Norah

Height:  14.2 hh (est)
Weight: 900 lbs (est)
DOB:  2016 (est)
Sex:  Mare
Color:  Gray
Breed:  Arabian
​​DNA:  1st Arabian
2nd Lipizzaner
3rd Lusitano
Adoption Fee:  $Adopted
Category:  In Rehab/Under Evaluation

Norah's Story

Norah came to AAE after law enforcement intervention/seizure in a neglect case involving 24 horses, which became 25 horses when a colt was born after seizure.  We were told law enforcement stepped in when they learned of horses that had been abandoned on a large, remote, high desert property. Law enforcement provided care for the animals from late 2023 until mid-February, when they seized 21. Three additional horses had died, one prior to law enforcement intervention and two shortly thereafter. Another rescue was contacted, and together, we supported this effort. In the end, AAE took in 15 of the horses (pregnant mares, mare/foal pairs, and two young, sickly fillies), and the other rescue took seven horses (two mature stallions and young five stud colts). These are mostly younger Arabian horses. The condition of the horses had improved, overall, since law enforcement stepped in; however, all were in rough shape. Basic care had been neglected for some time. In general, body conditions and hair coats were in poor condition, especially the foals and weanlings that were heavily matted.  Hooves were in poor condition with long toes, high heels, splits, cracks, and even one long slipper toe on a young filly. Dental care was needed for the mature horses. Arabian stallions (and potentially mustang stallions) had been running with the mares, so the older fillies and mares are all potentially pregnant. 

When we first met Norah, we wanted to get her back to AAE asap. She was pregnant and looked as if she could deliver any moment. The long drive ahead felt daunting for her. It was dark when we unloaded the trailers, and the next morning we got to work shuffling horses and paddocks. We knew we didn't have long to get hands on Miss Norah so the vet could handle her should she have problems with delivery. Thankfully, it didn't take long for Norah to accept touching and haltering, and it didn't seem all too foreign to her. Four days after arriving at AAE, Norah delivered a healthy lil' dark bay (gray) filly, Noah, on March 24, 2024.
Norah was an amazing mom, and Noah's grown into a beautiful yearling. Mom, Noah, had some challenges along the way. She arrived with a couple of old injuries on her hind right leg. One healed, the other didn't. She had a golf ball-sized mass on one of her heels. We were hoping it was proud flesh (granulation tissue), but also suspected a sarcoid. (See photos here. Content warning: graphic). Initially, we thought it needed to be removed once Noah was weaned and fly season was over. Until then, we kept it bandaged to keep the flies of and to prevent infection/further damage.
​
On top of that, Norah had a mystery injury about a month after arrival. Somehow, she fractured her upper jaw and nearly lost some teeth. Thankfully, Dr Errico at Loomis Basin was able to repair her jaw, and she healed beautifully. (See photos here. Content warning: graphic). She had to wait for her bone to heal before she could have her dental. 
Lila’s adopter visited again when Norah was ready to go, and she welcomed her with open arms. Fortunately, her hoof wound healed slowly, and by the time she was ready for adoption, the Dr. Errico felt it had healed well, and the “hardened” tissue we were seeing was probably displaced frog tissue from her injury, and it was in such a risky area, it wasn’t worth the risk trying to “remove” the tissue. That was great news. We knew the surgery would have been difficult, and would likely take a long time to heal because of the location.

In general, there is a lot of activity around AAE including vehicle and foot traffic in and out of paddock/pasture areas, mucking with wheelbarrows, grooming and care activities, tractor and trailering, weekly farrier visits.  There are resident dogs, cats, goats, a pig, cows, and mini horses, as well as various wildlife including frequent turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, deer, coyote, and bobcats in and around paddock/pasture areas.  A portion of AAE is situated along a highway with high speed vehicles, trucks, and sirens.  Tractors are used in and around pasture/paddock areas, trucks deliver feed, and a squeeze is occasionally used for unloading hay.  Horses at AAE are accustomed to a more active environment as opposed to a quiet/sterile environment. Some do well; others will do better in a more quiet environment.​​
If you'd like to help with Norah's veterinary costs, we'd sure appreciate the extra help! Donate using the button below.​