1/10/2013 Dear members of Rotary Club Nelspruit.

Re : Custom braces for Hope – The Horse from Hoedspruit.

My name is Org Rautenbach and I practice as a Medical Orthotist and Prosthetist in Nelspruit.I am passionate about prosthetic rehabilitation and working with athletes. I am also passionate about animals and farm part time on the Highveld of Mpumalanga.

West- Acres Vet Clinic in Nelspruit contacted me a while ago to manufacture a custom bi – valve brace for a horse that had a serious laceration wound on its left hind leg. The wound was caused by a loose wire getting caught on around the horse’s leg. it was so serious that the wound would never heel without proper immobilization. The wound is already looking better and these photos should give you a better idea of what I did.

After completing this project, I received a call from Traci Thomson at African Dream Horse Safari Wildlife Equestrian Centre, Hoedspruit.

Traci adopted this beautiful horse, Hope, after she sustained terrible infection- wounds as a result of tick bites. The tendons of the left front leg and right hind leg were affected, and without the team from African Dream Horse Safaris, Hope would have definitely died. They had custom braces made in the USA for approx.. R10000. These helped tremendously in the recovery process of Hope’s wounds and also stabilizing the joints during walking and galloping. Unfortunately, they have cracked and can no longer support her weight, she will need orthotic support for at least another 6 months. The following photos depict the progress that hope has made thus far.

I have offered to replace the braces for R5000. This includes travelling and consultation costs. I am asking for potential funding from you as the Rotary Club for this loving and inspirational animal that has already meant so much to a lot of people. It will be a key factor in Hope’s final recovery and also enable her to have an active pain free lifestyle. My banking details are as follows: GF Rautenbach ABSA Nelspruit Branch Code 632005 Cheque Account nr : 4079653222 Thank you very much for reading this email. Kind regards, Org Rautenbach 0828800990 / 0137533529