An Incredible Opportunity for Magic and Eclipse!

Hello friends! Let us tell you about two of the senior horse residents of FCFS and the unique opportunity we have to help them.

First, the backstory of why we need to help them. Last summer—and even into the fall—was an incredibly challenging time for Magic and Eclipse. The extreme heat in Georgia intensified their allergies and asthma, which are already more severe due to their Cushing’s Disease. Their conditions were so severe that they each spent weeks receiving urgent and costly specialized care at Auburn University. Never mind the combined cost of care being $5,000,  the impact of them being separated was heartbreaking. They experienced changes to their personality and exhibited signs of severe distress by not only being away from each other, but also their long time friend, Thunder.  This summer, our goal is simple: to keep them healthy, at home, and together where they belong.

To make this happen, we need to move quickly—before rising temperatures reach dangerous levels for them.  We have been planning and preparing to break ground on a specialized climate control stall big enough for Magic and Eclipse. This is exactly the type of stall they spent time in at Auburn University. This specially designed stall provides respiratory relief, helping them breathe more easily and significantly reducing the risk of permanent lung damage that could severely impact their quality of life. A flare up of asthma or allergies can last anywhere from twenty minutes to a week or more increasing risk of damage to their lungs and airways. 

An incredibly skilled and highly accomplished professional with 32 years of product engineering experience, including several house builds, believes in this project so deeply that they have not only designed the stall and provided the complete project plan free of charge, they are also generously volunteering their time to complete the build. They will be traveling from several states away to help bring this project to life for Magic and Eclipse. This is an amazing and generous gift that will save us thousands of dollars on labor costs. To break ground on this project, we need to raise funds to cover the cost of pouring concrete and purchasing all necessary building materials.

Plans for the climate controlled stall

We are deeply grateful to have access to this building plan and want to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity. This special project will significantly enhance the quality of at-home care we can provide for Magic and Eclipse. This stall will be invaluable—not only for them, but for a resident of any size facing a medical emergency that requires access to a climate-controlled environment to support their well-being. Having this building will allow us to provide even better care for the residents, while eliminating the added stress and risk of traveling for care, especially during periods of extreme heat.

Magic, the eldest resident of FCFS, is just days away from celebrating an incredible 28 years of life!  Magic may be a super senior, but she is happy, thriving, and shows no signs of slowing down. She is the loving and dedicated mother to Eclipse; the two are always together.  Next month, Eclipse will celebrate her 23rd birthday.  The climate controlled stall is a way to ensure both seniors are given the support they need to continue aging not only gracefully, but comfortably. 

Though Magic and Eclipse are incredibly close, they are also deeply bonded with their dear friend Thunder. They watch over him and provide the family support he needs to feel safe. When either of them are off-site for treatment, Thunder becomes visibly upset, showing signs of anxiety and calling out for them.

Magic and Eclipse both have Cushing's Disease. This is an abnormality of the pituitary gland- a lifelong, treatable condition. Each receives daily medication as well grooming to help control the signs of the disease which include a thick coat, adding to the risk of a heat incident which exacerbates their asthma.  To help control their allergies and decrease the chance of an asthma attack, Magic and Eclipse receive baths with medicated shampoo at least once a week. To lower the risk of skin irritation and allergic reaction from fly bites, they wear fly boots and fly masks every day, and get fly spray applied at least thrice daily.  For their asthma Magic has a standard equine inhaler while Eclipse requires a special inhaler with a stronger medication. Since Eclipse has a sub-type of asthma that is more difficult to treat, her airways have already gone through changes as her disease developed. This means that her standard respiratory rate is higher than average, so even at rest, she breathes faster than Magic and Thunder. A flare up of asthma or allergies can last anywhere from twenty minutes to a week or more. 

Their allergies cause skin itchiness and runny eyes and noses. In recent years, Magic's allergies have affected her more than the asthma, and Eclipse's asthma has affected her more than the allergies, but both can flare up at any time contributing to moderate to severe respiratory distress. Last summer Eclipses’ respiratory rate was more than four times over the average. 

Both of these chronic issues can be mitigated with brief stays in a climate controlled stall, where the air will not have allergens and dust.

In the warm months, Magic really enjoys being hosed down.  To keep this super senior healthy, she receives extra food.  Magic is very sweet at mealtime and knickers with contentment. Eclipse is also incredibly sweet but, unlike her mom, she has a mischievous streak. She knows that mom gets extra food. It’s just so delicious, Eclipse can't help herself… She is known to try to sneak bites from Magic's bowl! 

We need to raise $15,000 to build this critical Climate Controlled Stall for Magic, Eclipse and any of their friends at Full Circle Farm Sanctuary who may need it. This stall will be big enough to accommodate pigs, cows, and everyone in between. With the hottest months approaching, we must to break ground as quickly as possible.

Would you like to become a Climate Stall Supporter? Give Magic and Eclipse the gift of relief and become part of this incredible project. To show our appreciation of your support, we will honor your donation with the following.