Hey Everyone!
Sorry for the late-night post, we were busy cleaning up the horses and loading the trailer for the show tomorrow! For those of you who aren't aware already, we are heading up to the Hartford County Fairgrounds tomorrow (Sunday) for their Fall-Round Up Show! The show is being put on by the ICPHA (Independent Contest and Pleasure Horse Association) and is going on Sunday only.
These are the horses that we are taking:
1. Prince
2. Azrack
3. Billy
4. Zen (more than likely, but he might stay if we don't have enough room in the trailer!)
We are going to this show for a number of reasons. First, we are spreading the word about Last Chance, the work the we do, and what we are all about. Secondly, we are showing the public what horses we have for adoption, and we are proving to the public that yes, rescue horses are just as good as any other horse! Thirdly, we are giving the horses show experience, which furthers their training, making them quieter and better adjusted to EVERYTHING! We also get to have fun showing them, and that's not too bad, either.
You should sincerely think about coming out (go to www.icpha.org for more info and directions) to see the Last Chance Corral girls and their AWESOME horses. ALL of these horses are up for adoption, so if you are in a 'shopping' kinda mood, bring your trailer. ALL of these horses are guaranteed, so if it doesn't work out, bring them back and we will match you up with something better suited to your needs! Come on, everyone, you know that when we go, we go big... so let's all pull together and find some horses homes at this event! We will get there around 10:30-11am, and I will have my cell phone on me all day, so if you need directions, or can't find us, call me and well will hook ya up! See you tomorrow!
Come on out and support your favorite horse rescue!
Happy Trails (or show pen, I guess!),
~Rachel
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Available Horses
Hey everyone!
We have had some requests for a blog that shows all of the horses that we have for adoption. Here are their names/descriptions, and we will post pictures tomorrow or the day after! There are several more horses at the farm than what are listed below, but they are currently not available for adoption. As they become available, they will be put on the blog. ALL of our horses are up to date on ALL of their shots, their feet have been done (shoes if needed), and they are on a worming schedule. Here we go!!
Destiny
5 year old black TB mare. Off the track, but going nicely under saddle. She is built exceptionally well and has a sweet personality. If you want to win, check out this mare!! Though she is a forgiving mare, she needs an intermediate/experienced rider. Click here for her YouTube video! She is 16.2hh. $500
Doppler
Black TB gelding, 16+hh. 9 years old. Scopey movement! He is a classy, friendly, gentlemanly, eventer-type prospect. He has incredible movement, and is extremely easy on the eyes. He is sound as a dollar. He has a wonderful personality, and at one time was owned by Jenny Craig! He can even tell you if it's gonna rain, because he uses Doppler radar. However, he is NOT going to work for the weather channel. He wants to go and work for you! $500
Kessler
Bay TB gelding, 16.2hh. 6 years old. He seems even bigger than that, he stands so regally. His previous owner paid $150K as a weanling. He is REALLY quiet under saddle, and shows great promise. He just needs more time and training, as do all of these thoroughbreds that are off of the track. $500
Link
Trakhener/TB gelding, 15 years old, 16.2hh. Black with light hooves, he is professional under saddle, and would make you a perfect show horse. He has done three day event, he was jumping three feet. Because of his pronounced withers, he has been pinched with the saddle. He is now expecting to be pinched again... if you saddle him slowly, and warm him up correctly, he is fine. Even Victoria, having broken her neck twice, felt confident enough to jump on him and take him for a spin. He is too smart for a dead beginner, but a confident advanced beginner would do fine. $1,000
Billy
13 year old registered Appaloosa gelding. Mostly QH breeding, his registered name is Impressive Proof, and he placed 2nd in the Appaloosa World Show in Halter! He has been shown western, english, he has been in parades. He is sound and sane, he jumped at 2'6" at his last home where he had been purchased for a 9 year olds first ride. He has also done color guard at events and parades. We have ridden him on the road, a semi could whizz by an arms length away and he wouldn't twitch. Great in water, an excellent trail horse. A consummate gentleman in the ring. He crossties, clips, loads, you name it! This horse is LOADED with all of the options! AND he has a nice head! $1,500
Raffles
3 Year old gray POA cross? Around 13hh. He trots and he gaits. Click HERE to see his previous blog post. The other horse in that post (Lil Guy) is no longer available for adoption. Raffles is, though!!! His price has been lowered, obviously, and is negotiable to a good home. He doesn't know great deal, as his time on earth has been brief. He won't buck or rear under saddle, he tends to be lazy. He is definitely a project for an older child or a small adult. The only thing wrong with this pony is that he was owned by some "candle burning, no car using folk" and was treated as farm equipment. That being said, he is a little bit standoffish until he gets to know you. Unlimited potential. $250
Prince
6 year old APHA gelding, 16h. Click HERE to see his blog post, and click on his name below to see his YouTube video! He is one of our fundraisers for Foal Season! $3,000
Azrack
10 year old Paint gelding 15+hh. Click HERE to see his blog post, and click on his name below to see his YouTube video! He is one of our fundraisers for Foal Season! $2,000
Spencer
5 month old Nurse mare foal! We think he is a Haflinger cross, but who knows? This baby is a PERFECT little thing, and you can see his blog posts if you click HERE. His adoption fee will say $800 on that blog, but it was lowered to $400 to make room for others. Click on his name below to see his YouTube video! $400
Prince click his name to see his video!
Azrack click his name to see his video!
Spencer click his name to see his video!
Happy Trails, The horses are calling!
~Rachel
We have had some requests for a blog that shows all of the horses that we have for adoption. Here are their names/descriptions, and we will post pictures tomorrow or the day after! There are several more horses at the farm than what are listed below, but they are currently not available for adoption. As they become available, they will be put on the blog. ALL of our horses are up to date on ALL of their shots, their feet have been done (shoes if needed), and they are on a worming schedule. Here we go!!
Destiny
5 year old black TB mare. Off the track, but going nicely under saddle. She is built exceptionally well and has a sweet personality. If you want to win, check out this mare!! Though she is a forgiving mare, she needs an intermediate/experienced rider. Click here for her YouTube video! She is 16.2hh. $500
Doppler
Black TB gelding, 16+hh. 9 years old. Scopey movement! He is a classy, friendly, gentlemanly, eventer-type prospect. He has incredible movement, and is extremely easy on the eyes. He is sound as a dollar. He has a wonderful personality, and at one time was owned by Jenny Craig! He can even tell you if it's gonna rain, because he uses Doppler radar. However, he is NOT going to work for the weather channel. He wants to go and work for you! $500
Kessler
Bay TB gelding, 16.2hh. 6 years old. He seems even bigger than that, he stands so regally. His previous owner paid $150K as a weanling. He is REALLY quiet under saddle, and shows great promise. He just needs more time and training, as do all of these thoroughbreds that are off of the track. $500
Link
Trakhener/TB gelding, 15 years old, 16.2hh. Black with light hooves, he is professional under saddle, and would make you a perfect show horse. He has done three day event, he was jumping three feet. Because of his pronounced withers, he has been pinched with the saddle. He is now expecting to be pinched again... if you saddle him slowly, and warm him up correctly, he is fine. Even Victoria, having broken her neck twice, felt confident enough to jump on him and take him for a spin. He is too smart for a dead beginner, but a confident advanced beginner would do fine. $1,000
Billy
13 year old registered Appaloosa gelding. Mostly QH breeding, his registered name is Impressive Proof, and he placed 2nd in the Appaloosa World Show in Halter! He has been shown western, english, he has been in parades. He is sound and sane, he jumped at 2'6" at his last home where he had been purchased for a 9 year olds first ride. He has also done color guard at events and parades. We have ridden him on the road, a semi could whizz by an arms length away and he wouldn't twitch. Great in water, an excellent trail horse. A consummate gentleman in the ring. He crossties, clips, loads, you name it! This horse is LOADED with all of the options! AND he has a nice head! $1,500
Raffles
3 Year old gray POA cross? Around 13hh. He trots and he gaits. Click HERE to see his previous blog post. The other horse in that post (Lil Guy) is no longer available for adoption. Raffles is, though!!! His price has been lowered, obviously, and is negotiable to a good home. He doesn't know great deal, as his time on earth has been brief. He won't buck or rear under saddle, he tends to be lazy. He is definitely a project for an older child or a small adult. The only thing wrong with this pony is that he was owned by some "candle burning, no car using folk" and was treated as farm equipment. That being said, he is a little bit standoffish until he gets to know you. Unlimited potential. $250
Prince
6 year old APHA gelding, 16h. Click HERE to see his blog post, and click on his name below to see his YouTube video! He is one of our fundraisers for Foal Season! $3,000
Azrack
10 year old Paint gelding 15+hh. Click HERE to see his blog post, and click on his name below to see his YouTube video! He is one of our fundraisers for Foal Season! $2,000
Spencer
5 month old Nurse mare foal! We think he is a Haflinger cross, but who knows? This baby is a PERFECT little thing, and you can see his blog posts if you click HERE. His adoption fee will say $800 on that blog, but it was lowered to $400 to make room for others. Click on his name below to see his YouTube video! $400
COME AND SEE PRINCE, AZRACK, BILLY AT THE SHOW
IN CROTON SEPTEMBER 27TH!!!
Prince, Spencer, and Azrack are listed previously on the blog. Click to see their YouTube videos!IN CROTON SEPTEMBER 27TH!!!
Prince click his name to see his video!
Azrack click his name to see his video!
Spencer click his name to see his video!
Happy Trails, The horses are calling!
~Rachel
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Too Little, Too Late
Hey Everyone,
Yesterday, we were able to take our starving boy (I posted pics in yesterday's blog) to the vet. Dr Smith looked at him and said that he was cachexic (extreme weight loss, wasting of muscle, and loss of appetite due to starvation). He had bloodwork done, and we found that his kidneys were ruined, and well as his liver. He was so emaciated that his organs began to shut down, and there was no way to save him. Being in his twenties, we had to make the decision to end the suffering humanely instead of letting him waste away with kidney and liver failure. To all of those who kept him in their prayers, thank you. His last hours were full of good hay, grain, water, and love, which is all that we could do for him. We are pursuing this case with the local humane officer to make sure that whoever is responsible for this horse's condition will be punished appropriately.
As that tragic story comes to a close, we received another 'heads up' on some starving horses yesterday. We are still working on this case, and cannot intervene until we go through the legal process. Until then, keep your fingers crossed. There are between 5 and 10 horses involved in this particular case, maybe more. As winter is approaching, it is evident to us that there are going to be waaaaay more starving horses this winter than the last one. We are receiving calls about starvation cases already, and it is only September, which makes me wonder what's going to happen when there is snow on the ground and NO grass.
Unless a miracle happens, we won't be able to take in these horses, but as usual, we will do the best that we can. Like I always tell you guys, PLEASE try to make a conscious effort to tell ALL of your horsie friends (and even your animal lover friends... or super caring friends) about us and explain what we do. I like to believe that education is the first step to change, so I figure that the least that we can do as horse lovers is to educate the public about the issues that we face. We owe it to horses, who define many of us, to help them to the best of our abilities. They can't help themselves... if humans fence them in and don't take care of them, they die. I read a good quote the other day... I thought I would share it with you...
"A horse thinks, feel, and makes decisions. Treat him like a friend, not like a slave. People have to learn that whatever the horse does is right. You're the one who got into his life, he didn't get into yours." -Ray Hunt
As always, leave your comments and thoughts. I will try to answer any questions as soon as I can.
Happy Trails,
~Rachel
Yesterday, we were able to take our starving boy (I posted pics in yesterday's blog) to the vet. Dr Smith looked at him and said that he was cachexic (extreme weight loss, wasting of muscle, and loss of appetite due to starvation). He had bloodwork done, and we found that his kidneys were ruined, and well as his liver. He was so emaciated that his organs began to shut down, and there was no way to save him. Being in his twenties, we had to make the decision to end the suffering humanely instead of letting him waste away with kidney and liver failure. To all of those who kept him in their prayers, thank you. His last hours were full of good hay, grain, water, and love, which is all that we could do for him. We are pursuing this case with the local humane officer to make sure that whoever is responsible for this horse's condition will be punished appropriately.
As that tragic story comes to a close, we received another 'heads up' on some starving horses yesterday. We are still working on this case, and cannot intervene until we go through the legal process. Until then, keep your fingers crossed. There are between 5 and 10 horses involved in this particular case, maybe more. As winter is approaching, it is evident to us that there are going to be waaaaay more starving horses this winter than the last one. We are receiving calls about starvation cases already, and it is only September, which makes me wonder what's going to happen when there is snow on the ground and NO grass.
Unless a miracle happens, we won't be able to take in these horses, but as usual, we will do the best that we can. Like I always tell you guys, PLEASE try to make a conscious effort to tell ALL of your horsie friends (and even your animal lover friends... or super caring friends) about us and explain what we do. I like to believe that education is the first step to change, so I figure that the least that we can do as horse lovers is to educate the public about the issues that we face. We owe it to horses, who define many of us, to help them to the best of our abilities. They can't help themselves... if humans fence them in and don't take care of them, they die. I read a good quote the other day... I thought I would share it with you...
"A horse thinks, feel, and makes decisions. Treat him like a friend, not like a slave. People have to learn that whatever the horse does is right. You're the one who got into his life, he didn't get into yours." -Ray Hunt
As always, leave your comments and thoughts. I will try to answer any questions as soon as I can.
Happy Trails,
~Rachel
Friday, September 18, 2009
Starvation Case!
Hello!
We were called into service today by the local humane society to come and seize a horse. They already had a warrant in hand and humane officers were accompanying us. What we saw when we got there made my heart stand still. The "pasture"... I mean ENCLOSURE, looked like the Sahara desert. Any plants small enough to be uprooted and eaten entirely were gone. Only small trees remained, stripped of bark and leaves as high as the horse could reach. There was a dry, dusty bathtub, but no water in evidence. The Last Chance has supplied this horse with high quality hay for the last two days until the warrant was secured. It appears to us that those 2 bales were the only real things that the horse has had to eat in months. The owner was absent, and an older gentleman living at the premises told us that the horse was 30 years old (oddly enough, EVERY starving horse is 30 years old, as if the age is an excuse for poor body condition.). According to his teeth (and I may not be a professional) he is closer to 20 than 30.
He dropped his head eagerly into the halter and pushed his weight with his remaining strength toward the gate, as if to say, "get me the heck out of here.". He proceeded to stumble weakly toward the trailer, and we loaded him and brought him home. He received a bath to get the first layer of 'crud' off of him. At this point, we discovered the rain rot, but the open sores on his hips revealed themselves the moment we saw him. He is now standing in clean shavings eating rich hay and nutritious grain that he will wash down with clear, clean water... things he has not seen for awhile.
On the way home, the three of us challenged ourselves to come up with a good name. We simply couldn't come up with an appropriate name. We invite all Last Chance supporters to submit names so that we don't have to just call him "Slim" or "Kitty" (because he is as weak as a kitten). Post a comment with your suggested name on the blog, and we will choose a name from everyone's suggestions.
He is going to the vet on Monday for a THOROUGH evaluation and to determine if he has suffered any liver or kidney damage. He will have blood tests done, his teeth floated, wormed, etc.
This gentle soul can't tell us about himself, but we can tell from his obvious scars that he has worn many an ill-fitting saddle as well as a driving harness. He is 14 hands tall, sweet, and possesses perfect manners. This horse has obviously served many people in varied capacities throughout his lifetime, and should never have come to his current state of health. He is still sound, amazingly enough, and should have many years in front of him, if we got to him soon enough.
Say a prayer for "Skinny", we will keep you up to date.
We were called into service today by the local humane society to come and seize a horse. They already had a warrant in hand and humane officers were accompanying us. What we saw when we got there made my heart stand still. The "pasture"... I mean ENCLOSURE, looked like the Sahara desert. Any plants small enough to be uprooted and eaten entirely were gone. Only small trees remained, stripped of bark and leaves as high as the horse could reach. There was a dry, dusty bathtub, but no water in evidence. The Last Chance has supplied this horse with high quality hay for the last two days until the warrant was secured. It appears to us that those 2 bales were the only real things that the horse has had to eat in months. The owner was absent, and an older gentleman living at the premises told us that the horse was 30 years old (oddly enough, EVERY starving horse is 30 years old, as if the age is an excuse for poor body condition.). According to his teeth (and I may not be a professional) he is closer to 20 than 30.
He dropped his head eagerly into the halter and pushed his weight with his remaining strength toward the gate, as if to say, "get me the heck out of here.". He proceeded to stumble weakly toward the trailer, and we loaded him and brought him home. He received a bath to get the first layer of 'crud' off of him. At this point, we discovered the rain rot, but the open sores on his hips revealed themselves the moment we saw him. He is now standing in clean shavings eating rich hay and nutritious grain that he will wash down with clear, clean water... things he has not seen for awhile.
On the way home, the three of us challenged ourselves to come up with a good name. We simply couldn't come up with an appropriate name. We invite all Last Chance supporters to submit names so that we don't have to just call him "Slim" or "Kitty" (because he is as weak as a kitten). Post a comment with your suggested name on the blog, and we will choose a name from everyone's suggestions.
He is going to the vet on Monday for a THOROUGH evaluation and to determine if he has suffered any liver or kidney damage. He will have blood tests done, his teeth floated, wormed, etc.
This gentle soul can't tell us about himself, but we can tell from his obvious scars that he has worn many an ill-fitting saddle as well as a driving harness. He is 14 hands tall, sweet, and possesses perfect manners. This horse has obviously served many people in varied capacities throughout his lifetime, and should never have come to his current state of health. He is still sound, amazingly enough, and should have many years in front of him, if we got to him soon enough.
Say a prayer for "Skinny", we will keep you up to date.
Always help the helpless,
~Victoria
~Rachel
~Tracy
P.S. The pics that are included below are of "Skinny", as well as Prince of Hearts for comparison, a horse that is at an ideal weight.
~Victoria
~Rachel
~Tracy
P.S. The pics that are included below are of "Skinny", as well as Prince of Hearts for comparison, a horse that is at an ideal weight.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Weather Calls for MORE RIDING!!
Hey Everyone!
Now that the BIG bugs (the B-52 bugs, as Victoria calls them) are pretty much gone and the weather is cooling down, we are getting out to ride more! I have ridden a BUNCH this past week, and even Victoria has been on a few horses! This is fun for us, and great for the horses- both physically and mentally! The horses that we ride on the trails are getting quieter and more bombproof with each and every ride, and it is a relaxing change from all of the work around here. To top it all off, Leah's house is about 1.5 miles away from the farm, so riding up to her house is a perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Here's a story... after work one day, I wanted to make some 'instant pudding'. As luck would have it, we didn't have any milk. Any other person would just hop in their truck and go to the store to get milk... or just live without instant pudding for the night. Not me! I saddled up Azrack and rode him to Leah's house to get milk... all Little House on the Prairie style! I showed up at her house and she started laughing, saying how I looked like a little kid on my little paint pony with my pigtails and big grin. It was awesome. My 'instant pudding' turned into my 'two hour pudding', but that wasn't the point. The point was that we finally have nice enough weather (and horses) to go out on a 'just for fun' trail ride! Azrack was WONDERFUL!!! I rode him on a TOTALLY loose rein the whole time- the only time I had to touch his mouth was to get him to stop in Leah's driveway. He does trail rides alone, with cars going, through the creek, up hills, near barking dogs... all without batting an eye! This horse is really special- if anyone you know is interested in a GOOD, SOLID horse like Azrack, give us a call. He goes anywhere... even to get you milk!
On another note, for everyone that remembers Link, the black Hanoverian/TB we had earlier this spring, he is back! His owner decided that she wanted more of a plod along trail horse, so she brought Link back (a total professional when it come to showing) and adopted Trucker. Congratulation to Monica West... Good luck with Trucker! Now that we have Link back, we have another awesome horse that is available for adoption! Give us a call if you are the eventer-type, he is up to date on everything!
Prince of Hearts, our 6year old APHA gelding (you can see his video on YouTube under "LCC Prince of Hearts") is now available for adoption! We are putting his adoption fee at $3,000 to a great home. 100% of his proceeds will go to foal season this year... and we really need it! This horse is 100% sound and is show quality to the max. Let all of your western pleasure friends know that we have a NATURAL here at the Last Chance Corral... they won't be disappointed!
Below is an artsy picture that Victoria took yesterday of Judith (a friend of the LCC who's adopted many horses with her mother) with Prince, who is done with his rehabilitation!
Well, the horses are calling... I have to go soak an abscessed foot (Doppler... he's right off of the track, so he's still prone to abscesses). I'll catch you all on the flip side!
Happy Trails!
~Rachel
Now that the BIG bugs (the B-52 bugs, as Victoria calls them) are pretty much gone and the weather is cooling down, we are getting out to ride more! I have ridden a BUNCH this past week, and even Victoria has been on a few horses! This is fun for us, and great for the horses- both physically and mentally! The horses that we ride on the trails are getting quieter and more bombproof with each and every ride, and it is a relaxing change from all of the work around here. To top it all off, Leah's house is about 1.5 miles away from the farm, so riding up to her house is a perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Here's a story... after work one day, I wanted to make some 'instant pudding'. As luck would have it, we didn't have any milk. Any other person would just hop in their truck and go to the store to get milk... or just live without instant pudding for the night. Not me! I saddled up Azrack and rode him to Leah's house to get milk... all Little House on the Prairie style! I showed up at her house and she started laughing, saying how I looked like a little kid on my little paint pony with my pigtails and big grin. It was awesome. My 'instant pudding' turned into my 'two hour pudding', but that wasn't the point. The point was that we finally have nice enough weather (and horses) to go out on a 'just for fun' trail ride! Azrack was WONDERFUL!!! I rode him on a TOTALLY loose rein the whole time- the only time I had to touch his mouth was to get him to stop in Leah's driveway. He does trail rides alone, with cars going, through the creek, up hills, near barking dogs... all without batting an eye! This horse is really special- if anyone you know is interested in a GOOD, SOLID horse like Azrack, give us a call. He goes anywhere... even to get you milk!
On another note, for everyone that remembers Link, the black Hanoverian/TB we had earlier this spring, he is back! His owner decided that she wanted more of a plod along trail horse, so she brought Link back (a total professional when it come to showing) and adopted Trucker. Congratulation to Monica West... Good luck with Trucker! Now that we have Link back, we have another awesome horse that is available for adoption! Give us a call if you are the eventer-type, he is up to date on everything!
Prince of Hearts, our 6year old APHA gelding (you can see his video on YouTube under "LCC Prince of Hearts") is now available for adoption! We are putting his adoption fee at $3,000 to a great home. 100% of his proceeds will go to foal season this year... and we really need it! This horse is 100% sound and is show quality to the max. Let all of your western pleasure friends know that we have a NATURAL here at the Last Chance Corral... they won't be disappointed!
Below is an artsy picture that Victoria took yesterday of Judith (a friend of the LCC who's adopted many horses with her mother) with Prince, who is done with his rehabilitation!
Well, the horses are calling... I have to go soak an abscessed foot (Doppler... he's right off of the track, so he's still prone to abscesses). I'll catch you all on the flip side!
Happy Trails!
~Rachel
Monday, September 7, 2009
Worms and Truck Problems!
Hey everyone!
This summer has seemed to bring us many sick and injured horses. We are having to provide vaccines, hoof care, worming, and elevated nutrition to many (if not all) of these horses just to get them back to "working order". We are not complaining, but we are using a large amount of dewormer. If anyone wants to donate some dewormer, that would be great. We can use anything... from the regular stuff to the fancy-schmancy anti-tapeworm stuff. Any brand can be used, and even close-dated (or newly expired) dewormer would be helpful to us. Remember, you can get a tax write off, and that warm fuzzy feeling!
For those of you that are into the "bigger donations", we are in need of a RELIABLE truck. Last Chance has two- the Ford, and the Dodge, and it seems that at one time or another, we are in need of two vehicles. Foal season is rapidly approaching, and we are scrambling to get reliable transportation going (imagine us stranded with 15 foals in the trailer in January because the truck broke down... NOT GOOD!). My truck was helpful last season and this summer, but it is also having some mechanical problems, and is not able to start 'hauling' again until it gets fixed. Victoria's Ford is in the shop with all of it's $100,000 worth of perpetual problems, and the brakes on the dodge went out... again. Victoria was lucky this time... she jack-knifed it and wrecked, but no one was seriously hurt... and no horses were in the back. Now the whole rig shakes when you go faster than about 50mph. Not good. We just need some good truck karma. Let us know if you know of anyone that is in need of a big tax write off or has a big truck sitting in their driveway that they aren't using. I know it is asking for a lot, but if we don't ask, people won't know that we are in need. Spread the word, the horses are calling!
Happy Trails,
~Rachel "Stretch"
This summer has seemed to bring us many sick and injured horses. We are having to provide vaccines, hoof care, worming, and elevated nutrition to many (if not all) of these horses just to get them back to "working order". We are not complaining, but we are using a large amount of dewormer. If anyone wants to donate some dewormer, that would be great. We can use anything... from the regular stuff to the fancy-schmancy anti-tapeworm stuff. Any brand can be used, and even close-dated (or newly expired) dewormer would be helpful to us. Remember, you can get a tax write off, and that warm fuzzy feeling!
For those of you that are into the "bigger donations", we are in need of a RELIABLE truck. Last Chance has two- the Ford, and the Dodge, and it seems that at one time or another, we are in need of two vehicles. Foal season is rapidly approaching, and we are scrambling to get reliable transportation going (imagine us stranded with 15 foals in the trailer in January because the truck broke down... NOT GOOD!). My truck was helpful last season and this summer, but it is also having some mechanical problems, and is not able to start 'hauling' again until it gets fixed. Victoria's Ford is in the shop with all of it's $100,000 worth of perpetual problems, and the brakes on the dodge went out... again. Victoria was lucky this time... she jack-knifed it and wrecked, but no one was seriously hurt... and no horses were in the back. Now the whole rig shakes when you go faster than about 50mph. Not good. We just need some good truck karma. Let us know if you know of anyone that is in need of a big tax write off or has a big truck sitting in their driveway that they aren't using. I know it is asking for a lot, but if we don't ask, people won't know that we are in need. Spread the word, the horses are calling!
Happy Trails,
~Rachel "Stretch"
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
On a Serious Note
Hey Y'all!
The text in BLUE was written by Victoria regarding the Foal Season Video (you can find the link on a previous post) that Kyle created. The video is superb, but we have had some complaints about the opening scene. This post is meant to explain and defend our stance on the situation.
After seeing the opening part to the video, people have called us 'disgusting and disturbing', which, to say the least, is disheartening. People don't understand that from January to June, nothing else is on our minds but the foals. We do NOTHING but take care of foals round the clock. Working from eight in the morning to nine at night is average... we have pulled 16 hour days without thinking twice. It is what we do, and we are happy to do it, even though it means giving up all contact with the outside world (except to go to the vet and Kroger for more yogurt). During foal season, thought of little horses 'dance through our heads' CONSTANTLY... even as we are falling asleep, sometimes with a baby in our lap. We devote so much time to the foals, I have had many friends ask me if I still even lived in Athens. Our lives are CONSUMED by these precious baby horses. We eat here, we sleep here, and we don't call it quits until every baby is settled in for the night. We talk to the babies like they are human children, and we work, pray, and cry over them more than anyone will ever know. To do the things that we do, we need to be strong. Watching a foal wilt right before your eyes while you are doing everything in your power is heartbreaking and depressing, and all the while you know that the reason this is happening is so someone can make a buck. It makes us angry and sad at the same time. Every day, we must toss our emotions aside and keep working. The foals need positive energy and soft voices. We provide that for them, even if we are breaking down physically and mentally. When we have a foal that was a month premature (induced labor), has kidney failure, and god-knows-what else, we try until it is clear to ALL of us that the foal is only alive because we are keeping it alive. Foals do not develop outside of the womb, so when we are dealing with an induced labor, we try to work with what the foal was born with (or without). Sometimes, it is just not enough. It is a heartbreaking decision we make, but it is the fair decision. To hear people that do not understand scold us and speak negatively about the work that we do just adds to the negative effect. We can not do what we do year after year if we do not remain hopeful and positive. We are fighting an uphill battle with our hands tied, and fellow horse lovers are giving us a hard time. Talk about disheartening. We will continue to do what we do as long as we have support from the public, and that, my friends, is up to you.
Here is Victoria's response:
As a disclaimer I would like to add a note to this video. First, Kyle is a photojournalism student. This film was a project and he was trying to get the greatest emotional impact out of his allotted time... so he did go for the 'shock value'. Secondly, this is real. The reality of the sad situation is that on occasion when we can't get a veterinarian we are forced to do the right thing. Sunday evening is not a "vet friendly" time. Kyle didn't show the trips back and forth to the veterinarian's office (where most of our dying foals find peace from pain). This is not, has never been, and will never be a decision taken lightly. Frankly, sometimes we wait too long, hoping against hope for a miracle. Euthanasia by bullet is a reliable painless death when administered correctly. It is actually faster than the serum. It is not, however, our first choice. Much of what we do here is not by choice. My choice would be to see fields of happy, healthy foals standing at their mothers' sides. We do what we MUST for these unfortunate foals. By and large we are successful. This year we lost five orphans out of 139... many of which were induce labor premature babies. We work day and night for them. When something like this happens it tears us apart... but we made them a solemn promise to do everything we can for them, even if it means having to open the door to peace from pain.
Sincerely, Sadly, ~Victoria
The picture below is the view from the apartment. Notice the two babies with the IV catheters?
The picture below is of two of us sleeping with a pre-me baby... Victoria woke up early and snapped this shot... see the baby in the left corner?
Below is a picture of a pre-me baby. This one made it.
Back to fighting the uphill battle,
~Rachel
The text in BLUE was written by Victoria regarding the Foal Season Video (you can find the link on a previous post) that Kyle created. The video is superb, but we have had some complaints about the opening scene. This post is meant to explain and defend our stance on the situation.
After seeing the opening part to the video, people have called us 'disgusting and disturbing', which, to say the least, is disheartening. People don't understand that from January to June, nothing else is on our minds but the foals. We do NOTHING but take care of foals round the clock. Working from eight in the morning to nine at night is average... we have pulled 16 hour days without thinking twice. It is what we do, and we are happy to do it, even though it means giving up all contact with the outside world (except to go to the vet and Kroger for more yogurt). During foal season, thought of little horses 'dance through our heads' CONSTANTLY... even as we are falling asleep, sometimes with a baby in our lap. We devote so much time to the foals, I have had many friends ask me if I still even lived in Athens. Our lives are CONSUMED by these precious baby horses. We eat here, we sleep here, and we don't call it quits until every baby is settled in for the night. We talk to the babies like they are human children, and we work, pray, and cry over them more than anyone will ever know. To do the things that we do, we need to be strong. Watching a foal wilt right before your eyes while you are doing everything in your power is heartbreaking and depressing, and all the while you know that the reason this is happening is so someone can make a buck. It makes us angry and sad at the same time. Every day, we must toss our emotions aside and keep working. The foals need positive energy and soft voices. We provide that for them, even if we are breaking down physically and mentally. When we have a foal that was a month premature (induced labor), has kidney failure, and god-knows-what else, we try until it is clear to ALL of us that the foal is only alive because we are keeping it alive. Foals do not develop outside of the womb, so when we are dealing with an induced labor, we try to work with what the foal was born with (or without). Sometimes, it is just not enough. It is a heartbreaking decision we make, but it is the fair decision. To hear people that do not understand scold us and speak negatively about the work that we do just adds to the negative effect. We can not do what we do year after year if we do not remain hopeful and positive. We are fighting an uphill battle with our hands tied, and fellow horse lovers are giving us a hard time. Talk about disheartening. We will continue to do what we do as long as we have support from the public, and that, my friends, is up to you.
Here is Victoria's response:
As a disclaimer I would like to add a note to this video. First, Kyle is a photojournalism student. This film was a project and he was trying to get the greatest emotional impact out of his allotted time... so he did go for the 'shock value'. Secondly, this is real. The reality of the sad situation is that on occasion when we can't get a veterinarian we are forced to do the right thing. Sunday evening is not a "vet friendly" time. Kyle didn't show the trips back and forth to the veterinarian's office (where most of our dying foals find peace from pain). This is not, has never been, and will never be a decision taken lightly. Frankly, sometimes we wait too long, hoping against hope for a miracle. Euthanasia by bullet is a reliable painless death when administered correctly. It is actually faster than the serum. It is not, however, our first choice. Much of what we do here is not by choice. My choice would be to see fields of happy, healthy foals standing at their mothers' sides. We do what we MUST for these unfortunate foals. By and large we are successful. This year we lost five orphans out of 139... many of which were induce labor premature babies. We work day and night for them. When something like this happens it tears us apart... but we made them a solemn promise to do everything we can for them, even if it means having to open the door to peace from pain.
Sincerely, Sadly, ~Victoria
The picture below is the view from the apartment. Notice the two babies with the IV catheters?
The picture below is of two of us sleeping with a pre-me baby... Victoria woke up early and snapped this shot... see the baby in the left corner?
Below is a picture of a pre-me baby. This one made it.
Back to fighting the uphill battle,
~Rachel
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