No one would ever believe Valora could have suffered such cruelty.  She is a beautiful 14 yr. old bay Thoroughbred with dark mane and tail.  If you look into her left eye, you will see a very kind and appreciative soul.  Her right eye is swollen shut.

Thursday, April 15, 2010 officers of Maricopa County and Department of Agriculture were called to the scene near Baseline Rd. and 56th Ave. when they received calls from neighbors who said they saw a man beating a horse.  The horse's owner was forced to move from her home and said she could no longer care for "Susie Q" and had decided to give her away.  When a man, a farrier, came to take the horse and had trouble getting her into the trailer, he allegedly started punching her.  The farrier said he was trying to get the horse into a trailer so he could shoot it and send it to the rendering plant.  The previous owner said she didn’t know the man intended to hurt the horse.

When officials arrived, the horse was found bleeding profusely from severe lacerations on her face.  A Maricopa County officer then called Joey and indicated the horse had two huge gashes on her head which needed to be stitched.  If Joey could not pick up the mare, she would have to be euthanized.  Channels 3, 10 and 15 all reported the story.

Because Joey offered to take her, the officer asked the horse's owner to get a vet to tend to all the wounds the mare suffered.  It took more than 20 stitches, not only her face but also to one of her back fetlocks.  She had a concussion and suffered two skull fractures and required a tube to help drain away infection.  She has neck muscle injuries and her back legs are missing chunks of skin.  She is sore all over and the muscles in her body are very swollen and hot to the touch.

Joey's plea for a foster home was answered by Gary and Amy Guthmiller.  Joey reported the night of the rescue that Valora was "alert and very much aware of how much we all LUV her already.  She responded so well to our touches.  She let me clean her wounds even after the way she was treated!"  Amy was up every two hours the first night to check on her to make sure she wasn't taking a turn for the worse.  Amy was also the one to change her name to Valora which means bravery and courage.

UPDATE: 4/17 -  "Joey here, Just a quick update on Valora, I have never met a sweeter mare than her! Valora is so trusting. I took her for her first walk. She was so scared, her world has only consisted of the inside of a stall. I was told that Valora lived her whole life in a stall, no wonder she was so terrified of going into a trailer!!!"

We have been using the French Green Clay on her open wounds. The swelling has gone down and she has begun healing in those areas.

UPDATE: 4/19 - Valora likes being at Amy & Gary Guthmiller's. Neighbors and admirers have been very supportive. Amy's two mares are helping Valora, too. Amy reports they have taught Valora how to splash in her water bucket. Valora is still draining blood and fluid through her nose. We will be x-raying her skull fractures and hooves. The neglect to her hooves may have started some foundering in her right front--the x-rays will tell more. She wasn't let out of her stall at her prior residence so she was afraid when Joey took her for her first walk. She is still sore in her whole back end. Here is a picture of her 'maiden voyage' with Joey. 

UPDATE: 4/20 - Joey felt Valora was ready to be turned out with Amy's girls Flo and Ivy. Flo is a Morgan and Ivy is a Thoroughbred just one year younger than Valora. It brought tears to both of their eyes to see Valora interacting and trying to run. She is very stiff and her right front hoof was making her limp. Ivy soon taught her grooming and the two of them groomed each other in the middle of the large turnout. It was a very sweet and happy sight.

UPDATE: 4/22 - Amy reports the horses are turned out together every evening. She swears the girls are having a private conversation about sore feet :)  Valora is in her stall during the day for her medical attention and to make sure she eats.  Her stitches come out next week so we will know more about the healing of the fractures.

UPDATE:  4/25 - Amy writes:  "Joey came over this evening and removed Valora's stitches and drain tube.  Her wounds look like they are going to heal just fine.  She is turned out this evening with the girls but we left her fly mask on just to help keep the dirt out.  Tomorrow she will have her wounds cleaned and fresh clay applied.  She is such a sweet girl.  Thank you again to everyone for your support, prayers and donations."

UPDATE:  4/30 -  Amy writes:  "Valora continues to improve daily. She is allowing me to pick up her front feet with no issues and her wounds are healing nicely. I think her favorite part of the day is when she is turned out in the evening with the girls. I call them "My Three Beautiful Angels". When I go out and check on them before bed I swear there is this beautiful glow around them; like God has sent a group his angels to keep watch over them."

UPDATE:  5/8 - Amy reports that now, after 3 weeks, Valora is turned out everyday.  She has a proper diet and her movement has greatly improved!  What looked like founder might have been lack of the ability to move.  Dr. Sickler will be out again Tuesday to check her right front hoof and to assess what needs to be done for the right eye she has no vision in.

UPDATE:  5/11 - Dr. Sickler came out and put hoof testers on her right front hoof. She did not react with pain which means 'no founder' in that right front -- very good news! Examination of the right eye - she has no vision in it.  Valora keeps that eyelid open and blinks normally so it is not causing her pain or distress.  At this time removing it would be too evasive of surgery. We will keep watch and determine when it becomes a problem and time for removal.

The horses in Valora's life (Ivy and Flo) are just as important in her healing as the people.  Amy reports:  In the afternoon when I fill the water buckets, Ivy likes me to spray her down with the hose. Well as usual, Valora has been watching this and decided today she wanted to be sprayed too. So when Ivy was done and walked off to go roll Valora came over and got as close to the fence as possible and just stood there. So I figured I'll see what she thinks of water (since I can't wait to give her a bath!) and she let me spray her and when I was done with one side she actually turned to let me get the other side-- this is just what Ivy does!

5/12/10 - Darlene and Curt not only heard about Valora's story and sent a donation to help in her care but came out on Darlene's birthday to visit her!  Here are some pictures Darlene has sent of her birthday visit.  Valora was very friendly and trusting -- she has come such a long way.

June, 2010:  It's all about her feet this month.  Amy's farrier trimmed Valora's feet for free as a donation toward her recovery.  He thinks it will take 6 months and her hooves will be in good shape.  

A few evenings before her trimming Amy writes:  "This evening Ivy and Valora decided they were going to put on a show.  They were running, bucking, rearing up and just having a blast!  Valora has a beautiful little trot and was doing flying lead changes up and down the arena.  I cannot wait until her feet get in shape. She is an amazing gal.  I think this fall she is going to be ready to start learning under saddle.  I'm seeing hunt seat and dressage in her future."

UPDATE 8/14/10: Valora has been entered into the Luv Shack Ranch Trainers Challenge. The Challenge will be the finale of the town of Cave Creek's Wild West Days. Nine rescued horses with nine trainers (after 90 days of training) will compete to show how adoptable their horse has become. Come cheer on Valora and her trainer, Jill Varichak, November 7 at noon.

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Show Valora You Care Please donate now to help the LuvShack Ranch care for Valora. It looks like she has some expensive surgery in her future ...

The Luv Shack Ranch Horse Rescue will continue meeting her medical needs. Her right eye will have to be removed.  Donations are welcome to help pay for her full recovery.