panicked, they followed a car through the flames to safety—that’s the kind of “people horses” these two girls are.  We were reunited with them 4 hours later at the Lazy A Ranch, and met Dr. Kirsten Wegner, our vet for the first time.  

    When we first saw them that morning, the girls were eating, drinking and walking around.  Tabari’s

 body was 40% burned--her face, abdomen and hind legs; the vet also feared she was blind in her right eye.  Foxy was 20% burned over the same areas.  Although shocked and scared, they were responsive to us.  I made the decision at that point to do whatever it took to save them-they had jumped through a wall of flame and smoke, trusting people to take care of them, and I wasn’t going to let them down.  People have asked why I didn’t decide to put them down, and that in essence is the reason.  I stress responsibility to my kids every day—this was the time to put words into action.

    With the expertise and caring of Drs. Wegner,  Carlberg, and Sergent, of ECLAP, our horses gradually improved.  Tabari developed a cough, which scared all of us, but it was treatable, and is now gone; the swelling in her eye decreased and she can see.   Foxy’s wounds are almost dry now, and are completing their sloughing.  Her healing process should be complete in approximately two months. Tabari will take approximately four months to heal—thank goodness she is a kind patient!

    At this time we are considering a skin graft of human tissue—the labor and materials are being donated by Advanced Skin Specialists of La Jolla.  This treatment of harvested tissue has been done on pigs and dogs in Europe, but never horses.  If it works, the ramifications are widespread—this treatment speeds the healing process by 75%--it would truly be a blessing, as burns are among the most painful of injuries.

    The outpouring of support-by our vets who have reduced and even donated some of their fees and have been so loving and meticulous in their care, to Advanced Skin Specialists, to Dana Meier of San Diego Equine Rehab who has spent hours with the girls, to the many local and North County vets who have donated medicine and supplies, to the skin care nurse who donated cutting edge products, to the individuals who donated money, to the individuals who came up and gave us hugs and encouragement-has been heartwarming and life-affirming.  It is difficult to ask for help—but we didn’t really need to-it was immediately offered.

     If you have any questions, or want updates, call us @ 619/659-9674.  If you want to help, an account has been set up at Washington Mutual (#389-602512-5).  If there are excess funds, they will be donated to a non-profit animal organization, or left in savings in case someone else encounters the same situation—injuries caused by an unforeseen disaster.  We thank you all for your kindness, concern and support.

    Keith, Cathy, Eric, Samantha, Mike, Foxy, and Tabari Till

Back to ANN Home Page

 © 1997-2012 The Arabian Network Newsletter.  All Rights Reserved  For for more information contact webmaster@arabian-network.com