Deadline to move all animals - January 2022.

Read here the full story of each of our animals, and why we need to take them home. 
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​Banking Details:
Jo-Marie Elsawahli
Account Number: 1202916260
Current Account
Branch Code: 198765
NEDBANK

Our paypal link is horsesalalah@gmail.com
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Lilly
First to receive a donation:
R1400/R185 000 raised

Thank you!!!

Making the impossible POSSIBLE.
 
Dear all animals lovers. We come to each and every one today to please ask to open your heart to help us, help our animals get to a life they all deserve.
Here is a little background.
11 years ago I moved to Salalah, Oman.  Although a beautiful country with beautiful and welcoming people, there was one thing that caught my eye
My sister joined 2 years later (now 9 years in Oman).  We fell inlove with the country and its people. Oman was home to us.
Between us we ended up rescuing and rehoming countless stray cats and dogs. (This was the time when Salalah still had a much larger expat community).
We opened up a horse riding school with all rescued and rehabbed horses. Due to the language barrier our biggest income was the tourist industry. And then covid 19 happened, all borders shut down, leaving us with little income, and to top it off, lockdown happened, leaving us with no income. My sister’s husband is very generously paying for the food and vet bills of all these animals.
However, with constant law changes in Oman, we don’t know for how much longer we as expats would be able to keep renting farm land, having the registered business and working visa’s that comes with it. Without all of that, we need to give up on our animals. Please see attached article about renting on banned areas:
 
https://www.facebook.com/961957713844355/posts/4932049906835096/?extid=setb71IZaa4fzLfu&d=n
 
Another major issue is veterinary care. Veterinary services are so limited. We are fed up of having to fight with vets to get a simple thing like a vaccine done on our animals. Something that could prevent them from getting is, is being denied, simply because we are not taking them near the royal stables. Let’s make a quick list of occasions when “vets” have failed us:

• We had a 35 year old horse with severe cancer – vet’s refused to put him down after 8 months of begging – why? Because he wasn’t in a accident.
• We had another 20+ laminitic horse with so much pain, she couldn’t stand for days, yet they refused to put her down – why? She wasn’t in an accident.
• Had a mare with DSLD since we got her, eventually went blind and went down – they wouldn’t put her down – why? Because the vet needs rest.
• Had a horse with choke! EMERGENCY!!! – Called the vet immediately – wouldn’t come out, why? “Don’t worry your horse will vomit out the blockage” – vet’s quote.
• We are basically experts in colic horses – don’t even try to get a vet out for that.
• Had a pony with slight ‘Monday morning’  - only picked it up on a normal blood check routine – guess what – the vet suggested pumping her full of drugs for a stomach infection (now I already went to two other vets  in SA and got a second and third opinion on the blood test results)
• We are struggling with the animals – anemic – we can’t find the issue – the vet actually turned around and said – “I don’t know, you know horses, you should know the problem”!
• Sounds far-fetched, but really is not. I can keep going on and on, but don’t want to get you dying of boredom.

Getting decent animal food is out of the question in Oman.
We’ve been through 3 floods in two years! Our animals just won’t take a 4th flood! And in Salalah, there is nowhere to escape.
For those that has met us, knows giving up is not an option! Sending our animals back to where they came from is NOT an OPTION.
Our animals that are in the biggest danger are our two camels, 2 sheep and 5 goats. The moment they are loaded on to a truck, means only one thing… slaughter.
Most of our horses came from horrible backgrounds where they were not fed and kept in concrete stables, not even big enough to turn around in for up to 3 days at a time.
 
 
So the solution to the problem?
Move them all back to our farm in South-Africa!! CRAZY!!! I KNOW!
We would love for our animals to go from the small 8m8m paddocks of sand and stone to 20 hectares of freedom, filled with trees, grass and streams where the best vets await  them.
Now this is where we really really really need your help. We need to fundraise. We were roughly quoted R9 000 000 (ZAR) for the lot. Every little penny counts, right about now.
 
Here is the list of animals we need to send back:

1. Coconut

Coconut is a little shetland pony stallion, now aged around 10. He came to us in 2015 blind in one eye (he became blind because the care giver– with no previous horse experience - did not realize he had an eye infection. While the owner only saw Coconut once every 4-8 months). He had no interaction with other horses or ponies… he was completely alone. He had some severe mentally issues due to it, attacking horses, donkeys, camels and even humans whenever any sort of mare would walk by. We are now proud to say that he turned out to be quite a cuddle bunny. He absolutely adores back rubs. He even allowed one of our horses to take grass out of his mouth. He is currently living next to the pony mares without him trying to climb the walls. (Yep, for hooves and a little guy, walls were no biggy to him).
Cost to get Coconut back to SA (185 000 ZAR) – 4500 omr

1. Biwi

Biwi…. So where do I even start on this little horse. He is probably going to be the tiniest of horses you would ever lay eyes on. He is an ass. Let’s be honest… if any horse could give you a run for your money, that would be this tiny little 80 odd Centimeter little ass! But let’s rewind… why did Biwi become an ass???
Firstly, just like Coconut, he is a little (a very little!!!!) stud/stallion, that was kept alone for years. Now, we don’t know for how long (but must have been some time, as he didn’t even recognize grass when we tried to feed him any…. Duh, isn’t that a horse’s main meal?) So now, when a kind lady and her family found him somewhere north of Oman, his hooves were so overgrown he could not walk. He had curly hooves, stood in a bird aviary with chicken food fed to him day and night. He was well overweight, yet his poor feet could not carry him. He was not allowed out of his aviary because he was and still is the same little ass (okay, maybe a little better, at least he made a friend with Apache and can now quietly walk on a lead). We rescued him, with love and determination from the same lady that saw him in that state – she actually flew back to come and join the rescue mission and then again to come and visit him! Biwi could possibly be suffering from epilepsy, as he had a couple of sudden onset seizures,  so far no vet in Salalah could find the reason why, so instead they give him activated charcoal and treat it as poisoning, rather than finding the main issue – Let’s be honest, they are not equipped to find the underlying issue. He is one of our main priorities to get to the best equine vets.
To take Biwi back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Kanooz

Kanooz… this little arab mix mare… she was born from a well-bred arab mare that everyone knew. Yet sold off to a guy that knew nothing of horses, he bred her at the age of two, and at the age of 5 when we got her, she was pregnant with baby number 3 (Khanjar – born and raised with us).  Kanooz was sold on and off simply because she was “stupid”. At this young age she had no schooling or training, a guy got on her back at the age of two, decided she cannot ride well, and sold her off for breeding. Kanooz is the sweetest little mare that you will ever find. She just can’t go without human companionship. Although she distrusts most men, she is still willing to try. Most of her interactions with humans caused her to fear them. A few months of gaining her trust, and yet again, we have a cuddle bug right up in your face… if you are a lady offcourse.
To take Kanooz back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Khanjar

Khanjar is our 1 year old baby from Kanooz. He so far had not known a day of hardship, without food or abuse for being a male animal. He has full trust in people and other animals and thoroughly enjoys human companionship. We would really appreciate to keep it that way. At the age of one year, he already trusts humans to the extend a normal 5 year olds would. He loves other horses and companionship from them too. His best friend being Skyline (one of our geldings).
To take Khanjar back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Anaas

Anaas is a mid teen Stallion that came from hardship. This guy does have some issues we’re still working on. He is a kicker and a biter at times. But this comes being ridden by an unbalanced 140kg previous owner. He got hurt, and eventually started fighting back. He is already a lot better when it comes to being saddled up, but he still have his days. If we were to leave him behind, he would end up just like the pony stallions. Unfortunately we cannot get any of the stallions castrated in Salalah. Which would be ideal. Anaas is a sweet boy, that needs to find himself again.
To take Anaas back would be 185 000 (Zar) or 4500omr

1. Ayan

Ayan was rescued with Biwi, although he too needed a hoof trim, he was much better off than Biwi. Yes, he too had some social issues, and would often lash out at people, he turned into an amazing pony for kids. Kids love riding him and he equally loves going to the beach. Ayan is also a stallion roughly aged 10.
To take Ayan back would be 185 000(ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Camille

Camille is our female camel, she came from a camel farm where she was put up for sale to slaughter, due to the fact that she can no longer produce calves, milk or race due to her age. We have used her for riding, as she is just the sweetest camel ever! Although she dislikes her legs being touched, who would blame her? The previous owners branded her with hot metal, causing pretty bad infections. Camels are well known to not take well to abuse and can become quite dangerous when abuse continues.
If we can’t get this sweet camel back to SA, she will be slaughter bound.
To take Camille back would be 185 000(ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Shaheen

Shaheen, being one of our longest residents is a little arab gelding. He was one of our biggest rescue missions. He came from stables where the owner dumped starving horses on the beach to die, slit a horses throat simply because the horse misbehaved by kicking him when he tried to get on his back. Shaheen had to endure days without food, ridden by an owner that would beat him to rear and ran him pretty much into the ground – much like bush racing in SA. Shaheen was sold as an 8 year old, but he was only 3. Shaheen has come a long way and is a favorite for many of our riders. He is confirmationally VERY wrong, which means his riding career will end really soon. If we cannot get him back to SA, he will be put out in a paddock and be forgotten by the net owners or alternatively ridden until the day he collapses.  Shaheen is such a sweet boy and would never hurt a fly. He is even voice trained to come or go to his stable. He is best friends with Skyline and Mushaher.  
To take Shaheen back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr.

1. Waseem

Waseem is the horse we have had the longest, we is one of the original horses we got when we first started the riding school. Waseem is an ex race horse. He is the best thing that ever happened to us, originally sold because his leg kept going lame, with a few months of rest and patience, this boy turned out perfect. Offcourse horses would go lame if they were to be riding flat out on a daily basis. Waseem is now retired, although he still enjoys slow hacks with kiddies on his back. He is 20 years old, which in normal situations are still a good age, but given the exceptionally difficult place the middle east is for horses. 20 is as good as 30 in other countries.  We would love to see this old, loyal horse living out the rest of his life on green pastures and the rest of the herd.

1. Mushaher

I don’t even know where to start on this boy. He is an ex race horse stallion, kept away from other horses and simply beat up for being a stallion. When he arrived at our stables, initially as a boarding horse, he was AGGRESSIVE beyond believe. There was no way one could enter the stable with a halter or lead rope. He had full blown attacks on us. Baring teeth and kicking with all fours. If he would have had the chance to take a person down, he would have done so. The owner then wanted to get him shot, because of this behavior, but we offered to buy him over and give him a second chance in life. He turned out to be quite the character. Did great in endurance races and the riding school. Months of rehab and changing his mindset about entering his stable had brought forward an amazing young horse. He to this day still remembers his previous owners, as they had come to see him a little while ago, what we saw was shocking, to say the least. Although he now fully trusts us, he turns into that same aggressive horse when he gets face to face with the old owners. My guess is, he’ll never forget what had happened to him, or what they have done to him. He is now living in a small herd with his two best friends. Skyline and Shaheen.
To take mushaher back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Rosie, Apache and Lilly

These three ponies have a very special bond. Although not rescued, but rather bought to accompany Coconut. We would hate for them to go into a rescue situation. Apache is Lilly’s baby and Rosie is Lilly’s best friend.
To take them back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500 each.

1. Samarai

Samarai was born and raised in SA, he was exported to the UAE to due endurance races, once he was over racing age in UAE, he was sent to Muscat, Oman. He was then raced there, once his legs were giving in, he was sent to Salalah for the exact same reason. We then bought him from an owner who had used blister on his legs to literally burn the skin and tissue away. (It is a product well known in the arab endurance community where they would chemically burn the legs of horses in order for them to fix tendon issues, not only is it exceptionally cruel, it does nothing other than cause infections, long lasting scarring and mental scarring to the horse.
To take Samarai back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr

1. Skyline

Skyline was not a rescue, he was a gift to us. If all else fails, Skyline would go back to his previous owner. But we love Skyline and we really do not want the previous owner and good friend to think we are taking every animal back except his gift. Skyline is one awesome horse with so much trust in him and he is such a pleaser. We would hate for that to change due to the wrongful owners in the future.
To take Samarai back would be 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500 omr.

1. The Goats and Sheep:

The little herd of goats came from people that had them as pets and no longer wanted them. To take Molly, Shirley, Leah, Dahlia, Robert, Malika and Momma back would be 65 000(ZAR) or 1500omr each.

1. The donkeys.

Busaber came to us as an unwanted bottle baby while Kadife’s owner was looking to find someone that could take better care of her. Both are exceptionally good donkeys. We would really like to not allow them to into the hands of the wrong people where they could possibly be used for hard labour in the mountains.
To take the donkeys back would be around 185 000 (ZAR) or 4500omr each.

1. The cats:

Claire, Simba and Cookie all came from the streets of Salalah as tiny helpless kittens. Cookie was born with a funny leg and extra toes on her one foot. Claire is now 9 years old and really only knows the comfort of a home.
To take the cats back would be 35 000 (ZAR) or 800 omr each.

1. Haasdas

Haasdas is our rabbit. He was also brought in as a tiny day old baby rabbit, which we bottle fed and handreared. He is now around 6 years old. He is not a friendly rabbit to strangers, so finding him a home is not possible. To take Haasdas back would be 35 000 (ZAR) or 4500 omr.

1. The birds

Peanut, BooBoo and Xavier are all rescued parrots. They are currently living in large aviaries that we had built for them. If we rehome them, they would end up back into small cages with poor diets. They will be sold on and on as soon as the trend has gone. Xavier has known only me his entire 9 years of life, BooBoo is now 6 years old and came to us as an egg, yep an egg, we hatched the egg only to find a little parakeet. Peanut was the worst off parrot I have ever laid eyes on. He had almost no feathers left, and the feathers he had on his wings were mostly blood feathers. He was still meant to be hand fed as a baby, but he was thrown in a small cage, not even suitable for a budgie, with a bowl of sunflower seeds. When I saw him, I really did not thing he would survive the night, but here we are, 8 years later and Peanut wants to go home with us.
Their price: R109 000 (ZAR) or 2500omr each

1. The terrapins

4 of them. All unwanted pets. Infact, we don’t even know where number 4 comes from. Someone probably found that our terrapins have quite a good life. Well known in Oman are people keeping terrapins inside the house in plastic tubs without the correct diet. One of ours still have shell issues because of it. Now they are currently living in a terrapin pond, where they can get in and out of the water, walk about in a camp and sunbath naturally. They are also being fed a buffet. We can not see that they go back to poor health because we did not take responsibility of taking them home with us.
The price per terrapin would be R35 000 (ZAR) or 800omr each.

1. The dogs: (I’ll keep their stories together and shortened as mostly the same scenario)

• Goofy  - picked up in a parking lot as a day old puppy.
• Rambo – Rambo was a dumped pet.
• Mia – Mia belongs to her owner in Italy, unfortunately due to covid, he got stuck in Italy while she was boarding with us. We would like to send Mia back to her owner in Italy.
• Storm – Was an unwanted pet for being too busy.
• Bianca – A dumped pet.
• Princess – Too much for the owner to handle, came in with Teddy.
• Ugly – Wasn’t good enough for her owner when he got a new dog.
• Hushkey – Was too much to handle for his owner.
• Bobby – Unwanted pet
• Max – Found as a stray puppy and brought to us by a very kind Omani.
• Teddy – Came in with Princess – too much to handle for his owner.

To take the dogs back, would be 65 000(ZAR) or 1500 omr per dog!
 
If  you find it in your heart to help with a donation, please specify to which animal you are sending it to, so that we can keep track of each one and update you on the progress made on the animal’s journey.
Our paypal link is horsesalalah@gmail.com
Any 1 cent would go a long way! We appreciate each and every person that had donated so far and still willing to donate. Keep an eye on this website at the progress made to get our beloved animals back to SA. We will start sending them over one by one as each of their funds have been raised.


Best regards
Jo-Anne and Jo-Marie
 
 

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