Spring, glorious spring...

The sun is shining, the grass is growing, the wind is blowing... and it was FLIPPIN' snowing out this morning. What's up with that??? I know, I know, it's still spring time in Vermont and we haven't even gotten to May yet. Last night Hubby and I were out to dinner, discussing what we were going to do in 2 years when the youngest was out of high school. Too many decisions and not enough moollah.

So, out to the barn I go. Gotta get rid of some grain/shavings bags, going to do a dump run, pick up hay, and post more notices about our rabid raccoon problem.

Gotta love Vermont... 90 degree weather, pouring rain and snow all within 3 days of each other..

Spring CAUTION, everyone...

Know it's warm weather, the sun feels so nice on our frozen bones, but we need to be careful while in the woods and outside.

We had our first ever confirmed case of a rabid raccoon in Weathersfield, Vt.

This is in an area that we walk, ride our horses, exercise our dogs, etc.

Please, please be careful. If you notice any animal that is acting strangely, please notify the local police or animal control.

Here are a couple of links with a wealth of information about rabies.

One for adults: http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/Rabies.aspx

One for kids: http://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/

Stay safe, everyone, and make sure ALL your animals vaccines are up to date.

Vermont Horses in Immediate Need

There are some Vermont horses in desperate need of help. And a couple of ladies, also. These are the Quesnal Horses - Vermont Slaughterbound Horses No More in Lincoln, Vermont. (They are on facebook, too, with pictures!)

KC and Kathleen (don't know the whole story, so I'm sure it's a little blurry from my point of view) rescued these 16 horses from going to slaughter. They are now healthy, fed, and some have been evaluated.

They are in immediate need of Foster Homes, Adoptive Homes, Donations (hay, shavings, workers, money...)... Donations can be made for these horses through Spring Hill Horse Rescue (www.SpringHillRescue.com) and can be done through paypal and can be tax-deductible - please specify the Quesnal Horses when you make a donation.

Here is a list of a few of the horses that are available NOW...

Duchess: 23 year old red roan blanket appy mare. would do well with a considerate adult trail rider, exercise would be beneficial, she is a nice mare, I think, but cranky in the way of appy mares and she cribs. Not for a beginner but may be fun for someone who understands her. Further info after I ride her a few times.

Serra: 13 year old Arabian cross mare, chestnut with narrow blaze. In your pocket and rather pushy on the ground. Intensely focused when you present her with a challenge like loading on a trailer. about 15 hand, slim build, decent confirmation and movement. Assumed to be unbroke. Obviously needs an experienced handler.

Gabrielle: Arabian mare, appears to be purebred, chestnut with large star, a little smaller and slightly less pushy than Serra, but all of the above would apply. Approx 13.

Samwise the Brave: Approx 18 year old Arabian gelding, dark mahogany bay with small star, about 14 h, very cute, compact, somewhat straight in the hind legs but otherwise decent
confirmation. Shy, nervous, unbroke, but still seems to like people. Experienced handler.

Aliyah and Artax: Arabian mare and gelding, approx 18 and 15 years old, appear to be mother and son. in need of pet/retirement home. Mare is easy to handle and very pretty, tall. Gelding is tough to catch and handle. Both greys.

Phoebe: 7 year old dark palomino paint mare. appears to be broke but green. decent confirmation but a little downhill, good movement. about 15-15.1 h. very pretty, nice temperament. She is being further assessed and may be available for adoption or sale to an approved home for a higher fee to help pay for the others. She can be seen at a barn with an indoor.

New pictures available upon request.

You can contact KC at 802-310-7776 or ponygirl@gmavt.net
You can contact Kathleen at guchpony@aol.com

Check This Out...

Hi, all. If you have ever received an email from me, you might have noticed a web site below my blog and web site. It is this totally cool site, made for a totally cool reason.

Brandi does not know I am doing this - yet... in a few minutes she will!

If you are ever looking for a horse or a donkey or a mule, or even looking to find a home for a horse that you might have that is under $800 (I think that is the cut off... if I'm wrong, I'll repost!)

Go on, check out the site. I'll be here waiting when you get back...

http://missyshopeerr.freehostia.com

Brandi started this site three years ago when she was looking for a companion for her mare who had just lost her baby. She realized a need for a place for people who might need to find or rehome a horse to get together. It has now gone international!!! Way to go, Brandi!

I have been working with Brandi for a little while now, forwarding horses on to her, where she sends out a post almost every night of the year. She did get a few days off when she delivered her latest little one. She has FOUR children under the age of 7.

Visit her site. Spread the news. Read her stories. See how YOU can make the difference in the life of ONE animal. If we all just helped save ONE animal, just think how many animals would have their dreams answered!

Keep up the great work, Brandi!!!

:)

Hellooo, Tommy!

This is my success story! This horse, HotRoddin Tommy, was purchased on May 1, 2009 with an emaciated black quarter horse mare for $400 (for both horses). This is how he looked the day we picked him up. We took them both directly to the vets before they were taken to quarantine. Tommy is a 15.3 hand, 12 year old, registered quarter horse gelding. In this first picture, he is taped at around 580 pounds. It's hard to see through the unshed winter coat the true condition that he is in, but believe me when I say you could feel every bone in his thin body.


Here is Tommy in June 2009. He has had his feet trimmed, been wormed and fed LOTS of groceries...



This is Tommy on September 12, 2009. He has been wormed a couple more times, had his feet trimmed, again, and still getting lots and lots of groceries.



These pictures were taken today, April 4, 2010. Not even a year after his 'rescue.' To his dismay, he is being fed a regular diet - no more extra meals to help with his recovery and weight gain. He tapes out at just over 1100 pounds. He has gained almost his whole body weight all over again. He is on a regular worming schedule, a regular trim schedule and getting his spring shots this month for the first time in 5 years. He is also getting a dental check up and having his sheath cleaned.

AND... we went for our first ride today. He was a little apprehensive and wasn't quite sure what was going to happen to him, but he did great. I'm going to keep working with him so he doesn't think he has to go 100 miles an hour every time someone gets on his back. All I did was walk him around the pasture. He is a very smooth ride.

So, it only takes a little time, some commitment and lots of groceries, but horses can be rehabilitated if you have the commitment. There were NO underlying reasons for his emaciation. All his blood work came back within normal limits. The only reason for him being so thin was lack of FOOD.

Nothing he has to worry about these days, though!