Thursday, April 9, 2009

O. M. G. !!!!!

Enough already. If I hear or read another report on someone who has neglected to FEED their animals or provide the animals in their care with WATER, I'm gonna rip what little hair that is left on the top of my head OUT!!!!

Don't get me wrong. I can completely understand the economy and the tightening of the hypothetical belt, but not FEEDING your animal - for an EXTENDED period of time - is unexcusable. There are those out there, I KNOW! that if you are in that bad of shape, they will come take your animals if you call for help.

Just this week I have had the priviledge of hearing of a CONVICTED ANIMAL NEGLECTOR gave up more animals to a rescue.

Just tonight I read another email about a Thoroughbred OWNER who is accused of neglecting and not feeding ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY SEVEN HORSES. Hello. He doesn't look like he has missed too many meals in the last few years. But somehow, a few of his horses showed up at auction looking like hell and found a wonderful rescuer who took them in.

Another rescue took in 17 horses in North Carolina from three different locations - one of them being a RESCUE!

People. I. Just. Don't. Get. IT.

If you can't take care of an animal, give it to someone who can. If you can't take care of yourself, don't even think about taking on the care of an animal...

I have been taking care of my friends horse while she is dealing with some major issues. I knew when I took this horse in that she might not be able to pay for the care at some point in time. That day came about a YEAR AGO! If you drive by my house, I can guarantee you one thing. I can guarantee that every horse in my field looks just as good as the next. Her horse has NEVER not been fed. NEVER not been watered. NEVER not had it's feet done. NEVER not been wormed on a regular schedule. I have not done all the spring shots yet, because I can't afford them all this month... however, I will work on one each month until they are ALL done.

I don't care how much I have to tighten my belt. Ok. I haven't missed too many meals, either. But when it comes to the horses eating first, the dogs eating first, they get fed each night BEFORE I do. Ask my kids how anal I am about that.

I just can't figure people out. If you need help, email me.... rescueahorse@comcast.net If I don't have a direct resource for the help you need, I WILL FIND IT FOR YOU! The only catch is that you can't add more after we have taken some. If you have means, donate to the rescue that helped you. Don't go get another dog. Another horse. Another cat.

If you want something to sit on the counter or on the back porch, GET A ROCK!

Any animal, I don't care how small, large, cuddly or awesome you may think it is - it is a BEATING HEART! It can and does feel pain, cold, hunger, sickness.

I'm going back out to the barn. To hear my horses - and the horses that aren't mine but live at my house - munch on their hay, while standing in their stalls with clean shavings and clean buckets of water. People suck. Horses rule.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Couldn't Say It Better Myself....

I've been toying with the idea of writing up an article on what you can do if you don't have the money or location to have a horse. I had started writing one in my mind while I was out doing barn chores. Well, no reason to re-invent the wheel. And, I must say, she covered a couple of tips that I hadn't considered yet....

so, without further ado,

go to: www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com and read the post for Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

Enough said :)

Monday, April 6, 2009

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Ah. The sweet smell of rain. My FOOT >:(

It is the first week of my truly, entirely revised schedule. I have the barn cleaned out. I have a new saddle to try out - found it on craigslist for $100! And just when the horses are ready and so am I - it's raining. ALL WEEK. Just saw the weather forecast. The only day it's supposed to be nice is Thursday.

SO, the boys are in, so are the girls. AND we have a new Constable in town! Which means I don't have to feel guilty about not taking the job. She's a sweetie! I went out with her today on her first call.

I'm grumpy and wet and wishing that April showers were over. Flooding in the area I ride in will continue for the better part of the month. So...

I guess I will just have to clean tack, keep grooming my guys and waiting for the calendar and the weather to cooperate with my riding schedule. Oh, well. Could be much worse. I have two good riding horses this year. I have 4 saddles. I can wait for good weather. As long as it hurries up and gets here.

(Have any of you guessed yet that patience is not always my strong suit?)

SO... if you have some spare time while you are waiting to go riding or planting flowers in the garden, time to head to the library for a good book, visit your local rescue or shelter and clean cages or socalize an animal, or help out in any way you can.

I'm going down to fill the wood stove and then up to sit by the chimney and read a good book snuggled on the couch. I got a few last week that I haven't started yet.

:)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Spring has Sprung!

Ohy, vey. Mares! Well, not all mares, but the one that is here. Sigh. Lacey is in heat - AGAIN! STILL! More so than before. Yuck. Ewwww.

My geldings - and yes, I double checked, they are ALL geldings - are enjoying themselves a bit too much. I had to separate the mares into their own pasture.

Abner, in all his , uh-hum, male glory, is trying so hard to deliver the goods. However, he isn't tall enough. Whew. It's kinda funny to see him hopping around on his back legs trying to keep up with her walking away from him.

When it looked like Elias was going to jump over the fence to protect Lacey, or maybe get in on the action himself, I didn't wait. I went into the pasture, put on her halter and lead rope and moved her in with Aspey. The boys are all running the fence lines. Lacey and Aspey are quietly munching hay, ignoring the boys. Well, that's one way to get a start on conditioning them!

The dogs are getting in on the action, also. Baxter, my pug, is humping away on whomever is closest. None of them - the dogs or the geldings, have any equipment that is in working order to do anything with. Thank GOD! We don't need any little ones running around.

To heck with looking for robins and geese headed north, just wait for the animals to start acting out when they don't have any equipment to work with.