Previous Blogs

Keep Sandy and Daisy in your prayers. When I don’t hear from my web-goddess I get worried. The pick up for the babies and Roxy is rescheduled for Sat. Tons of things getting done behind the scenes. The FOB’s on ABR continue to amaze me, money is coming in for Angel. We will get her tested. Lots of stressful things happening. We worry about Daisy and her scarcoid. We are monitoring Zoey and her recovery from surgery. Little Joe Jonas had his hernia repaired, and my son is getting a drivers license today. My head is spinning...Pray hard. Life is short. It’s a huge chain of love and commitment. It starts with Shirley, the Equine Angel. She gets the word and begins making arrangements. She spends endless hours getting horses lined up to be rescued. Then she begins with a post, & hopes that there is enough love and charity out there to save these discarded lives. In come the donations. FOB’s on ABR, (the Friends of Barbaro) are a united, powerful resource. They give and give and then give some more. Ransom is raised, horses pulled, and transportation funds are raised. This all takes enormous effort and time. Then Marlene, one of the haulers that does this grueling trip for little more than gas, gets started. Up and down the state she goes, delivering to rescues waiting, preparing for the precious cargo. Upon arrival each rescue then has the daunting task of explaining to their beloved other half about how this will be it for a while, and how thoroughly it is understood that there really isn’t enough in the budget to be stretching again. Most of the time I think they stand in disbelief, amazed at what is being accomplished, scared as the economy is in the tank. Talk about running on faith!

Call came in to Karie in Madera, Wednesday night at 11:30 pm. Marlene was at it again. This woman has been hauling horses all over the state of California. In the last week she has traveled some 2000 plus miles getting saved horses to their new destinations. All for the good of horses. All to keep them moving off the feedlots and out of harm's way. A cute, frightened little bald face mare, in foal, was at death's door in Fallon. Plucked at the last minute from Hell, she was deposited safely in the middle of the night; 2:30 am, actually, at the Foster Ranch Facility. Karie once again drags her sleepy body out of bed, wakes her son, and sets up the round pen so that this little mare is safe till dawn. The round pen, borrowed from a neighbor, was dismantled at the neighbor's house, loaded on Karie's truck, brought to Madera and unloded by Karie...all by herself. She is amazing. Sophia was named by our web-goddess, Sandy. In honor of her...ah...29^th birthday…she named our newest arrival. And so we welcome Sophie.

Angel continues to make progress daily. She is enjoying once again her pets and strokes. Very wary, yet trusting more each day. We are looking forward to doing some blood work and figuring out just what is going on.

ASPCA has a paint mare, cute, friendly rideable, with colt at her side. Teary eyed owners surrendered her, no longer can afford her. Waiting to hear the details on her situation. We don’t want her going to Fallon to the auction.

Roxy and the two foals leave tomorrow for their new homes. I keep telling myself, this is the cycle completed! Safe and going to new homes! I will remember that as I wipe away the tears.

Can u tell my web goddess is away? Nothing attractive about these postings lately, but I am compelled to keep everyone up to date. She, the web goddess, went to go and do a 13 mile half marathon with her husband. I thought I was nuts! That is amazing …but I shouldn’t be surprised because every single person I am affiliated with in my rescue is amazing! Good Luck to you Sandy~ May the force be with you, or at least comfy slippers awaiting the journey’s end.
A Big HUGE thank you to Karie out of the Madera Foster Facility. She came to town and worked her butt off. She then hauled Suri and Frankie to their new homes, and today she is coordinating the arrival of the two girls from the Big Sur fire. We are so pleased to have given these girls and Suri the opportunity to live out their lives in Sanctuary. Their new owner, like all our sanctuary moms’, keep an eye on them, watch for ribs, illness and hooves…but generally leave them alone. Unless they want they attention, and my goodness some do. They wait at the fence for spa treatments.
There may be a quarter horse joining the girls. Karie will let us know.
Kevin and Nikki from our JoBros troop are adopted into a new loving home. Bonnie is coming up on Sunday to pick them up . She is also going to take Roxy, my lovely little blue roan and help try and place her.
Jayce has a couple of possibilities. He’s going to be one heck of a jumper!
I was blessed with a hay donation. Jim delivered 20 bales of lovely sweet hay.
I may have a new barn manager starting soon. This is very exciting news as I pray towards getting into organized mode.
Granite has been out twice. YES they are going to help.
I need grass seed. Anybody feel like buying a bag of grass seed? We are getting close. I cant wait to post pictures.
More donations of goodies coming in~~~
Wormer and wraps from Sandy. Meds and Supps from Laurie. Straw Bales from Marty. It’s the people that make this little rescue run. We are close to 40 equines in new homes.
Patriot may be moving to Montana. I better go knit him a sweater…More coming later!
Last Item*** Silent Auction Items..any ideas…connections we better start collecting soon.Happy Monday!
Lynn

Most importantly...the TB mares are going to Oklahoma. I spoke with the owner yesterday and it is his wish. They leave next week. Thank you to everyone who has telephoned and emailed. I have tried to return every email, and some of the calls, but its amazing how many calls a day are still coming in. I apologize if I cannot get back to you. I am thrilled the horses will be well loved and safe.

Everyone was vaccinated yesterday, Jayce's leg wound that he arrived with was cleaned out really well by the vet, she is a little worried as it is quite deep and close to the tendons, so we will keep cleaning and bandaging it for a while and administer antibiotics. He also received his tetanus among other things. He's going to be a gorgeous smooth ride...what an endurance prospect!

Katy and I built a pen with the help of Cherl and her two sons, and Jillian. OK, ok that's a very short sentence for the amount of work it took to drag the pipe panels from across the nation to where we put the pen. We wanted to keep Niki close to the gang to help promote her "well-being" as she is not thriving right now...at all. Because she and the other two orphans were deprived of mother's milk and colostrum, things are just a bit tougher for them. She is now on special supplements and must be able to eat without being bothered by the other horses. All in all a very productive day yesterday. We also finally had blood drawn on Suri, so we will see if she's really pregnant very soon!

Scott, Dave, Katy and I are off to pickup the 40 bales of straw
generously donated by Capitola Pumpkin Patch. Marty Buak is loaning us his flat bed truck to make this easier. If anyone would like to come play in the mud today and help spread the straw that would be wonderful.

Stall mattresses may make it over here yet! And look at little Joe. He is such a sweetie pie. Dazzle is the gorgeous mare we rescued from a PMU farm back in Nov. of 2006. Look at how gorgeous she is now!!!!

You would not believe how cute Dazzle is. Poor girl, the little baby was trying to nurse off of her this morning, but she is too sweet to kick him off, so i had to pull him off of her. So, they are separated, but I have very cute pictures for you!"

Here is a picture I love of our girl Angel and the Jonas Brothers. Little Joe is at the "Ritz" in Saratoga getting ready for his hernia surgery, and the other 3 are now ready for new homes!!!

I will be out of the "office" for the next couple of days, but will check in later in the week. Have a great one!!!

Loaded Little Joe this am. He was a champ. Only took one and a half hours. He wasn't too sure about the loading ramp, but with a little coaxing from Mr. Horn he made it. Mr Horn, Ralf, has a new name in my book; Mr. Caesar (Say-zahr) Horn. He was wonderful! I saw that finesse, that easy patient way some people just have. Cesar Horn has it! Little Joe will now be treated like royalty, at what we call "The Ritz". Jenelle and her dad are the best!

Next Dr. Deb Sell came out. She is a pleasure. She is also an equine chiropractor. She worked on a couple of our equines. A lot of licking and chewin goin on. Happy horses, no doubt.

Then I met Jordon Murphy. Jordon came out to see what Angel, the JoBros', mom knows. Well...she was...an angel. Stood quietly, happily allowed the halter. Then the saddle pad, even the saddle. Girth, no problem. She led her around,...no problem. Then she stood quietly and took the bit. Remember Tom Hanks in that movie, "Big"? Remember when he ate something he didn'tlike and was trying to get it off his tongue? That was Angel. She kept trying to slide the bit out of her mouth down her tongue. Cute little girl...she's never worn a bit. So off came the headstall, on went the halter and Jordon ever so quietly got on her back. Uneventful. Angel stood quietly, ears waiting for a cue...Small problem was, she didn'tknow any cues...She's never been ridden before, apparently. So, Jordon wants to come out and teach Angel how to be a riding horse. Sounds good. Angel was licking and chewing and nuzzling Jordon. A new friend.

In the afternoon Jill and I decided to give Whiskey and Dually a bath. We noticed Whiskey is a little under the weather. Out came the vet, and up went a quarantine pipe panel area, just in case. The doc recommends R&R for our boy. And, so, that's what he'll get.

On to cleaning up the tack room, and organizing wormers...Yes it was a busy day.

Babies get their vaccines next Friday. And folks are beginning to drop off used tack for our garage sale. All of the donated items will be sold and profits will help pay for Joe's operation, and all the vaccines coming up.

Scott Morgan does incredible work. He is a craftsman and an artist. I want you to know that if you're in the market for a tack trunk, I mean a really beautiful high end gorgeous tack trunk, you need to see his. They are beautiful and reasonably priced. Click here to see them. http://www.customtacktrunks.com/

Also speaking of cool stuff...Have you seen the website Blue Horse Design? Her stuff is so incredible. I thought she only made note cards, which I love, but she also makes these fiber horses after a specific horse that has been rescued. There is one made for Penny, a pregnant mom we rescued a while back. Well her fiber horse is si cute, she has a little tummy like Penny and copper pennies. It is very sweet! Laurie also donates 25% of her sales to our rescue which is so generous. She is a lovely soul. Check out her stuff!

Well its a darn good thing we check into all our homes. The "home offer" for our two fire rescue mares and Mr. Moon isn't working out. From the horses mouth, so-to-speak-

"This "person" was training QHs at Los Al until about three years ago. He reappeared on the scene very recently (was seen at Barretts yearling sale a month ago). He has a horrible reputation as per someone very reputable and well known in TB training and breeding down here who is also "retirement" oriented.

Here you go. He doesn't care about the pregnant mares' pedigrees because the babies would be sold to matchracing connections. If pedigrees are available, the mares eggs can be harvested. (I personally would be worried about any private individual who says they don't care at all about the pedigrees of the mares that is wanting to take all 12 of them.)

Other free horses - such as those you are considering sending to him - can be sold for Mexican rodeos. He is also reputedly connected to the Mexican mafia. Sound bizarre? Come down here some time and I'll take you to Los Alamitos racetrack.

He is a big time trader in many undesirable "fields", and I would keep horses as far from him as you possibly can. No - he's not a kill buyer, but he's not a lot better."

Well okay then....OUCH...its hard to believe that it still goes on....but it does...So we will continue to advertise for a good home for these three souls...

Jayce the colt arrives today....

Roxy has a someone interested in her...this is exciting. I think Jenelle is picking up Little Joe today to take him to Saratoga for his hernia repair. That wraps it up for a Friday...Looking forward to the weekend.

Its hubby's b-day today. Happy Birthday sweetie~

I was contacted by a man in Southern California who wants to give Liberty, Destiny and Mr. Moon a home; he has acreage at Lake Eloise. The folks are checking it out. This could be very good news.

Look for us in the Santa Cruz Sentinel today. I heard they were running an article on how all the shelters and rescues are struggling in these hard times. This could be very helpful in boosting donations. The Sentinel is very good to us.

Little Jayce the 2 yr old colt is due to arrive on Friday. See his picture below...he is a cutie.

I am putting him with pregnant Suri, where he can not get into too much trouble. We will no doubt have to raise funds for gelding.

Little Joe Jobro is getting ready to go to Saratoga. It's time to repair his hernia. The rest of the kids are going up for adoption later today!

Please remember to go vote for Pregnant Mare Rescue in The Animal Site's contest!

And maybe check out Fundable.com. We are trying to raise money for Hay. If we don't hit our mark of $1000, all the pledges go back. So please donate $10.00 if you can!

Angel is going to be evaluated on Friday. You can see by her picture below that she is a lovely, sweet mare.

Then she gets her beauty /spa treatment. We are going to bathe, groom and give her the works. He footsies look great! She's a very cute mare.

Note from Sandy, Webmaster. Please go and read Joe at TB Friends blog today, www.tbfriends.com. I LOVE that man!!!

Urgent Update! The two girls from the Big Sur fire are in need of homes. The potential owner has dropped off the face of the earth, leaving these two girls potentially going back to the SPCA where they will most certainly put them down. They are mother and daughter , Liberty & Destiny. (presently in Carmel Valley). Also Mr. Moon was hoping to go with the girls, and now he too is without a home ( he is in the LA area, but can be hauled up). He is rideable, a little at a time. Can interested folks email me? It's getting urgent as we wasted all our time on this one person's promises.

In other news...The fuzz is coming! The fuzz is coming! Little by little day by day...the less light, the more hair. Good thing it does not work that way for humans. We'd look like Neanderthals. The horses are chubbing up and fuzzing up for winter time. It's funny to see them getting so hairy. Penny, the Curly Bakshir up in her new home in the Sierras must look like a poodle by now!

Fresh apples are in the tack room this morning. The JoBros love their apple bites. Every so gently they take bites, hoping you'll hold it for them. They chew fast knowing the next bite may be gone by the time they swallow. I always make sure everybody gets their share. When Angel arrives, the kids back away. Mom is very pushy about her treats. She's a hog and proud of it. Her bites are doubled, she chomps into it, then sucks to try and take the whole thing...little piggie.

Now as I stroll to the back pastures I notice that a little housekeeping has been going on. Suri, mom-to-be, must have decided that she is done being #2. She has asserted herself, must have gotten hold of that women's lib book. She now joins Whiskey, my daughters horse, at meal time. Whiskey is the crabbiest horses on the ranch. His ears are pinned every-time I look his way, unless, of course, Jill is around. Then he miraculously transforms into My Little Pony.

The TB's are close to being placed. It's alot of logistics, but they'll all be safe. Patriot's new mommy is out today visiting her boy. He's such a gentleman.

So...All is well for a Wednesday. Hoping for better times across the nation as we move forward. Let's all keep the faith!

I have to thank everyone who has emailed and picked up the telephone to inquire and offer help for the 12 thoroughbred mares. I have been overwhelmed trying to respond to folks. The update is that we are hauling many of them to Oklahoma where a woman out there has the time, expertise and facility to care for these girls. She can evaluate them and then adopt them out to "good-fit" homes. A few will remain in Southern California in new homes.

We are moving forward, trying to place equines ready for new homes before the winter comes. If you have room in your home and heart for one of the JoBros, it is time. I have a very experienced horse gal coming out on Friday to evaluate Angel. We are getting ready to put her up for adoption as well. She has been a fantastic mother. Talk about going above and beyond the call of duty! She loves her spa days.

Lastly I am leaving you with a note I received from a woman who didn't end up with one of our equines, but was certainly inspired by him. Tucker has been adopted into a wonderful home, and worked a bit of magic before he left!

"I had contacted you back in April about Tucker and decided that he needed a more experienced person than me, but out of my looking at Tucker came a horse much more suited for my greenness. I had contacted an old friend who is a very experienced horse person and had her look at Tucker's website. Through this contact she informed me that Tucker was too green for me, but she stated that she had an 11 year old Mustang mare that would be perfect for me. The horse had spent many years driving cattle and needless to say, well broke. Well, to make a long story short I bought her horse and have never been happier in all my life. My dear little Mustang is a perfect 1st horse for me and she looks a lot like Tucker. I owe all this happiness to Tucker, the horse that caught my eye.

Thank you. Keep up the good work.

Rose"

Below is a photo of Rose's new little girl, Jazzy.

Enjoy the day!

Our bank account is at zero. I spent $550, my house money, for a farrier and owe money to the hay man. Rescues cannot run on labor alone. It takes donations. Maybe I should organize a "clinic" to euthanize healthy horses? I don't mean to sound flip, it's just very frustrating seeing a "shelter" operate as a "rescue" and rake in the $$$, while the true "rescues" have to grovel and beg for every dime. You may ask, "what is the difference between a shelter, and a rescue?" Let's put it this way; in the dog and cat world, the "rescues" are taking animals from the "shelters" in order to avoid them being killed. Apparently in the equine world it's OK to call yourself a "rescue", even if you euthanize healthy animals for convenience.

I am stunned that the vet who is doing the euthanizations for the rescue up north has her own stallion standing at stud. This "rescue" euthanized some stallions bought at auction last week, in their words, "to prevent them from breeding." Oh, but it's OK for the vet, who euthanized those stallions, to breed her stallion? If that not hypocrisy at its best, I don't know what is. In today's horse climate NOBODY should be breeding.

Granite Construction is stepping up to help with the back lot. The gentleman I have paid in full to do the job is not. So thankfully, my generous employer is stepping up to help out.

Angel and 3 of the JoBros are going up for adoption. They are ready! I'd like to see them in new homes before the holidays.....

Patriot has a new mom. I am over the moon excited to see how their test run goes. If it works then I'll spill the beans on the who how and when!

We are waiting to hear about the hauling effort for the 12 mares. If we need to help raise funds, we most certainly will.

Victor, Juan and Alex from Aptos High school came out to do community service hours! They are fabulous young men. And they did a great job! Thanks to them !!!!

"Jasper has been pain free for 3.5 weeks. He is growing up and out. He is an amazing, beautiful, super special little guy. He is being turned out everyday for a bit, I wish you could see him go. I will try to figure out my video camera, and Ill send a clip. I put a few of him here (one posted below). Stewart is his neighbor in the barn (my Haflinger who twisted his colon.) Things are moving forward nicely, and I hope all is well at your place."

We are SO happy to see Jasper looking so healthy and happy after his very rough start in life!

It's really 11:30pm Saturday night. Close enough to say good mornin'...wanted to provide an update. SO much is going on........I have received an overwhelming response for the thoroughbred mares in need. I believe we have located the very best possible situation for all 12 of them. This new owner may adopt some out, eventually. She will evaluate them and go from there.

I will provide accurate updates as I get them. The horses are getting their coggins now. They will be traveling to Oklahoma. ALOT of folks in Texas have expressed interest in theses mares, so they my end up right next door to you Texas folk. I am going to post a thermometer to help raise some of the shipping costs. The owner is in tears he is so grateful to keep these mares out of harms way, and yet...shipping to Oklahoma is going to be very expensive. So that will be addressed in the morning. I am looking into transport fees.

My daughter went to her first dress up dance in high school tonight; I'm so busy with horse stuff I almost forgot to take a picture....Good one MOM!

Picked up horse mats this am...great deal 20 bucks....going back for a water trough next Saturday, another 20 bucks...this family is coincidentally moving to...you guessed it, Oklahoma!

The Jonas Bros are getting ready to be put up for adoption...if you have been dreaming of raising your own foal...here is your chance. Each one of them is sweet, coming along so nicely. Angel is ready too. Her feet finally got done. She is looking lovely. I am going to post pics tomorrow...ok...off to bed.

I still have many many emails and phone calls to return. I will get to them tomorrow...well later today. Thank you so much to the equine community for being so concerned and caring for these unseen, unmet horses. It fills my heart to know folks care.

The news is good and I am very relieved. Granite Construction is helping us out! The sand, the base rock, the materials needed are forthcoming! It's such a huge help. We will get these horses protected by winter time. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief.

I have been thinking about betrayal, the word and what it means. I was wondering if animals feel betrayal? I believe they know the smell of blood and fear. I have witnessed them trembling with fright, and being scared to death. I believe they feel death impending. I have also witnessed the soft eyed resolve of this species who take what comes their way, quietly. Do they feel relieved when pulled out of a bad situation. I can't help but feel so much pain for the so many equines who are still in harms way. I'm sure many of you have felt this way, as though we can never do enough.

But what especially stings to me is a second betrayal. It is horrific enough to find themselves on a feedlot by no fault of their own, wondering what may be their fate. But some of our equine friends are rescued and then put down anyway. Some of them are brought into this world and then dumped. There was an ad on craigslist this morning. It stated, " I have to move, sold my mare, have to get rid of this colt by Saturday". Get Rid Of...like it was last weeks left over pizza dinner; throw it out. To me it is a betrayal of trust, betrayal of the worst kind.

What if, we all just take a moment to think about this planet, this life we have and think just for one moment, "What if I am wrong. What if these animals are our brothers, and they deserve our respect and partnership in life. What if we are supposed to be holding all life reverent and sacred? What if the creator has an expectation that every living soul deserves the respect that we give ourselves"?

As I tried to fall asleep last night I imagined a place where equines were in scarce supply. The were valued and cared for, and there was a waiting list to aquire one. The list couldn't be bought or sold, bribed or cheated upon...I think it was the list from Rainbow Bridge. I think I got a peek of how it's supposed to be.

What is the answer? I wish I had a magic crystal ball that could answer that question. The way things stand now, the slaughter cycle just perpetuates itself. For every horse humanely euthanized, another horse is loaded onto the slaughter truck. For every horse shipped to the hell of the Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses, a breeder throws another horse into the pipeline. Some of the lucky ones end up at an equine rescue, and eventually find a good home. Some of the not so lucky ones end up being euthanized, but the argument is that it's better than the hell of the slaughterhouse. The really unlucky ones end up on those hideous trucks to hell. The fact is that there are too many horses, and not enough people who really love them. Anyone breeding horses right now is guilty; I don't care if you're a big time breeder, or if you're some backyard breeder who just HAS to have a foal out of your mare. You are contributing to the problem more than anything else. Let's all try to figure out a better way to help our animal companions. Be part of the solution that you want to see.

“She has OCD in her sfiles. Is that like x files?” Okay, okay ! I meant to say Stifles. I am posting the picture that was sent to me to see what it looks like. To me, it looks like someone is getting ready to knaw on a turkey leg. I guess it’s a bad photo.

Speaking of turkey legs, it must be getting close to winter. My body is anxiously trying to put on the winter fat. I ate my way through the day yesterday, ate everything not nailed down. Husband asked if I was going to the electric chair.

Moving on….I am waiting to hear from the gentleman who is shipping his pregnant thoroughbred to me. I am looking forward to knowing her name. We all deserve a nice name. And the little 2 year old colt, Jayce should be coming soon.

I received a call last night from yet another wonderful supporter who has come upon a mare living in a field in very bad shape. It may be that her feet, hooves, legs are experiencing some kind of problem. She is in pasture, and is not thriving. The story was that the owner wasn’t real cooperative about even discussing this mare. But concerned citizens are calling authorities to check. The mare cannot even get her fair ration of food in the herd. She appears to be in a lot of pain. So…we wait. She may come here as well.

I put Roxy out on Bay Area Equestrian with her adoption fee waived thru Oct.26^th to an approved home. And Patriot may have a home with my dear friend, Fabulous artist Laurie from Blue Horse Design. With the holidays coming you should see her stuff, really, really beautiful.

I just got off the telephone with a man who has a papered 9 year old thoroughbred mare in foal. His brother just died, and he asked if I could take her. I said yes. He got my name off the link from a thoroughbred retirement organization. I feel bad for him. So many people are hurting right now. He said he would pay to haul her to me if I could find her a good home. He said, "She's a real sweet girl." The sound in his voice was breaking my heart.

One of my sweetest rescues is in a bad way. Remember Hope, off the feedlot? Well, she's growing into quite a big girl, and she's doing it too fast. She had X-Rays yesterday, and it has been determined that she has OCD in both sfiles (I think that's where it is). She now needs surgery on both legs, or she'll end up crippled. It's going to cost a bundle. I am thankful her adoptive mom and dad love her to pieces. This is not an easy bill to pay in this economy. We are all struggling to make ends meet. Very tough times right now. I feel a very strong winter wind on the horizon.

WE have been enormously blessed to miss the big winds from the North! We are scrambling as it is trying to get things in order for winter. I like to read notes & blogs from fellow rescues and they are holding on with both hands. I’m not quite sure why it has missed us. I better go knock on wood. We celebrated my husbands birthday on Sat. We had a lovely 80 degree day, and everyone from out of the area arrived in winter coats and boots. Humm..I feel like we are in a protective bubble. T his is good because if the wind came, I would have expected guests blowing off the deck, eucalyptus tress towering above us scaring everybody away…that would have been some party…

The holidays are coming, so go to our online store and see all the goodies available. If you shop now, well, you’re finished sooner and the horses are fed. That’s a good thing right? Just click over on the left hand sidebar where it says "Online Store". Happy Shopping!!!

In the news there is a racetrack stepping up to take a stand against racehorses going to slaughter. Frank Stronach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MEC commented, "Since the inception of MEC, we have taken care to protect the health and safety of customers, workers and equine athletes participating in activities at all of our facilities. The goal of the policy is to forewarn industry participants who participate in the slaughter of racehorses that they are not welcome at any of our facilities across the country. I hope other racetrack owners formally adopt similar policies".

Tracks include Laurel (MD), Golden Gate Fields (CA), Gulfstream (FL), Pimlico (MD), Portland Meadows, Remington Park, Santa Anita Park (CA), Lone Star (TX), The Meadows, and Thistledown (OH)

And more good news...Not that Big Brown got hurt, but that the news is noting that there is concern for the horses well being. This is important because it’s an indication that racetracks and breeding farms hell bent on keeping fans at the track are acknowledging that it matters now. The public are beginning to care…What is happening to the horses?

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown's racing career is over after injuring his right front foot during a workout at Aqueduct on Monday. "It's in the best interest of the horse to let him recover and move on to his breeding career," Iavarone said. Dutrow expressed disappointment but said the horse's health is the highest priority.

Case Clay, president of Three Chimneys, said he's saddened by the news and isn't sure when Big Brown would arrive at the farm. "We're just going to let the horse kind of dictate that, let him heal from his foot injury and whenever he's healed and ready, he'll come," Clay said.

Baby steps baby steps….These comments and decisions, I believe are not made now because the world is suddenly full of nice guys. I believe it is driven by the industry knowing they must keep the customers happy. Fans want to know these horses are being taken care of. Well good. Barbaro’s Legacy continues.

The 2 yr old colt Jayce is due to arrive this week. More worming on Tuesday. Patriot is getting ready for his new job. He leaves later today...He’ll be back in a few days. Easy going Patriot; gotta love that boy!

Morning Readers! We may be taking the little colt (first photo) or the bay mare (second from the bottom) in the posted photos. It depends where the need is greatest.

Lakota & Titan have been adopted. We are very pleased to announce they get to stay together on a ranch about 3 miles from our Madera Facility. They are scheduled to head to their new digs in about a weeks time!

We are making progress in our hay drive and progress in the back lot. This is very good news for PMR. I am in a race against ol'man winter!

Every morning I get up and head to the pasture. The faces are waiting, the tummies are grumbling. I am excited to show off how good everyone looks. They're boasting shiny coats and twinkling eyes. We are having a celebration for my husband this weekend. He is looking forward to seeing lots of his family that he doesn’t have the chance to visit with very often. Poor man, me and my family, we are in his face 24/7. Actually, we all get along very nicely.

My daughter got a purity ring for her birthday in August from my mom. She wanted one; you know the JoBros wear them. Well she doesn’t take hers off, you’d think she was going into the convent; no such luck. She clarified for me as well that there are stipulations to wearing these rings. “It doesn’t mean I can’t hook up with a guy, mom”.

I think to myself, what exactly is hooking up these days? Is that dating, or hanging out, or going steady. Who says “going-steady” anymore? I’m pretty sure I know what it doesn’t mean. It better not anyway. I’ve decided that current lingo is very hard to keep up with.

What I have learned is that if someone is chill, this means they are cool. If they are sick, they are not really sick or ill, that also means they are cool. If something is sick, well that’s even better. If you are lame you can still walk, but everyone thinks you are a dork. “Whatever” is usually translated as “I’m pretty much done communicating now, wish I could say go away”.

This all leads me to being thankful for our four legged friends that don’t share our language. No lingo, vernacular or hip statements to keep up with. They don’t remind us of our age, or our lameness (that’s a word worse than “wrinkles “ to an equine), or the fact that no one is looking at us anyway. I am ever so certain they do communicate, graciously and honestly which to me is totally sick!

Pleeze~~go vote, then come read. We are #251 of the top 1000. I think that is fantastic! The prize money is huge. What each of us should do today is if you have a middle-school-er or high school-er, go tell them to vote (you know Click & Vote). Then have them tell their friends to go do the same. Imagine the results we could have!

You may have received a request to contribute to our hay drive. It will come to your email as fundable.com. We are trying to purchase hay for the winter. If you didn't receive it you can go here and check it out.

I was blessed with a couple of hard working young men from Aptos High School on Saturday interested in working off some community service hours. Victor and Yuan came and dismantled a corral for us and hauled the wood away. They were terrific workers and a huge help! Thanks gentlemen, you are welcome back anytime!!

I also met a wonderful young lady Alex, who came out to the ranch with her mom. They are going to be putting together a really super fundraiser for our horses. Keep an eye out for Ponyfest 2009! It promises to be a fun-filled day for kids and horse-lovers alike!

I was disappointed I couldn't introduce them to all our lovely equines but the rain was coming down. I think its very cool that these young kids are choosing PMR to come and help. They are our concerned voices of tomorrow. I am thrilled to have them here.

Did you vote yet today for PMR? We could win the big bucks! $25,000. Just take a second go here www.theanimalrescuesite.com. Go every morning, just like brushing your teeth. Click and vote. Easiest way to earn a buck I’ve ever heard of. I have voted twice now for myself….Me myself and I. Heehaw.

I spoke with an amazing young man yesterday. His name is Brian. He is going to come to my ranch and collect all the rounds of wood we have on the property. With the amount of trees that PG&E took down, we have a lot of wood. He takes it home and chops it up. Then he sells it as firewood, and.. are you ready for this? He donates the money to his favorite charity! What an amazing person. I am looking forward to meeting him. Hope he likes horses.

Today is the big day at the company I work for. The Charitable Contributions Committee meets. I have a request in asking for assistance in getting my back lot done.

Also, go to Yahoogroups and check out our new PMR group and see what’s cookin there. We are currently taking rallying and begging for donations for cement. Yep, bags of cement are what we need. So get started. Visit pregnantmarerescue now by clicking here.

One last thought for the day. The Santa Clara county rodeo is coming to town Oct. 9^th. It’s not all fun and games for the horses. Click here to see what Prodding is all about and maybe you could send a letter asking them to stop! Why is it so darn tough just to be humane?

OK~ Day two on How to Stay Young. Today’s words of wisdom are about husbands. While it’s not entirely possibly to send them away like we do our beloved teenagers, there are measures we can take to ensure that we have adequate beauty time. It is recommended to put husbands on an as-need-to-know basis. This usually works out quite well as I have learned over the years most of our stuff they don’t want to know anyway. Suffice to say it’s the female version of “yes dear”.

My wonderful husband Dave has such a large capacity for ignoring most of what goes on that I have actually had horses leave the ranch and he didn’t even notice. I put a new one in its place. Four legs and a tail to him. Sometimes I wonder if I should try it with the children.

Donations have stopped again. Not sure what to do to keep us out there on everybody’s minds? The end of Sept. has reached us, and low and behold it's Oct. Shorter days, colder nights. Keep a good thought that tomorrow's meeting has good news for us. We need to tuck these babies in at night. Petfinder is announcing a new contest and we can win lots of money. You can vote everyday. Last contest got cancelled due to cheaters. Haven’t sheltered animals been cheated enough? Boggles the mind. And so….

~Waiting to see if that woman will take Mr. Moon (although that one I feel pretty good about.)

~Waiting to see if Destiny and Liberty will load when it’s their time to travel

~Waiting to see if Patriot gets his follow up story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Let me know if he does will you?

I have a lot of advice today on how to stay young. The first and most important thing to do is get rid of your teenagers. Really send them away. There can be nothing more infuriating that the realization that this person who once used to look up to you and admire you is now irritated with everything about you!

Geesh. My daughter and I went to go for a quick ride around the property. It was to be a simple bareback, easy going walk trot. I am still working on perfecting the sitting trot. Apparently this is not something I should be doing while in her presence. A lot of what adults do embarrass teenagers…okay everything adults do embarrass teenagers.

My daughter sat there on her ditsy Arab (who is always perfect for her) impatiently waiting for me to get up on my horse. This small task was to be done, from the ground, and with out stirrups. She sat comfortably, one ear unavailable as it was plugged into her iPod, one hand busy texting and receiving messages from her cell. She glanced up occasionally to see me struggling with mounting from the ground. With no assistance offered, I thought "I can handle this. I know what to do." I went over to the fence to hop on. My horse moved away. I got off the fence, walked back around to the other side of my horse. I pushed him back to the fence, and went back again and climbed up on the fence. He then moved away just in time for me to slip between him and the fence (thank you Dually). I tried the third time and landed on his back and glanced up to see the eyes rolling in her head as if to say. “God, could you take any longer?”

I said “what?” (as in “what are you looking at?”, as in “what are you so impatient about?", as in "what is your problem young lady?")

She rattled off something about one of her friends who was going to hook up with so-and-so, and how lame, and he’s a pig, and wait until school….Blah blah blah….It was then I thought, "it’s not even about me. I could have landed face first in mud, or hung upside down under his belly with both legs criss-crossed on his neck. She wouldn’t have even noticed. Cause’ it’s about her. She said “ready mom?” "Oh yes" I thought, "I am ready"….Ready to gracefully enter adulthood with maturity. I decided to find someone my own age to ride with.

We are trying to rescue a yearling colt off the feedlot in Fallon. All I know at this point is he’s a cutie. 1/2 thoroughbred, 1/2 qtr horse. Approx age is just about a year. He is halter broke. See him below. I am calling him Jayce. I promised this cute young boy a couple of years ago I would name a flashy handsome colt after him. So Jayson, meet Jayce. He’s your namesake. If you can help with Jayce’s ransom and rescue please earmark donations for him. I will post more info as I receive it.

Also pictured below is Mr. Moon. If our adoptive family in Madera (who are adopting the two fire rescued mares) can take one more horse, it will be him. A little more information about Mr. Moon; Mr. Moon is 16 hands. He is 21-22 years old. He has a hematoma on his left stifle that can be removed. He also has a lameness in that same stifle that is not caused by his hematoma. He can be ridden but not for more than 1 hour at the moment, but he can get better to do longer rides. His legs are almost completely healed now.

There is also the plight of the Horses in Arizona that have lived on the land there since 1540. Now they are being called trespassers. Read here to get the entire story and take action.

I will have news on the progress of our back lot this Wednesday. I am hoping to get things settled and set up before Old Man Winter arrives. Let's have a fabulous week.

I got an email re: an undercover video that was published in Canada's "The National" called "No Country for Horses". It was a news report from someone who had an undercover camera in one of the largest slaughterhouses in Canada. It was a 20 minute clip, and usually I never watch these but for some reason I did. I am so devastated and emotional about it. It was so horrific, and there are just no words to describe how I am feeling. I just wanted to write to you because I am lonely and sad and I think I will go back to bathroom and cry again."

And so I wrote to her:

"You poor thing~hang in there. It's almost over. The slaughterhouses in Canada are in trouble, could be very close to going out of business. That is good news...

Come to the ranch and sit with the babies...they were all doomed to the same fate, and they are doing fine. Go hug brain damaged Rose, and know that she will be loved forever. She has her own fan club. I cannot, and do not watch those videos, because they are so powerful it renders me useless. So take heart. It is important do some little thing everyday that makes a difference, and if our tiny little network of sane loving people ever come into the big bucks...the nightmare will end.

In the meantime, go find a horse to talk to, come to the ranch and sit. It will help you. I have been where you are. I understand.~Lynn"

Without seeing the video I know her sadness. It just cuts to the core. And I can so wholeheartedly feel that pain of understanding that every five minutes an American horse is slaughtered in foreign rendering plants. Please continue to help us save those we can.

Moving onto brighter things...

We are working on arrangements for the girls from the Big Sur Fire. They are in Carmel Valley and will be heading to the outskirts of Madera as soon the new family is ready. This family may take one more horse, and I keep thinking of Bear from Joe at TB Friends. Bear was a big huge chestnut thoroughbred gelding with a broken knee. He walks around fine, but he needs a year off, and for some reason I just fell for this bug guy. He followed me 'round like a puppy dog. Every time I moved, he moved. There he was his big head leaning into my space. Quiet and unassuming, he sure was letting me know, "Hey you, I want to come home with you". Our visit was very short at Joe's. He's crazy busy like me, and he had to go to work, but not before I got to meet Bear.

Leslie Ann Webb , the artist, my favorite artist, happened to be at a draft horse show I attended with my daughter last weekend, and I had the pleasure of meeting her. She was lovely, enjoyed the story of the Jonas Bros. I am sending her my best shot of them, and she may do a painting. How cool would that be? Check out her work at here.

http://www.backinthesaddle.com/search.asp?c=&PageNo=1&SKW=law&scat=&TKW=BS47&Sort=&GEN1=Featured+Artists++Leslie+Ann+Webb&pagelen=

Her big paintings...I mean big!...are 4 feet by 5 or 6 feet and are just incredible. I could stand in front of them for hours. Imagine if it were your own horse. I never move! HA!

I received the following email from Jenelle, one of our amazing volunteers:

"So I was walking down the stairs today checking out the property, on my way to feed an afternoon snack. Everything looked good....calm. Then I was like uhhh...something is missing. Hmmmm...uh oh...where's Bridget?!?! Haha...I walked to the edge of the hill and she is just chillin down there with the big girls! I didn't latch the chain, so she pushed the pipe panels open and walked out Haha...I called them up the hill, and of course Shilah was the first to move, and when Shila got about 200 yards away from B she sprinted as fast as she could and caught up.... she was running back and forth and kicking.... It was the CUTEST THING!!!! I can't wait til I can let her out all the time.... when she runs, her back is flat, barely any vertical movement. I am going to video tape the first time I actually let her out, she is adorable!!!"

Here are a couple pictures of this cutie pie.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Hello everyone,

I am so sorry to have to tell you that we lost Amanda last night.

She had been tolerating the treatments well, but crashed in the late afternoon. Thankfully she was at the clinic (while we've been looking for a foster home she's been cared for by a staff member who brought her to work each day) so the staff jumped on it, but it wasn't meant to be. From the cluster of symptoms it looks most like she had a stroke. She went quickly.

Losing any of our cats makes us sad, but we're all particularly sad about Amanda. She was a very special cat, and we all thought she had every chance for a full recovery. So many people banded together to try to save her - we can all take comfort in the fact that she was given every chance. Sometimes things happen that are completely unexpected and out of our control.

Thank you to all of you who cared for her and supported the effort in the way that you could! I appreciate every one of you!

Thank you,

Sharon

Wednesday~ September 17th

Volunteers~next new volunteer orientation is scheduled for Sept 27, Sat. noon until 1pm. It's a quick tour of the place, a sign up sheet and Q&A.

There are many items that need doing at the rescue, not all of them are dirty and outside. Okay well this is a dirty one....There is always the need for people to come and muck a pasture. It is a job that needs to be done daily and doesn't go away.

I desperately need help once a week, organizing my office paperwork . I have a book-keeper that comes to pick up receipts, and donations and it all has to be ready for her! My dining room table looks like a group of preschoolers got hold of it!

Keeping the tack room tidy, and the ranch in general picked up. The bale twine, the empty grain sacks , all the stuff that accumulates. Is there someone who'd like to help manage some of the marketing ideas going around? There are tons of them. I'd like to do something for the Madera facility.

I also need help getting my Holiday party (specifically for the volunteers ) in order. It will be coming up fast. If you are a volunteer mark your calendar Dec.6th. The evening promises to be fun!

We have a big golf tournament schedule next June 5, 2009 and we are going to have a non-players dinner available and a silent auction. I need help getting it organized...the silent auction portion of it.

I also need construction workers to come and help finish the back lot project I have a barn and all kinds of things waiting to go UP!

If any of this sounds fun then I would love to have you on board. Of course you are always welcome to come and do some stuff and then get a good dose of baby love from the foals!

Presently we have 3 pregnant mares, another one arriving Sat and 4 foals on the ranches...

(You can volunteer as little or as often a you like, please do whatever you commit to so that the horses are covered )

Check out www.pregnantmarerescue.com and go to the volunteer listing of really big jobs...RSVP to this email, pmrhorses@pregnantmarerescue.com

Moving on to horse information.

I am very worried about little Nick. I put both of the quarantined foals in the pasture with Angel and the other two. Joe assimilated fine, but Nick is an outsider. I am now worried about his well being. I will pull him up to the quarantined area for lunch and dinner, and make sure hes getting his fair share. He was quite spunky running at a full clip when he was first released. Very cute.

We are making arrangements to get Gemini over here. She is Jasper's mom. We are now a full house. We need to find homes for Roxy, Lakota, Titan and Patriot.

Destiny and Liberty are the two big Sir mares that were surrendered after the fire. Denise has worked with them, and we are hoping to trailer them directly from Carmel Valley to their new 40 acre permanent sanctuary outside Madera. We are consulting with Kelly (present caregiver) and Tish (future care giver) for timing.

Bridget continues to heal and thrive. Reports are in that she's a beauty!

Tuesday, September 16th

Once upon a time there were three very naughty raccoons. They sat up one night and plotted how to get into the Hummer garage by moonlight. The light was right and the night was on, and so it went.

I woke to the clanging of tin. Now one must understand that where I live I have to adjust my ears when I am awakened from a sound sleep. It could be, well, just about anything I suppose. Is it a donkey? Is that a bray? A squeal? I think, "oh God; I stole one of the piglets from the fair!" No, keep thinking, is it horses clopping on the boards next to my window? That would mean someone is loose. Tucker doesn’t live here anymore. Tucker was an escape artist. He used to get out of the upper pasture, come down and hang outside the tack shed. I guess his big schnauze could smell the sweet grain.

Anyway...Back to what it could have been. The eucalyptus trees drop little cones. Horrible nasty little things that sound like bombs on the roof of the tin shed when they land. POW! Sounds a lot worse than it feels. I had eliminated all the familiar sounds and then clang, bang! Now there was no doubt; garbage cans are down! I sprang out of the bed throwing covers on top of my snoring husband's head. It’s a good thing he’s a sound sleeper. He never hears any of this stuff. I pass thru the dark laundry room where the 2 little dogs Jake and Moose are crated. Some watch dogs. Not a peep out of either of them. The ruckus by now is so loud I imagine a couple of monkeys swinging to and fro from the rafters. The dogs are tucked quietly under their covers. Noise? What noise? I didn’t hear any noise. Jake, you hear a noise?

I pull open the door to the garage and in one motion flick on the light. I have split second timing.

If you could have seen what I saw. 3 masked faces and bushy ringed tails. One shoving the others fat rump thru the dog door. You could almost hear them saying, “quick hurry hurry, PUSH!” Their fists remained clutched full of dog kibble; they refused to relinquish their treasure. The last one turned his face and gave me a stare all the while pushing. Then in an instant whoosh! Thru the doggie door they were gone. I glanced around at the mess. Garbage cans turned on their side. The bag of kibble ripped to shreds. They were fast and they were busy. Thorough, I’ll give them that. I’m surprised I didn’t see maps and plans left behind of their in clandestine operation. Clever little creatures they are. So went the night of the naughty raccoons.

Update on Jasper. He’s coping, seems a little better on his ulcer medicine. No doubt his lousy former owners created this life long issue for this baby. A worm impaction so severe that it has left this little boy with a compromised intestinal track. We all keep him in our prayers.

His mom Gemini may be coming Sat.

Still waiting on an EGALA home for Patriot.

Still hoping a little girl wants Roxy as her forever little sport pony. She’d be perfect!

The JoBros get their feet trimmed next week. And we are still hoping that Lakota and Titan in Madera will find their loving homes soon. They are so ready to be somebody’s special boys.

Happy Tueday~Let’s get some of these sweet equines into new homes.

Thursday 9/11

I say a prayer for every family remembering a loss today.

Thank you to all our wonderful supporters for your generous donations. If you haven't received a thank you note from me yet, you will! With two of the JoBros being sick, life has been hectic and crazy for the last week. We will be updating our thermometers soon to reflect all the wonderful donations that came in the mail in the last week.

The fair is in town , and I want to go look at the pigs. They are so smart. I want a pig. My husband threatens divorce. So I'll just go look and enjoy. The fair is very small town here. My daughter and I like to go and eat those rolls, hot and sweet, melting with goo. I can hardly wait!

I thought I was dreaming. I woke up to the sound of brays. I sprang up thinking, OMG I brought mules home, but it turns out they have moved in next door. They have huge ears! Cute fuzzy HUGE heads checking out the JoBros.

Nick and Joe look remarkable this am. Poop EVERYWHERE...wormer must be working. I mucked and fed, and was thinking how quickly they are looking better.

Have a very pleasant Thursday ~~~almost the weekend!

Wednesday morning, September 10th

It is a very cold morning. Yes the fog is hanging in the trees, thick and damp. It is gray and quiet. But when I say it is a cold morning I mean cold as in “Who on earth could give Joe at TB friends a bad time? Who on earth would bring down, swear at, and chastise a man who has saved, loved , cared for and placed hundreds of UNWANTED horses?” Well apparently some parents of young girls who felt it necessary to tell Joe they expect him to keep his site “Happy”. Pleasant I guess would be a better word.

Well I for one support Joe. The reality is these young girls who check in everyday are tomorrow’s concerned adults. Personally I don’t think sugar coating life does anyone any favors. Yes, it is NOT appropriate to sit them down, serve popcorn and proceed to watch a slaughter video, but to understand that this sadness is what occurs to horse’s day in and day out is important.

One day in 2006 while I was at Willowpond Ranch I was fussing over Rose who was due to foal any day. I saw a couple of little girls, braids in the helmet pressed hair, maybe 7 years old walking towards the wash rack. They were engaged in a very serious discussion. And one said “Yes! Rose was rescued and she was going to be sent away! Do you know what they do to horses when they get sent away?” The other little girl stood in solemn silence. So did I. I was waiting for the brutal reality of slaughter to come rolling off the 7 year olds tongue.

“Mulch.”

“They turn them into mulch” she said. They stood their leaning on the vaulting barrel, hands on a hip shaking their heads at the injustice served up for so many horses every day.

So I applaud them for their awareness. They understand more than most of the adults out there. And I applaud Joe for making a huge difference in the lives of those that cannot speak for themselves.

There is a situation on Colorado. Spring Creek Horse rescue was helping move 25 yearlings waiting for the truck to hell. They had been saved. There was a “Bonus” foal on the ground. She couldn’t move. She was dehydrated, cold, hungry and her mother had been sent ahead on the slaughter truck. Diane picked up this foal, no more than 5-7 weeks old and said to the lot owner. “Im taking this foal”.

He stood there and simply said, “I have no problem with that.”

Bonus is at SPHR and Diane could use some help. This little girl is going to need lots of attention, a vet check, & gallons of foal lac. If you can help them out it is greatly appreciated. They are on a thin budget! You can donate to Spring Creek directly, via PayPal, by clicking here. Below are some photos of this sweet little filly.

Afternoon Update on Nick and Joe

Nick and Joe are very lucky to have many angels watching over them. The vet says it is most likely that Joe did not receive adequate colostrum when he was born. He has a compromised immune system and is extremely susceptible to illness right now. While Nick has a little bit better white blood cell count, they both are in need of massive doses of TLC. They will be separated, but next to each other so that they can free feed. They will start a round of antibiotics. They will get lots of foal lac pellets, alfalfa hay and calf manna. Lorrie and Jenelle are on their over as we speak to re-worm them ( doc said it was OK) and feed them a late afternoon snack. I picked up some pipe panels yesterday, so I can set up an adjacent pen right next to where they are now, and of course keep them close to mom and the brothers. We will keep you all posted as they begin to feel better. Poor little sad faces...

Tuesday, September 9th

Tuesday, tuesday....so foggy out it looks like it has rained all night.