Stampede!!!

Well… a mini stampede anyway.

Every morning when I head over to the quarantine to feed everyone is usually already in the barn hiding from the bugs.  At dinner time everyone is usually out in the pasture enjoying the cooler weather and shade.  All I have to do is get their attention, then stand back out of the way!

 

 

 

 

 

The hearing is still set for Thursday, last I heard.  Please keep your fingers crossed and break out the rabbit’s foot!

 

 

Because if I have to give these guys back to the asshat that starved them…

 

… well, let’s just say I won’t be happy.

Helping Out

People from afar keep asking me how they can help.  They read the blog and see the horses that I’m helping and understand that it costs a lot of money to keep these guys healthy and happy.  They just want to help, but until recently I was being pretty stubborn about it. 

 

When Glenn and I started this rescue we didn’t want to become completely reliant on donations and adoption fees to keep things going.  My theory was that if we couldn’t afford the expenses out of pocket, then we shouldn’t be doing it. 

 

Since starting this rescue in June of 2008 we’ve received $1,800 in donations.   I think that’s pretty good, considering we’re not 501c.3 yet and never even asked for donations.  The generosity and trust of people we don’t even know has really been astounding.  Because let’s face it, even 501c.3 rescues aren’t always on the up and up and take donations to line their own pockets, or sell horses to slaughter for money. 

 

So how do you know that I’m honest and will use the donations for the horses?  Well, you don’t.  I could show you all the feed, farrier, wormer, vaccines, and vet receipts.  I’m sure my hay guy would be happy to write a receipt for the 250 round bales I bought from him just in 2009.   You could come out and visit the farm for yourself, but beware the attack mule.  She’s cranky.

 

As I’m sure you’ve probably noticed, I do not charge a lot for adoption fees.  I base the fee on the usefulness of the horse (age, soundness, training, etc.) and try to keep it within a range that the current local market can bear.  I am smart enough to realize that you do NOT make money doing rescue, so I don’t even try.  What I do try to accomplish is placing horses in homes where both the adopter and the horse will be happy.  So while the purpose of this blog post is not to beg for money, I am going to provide ways to help for those that feel so inclined. 

 

For you Paypal people, I’ve setup a Paypal account for horsehavenholler@frontiernet.net. 

You could also call our vet and help out on our account:

Mountain Valley Vet

Dr. Shaun Meckley

RR 2 Box 305B
New Martinsville, WV 26155-9621
(304) 337-8080

 

 

As for volunteers -- anyone willing to sleep in the barn with Shortcake until she finally pops out that foal would have my undying gratitude.  Because I’m as tired as she looks!

Introductions – Everyone else

I think this is everyone else, but don’t quote me on that. 

Casper isn’t a mini, but he is a very small pony.  Maybe Welsh?  He’s very skittish and doesn’t think humans are necessary, but he’s coming around slowly.

 

Jubilee is also a small pony, and is very pregnant.  She’s a sweetie who discovered quickly that humans = treats and being petted doesn’t hurt.

 

Peppermint is a cute little mare, a little on the large side to be a mini so may be a small pony.  I’m no expert, so you tell me.  She’s also becoming friendly very quickly and loves to have her head rubbed.

 

 

Daphne is very shy and tends to stay by herself.  She doesn’t really have any buddies that she hangs with and is always the last one in to eat.  I haven’t seen anyone picking on her, I just think she prefers solitude.  She did take a liking to a little boy that came to visit today and walked right up to him and allowed him to pet her.  She just doesn’t have a use for the big humans.  I can’t really blame her.

 

Frankie is a cute little blue-eyed girl that was one of the first to become friendly towards us. 

 

Dagwood is one of the five mini studs in dire need of castration.  He’s become enamored with people and treats, but chases poor Casper around constantly.

 

Blondie is Dagwood’s girl and is probably carrying his baby.  She looks like she’s about to pop any time and her udder is starting to bag up.

 

Opie never leaves Blondie’s side and seems to be very young, so I’m assuming he’s her last offspring from a year or two ago.  He’s very shy, but figured out what treats were tonight and let me rub his head just a bit.

 

Possum is stealing everyone’s heart!  He’s the smallest mini in the herd and also one of the friendliest. 

 

Peanut is a mare that actually doesn’t seem to be pregnant, or at least not very far along.  She’s shy and hasn’t come close enough to discover treats yet, but it shouldn’t take too much longer.

 

River is Chip’s main girl and the two of them are rarely apart.  And of course she’s pregnant.

 

Sorry for the picture overload tonight, but I just can’t wait to tell you about the two new arrivals to the farm that happened earlier this week.  More on that tomorrow! :)