 
monthly counters started on February 13, 2010 for the website, because this is a
free counter, it will not show our total numbers, only a portion of them, so its
not an accurate depiction of all of our visitors, just gives an idea about all
the people that visit our site. We do love our international
visitors. Welcome!
Visitors By Country
Top 100 Visitors
Last 100 Visitors
Visitors Map
Daily Stats
stay up with our President/Executive Director, all the directors, volunteers and
riders (Crossed Sabers is on
Facebook too). All the CSS/SWAP supporters are having a big time sharing
stories, pictures, lots of good stuff about their horses.
The
Wish List of Our Needs:
1. New or lightly used truck and 3 to 6 horse trailer, our
equipment has seen its better days, we've been using both for nearly 14 years to
pick up horses and move them to their new homes.
2. Farms in every
state for low cost long term lease or donation to expand our program to develop
more adoption locations and retirement farms for our now aging
horses returned to us from adopters who could not retire our horses. Our highest
priority locations initially are Northern Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Maryland,
Delaware.
3. New or lightly used 2 horse trailer to pick up horses when
rescued and to deliver them to their new home
4. Tack and large horse items
donated... like carts/buggies, racing
bikes, jog carts, harnesses, saddles, horse trailers, blankets/rugs to use or sell on SWAP Shopping.
Supplies to use around the
barn or office.
5. A bulk feed bin that will hold anywhere from 6 tons to 9
tons of grain donated or at low cost or even a break on the cost of purchase and
instillation.
6. Someone to sponsor our annual
Harness Racing Driving School
Scholarship, $500. annually. This gives some youngster the opportunity to
go to the USTA Driving School and get qualified as a Harness Racing Driver.
7. Someone to sponsor our
annual Intern of the Year
Scholarship, $500. annually.
Someone to sponsor our annual
Volunteer of the Year Educational
Scholarship, $500. Both of these scholarships goes toward school costs or
school supplies for the Intern and Volunteer.
8. A company with the ability to install a
methane
digester/cleaner for the horse farm and the ability to tie in to gas or electric
companies and run the farm off the digester. Any other companies who can convert
the farm to a more green operation, reduce our carbon footprint and
reduce our
overhead by use of wind, solar or methane.
9. A volunteer or low cost employee who can help us
fix our database that lists all
adopters, donors, supporters and horses/dogs/cats in the program.
10. We need about 25 to 50 fosters parents in every state
to volunteer,
especially in WV, VA, PA, OH, KY, NC, SC, TN, MD, DE, NJ, NY, these are used
when owners in that area can not afford to transport the horse to SWAP HQ but
need to be able to move the horse into a safe place.
11. People/farms to act as
SWAP Mini Rescues, those who have
the ability to take in a rescue, get it healthy, train it and then SWAP
will help you place the horse into a home using our website and all supporting
adoption documents.
12. Some sort of a cloth facility like
Cover-all or Farm-Tek building
to increase our abilities to be able to take more horses and have an indoor area to work
and train horses in winter, donated, grant or partially donated. anywhere from
50 x 200 to 72 x 300.
13. Monthly Sponsors for our light use, elderly or
retirement/sanctuary horses who's possibilities for adoption are very low, ie.
Orphy, Jelly Bean, Dixie, Allie, Kochese, Darlin, etc.
14. Volunteers for Spring/Summer and Fall Seasons and
Interns
for Summer. We should be starting our regular Saturday Volunteer days in March,
lets all hope the weather will be better. We already have 2 interns for summer
now, looking for as many as 16 more for June, July and August... just remember
there is not a lot of riding in August because the farm is overcome by horse
flies then. So we work/train horses the most from March to July and then again
from Mid September through Christmas as long as we have goot weather.
15. Sponsors and Tickets to take 10 to 20 less fortunate kids
to WEG in Lexington, KY on an educational trip. Other educational trips are also
options if you have something else in mind.
16. Volunteers to help during our
Veterans Days at the Stable,
these are exploratory days to evaluate if we can do a handicapped veterans
riding and therapy program.
17. Volunteers to commit to doing one fund raiser for SWAP
horses at your location during 2010, it can be a golf tournament, a bake sale,
book sale, lemonade stand, car wash, setting up an information stand at a horse
show. This is a great way to kids to get involved in helping horses.
18. Anyone interested in
free high quality top soil (manure
already composted) and manure for gardens, you can pick up for free by the truck
load at our WV location (bring a loader). If you are a gardener and only need a
small amount, pick up in a truck or we'll be selling it by the feed bag full at
$3.00 a bag (in a bag that is usually used for 100 lbs of feed). This is
beautiful clean top soil. This offer will only last so long because we will be
leveling the manure pile this August when its dry enough to get a dozer in
there.
19. Someone to do
dozer work on the farm, level arena/round pen, do terracing on the hill
sides to keep water out of the barns and level the top soil and manure pile to
increase the level of that land in that bottom so we can put our methane
digester in and indoor arena. Volunteer or at a reduced cost.
Reporting Neglect:
Please, if you see neglect (ribs and hip bones showing or no food available),
its critical to call the sheriff of the county where the horse/animal is
located. Have the address where the horse is located or directions to the farm,
pictures and the owners name (if possible). If the sheriff does nothing email
our cruelty case workers Tom and Ruby Fleming at
tomfleming64@cebridge.net or email PETA's cruelty case workers
Stephanie or Tori at
sbell@peta.org, or
ToriP@peta.org
Remember horses can not speak for themselves so we must speak for them!! All
reports are kept anonymous.
Getting Help for Your Horses/animals if you can not care for
them:
If you can not feed your animals, whether they are horses or
other animals, if you are adopters, call SWAP HQ immediately, if not, call your local horse rescue
and plead for help, if they are full then call your animal control officer or
sheriff to release ownership of your animals so they can get them help Before
they are starved to death, do not wait until they are starved, its critical to
get help early. Contact us if you do not know what to do. call 304-873-3532 or
email
secondwindadopt@aol.com. Many counties have pet pantries so you can
get feed when times are tough.
If things are getting tight with costs, go to a less expensive
grain like a simple stock pellet supplemented with corn, according to Ohio State Corn is the
leading horse feed in the US according to their research, many large equine
schools and large farms feed these all natural feeds because of what they get for the
price, a lot of negative stuff has been written about corn but no one can
support it with actual proof and research. We feed a simple all stock pellet
from southern states and we supplement with cracked corn for those who need more
calories, here is the link:
- http://ohioline.osu.edu/b
- 762/b762_7.htm
TOP TEN WAYS YOU CAN HELP PROTECT
HORSES
(ASPCA and SWAP Suggestions)
1. BE THEIR VOICE
- your vote is your greatest weapon against injustice, so register and actively
support horse protection and preservation legislation.
2. LEAD BY EXAMPLE - Walk the talk. Don't support or
attend cruel horse activities such as Tennessee Walker events using "soring"
techniques - painful techniques to make the horse walk a certain way, or events
that use drugs to make horses achieve results. High-diving horse acts are
cruel, as are rodeo events that don't promote respect for animals and their
health.
3. BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER - products made from horses like Premarin
(pregnant mare urine pills for estrogen replacement), are created through
horses' suffering. Your spending dollar is a weapon.
4. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE - inform people what happens to horses
after their short careers are over (slaughter plant bound), or where Premarin
comes from, talk to them about over breeding, the hazards of over using young
horses or not training a horse. Engage them in discussion.
5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HORSE RESCUE OR SANCTUARY - these organizations
make life better for horses.
6. VOLUNTEER - your gift of time is valuable to horse groups and if
you have special talents, so much the better.
7. REPORT CRUELTY - if you witness abuse or neglect, report it to
local animal control or your county sheriff. Someone cruel to animals is cruel
to humans, too.
8. PROTECT THE AMERICAN WILD HORSE - mustangs have a special place in
our history and you can support federal and local legislation by writing emails
and letters to your government reps.
9. KEEP YOUR HORSE SAFE AND HEALTHY - if you own a horse,
maintain its health with regular hoof, medical and dental check-ups. Make
sure they are companioned as horses suffer living alone - even a goat makes a
good companion. Feed what the horse needs, if you are seeing ribs and hip bones,
the horse is not getting enough, if you can't afford to buy more feed, then give
the horse to someone who can, just be sure to check the person out and make sure
they are not selling the horse to slaughter or just going to turn out and sell
the horse to anyone that has the money. .
10. PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR HORSE'S CARE - your health and finances
change so what happens to your horse of you can't care for it anymore? Research
your options, including a pet trust. Horses live into their mid 20s and early
30s now - that's a lifetime of commitment.
Crossed Sabers Stable:
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As
many as 60 million visitors per year
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As many as 530,000 hits
in one day
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Visitors from 113
different countries
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Website Visitors from
every continent of the world
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Thousands of adoptions (of
67 different breeds) in homes today with SWAP
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Horses adopted in 46 states and Canada
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13 Year History
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Preparing for a Cold
Winter:
HAY:
Get your hay now before the prices become outrageous, get
enough for the winter (good planning is 2 bales for every 3 days for one
horse or 10 bales per month per horse, so to make it until the middle of
June (first cutting), you're looking at 90 bales per horse at the very
least (from September to June). If you have good thick grass that has
been mowed and fertilized then depending on where you live in the US you
might just need 60 to 70 bales. For good grazing its recommended
that you have 3 to 5 acres of mowed, seeded, fertilized grass per horse.
Remember Grass is dead in WV from Oct/Nov until about April and every
state has some months where the grass does not give the horses their
calories or nutrients it needs to sustain life (USDA has details of that
for each state). They may be grazing in the winter but they are not
getting anything from the grass to survive. I know most know that but I
say it because we had an adopter last year in WV that thought if they
were eating grass that was all they needed and she nearly killed 2
horses.
GRAIN:
Remember on average horses need 1 lb of concentrated feed (grain) for
every 100 lbs of body weight, so on average horses need about 10 lbs of
grain a day, more when its very cold or if they are living outside in a
run because much of their calories go to keeping them warm. Some
horses need more so its critical to watch to make sure their ribs and
hip bones are staying meaty and covered. If you see ribs, the horse is
too thin and needs more calories, not supplements but more calories..
Easy keepers may be round but it does not mean they are healthy, most
easy keepers need a multi vitamin to stay healthy.
WATER:
One of the most critical things needed in winter is clean fresh water
all the time, anywhere from 5 to 20 gallons per day per horse and
everyone knows what a pain that is when there is ice and snow on the
ground but its critical to preventing colic. Get your electric heaters,
defrosters
now, heated buckets, what ever it takes to make sure they have good
water in front of them all the time and at least 10 gallons (2 flat
backed buckets at the very least). Here we keep 100 gallons troughs in
the stalls since we have big stalls, its much easier than frozen buckets
in winter, all we do is break the ice and remove it most days and put a
heater in them on really cold days. We use a sump pump to empty water
and scrub troughs each week which keeps water fresh and clean.
SHELTER:
Domestic horses need shelter, they are not wild and can not survive
outside without shelter or some kind of heavy waterproof rug to keep
them warm during snow/ice and freezing temperatures but the best is a
closed in shelter that is free from drafts (meaning its closed on all 4
sides with some sort of ventilation). Wild horses first of all
don't live very long, living outside in the elements is very hard on
them, secondly wild horses move in cold temperatures to keepselves warm and
they often times move over thousands of acres to keep warm or to find
cover or water. No domestic horse can not do that on 5, 20 or even 100
acres. Just because your horse has learned to survive in bad weather
does not mean its good for them, they need shelter in bad weather.
CARE:
Its important to make kids take care of their horses but they must have
adult supervision on a daily basis to make sure horses are getting what
they need. Trust me, I usually have 30 year olds working in our barn and
I still have to be there daily to make sure things are done, that they
have clean water, especially when its cold because our young helpers
want to get out of the weather and then the horses are left at risk for
colic. Every day check your child's work, do not leave your horses care
to a child (completely).
The Woman I will
Be
- I shall wear diamonds and a wide brimmed
straw hat with ribbons and flowers on it
- And I shall spend my social security on
white wine and carrots
- And sit in the alley of my barn and listen
to my horses breathe.
- I will sneak out in the middle of a
summer's night And ride the dappled
mare across the moonstruck meadow, if my old bones will allow. and when people come to call, I will smile and
nod, As I walk them past the gardens to
the barn And show, instead, the flowers
growing there
- In stalls fresh-lined with straw. I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my
hair as if it were a jewel. And I will
be an embarrassment of all who look down on me Who have not yet found the peace in being free To love a horse as a friend, a friend who
waits at midnight hour
- With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes For
the Woman I will be when I am old.
The perfect analogies for why we have the life
school tied into SWAP and animal welfare work:
"Everyone thought we took this broken down horse and
saved him but really he saved us"
Jockey Red Pollard from the
movie Seabiscuit
I rescued a human today
Her eyes met
mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I
felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too
exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped
at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my
cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the
shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my
kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the
future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
She got down
on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle
fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell
down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel
door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I
would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I
would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in
her eyes.
I was so
fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a
human today.
Baggage
by Evelyn Colbath
Now that I'm home, bathed,
settled and fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed,
I would like to
open my baggage,
Lest I forget
There is so much to carry -
So much to
forget.
Hmm, Yes,
here it is, right on the top
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my
halter hides Fear & Shame
As I look on these things I have tried so hard to
leave-
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the
ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will
you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at
my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me
unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never re-pack?
I pray that you do -
I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
A young boy was walking along the beach
- as high tide came in.
- With every crash of the waves
- he noticed that dozens of
seahorses were being cast onto the beach,
- where they lay gasping and
squirming.
- Hurriedly, he ran to each
seahorse he could find
- and gently tossed them back into
the surf.
- A man watching all this
approached the boy and said;
- "Son, what you are doing won't
make a difference",
- to which the boy replied,
"To
that seahorse
. . . it will".
Some folks said they missed my great goals
list for 2010, so here it is back again
1. Spend an hour a day with your
horses, not just feeding, training and turning out, but real quality time doing
something that is enjoyable for the both of you. Grooming or hand walking is a
great way to bond with your horse and good for both you and the horse.
2. Get your loved ones more
involved in your horses. Divorce is the biggest reason we see horses coming back
to us. Don't just share the work, share the fun too and find something they
really enjoy doing with horses.
3. Learn a new discipline, go to
a clinic, a horse show, or equine affaire. Come to one of our clinics or watch a
training video. If you are an adopter you can check out books and video's from
SWAP's Library for just shipping costs. Take a lesson at least once a month or
Bring your adoption horse here and we will help you. The better you are, the
more fun you will have.
4. Make a plan for your horse
after you are gone or if you have a major injury, let your Will Executor know
your plans. Make a plan for emergencies or financial bumps along the way for
your horse. Have a plan if you or your horse gets injured, even for the tough
times of year like winter (or summer down south and for a drought winter when
hay prices skyrocket). Ask friends, family and
neighbors to be part of your plan, most people that don't have horses or a farm
love the idea of getting away and helping. And people can not resist someone when they
are asking for help for the welfare of an innocent animal.
5. Get yourself healthy and in
better shape to prevent injury, to live a long life and to more enjoy your
horses. Eat 1-1-1 (one ounce of dark chocolate, one ounce of fresh walnuts, one
glass of red wine daily) and 2-2-2 (2 servings of fresh vegis, 2 of fresh fruit
and get 2 sources of fat free calcium). Drink 100 ounces of spring water a day,
get a whole house water filter. Change over to Sea-salt. Take one teaspoon of
apple cider vinegar every morning to keep your body alkaline (cancer and disease
can not grow in an alkaline body). Eat more fish and chicken and less red meat.
Get a good air cleaner and do daily deep breathing exercises, get outside in the
fresh air and sunshine for at least 1/2 hour every day. Get away from high fat
food, processed foods, fast food, can or boxed food, sugar or artificial
sweeteners, soda and don't eat anything if you can't read all the ingredients
and know exactly what is in it. Clean all vegis and fruits thoroughly, buy
organic, buy ocean caught fish, not farm raised, buy fresh meat and raw milk,
not packed or processed. Eat only natural carbs (potatoes, rice, oats)
bake/broil or steam everything. Get 8 hours of sleep, reduce stress/risk (reduce
commuting by car pooling, tight schedules, cell phone use in the car, watch or
read the news only once a day or better yet once a week. Do one hour of walking, yoga or weight training every day and it
will make you strong, lean, you'll look great and get wonderful complements from
friends, coworkers and loved ones and the horse work will be easier and more
enjoyable.
6. Stay clear of negative people and those very
negative chat rooms and bulletin boards, they seem innocent but every time you
go to them you lose a bit of your positive self, they are truly emotional
vampires that will leave only a shell of a person. They are not based on the
truth, they are based on harassment, complaining, whining and dishonesty. We all
become tomorrow what we are around today, every person we come in contact with
defines who we are tomorrow so be careful who you choose for friends, even the
websites you go to as each of them affect who you are tomorrow. Do you want to
be a bitter, miserable, complaining person or do you want to be happy, inspired
and honorable, all that is affected by the decisions you make today. Stay away
from Toxic people and Toxic websites/forums that are negative or that spend all
their time talking bad about people and their horses. What you are around today
and what you are doing today is what you will be tomorrow. Stop Complaining and
be Thankful for what you have. If you become a target of
harassment or anyone saying anything negative about you, if you are doing only
good, positive things and not hurting anyone then ignore them, its all based on
jealousy and a sick sort of wish to be like you. They have the problem, not you.
7. Read at least one book on training your horse
and one on care each year, if for nothing else but just inspiration. SWAP has a
great library of books/videos that adopters can check out for just the cost of
mailing it.
Click here to see our Library
8. Get carrots/apples every time you go to the
store, your horses will love you for it and always come running when you call.
Don't feed candy or anything sweeter. Carrots are sweet enough. Get rid of the
sweet feeds and you'll get rid of the hot horse once and for all.
9. Realize that if you are having a problem with
your horse, more likely than not, the problem is you. Learn more, practice more,
ask in a different way, be patient, change their environment or daily schedule
to better suit them. Taking better care of a horse always brings out the best in
that horse. Good feed/hay, time to rest in a quiet stall out of the
elements, lots of fresh water, time to be with you and time to just be a horse,
time with their buddies, farrier and vet care always done is a good start. The
biggest part of this relationship puzzle is you, not the horse. If you are
struggling, then you need to learn more and get better.
10. Ride at least once a week, regardless of
weather. Use this time as your down time for healing, your therapy, your time to
relieve stress and the pressures of daily life. Even if you don't ride, go sit
and read a book in the pasture with the horses or sit in the barn and listen to
them munch on dinner, away from the crowd and noise of your day. Enjoy the peace
and quiet, enjoy hearing happy horses eating dinner or grass in the pasture.
11. Spend time leisurely grooming
your horse once a week. Rubber curries are shine makers. You will have a
beautiful horse and a very loyal friend who will do anything for you.
12. Come and spend a week at SWAP
HQ, volunteering and focusing on helping a horse and giving will change your
life plus it will be the best vacation you ever had. Help an animal in need,
whether fostering, being one of our state reps that goes out to check on our
horses in their homes or helps us approve adopters in their area. Find horses in
need and help us find them homes. Buy a horse at a slaughter auction, get it fat
and trained and we'll help you place it into a good home. Foster and volunteer
for your local small animal adoption program. I promise, the good things you do
will come back to you a hundred times over. Every person has a talent they can
offer and if you help one horse or one dog or cat find a good home, you have
changed their life forever.
13. Know that every goal is
obtainable and it starts with a single step. Take that first step today!! No
matter what it is or how big, YOU CAN DO IT!! Every goal that is written down
will come true (really!). Every famous person, every great or notable scientist,
author, trainer/rider, parent or friend started out as just a thought, just a
goal. Remember to take one step today to reach your goals.
14. Start every day with thinking
about, what is the most important thing I can do today to change my life and
make it better. Do that one thing and in 30 days your life will be totally
different. Can you imagine what your life would be like if you did that for 60,
90 or even 365 days a year. The opportunities are endless.
15. Want to keep your horse sound for life? (That should be
every horse owners number one goal) do a long slow warm up (cold muscle is easy
to injure, a warm one is nearly impossible to injure). The very best cool down
is hand walking your horse for 1 hour after every work out. Yes, get off the
horse and walk with it. Its great exercise for you and a good time for you to
bond. Stop riding your horse during cool downs and stop using a hot walker, do
something good for you and the horse, hand walking. Its also the best rehab for
over work and injuries, the only thing better is hydro therapy and swimming your
horse. Allow soft tissue and hard tissue to become more conditioned before going
into any training program... that means 3
months of at least 3 days a week for soft tissues and 10 months of work for
bones to become strong enough to jump or do any strenuous training program.
Don't start any upper level work, jumping or extensive training until the horse
is fit and at least between age 4 and 6 and has been conditioned for at least 10
months (especially if the horse has never been jumped/worked or not been jumped
or worked in the last year).
16. Appreciate what you have and be
thankful. Instead of looking at what you don't have, look at what you do. Thank
those people who have helped you and supported you. The more you give, the more
that will come back to you. When you give something away or give something to
someone/something in need, you make space in your life for something good to
come to you. We are all very blessed, if we just take a moment to look around
and enjoy those things.
17. Get used to using favorite mantra's
and visualizations every day, simple ones that are easy to remember, like 'I can
do this, I will do this', 'this isn't going to get the best of me' or even, 'I
deserve the best' or 'the gift of love, caring, and support always comes back'
and take two minutes every morning as you wake and at night as you go to sleep
to visualize the life you want, the you you want to be, Our thoughts become
things, what you see is what you get, if you expect the best, the best will
happen, change your self-talk from negative to positive and I promise your life
will change for the better..
18. Each person is put on this earth for a
reason, each of us has a mission. What is yours? Seek and you shall find,
finding is a journey ... in the journey and the search you'll find your life
purpose. If you died in your sleep tonight is there something you haven't done
that you need to do or want to do? Someone you need to mend fences with, burnt
bridges to fix? People you need to tell them how much you love them? Have you
fulfilled your purpose in your life? Ask yourself, Why am I here? How can I make
this better? Who do I want to be? Who am I suppose to be? What reason was I put
on this earth? What is my purpose?
19. Be an inspiration to your family, co
workers and friends. We all fall on our face, we all make mistakes, we all get
discouraged, most times we all get up and try again.... sometimes we need a
nudge. Instead of being negative or doing negative things, be their inspiration.
You do believe they can do it, so why not tell them. If their self talk is
negative, then you be their positive self talk.... eventually they will start to
say it and believe it too. Life is self fulfilling, failure feeds on itself or
causes more failure, achieving does as well. So if you or your love ones are in
a negative cycle, break the cycle by changing your thoughts, your self talk,
achieve something small to get yourself and your family back into the cycle of
achievement.
20. We all file a flight plan every single day
for our life. Where is your flight going today? Just like a pilot flying, the
winds, the gravitational pull will change your flight and take you off
course, so you must make small corrections along the way to make sure you make
your destination. Have you selected your destination? Have you picked the steps
in your flight plan to get there? Every goal is really that easy, pick the goal
and figure out how to get there. The easiest way to pick your flight path/plan
is find someone who has done it before you, then do what they did. Its all baby
steps you know. Just keep an eye on that destination and keep saying...."here is
my destination, this is where I'm going, this is where I am now, this is how I'm
going to get there.... I will arrive at this time on this day. You can do
it..... its just like getting in your car to go to the store, its just deciding
where you want to go and how to get there, then take that first step. You can do
it!! No matter how big or how outlandish you may think your dream to be... it
is obtainable.
21. Laugh every day and try (as hard as it
is sometimes) to find the positive and the humor in each situation (and have at
least one bite of a truly decadent desert once a week). Life is just too short
to not enjoy it thoroughly.
22. We learn the most and do our best work
when we have fallen on our face, when we are struggling, when we are worried,
scared or frustrated, when we are anguishing over something or troubled by it. It is
then that you have true motivation, when you think clearer. The most brilliant
ideas come to people when they feel lost, frustrated, or at the bottom, helpless
or hopeless. Cherish these times because its when you can come up with your best
ideas to your biggest problems and challenges. You see, there is a reason for
the rainy days.
23. You can't make everyone happy, its useless to try and wasted
energy to think you can. 50% of all people will not agree with you at any given
time, don't worry about it and don't let it stop you. 50% becomes a lot of
people when you are in the public eye. As long as you are not hurting anyone and you are doing the right thing, then go
ahead and do it. If you are wondering what is the right thing to do, its usually
the harder thing to do, the toughest path to take. The easy way out is rarely
the right thing to do. Instead of worrying over what someone thinks of you or
says about you, do something amazing and outstanding to inspire them or at least
have them sitting on the side lines being jealous, secretly saying, "wow, she
has guts". One person with purpose becomes the majority, one way or another.
1. There are at least two people in this world
That you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world Love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you Is because they want to Be just
like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, Even if they don't Like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you Before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, Something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has
Turned its back on you, take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
Always in hope and admiration,
Celeita
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully
dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and
shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home
today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he
smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a
visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.
'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just
been presented with a new puppy.
'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or
not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my
mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when
I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the
difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of
bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and
all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing.' Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Our lives with
horses...
Our lives with horses are rich with feeling. You know this if you've ever.... choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the First time ...or watched your good horse wobble to his feet
after surgery.... or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins beneath them . . or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club payday ... or felt the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a hand-carved beer wagon into the arena ... or had your heart stop when you saw your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited breathlessly for an ear to flick ... or cheered at the screen when 'The Man From Snowy River' slid Dennie down the mountainside, .. or when Seabiscuit made his final surge to beat War Admiral ... or cruised along the highway and seen a horse in a pasture and wondered what he's like to ride or pictured him as a prospect ... or sucked in your breath as a horse and rider approached a six-foot wall ... or sworn a solemn oath to your horse that together you would triumph ... or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a horse even when it was a commercial ... or laughed aloud when you rubbed your horse's face and he rubbed back ... or gotten chills hearing Dave Johnson's 'and DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!' (or 'Run for the Roses' circa 1980 ish?)
... or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the pasture, then stopped, head erect, and snorted defiance at the rest of the world
... or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill ... or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky
haircoat beneath your hand ... or felt your jaw drop as you watched a Lipazzan
perform a capriole ... or if you've ever seen someone in the grocery store wearing a certain kind of hat, or boots, or buckle, or have a certain cut and length to their jeans, and felt some remote kind of connection ... or felt warmed by a soft nicker greeting as you entered the barn ... or slid your hand under your horse's blanket to straighten it out, only to pause in the glowing feeling that you get when you touch the
warmth of his coat... or riding on a trail with your horse, thinking how that trail over there looks nice and almost without asking, your horse has sensed your slightest movement in the saddle and he's now taking you there. ... or pulled up to your barn where you board and only your horse greets you with a welcoming hello from the sound of your car or your voice.
HEROES AND HORSES
SOME NOTABLE HEROES AND THEIR HORSES ARE MENTIONED AND WE KNOW YOUR HORSE IS
YOUR HERO AND VICE VERSA.
1. Kanthaka - Buddha's horse, the one he used when he was still Siddhartha the
prince, to escape from his father's palace and begin his journey toward
enlightenment. Kanthaka's hooves made no sounds as they fled together and he is
often depicted being lifted on his four feet by benign spirits.
2. Pegasus - the mythical winged horse parented by Neptune and Medusa and
ridden by Bellerophon to rid the world of Chimera, the monster. Athena, the
Greek goddess of wisdom, was able to capture and train Pegasus when he allowed
her to place her golden bit in his mouth.
3. Phosphorus (Light Bearer) - the great Roman racehorse immortalized by the
4th century Roman poet Ausonius (at the emperor's request) in a beautiful
eulogy: Fly with haste to join the wing-footed horses of Elysium; may
Pegasus gallop on your right and Arion as your left-wheeler, and let Castor find
a fourth horse for the team.
4. Babieca - famed white gelding of El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar, the Spanish
hero who united Christians and Muslims against a Moorish onslaught from Africa.
Babieca lived to be 30 years old and carried El Cid into all his battles.
Babieca means "crazy" as Rodrigo made a crazy choice since the colt was the runt
of the herd.
5. Bucephalus (Ox-head) - beloved horse of Alexander the Great who bore the
Macedonian hero on his back from Greece to India. Odds against a horse living
past 20 in that era were great, but Bucephalus, in his 20s, endured until he
fell in battle in India.
6. Sleipnir - the eight-legged war horse of Odin, the Norse god, was able to
fly without wings and shape-shift.
7. Balios and Xanthos - a grey and bay, both sired by Zephyros, the West
Wind, who together pulled Achilles' chariot.
8. Vivasat - a Hindu sun-god who often took the form of a stallion.
9. Al Burak - Mohammed's horse, on whose back he ascended to heaven, was
brought to him by the archangel Gabriel
10. Chiron - the centaur who taught Achilles, Jason and the first physician,
Ascelpius, all he knew.
11. Rakhsh - blue-eyed and dappled red horse of the legendary Persian warrior,
Rustam. Rakhsh was highly intelligent and saved his sleeping master from a
lion's attack, killing the predator.
There are many more famous mythical and real horses and we will be adding to our
list. Can you help us add to this list?. thank you Harmony Horse Works.
The question is not: "do you
support horse slaughter."
The question is: "do you support the cruel, terrifying transport for days
without food and water in their journey to death?"
The question is: "do you support the torture and abuse of the killer
chutes, even for crippled horses, pregnant mares, wild horses, protective
mares with foals by their sides?"
The question is: “Do you support the horse slaughter factories that lie to
their consumers about the many chemicals that taint the horse meat, and call
it Organic?
The question is: do you support the breeder who breeds hundreds of horses
just to pick out the good ones and cash in the rest to the killer buyer?
The question is: Do you support the person who uses the horse its whole
life and when it gets to an old age sends it to slaughter as a thank you?
The question is: “do you support the slaughter workers who cheer a horse on
that struggles extra hard for its life?
The question is: Do you support the killer buyer who not only buys up the
strong, fat and healthy horses and leaves the meek weak and unhealthy for
society, but also bids against the good homes and horse rescues?
The question is: “Can you see though the lies of the ones who stand to
loose a buck with the end of horse slaughter?
The question is: Do you support ripping the last of our wild horses away
from their families and peaceful lives to be slaughtered?
The question is: As a nation, can we allow this to continue and still call
ourselves a civilized country?
The question is: "Can you look at the footage of innocent horses with their
eyes gouged out, hooves ripped off, legs broken, beaten by the workers, faces
smashed in from being on the transport trucks, horses stabbed in their spines,
horses conscious for the entire killing process and do nothing?
That is the question, so what is YOUR answer?
Resolve to make the world a
better place for animals (credit: PETA)
| If you haven't already done so,
have the companion animals who depend on you spayed or neutered. These
simple procedures help protect your furry friends from many types of
cancer and prevent thousands of animals from being born only to end up
abandoned on the streets or dumped at severely crowded animal shelters.
|
| If you live with a dog,
pledge to walk him or her every day, even when it's cold outside and you'd
rather hide under a blanket. If you share your home with cats, set
aside some "kitty (or horsey) quality time" every day to play
with, brush, and bond with them. It's sometimes too easy to overlook our
feline friends, but they can get bored and lonely too. |
| If there is a lonely "backyard dog" in
your neighborhood, try befriending his or her guardian. Start by
politely talking to him or her about the dog's needs, such as
companionship, daily portions of fresh food and water, and a weatherproof
doghouse filled with straw. Many lucky dogs have had their lives changed
because someone like you cared enough to intervene. |
| If you're shopping for yourself or
buying holidays gifts for your loved ones, stay away from fur,
wool, leather, and companies that make or sell products made from the
skins of animals. |
NOTE: Crossed Sabers can not fully guarantee the accuracy of
every page on this website which is huge (38,000 files and over 300
pages). We do not have the personnel or time to keep it up to date and accurate
for every situation as this Stable and all its programs have always been a
dynamic entity, ever changing and improving itself to meet the needs of horses
and horse people. We do try to make sure each
page is up to date and accurate but the best thing to do If you have a question,
is email or call us. Additionally Crossed Sabers can not guarantee anything that
anyone says about us on line, we have no control over other people and their
websites, forums or ads, all we can tell people is if you do not know the
person, their name, address and their experience, age or history/background/education and location
do not trust what they say. That is true for everything on the internet. Some things said about us have been grossly inaccurate and did not come from CSS,
some come from past employees we fired for cause (for hurting horses or stealing
from us), people that are pro-slaughter
and hate our mission and what we do for horses enjoy trying to make us look bad, some are horse traders that
we've helped put out of business and some are people we helped put
in jail on neglect cases. Again,
if you have questions about us, our services, our company structure, how we are
licensed, how we pay taxes, how we do things or anything at all, please feel
free to contact us, just don't assume that all you read on another website is
accurate because 99% of it is not true, especially if you read it on a forum,
blog or chat room and don't assume that it came from us, just call 304-873-3532 or email us at
secondwindadopt@aol.com,
or better yet, come and see our operation and you will see how we do things. I
can guarantee it's 1000 times better than what the liars and frauds say who are
jealous of our work.
All programs and services listed on this website, including
SWAP is a part of Crossed Sabers Stable which has been licensed in WV for the
last 13 years. The Mountain State Horse School and Second Wind Adoption Program,
Inc. and Crossed Sabers International Horse School, Inc. was incorporated on 4
Sep 08 to address the education needs and life challenges of people and horses.
Buyer and Seller Beware!! Update on the
Robin Hollingsworth of Blacksburg, SC
(she has several alias's and about 10 fake names) fraud case for those of you who have been asking. The SC prosecutor accepted a
plea bargain from her and dropped the case if she paid the people she ripped off
(the people she took money under false pretenses from when she sold them horses
she did not own), she did that so she was
let go but the 3 arrests will stay on her record and the record of what she did
to all those people is still on the books and will stay there. If she is caught
again I'm certain she will go to jail but people who are cheated by her must
stand up and testify.. If more people that she ripped off would have not
chickened out and backed out because of fear (Quote from them was we are scared
of her, she is crazy) she would be in jail right now but beware, she is still
loose and still taking free horses or companion horses that have things like
ringbone and navicular and drugging them and then selling them as high level
jumpers and competition horses on the internet. Her daughter works with her,
Amanda or Mandy, she helps her rip people off. Beware, I'm getting calls almost
every month where Robin has committed more crimes against people, taking horses,
not paying for them, bouncing checks, buying vehicles and horse trailers and not
paying for them. BEWARE OF THIS WOMAN!! If you want her history or to check a
person's name against our black list (our do not adopt to, do not sell to, do
not buy from, do not hire or even rent to list), then contact us.
BEWARE: Do not buy a horse from anyone you do not
know, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERNET, unless
they have websites like ours, their names and addresses listed and they show
they have a long long history
on their website and
do not buy unless you go to see the horse and have it vet checked and you have
contact with the vet, not the seller or even trainer telling you what the vet said. DO NOT GIVE
YOUR HORSE OR SELL YOUR HORSE WITHOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT IS TO
HAPPEN WITH THE HORSE, RESELLING, USE/LIMITATIONS, FACILITIES NEEDED, ETC. It
you sell or give away a horse with no agreement, they could go to slaughter the
same day you release them or they could be sold and misrepresented,
living a life of neglect, abuse, over use and miss use the rest of their lives.
We hear stories all the time where a best friend or neighbor, the nice lady you
gave the horse to sent the horse to slaughter or is neglecting it and there is
not a thing the owner can do now because they no longer own the horse and they
made no written agreements signed by both parties.
If you need help doing written agreements, back ground checks on buyers and
sellers, just contact us, that is part of our 'SAFE SELLING' SERVICES. Your
horse's life depends on you being safe and thorough!
BEWARE: People are selling horses on the
internet that don't even exist so beware, the horse industry is full is liars,
cheaters, and thieves, even we have had to deal with them from potential
adopters who were in jail applying to adopt, to employees and former trainers
who totally ripped us off by stealing tack and tools, asking for huge advances
and then leaving after they get them, people who don't even know us or had any
experience with us slandering us on forums, harassing us and our supporters,
interfering with company operations and even adopters who don't think twice
about breaching their contract or forging their vets signature on applications &
annual updates or even selling their adoption horse to programs like ours and
even 501c3's public charities selling horses to slaughter auctions or being put
in jail for neglect and animal cruelty. We are bringing each person that has
wronged our horses to justice one at a time and winning all our cases but that
does not protect the general public from these liars, thieves, con-artist and
cheaters. Your horses life can easily be ruined forever, they could end up in a
fate worse than death so buyer and seller beware, your horses life depends on
you keeping them safe and you being thorough with doing things like getting
references and making sure the people have stable employment, that they really
own the farm they say they do, doing background checks to check for criminal
records. The horse world is full of dishonesty which ruins it for honest people that really care
and always try to do the right thing, such a shame. Just be very careful and get
proof that your horse is going to a good home, get more than a feeling because
we promise you about 50% of the time when it comes to horses, your feeling that
its a 'nice' person or a 'good' person' is wrong. And even when you pick a
good home, they can turn around and sell or give away to a bad home.
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers.
This includes age, weight and height. Let the
doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches and negative people pull you down. People who like to cause trouble
will shorten your life and make you just like them... miserable.
3. Keep learning.
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain
idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh
often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for
breath.
6. The tears happen..
Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is
ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love
, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT
to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love
them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.
| |
HAPPY ENDINGS 2007
- "If a bird who could fly,
only wished for flight
- as it sat on a limb,
- before long it would be unable to
fly.
- Fly Now, Fly Today! You can do it!"
What a wonderful book about Peanut and his life for 2006 and 2007, we do
have some creative adopters.... I wish everyone could see Renee's update
and also Pat Pape's.... always the best!!
 Jake
and Lucy with Anita in Colorado
 Matt
Mobile at home with his family in WV
 Mork and
Kim in Wisconsin
 Pat,
Miss B and her lovely spotted sister in Texas
Casino Royale with his family at home in Ohio
 MFT Banner and
the Reihls in Indiana, Nancy and Banner put on about 100 miles a week at
times. Wow!!
 Skynrd with Sandra
and family in VA
 |
|
|
Here are some pics of the boys with the kids and us.
(1 of 25 pictures)
|
Hi, again,
I am having trouble getting this to attach.
Maybe you can view it from here. Let me know.
Thanks,
Betty Bente
we arrived
home safely at 3:30. We are all settling in now. Just wanted to let you
know we made it! Thanks for having us. It's a beautiful place. Lisa
I have been
meaning to drop you guys a line between swim meets, xmas cards, and
settling in new pets. charlie is so nice. I appreciate his level head and
his kindness. He has had no problem settling in at all. My daughter is in
love and I am most happy for her. She has not ridden d/t snow and giving
him time to get accustomed to things. Next week she will go to lessons and
I am confident that he will be no problem. I had a brass name plate
engraved for his stall yesterday as a xmas gift to Jaynah. She will love
it. I really like him. Coconut is also doing well. He is learning his
boundaries indoors and he really wants to do everything we expect of him.
He is such a sweet dog. I love his doe eyes and his long black eyelashes.
He has a fetish with stealing soft things (like my good riding gloves) and
chewing on them, but for the most part he has been a very good boy. No
problems with soiling indoors. He is sleeping with Jaynah at night just as
we thought he would. So I just wanted to let you know that all is well and
we are happy with our new additions to the family. Lisa Ross
I'm sorry this it has taken awhile to update you on Country Lane but we
have been busy. Not to busy to take good care of Country though.We
bought a place in Arkansas on March 23rd with a nice barn, so Country
has a new home. I have been meaning to get these into you sooner, but
with moving, as you well know, time gets away from you because there is
so much to do. I attached the follow up form with all the info filled
out but will mail in the form when I get Country in to get his teeth
floated and have the vet sign it.
Attached are some pics of him and his and our new home:
Thanks,
Kim Stark
Hello Everyone;
We have been taking Lil
Bit and Sean to his riding instructor’s barn for lessons. Here is Lil Bit
(ridden by Claire) jumping last week-end. Both had a wonderful time and I
thought you might enjoy some pictures!
Marisa St. Claire
Hello Celita & Gang
I just wanted to let you know how much Cynder has enriched my life since
recentley moving to Texas... we've been doing some arena work, and some
trail riding...(it's kinda spooky for her so I talk her thru everything
... ) and she's helped a little boy celebrate his birthday recently..she
did
AWESOME.... i will try to take some pictures of her soon... we still have
no
one to ride with us.. but we are ok with it and simply enjoy each other's
&
the other horses company.... I love her so much & she's just giving me so
much of my confidence back.. (thank you... thank you to you, thanks to
Cynder & thank God that I found her)... i love her ... soo much... she's
awesome...promise i'll send photo's soon..
take care
sydney & cynder (aka lilly).
Celeita,
Hope all is well in your new digs. I wanted to let you know that Lendy
is doing great and that my adoption update info is on the way. We did
have an issue with his right front hoof. Since we've had him he has had
very sensitive feet, a trait of most TB's as I've heard. We've been
debating shoeing him but about a week ago he suddenly went lame. We
watched him for a few days for signs of heat or swelling and kept him in
his stall to rest. His lameness wasn't getting any better and the
Farrier came out yesterday for his 6 week trimming. He checked Lendy's
feet over and found where a small abscess had blown out, but we had seen
absolutely know evidence of it other than his lameness. We've been
soaking it in Epsom salt twice a day for the last two days and today he
seemed a lot more comfortable, even eager to get out in the pasture. I
know that he had an abscess when he was at SWAP. Do you have any other
advice? The farrier thinks that once the abscess clears up we should
shoe him on the front to make him more comfortable, not so flat footed.
Any thoughts you might have would ease my mind. Take Care
Dory Bledsoe
Lendy's Mom
Celeita,
The new farm looks fantastic. I sent Lendy's follow up info and I
wanted to make sure you got it. He is doing fabulously. We have a
trainer that comes every 2 weeks to do clinics and give some private
lessons and he has worked wonders with Lendy. We are still trying to
conquer his fear of tying. He has broken several posts and pulled out
some hardware but we are making progress. He is so relaxed any other
time. I guess it's just issues from the track. Anyway, I couldn't be
happier with him and I hope I've made a difference in his life. I
wish I could do it for so many more. Take Care
Dory Bledsoe and Lendy
We had purchased a home so no more moving for many many years lol. My
husband finally got moved into a management position after all these
years. We got the house plus 4 acres and the house sits on the dead end
of dirt road so not much traffic. Our land is boardered by the retired
couple we bought our house off of and Army Corp. of Engineer land. It
is an adjustment for the horses due to the humidity. We are mostly
keeping them inside during the day and slowly getting them used to grass
again. Lucy is adapting quicker then Jake-probably due to her age. The
first couple days Jake was here we actually had to hose him down once
due to him being too hot. He seems to be doing alot better now. On the
first couple of days we mostly kept them inside and kept a close eye on
jake. On the day we had to hose him down we also gave him some
electrolytes. They are now being let out for a little bit each day on
the grass and then being brought back into the barn for the remainder of
the day until evening. Jake dont want to leave the barn anymore though
after he figured out that there was fans in there lol.
Thank you,
Anita
Hello,
Just a quick note to update you on Doc and Sukhoi. Sukhoi is back
home as the weather is much improved and we are able to work in the
outside arena. Both horses are being trained using Clinton Anderson
methods and in June, Sukhoi and I will be attending a two week clinic
at his facility in Bellecenter OH! We are very excited and hope that
Anna and Doc will move up the wait list and be able to attend as
well. Sukhoi received her spring shopts prior to moving home and Doc
will be receiving his later this month. Both horses are wormed and
are doing well in general. I will send pictures as their training
progresses.......wish us luck at our upcoming clinic! When time
permits on your end, we are still very interested in purchasing Sukhoi,
as we hope to be doing more events in the future. Please let us
know. Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to have both of them
in the family!
Vicky Gordon
Hi Celeita it's Jaynah I just wanted to let you know how well Charlie
and Coconut are doing. I am in love with Charlie! Every time I see him
my heart stops. He is so loving yet gentle. He's getting along with
the other horses wonderfully. Coconut can be a little naughty but we
think he hasn't been in houses to much. Him and our little year old
lab have a ball wrestling in the now. He's getting his fair share of
horse poop too. Every night he sleeps up with me getting up about
every hour to sniff my face before falling back asleep. Thanks so much
for these two wonderful family members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are some pictures of Chester from some of our shows this past
season. He did good considering it was his first year. As you can see
we have add another member to our family. We got Teddy back in May.
He's for the kids he's only 2 right now so he will be around for a long
time. He fits right in with Chester and Sally. Hope this finds
everyone well.
Take care,
The Cordoza's
Sorry this is late. Have had a pretty crazy past six months. My
husband just got home from being deployed. I hope this finds everyone
well. If there is anything missing please let me know. I have not
been able to print anything so I did the best I could with what I
had. Chester and I have been doing some showing. He really is my
dream horse. He has done so great for being the first year of
showing. We are going to shows where there are over 300 horses and
the classes are over 25 entries in each class. He is doing great. We
have add another horse to the family for our kids. We bought a 2 year
Haflinger and we still have Sally the mustang. The horse shows have
really gotten to be a family thing. Billy my husband is showing his
mustang in hand and she is doing well. I will have to say I think I
have gotten pretty much all my straight back from my fall off of Moe.
Every now and then I will be a little stiff but I am pretty much back
to myself. I will get you some pictures of all the horses together.
If there is anything I have missed please let me know and I will get
it to you. Sorry for the delay I was a little overwhelmed with the
husband being deployed.
Take care,
The Cordoza's
Hi Celetia,
Here are some pictures of Chester from some of our shows this
past season. He did good considering it was his first year. As you
can see we have add another member to our family. We got Teddy back
in May. He's for the kids he's only 2 right now so he will be
around for a long time. He fits right in with Chester and Sally.
Hope this finds everyone well.
Take care,
The Cordoza's
Hey Celeita!
Haven't heard from you in a while and was just
checking in! Hope things are going well with the
move, if you need help moving horses, furniture, etc
I've got my truck and trailer at the ready! Oh and do
you know if my long lines are still in the tack room
or did they get packed away somewhere?
I've got some pretty exciting news too!! 1) I'm
graduating tomorrow!! YAY!!!! But the most exciting
thing, Magic and I had our first show of the season
last Saturday in Winfield and he was great! He earned
2/3 in amateur owner/trainer, 3/13 in Morgan/Arab
English Pleasure, WON novice horse eng pleasure out of
6 horses, and placed 4/11 in a very competitive hunter
class!! I'll send pics as soon as I can get them
loaded to my computer!
I finally quit at Medbrook and have a really nice
job with WindDrinker Arabians, and of course with
Paula, and am feeling pretty decent about entering the
"real world..." LOL! Anyway, if you want to do any
summer riding, I'll be in Salem, maybe we could do
something where like 2 or so days a week, however many
times a month, I could just drive and stay down there
when you're settled, do all the riding in those 2 days
and gas won't be as big an issue!
Let me know if I can help you all with anything and
I'll send pics of Magic ASAP!
Talk to you soon,
Jenai
First, I would like to tell you how impressed I was by your farm.
Yes, the facility is gorgeous, but I mean more than that. All of the
animals were so secure and content. I'll never forget that pack of
wonderful dogs sniffing Alfie - and I went through the barn before I
found your office, and the horses were the same way. I think it's a
beautiful thing that you do. I was also very impressed by your
trainer and her attitude towards the horses.
The little dog is doing fine - she is an absolute sweetheart. Nobody
could remember her name (I kept calling her Sushi...) so her new name
is Ivy. She goes for a check up on Wednesday and gets spayed on the
19th. That is the only problem - she has been in heat, and Alfie
gets stuck in her - I didn't think he could do that since he is
neutered.....She just keeps sticking her butt in his face, and what's
a guy going to do...She didn't eat well at first, but now seems
fine. I'm glad she sat on my lap! Thank you!
After some careful thought, I have decided to send Vegas back. I'm
just not set up to do 3 horses comfortably, and I know you won't have
trouble adopting him out. I will write to his former folks (who have
stayed in touch) and explain. They were so worried about his health,
and he is fine now, so that's a good thing.
Turns out my friend would rather come down and ride when the mood
hits him rather than adopt Vegas himself....Dr. Henderson is coming
Tuesday to do his Coggins. I don't know how long it takes, but I
will let you know when I get it back.
Give Brian a hug for me - I can't wait to get to know him!!
Liz
Hey Chickie, I am at my wits end with Wop. You won't believe what she's
done now!!!!
She keeps loosing weight (as Winny said she would despite the fact
she eats 30 pounds a day) so, I got the bright idea to stall her at
night thinking.... I don't know what?? We both know she doesn't do
stalls at all. So, we got up the other morning and the stall gate was
absolutely destroyed. She beat, kicked, rushed, & pushed so hard on it
it, bent it into a V, I'm talking a 7 bar tempered steel gate that's 10
foot long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She absolutely DESTROYED it.
She even bent the screws that are set in the huge supporting timber that
holds up the barn wall!
I think Winny called it when he said she's not in any pain from the
Thyroid, just nasty and mean tempered in her old age
 I
think she looks like hell but, I'm comparing her to all the "fatties"
here. Winny said he thinks she looks acceptable for a mare that's has
too many babies and an endocrine disease. Red & Little B are the only
ones I can put her with at this point. She is a complete terror to Lovey
& Lucky and simply hates Myleeka <:: Follows Leeky around biting her ass
constantly. Little B is terrified of her so keeps her distance and hides
behind Red.. Red just ignores her and protects B <LOL>
Anyway, I'm going to send you pics of this gate when I get the chance to
take one. You will not believe what she did to it! Has to be a world
record.........
How are YOU??????? What's happening in your neck of the woods?
m
Today was Red's scheduled "mane & tail" day. Tammy from next door came
over and helped me. I would never try this with any other horse but, I
sat on a lawn chair right behind him and did his tail while Tam did
the rest of him <LOL>
When we turned him back out, you should have seen him preening
in front of the girls......
"I'm too sexy for my........"
Also attached what has been planted in my other front
paddock.....yes.....he's still here!!!!!
m~
Hi,
I have most of the update paperwork completed, but I wanted to let you
know what has been going on with Gem. We haven't ridden her in the last
year because her arthritis in her hocks is getting too severe. She fell
down a couple of times last fall and the farrier can no longer trim her
back feet because she can't keep her leg up and she looses her balance.
I had the vet look at her hock in April when she came out to give the
horses their shots. She said it is enlarged because the arthritis is
bone on bone. She also said she has some mild arthritis in her front
legs as well. I have a copy of the record that I can send, but it is
kind of hard to read.
Lately, I noticed she is becoming sway backed and I'm not sure, but it
looks like she may be getting arthritis in her spine. She is still
getting around, but she pops and cracks quite a bit. I know this winter
is going to be very difficult for her.
I have attached some pictures so you can see she is in good condition
otherwise. I also have a picture of the arthritic hock that is the
worst. Please let me know if you have any suggestions to help Gem. I
give her bute on bad days and she gets plenty of turn out to keep her
joints moving. I also use linament on days when she does not get around
as well. I am worried about not being able to trim her hooves correctly
and the swayed look of her back.
Thanks,
Michelle Henley
Hello Celeita!!!
Hope all is well. I know you are still
trying to get settled in to the new farm, it's beautiful. So many horses
again in need of homes, and babies to boot!! I'm still trying to win
that lottery. :) Quincy is doing Great, he loves being out with his
girls. I'll fax the update form from work before the weekend, sorry it's
late! Alway's busy around here too. Quincy does seem to like this barn,
only eight horses when full. Quincy still gets his daily doses of love
and spoiling, My newly "rescued" rottweiler doesn't really no what to
make of him, she looks at him like he is much to big to share her space.
Poor dog was literally tied in someones yard for two years when she was
confiscated by the SPCA, she was terrified of everything!!! What is
wrong with people? She has turned out to be a real gem too.
Well I will get you the forms ASAP Celeita,
again the best of luck with the farm. Wish I could take some more of
those great horses.
Michelle Sussman-Morris & Quincy
Hi there,
glad to see you are in your new home. I
wanted to send you a photo of Tessa, as I did not do so earlier in June,
I think. Want to make sure you guys are all updated on her. Her colt
just turned 6 months, and I weaned him. I usually keep the colts on
until late fall, but Tessa was getting to a point she was not letting
him drink much and sorta tired of him, so the weaning went really well.
Ben, the old fjord is still doing well, he
has actually been out to pasture all summer, with a couple of older
mares and he gets around really well, looks great inspite of his
ringbone and limp. Yeah!! Last winter I had little hope for him, now
he looks great. And he isusually a great babysitter for any babies in
the late fall.
Just a quick question, - I noticed the
smaller grey QH mare you had on your list for adoption. Would she be
suitable for a smaller child at all? What is she like? My 6 year old
rides, but my show horse is a bit to big for her to ride alone, - we
have started to show this summer, and we are having a blast. But I am
hunting for a smaller horse for my daughter to show. Anything you can
tell me about this filly would be help, she sure looks lilke a doll.
Has she ridden western, is she reg. QH, etcetc.
Take care,
Janne Myrdal
Home of the lovely Tessa!!!
hi Celieta,
Thank you for sending the disc, everything on it I have in hard
copy. I was hoping it was Clovers video, my trainer would like to see
it as would I. Do you think you could send it, I would appreciate it.
Hope you have a Thanksgiving filled with love.
Warm regard,
hi Celieta,
Thought i'd send you some pix of Clover. He is doing great and is a
real lovebug. The magazine Cure will be showing the attached pix of us
in an upcoming issue so i wanted to give you a heads up. Hope you and
all the horses at SWAP are doing well and want to remind you that
Clover and i are up for Clinics when you decide to have them.
In the book What Horses Reveal i have Clover narrowed down to about
4 personality types. If you have time which do you think he leans to?
King, but he loves children, altho he does Love attention and gets it
from everyone. Child, but he is massively built and it doesn't feel
quite right, Minister, a good possibility, Dandy, he is such a happy
guy, but not superficial. help.
This horse is very well trained and loving,and his manners are
better than my children'sever were. We are working out some minor
issues, he does have his own ideas about some things but thats Ok with
me, we usually work it out. he gets suppliments for his hooves, his
coat, a multi vitamin and electrolytes every day. He is on a diet, i
cut his grain portion because he is not working at full capacity, but he
does get treats every day. he's had his teeth floated, and is up to
date on all shots. He gets groomed every day and we've been fighting
some thrush, so i clean and treat his feet daily and use thrush buster.
How can i tell if he is sore anywhere? i do feel for heat, and also
when he gets a Pro ride they jump him a little bit. i suggested they
wait until he has a few more months on the flat, but the trainer thinks
its OK. because they are low jumps. But anyway he is doing very well
all round.
With
warm regard,
Arlene
Thanks so much for the update on your farm. I know my daughter would
love to help out, but it's a little far. Looks like you have some
beautiful horses.
I just realized I am late on getting a report to you on Leona. She has
settled in very well and is such a joy. She fits in well with her herd
and has a little buddy - a paint named Zuzu. Her travel injury has
healed well. She will probably have a dime-sized scar, but there is no
permanent internal damage. Kimberlin has trimmed her mane and her tail
is growing out nicely. Kimberlin sees her at least 6 of 7 days a week
and adores her. She's seen a farrier three times and is sporting some
nice shiny shoes and is current with shots and worming. When she first
arrived, she wanted to threaten to kick, but that is almost non-existant
now. She is such a good little horse and we love her dearly.
Here's a couple recent shots of this inseparable pair!
Noelle Lacy
 Leona Marie
finally back to her old self and in wonderful care with her family in TN
Hi just wanted to send you pictures of Sequioa's Red Mist first show.
He is coming along. He is so sweet and still a BIG baby. His mom Cash aka
Indigoblue was set to be shown at a 4 H project where they were talking
about Nokota's. She colicked and went to New England veterinary Center 36
hours ago. She had a volvulus which they were able to flip with little
difficulty, she had pain last night rolled twice and a had a fever. This
morning she was doing better. I will keep you updated as we get more info.
Anyway enjoy Sequoia's first hunter show. Lyla Correoso MD
Hi Celeita,
Patches is doing incredibly well. I am writing because I really feel
led to help foundered horses and was thinking about trying to start some
sort of rehab facility for them. I was hoping that you could help me
with ideas on how to get started, how to manage/run such a facility, how
to make it work so that I don't get rich but make enough money to earn a
modest living, if you think there would be a market for such a place,
how could I present myself as being qualified, things to consider...
When you have a spare moment (haha - what is that, right?), I would
really appreciate any advice that you can give me.
Thanks, Amy
Hi Celita,
The boys are
doing great and I am so happy for you on your move to the new facility.
The reason I’m writing is that I have also moved. I now live just outside
of Camden, SC (steeplechase capital of the world) and we have a beautiful
home on 31 acres of land and we are surrounded by hundreds of acres of
woods and trails. I couldn’t find the new facility form on the web so I
figured I’d email you. I’ve tried to send this several times since March
but it always gets kicked back. I did send it thru my AOL account and it
didn’t come back but I never heard from you so I wasn’t sure you received
it.
The boys just
love it here. We’ve retired Sam from showing at any level (except fun
shows on the flat) but he still gets ridden regularly as the Vet says he’s
still in top shape. Only a touch of arthritis in the right rear hock and
he’s 21 – the vet says he moves better than most 4 year olds he’s ever
seen! Sam has had colic a few times over the years but nothing severe,
mostly gas colic. Some Banamine and the vet and he’s fine. Will’s always
been a healthy horse and with the exception of the time he tried to rub
his neck on the fence and got a huge splinter, the only time the vet see’s
him is for his shots twice a year. Will is also ridden 3 or 4 days a week
for 2-4 hours each ride. Sam is feed 10 quarts of Triple Crown Senior, 4
quarts of oats and 2 scoops of fat cat per day (he’s getting harder to
keep weight on as he gets older) and Will gets 4 quarts of Southern States
12% and 2 quarts of Oats per day. They also receive free choice of
Timothy/Orchard/Alfalfa hay and unlimited water (automatic float on their
water bucket). They are also wormed monthly down here as it’s more of an
issue than it was in Ohio. I’m working on my barn so I can bring them in
under the fans during the hot summer days but currently they are turned
out on 4 acres with a run-in shed hidden in the trees – that’s where I
keep the hay. Also, both boys are Parelli level 2 Harmony graduates.
My new contact
info is:
Janet Rolen
Married life is good! Kevin and I just had our first
anniversary last month
(July 1st). I don't think we kept a copy of the updates, but I can fill
them
out and send them to your new address if you need them. I'm not sure when
I
sent the packet, but it has to have been early July, I think. The week
after
the 4th is when I remember getting all of it together and mailing, so I
think I will probably need to send it to your new address if you haven't
received it yet. Do you want a copy of the Coggins? Also, I wanted to let
you know that Maiden had been cribbing, and the vet did float both Maiden
and Smitty's teeth. She has not been cribbing since then, but the vet said
that her teeth weren't very good. We have been making mashes out of her
Patriot Senior, and adding vegetable oil (the vet recommended it for
adding
calories). She is looking even shinier now, and I think it is because of
the
oil! Maiden also had a cold bug of some sort and did not eat well for us
earlier this spring; she had antibiotics and recovered her appetite- thank
goodness! Smitty has not had ANY problems with a cold OR his appetite! Our
trainer comments on how beautiful Smitty is, and says that he looks better
everytime she sees him. He is doing well, and has a "girlfriend" named
Rose.
She is a boarded horse who shares a pasture with him; she thinks Smitty is
tall, dark, and handsome!
Anyway, I did not keep a copy of the original paperwork, but I can fill
it out again and resend it. I think if you didn't get it by now, it might
not get forwarded. Let me know if you want a copy of the Coggins; I kept
the
originals of those. Also, I don't remember what Smitty's registered name
is,
I call him Smitty! I remember I couldn't find the JC number/ name for the
original paperwork. If I don't include that, is it okay? Let me know!
Thank you,
Lindsey
Hello, this is Lindsey, Kevin, and Jeanne! We adopted
Smitty and Maiden; we sent paperwork to the the address we had at home.
I was just checking your homepage and realized your address changed. Did
the papers (updates, etc.) get forwarded? If not I wanted to let you
know that they are both wonderful, and well cared for of course. Maiden
had a little "cold" this spring, but she is good now. They both went to
the vet to have a check up in May, and we got Coggins for them both,
too. I didn't know if you wanted a copy, but if so, let me know and I
will send it.
Thanks for everything!
Lindsey, Kevin, Jeanne
Hello, this is Lindsey Teel, and my family
adopted Maiden and Smitty! We wanted to let you know the Smitty is
doing wonderfully, but we are a little worried about Maiden. She
had a "slimy nose" this spring, and the vet treated her with
antibiotics; it seemed to clear up. She gained some weight and
looked great all summer, but this fall she has green slime from
her nose again!
We took her to the vet, and she has
had three different antibiotics. We give her probiotics to help
with her digestion. This morning she seemed tired, and picked at
the grain. She has always eaten really well for us! I called the
vet again today and am waiting to hear back.
Do you have any suggestions? Is she
allergic to anything? The vet- assistant thought that maybe
she could have allergies........? She didn't have this problem
last year, and I am worried that if she does not eat well she will
lose weight going into winter! Any ideas or suggestions would be
welcome.
Thank you!
Lindsey
Hey Lindsey, Poor Maiden. I suspect she is getting what we see with
many of the horses during season changes, especially in the fall.
There is so much stuff in the air in the fall and in the hay and
grass. Its normal that she will show some alergies even though we've
never seen her be alergic or have anything like the heaves or anything
like that. We do see this with a lot of horses this time of year. I've
got several in the barn right now with snotty nose and coughing,
infact I've got a runny nose and a cough as well as many of my
employees. I think 2nd cutting hay does some of that but I also think
there is a lot of junk in the air.
I think its the same reason you see people coughing, having allergy
problems, even breaking out more than normal. Maybe mixing her feed
with sweet feed to get her to eat or a very fat feed like a senior
feed or something with more fat in it. Also is she still taking corn
oil as I remember that was one thing she would eat. Anything she likes
give her a lot of, like carrots, I know she loves carrots. They are
really sweet so if you can give her a whole bag cut up a couple times
a week that would help or go with a high calorie feed like cracked
corn. I know she ate it here, maybe mix it with sweet feed that she
really likes and carrots.... something to entice her. :))) Let me know
how that goes. Kiss them both for us. I hope you can get her weight up
before winter but if she is not perfect don't worry, she is getting
older, just put a water proof rug on her to keep her warm and that
will help. Celeita
Thanks for the advice! We have been feeding her senior feed
with corn oil, but maybe adding some yummy treats to the food will help
her appetite. Today her nose actually looked better! Hopefully it is
just seasonal. We have fed her Patriot senior and Purina senior; our
feed store owner says he thinks the Patriot is a better feed. Any
opinion? Maiden eats them both well usually. She does have a wide
selection of blankets also, and I even bought a hood in case we have a
cold winter! I tried to find some for Smitty but settled for a blanket;
his head/ neck seem to be an odd size. Smitty and Maiden are just
beginning to get a little furry around the edges; they are so silly this
time of year! I think the cool mornings must be really exciting; Smitty
was frisking about this morning with his nose and tail in the air. He
had such a good romp! Thanks again guys!
Lindsey
Thanks for checking! Maiden is doing better; we had some cold weather
and I think whatever was irritating her allergies must have died back
some. No more runny noses. She is a much happier horse!
Thanks guys!
Hi guys,
I am getting together the update forms for Star and Toby but wanted to let
you know how Star did at her first show last weekend. If you remember,
Star
was the dark bay cob pony that was rescued from Karen Harlan. She is one
of
the few that faired well because she is a pony. She was entered in the
Trot
over Poles class which is a class for beginners that are learning their
two
point to prepare for jumping. They have to trot over a ground pole and
get
in their two point. The goal is to stay centered on their pole as if it
was
a fence to jump and get into a proper two point at the proper time while
retaining control of their mount. The first class was just a walk/trot
around the ring flat class without the poles. There were 15 horses. Star
did not get a ribbon but was extremely well behaved. No spooking. She
remained very calm in the big class. Her first class over poles she was
great. She received a second place out of 15. Her second over poles
class
she received a fourth out of 15. She was reserve champion ground poles
entrant. Only to be beat by a beautiful warmblood that I know cost high
dollars. Little 13 hand star was a superstar. She maintained her hunter
frame and trucked right through the class like she had done it a million
times. She beat both lesson horses (one being owned by me) ridden by more
experienced kids! I will send pictures from the show when I get them
developed.
Idgy and Melissa are doing well. My horse and myself and Idgy and Melissa
have taken a couple lessons from the Olympic rider, Dorothy Crowell. Idgy
hasn't missed a beat since he has been vacationing while Melissa was in
college. They will be competing at the Hunters Run horse trials in the
middle of August. She plans on doing low level eventing with him and
having
fun.
Kristen Kelly
Dear Diana,
Thought I would email you instead of calling since we seem to be playing
"phone tag".
First I was excited to see on your website a photo of First at the top of
the page. That's really great! He's such a beautiful horse!
We adopted Fiddler's First Command and Green Meads Paradise from your
adoption program. Both are doing great and are healthy. First is such a
gentleman and Paradise a sweetheart. We haven't, for one second,
regretted adopting either one of them. They have become a part of our
family!
I had followed First through the Morgan Magazine since he was just a baby
and always dreamed of having a horse half as beautiful as he is. You can
only imagine how excited I was with the opportunity to adopt him. We were
hoping to stand him at stud but after having his semen it seems that,
although there was plenty of them, it was very sensative and died very
quickly after being collected. We did breed him once to Paradise. She
did settle but absorbed the embryo. We had her ultra sounded and found
that her uterus was packed with fatty tumors (not cancerous). We decided
not to pursue breeding them after that. It really wasn't that important
to us.
First is not showing signs of aging at all but Paradise, pushing the 30
mark, is starting to show her age. But she is very healthy and we haven't
had any health problems with either one of them.
I apologize for not sending in the update form. I was unaware that that
had to be done. But both are current on all their shots, deworming and
farrier work. First had never been broke to ride and with Paradise's age,
both are just enjoying their retirement here. They do get groomed daily
and excersized regularly.
Sincerely,
Gayle Bone
Hello Ladies,
I received your voice
message on my home phone and I apologize that an update was not
forwarded to you. I thought Melanie Andrews (Remington) had taken
pictures and also updated you on all horses in the barn.
Shorty (Egan) and Hold
Tight (Ti) are doing really well. Egan is #2 in the herd and Ti is #3.
We have six horses here at my house and it’s interesting because they
socialize into the first three and then the bottom three of the herd.
When out in the pasture the top 3 stick together and then the bottom
three are elsewhere in the pasture.
My four horses,
including Egan and Ti, received their shots in October of this year. The
vet pronounced them very healthy and well taken care of (of course,
these guys are my pasture pets and kids nothing less should be
expected!).
It is so very
gratifying to see Egan and Ti gallop (and I mean a full gallop)
out in the pasture and play amongst themselves. They have no cares in
the world except to eat, drink, poop and play! They have nothing to work
for. They are my pleasure and my pets!
If you need more
information, please let me know. I thank you so much for the opportunity
to have these horses in my life. I wish I had more room in my barn
because I would certainly adopt many more!
Thanks again!
Anne Kawski
Hi Celeita,
The parents have a contract ready and all fees. Do they have to do an
application?? They wanted me to ask, but they will be e-mailing you
today and calling to facilitate the change. This is an awesome combo
for horse and rider. You are making one girls dream come true with
parents that support her 100%. I excited for both of them.
Thanks,
Katie Murphy
Lauren Burke riding Bandit with a bitless bridel.
Charles, we finally got Bandits
information out and a copy of the adoption
contract. I'm very sorry that it took us so long. The farm move put us
months
behind on everything. It went out in the mail today. I hope Bandit and
your
daughter are really enjoying each other. When you have time we would
love to get
an update and see some pictures if you have any. Thank you again for
giving
that sweet boy a great home. Celeita
Thanks for the note, and I
understand the delay. Lauren and Bandit are doing great. I'll ask her
to send you pictures.
This is Sequoia (aka little cash) in early September 07. He has won
some ribbons in the hunter flat class. I will see what else we have. I
will also see what I have from the vet about my poor Indigo. Lyla
Hi Celeita,
I found a message on my answering machine looking for updates on
Frosty,Navvy, Genevieve(Val) Indy and Analisa. I will try to get some
new pics done this weekend and out to you soon. They are all doing well.
The girls still make a big fuss over Frosty. He see's himself I think as
a wild mountain pony and likes to stand at the top of our hill surveying
the herd! But if you show up with a carrot he is longer "wild mountain
pony" but "in your pocket can I have that carrot pony" The other 4,
I adopted to be broodmares but they actually have not worked out for
that. (except Navvy) I think I have mentioned some of this in previous
emails. Genevieve was listed as having ringbone but came with a club
foot and serious hind leg issues. One hind leg twists and caves in as
she walks. She is not in pain, but Im always watching it. Occasionally
it swells and I wrap it.
When I contacted the original owner he said she had a severe cut to her
tendon as a young horse and it must have resulted from that. But the
foal she had here had the same situation. We tried special shoes etc
but she also developed OCD. I found the filly a home as a companion.
So I did not breed Genny again. She is a huge teddy bear though and we
love her so she is a pet. Indy's issues where also supposed to be
injury related. A slight limp and dragging of the hind leg. Her owners
had run all sorts of tests and the vets had concluded she had sustained
an injury to her spine as a baby. But amazingly enough at 10 months her
filly developed the same symptoms. I had already bred her again before
the symptoms arose. So far the second foal is not showing a problem.
But I won't breed her again. She too is a sweetie and is also a pet.
Navvy produced one lovely foal and currently has the year off hanging
out with the other girls. Analisa was a gamble as a broodmare. She
came thin and is a really hard keeper, I could never get her to settle,
but she is an old girl and happy to hang out with the others.My 3
daughters are growing fast and I want to spend more time with them so am
taking some time off from breeding anyway. . I hope you are all well.
Will get pics to you soon. Happy Holidays!!!!!
Renee in VT
Thank you Renee, we had been to your website where it said you had
> stopped breeding so we were a little concerned as to what you were
> going to do with these girls. Are you going to be able to afford to
> keep them at your farm as companion horses? I'm not sure we could
> place them again but I'm also worried about you being able to care for
> them as well. We are so glad you still have them but feel badly that
> they have not worked out for their jobs. Well, thank you for all that
> you are doing and for giving them a great home. Kiss all of them for
> us. Celeita
Hi Celeita,
Well that is the quandry. What to do with these girls. I don't
think they are really placeable again either. Except as companions. The
other thing is Analisa had never been anywhere before she came here and
the transportation and transition to a new place just about blew her
mind. Im not sure how she would handle another move.
and we are attached to them all. So my plan has thus far been to keep
feeding them and loving them. It is a big bill with out the money
coming in for breeding and sales but I have picked up some outside work
with a veterinary clinic and with the Visiting Nurse Association and my
husband has a good job that he has had for 10 years.. For now we will
keep going as we are
and should we get to a point where it seems unfeasible I will definitly
let you know. I would have a very hard time letting them go though..
We stopped breeding because as we all know it is a 24/7 job and my girls
are growing so fast I did not want to look back in 10 years and regret
the attention I had given my business instead of my kids.. It was my
dream and it was very hard to let go of. Right when it was becoming
successful. Very hard. But it was too hard for my family to keep
going with it. So we decided to close or suspend the breeding
operation. My oldest daughter is becoming quite the horsewoman so I
think in the future we may tinker again with a foal or two. She is
apprenticing at a barn, learning to train and working with therapeutic
riding.
But overall I think my energy can be more meaningfully spent on raising
my girls and more sustainable types of agriculture. We have been
raising Icelandic sheep for a few years and now have a milk goat and
some fiber goats.
We learned to milk this year and have been having fun with cheese etc.
The girls also knit with the fiber.
Anyway,
Happy Holidays! Its pretty cold up here already. and we have snow
with a big storm expected this weekend.
Talk to you soon.
Renee
Thank you Renee, I know exactly what you mean. I don't know what to do
with all these older horses that can not hold many jobs. Many people
just dump them on us but it will get to the point where we will
eventually have to go to a 'kill' facility as we are not a retirement
home and do not have the funds for that. Its so sad for these poor
horses. Well, I do hope you can keep them but if not just let us know
and we'll try to do the best we can for them. Thank you for giving
them a great home for now. Celeita
I will have my update in the mail this weekend. I have been unable to
contact the guy that had floated their teeth last fall. I try to keep
this separate from my vaccines in the spring. I have not heard back from
you regarding my questions so I will send as is and you can request more
info if needed.
Thanks
Patricia Davis
I have mailed my updates twice and had them returned to me. I got back
on the web site and noticed that the update papers I printed had your old
address. I will try it again. Just an FYI.
Thanks,
Patricia Davis
Angus and Dundee are doing great. We have our new barn with four 10x14
stalls almost completely done. We are putting up new fence right now and
have 5 acres of fenced pasture now.
Here are the updates on Angus
and Dundee. Right after I last emailed you we were told we would be
getting high speed internet and I decided to wait and email them to you.
Please notify me that you have received them.
Thank You
Patricia Davis
They are in the barn at night for their evening feedings and their am
feedings. We are still completing the finishing touches on the stalls my
husband is making custom hay racks that are mounted to doors that swing
out and allow access to their feed bins. I can't remember if I sent the
pictures of the fence we just finished. We fenced all 5 acres in with 3
strands of 1 1/2 inch electric fence tape and the vinyl t-post covers.
Everyone loves my boys. They can't believe they are from a rescue. The
only thing I have found is that Dundee requires a lot of hoof
maintenance. My farrier says he has really thin hoof walls and compares
them to a Thoroughbred's. I pay extra to bring a farrier from 3 hours
away to ensure he get's the best hoof care I can provide. When we had a
damp spell he got a little thrush, I stalled him and treated it twice
daily until clear. I will also have to keep him shod all winter due to
him being a tender foot on the frozen ground. I hope to get Dundee in an
indoor arena this winter so I can ride all winter. We are going to see if
he would like to be a cutting horse. He has a natural aggressing that I
might as well use.
P.S. Gonna start roping off Angus. We went riding with friends and I
took him to work their long horn cattle. He was great, not spooky. He
was just curious. No one doubts that he'll rope, they say he may hang the
cow. Ha, Ha. He just enjoys going and riding no matter what we are
doing. He even placed 3rd in the second division in barrels this year.
Thanks,
Patricia Davis
Celeita,
I am emailing the June
follow up photos to you of Theo. I mailed the form to his vet yesterday
to sign and I included a stamped envelope for her to mail the form and a
copy of his coggins test.
We have been taking
lessons with a trainer, doing a lot of flatwork and a small jump now and
then (which really perks Theo up). There is an Irish Draught horse,
“Cooch” and his owner Alison, who we have had some really great trail
rides with. Theo and Cooch so far get along great and are a good
match. Theo has really bonded now. He follows me around, greets me
when I get home, and has become affectionate. Last year he liked me but
this year he loves me.
We started lessons
last September. As the weather cooled and he became more fit from all
the ring work, I had a couple of spills. Two were during lessons. One
was when the owner of the farm whose ring I use did something with his
tractor when I was cantering. The other one was when my trainer,
Alisha, was trying to do flying lead changes with me and Theo was
getting really worked up. Alisha told me to tap his shoulder with the
bat because he wasn’t listening. Sometimes Theo can be very sensitive
and this was one of the times. I never really know what happens but
it’s always when we are cantering and he puts his head down and changes
directions. Oh well I got up and got right back on. The last time in
Nov, we were trotting down a gravel road and my dog had come along. My
dog went trail riding with us all summer and Theo never spooked because
of her, (a deer once, a turkey hen once, but never because of Molly).
Well Molly came trotting out on the side of us from the woods and Theo
did the head down change direction thing. I landed hard on my ribs and
cracked them. Alisha rode him for me for awhile after that. We rode up
til the beginning of January and then took the rest of the winter off.
I now wear a protective vest when I ride and I don’t take Molly with us
anymore. I don’t ever want to hurt my ribs like that again.
He’s been very
sensible so far this year and we have learned how to refocus him when he
gets overly sensitive before he overreacts.
His corral became a
mess this spring because it was loam and we had so much rain. My son
and I rented a tractor removed a lot of the loam, enlarged the corral
area and spread 10 yards of stone dust. Now when it rains the corral
dries out fast and we no longer have the shoe sucking mud. Theo is much
happier with the bigger space. It is big enough now to lunge him in it.
Your new place sounds
great. Good luck with all the changes.
Take care,
Kathy Rowett
Kathy, I
don't know if anyone responded to this email. We have over 400 emails in
the in box and we can't seem to get caught up. I just wanted to let you
know how great Theo looks. Unfortunately riding and falling off go hand
in hand but we don't want anyone to get hurt. Please be careful. It
happens to everyone at one time or another. Anyone that rides for any
length of time will have an injury. I broke my back in 97 over a mistake
I made on a horse and will probably always hurt a little. Hang in there
and just try your best to be safe. You all do look wonderful together.
Thank you for giving him such a great home. Celeita
 petey and
Holly
 holly and Walter
Thanks- I will have them sign it tonight.
I'm usually out there earlier than them in the morning so don't see them
until evening. The boys seem to be adjusting well- of course, Walter is
just back home and does not appear to be at all concerned by the heat!
He'll just work right through it without hesitating (though I do try to
only ride in the evening when it's cooler and not at all on the very hot
days). Petey is not such a fan- he would prefer to stay in his stall
under his fan than go out most days. I keep them in if it will be over
93. And not to interested in riding! We are on a semi- vacation for the
summer so we do not ride alot and not hard when we do. Petey is fine with
that! He did shed out very nicely- last year in WV he never seemed to lose
some of the fuzz- this year he's very sleek! He's coming along very well-
the owner of the farm we board at is an amazing horse woman and has taught
me and Petey so much- as well as showing me how much Walter really knows
how to do! We haven't had any trouble with sand- I was worried about that
too (and fire ants) when we came here. But Tonia said to just give them a
little metamucil once in a while and it would not be a problem and
apparently the ants do not bother them. I love the idea of having 9
months of beautiful weather to ride in! Just 3 months of misery with the
heat- half way through! I will send out all the papers tomorrow with pics
of the boys but will email the pics of the farm so I don't have to waitto
get them back. I will take them as soon as it stops raining! It's been 2
days so far... Anyway, take care! Hope you are enjoying the new farm!
Can't wait til we finally find one!
Holly Beauclair, VP
We did see that you had won the case in Bristol and congratulations on
getting the other rescue horses back also. I thought this had been sent.
Sorry. We just bought a new printer/scanner that I can understand the
software on so hopefully the pictures are attaching! I'm splitting them up
because it locks up if I send to many at once. Good news, Ernie got a new
job that pays close to what he was making before. We're working on
completing the addition to the barn so everyone will have their own stall.
There was a blurb in Horse Illustrated that said aggression in horses is
triggered by the same chemical that causes depression in people. Funnyface
must be near suicidal. As soon as they develop Prozac for horses we are SO
there. He's fine with people but he's wearing out Trooper and Sparky
during the winter when we take them off the pasture. Both attachments are
Trooper but I can't get the title to change. Erena
Erena, I'm not sure if anyone responded to this, if not I am so sorry.
We have over 400 emails and can't seem to get them all answered. Its a
shame. The horses look great and we're glad to hear about Ernie's job. I
hope you are finding a solution for ornery boy (funny face), maybe some
calmex before turn out. He sounds like a heathen. Possibly more exercise
for him will cure it. It does sometimes, getting them gainfully employed
and working. I know that is hard to do with a busy life but maybe you know
a kid that can come in a ride him daily that is a good rider. Hope all is
well otherwise. Thank you both for hanging in there and continuing to give
them such a great home for so long. Come see us sometime. Celeita
Here are some photos that I took yesterday
of our girl Jamie and my husband Dave working in the arena and then
heading out for a nice trail ride. Doesn't she look great! They are
getting along so well. Dave has learned so much from Jamie. If you ask
her nicely she will do just about anything. She's still barefoot but we
find Old Mac boots keep her more comfortable on the trails. I even
leave them on in the paddock when the ground is hard and dry. She is on
a good joint supplement plus daily Devil's Claw anti-inflammatory and
her hocks stay loose and fluid. Dave rides her about 2-3 times a week.
Next weekend we will take both horses to a state park in Michigan for a
nice long trail ride -- Jamie's favorite thing.
Celita, I really would like to get health
insurance on Jamie, like I have Bella. The cost is only $250/year for a
$7500 major medical policy or $85/year for a surgery policy. The
problem is that insurance companies require a mortality policy before
they will do health and since I'm not the owner I can't take out
mortality. I brought this up with you last year and you said you had a
insurance contact who would work around this. Can you offer any
advice? So far she has been the picture of health, but it would be a
real hardship if she required colic surgery and we had no insurance.
Thanks to both of you for this wonderful
sweet horse. Dave and I both love her very much and she has grown very
fond of us, but especially Dave.
Shannon
 Just sending along
the follow-up form and several photos of Bru. She needs a bath!!!
Hope that you've gotten all moved in to the new farm. I check your list
of horses for adoption regularly and wish I could take more.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks,
Cindy McPeters
Hi Celeita,
I wanted to give you an update on how the boys are getting along, it has
been just over a month since they came to Ct. and finally they are
settling down. I have to say both of them are high maintenance horses.
Not only do they eat a lot but they are just both piglets in their
stalls and each has their own mental issues! We are going to give Black
a roll up shade to pull down over his stall front so he does not have to
see anyone when he's eating. He looks like a crazy black beast if you
even look his way at dinner time and of course he has to kick the wall.
Despite all of that I do love them both!
I will be taking some more pictures of them and will email them to you.
I think you'll be very happy with their weight gain. I have Black
on senior feed with a bit of hay stretcher pellets. I am feeding Orphy a
textured 10 per cent protein/10 per cent fat feed along with a bit of
hay stretcher pellet. Both get weight builder and are on strongid C2X
daily. Along with taking pictures of them when they first came I wish I
had taped them to see what their weight was so I could see how much they
have gained. Both look so much better but both still need to gain more.
Orphy is diving into his food now, at first he was very finicky, he
likes what he's getting now and both are doing better eating their hay.
Orphy is not very nice a lot of the time to Black, he moves him around
alot when they are out in the paddocks. No wonder Black was so thin!
I would like to eventually separate them so Black can just hang out and
relax but I will wait until they are a bit more adjusted.
Do you know what happened to Orphy's left eye, he has a flat eye socket
on the top and a nasty old scar.
Last weekend we finally rode Orphy, he was fine. I put him on the lunge
line for a few minutes before of course and then my 15 year old son got
up on him. Orphy does not move like a TB , he moves like a western
pleasure horse! His gaits are so nice.
We have not ridden Black yet, we may try him tomorrow and see how he
does.
Have you moved the farm yet? I hope all is going well with that.
I will email you those pictures soon!
Take care,
Pam
Celeita,
I wanted to let you know how the boys were doing, it has been just
about 3 full months since their arrival here in Ct. I will send
current pictures soon, you'll be very happy to see what the boys look
like.
Both of them look like different horses than the day they arrived as
they have both gained a lot of weight. Their hair coats are shining
and their feet are looking much better. I do have to put pads on Black
the next time the farrier comes as his soles are so flat to the ground
going out on the trail is not fun for him with just shoes. Despite
Blacks issues in his stall we just love him and he has been great in
the ring. He needs a bit of work as far as not wanting to come down
from the trot to a walk when asked but other than that he's been
great. I have him on about 12 pounds of senior grain per day, strongid
c2x and he gets weight builder in his food at night. I never put him
up to more than 9 pounds per feeding and he gained very well on that.
When riding him after trotting around the ring a few times he gets
very winded and breaths very hard. He does not cough, roar or wheeze,
just very labored breathing. Have you ever noticed that with him? I am
hoping it is just that he is very out of shape and his age. We are
taking it very easy on him, he has not even been asked to canter. We
have been taking him on 1/2 hr walk trail rides to build him up.
Pam
I have sent the update by snail mail, tryed several times
to fax it but realized it wasn't connected.
Am sending Bugsy latest pictures. He is doing very well,
Isabelle rides him 2 times a week and she does very well with him,
started leg yeild last week and loves him he is so responsive. She's
about as big as a minute so it's ideal for his back and he loves her.
The other horse is my broodmare Indy they are next to each other in
their stalls and pastures and the girls do everything together with them
both.
Lynnda Malone
Hi,
I wanted to tell you that Cody
continues to make good progress with his dressage routines. His
next show is two weeks from today, on July 28, at the Ohio
University Horse Center outside of Ironton. Ashley is very happy
with him and I am sure she will send the results and pictures to you
after the show.
Bob Wilkinson
Hey Bob, I just wanted to follow up. How is Cody and Ashley doing. Did
they have a good summer and fall? Do you have any more pictures? Really
enjoy these updates, so glad to know things are going so well. Thank you
for giving him such a great home. Celeita
Celeita,
Here is a very recent picture of Whim after a rare bath while we were
visiting Blowing Rock Stables. Colleen Boll
Colleen, thank you for the picture. Sorry its taken me so long to get
back to you. I'm sooooo behind on emails with the move, settling in and
all the horses we have. You two look great and it looks like you're having
a great time. I am so happy for you. Thank you for giving him such a great
home for so many years. Celeita
Good morning, Celeita---
Just got a minute, finally, to send you an
update on these two girls…
I ran down and picked them up on Monday and
then took yesterday off from work to recuperate!
Boy, that was a drive…10 hours each way…whew.
Not quite as bad as your WV hills, but sure close!!
My truck was tired, too, I think…ha…
I met Nancy, obviously, which was sure a
pleasure…what a nice lady!
The mares were so pretty and calm…hard to
believe that they're TBs… ; ))))
They behaved superbly…especially considering
the fact that my trailer was in view the entire time
(and boy did they know something was up!).
Very, very sweet girls…and very dear to her, understandably.
They rode like a dream all the way home, ate
their hay calmly and I really did not know they were back there
(other than the extra weight for the truck, of
course).
They've settled in well already...taking
their new surroundings, new caretakers, our routine and new horses around
all in stride, no problems.
They had a nice, sunny "first day out"
yesterday in a paddock together, separate from everyone else, of course…so
they could take in their new scenery in peace.
I'm sure it helps A LOT to have them both
together…what a super idea from Nancy and a win-win for all involved.
We talked more about the first-foal-back
agreement for Do (and made a contract for it, also) and are quite excited
for a baby next spring!
And our stallion Atella is already in love
with them both…he's barely taken his eyes off of them enough to eat. Lol...very
fun…
I took a couple photos of the girls with
Nancy before we headed out and will send those to you once I figure out
how to get them off my camera phone!
Lol…the joys of "technology"…something new
to figure out again.
Hope you're well and that the end of your
moving is in sight!
Take care,
Angie
Hi Celeita!
I just wanted to send a happy note updating you on Fior. He is such a
big puppy dog at heart! As soon as we brought him home and let him
unwind in our paddock, he whinnied a "hello" to our two geldings and
seemed curious to meet them. The three of them would all graze in the
same area across from each other (separated in two different pastures
about 12' apart). Each morning Fior would trot up and down the rail
waiting for the other boys to get turned out across from him, and after
a couple weeks they were finally turned out together. He is very
friendly with the others; I've seen him often 'groom' the withers of our
14.1 hand pony, so he has a bit of a stretch down to reach him! Most
mornings he rolls as soon as he gets turned out and then heads off to be
with the boys. A couple weeks ago I rode him for the first time since
at your farm and fell in love all over again! He was just a
perfect gentleman! We hacked along our woodline for about 20 minutes
and not once did he spook, jump, try to speed up, or act naughty in any
way; he just walked literally on the buckle taking in the sights. He
did stare and stare at an Amish buggy that passed by though! He also is
doing well with his food; he still gets his senior feed pellets and
scarfs them up beautifully. Of course he also hasn't forgotten about
his peppermint candies and will nudge me with his nose to tell me he
wants more, and he often will just rest his nose on my shoulder--he's so
sweet! I wish he could be cloned! I am hopeful that the winter is kind
up here and lets us enjoy more riding time this year, and of course as
the year goes by I'll be sure to send you more updates. Have a happy
weekend Celeita!
Amanda
P.S. Erica McKeever called a couple weeks ago and had lots of
information to tell us about Fior's past. It was neat to hear about his
history and learn how much he meant to her and her family all these
years.
Hi Celeita, just wanted to drop a line about my Wild Willie. I sent in
the update a couple of months ago, but I didn't send pictures... I have
a new digital camera and I'm still trying to figure out how to send
pictures off of it (duh.. more reading of the manual..).
Will is doing great. I switched trainers because I wasn't happy with the
results I got from the last one. I'm working with a trainer who does
alot of John Lyons, I believe he's a certified trainer through them. BUT
let me tell you the difference is AMAZING!! Will was being ridden by the
old trainer but he was still so STIFF, like we were trying to kill him
or something. This new guy comes to my property (don't ask what it
costs, I have to lie to the hubby as it is) works with him in front of
me and I see the results. Will's main problem is his nervous nature and
distrust in general with men. Mark (my new trainer) and I are working
him through it slowly. Whoever had him must have done a total number on
him, because where as he's great for me, he's still nervous and confused
by men, and or stressful situations, i.e. a leaf blowing by his face....
He is the most challenging horse I've ever met. Sometimes I think about
giving up, and then he just amazes me with what he can do. We've had a
ton of set backs, but I know if I just follow through with everything
he'll be amazing in the end. Who am I kidding, I'm so in love with him
I'd never part with him!! I'm not riding him, we're just going back over
alot of ground work, and filling in those little holes where he's not
sure with confidence. He needs Alot of it!!! I think of what you do with
all those horses who are just like Will was, and I can say nothing but
thank you from all of them, and Will and I. We found each other because
of your website, and I'm sure all those horses will find their owners in
the same manner.
Would I like a calm steady horse to go trail riding on? SURE, but Will
is what I needed, a horse that never stops teaching me after twenty some
odd years in horses that the best reward is a good scratch on the neck,
and a longwalk on a loose lead. I watch his progress with a sense of
accomplishment. Here was a colt who ran from you, shook like aleaf when
you opened the door to his stall, and had white line so bad, it almost
compromised his foots health, and growth. And now look at him, he's
gorgeous!! I guess I just wanted to maybe encourage people to take on
some of the strays someone elese discarded, or who've been removed by
authorities. I'm just uncovering the layers of Will, and after all the
abuse I'm still amazed that he lets anyone near him. He let me into his
life, and now I couldn't bear to be without him, or my old man Monty.
I wish you all the best with the horses who need homes, I wish I could
adopt them all....Just remember to tell them the words of Mary Wanless,
"There are no problem horses, only problem riders". Maybe if we all
realized that there wouldn't need to be adoption organizations like this
one. God bless Alice & Will (Monty too for his 'brother')
Alice, thanks for the update, so sorry its taken me so long to write
back. Its always a pleasure to hear from you. I wish all our adopters
felt the way you do. Makes me want to send more horses to you. :)))
Speaking of which, we have a standardbred in CT in dyer need of a
foster home until we get her placed. Do you know anyone who might be
able to keep her until we find her a home. She is a sound, trained
horse (drives and rides) so I'm really hoping it won't take too long.
Kiss that boy for us and thank you so much for giving Willie such a
wonderful understanding and loving home. Celeita
Noah and Handsome Rob (Cooper)
Hello all-
I thought you might want to see a picture of Cooper (Handsome Rob) with
his new baby brother, Noah. Noah is 2 weeks old in the picture. Cooper has
been very well behaved around the baby so far- although he is always very
well behaved. He is curious but is very gentle. Hope all is going well at
the new facility. Take Care-
Audrey
Never fear, Celeita. The contract is fine.
I had my Russell R. for 22 years and he died in my arms. My PJ was
26 and died in my backyard.
It would take a dire emergency I simply cannot foresee for me to
ever sell one of "My Boys." If all they can be is a pasture ornament, they
have a home for life, good food, hoof care and a wonderful vet to help
watch over them.
And, as I've said, they are also provided for in my will.
Thanks so much. Chance seemed pretty pleased with himself this
morning.
Tucker is always pleased with himself, so no change there. *G*
Jean
Celeita, here are the pictures of the cute little barn I have
rented. It is
3 stalls with a 3 1/2 acre pasture attached. I will mail the paper work
this weekend. I think I faxed my annual update to the old number, but I
was
still at the other barn then. I'll mail that as well so that the records
are
straight for old Quincy. There will be a herd of cattle next to us in the
spring, I hope he has seen a cow before?
Your new place is incredible!!! I would love to be able to come in
October,
have to wait and see what the time off schedule looks like. I sure wish I
could take one of those horses and puppies(the one that looks like a
rottie/shep mix with the red collar and white on his chest) A friend of my
mine keeps looking at Cookies and Cream who reminds her of her Sonny who
unfortunately broke his leg in a horrible pasture accident last year when
she was boarding him waiting to close on her house and he had to be put
down. The foals are adorable of course. Are we sure General Patton isn't
Cookies and Creams babie's daddy? That filly looks very large! If she were
a
draft cross, I may HAVE to take her.
I keep spreading the word about SWAP and all your good work Celeita, and
I'm
still working on winning that lottery!
Michelle & Quincy
Celeita, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I asked a few
people here if they could take one. It seems people are having difficulty
feeding the ones they have....with the price of hay and such. I use your
name every year with my students when I discuss the military....women
serving...I've always been proud of you and Melody and your
service...thank you. Dana's daughter, Hollie, just returned from Iraq
within the last week. Just wanted to say hi and I'm thinking of you.
Hey Pat, How are things going. We got your update and loved it (of
course). We all sit and look at your year. I wish every adopter did
that. Its a wonderful review of the year. We all love the farm. I hope
you are liking the new place. Were you ever able to sell your old
house? I am still trying. I've had 3 offers, 2 lost their financing
and the last made an offer sight unseen and as soon as I met them I
knew they would not buy. He was still in the Navy in Norfolk for 2
more years and she has 4 young kids. No way they could keep up with
that big farm. Funny, she was thinking it was smaller.... not sure why
she thought 31 stalls plus 2 more big barns is small. So we are back
at the beginning trying to get it sold. uggggg.
I wanted to send you the pictures of Mary's goats. She can't keep
them off her house. Pretty funny. They are all milk goats so I get
fresh goat milk all the time. :))
also see the attached and take care, Celeita
Celeita - It is great hearing from you. I love the photos of the
goats on the house. Thankfully, ours are short and fat and they don't
even jump on our cars. They are really FUNNY and very sweet when they
aren't demanding the world on a silver platter. Lately they have decided
that they like to be groomed ...even the unfriendly ones are becoming
more friendly so they can get brushed.
Yes, we FINALLY sold the Dallas house and LOST MONEY! We had lived
there 6 years and lost a good chunk of change. That should not have
happened, but the real estate market is not all that predictable. I
have two friends who have had their BEAUTIFUL homes for sale for 2 years
each - and they have their houses priced at LESS than what they have in
them. I would prefer to have broken even, of course, but we just wanted
out of 6,300 sq ft and to be able to move to the farm (half the size
house and room for the critters). Your farm will sell but it is going
to take time. It is really hard to sell stuff in Dallas. It's a buyers
market big time. And I'm sure it's much harder to sell a farm way out
in the country. BTW, we had three contracts submitted before we got one
that would work out. Maybe the 3rd time with be the charm for you!
I'm glad you and the crew liked my Miss B report for 06-07. I am
going to have a lot to tell for June 07. We had a 3 day move (in other
words, movers in the house for 3 days packing and loading up stuff). On
the morning of the 2nd day I fell in a greasy 7-Eleven store parking lot
(while wearing cheapo flip-flops) and fractured my left ankle.
(7-Eleven is the same company that laid me off in March - I think they
are plotting against me!) It was so painful. Fortunately, I don't have
to have surgery or a plate or pins. I do get to wear a big black UGLY
boot thing for a minimum of 4 weeks (this week is the 4th one). Of
course, I have not been able to ride ... or barely to clean a stall. In
fact, I am afraid to lead the horses (though I have done it several
times) because if one of them pulled me over, I could break my leg for
real. This boot thing is so big and clumsy that I've fallen over about
4 times already. When I fall, I just let myself go and don't even try
to catch myself.
To top things off, after 3 years of drought we have had unbelievable
rains for the past 3 months (it hasn't rained here in 5 days and if I
could dance, I would do a "happy non-rain dance"). The equestrian
trails (which are a major reason we moved out here) are about half under
water and have been for weeks ... and when the water receeds we'll have
a big mess to clean up, I'm sure. Anyway - Miss B and her sister
Pebbles are both getting fat and sassy. I hope I can B get into
training in Sept. (I have received a verbal promise from Will the
Trainer). Pebbles came back from Will's place and is so much better
behaved. (He is VERY TALENTED.) Pebbles now stands still when you want
her to, no fussing around, minds her manners. I haven't ridden her even
once, but at least she is trained and horses don't forget. I sent her
there to get the buck out of her (she had a little bit of an attitude),
but I got so much more than I bargained for. She is doing great. B has
gotten calmer and more friendly too ... but we still have some respect
issues. I think Will could save me a lot of time if he would just take
care of them. He is a very gentle, natural horsemanship trainer. I
think he is going to be big some day, and when that happens, I won't be
able to hire him. So I'm hoping B goes to his place for at least 3
months this fall.
I am not sure if we are going to build a barn for the horses and move
them to our place or not. It is so much more convenient to have them a
block down the street and have someone else get up early and feed them.
I have to get up early for the goats, but right now, it makes more sense
to keep the horses at the stable. We may change our minds (and we do
need to build the goats a better shelter before it gets cold ... or at
least patch on the existing one).
Do you have a wedding date set? How is everything going? Are you
moved in to the new farm and do you feel like you are home? We are
still living in boxes. Maybe I can remedy that when I get this boot
thing off my foot. I have still not found employment since being laid
off but I'm trying to generate some freelance writing. That may be my
next career ... and it would let me stay home!!!!!! Mark is very
supportive of this idea (I think he would like the novelty of a cooked
meal every once in a while when he gets home from work). OK, girl, take
care and keep up all the good work with SWAP. You have a bunch of
horses I would love to have, but I can't become the Angelina Jolie of
horses (she is "collecting" babies and needs to stop it!). I loved
hearing from you.
Best of everything, Pat
Celeita - I haven't sent you a photo of Miss B in some time. We
have been living a busy life, but I recently snapped some new photos and I
do want to share her beauty with other horse lovers out there. Here she
is in her personalized halter and matching lead rope (all for show, not
for go). She has had a bit of an attitude lately, but she is still funny
and full of surprises (most of them good). Miss B and I hope Indy is doing
well. Please post an update soon. Thanks, Pat
Everything is so exciting for you guys. Im so happy for you all. I
know I cant come that weekend as Im scheduled to judge a local show on
the 6th. Tysons has been working us half to death this summer. Too many
6 day weeks. I have the Monday after my birthday off (Oct 23)...and Im
planning on heading out to Upper Marlboro for the PNH tour stop. Addy
has been awesome. I have a 4-her who loves him and does so well with
him. Shes horseless due to her mom & dad going through a messy divorce.
There are 2 sisters. One is a bit too aggressive a rider for Addy but
Colleen is a very soft and quiet rider. She wanted/needed a horse to
ride and things are going so well between them that Im going to let her
show him a bit. Addys always been wonderful inside a fence....his only
'fault' is that he still worries outside of the fence ...but as we go
along and do more trail riding that is getting better. So Im sharing him
a bit with the younger generation. Of course its meant that Colleen has
had to learn about PNH....but that has been great for her ...she loves
it. Hes such a wonderful guy. Do you remember when the other horses
chased him off the bridge at SWAP....where he got that puncture wound in
his chest & elbow? Well he still has some fears about bridges. I had him
out riding the other day and we had to cross a wood bridge over a muddy
creek. Well...I ended up getting off because he was balking (I couldn't
really blame him considering that history). So I asked him to cross
it...but he danced off to the side and crossed the creek itself going
knee deep in mud. He got to the other side and kinda went...hum...let me
try it her way...just his buddy Ni around (Ni is Niascoot a retired
s'bred pacer). So we played yoyo game with the bridge....1 foot on...1
foot off....2 feet on....2 feet off...etc until I had him standing
relaxed in the middle of the bridge...then I sent him off to the other
side with squeeze game and asked him to cross. At that point he relaxed
and crossed. So I sent him back...found a log...mounted back
up...crossed the bridge and went on with my ride. For Colleen who was
riding with me but ahead on the trail...I think that was a turning point
for her. I think she'd seen a lot of people get mean or mad with horses
that arent doing what people want them to do. I just stayed relaxed and
let Addy make up his own mind (patiently persistent in the proper
position) about which way was better to cross. I explained to her that
he had to make the choice and work it out for himself. I just set up the
proper way to ask him and stayed persistent enough to let him work it
out. That's one of the reasons I love him so....he thinks and tries his
heart out for me.
Belle is getting quite big now. Gads...and that energy. I wish I
could bottle it and sell it. She'll be 9 months mid month this month.
Shes already about 2 inches taller than Gi was and is about 57lbs now.
She has to get a buzz job this weekend. I sent her out last time. I love
the groomer who did her but its a 45 min drive to the shop and theyre
closed on weekends. With my schedule...I decided to do her myself this
time. Ill give you a chuckle. Ive been shopping all the horse catalogues
looking for a pair of clippers. My old Wahls bit the dust some time ago.
So Im in Walmart yesterday looking at the clippers in the pet section. I
wasn't impressed by the selection...so I headed over to the pharmacy
area looking for some stuff and saw the 'people' clippers. I got a set
of wahls....adjustable blade (from 30 to 10)....guards that make it
adjustable even more... self sharpening blades...other goodies aimed for
humans....all for 22.00. The same clippers targeted for pets ... horses
or dogs are at least 55.00. So we now have the ability to get a buzz
job. LOL. Theyre just so slick tacking on that extra money to target it
to pets.
As of June 17th...I now own my home. Im waiting on title now. The
bank had a merger and they sent all the titles to annapolis when the two
banks merged (and theyre in the process of merging again with PNC).
Psyche....no more house payments. I worked damn hard for 3 years to make
that happen. Im going to keep working hard through the winter into the
spring at which point Ill have the word out so I can switch back to
horses full time. I thought about quitting Tysons now...but cant really
because I didn't put the word out that I was going to be available. I
still have to fill my oil tank for the winter and I really really want
some new living room furniture. Once those goals are achieved I can get
on outta there. Girl...I hate it so much in there. I just cant wrap my
brain around that 'get over' do as little as possible to get paid
mentality. So many of those black americans in there wander around in
their lives like drunken sailors with no purpose...no goals... no
aspirations for something better for themselves. They live paycheck to
paycheck. Me...Im a driven person. I set a goal and work it until its
achieved. Two months ago they wanted me to apply for management in
there. When the general production manager was up on the stand with me
talking to me about the job....I looked around....9 pallets in the
fillet section (a pallet is 25 70lb tubs of meat that didn't get
processed as it came off the line)....4 pallets in the wing section....2
pallets of whole birds that were misfired out of the machines. I turned
to him after surveying the 'damages' (the place is running like hell at
the moment and has been running poorly for about 3 months now mostly due
to 'green' help who have not attained their speed or accuracy yet) and
basically told him no thanks. 'Youre my 6th GPM in 3 years....Im now
working under my 7th sectional manager in 3 years....I see how tysons
takes care of not only its workers but also its management. Ill pass
thanks...I dont need that kind of aggrevation in my life. I make 32k
without all that frustration'. Nothing like a little honesty to open his
eyes to the fact that his job is not secure either. LOL. If Im going to
take a management job it'll be on an horse farm/estate.
Im tired...gotta go get my mowing & some mucking done. We've been
droughting for a couple months now. The water table has gotten so low in
nearby counties in MD that wells are going dry. We got some rain last
weekend and my grass took off. So it needs cut. Then Im going to climb
back into the bed for some more sleep before I have to head into night
shift. They havent posted whether or not we're working tomorrow night. I
really hate when they dont give us at least 24 hours of notice about
saturdays. I have to leave Colleen in limbo about when we're doing
something over the weekend. Its getting hot fast and I need to get my
work done before its roasting out there. Ill get my update in too...Im
sorry Im late. Everything is the same as last year except my vet retired
this year so I have switched vets for his shots. Darryl Insley is doing
my work. My farrier is the same...the dentist is the same (he was done
in march)....his location is the same. Hes a big fat butterball. Hes
also a bleached blonde at the moment. He'll get his nice rich brown with
dapples color back when the winter coat starts to come in. Im struggling
with some scratches at the moment. We're not getting much rain but we
have dew almost every day so hes been afflicted with scratches this
year. Those darned white feet of his. His deworming schedule is the same
(and Im about due). Im doing coggins, eee, wee, vee, flu, rhino, tetnus,
wnv & rabies in the spring. I back that up with eee, wee, vee, flu,
rhino & wnv in the fall. Around here due to heavy mosquito populations
well into dec you do you mosquito born illness shots 2x a year. We dont
travel a lot so we dont do strangles or potomac horse fever unless we
are going to head into a prone area. Hes living the good life. We're all
living the good life. LOL
Chris
Hi Celeita,
I just went online to print out my adoption update. It'll be in the mail
soon. Sorry it's late, I just can't seem to remember that it's due in
June. Somehow I'm always thinking it's due in August...
Anyway, everything's going well here and Missy's doing great. I was
sssoooo happy to see that the horrible woman who had Missy in TN was
finally charged and that we may finally see justice for all the horses
that were in her care (or lack thereof!)
Rebecca
P.S. I attached a recent pic. of Me & Missy...enjoy!
Dear Celeita,
Thanks so much for sending Chance's vet record right away. I'm afraid
I've been remiss in getting back to you, as I didn't get home until late
on the 22nd, and then have been swamped with work. Chance is doing
GREAT. I just cc'd you on my note to Angela giving her an update, and
asking for any info about him, plus his rabies tags. It was nice
meeting you, and it was really wonderful of you to bring him all that
way to us. I hope your friend showed up soon after we left, and that
you had a pleasant visit. I'll send a couple of photos from our first
night with Chance in my son's dorm room!
I'm writing to ask for your help in getting to know the new member of
our family. Chance, the little brindle pitbull mix (?) is already very
much a member of the family, having spent part of his first night with
us in the top bunk in my college boy's dorm room in Washington, DC with
my husband!!!! (He spent part of the night on the floor with my son, and
part with me in the bottom bunk-- what a crazy night, but he sure bonded
with us!). Now he's home with us in Connecticut, and having a wonderful
time. What is amazing is that I could swear that at some point every
day, he actually stops, stops me, and says "Thank you for giving me this
new chance on life". I'm serious. That first night in the dorm room, I
could actually read the doubt in his mind as he thanked us and wondered
how long it would last. I had to go over to him and tell him it was
forever, and that I don't make promises lightly. He believes it, but he
still tells us thank you every day.
I guess I already know a lot about him from his behavior, but do
wonder about his past, and hope maybe you know something. If you know
who brought him to the shelter, and that they would care to know that
he's safe and has a wonderful life, I hope you could tell them. If you
know anything about his past that you could share with me, I sure would
appreciate it.
I have to say, we've come up with some pretty wild stories of our
own. The current favorite is that he was a drug dealer's guard dog, but
proved insufficiently aggressive. (He doesn't seem to have an aggressive
bone in his body-- lots of wiggle and wags, though!) The reason this
story has stuck is that he is absolutely crazy about riding in cars. In
fact, if I don't train him out of the habit of flying into any car any
time any part of it is opened (I found him in the trunk of my car
yesterday when I opened it and turned away to pick up something to put
in it-- I heard a "thunk" and there he landed, and proceeded to curl up
for a nap), I'm afraid he could come to harm by trying to get into a
stranger's car, or worse, getting in with someone who wants to steal
him. He's already learned to sit and stay before jumping into the car.
It's his absolute favorite thing to do, and he makes himself right at
home, settling in for the long haul as soon as he gets in. The only time
he ever barks is when someone approaches the car. Anyway, we thought
maybe a drug dealer would drive around all day and hope Chance would
protect his drugs, but Chance was too friendly, and got fired from
the job.
I hope his coming to be with us was not the result of someone losing
him due to a bad family situation. I don't know how anyone could give
him up otherwise. I hope he wasn't just lost, and someone out there is
still looking for him. He's so sweet, it's just difficult to think of
any reason to give him up, unless whoever had him wanted a ferocious pit
bull, and got a beautiful, sweet boy instead.
Whatever his story, whatever information you have, I would so
appreciate hearing from you. If you have any idea how old he is, we'd
love to know that (I suppose it's way too much to ask when his birthday
is). I'd be happy to give you a call if that might work out for you.
Please send your number and when it's good for you for me to call.
Also, if you could send his rabies tag, I could go register him with my
town, as required by law. (If you could tell me when he received the
rabies vaccine, that would be helpful, too). And please, don't hesitate
to ask if you have any questions about him and how he's doing now!
Thank you for your service to these innocent animals.
Esmé, Chance's new mom
Angie, So glad to know you made it home without trouble. I thought with
two pups they would have gotten into everything. I'm happy to hear the
kids liked all the new additions. Hope Allen was okay with it as well.
Can't wait to hear the future updates. Thank you for giving them all a
home and come back anytime. Its a nice break for me to have someone to
talk to. All the best, Celeita
Ah, yes, Alan is used to the ever-changing animal herd concept by now…we
had our 10-yr. anniversary in June!
Boy did he have NO idea what he was getting into when we met and started
dating in 1994! Ha.
I think he grew up with ONE outside cat and that was it. Quite different
here now!!
He’s an agreeable type though and does truly like all the animals
now…which is very good.
My 7yo daughter Emily has been helping me walk the dogs already until we
can get their fenced area done this weekend.
She’s really enjoying it and has really taken to Gizmo…he’s a bit calmer
and doesn’t pull as much as Lady!
Interesting. I think she likes the idea of Lady…smaller, very cute and
friendly…but they will just have to get used to each other more, I think.
Both dogs are quite lively and tumbling around with each other when we let
them loose to play inside, of course.
Cute puppy behavior! I forgot to ask you how old you thought they each
were?
And, any other info on them besides that they came from the shelter and
are fixed now?
We’re happy to give them a home…since we have room and they need one. And
I’m always happy that you require such good health care prior to letting
your animals go…it sure makes for a smooth transition into a family. You DO do a super job, Celeita!
Our little dog Bailey was MUCH better with Lady & Gizmo last night
already…he was a bit concerned at first what these new dogs were doing in
HIS house and with HIS family and kept herding them away from us.
Schnauzers are just very protective little dogs!
He was already ignoring them last night though and not caring that they
were chasing each other around the living room! Good.
Now the cats want nothing to do with the house right now though…lol…
We turned Seth and Roulette out in our “arena paddock” (half arena, half
grass) together and they got along incredibly well. Were they out together
before? I left them there overnight even though it was raining a bit since
they had already found the run-in and were sharing it and one of the piles
of hay I gave them, too. Super. They both seem to be very sensible and
Roulette has been very calm actually. I was expecting her to be a bit
jumpy at first until she’d gotten a better picture of our place, routine
and other horses.
I enjoyed visiting your new farm…and am very impressed with how much
you’ve gotten done already. Truly. It’s no small feat moving and
upgrading…while taking care of 42 horses & 12+ dogs!! I’d love to come
visit again before Christmas and learn how to drive, too…if I can stay
more than 24 hours! Maybe I could even bring my retired dressage mare Abby
out & we could try her. I’m sure she’d take right to it…and I think the
stable I bought her from even drove her a couple times…of course that was
back in 1989! She’s very smart though and incredibly well broke so
probably remembers some of it…
Very enjoyable to talk with you, too…someone who KNOWS horses (not stuck
on one breed or discipline) and genuinely cares for them as INDIVIDUALS.
That’s sort of rare these days…and a welcome relief.
Take care & I’ll keep encouraging folks around here to check out your
website!
Angie
Hey Celeita, Thank you for Julius, my daughter loves him. And for all
the people that looked and never adopted him you sure did miss out on
one of the special ones. He has perfect house manners, completely
housebroken (bladder of steel) and always very happy to see you. Thanks
to all the people that helped save this boy from any harm. I have
attached a picture of Julius and my daughter Courtney the first night
home. Take care, Maureen
 Julius at his
new home with the Lee Family in NC
My goodness it feels like it's been FOREVER since I have talked to
you! We are doing great, I have gotten really involved with the Ohio
Horseman's Council and enjoy seeing a lot more of Ohio. I have been to
Mohican State Park, Malabar Park, Wills Creek Park, and of course Mount
Gilead State Park in the past month. Spade and I are having a blast
together. He still amazes me, he has not changed (except his weight)
since he left your place. Oh, and the he's without that huge bump on his
head, but it still drains. No big deal, I just keep it clean and he's
fine. He's an angel! I went ahead and got him shod since we are doing so
much riding these days and just for the record he seems extremely
content to be an only horse now that he's at our home. Even my trainer
said that she was surprised at how well he has adjusted. One of the
advisors in OHC said that former stallions are generally use to living a
life of solitude so maybe that's why he's adapted flawlessly. Let me
know if you have another horse suitable for me. We are considering
getting another one in the future.
The new place looks beautiful! Maybe I'll get a chance to come visit
soon. I miss you guys! Keep in touch, OK!
Talk to you soon,
Debora and Spade
Sorry Mary--those pictures are still sitting here. Desk work is
the
first to get postponed. I have liberty shots and am taking the
people shots with Hoot and Stride now. I will send you some of both.
I have finished all the paperwork for Celeita except the people
pictures. I will send them to both of you soon--I will finish the
roll tomorrow so they will be off to you next week!
I look forward to your feedback.
I am so grateful and happy to be working with the animals I have. I
am blessed with living treasures!
With my regards,
Carrie Farmer (alias: Pokey Pete)
Can't wait to see the photos Carrie! I fully understand the
"paperwork" stuff <LOL> So happy things are going well. Hope you can
come visit some time this summer. We're having an Open House today to
showcase the latest horses that were seized by Lewis County law
enforcement. Check out the pics on the web site of the new babies born
this week!
All the best,
mary
Hi Celeita,
If you ever want to know what's going on with Chance or Tucker, for
that matter, I do a blog at
www.follywoods.blogspot.com
Chance has been lame for just under a month. Something in the right
hind leg. I trailered him to the NJ Horse Park so my vet could see him
Memorial Day weekend. At that point, Dr. Klayman said he was about a 11/2
grade lame. We decided to put him on some bute for about 4 days and then
he'd come out the next week to look at him again and do some nerve blocks,
as none of his visual or touch tests indicated anything. No heat, no
swelling, and no real change on flexion tests.
I've kept Chance in his stall and runin shed since then. When my vet
came out, he had improved considerably and we decided to wait on the nerve
blocks as we weren't too keen on doing injections if time would cure the
problem.
Our next appointment is scheduled for the week of June 25, but I
took Chance out to see him on the lunge yesterday and he looked pretty
darn sound to me. I plan on continuing the rest until I am sure it was not
just a one day thing. My farrier was here today to trim him, so with his
feet done, I should have an even better evaluation of his soundness.
Frankly, I think he is OK now, so it may well have been a muscle injury.
At any rate, obviously, I don't have much to report about his
training at the moment. I downloaded the annual report form and will be
sending it to you. I think he has grown at least an inch to 15.2 and his
coat looks gorgeous--a shining golden chestnut.
My trainer gave me a lesson on him when he was still OK and said his
was a cute mover. He liked his attitude and seemed to think he was going
to be a good little horse. At this point he is still a little small for
me, but I am not at all sure I want to show him, so for trail riding and
just general fun riding, he is just right. His laid back attitude is a
nice change of pace from Thoroughbred temperament.
Speaking of...Tucker. I rode with two different trainers, both of
whom think he is a really nice horse. Age 7...yes, already!!...seems to
agree with him so far as he is really proving to be talented and willing
to try most anything I challenge him with. We're still at first level for
the time being until we perfect the canter/walk transitions...walk/canter
are a snap. Once we get that solid, we'll cruise through second level.
Then it's flying changes and on to third. From them on, it's a breeze
until FEI. He already does basic half pass, and I am sure the canter
pirouettes will be a cinch. Anything that requires collection will be
very easy for him. But there is no rush. I'll let him come along at his
own pace. After all, he is Tucker--his own man. *G*
Take care. Looks as if you are really busy with the new farm and all
the new horses. Glad to know you have been able to save so many, but it
does make for a lot of work.
Jean D.
 Faith and Don
made it out and it didn't rain on our ride so it was a GOOD day! It's so
hard not having anyone to ride with cause I'm just not "brave" or maybe
stupid enough to go it alone anymore. At least not out here where no one
would know where to begin looking for me.
As you can see from the pic, I rode Lovey with no bridle!
I used one of those headstalls where you can clip a bit on and off but
just used long braided rains snapped onto the sides. It was a completely
different horse. No head tossing, lip gyrations or tongue thrusting.
She, who is the dominant pasture pony would not go in front but followed
Lucky like a trooper. I think she's just not very confident yet. Lucky
was a gem and Faith rode her flawlessly. Faith has great hands and a
very good seat.
We went up on the hill and worked around and then went on down the
road a ways. Did encounter some traffic but both girls did well. Oh, and
Lovey can jump. We came to a down tree and Lucky checked it out and
calmly stepped over it. Lovey went up to it, sniffed, put her head
forward and leapt over it. Thankgod I still have a good seat <LOL>
Faith tried the running walk with Lucky and fell in love with the
gait. Lovey.....now get this....all the ground work is paying off.....actually
trotted for me. It's still a little rough to post to but I
never thought we'd get there. Now on for a true canter.
Mark says Don is a hoot. He plays bluegrass so MArk is going to work
on that and Don wants Mark to teach him some classical stuff. Don is 64,
former military of some sort and a general surgeon in Ravenswood. He
mountain bikes, runs marathons and eats nothing but junk food. He even
brought his own white bread. <LOL> He knows nothing about horses but
when he and Faith started seeing each other, he went out and got Horses
For Dummies. So he and Mark talked about the book since Mark bought it
as well hehehe
He seems like a nice guy but admits he's obsessive compulsive. Faith
says he's a handful.
We ended up riding for over two hours but it seemed like only 20 min.
See ya tomorrow
One of the hens and her chicks decided to join Lovey for her
afternoon snack. Good thing she didn't have a craving for McNuggetts..........maryanne
daggett "Aunt Mary"
 Debora and Spade
at the Cowboy Challenge, enjoying their summer with lots of activities
with the Ohio Horseman's Association.
Hi there!
Hope all is well with you and Crossed Sabers. I have been so busy
lately with Spade, his ear still hasn't healed and I doubt that it ever
will, unless we take him back to OSU for another surgery and I doubt
we'll be doing that anytime soon. I took him out today for about an hour
and he is doing awesome, after going through four saddles, I finally got
one that fits him properly. He and I have been hitting the trails
together and there is a lot of improvement in both of our techniques. He
is responding great, he fussed a little bit when we first started going
out, but I switched him to a different bit (a walking horse bit) and he
is doing awesome. OH I also wanted to let you know that I have joined
the Ohio Horseman's Association and am really enjoying getting involved
with the group. Last weekend we cleaned up the Mount Gilead State park
and this weekend we are having a trail ride there. I still haven't
wormed him yet, but I bought the Zemectrin Gold as you suggested and
plan on doing it this weekend. Overall he is doing fantastic, and I am
looking forward to the upcoming warmer weather and trail rides. He is so
much fun to ride and I have started referring to him as my Therapist
cause he is by far the best therapy I have ever experienced.
Talk to ya soon!
Debora and Spade
Hi Celeita,
Hope all is going well with the new barn move. The new place is so
beautiful!
Chance is doing really well and learning fast. We did have a little
"young horse" incident last weekend. We were just kind of trotting around
the ring, and Mr. Fumblefoot tripped and fell, sending me flying over his
head. I landed on my right shoulder as he managed to get back on his feet
to move off a few steps. While I caught my breath, he stood there looking
at me as if to say, "Hey, what happened?"
I was and still am pretty sore, but Xrays were fine and although my
shoulder was jammed, I am OK. It was just one of those things.
Since then, I've taken a mini-lesson on Chance with my trainer. He
thinks the kid is a "cute mover" and will be one of those nice steady
horses. I am a little big on him, but it's not bad, and we're pretty sure
he is going to grow some more--at the very least chunk out. Whether or not
I will make him into a competition dressage horse remains to be seen.
Right now, he is just plain fun, especially on the trail. He has such a
lovely attitude and doesn't seemed to be bothered by much.
The herd dynamic is interesting. Chance is "low man," but at the
same time he partners up with Tucker to play and will hang out with Toby
too. The nice thing is that when I went to a lesson with Tucker, Toby and
Chance seemed to have a fine time together, so all is well in the
compatibilty department.
The attached picture is of Chance and Tucker in the pasture. Not
much grass, I'm afraid. I will be liming, seeding and fertilizing shortly
so they will have to stay off it for a week or so. They do get plenty of
hay, so the grass is just to keep them busy, not to feed them. Everyone
gets fed three times a day and I leave lots of hay out during the day. A
guy just across the street from me is selling a nice timothy mix he brings
down from New York State, so it's pretty easy to stock up. My other hay
guy has all kinds of mixes and the last time I ended up with a few bales
of alfalfa in my load. I dole that out as a special treat.
Tucker sends his best. Considering the size of his ego, that is a
lot to send. Chance much more modestly says, "Hi!"
Take care,
Jean Dvorak
Sad news for one of our horses and adopters, the saddest part of having
animals is that more likely than not, you are going to watch them die.
Celeita, well Indigoblue was still refluxing after her colic
surgery Friday.. She was averaging 3 – 6 liters about 4-5 times a day.
She was no longer febrile but still not able to eat anything because of
the reflux. They started PPN to get her some calories. This morning she
started rolling again. They sedated her and did a sonogram. When she came
out of sedation she was painful again. They tried the sedation 3 times in
last 48 hours. They called and wanted to go in again which they did.
They said they now found that her large intestine was displaced, and worse
she had adhesions at the level of the initial portion of the small
intestines that connected to the stomach. He felt that if they did
successfully complete this she would be prone to incarcerated bowel and
colicking again. He felt with the amount of pain she had he didn’t feel
that her quality of life would be good. I told him that I am a Hospice
physician and a lot of my families ask if it were my mom or dad what would
I do. So I posed the same question to him, he felt putting her down was in
her best interest. With great sadness she was euthanized today. I spoke
to Helaina her trainer and she said I did the right thing. She had seen
her yesterday afternoon and said the spark in her eyes had gone and she
had already lost a lot of weight. My heart is broken but I feel like I
did the right thing for her. She was so sweet and starting to be less
spooky then she had been when she first came to Meadow Creek farm. I have
to get an understanding of what preventi-care is supposed to do. She,
Sequoia ( lil cash) and my other horse have all been on it. Everyone at
the barn is all broken up about her death. The farrier is really going to
be upset because he always wanted her because she was so sweet. Anyway, I
hope you got the other pictures of Sequoia in his 1st hunter show. He is
so big and beautiful and a sweety also. I will get the follow up forms to
you with their vaccinations.
Thanks Lyla Correoso MD
Hay, just wanted to let
you know that we did yearly checkups yesterday. River had all the vaccines
that my vet gives for this area – there are some on the list that they
don’t normally do but when you see the list that I will mail to you, just
let me know if I need to get any that we did not mark. The vet said he
looks great, is at a good weight, heart is good, eyes and ears are good.
Checked teeth and they are good. I did the scheduled worming yesterday and
River just does not like to be wormed, but I got it done, any tips on this
for him. We pulled blood for coggins, do I need to wait until I get that
back to mail you a copy or do I just keep that with my records? Getting
pedicures today and then I can leave them alone for a while as far as
shots and trims go. He is such a sweet heart, my farrier and my vet
believe he got some draft genes in that mustang blood, wonder if that
makes for the gentle disposition he has? His feathers are beautiful.
Do you want me to print
hard copy photos to send with the yearly update or email digitals? I can
do either with no problem.
Are you settled in yet?
Have a great day!
Dear Diana,
Thank you so much for the call..... As
you can see, he is a big boy, and still growing. His trainer, the woman
you see on him in the last 2 pictures, is 5'9". She thinks he is at
least 18 hands if not over.
He is a big, playful guy with a sense of
humor. He loves to play tug-of-war with the feed buckets, he wakes all
the other horses up from their naps early, he puts his head down for a
kiss on the nose......
Kare is training him for both saddle and
driving.
I can't wait to get him here. Tell
Celeita hello for us....
Regards,
Karen
Irish is doing great. I just love her. Her barn
name isn't Irish anymore, though. I named her Amira
which is Arabic for princess. Irish just didn't seem to fit her. But
Amira fits her perfect. She is such a
well mannered little lady. I know that I am very lucky to have the
oppertunity to adopt her.
Take care and you have a great summer as well
Martha
Hi Celeita and everyone!!
Here are some photos of Sider, Hank and
Amira for their annual update. Sider's anxious for you to see how good
he looks since I added Hardkeeper to his diet. No more ribs!! And Hank
has gained back all the weight he lost after his mouth injury. Amira,
well, she'd turn into a butterball if I gave her half a chance. They are
all doing great. Do you have a fax number to send the paperwork
or should I mail it?
Blessing,
Kim Mullen
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Hi Celeita,
Here are photos of the kids, Brite Decision, Arturo First, and Stretch.
Brite had an abscess this past month, and you can see the LF ankle is
large (the one he always had trouble with - xrays show fractures in all
four fetlocks from racing). He's doing well. Mustang trim allows him to
be barefoot as the vibration on the LF from nails will no longer allow us
to put shoes on.
Stretch is great, as you can see. 17 hands and I swear, still growing.
Art is a little more over at the knees than when I first got him. Genetic
trait in Slew. He's great though, and I still ride him about once a
year. It's our annual ritual when he and I both have an evening with
nothing to do (ha). I feed plain beet pulp with my grain now, and that
has made a world of difference for him.
anything else you need, let me know. I realized when I got to Brite you
wanted all four sides. If you need that of Stretch and Art, let me know.
Hope all is well.
Bev
Beverlee Dee
Here
are a few pictures of Spade and I last night at home, he really didn’t want
to pose for pictures, there was grass to be eaten.
THANKS!!
Debora D. Applegate
Celeita,
Mattie - aka Matt Mobile - is doing great but will need a "buddy" once I
sell Koda and I'm needing a "good ole boy" just like Matt is. - Brian sound
like just that kind of guy! I'm getting older myself, (although I sure hate
to admit it).... and looking for a guy just like Matt. A guy that's been
there, done that, and I can feel safe on. I can put anyone one Matt and
not worry about them.
I think it's been over a year since I've sent ya picture of Matt....so here
are a few I just took this morning, plus a picture of him and my niece
riding him earlier this spring. This shows what a great guy he is, since
the was probably only the second or third time my niece had ever been on a
horse.
All the best!
Kathy Dewitt
Hello, As promised here are
Farino's update pictures. I had my 8 year old daughter take them last night.
Light wasn't excellent but I think they came out OK. Got to love the front
one where I'm showing her that we need a full view! The last one shows
Farino & his 'new' mule buddy. She is full sister to the other one and he
loves them both. He does look after them so well but disciplines this
younger one more and she does need that sometimes! Jane
Hello,
Just wanted to check in and share a video that we made of Penny and her
new baby! They are both doing so well and she is a wonderful mom! Penny
had a filly last Monday night - it was the smoothest delivery ever. Here
is a link to the video -
Thank you we are very happy and Penny is such a great mom. I
will get the follow up paperwork filled out soon because I'll need to get
Penny's papers to register the baby.
Thanks,
Christin
We love Classy and she is doing great at the farm she
is in- very pampered and spoiled. She has worked out very well for Brynna in
every way- size, skill level, temperament etc......in fact, Classy just
started testing her a little bit while under saddle but my daughter has the
back bone not to be intimidated by it- or let her get away with it. I
recently got a bareback pad for her as a child's English saddle is too small
for me- Im still waiting on the new girth I bought on ebay. I sent you some
photos recently of her and my daughter, so I assume you got those. Say hello
to all and keep up the excellent work you do for these lovely horses.
Sincerely,
Betsy
Hi from ND. Just thought I'd let you know
that Tessa is doing great as a mom, and as soon as the sun comes up, haha, I
will take some new photos of them. We named the colt Calvin, and he is a
super nice boy. Tessa def. requires some extra feed now that the baby is
growing like a weed., as she is 1/2 TB, so she gets more feed than usual,
plus lots of turn out in spite of the flies and mosquitos. Lots of smudge
fires around here. :> I am so sick of sprays that do not work. Any
suggestions??
She is of course UTD on shots, farrier,
worming etc.
Whatever happened to Trevy?
Just scanned thru your photos, boy, the
TWH's you got this past year look all so great. Good for you guys, --- and
now you have a new batch. Will people EVER quit!!!??
Anyway, will get some photos to you asap.
Janne Myrdal
and Tessa/Calvin - and Ben who is doing
better out to pasture.
Hi Celeita,
just touching base with you. I am ready to send out the june update for
Pik's Pizazz and was going to fax you a copy as well. The web site does not
have a fax# listed, just checking if your line is up & running yet.
Pizazz is doing great, I am very happy with her and she is really making
leaps and bounds now. I think she is realizing that she gets to stay and is
finally allowing herself to make deeper connections to her humans :-)
Hope that all is well with you and that you are getting settled in with your
new farm!
Sincerely,
Daniela Fazzino & Pizazz
Hi Celeita, Just wanted to update you on Jhon T' [L'Argent]. had him
shod this week. He was a dream,stood real good for his shoes. I took him to
rails to trails and rode 10 miles. at a walk. he did sooooo goood. .we have
built him a small place out side his stall so he can come in and out as he
pleases. At night I open it up and he likes having the security of knowing
he can come to his bed when he gets scared. He has found a buddy we have a
new paso here that is young and doesn't beat him up so he seems real
comfortable with him. His mood has improved alot. I was so worried about
him. He has worked his way right into our hearts. Here's a pic of us out
on our ride !! Susie Slider
Leona Marie with Kimberlin
Rocket in his new home
River
the mustang looking very wild, haha
Hi Celeita,
The boys
are doing great and I am so happy for you on your move to the new
facility. The reason I’m writing is that I have also moved. I now live
just outside of Camden, SC (steeplechase capital of the world) and we have
a beautiful home on 31 acres of land and we are surrounded by hundreds of
acres of woods and trails. I couldn’t find the new facility form on the
web so I figured I’d email you. I’ve tried to send this several times
since March but it always gets kicked back. I did send it thru my AOL
account and it didn’t come back but I never heard from you so I wasn’t
sure you received it.
The boys
just love it here. We’ve retired Sam from showing at any level (except
fun shows on the flat) but he still gets ridden regularly as the Vet says
he’s still in top shape. Only a touch of arthritis in the right rear hock
and he’s 21 – the vet says he moves better than most 4 year olds he’s ever
seen! Sam has had colic a few times over the years but nothing severe,
mostly gas colic. Some Banamine and the vet and he’s fine. Will’s always
been a healthy horse and with the exception of the time he tried to rub
his neck on the fence and got a huge splinter, the only time the vet see’s
him is for his shots twice a year. Will is also ridden 3 or 4 days a week
for 2-4 hours each ride. Sam is feed 10 quarts of Triple Crown Senior, 4
quarts of oats and 2 scoops of fat cat per day (he’s getting harder to
keep weight on as he gets older) and Will gets 4 quarts of Southern States
12% and 2 quarts of Oats per day. They also receive free choice of
Timothy/Orchard/Alfalfa hay and unlimited water (automatic float on their
water bucket). They are also wormed monthly down here as it’s more of an
issue than it was in Ohio. I’m working on my barn so I can bring them in
under the fans during the hot summer days but currently they are turned
out on 4 acres with a run-in shed hidden in the trees – that’s where I
keep the hay. Also, both boys are Parelli level 2 Harmony graduates.
Janet Rolen
Hi Celeita
Just wanted to let you know that Irish
Cream arrived safely at my house
yesterday
morning. She is gorgeous and so sweet. She is settling down
and getting used to her new surrounding
and to me as well.
Thank you for allowing me the
opportunity to have such a nice mare.
I
just love her. And I am looking forward
to many years with her.
Also I want to let you know that I am
very impressed with Tender Touch
Transport. Candy and her husband were
great. Irish was in great condition
when she arrived, and she was right on
schedule.
Once again Thank you,
Celeita, for letting me adopt
Irish. She will be well loved
and well taken care of.
Martha Moraad
Just thought I would share this pic of Dixie with you.
This was taken yesterday, Sunday March 25, 2007. She was soaking up
that wonderful Spring sun we all enjoyed yesterday.
Will keep in touch.
Melinda
Cynder (aka) Lilly & I say hello
from Texas....we are preparing the paper work now...but are waiting on the
mobile vet at this time... once we get squared away (hopefully in the next
few days) i'll forward the annual papers & some electronic pictures of
cynder and her "summer" digs & the impending winter / fall home (our new
stable that will be built on the rear of our property in the next few
weeks/months...the building is bought/paid for ... it's finding contractors
to put it up/build stalls etc.. for less than all my arms/legs first born)
lol.....sigh...anyway, everyone is fine & good see the continued good works
happening at your end..
i'll forward my vet / ferriar contact and a
private individual for your ref. shortly.
Thank you & have a great day.
Ms. Sydney Jewell
Sweet Pea is her normal mare self. You have to love her! We have a ton of
snow now, but last Tuesday it was 80 degree and everyone got a bath. Sweet
Pea was feeling her oats. It was so funny she had a bunch of bucks that she
just had to get out. We ended up lunging her for a while first and then
riding and she was much better. Jack is such a gentleman, he is doing
great. It is so nice having the horses’ home and walking out to the barn
anytime we’d like. Jack and Sweet Pea both greet me every morning when I go
to feed. What a great way to start my day. Two horses, three barn cats and
a barn bunny rabbit, they make a funny group. Take care and enjoy the
Easter weekend!
I'm A Wop Two, our 30 y/o, appy mare with an attitude is still proving she
has a job to do. Despite all of Wop's problems, she has a way with young men
we are only now beginning to understand.
Dean, our 13 year old farm hand had never been around horses until we asked
him to help on the farm. To say he was apprehensive about these big babies
would be wrong, just wrong. He was scared shi*less. The entire summer we put
no pressure on him but watched him work thru his fears and fall in love with
Wop! WOP! She certainly wasn't the prettiest girl, or the most approachable by
any means. She is rude and antisocial, has wild hormone swings, ugly butt
bones that won't hold any fat, a huge goiter under her neck.....well, you get
the picture.
By fall last year, dean was sitting on her learning to balance, doing all
her ground work, and, the few times she got out, Dean was the only one that
could catch her. She taught him how to groom, how to pick feet, how to ask for
and, get, ground manners, how to lunge, etc. So, to reward him for his
efforts, we had a little "ceremony" and Dean "officially" adopted Wop.
She won't answer to Wop anymore.......he calls her "Baby Girl".
I say all of this to share the following with you. Lately, Dean has been
bringing his buddy Richard with him. Richard is a timid child, very shy and
backward. He wouldn't go into the paddocks or even attempt to pet an
outstretched muzzle looking for a treat. Heck, the kid wouldn't even talk to
us! Dean would go about chores while Richard watched. I've stayed out of it
thinking, 'let Dean encourage him'. Yesterday I looked up to see Richard
leading Wop down the road into the pasture with Dean walking beside him. Then
I hear Dean instructing on the finer art of using the shedding tool.
That is when I went to the back porch so they wouldn't see me crying! They
stayed in that pasture for 2 hours with Richard doing all the grooming and
leading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I'm not always out there when the boys are here
so, I didn't witness what led up to this over the past few months. All I can
say is, what a wonderful example of what a rescued horse, one who has known
more than her share of neglect over the years.....
can bring to someone's life.
Before they left, we asked Richard if he had enjoyed himself. His face lit
up and he said; "Dean says I can sit on her next week"! OMG, the boy can
talk <LOL>
Hope this brightens your week. It did mine :>) m`
Hi Celieta, I was just trying to get things together for my yearly update,
and was wondering what the new address will be. I didn't see anything on the web
about it. The vet came today for shots and floating, and Will was such a great
boy. Everything is great here in Connecticut, although we just got hit with a
good sized snow storm. I was just getting ready to start working the boys, but
now we'll have to wait until everything melts again. Oh you have to love spring
in New England. Well I was just dropping a quick line to find out the new
address, good luck with the move. Alice
Hi Celeita,
Thought I'd drop you a line to say hello. It's been a long time since I've
emailed and I wanted to let you know that we have orders!!! Of course nothing
is set in stone and I'm afraid of jinxing it but it looks like we are headed
to Langley AFB, VA this summer. Terry has a report no later than of 31 July.
We are quietly excited and are looking for 'horse property' there, we are
planning on making this our last move - hopefully - as Terry has just three
more years left to twenty and we are filling a four year tour billet. We
cannot wait to get out of the boarding business and look out and see our crew
in the back yard. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Anyway Farino is fine, he is fat as a pedigree pork piglet and enjoying
life to the full. The horse seems to live on thin air, certainly an easy
keeper! In October my husband bought the full sister to his brown mule and
she arrived here in GA at 8 months old. We were worried about her getting
beat-up in the herd but turned her out with Farino who promptly adopted her.
Unfortunately that meant he dropped the original one who was quite 'sad' for a
week or two but now they all get along just fine. The baby is a pushy little
thing but Farino seems to be keeping her in line a bit more than he did with
Rose. Obviously he has taken to parenting very well and is truely worth his
weight in gold. Morgan, my daughter who is 8, is enjoying taking lessons on
him and in fact she takes care of him a lot of the time. He is very good with
her and is teaching her responsibility. In fact the other night Morgan sat
with me and asked if I could 'turn Farino over to her' - while I'm pleased she
has such a great bond with Farino I don't think I'm prepared to go quite that
far!!! I'll have to get you some pictures of him with 'his mules.' It is
really quite amusing!
I hope everything goes well with your upcoming move. I cannot imagine
moving so many horses it will definately be a lot of work but I'm sure it'll
be worth it in the long run. The rescue cases broke my heart, the mare looked
so sweet and kind. I keep watching your website for potential broodmares (TB
or Arab or Trakehner) for when we move but I really cannot take on anything
else right now. I'm hoping to breed Trakehners - just one or two as a hobby
- once we get settled. I already lucked out and found my old mare's daughter
for sale on-line and was able to purchase her. It was sweet to reunite them.
I'll probably do the annual review early again this year and as much of the
facility change form that I can. I'm guessing by May/June I'll be in the
thick of it so to speak.
Well that is about it for now,
Take care,
Jane & Farino
Hi Celeita,
Well Farino came home on Tuesday and has been
doing great. Of course he thinks he is starving and subsequently his
manners are leaving a little to be desired but that is a small price to pay
considering. He's on four small meals a day and today I turned him out to
grass all afternoon. The round rolls have been removed and they are feeding
square bales in the evening so I'm leaving him up until I'm thoroughly sure
his stomach can handle it. He certainly scared the life out of me but I'm
so grateful to my vet, who didn't waste anytime referring him, and to the
University of Florida who were exceptionally professional and reassuring.
Even the Ag Inspector on I-75 was kind - I think he saw a woman on the
edge!! Farino's little mule buddy is so relieved to have him home - she
called to the trailer as we left and when we came back after dropping him
off she was calling again. When Farino was home she even tried to climb
over the gate to get to him in his stall (the barn manager was not
impressed!)
One thing that amazed me was when we
discovered him on Sunday afternoon, all our crew were around him and keeping
the rest of the herd away. They wouldn't even let one of the other boarders
near him to catch him and bring him in. However once I showed up they
parted like the seas and I was able immediately to throw a rope over his
neck and bring him in. Out of a field of 22 horses I am constantly shocked
by how my six manage to keep an eye out for each other and protect each
other when the need arises. It is truely moving to witness.
Anyway I have to finish dinner before I go
back out to check on him. I just wanted to give you an update.
Take care & best wishes as always,
Jane
When Spade was in OSU, one of the girls
that works at the stables that he is boarded at had to bring her horse in and
it was suspected that her horse may have had EHV.
(it didn't) You probably remember me calling you in a panic trying to
determine if Spade had all of his shots. She ended up putting her horse
down which was just awful for me because I had my baby just a few stalls down
from her. The funny thing about it was when I went to see him during all of
the commotion, I was a WRECK, and I really
wanted to love on him and he didn't want a thing to do with me that day. I'm
sure he could sense the "drama" all over me and he wanted no part of it, Mom.
Now, if I've had a bad day I try to make sure and adjust my thinking before I
go into see him. He knows. It's so amazing and this is just one more example
of how he has helped me MORE than I could ever do for him. His ear is still
draining a little but it does appear to be healing really well. It doesn't
look as bad but I'm hoping it's coming to an end soon. He's still very good at
letting me clean him daily and seems to enjoy the extra treats and attention.
I am considering volunteering him and I for a Brenda
Imus Gaited Horse workshop that she is
doing at the Equine Affair in April. She is looking for all levels of horses
and riders so I thought why not? Monty Roberts and Craig Cameron are also
seeking demo horses too. I watched the Extreme Equine race the other day and
have decide that Spade and I could totally do that. He's so smart. Some of
those horses on there wouldn't even back up! Have you seen the agility course
before? It's a series of different tasks they give the horse/rider to do like
dismount, grab a rope tied to like a 125lb weight or log and have your horse
pull it to a destination. There is also like a 3
ft step off they ask them to do, and move a pen of calves from one side
of the pen to the other and you have to stay mounted while opening and closing
the gate. It's really interesting and as soon as I can get Spade home, I'd
really like to present him with some of these challenges. Slowly of course.
Spade. like Maggie, needs to be kept busy and I know he is hating being
stalled for the past two weeks. That's why I feel it's vital that I go visit
him everyday so at least he gets a break from just standing in a stall, even
if I am just cleaning his ear and giving him treats and attention.
I always end up rambling on and on about
that horse don't I? Forgive my self-indulgence.
I know I
have been promising pictures
of our boy for a while now so here ya go! He's so pretty. Let me know how
you think he looks in your expert opinion. Also I sent a picture of his
feet, he's due for a trim, but they are getting better. I took him out today
and let him get some exercise in the round pen and he was thrilled to be out
of the stall. He's been kept stalled for the past two weeks because of the
snow. I am so ready to bring him home, here, where he belongs. He did the
cutest thing today, while he was out in the round pen he was pawing at the
snow and busted loose a rather large snowball and then picked it up and
started to eat it. Ok, ok so it's not amazing, but it was still adorable to
me. I'm a proud momma. Well, enjoy the pics and let me know how you think he
looks.
Debora
ps: His ear
is looking better, but it's still not healed completely! It's been almost
two months and he's still oozing gunk out of his wound. I plan on calling
his Surgeon again on Monday. I'll keep ya posted!!!
Hi Aunt Mary,
Just wanted to share some of the joy that Hootie gives. He is such a
kind fellow. Clearly he is the big man on campus and keeps an eye on
everyone. Stride bellows when Hootie is out of sight. They have a
mutual admiration society going (:-)
With a hug from all of us,
Carrie Farmer
Hi Celeita,
Stride and Hootie are settling in. Both have so much heart. Some
weight is coming off Hootie and going on Stride and I have one happy
barn. I am in 7th heaven. I hope they feel half of this!
I did get an e-mail fro Pam Carlson--so I told her Stride and Hooie
were already here.
Are you there yet? Are you moved or still in process? Please do
send your new address when appropriate.
With thanks and warm wishes,
Carrie, Stride and Hootie
Hey Carrie (good on both accounts, Hootie was fat as a butter ball) so that
is good.
The movers are coming the 19th as I have to have this place cleared for the
closing on the 30th, that is not much for a farm this big, we are still
frantically working on the new farm, so much to do in so little time. Our
floor finishing guy hurt his back on another job, our water in the barn froze
and burst at the new place, the bad weather.... you know how all things go
when you get into a job of moving.
We will publish the new address on these emails and the website on the
header (at the top). I will also do a mass mail to let everyone know when we
are all moved, we have all the new phone numbers of everything but the fax so
that will be published as well.
Have already had much interest in your girl, now it will be just finding
the right person. Every beginner in the world wants an arab that looks like
that so I will be telling a lot of people no until we find the right one but
I'm certain we'll get emails about her on a daily basis so it will be just
screening and looking for the right match I'm sure. Celeita
Celeita
Yes. I viewed the CD that had the registration information. Thanks.
Dixie is fitting in wonderfully and has found her place in the pecking
order. She responds well to Terry and myself. We love her and glad she
is with us. She is a beautiful addition to our family.
Thanks for everything,
Melinda
I'll keep you updated on how she is doing with pics, etc.
Thank you Melinda, So glad you like her. She will only get better as she
gets to know you, her job and herd mates. I do hope you have many years
together. Yes, send pics when you can... we love to see all the family photos.
All the best, Celeita
Thanks, Celeita for getting back to me so soon. I know, I am 44 and
I think I am just starting to figure things out in life, haha. To bad
people are so selfish that they cannot work things out, a little
hardship can grow you up in a hurry.
Tessa, by the way, is due to foal any day. She's my gem!! Good old
Ben is hopping around, some days good, some not.
Again, thanks for all you do. Hope your new faclities will be good
for you guys!!
Janne
I know what you mean, I turned 50 this year and I've had real stability
(after 23 years in the military) the 10 years I have been here....well, if you
want to call scraping by stability but at least I've always kept my horses and
not had to move....though I did have a hubby to walk out (hated farm living,
it interfered with his golf game) and some how found a way to keep things
going. I think the program was just meant to be, whether I'm here or someone
else, its just meant to go on.
awwww, glad to hear about Tessa and Ben, I'm sure the winters are always
tough on the horses with problems, I know they old ones don't move around much
here when its really cold. Well, send us pictures when she foals. This is
perfect timing, a nice early foal (but not too early).
gosh, if we ever get moved. Well, the closing here is the 30th so I know we
have to be out by then. Can't believe I sold a farm on ebay and saved all
those realtor fees. Amazing... who'd a thunk? :))) We're excited about the new
farm, it is lovely but I hate that its on the main road (eeek) and I'm worried
about all that grass. I've never had to worry about founder here and with all
the horses coming in it terrifies me. Good thing we had small paddocks on both
sides of the barn. Its a joy and a curse. I'd much rather have small pastures
and tons of hay fields.... call me crazy.
Well, send pictures when you can. I'm hoping Kelsey will send us more pics
of that boy, he's so pretty.
Hi again, just had a colt born by Tessa. About 1/2
hour ago. Big sorrel colt with huge blaze and a hind stocking. Go figure,
no coloring like that in her background or the sire's, tho he is sorrel.
Cute and leggy. So far so good. My camera doe snot do good indoors, so
will have to wait until his first day outside. Oh, and we named him Calvin
(barn name) as my kids got to see it and they all read Calvin and Hobbes.
Funny.
Back to the barn
Janne
Celeta,
I was just reporting that Lucy had an accident last night. From what
we can figure she rolled into our fenceline and then paniced. We took her
to the vet and had her stitched up on the left shoulder blade and the
front of the right front leg. She just required some stitching and is
currently sound and bandaged up on in corral. The vet advised us to clean
the wound on the shoulder twice daily and the would on the front leg was
deeper so the bandage is to stay on for a week then we will take it off
and clean it and replace with a new one. One week after that we will be
taking her back to the vet for a recheck. No ligaments or major arteries
were hit. The one good thing is that she was exceptional through the
whole process. We have replaced the bottom fence wire with electric
tape(and soon the rest of the fence will also be replace with the same to
avoid this again). After apparently rolling under the fence after getting
caught in it she decided that she would take a walk up the road and into
the neighbors yard which is were we found her this morning. We figure
that she rolled into the fence because there were no skid marks were she
might have slid into it and the top 2 wires were intact and still had
tension in them. The third wire down was loosened alot and the fourth
wire on the bottom was taken completely off. Jake is fine and was in the
pasture eating when we went out.
Please let me know if you need any more info from me or the vet.
Anita Angelo
Thanks for letting us know Anita, I'm sure its scary when things like that
happen but horses seem to do those sort of things, especially when they are
young.
About 100% better; thanks for asking- I'm
stiff in my lower back but I'm always stiff there. I'm leaving in a couple
hours for the annual Va Pro Photographers Assoc convention- I will be
competing with a few images, attached in this email.... Classy is doing good-
she had a riding lesson with my younger daughter on Wed night. All the ice and
snow kept them in a for a week but she is out now- its in the 50's!! Plus she
has a new mare friend right next to her stall and in turn out- she is with
four others now, not three- all mares and they get along great. She seems very
happy. She is working out great for our family- nice horse, sweet girl. How is
the move going?
Bye for now-
Betsy
- One of our matches made in Heaven (thanks to Aunt Mary). Dean and his
'baby girl' Two Wap.
- Lucky girl, she has what every girl wants (both two legged and four
legged)... a man who adores her.
Hey all---
Just got a minute, so updated the spreadsheet for
you again (via the website).
I'll attach it below. You sure are moving some
horses…super!!
I've talked with Nancy now…what a nice lady. Ukee
sounds super for us.
She is in no big hurry to move her & our weather has
been HORRIBLE this week again
(ice & snow…power outages, schools closed…UGH, I hate
winter!!)
so we're going to wait a bit to move her up here.
I had contacted Suzanne Nay and she can do it for us,
but is happy to wait for now, too.
Just not a great time to be on the roads, of course.
I'll let you know once we have a date set.
I sure hope you all are doing well, and your
4-legged critters, too.
Stay warm…brrrr…
Angie
Thank you Angie, I was hoping you all got together. Nancy is not much of
an email person, but she loves her phone and loves to talk about horses. :))
I know, what a winter. I saw on the news that the mid west was getting hit
pretty hard, so is NY, NJ. Its bad here but nothing like what other people are
getting. I've had two transporters delay and cancel on moving our horses over
weather, good thing I don't have horses waiting to come in but I'm trying not
to take any until we are moved and settled. Its very hard as we are still
getting calls daily.
I'm sick of frozen troughs and buckets. uggggg. This is a good reminder for
Ed on why I need to spend that money to update the electric at our new place
(so we can have heaters in all the troughs and plugs at every stall). He's
starting to call this new place the money pit, just realized this guy was not
a builder, electrician or anything else but he still did it all himself. Ed,
who is very detail oriented has been amazed at the poor work. Well, at least
he knows how its supposed to be done. Hopefully, we'll get it all fixed
eventually. I've been getting quotes for indoor arenas. ... talk about heart
failure. They are more expensive than what I paid for this farm. oh boy, but I
think it will be worth it to be able to continue to work horses in winter. We
are at a dead stop with training or any riding, the ring is nothing but ice.
Thanks for the updated spreadsheet. It really helps me focus on who needs
to be adopted and it reminds me when I'm on the phone talking to someone.
Amazing how you can't think of all the horses when you are on the phone
without going to the website or the files. The old steal trap. :(((
Just let me know when you move her and what you think. Be sure to get all
her information from Nancy and the registration papers. We are surviving, but
looking for spring to come soon. You do the same. Thank you again. I do think
you will like Ukee, she's been a professional mom for many years and has done
well with it. Celeita
Hey, Celeita---
I hear you about the big UGH for
winter...we've been battling frozen buckets since Christmas here!
We'd spent over 1k then to get outlets
between stalls so we could eventually put heated buckets in them all.
Well I bit the bullet and bought four
more (had three) and a larger heated tub, too. And, we drug in a couple
tanks and put heaters in them, too.
We're down to only 3 stalls now
without...so that's better...until our power went out Tuesday...YIKES.
And, it shut off our well pump then,
too...so we had to drive to my parents and do the milk jug brigade.
The horses don't seem to care and are
fine...but I'm checking on a generator now, so we won't have to do this
again! Winter with horses is TOUGH. I just don't know how they do it in New
England or Wisconsin...much less Canada.
ANY extra precautions you can add now
for winter ease is WELL worth it. Glad that your hubby-to-be is seeing it
first-hand. There is almost nothing worse than having to bang buckets out
2-3x a day. Exhausting.
As for indoor arenas, indeed. They're
worth their SIZE in gold nearly!
One idea you might consider at first
(that they had at a lovely farm I boarded at in Lexington years ago) is a
covered outdoor. That way you get an arena & a roof...but it's a lot less
than an indoor.
They had theirs "walled" too with
stirrup boards and those were set in at least 2 ft. under the roof overhang.
Only once did it even rain in when I was
there...and they get a lot of rain! (hence the green, green grass...ah...)
It's a nice compromise. Something to
think about anyway...
I was lunging and trail riding still
until this snow hit but now we're stopped, too.
Sure puts me at a disadvantage to those
with indoors, when the shows start up again in April and May.
I was even thinking of moving a couple
horses (Skye or Gatsby) to an eventing barn near us just for March & April
to be able to have an indoor!
Maybe.
Well hang in there...hopefully we've
seen the worst of it now,
Angie
Here are a few pictures of Charlie. Will send more later. He's a
wonderful horse!
Lt. Robin Shaffer, Ft. Bragg, NC
Hi Celeita-
How is the move to the new place going? Just
wanted you to know that all is going very well- Classy looks just great-
filled out and she seems happy- she is in her stall at nite next to her best
pal, Spirit, a black 8 yr old mare, blanketed, and in a large pasture with 3
mares by day and they all get along great- there are several other pastures
with other horses in them but this is for now the best arrangement for all
of them.
My daughter gets a riding lesson on her a
couple times a month. Classy doesnt have a mean bone in her body- very sweet
and cooperative- but very jumpy/prancey if everyone else is out and she has
to be ridden alone in a ring. She seems to be more of a "ladies horse"- tho
great with kids. She just loves treats and carrots which I give her often
along with kisses when groomed. I see her a few times a week. She does
better on the MSM /Glucosmine/Chondrotin- not rubbing her knees near as
much- The barn manager, Melanie Bayne, spoils those horses rotten and takes
awesome care of all of them. That is about it for updates.....
As for the horrible practice of horse
slaughter that I saw forwarded on your email from the Humane Society- is
there still any plants legally operating in the US besides the one in IL?
Did the one in TX close? I saw the footage and was outraged; I cant get
those awful images out of my mind- my husband refuses to watch it and I wont
let my kids see it. I want to do something about this- tell me if there is
something we can do.
Thanks again for all you do for these
beautiful creatures.....!
Betsy
Hi Friends and family-
Just sending you word and update about a minor
accident I had- I fell from the horse (Classy MElanie) friday morning! Do I
feel dumb! She spooked out from under me going right and I went left. I landed
on my left hip but the impact went thru my pelvis and both my hips- She just
stood there the whole time and watched me! My fault, not hers. It was very
painful for the moment but after a few minutes I got up and put her back in
the stall (hobbling). I was on her bareback like I used to ride when I was a
teenie bopper- Im still stubborn enough to think I can still do the same thing
as I did as a teen. Anyway, I was in some serious pain and had to drive the
stick shift home and later that nite went to the ER for xrays. Nothing broken,
just a strain and slight separation of the tailbone area- and now a huge
bruise on my left behind cheek.....but I do have some osteoporosis in my lower
back- no surprise- Im always stiff there- so Im going to get a
referral from a family dr to see an orthopedic dr. Im still limping but im
taking tylenol when its get too sore and stiff. My ego is just as damaged as
the hips- I can't recall a time that I have ever fallen off or been
thrown by horse- from age 10 to 17. I guess youth (and strength) is wasted on
the young! Im def gonna be ok and this probably wont stop me from riding
again- just use a saddle next time-
Thanks for your prayers...........
Betsy
It's snowing like crazy outside and I have the day off from work. Yeah. So I
decided to make new stall name plates and it reminded me of this: I took
Beau to a show this summer. I asked my mom to go get my ribbon/score sheet
while I was loading the trailer. My mom came back in a huff and said the
woman at the show booth has Beau's name wrong. She said "she thinks his name
is Classy Sun!" Apparently I never mentioned he has a registered name. She
thought the woman in the show booth was nuts. It made me laugh remembering
it. P.S. - His name on his stall plaque is "Beau" - it's much shorter to
spell than "Classy Sun"!
Hope you're making it through the winter with a smile.
Jen
Hey Jen, how funny. Mom's are the best, always
protective... even of their 4 legged babies. Very cute. Thanks for the
entertainment, we are always in need of a good laugh. Kiss that boy for us...
Spring is coming, I promise. :))) Celeita
When you first placed Jillian (Diamonds and Pearls, track
name Salmon Lori) to Nicole in NY, did she have papers? I
know she is tattoed and Nicole didn't give me anything
like that. I just wondered as I was thinking of breeding
her to an Arab, but in order to do that for anglo arab
need a copy of her papers. I don't need the originals, I
realize you don't release them. If you can let me know
asap as I'm getting ready to book to the stallions that
are not mine. Curly foaled Jan 29th a LOVELY filly.
Jillian is not due til May and Willow is due March,
everyone is doing superbly, fat healthy. I had a case of
the snots run through the barn which was odd as no new
horses have come in but everyone is good now! Maria
Maria, I'll have my office manager research it and give you a call. I
don't remember her coming with papers but yet, she went straight to Nicole
from Florida and never came here but she will check and let you know.
Thanks for the update, send pics when you can. Everyone in the barn had the
snots here too and coughing, maybe a lot of rag weed in the hay that we got
late but the vet said this was a bad year for allergies with all his
customers. well, kiss those girls for us. Celeita
Good evening Celeita,
Just a brief not to let you know that Fly arrived early this morning with
Blue Chip Horse Transportation. She was an absolute angel to unload and take
in the quarantine barn, I took her shipping wraps off of her and made
certain she was comfortable. I spent time in the mid afternoon grooming her
and just getting to know her a bit and i think we are going to be just fine.
The weather was not so lovely for us last night and it is rainy today as
well.
Julie is going to come up with a turn out area for Fly so as to not keep her
in the barn the length of her quarantine. i Put her new blanket on her this
evening and gave her hugs and treats.
I will go out tomorrow after I take the dogs to the vet for their shots etc
and do a weight tape measurement on her just to place in her record book and
to keep track of her.
SHe is very pretty and has a very pretty eye.. certainly the type of mare I
wanted to find for future breeding. Will keep you posted on everything and
congrats on finding homes for 19 of the available horses!!! That I hope that
will moving to the new farm a little easier on everyone!!!
God Bless and take care,
Rhonda
Hey Rhonda, Sorry its taken so long to get back to you. Working hard to
prepare for our move. So how do you like this girl? Hope things are going well.
I'm sure it will be fine. I know you are not one to give up. Well, all the best
and send us pics when you can. Give Heaven and Fly a big kiss for us. Celeita
I went to a tack auction about a week ago and got
some
great things fro him. I bought him two winter blankets and tons of other
stuff! It was all brand new tack too. I have more than enough tack for
one horse. He has at least 8 lead ropes, 3 nylon halters and 4 leather
halters and leather leads. Three saddles, four different types of bits,
buckets galore, a large metal water trough just like the ones you have
in the stalls, leg wraps, and anything else his heart desires. For
Christmas he got more grooming tack. He's all set for his first real
bath too. I can't wait until I can give him his first bath! I'm really
looking forward to shinning him up, don't cha know he will just GLEAM.
He is, of course, the love of my life! I am looking to buy a small horse
trailer so he and I can travel this summer. I'd love to bring him up to
the new place so you can see him, he'd probably tell you all about how I
fall all over him and try to get him to put in his own bit which he does
for me. He's truly my best friend and spoiled rotten but NEVER a brat.
He deserves so much, I can't help but spoil him. He gets carrots and
apples, but will spit out a peppermint in a second. He's really funny. I
can't wait for spring time to get here, this snow bites! We have been
snowed in for the past two days. I have been able to get out to doctor
spade's ear, but only because he's close.
Talk to ya later,
Deb
Ha, Deb, When I die I want to come back as one of your horses. It
reminds me of this picture one of our supporters drew.... very cute.
 (Thank
you Connie French for this great art work).
hehe. Its all good Deb, Celeita
Hi Celeita,
I was happy to see that Sara has a new family to love her. I was also
happy that she was going with a friend. It's going to be tough for me not
being able to "visit" her on line on a regular basis. It might to silly,
but I felt connected with her when I was able to "check in" and see her
photos.
What can you tell me about her adoptive family? Has Sara been moved
yet? Would her new family be willing to stay in touch so I can know how
she is doing?
Thank you for all you efforts on Sara's behalf. Good luck with your
move and new facility. I will look forward to learning more about it.
Kind regards,
Kim Koch
Kim, Hopefully by now you have received your notice in the mail of all the
information on the new adopter. Its an excellent home with a family in
Winchester who are just getting into horses but working with a trainer. The
facility is quite lovely. Please don't hesitate to contact them or even so see
her. We are all in this together to make sure Sara is always well cared for. I
think you will find Lori and Don to be very sweet and would certainly stay in
touch. Sara is going to be Lori's horse and it seems to be working well that
way, though Sara is still settling in at her new home. She went there with
Missy a little QH mare and has gotten very attached to her already.
Thank you for being so patient and helpful during the process. Let us know
if you have any questions at all. Thank you again, Celeita
Teresa & Celeita,,,,
Just a suggestion. I know you are aware of the costs of feed
going up due to the cost of corn and its use in the new bio diesel among
other things. Here is something we tried this past year. We purchased a
secondhand Gravity wagon (new ones are outrageous) on e-bay for less than
$200.00 . It holds roughly 100 bushels. The total cost of the wagon ie
going and picking it up, shelled corn from a local farmer, having it
ground and vitamins and minerals added...other than the additional time
involved it has saved us almost half on our grain bill and the Babies love
it. Just a thought who knows seeing as how lots of farmers use their
wagons as storage as well, maybe you could find someone local when you get
settled in to your new digs. That would let you use the wagon as storage
if you buy from them towards the end of harvest....maybe entice them with
a tax deduction or two ..lol...and be assured you can get the same
additives at the mill as the ones that come in the brand name feeds. Meg
and Papaw ( Snickers) are doing great. Meg is pregnant!!! Daddy is our
little paint stud so guess we're looking forward to a appy quarter horse
appendix cross...should be interesting to see how the App bloodline
(supposedly dominant) comes out in the Paint mix. As for the suggestion
feel free to share it with everyone...We're currently shopping for a grain
bin....the only drawback to that is i know lots of people dont have access
to a tractor or grain auger...so the gravity wagon is the least expensive
option for most of us... Plus...(i know this is getting long winded but
the thoughts keep coming) ..you need not have a barn large enough to store
the wagon inside. We built a temporary roof from plywood covered it with
reinforced plastic and the wagon sits right outside our barn door. Think
i've rambled enough for now if you or anyone else has any questions about
the different types of wagons or anything at all feel free to write or
call. Keep up the good work.
Tom and Cheryl Montgomery
Thank you. This is a good idea and yes, our cracked corn has gone from
$166. a ton to $250. a ton and we go through a ton of corn and a ton of pellets
each week. ugggg. Thank you for letting us know about Meg too. She had a foal on
her side when we first picked her up in 99 and was very protective of it but a
great momma. I'm she you all will see the same. Come see us sometime after we
get moved. Kiss those babies for us. Celeita
Petey IS a great horse! And he is very good with kids
as long as I'm right next to him. He's just very easily spooked and didn't have
any training other than walk & trot. And by trot I mean- at whatever speed he
likes! He has since learned his collected trot (so much nicer!), to settle down
and trust his rider (usually only me and occassionally my daughter), he can now
walk over cavelletti (used to scare him to death) & logs in the trail, etc.
When we got him we couldn't put a blanket on him or change his bit- but that
could've just been an Arab thing- needed time to adjust. He's my BABY. He is
the sweetest horse on the ground- loves being groomed, great with farrier, vet,
etc. Didn't really like to be tied or trailered- but ok with it now. He's
really a one rider horse though- he won't even stand for my husband to get on
him- just me or kids. He LOVES kids. He's very sensitive so the slightest
touch can send him off running- so scared one of my daughters. He's fast- I
think that's the main problem with him for a child to ride. I think he was
really just a backyard pet before. I will tell you though that I am CERTAIN
that someone used a whip and lunge line incorrectly on him- it took me almost a
year for him to not be afraid of it. He still gets nervous with a lunge line
but we rarely use one as we have a round pen but I can now touch him all over
with a whip and he will remain calm. I have a professional trainer working with
me and him and she says the same thing about a past issue with a whip. He's
very smart and really wants to do what you ask- he just cannot be asked to
aggressively. With a bit more training he will be an AWSOME horse. But still-
he's to much for a child out on a trail- in a round pen he's ok. You know how
much I love Walter but Petey is the one I ride EVERY DAY. I think he's right
where he should be if he were 3-4 years old! He has great potential- I have no
problem working with him to get him there. He could not even canter in a round
pen before but is now doing it w/ rider. He is a bit fast yet- but we'll work
on that as he calms at the canter. When I spoke to the old owner she did say he
was actually only trained at a level 1 dressage- which I have since learned
means walk & trot. He's coming along very well though. Since we have been
working with the trainer (about 3 months now) he's a different horse already.
Walter, of course, is perfect. He has so much training- I keep finding new
things he knows how to do! He takes him work pretty seriously- goes from
running around the field like crazy to perfect, calm, easy to ride as soon as
you put his saddle on. He's wonderful. Anyone could ride him. I just bought
him a new Tucker trail saddle- a little expensive but it's so perfect for him-
smooth black leather, came with the breast collar. He's so handsome in it! I
was so relieved the vet said his leg was ok- I haven't been riding him for 3
weeks waiting for a lump to go down. But she says there's no real damage- just
cosmetic so I can ride him again. Pretty happy about that.
Well, Dixie is at her new home safe and sound. Now we will be
getting used to each other. Our stallion, Lucky, has already claimed
her as his new girlfriend. They are in adjoining fields. We do not
want to breed her yet and so they must be happy with just holding hands
for now.
Everything went well and Audrey and her mom gave me the information
they had. I do have a question. How does it work with her registration
papers? Do you keep them? Then, maybe after the 2 years I can buy her
and have her put in my name? Also, could you mail me a copy of her
papers?
Thanks so much. I'll keep in touch and send updates and pictures.
Melinda
Hey Melinda, thank you for the update. How are things going with Miss
Dixie?
According to your adoption contract, we send you copies of her papers
first, then at the two year mark we send you the actual papers. We just like
to make sure its a good fit and the horse will be staying before we pass off
papers to adopters. There is a page on the website about buying your adoption
horse, that should explain everything. You should have gotten a copy of her
registration papers on the CD that came with Dixie, were you able to open
that? Celeita
Hey Celeita! It's Sharon Itzkoff again, even though it's been a really
long time since I last mailed. 0_o Just wanted to tell you that my mom
and I have started to look at horses for adoption, and we're thinking
about adopting a PMU foal. Also, I'm going to be on my stable's show
team this summer, and will be the first person to show the mare I'm
leasing, Peggy's Last Forecast (aka Peggy). I can't wait! Peggy finally
has enough arena manners to do hunter shows at walk, trot, and canter.
She isn't ready for jumping, so all competition will be on the flat this
year. If you want to see pictures of her, I have a lot up on my
deviantart account that you can find at wolfsilver-x.deviantart.com.
A really sad thing happened at my stable the other day. It was late
at night and Sarah (the stable owner) and her family were probably
already asleep. The horses were out in the pasture for the night,
blankets and all. A couple neighbor boys decided that they thought it
would be fun to chase the horses around on ATVs in the dark. All of the
horses were frightened, most likely thinking that a pack of hungry
wolves/dogs was after them (because that's what ATVs sound like). Sugar,
the lead mare, is especially spooky and decided that the best way to get
away from the predators was to crash through the black-boarded fence and
run across the road into the open field on the other side. One of our
chestnut mares, a 16 hand TWH cross named Margo, had abscesses in her
hind hooves that were healed enough for her to be out with the other
horses, but running wasn't on her agenda. We think that she was probably
lagging behind the others, which is why she was the only one to be hit
by the truck as it came over the hill. Of course, the truck driver had
no idea that there would be a horse in the road on that night, so we
don't blame him for Margo's death. Luckily Margo died almost instantly
and so didn't feel any pain except for that of the pain in her hooves.
One of the boys who was driving an ATV had enough of a conscience to
wake Sarah and her family up and tell them what happened. Sugar and the
others actually returned to the pasture on their own, so Sarah didn't
have to round them up or anything. She is, however, suing the boys for a
lot of money, and she now has to look for a new show jumper, as Margo
was our best. Luckily the only other horses that were hurt only had
small gashes on their chests from the fence.
Oh! I also got my learner's permit! I got it on Friday, though I
could have gotten it November 27th, because that's when I turned 15 1/2.
My dad took me out to the parking lot of a train station nearby today
and I got to practice. He also let me drive to the Giant - which wasn't
all that far away - and it was my first time on the road with other
cars! It was really freaky because I hadn't done it before, but I
managed not to crash into anything! I'll be able to get my license in
September, and my mom is excited that she won't have to drive me places
anymore. ;)
Anyways, just wanted to share all of the news and say congrats again on
the new farm, and good luck with placing the horses. I'll have my mom
look at the info on that little black rescue filly of yours and see what
she thinks. The baby looks like a sweetheart. (Name suggestions:
Tempest, Felicity, Hope, Caraway, Eve, Kemuri (means 'smoke' in japanese),
Kurai ('dark' in japanese), Faith, Mystic, and Magic. Hope they help.
;D)
Hope to hear from you soon,
Sharon Itzkoff
Hey Sharon, We're here, sorry its taken so long to get back to you. Its
always a pleasure to hear from you. what a terrible accident you spoke of. Its
a terrible thing to see and even harder to deal with the loss, I'm very sorry.
I'm sure everyone at your barn is very sad.
Congrats on your learners permit, the leasing and potentially looking for a
horse. I don't need to tell you to look at our horses first, I know you will.
Do come see us when we get to the new farm. We do miss your drawings of our
horses, are you still involved in your art work?
Well, better go, I'm suppose to be cleaning out and packing. :))) Take care
dear, Celeita
Thanks again and good luck with your move.
PS I called the lady who got the ponies
and she seemed really nice. Jazz is also doing just fabulous so this worked
out perfectly. I am so glad you do the things you do. If I can ever help in a
situation just let me know. I help the rescue here all the time and it is my
pleasure.
Linn
Thank you Linn, we are
glad it worked out. I feel they all got exceptional homes. The ponies are in a
perfect situation, she is very sweet, she has 3 kids, all 3 she adopted and
she does professional day care in her home. The ponies will have tons of kids
and attention for as long as she does that job. I don't expect there will ever
be a dull moment for them. She even has a little girl that has polio that she
adopted from Russia and she adopted our old girl Georgia for her. She is in
love, its a perfect match for an old mare who is still sound but can't do
much. Lead line is perfect for her. We are real happy to have found them all.
Thank you again for being so patient. Sometimes it just takes a long time to
find the perfect person. Celeita
Zahara is doing great although she’s grumpy
about having to come in every night and put on her
pajamas, I think she prefers to stay out all the time but I told her that it’s
just too cold and I didn’t want her looking like the donkey!! We’ve gotten to
ride some, not as much as I would like but she gets turnout time every day so
she’s not stuck in a stall all the time, just at night. Once it warms up at
night I’ll let her stay out all the time which will give us more riding time too
since I won’t have to clean a stall every evening. In December we got a lot of
rain and Truffle’s dry lot and covered shed area in front of her stall flooded
every time it rained so I was trying to deal with that and keep her happy, which
is a job all by itself. She went through another period of not wanting to eat
around that same time, I think she was disgruntled about the mud in her lot and
not getting much turnout time because it was just too wet but I started making
her a warm mash with her applesauce and some chopped up apples and carrots and
she came around. Once we got the flooding issues fixed then it turned cold and
I just can’t bring myself to ride in 30 degree weather!! But I bought some Lynn
Palm DVD’s awhile back on ground work so we’ve been working on those in the barn
at night which gives us plenty to do. I’ve also been doing some shopping for
Truffle’s new boyfriend and found a son of Rugged Lark that is very impressive.
He’s also registered as an American Warmblood like Z so I’ll take Truffle and
the baby for inspection next spring, I would like to get Truffle registered as
breeding stock so she’ll have some papers too. Right now we’re looking at
breeding her around mid to late March and hopefully right after that Z and I can
really start putting in some riding time!!
I’ve been
watching the website, congratulations on the new farm!! Hopefully you’ll get
some more babies adopted out so you want have so many to move. I was also glad
to see the small ponies get adopted, I know they’ve been up there for awhile!!
Thanks,
Heather
Thank you Heather, it sounds like she has the good life
there with you Yes, I've done a few clinics with Lyn Palm, she used to come to
our university every year. She's very good and she was made famous by Rugged
Lark and his success. I would also recommend looking at the sons of the
daughters of Lugged Lark. If the TB industry theory about the X factor is
correct, which I believe it to be true, the boys don't pass down their good
stuff to their sons because 80 percent of the foal comes from the mare, so you
want to find a son of a mare that is by Rugged Lark (if you want his talent and
who wouldn't). Look for a stallion who's Dam's sire is Rugged Lark, that son
will have The Rugged Lark Talent. There are lots of books about X factor, the TB
industry and lots of sport horse people use it regularly to pick breeding
partners. It makes sense when you realize that 80% of the foal comes from the
mare, not the stallion. So a good quality mare is critical and the mares father
is very critical. We've seen X factor prove to be correct in many situations in
history, Secretariat for example, none of his sons ever did much of anything but
his daughters babies were champions!! Look at many of the big name stallions and
I think you will find the same findings. Of course, there are always exceptions
but its rare. I'm sure regardless, it will be a talented baby with Zahara as
mommy. :)) Celeita
Celeita,
Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while but I'm a mere 6 weeks away
from giving birth to my first baby and things have been a bit hectic. I
wanted to update you on Lendy. You would not believe the change in him.
He has gained a healthy amount of weight, and he's got a great shaggy
winter coat. Last year the poor thing had nothing. Obviously I can't ride
but I still go out 2 or 3 times a week to groom him and give him some
treats. He is being ridden 2 or 3 times a week by the stable owner's
daughter and one of her advanced students and he is winning everyone
over. He still struggles a bit with sensitive feet but they are in great
condition and we've been able to keep him barefoot so far. What a
difference a year makes. I can't wait to get back on him this spring. I
will send you some pictures so you can see for yourself. Dory.
Thank you Dory, sorry its taken me so long to get back with you. We are
swamped with our upcoming move. I'll put the new address in your file. Congrats
on the baby. I'm sure you have a lot to do. I do hope you can find a way to keep
Lendy through all this. I know it sometimes gets very hard to try to fit
everything in. I'm hopeful you can so you and your family can enjoy him as your
child is growing up. Well, I'm so happy for you two. Celeita
Celeita,
You don't need to worry about us keeping Lendy. We love him and I'm
looking forward to my child growing up knowing horses. Also the girls at
the stable love him to death, they'd be crushed if anything happened to
him. I'm hoping I'll be ready to ride again around April, just when the
weather is warming up. I'm eager to test all his progress for myself.
Anyway, I hope the move goes smoothly. Take Care
Dory Bledsoe
Thank you Dory, you can't imagine what a comfort it is to know that. I do
hope it all works out. Very exciting time, for sure. Stay healthy, Celeita
Hi Celeita, Just wanted to let you know Skye got here just fine. She arrived
about 10:30 Sunday night. So far so good, Chou just thinks she's so fine.
He's torn between Missy and Skye. We have a love triangle! Anyways, just
wanted to let you know. Thanks!
Jen Ayres
Well, what do you think? She does take a few weeks to settle, she seems to
show her age in the beginning. Are you all happy with her? Celeita
-
Miss B at home in TX with Pat
Audrey and Handsome Rob at home in VA and all dressed
for Christmas
Celeita-
Todd and I are expecting a baby in August so a horse for Mom is on the back
burner right now. Handsome Rob (Cooper) is doing wonderfully and I have
still been walking and trotting him but soon I think I will need to stick to
just lunging and round pen work until next fall. It's a slower start then we
had hoped for him but I hope you know he is still in a loving home and has
been a wonderful boy so far. Every once in a while he reminds us that he is
just a three year old but most days it is very hard to believe how well
behaved he is. I know if anything we will have a solid connection by the
time I will be cantering and jumping and he will be able to trust me and I
will be able to predict his actions!
Thanks!
Audrey Brown
Aunt Mary and her new babies (yes, they are goats, you're
not seeing things)
Maggie and Missile Fire, Missile was formerly owned by our
trainer, she took him to 6th in the nation in Hunter on the flat, when in the
show ring Paula would rarely ride him in the winter because he was so hot.
Maggie is now riding him brideless and shooting bow and arrow off him. This is
proof that you change a horse's environment, change his job, change his rider
and he will change. They are products of their environment too!! Maggie and her
mom just adopted Cincinnati Red. I have a feeling he will be totally trained in
no time. Bravo!!
Congrats to Mike "Smitty" and Danielle Smith of
Fredericksburg for the purchase of our farm in West Union, Both Danielle and
Smitty are former Army and now work with the National Park Service. They are
starting Golden Horseshoes Ranch, their new website is:
www.goldenhorseshoesranch.com
Please give them the same wonderful support you've given us all these years!!
Big Congrats and All the Best!
Beth, Don, Evan and Kyber Hanover at home in LA, Don
is a Navy Commander getting ready to PCS (permanent change of station)
from New Orleans to the pentagon. Beth and Don will take all their 7 horses.
Many of you remember Beth from the Chagrin Hunt Club, she has two SWAP horses.
Kyber and Expensive Jag, both Standardbreds.
Hi Celeita,
Sorry I didn't drop a note in so long , so much happened - and GOOD stuff
for
you !! -just for now: does Angie need somebody to bring Ukee to her, or
will she be
picking her up herself? Michael finally got his green card and just
started driving horses - if Angie is interested, his cell is :
540-250-6436.
I was following the new house and the new man thing online - WOW - what a
good
pick in both categories :-)) MUCH better than that BMW guy ( forgot his
name - Manfred ?) would have been even if he would have been real!
See, good things come to those who wait - and deserve it, and there is
somebody
to listen to your prayers. It all sounds and looks wonderful, and I see
you heading into the best time of your life.
Now.... all the updates are long overdue, let's start with good old BUNNY
in
this email: Bunny was doing great all through the summer, her melanomas
grew steadily, but she was in during the day and away from the flies, and
had a happy 25th birthday in July last year. About 6 weeks ago she started
having neurologic problems in her hind legs, dragging the left hind, and
walking sideways like a crab. Had the Vet School out, drew blood and
titers and basically nothing came up other that the tumors now started to
invade her spine. So I have euthanasia solution in the fridge , but every
time I get ready to email you and Cathy ( her donor), that
she can't make it any longer, she turns around and is better ! Last week
she
developed a huge, fluctuant swelling on her left hip, we lanced it
expecting an
abscess, but a huge amount of brown-black fluid came out - a cystic
melanoma had
opened, and you could see the tumor going into the hamstring muscle ... so
I was
sure, that was it, bought her tons of carrots and oatmeal cookies and
ginger snaps (
her favorite) and - she is much BETTER again !?! Guess the pressure on
the muscle
is gone, she still walks ( and trots and canters) sideways - we now refer
to her as our
4th level dressage horse, but she is not ready to go yet. It may be over
tomorrow, that she lays down and can't get up, it may be still months,
nobody can tell, and I just enjoy every day with this incredibly beautiful
girl - what a great spirit, and what an inspiration ,she by now almost
died four times - a girl who knows and has ridden Bunny before, now is a
VA Tech student and comes to visit regularly and told me that the people
Cathy got her back from already had dug a hole for her because she was
doing so poorly, and that was 4 years ago - and still keeps on going. I do
formally have to ask you for permission to end Bunny's suffering, whenever
SHE decides it's time, I want to see her go with the dignity this grand
old lady
deserves on her last journey. Attached are pictures of Bunny last summer
and last week with the open tumor. I will also send updates on the other
three - and their kids - later this evening.
So long, and "to the old horses!"
Zorana
Hello Zorana, so sorry its taken me so long to get back with you. My
goodness things have really come along. So glad to hear that Michael has
gotten his green card and all is well for you all. If you don't mind I will
list him on the website under transporters. I know he will take good care of
all the horses.
Zorana, I would, of course, trust your opinion about putting a horse down
as I know you would always do it at the right time and humanely and for the
right reason, for her. I know that you know horses will always tell us when
its time. As sad as that is, when they are telling us its time, we have to be
there to make it easy for them. I'm so sorry she has struggled so. It is very
sad.
I do love the old horses, if I had more money I would just do retirement
work and keep all the old timers, they are so much more personality and a life
of experience. Just don't be too quick, she might end up being like old Daisy
Mae, who was 32 this year. She is lame in 3 legs with severe ringbone and club
feet and only has one eye and she still eats like crazy, runs all over the
pasture and still finds a way to keep the others in line. I'm not sure what to
think of it but as long as she shows me she wants to live, I will give her the
same care everyone else gets and she eats more than anyone. She is tough as
nails. When she came to us at 25, I never thought she would see 28 but she had
other ideas.
You just never know I guess. My stallion at 23 was the picture of
health, he self exercised the entire time he was out, very active and he's
gone. I lost him last Christmas and I still think of him every day and still
cry over him every time I think of him. Its going to kill me to leave him in
the ground here. I know that sounds crazy but I always thought he should be
close but this was his home so it only makes sense that he is here. Its
terrible to lose a horse, I've spend the last year wondering what went wrong.
I have two of his sons and as much as I love them, they are not their daddy.
Well, they say it takes a minute to fall in love with them and a life time to
forget them. I now know what that is like. Zorana, certainly, do what you must
for Bunny.
How have you and Michael been? How are things at VA Tech and how are all
the other horses? So good to hear from you. You all must make a visit when we
get moved (if we ever get moved). :))) Take Care and Stay warm, Spring is
coming!! Celeita
Both animals arrived looking bright. Hootie seems to have settled
in with all plumbing working; he is eating and drinking and rolled.
Stride is eating and drinking, but looks a bit gaunt. He is eating
and drinking. He knicked himself (minor) on his left rear while in
transit.
He also has an older open wound on his left front. Can you give me
the history on this?
I enjoyed meeting Suzanne--thank you again for dealing with my last-
minute jitters and concern. Still don't understand how horses are so
kind as to get into a cold metal box on wheels and rattle around
behind us.
Celeita, thank you for what you do.
Carrie Farmer
Hi,
I want to thank you for the support and information. I am finding
the DVD has so much wonderful information on it. What a grand tool --
your organization is phenomenal
Bravo on that and on your award.
Glad your significant other is from such a beautiful part of our
world and is one of us handsome, nice, suave, sophisticated, full-of-
blarney Massachusetts folk (:-)
Joking aside, I hope his roots, or any other reason, will bring you
this way soon.
See ya,
Carrie Farmer
Great Carrie. I'm so glad that has been informative to you. Many adopters
can't seem to get them open to view them. I don't know if its something I've
done or they have done but its always nice to know when they work.
Thank you for the vote of confidence and the kind words. We do love our
work and hopefully it shows but like every organization there are so many ways
we can improve (the list is long). So hopefully in 10 to 20 years it will be a
much better organization than it is today.
Yes, Ed is very much a new englander. He was commissioned into the Navy by
Senator John McCains father, ran around with Kennedy's, worked on Lobster
boats in the summer, even went to the big Culinary school up there and he
still loves New England, though he no longer has his Mass. accent. He attended
Clark and swears his fraternity, of which he was president, was the example in
which they made the movie Animal House. Hahaha I do hope he can show
me parts of New England I've never seen. Well thank you again, I'll get
your pretty Arab on the website on the website soon.
I hope all is well with those two. They are such sweet guys, they deserve a
very loving home. Celeita
Missy and Sara are sooo happy. We let them out for a couple of hours last
night and they ran and jumped and rolled. It was so funny when we went to
bring them in. We walked out to the back of the field to find them. We
called for them and all we could see was two big black shadows coming toward
us. They were so sweet and walked back with us to their "rooms".
I know you recommend to keep them in their stalls for the first few days,
but they ars so happy outside. Won't this be okay for a few hours a day?
I can't remember, how many scoops a day do they each eat?
Sara did not want her hay, orchard and alfalfa. But she was eating her
bedding (straw) I guess this is okay?
Thanks for your kind words Celeita, your strength is appreciated. I
promise that I will never give up on this boy, I've made the commitment to
both you and him that he'll be taken care of and I will honor that promise
come hell or high water. He's an angel and knows all my secrets now so I
can never let him outta my sight. (He'd sell me out for an apple, anyway.)
I understand the "tough-love" aspect, and he's handled that like a champ,
but I am too the point now that it is hard to see him being a patient and
not a horse. I know he'll get better, and I know that he'll be happy
again, but I wish it would come sooner rather than later. I didn't mean
for my last email to sound so distraught, I was just having one of those
days. He's not going anywhere and this is a cake walk in comparison to
what others have gone through with their babies. I am extremely blessed to
have him and I really believe that he and I are bonded. He's just got to
know how special he is to me. I believe he does. Transportation might be
an issue for Monday so I may have to reschedule his appointment for later
in the week. I'll keep you informed. I'd give anything to be able to
adopt Daisy as his pal, but I'm not set up yet. You are having some great
prices right now and I'm glad to see DJ is going to a good home.
Eventually, I'll be back at the new Crossed Sabers facility to get
another friend so remember to keep me in mind for my next perfect horsie.
Can't wait to visit the new place!
Debora
Ask me on Monday after his visit to the Vet, again. His ear still
isn't healed. I'm beside myself. He's in good spirits, regardless but
I'm still worried about him. The good news is that we are getting closer
to getting our fencing up which means we are getting closer to bringing
him home! I'll be so glad when he's here with us and I can spoil him
even more! I'll let you know what happens on Monday.
Congrats on the auction! I KNEW Casino was going to be taken, but I'm
glad to hear he's going to a good home along with the rest of them. But
I really liked him.
Talk to ya later!
oh, one more funny story. I had him transported to the vet last week
and when I got him back to the barn, I was left alone with him to get
him out of the trailer. Well, this was a very nice slant load trailer
and I knew he would LOAD ok, but I had no idea how to unload him. so
here I am, standing in the trailer next to him and I have no choice but
to tell him that I don't know how to get him out, so I asked him if he
could help me.( I wasn't sure if he backed out or turned around in the
trailer and walked out.) As soon as he figured out that I didn't have a
clue what to do, he politely turned slowly 180 degrees and waited for me
to lead him out in the proper manner. He just rolled his eyes at me and
snickered. Thank goodness he's so patient!
Thanks, Celeita,
I much preferred Matine's performance to Salerno's (Anky Van
Grunsven) whose test follows. That mare looks as if she is so happy to
be working. And her forward energy is much nicer.
Once the FEI bans rollkur, the training technique Anky seems to be
spreading throughout the world--to the dismay of many purists--I just
wonder if her horses will be so obedient. Long story here, needless to
say.
Thanks for sending on the link. It really made my morning.
(Especially since it's freezing here and there is no way I am going to
be able to ride for most of the week. *sigh*)
Jean
Hi Celeita,
Tucker went to a clinic with Patrice Edwards on Tuesday.
Is this a big deal?
Yes. This was the first time I took him to a brand new place and
rode him without incident. He has been a feisty boy in the past and
sometimes I am not at all sure how he is going to react in new
surroundings.
I am delighted to report he was a star. Ms. Edwards is an
excellent teacher from Great Britain who trains in the Classical style.
I must say Tucker seemed to enjoy her style because he relaxed and
really worked well. I am so proud of him.
What was especially nice was how attentive he was to my aids,
making all the exercises really quite easy to ride. At times like that,
I realize how truly well along he is in his basic training. He is a
lovely, responsive fellow and I am truly lucky to own him.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I schooled "trail junkie" Chance in
the ring the other day--the last time the ground was not frozen solid.
He was so funny when I tried to pass the gate leading out into the
woods. He stopped, tried to head for the gate, gave me the smallest
argument and then just kind of heaved a big sigh and said, "OK, but I
really want to go out."
We are making progress with his learning to reach down a little
and take the bit, but I have to admit steering is still an "interesting"
experience. I keep forgetting how challenging it can be to ride a really
green horse, but this time, since he is closer in age to Tucker than
Tucker was to my other horses when I got him, that I haven't completely
forgotten. I must admit it is certainly entertaining when you start to
turn and don't end up where you had planned to go! On the other hand,
out on the trail that is much less of a problem. Out there, when you
need to turn it's usually because there is a tree in the way and Chance
figures out pretty quickly that he's better off going where you ask than
hitting the tree.
Hey, if I find just the right configuration of trees, maybe I can
school a dressage test out there!
Having fun despite the fickle weather,
Jean, Tucker, and Chance
Hey Jean, I'm here, so behind on everything. Awwwww, our little
boy is growing up, going places without incidence... how cool. It sounds
like you now have a horse for anything you would ever want to do. What a
lucky girl. Chance still amazes me. Who'd a thunk? Haha Stay warm,
spring is coming (really it is). Celeita
We had beautiful weather
today, just at 70, nice breeze, the grandkids were with us and Gabby got her
first ride ever while older sister Breagan rode River for the first time.
Both went home tonight totally in love with River. He is just a wonderful
guy, we all love him.
I also got to ride him a
minute before the kids took him away from me. He was really funny as he
would follow me all over the riding pen, when I stopped, he stopped, when I
walked he followed, a couple of times I trotted off and he trotted with me
much to kids delight. After I knew they were safe, I sat in a chair and let
Breagan just walk around in the pen with him and she rode Gabby for awhile,
he got to ride for about an hour today. Yesterday I rode him for about 30
minutes. Today before we rode, Breagan and Gabby groomed him and gave him
treats, I wanted Gabby to talk to him so he could hear her voice, didn’t
want her to startle him as 5 year olds can startle most any horse. River was
perfect for them today. Thank you so much, he is a great fit for our family.
Sharon
Boone
<\__~
Oh Sharon, your stories makes me miss him even more but they are good
stories so keep telling them. Isn't the is the best boy? I could not imagine
anyone not wanting him but we had two adopters that returned him. Hard to
believe but so many times its not the horses fault at all but they are the one
that loses but not River because he now has you. Many horses are not so lucky.
Wish I could have been there on that day. Sounds like so much fun. I'm sure
those girls will talk about and remember River all their lives, things like
that just seems to stick. So glad he's doing so well but many horses seem to
know about kids and when people are different and they are kinder to them but
its always amazing to see it when it happens. Give him big Kisses. Much Love,
Celeita
I must take some time to deeply apologize for not being as communicative as
I usually am. I failed miserably this year in getting my Christmas cards out.
When I put Gi down on the 11th it really killed any Christmas Spirit I had.
She is sadly missed. I did a lot of soul searching and realized that I didn't
like being in my house without a dog companion so on the 23rd I went puppy
looking/finding. I put a deposit on a female standard out a couple hours west
of Suffolk VA. She was only 5 weeks at the time and needed more time with
mother before coming home. As her pick up date approaches I must express my
gratitude to everyone and to God in a way. Its funny but we walk through life
doing the best that we can do. I tried to do my best by Gi and feel happy with
the life that I provided for her. Its funny how God works in mysterious ways.
I was scrambling trying to figure out how to afford a new puppy. I took a leap
of faith in putting that deposit down as I didn't know at the time how I was
going to make it all come together to get her paid for. But Tyson's has been
working us some major overtime which has thus allowed me to pay for the puppy.
I find myself looking forward with much happiness and anticipation as her pick
up date approaches. I'm exhausted to my bones (I havent had a day off since
Christmas Day) but glad to have had the opportunity to earn the money to make
it all happen. So my trip out to get her next Sunday is going to be a happy
time for me even though I'm still sad about letting my best friend go. I still
have some work to do around here. My Tyson's schedule has been so insane that
I've barely had time to cook, clean or do my laundry. Sleep is at a premium.
I'm hoping that things will slack off once the Super Bowl is over. We've had
monster huge orders for product for the last 2 weeks leading into the game. We
ended up working until 2am this morning with the entire debone department
working from midnight until finish on a monster sliced meat order. I still
have a bit of fence mending to do...which is going to have to get done on
friday. I'm planning on leaving as early as I can Sunday morning so I can try
to get back before dark. Deer are still acting dodgy around here due to
hunting season and I hate traveling around twilight or just after dark during
hunting season. This was a god awful Christmas for me...filled with grief and
badgering myself with regrets yet the one bright shining star was the love
that my friends gave me in helping me through it all. I still have my
moments...but they're getting fewer and farther between. This new pup gives me
hopes and anticipations. When Gi was a pup I didn't know anything about
natural training. It's a new beginning. A fresh chalkboard to see how I can
improve my training techniques with dogs. I was very happy with how Gi was
turned out but now I feel like I can do an even better job of it. So thank you
everyone for all the love and kindnesses shown to me during this trying time.
I hope I can return the feeling in your time of need.
Chris
Spade made it through surgery without a hitch! He is doing great and when I
left him tonight he had already began eating hay. I really felt that he was
glad that I was there after his surgery, of course I am probably wrong.
Actually, the Surgeon allowed Shelly, (trainer) and I to view the surgery
while it was in progress, when they pulled out the steel mallet and chisle I
had to look away, it was difficult to watch, but VERY interesting. It turned
out to be ALOT bigger than they anticipated and they could see at least two
teeth in the cyst, so it was more than just his ear tooth. It also took the
Cheif of Surgery to come in with some muscle to successfully remove it
considering it was the size of an apple!. It was a very delicate procedure
since it's been there so long and so close to his skull. I don't know if you
remember or not but his ear use to sorta turn in to the inside of his head and
it's already starting to straighten out. He's coming along so well. We are
hoping to have him back home Saturday. I'm anxious to get him back home
quickly. Oh by the way, he weighed 1045lbs and his doctors said he looked to
be in perfect health and great condition, so that's good news. I took a
picture from where we were observing and have included it for you guys to see.
We really couldn't see that much, but we could tell what was going on. Like I
said, it was very interesting. Our prayers have been answered! God is good!
Bye for now!
Debora and Spade
Celeita,
The estimate that I received from OSU was $1400-$1800, depending upon what
needed to be done and if he needed the MRI in addition to radiographs, but
they weren't necessary, however the surgery did take longer than expected so I
really won't know the total until I pick him up. Also, at OSU, half of the
total bill is due at the time of his release and they allow 90 days to pay the
balance which it going to be VERY helpful.
I'm REALLY glad we went ahead and had it removed, the tissue under the cyst
was dead and eventually would have gone through to his skull. He was at risk
of brain damage and generating cancerous cells that surrounded the cyst. My
advice if you have a horse that is young, get the cyst/tooth removed at a
young age. The younger the easier, and probably cheaper. I would highly
recommend OSU, they have given him excellent care. Let me know if I can help.
Thanks for your prayers!
His surgeon recommended applying heat to the effected area a couple of
times a day so at night when I feed him I warm up some
towels and lay them across his face. He
seems to like it. He just rests his head on my shoulder, awe. Since he was
taken off his grain when he went into OSU,
the only special instructions I have are to gradually get him back on his
grain, but slowly. Also, he is on bute and
antibiotics, but other than that, nothing major. He did
develop a
hematoma but they drained it and he's fine. He seems a little
depressed, but it could be pain, or the bute, not sure. I'll be glad when he's
back to his old self but if someone had hammered/chiseled
on my head like they did his, I'm sure I wouldn't be too chipper either. All
in all, he's a champ. Doesn't complain about anything. When we were brining
him home from OSU we had to stop for gas and when I walked into the store he
made a really loud nickering noise and I ignored him, but when I came back
out, he started it again, he really wanted my attention so I walked over to
him and spoke to him for a few minutes while pumping gas and then went to get
back in the car and he started again. It was adorable. Sometimes if he is in
his stall and I get out of his sight, he'll start calling for me if he thinks
I am close. He's already my best friend, can you tell? It's still AMAZING to
me.
Hi Celeita,
Chance is a trail junkie! He absolutely loves going out in the woods
for a ride.
The other day, we tried a new trail--all of these rides are only about
20-30 minutes long--on the ridge above the little lake in the back woods.
There is a horse-eating gray boulder lurking there according to both Tucker
and PJ. Apparently, Chance is of another opinion because he went right past
the thing without a second glance! What a nice change of pace. Aside from
the fact that I do still have to steer him around trees and onto the trail
now and then, I can just relax on him and enjoy the scenery.
Our next adventure will be out to the Christmas tree farm next door.
We've already gone halfway. The trail runs near the NJ Turnpike, so there
are trucks and cars buzzing noisily by all the time. It will be a good test
of Chance's so far very level head about such distractions.
Ring work? Well, he's so much fun out that I haven't done too much
work in the ring lately. All in good time. He is still just a baby and we
will have lots of opportunities to do some serious schooling later. Right
now, the little trail junkie and are just having a good time playing in the
sunshine and warm winter weather.
Jean D.
Happy New Year Jean!! This is perfect, our first Happy Ending for 2007 and
what a great happy ending. I'm amazed. I'm going to have to start putting
notes on your emails for everyone else about "don't try this at home" .... I'm
shocked. I know this boy was handled all the time as a baby, he was more like
a dog to them but geesal, he totally trusts you. I guess you've found your
'perfect trail horse'. Amazing. Just Love it. Thank you for making our day!!
Celeita
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