Zuri
1994 Tennessee Walking Horse Mare
Suitability: Companion TBD
Color: chestnut
Markings: pastern (RH)
Height: 14.3 hh
Weight: 880 lbs
Adoption Fee: $300
Zuri was part of a four horse Pierce County Animal Control seizure in early 2024. On seizure, she was emaciated, and overdue for basic care. Thanks to the work of Pierce County, her foster, and the vets at Tacoma Equine, Zuri is looking much improved from the condition she was first seen in. Now at SAFE, Zuri is continuing her rehabbing and is settling in well. We expect that she will be a great addition to our grooming program, as her sweet personality has already made her a fast favorite.
Zuri’s Joints
A mid-90s baby, Zuri is one of the oldest members of our herd. Before her arrival, she was nursed back to health by one of Pierce County Animal Control’s amazing fosters, who brought her body condition up from the 1 out of 9 she was seized at. Considering the rough shape she began in, as well as her advanced age, Zuri came to SAFE looking if not quite like a million bucks, then not far off.
However, being a lady of a certain age does present its challenges. One afternoon, a volunteer groomer of Zuri’s went out to her paddock to give her one of the brushing sessions she had come to expect several times a week, only to find her down in her shelter. Because of her proximity to the wall, we initially believed her to be cast, but after carefully repositioning her and her reluctance to get up, we feared something else was the matter. Our vets were quickly on the scene, as her heart and respiration rates were both quite elevated. Shortly before they arrived, she did get up, but her initial steps were wobbly and uncoordinated, and her vitals remained very high. Our vets examined her and found her to be dehydrated. They gave her banamine and intubated her with fluids. Though she had good motility and gut sounds, we were advised to pull food for the night in the event that what we were seeing was a colic. We also set up one of our cameras to be able to monitor her throughout the evening.
Over the course of the next week or so, we watched Zuri carefully for signs of further episodes. We dutifully recorded her vitals multiple times each day to monitor her pain levels and kept track of her manure output each morning and afternoon to make sure everything in her GI was working as it was supposed to, and for the days immediately following the event, set alarms during the night to check on her. Thankfully, she seemed to be improving, and we were able to rest a little easier feeling that the episode was behind us.
However, a few weeks later, Zuri experienced a similar episode. A volunteer found Zuri down in her paddock, though it appeared she was resting peacefully. When they returned a little while later to feed her dinner, she was still down, and her respirations were elevated – though not nearly as significantly as they were the first time. She was hungry for her food, but did not seem motivated to get up and eat, preferring if it was placed somewhere she could reach from her place on the ground. When she did get up, she took those same baby deer steps as before, as though her legs had fallen asleep and she needed a moment to ‘walk it off.’ Her appetite was present, as were her gut sounds, which made us feel as though the cause of this behavior was not colic-related, but rather tied to a lack of physical mobility. In short, we deduced that she was getting ‘stuck’ on the ground. When we consulted with our vets, they agreed, and suggested we start her on the anti-inflammatory Equioxx, which we did ASAP.
Since that initial loading dose, Zuri scarfs up her daily Equioxx-stuffed carrot with gusto. No further episodes of her struggling to rise or getting stuck on the ground have been reported, and she has brightened somewhat in her demeanor. These days she is enjoying her time out on grass, and the multiple grooming sessions she receives weekly by our volunteers, who love this sweet old lady as much as we do!
Walkin’ Into SAFE: Zuri, Bailey, Cleopatra, Deja Vu
Four new mares Tennessee walked into SAFE last week: Zuri, Bailey, Cleopatra, and Deja Vu.
Their story is one of neglect, as is so often the case with our new intakes, but as they were seized by out friends down at Pierce County Animal Control, they have been in very good hands since they were first rescued. The girls were all tremendously thin before they were taken, with body condition scores in the 1–3 range. Cleopatra, who was in the best shape (a relative term), had only held on to her little bit of extra weight by being food aggressive. No horse should have to fight for a meal.
For the last few months, they have been rehabbing down south, but last Friday made the trek up to SAFE. So far, everyone has been settling in well here, enjoying at least five meals a day, and getting to know the routine and the volunteers who already adore them.
Zuri and Bailey are the two matrons of the group, neither a stranger to being handled. Word is that they were show horses, once upon a time, and they do have a ‘been there, done that’ worldliness about them.
Zuri on seizure
Zuri is likely 30, and was in some of the worst shape of them all. She has gained a significant amount of weight over the course of her time at foster, but there is still visible evidence of her pointiness. She has a history of colic, so we are keeping a close eye on her eating and bathroom habits (a standard across the new intake board, of course, but something that we are making sure to pay extra attention to given what we know). She is so far curious and friendly, and will greet you vocally — especially if you come with food.
Bailey is also 30 or above, and has a history of laminitis that has led to some significant rotation in her front feet, particularly her left. Bailey’s hooves were in terrible condition in general, so managing her overall comfort has been a high priority. She has been living in soft ride boots, and taking daily equioxx, both of which have been helping some. But she doesn’t let her feet stop her from being a sassy lady!
During her intake photoshoot, Bailey was quick to remind us that she would much rather be chowing down on her alfalfa, thanks very much. She is a hoot!
Cleopatra on seizure
Cleopatra is 20, and as previously mentioned, looks the best out of the four. Despite her food aggressiveness with other horses however, she is rather shy around humans. While she does allow you to halter and touch her all over, she is clearly uncertain at times. It will be wonderful to see her come out of her shell a little once she settles in more here at SAFE.
Deja Vu on Seizure
Deja Vu, so named because of her physical similarity to Cleopatra, follows her doppleganger’s personality thru-line as well, being perhaps the most wary of the group. Still, she is not untouchable by any means, and allows for haltering and blanketing, but is definitely hyperaware of everything that is happening. Though we do not know if Cleo and Deja have riding backgrounds, signs point to ‘no.’
All four ladies are settling in well at SAFE, where they are growing used to the rhythms of this place. One thing is for sure, they already know the sound of the food truck!
Zuri’s Friends:
1. Jane M.
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10._____________________
Every horse deserves at least ten friends! Even a small monthly donation can make a difference. Plus, SAFE horse sponsors receive discounts at local businesses through the SAFEkeepers program!
Click here to sponsor Zuri!
