When it Rains...

Well, remember how I said awhile ago that when it rains, it pours? Here we go again.

Aside from having non-stop rain for the last few days, April (our foundered Walker mare) had to be put down today. She had too much rotation in her front feet, and despite special shoeing, medications, etc, she was still extremely painful and could hardly walk.

Hershey Kiss went to Pete's for a check-up, and Pete determined that the reason that he wasn't getting any bigger, despite the BEST care, was because he had an absorption problem. He would eat and eat and eat, but wasn't getting any of the nutrients from the food. He was slowly starving to death, and the decision was made to have him put down. That's two. Now get this. Blue, April's Walker 'boyfriend', had a severe breathing problem. We took him to Pete's to have a specialist work on him, and he never woke up from the operating table. That's three. Which further proves that things DO come in threes. On a smaller scale, our big mare, Tilly, is lame because of an abscess in her front hoof. That, in a way, is good news, because she is not permanently lame in that foot.

On a lighter note, Julie found a new home a few days ago... with a wonderful girl who has high hopes of competing at high (REALLY high) levels one day. Julie is going to get her well on her way, and we wish them the best of luck!!! Congrats on your new pony, Judith!
So send a good thought our way, everyone, we surely need it right now.

Why is everything bad happening to us??? How come the horse abusers across the country don't have horrible days like this??? I guess it's because they don't take their horses to the vet, so they don't know that they have a problem. Whenever I think it couldn't get worse, I just remember... at least we're not one of them, right?

Well, I have to go soak a foot (Tilly's abscess), give Stoner his medication, and rotate horses... by that time it will be feeding time, and you won't hear from me again until tomorrow... or the next day. I might have a day off tomorrow. Who knows? I just roll with the punches. You have to if you are involved in horses... and you REALLY REALLY have to roll with the punches if you're involved in horse RESCUE.

Happy Trails, the horses are calling!
~Rachel "Stretch"

We've got an 'eye' for cute babies!

Hershey Kiss (above) is finally available for adoption! This foal may not look like much right now, but he will be Okie Dokie. Hershey was lactose intolerant and had a terrible time with with his digestive system throughout his first two months. Despite our best efforts he just could-not, would-not flourish. Our vet gave him the once over.... then the twice over. He is now eating "big horse" food and vitamins, etc, and has started to turn the corner. What he REALLY needs is green grass and that is something that we just can't provide!! He is a bay Morgan X and is waiting every day to be welcomed into your home! He has had his shots, been wormed, and even had his first hoof trimming done!! If you can offer this sweet baby your love, give us a call!

Who else is available for adoption?? Spencer is, for sure! (pic below)
(Victoria decided to do the following write-up... to tell 'the story' of Spencer's eye)
Spencer Tracy: "Spencer" is growing up to be quite a stunning specimen! Spencer got his name for two reasons... First, because Tracy fell in love with the little tiny pre-me when he initially arrived at the farm. Secondly, he was just a handsome fellow that seemed to possess an old soul... or was he only acting? Spence grew and thrived like a squash plant on a manure pile.

One morning, Tracy came to me with panic in her voice- Spencer had torn his eyelid... REALLY torn his eyelid. it was hanging by about a 1/4 inch piece at the front of his eye. We quickly got our colt to Milliron Clinic where Dr Smith surgically corrected his injury. We brought him home, grateful for the wonderful job that he did. His eyelid was saved, and all of his lashes too! Needless to say, our elevated mood was shortlived. The little dickens managed to itch, rub, and render the surgery "undone" Two days later, there he stood with his delicate little eyelid hanging by a thread... just as it had BEFORE surgery! Back to Milliron Clinic we went. Spencer underwent his second surgery on his eyelid. Once again, the skilled hands of Dr Smith. masterfully restored the colt's eyelid to a more normal arrangement.

The next morning, the clinic called me saying that Spencer could FINALLY come home. Before I even got to the hospital (NO, I don't even have to make this stuff up...) He pulled it apart AGAIN! No Way... it's UNBELIEVABLE! I was pretty sure that you can't perform 3 surgeries on one thin eyelid, so I figured that he would just lose his eye. I also figured that instead of putting that colt under EVER AGAIN- this would seem like the perfect time to geld him, and that would make it more difficult to raise that hind foot to itch the lid... or sutures from the eye removal itself.

Meanwhile back at the ranch... I was bound and determined that I could improvise a device to prevent any further repeat performances by the brilliant Dr Smith. A thick head bumper, a hard salad bowl, a foal halter, some straps from a suitcase, a power drill, waxed thread, and a determined Victoria at the helm... oh yes... necessity is the mother of invention! Best of all, Pete saved his eye... AGAIN, and the contraption worked. The results speak for themselves! ~Victoria
Can you guess which eye had the surgeries???Pretty amazing, huh? It's the bottom picture (his left eye). I think that it looks even better than his REAL eye! Haha. Way to go Pete!

But seriously, if you are interested a tall in adopting either of the babies, PLEASE give us a call... (740)-594-4336

Happy Trails, the horses are calling!
~Rachel (Stretch)

Who loves Morgans?? WE DO!!!

I know I already posted a blog today, but I can post something else, so here I go!

"Sadie". A 4-5 year old Morgan X mare. 15.1hh. She has had her shots, she has been wormed, and has had her feet done. She supposedly drives, but we haven't done it with her. She rides as well, Stacey came down and rode her, and she was really a treat! She is ready for you to take her home and make something out of her. She is sooo sweet and willing- who knows what she could become? Adoption Fee: $500Please call the farm if you want more info, or if you want to come on out and see her! (740)-594-4336. Call us. We don't bite, and hey... you just might end up adopting that 'one special horse' that makes a difference in your life as a horse person!

Happy trails, the horses are really calling now!
~Rachel 'Stretch'

New Thoroughbred Information

Here are some pictures of the new Thoroughbreds we just got in. We gave them all barn names, and they are as follows:



1. Gray Mare: "Workin' Girl", 16hh. This mare is a NICE mare, built like a Quarter Horse. She would be excellent for barrel racing, as she has that little western jog. She can, however, extend out (as you can see in the picture) into a NICE english trot. I will be working with her to get her to relax... maybe someone can use her in the western world??



2. Black Mare: "Desire", 16.2hh. This is a big, bold mare with courageous movement. Perfect angles, up and down. If I were looking for a prospect, I wouldn't need to look any further, and neither should you. She is everything that you "desire"... that is , if you want to win!



3. Black Gelding: "Doppler", 16+hh. 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 just came off of the track two days ago, and is enjoying his new found freedom. 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!


4. Bay Gelding: Kessler. 16.2hh. He seems even bigger than that, he stands so regally. His previous owner paid $150K as a weanling. He free jumps in the pasture, and shows great promise. He just needs more time and training, as do all of these thoroughbreds.



I posted all of their ages on the last blog. You can call for more information. Please understand that these horses are straight off of the track and they all need further training. I am going to be the only person working with these TBs, and unless Karen or Stacy come out to ride them, they will only be worked with with the spare time that I have. I will try, though, to mess with at least some of them every day, but I can't guarantee how much. As for adoption fees, all of them are available for the fee of $500, and we will raise the price as they improve. They are, however, up for adoption now (as prospects).

I'm going to go play with one of them right now... so I've gotta go! I'll definitely keep everyone posted on their progress... or even better, you could come one out and see for yourself!!

Happy Trails, the horses are calling,
~Rachel (aka Stretch)

Attention English Riders!

Yesterday afternoon, we got in four NICE Thoroughbreds. These horses are straight off of the track, and are race fit and built BEAUTIFULLY! Karen and I are going to ride them later today (as soon as the paddock dries up a little) and we will post pictures as soon as we know a little more about them. Their info (as we know for sure) is as follows:

1. Two Dollar Yo, 2002 Gray Mare, will be a silver gray.
2. Whitey's Dream, 2004 Black Mare with small star.
3. FJR One Two Three, 2003 Bay Gelding with star, strip, and two hind socks.
4. Golden Starlight, 2000 Black Gelding with star and two front 'lil socks!
They are exceptional, and we will let you know as soon as they are ready to be adopted out!

Note: Our quarantine for Strangles has been lifted... so we an continue to adopt out horses and bring more in. Please call if you are interested in any of our horses that are for adoption. If you don't see what you need, please either call the farm or email me, our website is down yet again, so nothing can be updated on it.

Happy Trails, the horses are calling!
~Rachel "Stretch"

Hey! We have HAY!!!

Hey everyone (or should I say HAY??)!!

For the past week or so, we have been picking up and stacking hay. LOTS OF HAY. Victoria got a lead on some excellent 2nd cut for $3 a bale, and since things are so rough here at the farm, we jumped at the opportunity! So as I am sitting here, trying to get my core body temperature back down to the high nineties, there is still another 105 bales that need to be unloaded, the horses need to be fed, and we are currently finishing up on our Penicillin routine on the horses. Sorry I don't have time, but we are shorthanded on the farm (come on out and volunteer if you want to have more blogs). I'm out like disco!

Happy Trails!
~Rachel (Stretch)

Babies in July!

Our babies are now available for adoption. Since we were attacked by strangles, we couldn't take any horses to the Delaware Classic. We were saving the babies (Spencer and Hershey Kiss) for the Classic, and since we didn't take them, they are obviously still here. Now, they are up for adoption. Spencer is our Haflinger cross and Hershey Kiss is our Morgan cross. Call the farm for more info!