HAPPY ENDINGS 07

Crossed Sabers Stable

The Mountain State Horse School and Second Wind Adoption Program, Inc.

Crossed Sabers International Life School, Inc.

Mailing/Physical Address: Rt 2 Box 24A Jockey Camp Road, West Union, WV 26456

Office Phone: 304-873-3532 Fax: 304-873-1867 (call before faxing)

Email for Second Wind Adoption Program: SecondWindAdopt@aol.com

Visiting Hours: Daily 10 to 3pm (eastern time) by appointment

Pick Up and Delivery of Horses: 9am to 8pm by appointment

Office Hours: Summer office hours 12 noon until 4pm

Raise $1000. for Second Wind Adoption Program and have a 1 in 70 chance at a 15 carat Ruby/Diamond Ring! ... mail donations to Rt. 2 Box 24A Jockey Camp Road, West Union, WV 26456

I shall wear diamonds and a wide brimmed straw hat with ribbons and flowers on it

And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots

And sit in the alley of my barn and listen to my horses breathe.

I will sneak out in the middle of a summer's night And ride the dappled mare across the moonstruck meadow, if my old bones will allow. and when people come to call, I will smile and nod, As I walk them past the gardens to the barn And show, instead, the flowers growing there

In stalls fresh-lined with straw. I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel. And I will be an embarrassment of all who look down on me Who have not yet found the peace in being free To love a horse as a friend, a friend who waits at midnight hour

With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes For the Woman I will be when I am old.

A young boy was walking along the beach

as high tide came in.

With every crash of the waves

he noticed that dozens of seahorses were being cast onto the beach,

where they lay gasping and squirming.

Hurriedly, he ran to each seahorse he could find

and gently tossed them back into the surf.

A man watching all this approached the boy and said;

"Son, what you are doing won't make a difference",

to which the boy replied,

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.

'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.

I am still depositing.' Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

5. Expect less.

Our lives with horses...

Our lives with horses are rich with feeling. You know this if you've ever.... choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the First time ...or watched your good horse wobble to his feet after surgery.... or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins beneath them . . or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club payday ... or felt the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a hand-carved beer wagon into the arena ... or had your heart stop when you saw your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited breathlessly for an ear to flick ... or cheered at the screen when 'The Man From Snowy River' slid Dennie down the mountainside, .. or when Seabiscuit made his final surge to beat War Admiral ... or cruised along the highway and seen a horse in a pasture and wondered what he's like to ride or pictured him as a prospect ... or sucked in your breath as a horse and rider approached a six-foot wall ... or sworn a solemn oath to your horse that together you would triumph ... or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a horse even when it was a commercial ... or laughed aloud when you rubbed your horse's face and he rubbed back ... or gotten chills hearing Dave Johnson's 'and DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!' (or 'Run for the Roses' circa 1980 ish?)
... or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the pasture, then stopped, head erect, and snorted defiance at the rest of the world
... or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill ... or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky
haircoat beneath your hand ... or felt your jaw drop as you watched a Lipazzan
perform a capriole ... or if you've ever seen someone in the grocery store wearing a certain kind of hat, or boots, or buckle, or have a certain cut and length to their jeans, and felt some remote kind of connection ... or felt warmed by a soft nicker greeting as you entered the barn ... or slid your hand under your horse's blanket to straighten it out, only to pause in the glowing feeling that you get when you touch the
warmth of his coat... or riding on a trail with your horse, thinking how that trail over there looks nice and almost without asking, your horse has sensed your slightest movement in the saddle and he's now taking you there. ... or pulled up to your barn where you board and only your horse greets you with a welcoming hello from the sound of your car or your voice.

HEROES AND HORSES

SOME NOTABLE HEROES AND THEIR HORSES ARE MENTIONED AND WE KNOW YOUR HORSE IS YOUR HERO AND VICE VERSA.

1. Kanthaka - Buddha's horse, the one he used when he was still Siddhartha the prince, to escape from his father's palace and begin his journey toward enlightenment. Kanthaka's hooves made no sounds as they fled together and he is often depicted being lifted on his four feet by benign spirits.

2. Pegasus - the mythical winged horse parented by Neptune and Medusa and ridden by Bellerophon to rid the world of Chimera, the monster. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, was able to capture and train Pegasus when he allowed her to place her golden bit in his mouth.

3. Phosphorus (Light Bearer) - the great Roman racehorse immortalized by the 4th century Roman poet Ausonius (at the emperor's request) in a beautiful eulogy: Fly with haste to join the wing-footed horses of Elysium; may Pegasus gallop on your right and Arion as your left-wheeler, and let Castor find a fourth horse for the team.

4. Babieca - famed white gelding of El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar, the Spanish hero who united Christians and Muslims against a Moorish onslaught from Africa. Babieca lived to be 30 years old and carried El Cid into all his battles. Babieca means "crazy" as Rodrigo made a crazy choice since the colt was the runt of the herd.

5. Bucephalus (Ox-head) - beloved horse of Alexander the Great who bore the Macedonian hero on his back from Greece to India. Odds against a horse living past 20 in that era were great, but Bucephalus, in his 20s, endured until he fell in battle in India.

6. Sleipnir - the eight-legged war horse of Odin, the Norse god, was able to fly without wings and shape-shift.

7. Balios and Xanthos - a grey and bay, both sired by Zephyros, the West Wind, who together pulled Achilles' chariot.

8. Vivasat - a Hindu sun-god who often took the form of a stallion.

9. Al Burak - Mohammed's horse, on whose back he ascended to heaven, was brought to him by the archangel Gabriel

10. Chiron - the centaur who taught Achilles, Jason and the first physician, Ascelpius, all he knew.

11. Rakhsh - blue-eyed and dappled red horse of the legendary Persian warrior, Rustam. Rakhsh was highly intelligent and saved his sleeping master from a lion's attack, killing the predator.

There are many more famous mythical and real horses and we will be adding to our list. Can you help us add to this list?. thank you Harmony Horse Works.

The question is not: "do you support horse slaughter."

The question is: "do you support the cruel, terrifying transport for days without food and water in their journey to death?"

The question is: "do you support the torture and abuse of the killer chutes, even for crippled horses, pregnant mares, wild horses, protective mares with foals by their sides?"

The question is: “Do you support the horse slaughter factories that lie to their consumers about the many chemicals that taint the horse meat, and call it Organic?

The question is: do you support the breeder who breeds hundreds of horses just to pick out the good ones and cash in the rest to the killer buyer?

The question is: Do you support the person who uses the horse its whole life and when it gets to an old age sends it to slaughter as a thank you?

The question is: “do you support the slaughter workers who cheer a horse on that struggles extra hard for its life?

The question is: Do you support the killer buyer who not only buys up the strong, fat and healthy horses and leaves the meek weak and unhealthy for society, but also bids against the good homes and horse rescues?

The question is: “Can you see though the lies of the ones who stand to loose a buck with the end of horse slaughter?

The question is: Do you support ripping the last of our wild horses away from their families and peaceful lives to be slaughtered?

The question is: As a nation, can we allow this to continue and still call ourselves a civilized country?

The question is: "Can you look at the footage of innocent horses with their eyes gouged out, hooves ripped off, legs broken, beaten by the workers, faces smashed in from being on the transport trucks, horses stabbed in their spines, horses conscious for the entire killing process and do nothing?

That is the question, so what is YOUR answer?

Resolve to make the world a better place for animals (credit: PETA)

	If you haven't already done so, have the companion animals who depend on you spayed or neutered. These simple procedures help protect your furry friends from many types of cancer and prevent thousands of animals from being born only to end up abandoned on the streets or dumped at severely crowded animal shelters.
	If you live with a dog, pledge to walk him or her every day, even when it's cold outside and you'd rather hide under a blanket. If you share your home with cats, set aside some "kitty (or horsey) quality time" every day to play with, brush, and bond with them. It's sometimes too easy to overlook our feline friends, but they can get bored and lonely too.
	If there is a lonely "backyard dog" in your neighborhood, try befriending his or her guardian. Start by politely talking to him or her about the dog's needs, such as companionship, daily portions of fresh food and water, and a weatherproof doghouse filled with straw. Many lucky dogs have had their lives changed because someone like you cared enough to intervene.
	If you're shopping for yourself or buying holidays gifts for your loved ones, stay away from fur, wool, leather, and companies that make or sell products made from the skins of animals.

NOTE: Crossed Sabers can not fully guarantee the accuracy of every page on this website which is huge (38,000 files and over 300 pages). We do not have the personnel or time to keep it up to date and accurate for every situation as this Stable and all its programs have always been a dynamic entity, ever changing and improving itself to meet the needs of horses and horse people. We do try to make sure each page is up to date and accurate but the best thing to do If you have a question, is email or call us. Additionally Crossed Sabers can not guarantee anything that anyone says about us on line, we have no control over other people and their websites, forums or ads, all we can tell people is if you do not know the person, their name, address and their experience, age or history/background/education and location do not trust what they say. That is true for everything on the internet. Some things said about us have been grossly inaccurate and did not come from CSS, some come from past employees we fired for cause (for hurting horses or stealing from us), people that are pro-slaughter and hate our mission and what we do for horses enjoy trying to make us look bad, some are horse traders that we've helped put out of business and some are people we helped put in jail on neglect cases. Again, if you have questions about us, our services, our company structure, how we are licensed, how we pay taxes, how we do things or anything at all, please feel free to contact us, just don't assume that all you read on another website is accurate because 99% of it is not true, especially if you read it on a forum, blog or chat room and don't assume that it came from us, just call 304-873-3532 or email us at secondwindadopt@aol.com, or better yet, come and see our operation and you will see how we do things. I can guarantee it's 1000 times better than what the liars and frauds say who are jealous of our work. All programs and services listed on this website, including SWAP is a part of Crossed Sabers Stable which has been licensed in WV for the last 13 years. The Mountain State Horse School and Second Wind Adoption Program, Inc. and Crossed Sabers International Horse School, Inc. was incorporated on 4 Sep 08 to address the education needs and life challenges of people and horses.

Buyer and Seller Beware!! Update on the Robin Hollingsworth of Blacksburg, SC (she has several alias's and about 10 fake names) fraud case for those of you who have been asking. The SC prosecutor accepted a plea bargain from her and dropped the case if she paid the people she ripped off (the people she took money under false pretenses from when she sold them horses she did not own), she did that so she was let go but the 3 arrests will stay on her record and the record of what she did to all those people is still on the books and will stay there. If she is caught again I'm certain she will go to jail but people who are cheated by her must stand up and testify.. If more people that she ripped off would have not chickened out and backed out because of fear (Quote from them was we are scared of her, she is crazy) she would be in jail right now but beware, she is still loose and still taking free horses or companion horses that have things like ringbone and navicular and drugging them and then selling them as high level jumpers and competition horses on the internet. Her daughter works with her, Amanda or Mandy, she helps her rip people off. Beware, I'm getting calls almost every month where Robin has committed more crimes against people, taking horses, not paying for them, bouncing checks, buying vehicles and horse trailers and not paying for them. BEWARE OF THIS WOMAN!! If you want her history or to check a person's name against our black list (our do not adopt to, do not sell to, do not buy from, do not hire or even rent to list), then contact us.

BEWARE: Do not buy a horse from anyone you do not know, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERNET, unless they have websites like ours, their names and addresses listed and they show they have a long long history on their website and do not buy unless you go to see the horse and have it vet checked and you have contact with the vet, not the seller or even trainer telling you what the vet said. DO NOT GIVE YOUR HORSE OR SELL YOUR HORSE WITHOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT IS TO HAPPEN WITH THE HORSE, RESELLING, USE/LIMITATIONS, FACILITIES NEEDED, ETC. It you sell or give away a horse with no agreement, they could go to slaughter the same day you release them or they could be sold and misrepresented, living a life of neglect, abuse, over use and miss use the rest of their lives. We hear stories all the time where a best friend or neighbor, the nice lady you gave the horse to sent the horse to slaughter or is neglecting it and there is not a thing the owner can do now because they no longer own the horse and they made no written agreements signed by both parties. If you need help doing written agreements, back ground checks on buyers and sellers, just contact us, that is part of our 'SAFE SELLING' SERVICES. Your horse's life depends on you being safe and thorough!

BEWARE: People are selling horses on the internet that don't even exist so beware, the horse industry is full is liars, cheaters, and thieves, even we have had to deal with them from potential adopters who were in jail applying to adopt, to employees and former trainers who totally ripped us off by stealing tack and tools, asking for huge advances and then leaving after they get them, people who don't even know us or had any experience with us slandering us on forums, harassing us and our supporters, interfering with company operations and even adopters who don't think twice about breaching their contract or forging their vets signature on applications & annual updates or even selling their adoption horse to programs like ours and even 501c3's public charities selling horses to slaughter auctions or being put in jail for neglect and animal cruelty. We are bringing each person that has wronged our horses to justice one at a time and winning all our cases but that does not protect the general public from these liars, thieves, con-artist and cheaters. Your horses life can easily be ruined forever, they could end up in a fate worse than death so buyer and seller beware, your horses life depends on you keeping them safe and you being thorough with doing things like getting references and making sure the people have stable employment, that they really own the farm they say they do, doing background checks to check for criminal records. The horse world is full of dishonesty which ruins it for honest people that really care and always try to do the right thing, such a shame. Just be very careful and get proof that your horse is going to a good home, get more than a feeling because we promise you about 50% of the time when it comes to horses, your feeling that its a 'nice' person or a 'good' person' is wrong. And even when you pick a good home, they can turn around and sell or give away to a bad home.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches and negative people pull you down. People who like to cause trouble will shorten your life and make you just like them... miserable.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen.. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

"If a bird who could fly, only wished for flight

as it sat on a limb,

before long it would be unable to fly.

Fly Now, Fly Today! You can do it!"

What a wonderful book about Peanut and his life for 2006 and 2007, we do have some creative adopters.... I wish everyone could see Renee's update and also Pat Pape's.... always the best!!

Jake and Lucy with Anita in Colorado

Matt Mobile at home with his family in WV

Mork and Kim in Wisconsin

Pat, Miss B and her lovely spotted sister in Texas

Casino Royale with his family at home in Ohio

MFT Banner and the Reihls in Indiana, Nancy and Banner put on about 100 miles a week at times. Wow!!

Skynrd with Sandra and family in VA

Pictures from Holly Beauclair

Here are some pics of the boys with the kids and us.

From:

Holly Beauclair

(1 of 25 pictures)

Hi, again,

I am having trouble getting this to attach.

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/sidialabahr/Sid%20Photos/?action=view&current=f8dbb9ad.pbw

Maybe you can view it from here. Let me know.

Thanks,

Betty Bente

we arrived home safely at 3:30. We are all settling in now. Just wanted to let you know we made it! Thanks for having us. It's a beautiful place. Lisa

I have been meaning to drop you guys a line between swim meets, xmas cards, and settling in new pets. charlie is so nice. I appreciate his level head and his kindness. He has had no problem settling in at all. My daughter is in love and I am most happy for her. She has not ridden d/t snow and giving him time to get accustomed to things. Next week she will go to lessons and I am confident that he will be no problem. I had a brass name plate engraved for his stall yesterday as a xmas gift to Jaynah. She will love it. I really like him. Coconut is also doing well. He is learning his boundaries indoors and he really wants to do everything we expect of him. He is such a sweet dog. I love his doe eyes and his long black eyelashes. He has a fetish with stealing soft things (like my good riding gloves) and chewing on them, but for the most part he has been a very good boy. No problems with soiling indoors. He is sleeping with Jaynah at night just as we thought he would. So I just wanted to let you know that all is well and we are happy with our new additions to the family. Lisa Ross

I'm sorry this it has taken awhile to update you on Country Lane but we have been busy. Not to busy to take good care of Country though.We bought a place in Arkansas on March 23rd with a nice barn, so Country has a new home. I have been meaning to get these into you sooner, but with moving, as you well know, time gets away from you because there is so much to do. I attached the follow up form with all the info filled out but will mail in the form when I get Country in to get his teeth floated and have the vet sign it.

Attached are some pics of him and his and our new home:

Thanks,

Kim Stark

Hello Everyone;

We have been taking Lil Bit and Sean to his riding instructor’s barn for lessons. Here is Lil Bit (ridden by Claire) jumping last week-end. Both had a wonderful time and I thought you might enjoy some pictures!

Marisa St. Claire

Hello Celita & Gang
I just wanted to let you know how much Cynder has enriched my life since
recentley moving to Texas... we've been doing some arena work, and some
trail riding...(it's kinda spooky for her so I talk her thru everything
... ) and she's helped a little boy celebrate his birthday recently..she did
AWESOME.... i will try to take some pictures of her soon... we still have no
one to ride with us.. but we are ok with it and simply enjoy each other's &
the other horses company.... I love her so much & she's just giving me so
much of my confidence back.. (thank you... thank you to you, thanks to
Cynder & thank God that I found her)... i love her ... soo much... she's
awesome...promise i'll send photo's soon..
take care
sydney & cynder (aka lilly).

Celeita,

Hope all is well in your new digs. I wanted to let you know that Lendy is doing great and that my adoption update info is on the way. We did have an issue with his right front hoof. Since we've had him he has had very sensitive feet, a trait of most TB's as I've heard. We've been debating shoeing him but about a week ago he suddenly went lame. We watched him for a few days for signs of heat or swelling and kept him in his stall to rest. His lameness wasn't getting any better and the Farrier came out yesterday for his 6 week trimming. He checked Lendy's feet over and found where a small abscess had blown out, but we had seen absolutely know evidence of it other than his lameness. We've been soaking it in Epsom salt twice a day for the last two days and today he seemed a lot more comfortable, even eager to get out in the pasture. I know that he had an abscess when he was at SWAP. Do you have any other advice? The farrier thinks that once the abscess clears up we should shoe him on the front to make him more comfortable, not so flat footed. Any thoughts you might have would ease my mind. Take Care

Dory Bledsoe

Lendy's Mom

Celeita,

The new farm looks fantastic. I sent Lendy's follow up info and I wanted to make sure you got it. He is doing fabulously. We have a trainer that comes every 2 weeks to do clinics and give some private lessons and he has worked wonders with Lendy. We are still trying to conquer his fear of tying. He has broken several posts and pulled out some hardware but we are making progress. He is so relaxed any other time. I guess it's just issues from the track. Anyway, I couldn't be happier with him and I hope I've made a difference in his life. I wish I could do it for so many more. Take Care

Dory Bledsoe and Lendy

We had purchased a home so no more moving for many many years lol. My husband finally got moved into a management position after all these years. We got the house plus 4 acres and the house sits on the dead end of dirt road so not much traffic. Our land is boardered by the retired couple we bought our house off of and Army Corp. of Engineer land. It is an adjustment for the horses due to the humidity. We are mostly keeping them inside during the day and slowly getting them used to grass again. Lucy is adapting quicker then Jake-probably due to her age. The first couple days Jake was here we actually had to hose him down once due to him being too hot. He seems to be doing alot better now. On the first couple of days we mostly kept them inside and kept a close eye on jake. On the day we had to hose him down we also gave him some electrolytes. They are now being let out for a little bit each day on the grass and then being brought back into the barn for the remainder of the day until evening. Jake dont want to leave the barn anymore though after he figured out that there was fans in there lol.

Thank you,

Anita

Hello,

Just a quick note to update you on Doc and Sukhoi. Sukhoi is back home as the weather is much improved and we are able to work in the outside arena. Both horses are being trained using Clinton Anderson methods and in June, Sukhoi and I will be attending a two week clinic at his facility in Bellecenter OH! We are very excited and hope that Anna and Doc will move up the wait list and be able to attend as well. Sukhoi received her spring shopts prior to moving home and Doc will be receiving his later this month. Both horses are wormed and are doing well in general. I will send pictures as their training progresses.......wish us luck at our upcoming clinic! When time permits on your end, we are still very interested in purchasing Sukhoi, as we hope to be doing more events in the future. Please let us know. Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to have both of them in the family!

Vicky Gordon

Hi Celeita it's Jaynah I just wanted to let you know how well Charlie
and Coconut are doing. I am in love with Charlie! Every time I see him
my heart stops. He is so loving yet gentle. He's getting along with
the other horses wonderfully. Coconut can be a little naughty but we
think he hasn't been in houses to much. Him and our little year old
lab have a ball wrestling in the now. He's getting his fair share of
horse poop too. Every night he sleeps up with me getting up about
every hour to sniff my face before falling back asleep. Thanks so much
for these two wonderful family members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Celetia,

Here are some pictures of Chester from some of our shows this past season. He did good considering it was his first year. As you can see we have add another member to our family. We got Teddy back in May. He's for the kids he's only 2 right now so he will be around for a long time. He fits right in with Chester and Sally. Hope this finds everyone well.

Take care,

The Cordoza's

Hi Everyone,

Sorry this is late. Have had a pretty crazy past six months. My husband just got home from being deployed. I hope this finds everyone well. If there is anything missing please let me know. I have not been able to print anything so I did the best I could with what I had. Chester and I have been doing some showing. He really is my dream horse. He has done so great for being the first year of showing. We are going to shows where there are over 300 horses and the classes are over 25 entries in each class. He is doing great. We have add another horse to the family for our kids. We bought a 2 year Haflinger and we still have Sally the mustang. The horse shows have really gotten to be a family thing. Billy my husband is showing his mustang in hand and she is doing well. I will have to say I think I have gotten pretty much all my straight back from my fall off of Moe. Every now and then I will be a little stiff but I am pretty much back to myself. I will get you some pictures of all the horses together. If there is anything I have missed please let me know and I will get it to you. Sorry for the delay I was a little overwhelmed with the husband being deployed.

Take care,

The Cordoza's

Hi Celetia,

Take care,

The Cordoza's

Hey Celeita!
Haven't heard from you in a while and was just
checking in! Hope things are going well with the
move, if you need help moving horses, furniture, etc
I've got my truck and trailer at the ready! Oh and do
you know if my long lines are still in the tack room
or did they get packed away somewhere?
I've got some pretty exciting news too!! 1) I'm
graduating tomorrow!! YAY!!!! But the most exciting
thing, Magic and I had our first show of the season
last Saturday in Winfield and he was great! He earned
2/3 in amateur owner/trainer, 3/13 in Morgan/Arab
English Pleasure, WON novice horse eng pleasure out of
6 horses, and placed 4/11 in a very competitive hunter
class!! I'll send pics as soon as I can get them
loaded to my computer!
I finally quit at Medbrook and have a really nice
job with WindDrinker Arabians, and of course with
Paula, and am feeling pretty decent about entering the
"real world..." LOL! Anyway, if you want to do any
summer riding, I'll be in Salem, maybe we could do
something where like 2 or so days a week, however many
times a month, I could just drive and stay down there
when you're settled, do all the riding in those 2 days
and gas won't be as big an issue!
Let me know if I can help you all with anything and
I'll send pics of Magic ASAP!
Talk to you soon,
Jenai

First, I would like to tell you how impressed I was by your farm.
Yes, the facility is gorgeous, but I mean more than that. All of the
animals were so secure and content. I'll never forget that pack of
wonderful dogs sniffing Alfie - and I went through the barn before I
found your office, and the horses were the same way. I think it's a
beautiful thing that you do. I was also very impressed by your
trainer and her attitude towards the horses.
The little dog is doing fine - she is an absolute sweetheart. Nobody
could remember her name (I kept calling her Sushi...) so her new name
is Ivy. She goes for a check up on Wednesday and gets spayed on the
19th. That is the only problem - she has been in heat, and Alfie
gets stuck in her - I didn't think he could do that since he is
neutered.....She just keeps sticking her butt in his face, and what's
a guy going to do...She didn't eat well at first, but now seems
fine. I'm glad she sat on my lap! Thank you!
After some careful thought, I have decided to send Vegas back. I'm
just not set up to do 3 horses comfortably, and I know you won't have
trouble adopting him out. I will write to his former folks (who have
stayed in touch) and explain. They were so worried about his health,
and he is fine now, so that's a good thing.
Turns out my friend would rather come down and ride when the mood
hits him rather than adopt Vegas himself....Dr. Henderson is coming
Tuesday to do his Coggins. I don't know how long it takes, but I
will let you know when I get it back.
Give Brian a hug for me - I can't wait to get to know him!!
Liz

Hey Chickie, I am at my wits end with Wop. You won't believe what she's done now!!!!

She keeps loosing weight (as Winny said she would despite the fact she eats 30 pounds a day) so, I got the bright idea to stall her at night thinking.... I don't know what?? We both know she doesn't do stalls at all. So, we got up the other morning and the stall gate was absolutely destroyed. She beat, kicked, rushed, & pushed so hard on it it, bent it into a V, I'm talking a 7 bar tempered steel gate that's 10 foot long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She absolutely DESTROYED it. She even bent the screws that are set in the huge supporting timber that holds up the barn wall!

I think Winny called it when he said she's not in any pain from the Thyroid, just nasty and mean tempered in her old age

I think she looks like hell but, I'm comparing her to all the "fatties" here. Winny said he thinks she looks acceptable for a mare that's has too many babies and an endocrine disease. Red & Little B are the only ones I can put her with at this point. She is a complete terror to Lovey & Lucky and simply hates Myleeka <:: Follows Leeky around biting her ass constantly. Little B is terrified of her so keeps her distance and hides behind Red.. Red just ignores her and protects B <LOL>

Anyway, I'm going to send you pics of this gate when I get the chance to take one. You will not believe what she did to it! Has to be a world record.........

How are YOU??????? What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Today was Red's scheduled "mane & tail" day. Tammy from next door came over and helped me. I would never try this with any other horse but, I sat on a lawn chair right behind him and did his tail while Tam did the rest of him <LOL>

When we turned him back out, you should have seen him preening in front of the girls......

"I'm too sexy for my........"

Also attached what has been planted in my other front paddock.....yes.....he's still here!!!!!

Hi,

I have most of the update paperwork completed, but I wanted to let you know what has been going on with Gem. We haven't ridden her in the last year because her arthritis in her hocks is getting too severe. She fell down a couple of times last fall and the farrier can no longer trim her back feet because she can't keep her leg up and she looses her balance. I had the vet look at her hock in April when she came out to give the horses their shots. She said it is enlarged because the arthritis is bone on bone. She also said she has some mild arthritis in her front legs as well. I have a copy of the record that I can send, but it is kind of hard to read.

Lately, I noticed she is becoming sway backed and I'm not sure, but it looks like she may be getting arthritis in her spine. She is still getting around, but she pops and cracks quite a bit. I know this winter is going to be very difficult for her.

I have attached some pictures so you can see she is in good condition otherwise. I also have a picture of the arthritic hock that is the worst. Please let me know if you have any suggestions to help Gem. I give her bute on bad days and she gets plenty of turn out to keep her joints moving. I also use linament on days when she does not get around as well. I am worried about not being able to trim her hooves correctly and the swayed look of her back.

Thanks,

Michelle Henley

Hello Celeita!!!

Hope all is well. I know you are still trying to get settled in to the new farm, it's beautiful. So many horses again in need of homes, and babies to boot!! I'm still trying to win that lottery. :) Quincy is doing Great, he loves being out with his girls. I'll fax the update form from work before the weekend, sorry it's late! Alway's busy around here too. Quincy does seem to like this barn, only eight horses when full. Quincy still gets his daily doses of love and spoiling, My newly "rescued" rottweiler doesn't really no what to make of him, she looks at him like he is much to big to share her space. Poor dog was literally tied in someones yard for two years when she was confiscated by the SPCA, she was terrified of everything!!! What is wrong with people? She has turned out to be a real gem too.

Well I will get you the forms ASAP Celeita, again the best of luck with the farm. Wish I could take some more of those great horses.

Michelle Sussman-Morris & Quincy

Hi there,

glad to see you are in your new home. I wanted to send you a photo of Tessa, as I did not do so earlier in June, I think. Want to make sure you guys are all updated on her. Her colt just turned 6 months, and I weaned him. I usually keep the colts on until late fall, but Tessa was getting to a point she was not letting him drink much and sorta tired of him, so the weaning went really well.

Ben, the old fjord is still doing well, he has actually been out to pasture all summer, with a couple of older mares and he gets around really well, looks great inspite of his ringbone and limp. Yeah!! Last winter I had little hope for him, now he looks great. And he isusually a great babysitter for any babies in the late fall.

Just a quick question, - I noticed the smaller grey QH mare you had on your list for adoption. Would she be suitable for a smaller child at all? What is she like? My 6 year old rides, but my show horse is a bit to big for her to ride alone, - we have started to show this summer, and we are having a blast. But I am hunting for a smaller horse for my daughter to show. Anything you can tell me about this filly would be help, she sure looks lilke a doll. Has she ridden western, is she reg. QH, etcetc.

Take care,

Janne Myrdal

Home of the lovely Tessa!!!

hi Celieta,

Thank you for sending the disc, everything on it I have in hard copy. I was hoping it was Clovers video, my trainer would like to see it as would I. Do you think you could send it, I would appreciate it.

Hope you have a Thanksgiving filled with love.

Warm regard,

Arlene

hi Celieta,

Thought i'd send you some pix of Clover. He is doing great and is a real lovebug. The magazine Cure will be showing the attached pix of us in an upcoming issue so i wanted to give you a heads up. Hope you and all the horses at SWAP are doing well and want to remind you that Clover and i are up for Clinics when you decide to have them.

In the book What Horses Reveal i have Clover narrowed down to about 4 personality types. If you have time which do you think he leans to? King, but he loves children, altho he does Love attention and gets it from everyone. Child, but he is massively built and it doesn't feel quite right, Minister, a good possibility, Dandy, he is such a happy guy, but not superficial. help.

This horse is very well trained and loving,and his manners are better than my children'sever were. We are working out some minor issues, he does have his own ideas about some things but thats Ok with me, we usually work it out. he gets suppliments for his hooves, his coat, a multi vitamin and electrolytes every day. He is on a diet, i cut his grain portion because he is not working at full capacity, but he does get treats every day. he's had his teeth floated, and is up to date on all shots. He gets groomed every day and we've been fighting some thrush, so i clean and treat his feet daily and use thrush buster.

How can i tell if he is sore anywhere? i do feel for heat, and also when he gets a Pro ride they jump him a little bit. i suggested they wait until he has a few more months on the flat, but the trainer thinks its OK. because they are low jumps. But anyway he is doing very well all round.

With warm regard,

Arlene

Thanks so much for the update on your farm. I know my daughter would love to help out, but it's a little far. Looks like you have some beautiful horses.

I just realized I am late on getting a report to you on Leona. She has settled in very well and is such a joy. She fits in well with her herd and has a little buddy - a paint named Zuzu. Her travel injury has healed well. She will probably have a dime-sized scar, but there is no permanent internal damage. Kimberlin has trimmed her mane and her tail is growing out nicely. Kimberlin sees her at least 6 of 7 days a week and adores her. She's seen a farrier three times and is sporting some nice shiny shoes and is current with shots and worming. When she first arrived, she wanted to threaten to kick, but that is almost non-existant now. She is such a good little horse and we love her dearly.

Here's a couple recent shots of this inseparable pair!

Noelle Lacy

Leona Marie finally back to her old self and in wonderful care with her family in TN

Hi just wanted to send you pictures of Sequioa's Red Mist first show. He is coming along. He is so sweet and still a BIG baby. His mom Cash aka Indigoblue was set to be shown at a 4 H project where they were talking about Nokota's. She colicked and went to New England veterinary Center 36 hours ago. She had a volvulus which they were able to flip with little difficulty, she had pain last night rolled twice and a had a fever. This morning she was doing better. I will keep you updated as we get more info. Anyway enjoy Sequoia's first hunter show. Lyla Correoso MD

Hi Celeita,

Patches is doing incredibly well. I am writing because I really feel led to help foundered horses and was thinking about trying to start some sort of rehab facility for them. I was hoping that you could help me with ideas on how to get started, how to manage/run such a facility, how to make it work so that I don't get rich but make enough money to earn a modest living, if you think there would be a market for such a place, how could I present myself as being qualified, things to consider...

When you have a spare moment (haha - what is that, right?), I would really appreciate any advice that you can give me.

Thanks, Amy

Hi Celita,

The boys are doing great and I am so happy for you on your move to the new facility. The reason I’m writing is that I have also moved. I now live just outside of Camden, SC (steeplechase capital of the world) and we have a beautiful home on 31 acres of land and we are surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods and trails. I couldn’t find the new facility form on the web so I figured I’d email you. I’ve tried to send this several times since March but it always gets kicked back. I did send it thru my AOL account and it didn’t come back but I never heard from you so I wasn’t sure you received it.

The boys just love it here. We’ve retired Sam from showing at any level (except fun shows on the flat) but he still gets ridden regularly as the Vet says he’s still in top shape. Only a touch of arthritis in the right rear hock and he’s 21 – the vet says he moves better than most 4 year olds he’s ever seen! Sam has had colic a few times over the years but nothing severe, mostly gas colic. Some Banamine and the vet and he’s fine. Will’s always been a healthy horse and with the exception of the time he tried to rub his neck on the fence and got a huge splinter, the only time the vet see’s him is for his shots twice a year. Will is also ridden 3 or 4 days a week for 2-4 hours each ride. Sam is feed 10 quarts of Triple Crown Senior, 4 quarts of oats and 2 scoops of fat cat per day (he’s getting harder to keep weight on as he gets older) and Will gets 4 quarts of Southern States 12% and 2 quarts of Oats per day. They also receive free choice of Timothy/Orchard/Alfalfa hay and unlimited water (automatic float on their water bucket). They are also wormed monthly down here as it’s more of an issue than it was in Ohio. I’m working on my barn so I can bring them in under the fans during the hot summer days but currently they are turned out on 4 acres with a run-in shed hidden in the trees – that’s where I keep the hay. Also, both boys are Parelli level 2 Harmony graduates.

My new contact info is:

Janet Rolen

Married life is good! Kevin and I just had our first anniversary last month
(July 1st). I don't think we kept a copy of the updates, but I can fill them
out and send them to your new address if you need them. I'm not sure when I
sent the packet, but it has to have been early July, I think. The week after
the 4th is when I remember getting all of it together and mailing, so I
think I will probably need to send it to your new address if you haven't
received it yet. Do you want a copy of the Coggins? Also, I wanted to let
you know that Maiden had been cribbing, and the vet did float both Maiden
and Smitty's teeth. She has not been cribbing since then, but the vet said
that her teeth weren't very good. We have been making mashes out of her
Patriot Senior, and adding vegetable oil (the vet recommended it for adding
calories). She is looking even shinier now, and I think it is because of the
oil! Maiden also had a cold bug of some sort and did not eat well for us
earlier this spring; she had antibiotics and recovered her appetite- thank
goodness! Smitty has not had ANY problems with a cold OR his appetite! Our
trainer comments on how beautiful Smitty is, and says that he looks better
everytime she sees him. He is doing well, and has a "girlfriend" named Rose.
She is a boarded horse who shares a pasture with him; she thinks Smitty is
tall, dark, and handsome!
Anyway, I did not keep a copy of the original paperwork, but I can fill
it out again and resend it. I think if you didn't get it by now, it might
not get forwarded. Let me know if you want a copy of the Coggins; I kept the
originals of those. Also, I don't remember what Smitty's registered name is,
I call him Smitty! I remember I couldn't find the JC number/ name for the
original paperwork. If I don't include that, is it okay? Let me know!
Thank you,
Lindsey

Hello, this is Lindsey, Kevin, and Jeanne! We adopted Smitty and Maiden; we sent paperwork to the the address we had at home. I was just checking your homepage and realized your address changed. Did the papers (updates, etc.) get forwarded? If not I wanted to let you know that they are both wonderful, and well cared for of course. Maiden had a little "cold" this spring, but she is good now. They both went to the vet to have a check up in May, and we got Coggins for them both, too. I didn't know if you wanted a copy, but if so, let me know and I will send it.

Thanks for everything!

Lindsey, Kevin, Jeanne

Hello, this is Lindsey Teel, and my family adopted Maiden and Smitty! We wanted to let you know the Smitty is doing wonderfully, but we are a little worried about Maiden. She had a "slimy nose" this spring, and the vet treated her with antibiotics; it seemed to clear up. She gained some weight and looked great all summer, but this fall she has green slime from her nose again!

We took her to the vet, and she has had three different antibiotics. We give her probiotics to help with her digestion. This morning she seemed tired, and picked at the grain. She has always eaten really well for us! I called the vet again today and am waiting to hear back.

Do you have any suggestions? Is she allergic to anything? The vet- assistant thought that maybe she could have allergies........? She didn't have this problem last year, and I am worried that if she does not eat well she will lose weight going into winter! Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome.

Thank you!

Lindsey

Hey Lindsey, Poor Maiden. I suspect she is getting what we see with many of the horses during season changes, especially in the fall. There is so much stuff in the air in the fall and in the hay and grass. Its normal that she will show some alergies even though we've never seen her be alergic or have anything like the heaves or anything like that. We do see this with a lot of horses this time of year. I've got several in the barn right now with snotty nose and coughing, infact I've got a runny nose and a cough as well as many of my employees. I think 2nd cutting hay does some of that but I also think there is a lot of junk in the air.

I think its the same reason you see people coughing, having allergy problems, even breaking out more than normal. Maybe mixing her feed with sweet feed to get her to eat or a very fat feed like a senior feed or something with more fat in it. Also is she still taking corn oil as I remember that was one thing she would eat. Anything she likes give her a lot of, like carrots, I know she loves carrots. They are really sweet so if you can give her a whole bag cut up a couple times a week that would help or go with a high calorie feed like cracked corn. I know she ate it here, maybe mix it with sweet feed that she really likes and carrots.... something to entice her. :))) Let me know how that goes. Kiss them both for us. I hope you can get her weight up before winter but if she is not perfect don't worry, she is getting older, just put a water proof rug on her to keep her warm and that will help. Celeita

Thanks for the advice! We have been feeding her senior feed with corn oil, but maybe adding some yummy treats to the food will help her appetite. Today her nose actually looked better! Hopefully it is just seasonal. We have fed her Patriot senior and Purina senior; our feed store owner says he thinks the Patriot is a better feed. Any opinion? Maiden eats them both well usually. She does have a wide selection of blankets also, and I even bought a hood in case we have a cold winter! I tried to find some for Smitty but settled for a blanket; his head/ neck seem to be an odd size. Smitty and Maiden are just beginning to get a little furry around the edges; they are so silly this time of year! I think the cool mornings must be really exciting; Smitty was frisking about this morning with his nose and tail in the air. He had such a good romp! Thanks again guys!

Lindsey

Thanks for checking! Maiden is doing better; we had some cold weather and I think whatever was irritating her allergies must have died back some. No more runny noses. She is a much happier horse!
Thanks guys!

Hi guys,

I am getting together the update forms for Star and Toby but wanted to let
you know how Star did at her first show last weekend. If you remember, Star
was the dark bay cob pony that was rescued from Karen Harlan. She is one of
the few that faired well because she is a pony. She was entered in the Trot
over Poles class which is a class for beginners that are learning their two
point to prepare for jumping. They have to trot over a ground pole and get
in their two point. The goal is to stay centered on their pole as if it was
a fence to jump and get into a proper two point at the proper time while
retaining control of their mount. The first class was just a walk/trot
around the ring flat class without the poles. There were 15 horses. Star
did not get a ribbon but was extremely well behaved. No spooking. She
remained very calm in the big class. Her first class over poles she was
great. She received a second place out of 15. Her second over poles class
she received a fourth out of 15. She was reserve champion ground poles
entrant. Only to be beat by a beautiful warmblood that I know cost high
dollars. Little 13 hand star was a superstar. She maintained her hunter
frame and trucked right through the class like she had done it a million
times. She beat both lesson horses (one being owned by me) ridden by more
experienced kids! I will send pictures from the show when I get them
developed.

Idgy and Melissa are doing well. My horse and myself and Idgy and Melissa
have taken a couple lessons from the Olympic rider, Dorothy Crowell. Idgy
hasn't missed a beat since he has been vacationing while Melissa was in
college. They will be competing at the Hunters Run horse trials in the
middle of August. She plans on doing low level eventing with him and having
fun.

Kristen Kelly

Dear Diana,

Thought I would email you instead of calling since we seem to be playing "phone tag".

First I was excited to see on your website a photo of First at the top of the page. That's really great! He's such a beautiful horse!

We adopted Fiddler's First Command and Green Meads Paradise from your adoption program. Both are doing great and are healthy. First is such a gentleman and Paradise a sweetheart. We haven't, for one second, regretted adopting either one of them. They have become a part of our family!

I had followed First through the Morgan Magazine since he was just a baby and always dreamed of having a horse half as beautiful as he is. You can only imagine how excited I was with the opportunity to adopt him. We were hoping to stand him at stud but after having his semen it seems that, although there was plenty of them, it was very sensative and died very quickly after being collected. We did breed him once to Paradise. She did settle but absorbed the embryo. We had her ultra sounded and found that her uterus was packed with fatty tumors (not cancerous). We decided not to pursue breeding them after that. It really wasn't that important to us.

First is not showing signs of aging at all but Paradise, pushing the 30 mark, is starting to show her age. But she is very healthy and we haven't had any health problems with either one of them.

I apologize for not sending in the update form. I was unaware that that had to be done. But both are current on all their shots, deworming and farrier work. First had never been broke to ride and with Paradise's age, both are just enjoying their retirement here. They do get groomed daily and excersized regularly.

Sincerely,
Gayle Bone

Hello Ladies,

I received your voice message on my home phone and I apologize that an update was not forwarded to you. I thought Melanie Andrews (Remington) had taken pictures and also updated you on all horses in the barn.

Shorty (Egan) and Hold Tight (Ti) are doing really well. Egan is #2 in the herd and Ti is #3. We have six horses here at my house and it’s interesting because they socialize into the first three and then the bottom three of the herd. When out in the pasture the top 3 stick together and then the bottom three are elsewhere in the pasture.

My four horses, including Egan and Ti, received their shots in October of this year. The vet pronounced them very healthy and well taken care of (of course, these guys are my pasture pets and kids nothing less should be expected!).

It is so very gratifying to see Egan and Ti gallop (and I mean a full gallop) out in the pasture and play amongst themselves. They have no cares in the world except to eat, drink, poop and play! They have nothing to work for. They are my pleasure and my pets!

If you need more information, please let me know. I thank you so much for the opportunity to have these horses in my life. I wish I had more room in my barn because I would certainly adopt many more!

Thanks again!

Anne Kawski

Hi Celeita,

The parents have a contract ready and all fees. Do they have to do an application?? They wanted me to ask, but they will be e-mailing you today and calling to facilitate the change. This is an awesome combo for horse and rider. You are making one girls dream come true with parents that support her 100%. I excited for both of them.

Thanks,

Katie Murphy

Lauren Burke riding Bandit with a bitless bridel.

Charles, we finally got Bandits information out and a copy of the adoption
contract. I'm very sorry that it took us so long. The farm move put us months
behind on everything. It went out in the mail today. I hope Bandit and your
daughter are really enjoying each other. When you have time we would love to get
an update and see some pictures if you have any. Thank you again for giving
that sweet boy a great home. Celeita

Thanks for the note, and I understand the delay. Lauren and Bandit are doing great. I'll ask her to send you pictures.

This is Sequoia (aka little cash) in early September 07. He has won some ribbons in the hunter flat class. I will see what else we have. I will also see what I have from the vet about my poor Indigo. Lyla

Hi Celeita,
   I found a message on my answering machine looking for updates on
Frosty,Navvy, Genevieve(Val) Indy and Analisa.   I will try to get some
new pics done this weekend and out to you soon. They are all doing well.
The girls still make a big fuss over Frosty. He see's himself I think as
a wild mountain pony and likes to stand at the top of our hill surveying
the herd! But if you show up with a carrot he is longer "wild mountain
pony" but "in your pocket can I have that carrot pony"   The other 4,
I adopted to be broodmares but they actually have not worked out for
that. (except Navvy) I think I have mentioned some of this in previous
emails. Genevieve was listed as having ringbone but came with a club
foot and serious hind leg issues. One hind leg twists and caves in as
she walks. She is not in pain, but Im always watching it. Occasionally
it swells and I wrap it.
When I contacted the original owner he said she had a severe cut to her
tendon as a young horse and it must have resulted from that. But the
foal she had here had the same situation. We tried special shoes etc
but she also developed OCD.   I found the filly a home as a companion.
So I did not breed Genny again. She is a huge teddy bear though and we
love her so she is a pet. Indy's issues where also supposed to be
injury related. A slight limp and dragging of the hind leg. Her owners
had run all sorts of tests and the vets had concluded she had sustained
an injury to her spine as a baby. But amazingly enough at 10 months her
filly developed the same symptoms. I had already bred her again before
the symptoms arose. So far the second foal is not showing a problem.
But I won't breed her again. She too is a sweetie and is also a pet.
Navvy produced one lovely foal and currently has the year off hanging
out with the other girls. Analisa was a gamble as a broodmare. She
came thin and is a really hard keeper, I could never get her to settle,
but she is an old girl and happy to hang out with the others.My 3
daughters are growing fast and I want to spend more time with them so am
taking some time off from breeding anyway. . I hope you are all well.
Will get pics to you soon. Happy Holidays!!!!!

Renee in VT

Thank you Renee, we had been to your website where it said you had
> stopped breeding so we were a little concerned as to what you were
> going to do with these girls. Are you going to be able to afford to
> keep them at your farm as companion horses? I'm not sure we could
> place them again but I'm also worried about you being able to care for
> them as well. We are so glad you still have them but feel badly that
> they have not worked out for their jobs. Well, thank you for all that
> you are doing and for giving them a great home. Kiss all of them for
> us. Celeita

Hi Celeita,
Well that is the quandry. What to do with these girls.   I don't
think they are really placeable again either. Except as companions. The
other thing is Analisa had never been anywhere before she came here and
the transportation and transition to a new place just about blew her
mind. Im not sure how she would handle another move.
and we are attached to them all. So my plan has thus far been to keep
feeding them and loving them. It is a big bill with out the money
coming in for breeding and sales but I have picked up some outside work
with a veterinary clinic and with the Visiting Nurse Association and my
husband has a good job that he has had for 10 years.. For now we will
keep going as we are
and should we get to a point where it seems unfeasible I will definitly
let you know. I would have a very hard time letting them go though..
We stopped breeding because as we all know it is a 24/7 job and my girls
are growing so fast I did not want to look back in 10 years and regret
the attention I had given my business instead of my kids..   It was my
dream and it was very hard to let go of. Right when it was becoming
successful.   Very hard. But it was too hard for my family to keep
going with it. So we decided to close or suspend the breeding
operation. My oldest daughter is becoming quite the horsewoman so I
think in the future we may tinker again with a foal or two. She is
apprenticing at a barn, learning to train and working with therapeutic
riding.
But overall I think my energy can be more meaningfully spent on raising
my girls and more sustainable types of agriculture. We have been
raising Icelandic sheep for a few years and now have a milk goat and
some fiber goats.
We learned to milk this year and have been having fun with cheese etc.
The girls also knit with the fiber.
Anyway,
Happy Holidays! Its pretty cold up here already. and we have snow
with a big storm expected this weekend.
Talk to you soon.

Renee

Thank you Renee, I know exactly what you mean. I don't know what to do with all these older horses that can not hold many jobs. Many people just dump them on us but it will get to the point where we will eventually have to go to a 'kill' facility as we are not a retirement home and do not have the funds for that. Its so sad for these poor horses. Well, I do hope you can keep them but if not just let us know and we'll try to do the best we can for them. Thank you for giving them a great home for now. Celeita

I will have my update in the mail this weekend. I have been unable to contact the guy that had floated their teeth last fall. I try to keep this separate from my vaccines in the spring. I have not heard back from you regarding my questions so I will send as is and you can request more info if needed.

Thanks
Patricia Davis

I have mailed my updates twice and had them returned to me. I got back on the web site and noticed that the update papers I printed had your old address. I will try it again. Just an FYI.

Thanks,
Patricia Davis

Angus and Dundee are doing great. We have our new barn with four 10x14 stalls almost completely done. We are putting up new fence right now and have 5 acres of fenced pasture now.

Here are the updates on Angus and Dundee. Right after I last emailed you we were told we would be getting high speed internet and I decided to wait and email them to you. Please notify me that you have received them.

Thank You
Patricia Davis

They are in the barn at night for their evening feedings and their am feedings. We are still completing the finishing touches on the stalls my husband is making custom hay racks that are mounted to doors that swing out and allow access to their feed bins. I can't remember if I sent the pictures of the fence we just finished. We fenced all 5 acres in with 3 strands of 1 1/2 inch electric fence tape and the vinyl t-post covers. Everyone loves my boys. They can't believe they are from a rescue. The only thing I have found is that Dundee requires a lot of hoof maintenance. My farrier says he has really thin hoof walls and compares them to a Thoroughbred's. I pay extra to bring a farrier from 3 hours away to ensure he get's the best hoof care I can provide. When we had a damp spell he got a little thrush, I stalled him and treated it twice daily until clear. I will also have to keep him shod all winter due to him being a tender foot on the frozen ground. I hope to get Dundee in an indoor arena this winter so I can ride all winter. We are going to see if he would like to be a cutting horse. He has a natural aggressing that I might as well use.

P.S. Gonna start roping off Angus. We went riding with friends and I took him to work their long horn cattle. He was great, not spooky. He was just curious. No one doubts that he'll rope, they say he may hang the cow. Ha, Ha. He just enjoys going and riding no matter what we are doing. He even placed 3rd in the second division in barrels this year.

Thanks,
Patricia Davis

Celeita,

I am emailing the June follow up photos to you of Theo. I mailed the form to his vet yesterday to sign and I included a stamped envelope for her to mail the form and a copy of his coggins test.

We have been taking lessons with a trainer, doing a lot of flatwork and a small jump now and then (which really perks Theo up). There is an Irish Draught horse, “Cooch” and his owner Alison, who we have had some really great trail rides with. Theo and Cooch so far get along great and are a good match. Theo has really bonded now. He follows me around, greets me when I get home, and has become affectionate. Last year he liked me but this year he loves me.

We started lessons last September. As the weather cooled and he became more fit from all the ring work, I had a couple of spills. Two were during lessons. One was when the owner of the farm whose ring I use did something with his tractor when I was cantering. The other one was when my trainer, Alisha, was trying to do flying lead changes with me and Theo was getting really worked up. Alisha told me to tap his shoulder with the bat because he wasn’t listening. Sometimes Theo can be very sensitive and this was one of the times. I never really know what happens but it’s always when we are cantering and he puts his head down and changes directions. Oh well I got up and got right back on. The last time in Nov, we were trotting down a gravel road and my dog had come along. My dog went trail riding with us all summer and Theo never spooked because of her, (a deer once, a turkey hen once, but never because of Molly). Well Molly came trotting out on the side of us from the woods and Theo did the head down change direction thing. I landed hard on my ribs and cracked them. Alisha rode him for me for awhile after that. We rode up til the beginning of January and then took the rest of the winter off. I now wear a protective vest when I ride and I don’t take Molly with us anymore. I don’t ever want to hurt my ribs like that again.

He’s been very sensible so far this year and we have learned how to refocus him when he gets overly sensitive before he overreacts.

His corral became a mess this spring because it was loam and we had so much rain. My son and I rented a tractor removed a lot of the loam, enlarged the corral area and spread 10 yards of stone dust. Now when it rains the corral dries out fast and we no longer have the shoe sucking mud. Theo is much happier with the bigger space. It is big enough now to lunge him in it.

Your new place sounds great. Good luck with all the changes.

Take care,

Kathy Rowett

Kathy, I don't know if anyone responded to this email. We have over 400 emails in the in box and we can't seem to get caught up. I just wanted to let you know how great Theo looks. Unfortunately riding and falling off go hand in hand but we don't want anyone to get hurt. Please be careful. It happens to everyone at one time or another. Anyone that rides for any length of time will have an injury. I broke my back in 97 over a mistake I made on a horse and will probably always hurt a little. Hang in there and just try your best to be safe. You all do look wonderful together. Thank you for giving him such a great home. Celeita

petey and Holly

holly and Walter

Thanks- I will have them sign it tonight. I'm usually out there earlier than them in the morning so don't see them until evening. The boys seem to be adjusting well- of course, Walter is just back home and does not appear to be at all concerned by the heat! He'll just work right through it without hesitating (though I do try to only ride in the evening when it's cooler and not at all on the very hot days). Petey is not such a fan- he would prefer to stay in his stall under his fan than go out most days. I keep them in if it will be over 93. And not to interested in riding! We are on a semi- vacation for the summer so we do not ride alot and not hard when we do. Petey is fine with that! He did shed out very nicely- last year in WV he never seemed to lose some of the fuzz- this year he's very sleek! He's coming along very well- the owner of the farm we board at is an amazing horse woman and has taught me and Petey so much- as well as showing me how much Walter really knows how to do! We haven't had any trouble with sand- I was worried about that too (and fire ants) when we came here. But Tonia said to just give them a little metamucil once in a while and it would not be a problem and apparently the ants do not bother them. I love the idea of having 9 months of beautiful weather to ride in! Just 3 months of misery with the heat- half way through! I will send out all the papers tomorrow with pics of the boys but will email the pics of the farm so I don't have to waitto get them back. I will take them as soon as it stops raining! It's been 2 days so far... Anyway, take care! Hope you are enjoying the new farm! Can't wait til we finally find one!

Holly Beauclair, VP

We did see that you had won the case in Bristol and congratulations on getting the other rescue horses back also. I thought this had been sent. Sorry. We just bought a new printer/scanner that I can understand the software on so hopefully the pictures are attaching! I'm splitting them up because it locks up if I send to many at once. Good news, Ernie got a new job that pays close to what he was making before. We're working on completing the addition to the barn so everyone will have their own stall. There was a blurb in Horse Illustrated that said aggression in horses is triggered by the same chemical that causes depression in people. Funnyface must be near suicidal. As soon as they develop Prozac for horses we are SO there. He's fine with people but he's wearing out Trooper and Sparky during the winter when we take them off the pasture. Both attachments are Trooper but I can't get the title to change. Erena

Erena, I'm not sure if anyone responded to this, if not I am so sorry. We have over 400 emails and can't seem to get them all answered. Its a shame. The horses look great and we're glad to hear about Ernie's job. I hope you are finding a solution for ornery boy (funny face), maybe some calmex before turn out. He sounds like a heathen. Possibly more exercise for him will cure it. It does sometimes, getting them gainfully employed and working. I know that is hard to do with a busy life but maybe you know a kid that can come in a ride him daily that is a good rider. Hope all is well otherwise. Thank you both for hanging in there and continuing to give them such a great home for so long. Come see us sometime. Celeita

Hi Rachel and Celita,

Here are some photos that I took yesterday of our girl Jamie and my husband Dave working in the arena and then heading out for a nice trail ride. Doesn't she look great! They are getting along so well. Dave has learned so much from Jamie. If you ask her nicely she will do just about anything. She's still barefoot but we find Old Mac boots keep her more comfortable on the trails. I even leave them on in the paddock when the ground is hard and dry. She is on a good joint supplement plus daily Devil's Claw anti-inflammatory and her hocks stay loose and fluid. Dave rides her about 2-3 times a week. Next weekend we will take both horses to a state park in Michigan for a nice long trail ride -- Jamie's favorite thing.

Celita, I really would like to get health insurance on Jamie, like I have Bella. The cost is only $250/year for a $7500 major medical policy or $85/year for a surgery policy. The problem is that insurance companies require a mortality policy before they will do health and since I'm not the owner I can't take out mortality. I brought this up with you last year and you said you had a insurance contact who would work around this. Can you offer any advice? So far she has been the picture of health, but it would be a real hardship if she required colic surgery and we had no insurance.

Thanks to both of you for this wonderful sweet horse. Dave and I both love her very much and she has grown very fond of us, but especially Dave.

Shannon

Just sending along the follow-up form and several photos of Bru. She needs a bath!!!

Hope that you've gotten all moved in to the new farm. I check your list of horses for adoption regularly and wish I could take more.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks,

Cindy McPeters

Hi Celeita,

I wanted to give you an update on how the boys are getting along, it has been just over a month since they came to Ct. and finally they are settling down. I have to say both of them are high maintenance horses. Not only do they eat a lot but they are just both piglets in their stalls and each has their own mental issues! We are going to give Black a roll up shade to pull down over his stall front so he does not have to see anyone when he's eating. He looks like a crazy black beast if you even look his way at dinner time and of course he has to kick the wall.

Despite all of that I do love them both!

I will be taking some more pictures of them and will email them to you. I think you'll be very happy with their weight gain. I have Black on senior feed with a bit of hay stretcher pellets. I am feeding Orphy a textured 10 per cent protein/10 per cent fat feed along with a bit of hay stretcher pellet. Both get weight builder and are on strongid C2X daily. Along with taking pictures of them when they first came I wish I had taped them to see what their weight was so I could see how much they have gained. Both look so much better but both still need to gain more. Orphy is diving into his food now, at first he was very finicky, he likes what he's getting now and both are doing better eating their hay.

Orphy is not very nice a lot of the time to Black, he moves him around alot when they are out in the paddocks. No wonder Black was so thin!

I would like to eventually separate them so Black can just hang out and relax but I will wait until they are a bit more adjusted.

Do you know what happened to Orphy's left eye, he has a flat eye socket on the top and a nasty old scar.

Last weekend we finally rode Orphy, he was fine. I put him on the lunge line for a few minutes before of course and then my 15 year old son got up on him. Orphy does not move like a TB , he moves like a western pleasure horse! His gaits are so nice.

We have not ridden Black yet, we may try him tomorrow and see how he does.

Have you moved the farm yet? I hope all is going well with that.

I will email you those pictures soon!

Take care,

Pam

Celeita,

I wanted to let you know how the boys were doing, it has been just about 3 full months since their arrival here in Ct. I will send current pictures soon, you'll be very happy to see what the boys look like.

Both of them look like different horses than the day they arrived as they have both gained a lot of weight. Their hair coats are shining and their feet are looking much better. I do have to put pads on Black the next time the farrier comes as his soles are so flat to the ground going out on the trail is not fun for him with just shoes. Despite Blacks issues in his stall we just love him and he has been great in the ring. He needs a bit of work as far as not wanting to come down from the trot to a walk when asked but other than that he's been great. I have him on about 12 pounds of senior grain per day, strongid c2x and he gets weight builder in his food at night. I never put him up to more than 9 pounds per feeding and he gained very well on that. When riding him after trotting around the ring a few times he gets very winded and breaths very hard. He does not cough, roar or wheeze, just very labored breathing. Have you ever noticed that with him? I am hoping it is just that he is very out of shape and his age. We are taking it very easy on him, he has not even been asked to canter. We have been taking him on 1/2 hr walk trail rides to build him up.

Pam

I have sent the update by snail mail, tryed several times to fax it but realized it wasn't connected.

Am sending Bugsy latest pictures. He is doing very well, Isabelle rides him 2 times a week and she does very well with him, started leg yeild last week and loves him he is so responsive. She's about as big as a minute so it's ideal for his back and he loves her. The other horse is my broodmare Indy they are next to each other in their stalls and pastures and the girls do everything together with them both.

Lynnda Malone

Hi,

I wanted to tell you that Cody continues to make good progress with his dressage routines. His next show is two weeks from today, on July 28, at the Ohio University Horse Center outside of Ironton. Ashley is very happy with him and I am sure she will send the results and pictures to you after the show.

Bob Wilkinson

Hey Bob, I just wanted to follow up. How is Cody and Ashley doing. Did they have a good summer and fall? Do you have any more pictures? Really enjoy these updates, so glad to know things are going so well. Thank you for giving him such a great home. Celeita

Celeita,

Here is a very recent picture of Whim after a rare bath while we were
visiting Blowing Rock Stables. Colleen Boll

Colleen, thank you for the picture. Sorry its taken me so long to get back to you. I'm sooooo behind on emails with the move, settling in and all the horses we have. You two look great and it looks like you're having a great time. I am so happy for you. Thank you for giving him such a great home for so many years. Celeita

Good morning, Celeita---

Just got a minute, finally, to send you an update on these two girls…
I ran down and picked them up on Monday and then took yesterday off from work to recuperate!
Boy, that was a drive…10 hours each way…whew. Not quite as bad as your WV hills, but sure close!!
My truck was tired, too, I think…ha…

I met Nancy, obviously, which was sure a pleasure…what a nice lady!
The mares were so pretty and calm…hard to believe that they're TBs… ; ))))
They behaved superbly…especially considering the fact that my trailer was in view the entire time
(and boy did they know something was up!). Very, very sweet girls…and very dear to her, understandably.
They rode like a dream all the way home, ate their hay calmly and I really did not know they were back there
(other than the extra weight for the truck, of course).

They've settled in well already...taking their new surroundings, new caretakers, our routine and new horses around all in stride, no problems.

They had a nice, sunny "first day out" yesterday in a paddock together, separate from everyone else, of course…so they could take in their new scenery in peace.

I'm sure it helps A LOT to have them both together…what a super idea from Nancy and a win-win for all involved.
We talked more about the first-foal-back agreement for Do (and made a contract for it, also) and are quite excited for a baby next spring!

And our stallion Atella is already in love with them both…he's barely taken his eyes off of them enough to eat. Lol...very fun…

I took a couple photos of the girls with Nancy before we headed out and will send those to you once I figure out how to get them off my camera phone!

Lol…the joys of "technology"…something new to figure out again.

Hope you're well and that the end of your moving is in sight!

Take care,
Angie

Hi Celeita!

I just wanted to send a happy note updating you on Fior. He is such a big puppy dog at heart! As soon as we brought him home and let him unwind in our paddock, he whinnied a "hello" to our two geldings and seemed curious to meet them. The three of them would all graze in the same area across from each other (separated in two different pastures about 12' apart). Each morning Fior would trot up and down the rail waiting for the other boys to get turned out across from him, and after a couple weeks they were finally turned out together. He is very friendly with the others; I've seen him often 'groom' the withers of our 14.1 hand pony, so he has a bit of a stretch down to reach him! Most mornings he rolls as soon as he gets turned out and then heads off to be with the boys. A couple weeks ago I rode him for the first time since at your farm and fell in love all over again! He was just a perfect gentleman! We hacked along our woodline for about 20 minutes and not once did he spook, jump, try to speed up, or act naughty in any way; he just walked literally on the buckle taking in the sights. He did stare and stare at an Amish buggy that passed by though! He also is doing well with his food; he still gets his senior feed pellets and scarfs them up beautifully. Of course he also hasn't forgotten about his peppermint candies and will nudge me with his nose to tell me he wants more, and he often will just rest his nose on my shoulder--he's so sweet! I wish he could be cloned! I am hopeful that the winter is kind up here and lets us enjoy more riding time this year, and of course as the year goes by I'll be sure to send you more updates. Have a happy weekend Celeita!

Amanda

P.S. Erica McKeever called a couple weeks ago and had lots of information to tell us about Fior's past. It was neat to hear about his history and learn how much he meant to her and her family all these years.

Hi Celeita, just wanted to drop a line about my Wild Willie. I sent in the update a couple of months ago, but I didn't send pictures... I have a new digital camera and I'm still trying to figure out how to send pictures off of it (duh.. more reading of the manual..).

Will is doing great. I switched trainers because I wasn't happy with the results I got from the last one. I'm working with a trainer who does alot of John Lyons, I believe he's a certified trainer through them. BUT let me tell you the difference is AMAZING!! Will was being ridden by the old trainer but he was still so STIFF, like we were trying to kill him or something. This new guy comes to my property (don't ask what it costs, I have to lie to the hubby as it is) works with him in front of me and I see the results. Will's main problem is his nervous nature and distrust in general with men. Mark (my new trainer) and I are working him through it slowly. Whoever had him must have done a total number on him, because where as he's great for me, he's still nervous and confused by men, and or stressful situations, i.e. a leaf blowing by his face.... He is the most challenging horse I've ever met. Sometimes I think about giving up, and then he just amazes me with what he can do. We've had a ton of set backs, but I know if I just follow through with everything he'll be amazing in the end. Who am I kidding, I'm so in love with him I'd never part with him!! I'm not riding him, we're just going back over alot of ground work, and filling in those little holes where he's not sure with confidence. He needs Alot of it!!! I think of what you do with all those horses who are just like Will was, and I can say nothing but thank you from all of them, and Will and I. We found each other because of your website, and I'm sure all those horses will find their owners in the same manner.

Would I like a calm steady horse to go trail riding on? SURE, but Will is what I needed, a horse that never stops teaching me after twenty some odd years in horses that the best reward is a good scratch on the neck, and a longwalk on a loose lead. I watch his progress with a sense of accomplishment. Here was a colt who ran from you, shook like aleaf when you opened the door to his stall, and had white line so bad, it almost compromised his foots health, and growth. And now look at him, he's gorgeous!! I guess I just wanted to maybe encourage people to take on some of the strays someone elese discarded, or who've been removed by authorities. I'm just uncovering the layers of Will, and after all the abuse I'm still amazed that he lets anyone near him. He let me into his life, and now I couldn't bear to be without him, or my old man Monty.

I wish you all the best with the horses who need homes, I wish I could adopt them all....Just remember to tell them the words of Mary Wanless, "There are no problem horses, only problem riders". Maybe if we all realized that there wouldn't need to be adoption organizations like this one. God bless Alice & Will (Monty too for his 'brother')

Alice, thanks for the update, so sorry its taken me so long to write back. Its always a pleasure to hear from you. I wish all our adopters felt the way you do. Makes me want to send more horses to you. :)))

Speaking of which, we have a standardbred in CT in dyer need of a foster home until we get her placed. Do you know anyone who might be able to keep her until we find her a home. She is a sound, trained horse (drives and rides) so I'm really hoping it won't take too long.

Kiss that boy for us and thank you so much for giving Willie such a wonderful understanding and loving home. Celeita

Noah and Handsome Rob (Cooper)

Hello all-
I thought you might want to see a picture of Cooper (Handsome Rob) with his new baby brother, Noah. Noah is 2 weeks old in the picture. Cooper has been very well behaved around the baby so far- although he is always very well behaved. He is curious but is very gentle. Hope all is going well at the new facility. Take Care-
Audrey

Never fear, Celeita. The contract is fine.

I had my Russell R. for 22 years and he died in my arms. My PJ was 26 and died in my backyard.

It would take a dire emergency I simply cannot foresee for me to ever sell one of "My Boys." If all they can be is a pasture ornament, they have a home for life, good food, hoof care and a wonderful vet to help watch over them.

And, as I've said, they are also provided for in my will.

Thanks so much. Chance seemed pretty pleased with himself this morning.

Tucker is always pleased with himself, so no change there. *G*

Jean

Celeita, here are the pictures of the cute little barn I have rented. It is
3 stalls with a 3 1/2 acre pasture attached. I will mail the paper work
this weekend. I think I faxed my annual update to the old number, but I was
still at the other barn then. I'll mail that as well so that the records are
straight for old Quincy. There will be a herd of cattle next to us in the
spring, I hope he has seen a cow before?

Your new place is incredible!!! I would love to be able to come in October,
have to wait and see what the time off schedule looks like. I sure wish I
could take one of those horses and puppies(the one that looks like a
rottie/shep mix with the red collar and white on his chest) A friend of my
mine keeps looking at Cookies and Cream who reminds her of her Sonny who
unfortunately broke his leg in a horrible pasture accident last year when
she was boarding him waiting to close on her house and he had to be put
down. The foals are adorable of course. Are we sure General Patton isn't
Cookies and Creams babie's daddy? That filly looks very large! If she were a
draft cross, I may HAVE to take her.

I keep spreading the word about SWAP and all your good work Celeita, and I'm
still working on winning that lottery!

Michelle & Quincy

Celeita, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I asked a few people here if they could take one. It seems people are having difficulty feeding the ones they have....with the price of hay and such. I use your name every year with my students when I discuss the military....women serving...I've always been proud of you and Melody and your service...thank you. Dana's daughter, Hollie, just returned from Iraq within the last week. Just wanted to say hi and I'm thinking of you.

Hey Pat, How are things going. We got your update and loved it (of course). We all sit and look at your year. I wish every adopter did that. Its a wonderful review of the year. We all love the farm. I hope you are liking the new place. Were you ever able to sell your old house? I am still trying. I've had 3 offers, 2 lost their financing and the last made an offer sight unseen and as soon as I met them I knew they would not buy. He was still in the Navy in Norfolk for 2 more years and she has 4 young kids. No way they could keep up with that big farm. Funny, she was thinking it was smaller.... not sure why she thought 31 stalls plus 2 more big barns is small. So we are back at the beginning trying to get it sold. uggggg.

I wanted to send you the pictures of Mary's goats. She can't keep them off her house. Pretty funny. They are all milk goats so I get fresh goat milk all the time. :))

also see the attached and take care, Celeita

Celeita - It is great hearing from you. I love the photos of the goats on the house. Thankfully, ours are short and fat and they don't even jump on our cars. They are really FUNNY and very sweet when they aren't demanding the world on a silver platter. Lately they have decided that they like to be groomed ...even the unfriendly ones are becoming more friendly so they can get brushed.

Yes, we FINALLY sold the Dallas house and LOST MONEY! We had lived there 6 years and lost a good chunk of change. That should not have happened, but the real estate market is not all that predictable. I have two friends who have had their BEAUTIFUL homes for sale for 2 years each - and they have their houses priced at LESS than what they have in them. I would prefer to have broken even, of course, but we just wanted out of 6,300 sq ft and to be able to move to the farm (half the size house and room for the critters). Your farm will sell but it is going to take time. It is really hard to sell stuff in Dallas. It's a buyers market big time. And I'm sure it's much harder to sell a farm way out in the country. BTW, we had three contracts submitted before we got one that would work out. Maybe the 3rd time with be the charm for you!

I'm glad you and the crew liked my Miss B report for 06-07. I am going to have a lot to tell for June 07. We had a 3 day move (in other words, movers in the house for 3 days packing and loading up stuff). On the morning of the 2nd day I fell in a greasy 7-Eleven store parking lot (while wearing cheapo flip-flops) and fractured my left ankle. (7-Eleven is the same company that laid me off in March - I think they are plotting against me!) It was so painful. Fortunately, I don't have to have surgery or a plate or pins. I do get to wear a big black UGLY boot thing for a minimum of 4 weeks (this week is the 4th one). Of course, I have not been able to ride ... or barely to clean a stall. In fact, I am afraid to lead the horses (though I have done it several times) because if one of them pulled me over, I could break my leg for real. This boot thing is so big and clumsy that I've fallen over about 4 times already. When I fall, I just let myself go and don't even try to catch myself.

To top things off, after 3 years of drought we have had unbelievable rains for the past 3 months (it hasn't rained here in 5 days and if I could dance, I would do a "happy non-rain dance"). The equestrian trails (which are a major reason we moved out here) are about half under water and have been for weeks ... and when the water receeds we'll have a big mess to clean up, I'm sure. Anyway - Miss B and her sister Pebbles are both getting fat and sassy. I hope I can B get into training in Sept. (I have received a verbal promise from Will the Trainer). Pebbles came back from Will's place and is so much better behaved. (He is VERY TALENTED.) Pebbles now stands still when you want her to, no fussing around, minds her manners. I haven't ridden her even once, but at least she is trained and horses don't forget. I sent her there to get the buck out of her (she had a little bit of an attitude), but I got so much more than I bargained for. She is doing great. B has gotten calmer and more friendly too ... but we still have some respect issues. I think Will could save me a lot of time if he would just take care of them. He is a very gentle, natural horsemanship trainer. I think he is going to be big some day, and when that happens, I won't be able to hire him. So I'm hoping B goes to his place for at least 3 months this fall.

I am not sure if we are going to build a barn for the horses and move them to our place or not. It is so much more convenient to have them a block down the street and have someone else get up early and feed them. I have to get up early for the goats, but right now, it makes more sense to keep the horses at the stable. We may change our minds (and we do need to build the goats a better shelter before it gets cold ... or at least patch on the existing one).

Do you have a wedding date set? How is everything going? Are you moved in to the new farm and do you feel like you are home? We are still living in boxes. Maybe I can remedy that when I get this boot thing off my foot. I have still not found employment since being laid off but I'm trying to generate some freelance writing. That may be my next career ... and it would let me stay home!!!!!! Mark is very supportive of this idea (I think he would like the novelty of a cooked meal every once in a while when he gets home from work). OK, girl, take care and keep up all the good work with SWAP. You have a bunch of horses I would love to have, but I can't become the Angelina Jolie of horses (she is "collecting" babies and needs to stop it!). I loved hearing from you.

Best of everything, Pat

Celeita - I haven't sent you a photo of Miss B in some time. We have been living a busy life, but I recently snapped some new photos and I do want to share her beauty with other horse lovers out there. Here she is in her personalized halter and matching lead rope (all for show, not for go). She has had a bit of an attitude lately, but she is still funny and full of surprises (most of them good). Miss B and I hope Indy is doing well. Please post an update soon. Thanks, Pat

Everything is so exciting for you guys. Im so happy for you all. I know I cant come that weekend as Im scheduled to judge a local show on the 6th. Tysons has been working us half to death this summer. Too many 6 day weeks. I have the Monday after my birthday off (Oct 23)...and Im planning on heading out to Upper Marlboro for the PNH tour stop. Addy has been awesome. I have a 4-her who loves him and does so well with him. Shes horseless due to her mom & dad going through a messy divorce. There are 2 sisters. One is a bit too aggressive a rider for Addy but Colleen is a very soft and quiet rider. She wanted/needed a horse to ride and things are going so well between them that Im going to let her show him a bit. Addys always been wonderful inside a fence....his only 'fault' is that he still worries outside of the fence ...but as we go along and do more trail riding that is getting better. So Im sharing him a bit with the younger generation. Of course its meant that Colleen has had to learn about PNH....but that has been great for her ...she loves it. Hes such a wonderful guy. Do you remember when the other horses chased him off the bridge at SWAP....where he got that puncture wound in his chest & elbow? Well he still has some fears about bridges. I had him out riding the other day and we had to cross a wood bridge over a muddy creek. Well...I ended up getting off because he was balking (I couldn't really blame him considering that history). So I asked him to cross it...but he danced off to the side and crossed the creek itself going knee deep in mud. He got to the other side and kinda went...hum...let me try it her way...just his buddy Ni around (Ni is Niascoot a retired s'bred pacer). So we played yoyo game with the bridge....1 foot on...1 foot off....2 feet on....2 feet off...etc until I had him standing relaxed in the middle of the bridge...then I sent him off to the other side with squeeze game and asked him to cross. At that point he relaxed and crossed. So I sent him back...found a log...mounted back up...crossed the bridge and went on with my ride. For Colleen who was riding with me but ahead on the trail...I think that was a turning point for her. I think she'd seen a lot of people get mean or mad with horses that arent doing what people want them to do. I just stayed relaxed and let Addy make up his own mind (patiently persistent in the proper position) about which way was better to cross. I explained to her that he had to make the choice and work it out for himself. I just set up the proper way to ask him and stayed persistent enough to let him work it out. That's one of the reasons I love him so....he thinks and tries his heart out for me.

Belle is getting quite big now. Gads...and that energy. I wish I could bottle it and sell it. She'll be 9 months mid month this month. Shes already about 2 inches taller than Gi was and is about 57lbs now. She has to get a buzz job this weekend. I sent her out last time. I love the groomer who did her but its a 45 min drive to the shop and theyre closed on weekends. With my schedule...I decided to do her myself this time. Ill give you a chuckle. Ive been shopping all the horse catalogues looking for a pair of clippers. My old Wahls bit the dust some time ago. So Im in Walmart yesterday looking at the clippers in the pet section. I wasn't impressed by the selection...so I headed over to the pharmacy area looking for some stuff and saw the 'people' clippers. I got a set of wahls....adjustable blade (from 30 to 10)....guards that make it adjustable even more... self sharpening blades...other goodies aimed for humans....all for 22.00. The same clippers targeted for pets ... horses or dogs are at least 55.00. So we now have the ability to get a buzz job. LOL. Theyre just so slick tacking on that extra money to target it to pets.

As of June 17th...I now own my home. Im waiting on title now. The bank had a merger and they sent all the titles to annapolis when the two banks merged (and theyre in the process of merging again with PNC). Psyche....no more house payments. I worked damn hard for 3 years to make that happen. Im going to keep working hard through the winter into the spring at which point Ill have the word out so I can switch back to horses full time. I thought about quitting Tysons now...but cant really because I didn't put the word out that I was going to be available. I still have to fill my oil tank for the winter and I really really want some new living room furniture. Once those goals are achieved I can get on outta there. Girl...I hate it so much in there. I just cant wrap my brain around that 'get over' do as little as possible to get paid mentality. So many of those black americans in there wander around in their lives like drunken sailors with no purpose...no goals... no aspirations for something better for themselves. They live paycheck to paycheck. Me...Im a driven person. I set a goal and work it until its achieved. Two months ago they wanted me to apply for management in there. When the general production manager was up on the stand with me talking to me about the job....I looked around....9 pallets in the fillet section (a pallet is 25 70lb tubs of meat that didn't get processed as it came off the line)....4 pallets in the wing section....2 pallets of whole birds that were misfired out of the machines. I turned to him after surveying the 'damages' (the place is running like hell at the moment and has been running poorly for about 3 months now mostly due to 'green' help who have not attained their speed or accuracy yet) and basically told him no thanks. 'Youre my 6th GPM in 3 years....Im now working under my 7th sectional manager in 3 years....I see how tysons takes care of not only its workers but also its management. Ill pass thanks...I dont need that kind of aggrevation in my life. I make 32k without all that frustration'. Nothing like a little honesty to open his eyes to the fact that his job is not secure either. LOL. If Im going to take a management job it'll be on an horse farm/estate.

Im tired...gotta go get my mowing & some mucking done. We've been droughting for a couple months now. The water table has gotten so low in nearby counties in MD that wells are going dry. We got some rain last weekend and my grass took off. So it needs cut. Then Im going to climb back into the bed for some more sleep before I have to head into night shift. They havent posted whether or not we're working tomorrow night. I really hate when they dont give us at least 24 hours of notice about saturdays. I have to leave Colleen in limbo about when we're doing something over the weekend. Its getting hot fast and I need to get my work done before its roasting out there. Ill get my update in too...Im sorry Im late. Everything is the same as last year except my vet retired this year so I have switched vets for his shots. Darryl Insley is doing my work. My farrier is the same...the dentist is the same (he was done in march)....his location is the same. Hes a big fat butterball. Hes also a bleached blonde at the moment. He'll get his nice rich brown with dapples color back when the winter coat starts to come in. Im struggling with some scratches at the moment. We're not getting much rain but we have dew almost every day so hes been afflicted with scratches this year. Those darned white feet of his. His deworming schedule is the same (and Im about due). Im doing coggins, eee, wee, vee, flu, rhino, tetnus, wnv & rabies in the spring. I back that up with eee, wee, vee, flu, rhino & wnv in the fall. Around here due to heavy mosquito populations well into dec you do you mosquito born illness shots 2x a year. We dont travel a lot so we dont do strangles or potomac horse fever unless we are going to head into a prone area. Hes living the good life. We're all living the good life. LOL

Chris

Hi Celeita,

I just went online to print out my adoption update. It'll be in the mail soon. Sorry it's late, I just can't seem to remember that it's due in June. Somehow I'm always thinking it's due in August...
Anyway, everything's going well here and Missy's doing great. I was sssoooo happy to see that the horrible woman who had Missy in TN was finally charged and that we may finally see justice for all the horses that were in her care (or lack thereof!)

Rebecca

P.S. I attached a recent pic. of Me & Missy...enjoy!

Dear Celeita,

Thanks so much for sending Chance's vet record right away. I'm afraid I've been remiss in getting back to you, as I didn't get home until late on the 22nd, and then have been swamped with work. Chance is doing GREAT. I just cc'd you on my note to Angela giving her an update, and asking for any info about him, plus his rabies tags. It was nice meeting you, and it was really wonderful of you to bring him all that way to us. I hope your friend showed up soon after we left, and that you had a pleasant visit. I'll send a couple of photos from our first night with Chance in my son's dorm room!

Esmé

Dear Angela,

I'm writing to ask for your help in getting to know the new member of our family. Chance, the little brindle pitbull mix (?) is already very much a member of the family, having spent part of his first night with us in the top bunk in my college boy's dorm room in Washington, DC with my husband!!!! (He spent part of the night on the floor with my son, and part with me in the bottom bunk-- what a crazy night, but he sure bonded with us!). Now he's home with us in Connecticut, and having a wonderful time. What is amazing is that I could swear that at some point every day, he actually stops, stops me, and says "Thank you for giving me this new chance on life". I'm serious. That first night in the dorm room, I could actually read the doubt in his mind as he thanked us and wondered how long it would last. I had to go over to him and tell him it was forever, and that I don't make promises lightly. He believes it, but he still tells us thank you every day.

I guess I already know a lot about him from his behavior, but do wonder about his past, and hope maybe you know something. If you know who brought him to the shelter, and that they would care to know that he's safe and has a wonderful life, I hope you could tell them. If you know anything about his past that you could share with me, I sure would appreciate it.

I have to say, we've come up with some pretty wild stories of our own. The current favorite is that he was a drug dealer's guard dog, but proved insufficiently aggressive. (He doesn't seem to have an aggressive bone in his body-- lots of wiggle and wags, though!) The reason this story has stuck is that he is absolutely crazy about riding in cars. In fact, if I don't train him out of the habit of flying into any car any time any part of it is opened (I found him in the trunk of my car yesterday when I opened it and turned away to pick up something to put in it-- I heard a "thunk" and there he landed, and proceeded to curl up for a nap), I'm afraid he could come to harm by trying to get into a stranger's car, or worse, getting in with someone who wants to steal him. He's already learned to sit and stay before jumping into the car. It's his absolute favorite thing to do, and he makes himself right at home, settling in for the long haul as soon as he gets in. The only time he ever barks is when someone approaches the car. Anyway, we thought maybe a drug dealer would drive around all day and hope Chance would protect his drugs, but Chance was too friendly, and got fired from the job.

I hope his coming to be with us was not the result of someone losing him due to a bad family situation. I don't know how anyone could give him up otherwise. I hope he wasn't just lost, and someone out there is still looking for him. He's so sweet, it's just difficult to think of any reason to give him up, unless whoever had him wanted a ferocious pit bull, and got a beautiful, sweet boy instead.

Whatever his story, whatever information you have, I would so appreciate hearing from you. If you have any idea how old he is, we'd love to know that (I suppose it's way too much to ask when his birthday is). I'd be happy to give you a call if that might work out for you. Please send your number and when it's good for you for me to call. Also, if you could send his rabies tag, I could go register him with my town, as required by law. (If you could tell me when he received the rabies vaccine, that would be helpful, too). And please, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about him and how he's doing now!

Thank you for your service to these innocent animals.

Esmé, Chance's new mom

Angie, So glad to know you made it home without trouble. I thought with two pups they would have gotten into everything. I'm happy to hear the kids liked all the new additions. Hope Allen was okay with it as well. Can't wait to hear the future updates. Thank you for giving them all a home and come back anytime. Its a nice break for me to have someone to talk to. All the best, Celeita

Ah, yes, Alan is used to the ever-changing animal herd concept by now…we had our 10-yr. anniversary in June!

Boy did he have NO idea what he was getting into when we met and started dating in 1994! Ha.

I think he grew up with ONE outside cat and that was it. Quite different here now!!

He’s an agreeable type though and does truly like all the animals now…which is very good.

My 7yo daughter Emily has been helping me walk the dogs already until we can get their fenced area done this weekend.

She’s really enjoying it and has really taken to Gizmo…he’s a bit calmer and doesn’t pull as much as Lady!

Interesting. I think she likes the idea of Lady…smaller, very cute and friendly…but they will just have to get used to each other more, I think. Both dogs are quite lively and tumbling around with each other when we let them loose to play inside, of course.

Cute puppy behavior! I forgot to ask you how old you thought they each were?

And, any other info on them besides that they came from the shelter and are fixed now?

We’re happy to give them a home…since we have room and they need one. And I’m always happy that you require such good health care prior to letting your animals go…it sure makes for a smooth transition into a family. You DO do a super job, Celeita!

Our little dog Bailey was MUCH better with Lady & Gizmo last night already…he was a bit concerned at first what these new dogs were doing in HIS house and with HIS family and kept herding them away from us. Schnauzers are just very protective little dogs!

He was already ignoring them last night though and not caring that they were chasing each other around the living room! Good.

Now the cats want nothing to do with the house right now though…lol…

We turned Seth and Roulette out in our “arena paddock” (half arena, half grass) together and they got along incredibly well. Were they out together before? I left them there overnight even though it was raining a bit since they had already found the run-in and were sharing it and one of the piles of hay I gave them, too. Super. They both seem to be very sensible and Roulette has been very calm actually. I was expecting her to be a bit jumpy at first until she’d gotten a better picture of our place, routine and other horses.

I enjoyed visiting your new farm…and am very impressed with how much you’ve gotten done already. Truly. It’s no small feat moving and upgrading…while taking care of 42 horses & 12+ dogs!! I’d love to come visit again before Christmas and learn how to drive, too…if I can stay more than 24 hours! Maybe I could even bring my retired dressage mare Abby out & we could try her. I’m sure she’d take right to it…and I think the stable I bought her from even drove her a couple times…of course that was back in 1989! She’s very smart though and incredibly well broke so probably remembers some of it…

Very enjoyable to talk with you, too…someone who KNOWS horses (not stuck on one breed or discipline) and genuinely cares for them as INDIVIDUALS. That’s sort of rare these days…and a welcome relief.

Take care & I’ll keep encouraging folks around here to check out your website!

Angie

Hey Celeita, Thank you for Julius, my daughter loves him. And for all the people that looked and never adopted him you sure did miss out on one of the special ones. He has perfect house manners, completely housebroken (bladder of steel) and always very happy to see you. Thanks to all the people that helped save this boy from any harm. I have attached a picture of Julius and my daughter Courtney the first night home. Take care, Maureen

Julius at his new home with the Lee Family in NC

My goodness it feels like it's been FOREVER since I have talked to you! We are doing great, I have gotten really involved with the Ohio Horseman's Council and enjoy seeing a lot more of Ohio. I have been to Mohican State Park, Malabar Park, Wills Creek Park, and of course Mount Gilead State Park in the past month. Spade and I are having a blast together. He still amazes me, he has not changed (except his weight) since he left your place. Oh, and the he's without that huge bump on his head, but it still drains. No big deal, I just keep it clean and he's fine. He's an angel! I went ahead and got him shod since we are doing so much riding these days and just for the record he seems extremely content to be an only horse now that he's at our home. Even my trainer said that she was surprised at how well he has adjusted. One of the advisors in OHC said that former stallions are generally use to living a life of solitude so maybe that's why he's adapted flawlessly. Let me know if you have another horse suitable for me. We are considering getting another one in the future.

The new place looks beautiful! Maybe I'll get a chance to come visit soon. I miss you guys! Keep in touch, OK!

Talk to you soon,

Debora and Spade

Sorry Mary--those pictures are still sitting here. Desk work is the
first to get postponed. I have liberty shots and am taking the
people shots with Hoot and Stride now. I will send you some of both.

I have finished all the paperwork for Celeita except the people
pictures. I will send them to both of you soon--I will finish the
roll tomorrow so they will be off to you next week!

I look forward to your feedback.

I am so grateful and happy to be working with the animals I have. I
am blessed with living treasures!

With my regards,
Carrie Farmer (alias: Pokey Pete)

Can't wait to see the photos Carrie! I fully understand the "paperwork" stuff <LOL> So happy things are going well. Hope you can come visit some time this summer. We're having an Open House today to showcase the latest horses that were seized by Lewis County law enforcement. Check out the pics on the web site of the new babies born this week!

All the best,

mary

Hi Celeita,

If you ever want to know what's going on with Chance or Tucker, for that matter, I do a blog at www.follywoods.blogspot.com

Chance has been lame for just under a month. Something in the right hind leg. I trailered him to the NJ Horse Park so my vet could see him Memorial Day weekend. At that point, Dr. Klayman said he was about a 11/2 grade lame. We decided to put him on some bute for about 4 days and then he'd come out the next week to look at him again and do some nerve blocks, as none of his visual or touch tests indicated anything. No heat, no swelling, and no real change on flexion tests.

I've kept Chance in his stall and runin shed since then. When my vet came out, he had improved considerably and we decided to wait on the nerve blocks as we weren't too keen on doing injections if time would cure the problem.

Our next appointment is scheduled for the week of June 25, but I took Chance out to see him on the lunge yesterday and he looked pretty darn sound to me. I plan on continuing the rest until I am sure it was not just a one day thing. My farrier was here today to trim him, so with his feet done, I should have an even better evaluation of his soundness. Frankly, I think he is OK now, so it may well have been a muscle injury.

At any rate, obviously, I don't have much to report about his training at the moment. I downloaded the annual report form and will be sending it to you. I think he has grown at least an inch to 15.2 and his coat looks gorgeous--a shining golden chestnut.

My trainer gave me a lesson on him when he was still OK and said his was a cute mover. He liked his attitude and seemed to think he was going to be a good little horse. At this point he is still a little small for me, but I am not at all sure I want to show him, so for trail riding and just general fun riding, he is just right. His laid back attitude is a nice change of pace from Thoroughbred temperament.

Speaking of...Tucker. I rode with two different trainers, both of whom think he is a really nice horse. Age 7...yes, already!!...seems to agree with him so far as he is really proving to be talented and willing to try most anything I challenge him with. We're still at first level for the time being until we perfect the canter/walk transitions...walk/canter are a snap. Once we get that solid, we'll cruise through second level. Then it's flying changes and on to third. From them on, it's a breeze until FEI. He already does basic half pass, and I am sure the canter pirouettes will be a cinch. Anything that requires collection will be very easy for him. But there is no rush. I'll let him come along at his own pace. After all, he is Tucker--his own man. *G*

Take care. Looks as if you are really busy with the new farm and all the new horses. Glad to know you have been able to save so many, but it does make for a lot of work.

Jean D.

Faith and Don made it out and it didn't rain on our ride so it was a GOOD day! It's so hard not having anyone to ride with cause I'm just not "brave" or maybe stupid enough to go it alone anymore. At least not out here where no one would know where to begin looking for me.

As you can see from the pic, I rode Lovey with no bridle! I used one of those headstalls where you can clip a bit on and off but just used long braided rains snapped onto the sides. It was a completely different horse. No head tossing, lip gyrations or tongue thrusting. She, who is the dominant pasture pony would not go in front but followed Lucky like a trooper. I think she's just not very confident yet. Lucky was a gem and Faith rode her flawlessly. Faith has great hands and a very good seat.

We went up on the hill and worked around and then went on down the road a ways. Did encounter some traffic but both girls did well. Oh, and Lovey can jump. We came to a down tree and Lucky checked it out and calmly stepped over it. Lovey went up to it, sniffed, put her head forward and leapt over it. Thankgod I still have a good seat <LOL>

Faith tried the running walk with Lucky and fell in love with the gait. Lovey.....now get this....all the ground work is paying off.....actually trotted for me. It's still a little rough to post to but I never thought we'd get there. Now on for a true canter.

Mark says Don is a hoot. He plays bluegrass so MArk is going to work on that and Don wants Mark to teach him some classical stuff. Don is 64, former military of some sort and a general surgeon in Ravenswood. He mountain bikes, runs marathons and eats nothing but junk food. He even brought his own white bread. <LOL> He knows nothing about horses but when he and Faith started seeing each other, he went out and got Horses For Dummies. So he and Mark talked about the book since Mark bought it as well hehehe

He seems like a nice guy but admits he's obsessive compulsive. Faith says he's a handful.

We ended up riding for over two hours but it seemed like only 20 min.

See ya tomorrow

One of the hens and her chicks decided to join Lovey for her afternoon snack. Good thing she didn't have a craving for McNuggetts..........maryanne daggett "Aunt Mary"

Debora and Spade at the Cowboy Challenge, enjoying their summer with lots of activities with the Ohio Horseman's Association.

Hi there!

Hope all is well with you and Crossed Sabers. I have been so busy lately with Spade, his ear still hasn't healed and I doubt that it ever will, unless we take him back to OSU for another surgery and I doubt we'll be doing that anytime soon. I took him out today for about an hour and he is doing awesome, after going through four saddles, I finally got one that fits him properly. He and I have been hitting the trails together and there is a lot of improvement in both of our techniques. He is responding great, he fussed a little bit when we first started going out, but I switched him to a different bit (a walking horse bit) and he is doing awesome. OH I also wanted to let you know that I have joined the Ohio Horseman's Association and am really enjoying getting involved with the group. Last weekend we cleaned up the Mount Gilead State park and this weekend we are having a trail ride there. I still haven't wormed him yet, but I bought the Zemectrin Gold as you suggested and plan on doing it this weekend. Overall he is doing fantastic, and I am looking forward to the upcoming warmer weather and trail rides. He is so much fun to ride and I have started referring to him as my Therapist cause he is by far the best therapy I have ever experienced.

Talk to ya soon!

Debora and Spade

Hi Celeita,

Hope all is going well with the new barn move. The new place is so beautiful!

Chance is doing really well and learning fast. We did have a little "young horse" incident last weekend. We were just kind of trotting around the ring, and Mr. Fumblefoot tripped and fell, sending me flying over his head. I landed on my right shoulder as he managed to get back on his feet to move off a few steps. While I caught my breath, he stood there looking at me as if to say, "Hey, what happened?"

I was and still am pretty sore, but Xrays were fine and although my shoulder was jammed, I am OK. It was just one of those things.

Since then, I've taken a mini-lesson on Chance with my trainer. He thinks the kid is a "cute mover" and will be one of those nice steady horses. I am a little big on him, but it's not bad, and we're pretty sure he is going to grow some more--at the very least chunk out. Whether or not I will make him into a competition dressage horse remains to be seen. Right now, he is just plain fun, especially on the trail. He has such a lovely attitude and doesn't seemed to be bothered by much.

The herd dynamic is interesting. Chance is "low man," but at the same time he partners up with Tucker to play and will hang out with Toby too. The nice thing is that when I went to a lesson with Tucker, Toby and Chance seemed to have a fine time together, so all is well in the compatibilty department.

The attached picture is of Chance and Tucker in the pasture. Not much grass, I'm afraid. I will be liming, seeding and fertilizing shortly so they will have to stay off it for a week or so. They do get plenty of hay, so the grass is just to keep them busy, not to feed them. Everyone gets fed three times a day and I leave lots of hay out during the day. A guy just across the street from me is selling a nice timothy mix he brings down from New York State, so it's pretty easy to stock up. My other hay guy has all kinds of mixes and the last time I ended up with a few bales of alfalfa in my load. I dole that out as a special treat.

Tucker sends his best. Considering the size of his ego, that is a lot to send. Chance much more modestly says, "Hi!"

Take care,
Jean Dvorak

Sad news for one of our horses and adopters, the saddest part of having animals is that more likely than not, you are going to watch them die.

Celeita, well Indigoblue was still refluxing after her colic surgery Friday.. She was averaging 3 – 6 liters about 4-5 times a day. She was no longer febrile but still not able to eat anything because of the reflux. They started PPN to get her some calories. This morning she started rolling again. They sedated her and did a sonogram. When she came out of sedation she was painful again. They tried the sedation 3 times in last 48 hours. They called and wanted to go in again which they did. They said they now found that her large intestine was displaced, and worse she had adhesions at the level of the initial portion of the small intestines that connected to the stomach. He felt that if they did successfully complete this she would be prone to incarcerated bowel and colicking again. He felt with the amount of pain she had he didn’t feel that her quality of life would be good. I told him that I am a Hospice physician and a lot of my families ask if it were my mom or dad what would I do. So I posed the same question to him, he felt putting her down was in her best interest. With great sadness she was euthanized today. I spoke to Helaina her trainer and she said I did the right thing. She had seen her yesterday afternoon and said the spark in her eyes had gone and she had already lost a lot of weight. My heart is broken but I feel like I did the right thing for her. She was so sweet and starting to be less spooky then she had been when she first came to Meadow Creek farm. I have to get an understanding of what preventi-care is supposed to do. She, Sequoia ( lil cash) and my other horse have all been on it. Everyone at the barn is all broken up about her death. The farrier is really going to be upset because he always wanted her because she was so sweet. Anyway, I hope you got the other pictures of Sequoia in his 1st hunter show. He is so big and beautiful and a sweety also. I will get the follow up forms to you with their vaccinations. Thanks Lyla Correoso MD

Hay, just wanted to let you know that we did yearly checkups yesterday. River had all the vaccines that my vet gives for this area – there are some on the list that they don’t normally do but when you see the list that I will mail to you, just let me know if I need to get any that we did not mark. The vet said he looks great, is at a good weight, heart is good, eyes and ears are good. Checked teeth and they are good. I did the scheduled worming yesterday and River just does not like to be wormed, but I got it done, any tips on this for him. We pulled blood for coggins, do I need to wait until I get that back to mail you a copy or do I just keep that with my records? Getting pedicures today and then I can leave them alone for a while as far as shots and trims go. He is such a sweet heart, my farrier and my vet believe he got some draft genes in that mustang blood, wonder if that makes for the gentle disposition he has? His feathers are beautiful.

Do you want me to print hard copy photos to send with the yearly update or email digitals? I can do either with no problem.

Are you settled in yet? Have a great day!

Sharon Boone <\__~
// \

Dear Diana,

Thank you so much for the call..... As you can see, he is a big boy, and still growing. His trainer, the woman you see on him in the last 2 pictures, is 5'9". She thinks he is at least 18 hands if not over.

He is a big, playful guy with a sense of humor. He loves to play tug-of-war with the feed buckets, he wakes all the other horses up from their naps early, he puts his head down for a kiss on the nose......

Kare is training him for both saddle and driving.

I can't wait to get him here. Tell Celeita hello for us....

Regards,

Karen

Irish is doing great. I just love her. Her barn name isn't Irish anymore, though. I named her Amira
which is Arabic for princess. Irish just didn't seem to fit her. But Amira fits her perfect. She is such a
well mannered little lady. I know that I am very lucky to have the oppertunity to adopt her.

Take care and you have a great summer as well

Martha

Hi Celeita and everyone!!

Here are some photos of Sider, Hank and Amira for their annual update. Sider's anxious for you to see how good he looks since I added Hardkeeper to his diet. No more ribs!! And Hank has gained back all the weight he lost after his mouth injury. Amira, well, she'd turn into a butterball if I gave her half a chance. They are all doing great. Do you have a fax number to send the paperwork or should I mail it?

Blessing,

Kim Mullen

Hi Celeita,

Here are photos of the kids, Brite Decision, Arturo First, and Stretch. Brite had an abscess this past month, and you can see the LF ankle is large (the one he always had trouble with - xrays show fractures in all four fetlocks from racing). He's doing well. Mustang trim allows him to be barefoot as the vibration on the LF from nails will no longer allow us to put shoes on.

Stretch is great, as you can see. 17 hands and I swear, still growing.

Art is a little more over at the knees than when I first got him. Genetic trait in Slew. He's great though, and I still ride him about once a year. It's our annual ritual when he and I both have an evening with nothing to do (ha). I feed plain beet pulp with my grain now, and that has made a world of difference for him.

anything else you need, let me know. I realized when I got to Brite you wanted all four sides. If you need that of Stretch and Art, let me know.

Hope all is well.

Bev

Beverlee Dee

www.brightfuturesfarm.org

Here are a few pictures of Spade and I last night at home, he really didn’t want to pose for pictures, there was grass to be eaten.

THANKS!!

Debora D. Applegate

Celeita,

Mattie - aka Matt Mobile - is doing great but will need a "buddy" once I sell Koda and I'm needing a "good ole boy" just like Matt is. - Brian sound like just that kind of guy! I'm getting older myself, (although I sure hate to admit it).... and looking for a guy just like Matt. A guy that's been there, done that, and I can feel safe on. I can put anyone one Matt and not worry about them.

I think it's been over a year since I've sent ya picture of Matt....so here are a few I just took this morning, plus a picture of him and my niece riding him earlier this spring. This shows what a great guy he is, since the was probably only the second or third time my niece had ever been on a horse.

All the best!

Kathy Dewitt

Hello, As promised here are Farino's update pictures. I had my 8 year old daughter take them last night. Light wasn't excellent but I think they came out OK. Got to love the front one where I'm showing her that we need a full view! The last one shows Farino & his 'new' mule buddy. She is full sister to the other one and he loves them both. He does look after them so well but disciplines this younger one more and she does need that sometimes! Jane

Hello,

Just wanted to check in and share a video that we made of Penny and her new baby! They are both doing so well and she is a wonderful mom! Penny had a filly last Monday night - it was the smoothest delivery ever. Here is a link to the video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVzAoizqMiQ

Thank you we are very happy and Penny is such a great mom. I will get the follow up paperwork filled out soon because I'll need to get Penny's papers to register the baby.

Thanks,

Christin

We love Classy and she is doing great at the farm she is in- very pampered and spoiled. She has worked out very well for Brynna in every way- size, skill level, temperament etc......in fact, Classy just started testing her a little bit while under saddle but my daughter has the back bone not to be intimidated by it- or let her get away with it. I recently got a bareback pad for her as a child's English saddle is too small for me- Im still waiting on the new girth I bought on ebay. I sent you some photos recently of her and my daughter, so I assume you got those. Say hello to all and keep up the excellent work you do for these lovely horses.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Hi from ND. Just thought I'd let you know that Tessa is doing great as a mom, and as soon as the sun comes up, haha, I will take some new photos of them. We named the colt Calvin, and he is a super nice boy. Tessa def. requires some extra feed now that the baby is growing like a weed., as she is 1/2 TB, so she gets more feed than usual, plus lots of turn out in spite of the flies and mosquitos. Lots of smudge fires around here. :> I am so sick of sprays that do not work. Any suggestions??

She is of course UTD on shots, farrier, worming etc.

Whatever happened to Trevy?

Just scanned thru your photos, boy, the TWH's you got this past year look all so great. Good for you guys, --- and now you have a new batch. Will people EVER quit!!!??

Anyway, will get some photos to you asap.

Janne Myrdal

and Tessa/Calvin - and Ben who is doing better out to pasture.

Hi Celeita,

just touching base with you. I am ready to send out the june update for Pik's Pizazz and was going to fax you a copy as well. The web site does not have a fax# listed, just checking if your line is up & running yet.

Pizazz is doing great, I am very happy with her and she is really making leaps and bounds now. I think she is realizing that she gets to stay and is finally allowing herself to make deeper connections to her humans :-)

Hope that all is well with you and that you are getting settled in with your new farm!

Sincerely,

Daniela Fazzino & Pizazz

Hi Celeita, Just wanted to update you on Jhon T' [L'Argent]. had him shod this week. He was a dream,stood real good for his shoes. I took him to rails to trails and rode 10 miles. at a walk. he did sooooo goood. .we have built him a small place out side his stall so he can come in and out as he pleases. At night I open it up and he likes having the security of knowing he can come to his bed when he gets scared. He has found a buddy we have a new paso here that is young and doesn't beat him up so he seems real comfortable with him. His mood has improved alot. I was so worried about him. He has worked his way right into our hearts. Here's a pic of us out on our ride !! Susie Slider

Leona Marie with Kimberlin

Rocket in his new home

River the mustang looking very wild, haha

Hi Celeita,

Janet Rolen

Hi Celeita

Just wanted to let you know that Irish Cream arrived safely at my house

yesterday morning. She is gorgeous and so sweet. She is settling down

and getting used to her new surrounding and to me as well.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to have such a nice mare. I

just love her. And I am looking forward to many years with her.

Also I want to let you know that I am very impressed with Tender Touch

Transport. Candy and her husband were great. Irish was in great condition

when she arrived, and she was right on schedule.

Once again Thank you, Celeita, for letting me adopt Irish. She will be well loved

and well taken care of.

Martha Moraad

Just thought I would share this pic of Dixie with you.

This was taken yesterday, Sunday March 25, 2007. She was soaking up that wonderful Spring sun we all enjoyed yesterday.

Will keep in touch.

Melinda

Cynder (aka) Lilly & I say hello from Texas....we are preparing the paper work now...but are waiting on the mobile vet at this time... once we get squared away (hopefully in the next few days) i'll forward the annual papers & some electronic pictures of cynder and her "summer" digs & the impending winter / fall home (our new stable that will be built on the rear of our property in the next few weeks/months...the building is bought/paid for ... it's finding contractors to put it up/build stalls etc.. for less than all my arms/legs first born) lol.....sigh...anyway, everyone is fine & good see the continued good works happening at your end..
i'll forward my vet / ferriar contact and a private individual for your ref. shortly.

Thank you & have a great day.

Ms. Sydney Jewell

Sweet Pea is her normal mare self. You have to love her! We have a ton of snow now, but last Tuesday it was 80 degree and everyone got a bath. Sweet Pea was feeling her oats. It was so funny she had a bunch of bucks that she just had to get out. We ended up lunging her for a while first and then riding and she was much better. Jack is such a gentleman, he is doing great. It is so nice having the horses’ home and walking out to the barn anytime we’d like. Jack and Sweet Pea both greet me every morning when I go to feed. What a great way to start my day. Two horses, three barn cats and a barn bunny rabbit, they make a funny group. Take care and enjoy the Easter weekend!

I'm A Wop Two, our 30 y/o, appy mare with an attitude is still proving she has a job to do. Despite all of Wop's problems, she has a way with young men we are only now beginning to understand.

Dean, our 13 year old farm hand had never been around horses until we asked him to help on the farm. To say he was apprehensive about these big babies would be wrong, just wrong. He was scared shi*less. The entire summer we put no pressure on him but watched him work thru his fears and fall in love with Wop! WOP! She certainly wasn't the prettiest girl, or the most approachable by any means. She is rude and antisocial, has wild hormone swings, ugly butt bones that won't hold any fat, a huge goiter under her neck.....well, you get the picture.

By fall last year, dean was sitting on her learning to balance, doing all her ground work, and, the few times she got out, Dean was the only one that could catch her. She taught him how to groom, how to pick feet, how to ask for and, get, ground manners, how to lunge, etc. So, to reward him for his efforts, we had a little "ceremony" and Dean "officially" adopted Wop.

She won't answer to Wop anymore.......he calls her "Baby Girl".

I say all of this to share the following with you. Lately, Dean has been bringing his buddy Richard with him. Richard is a timid child, very shy and backward. He wouldn't go into the paddocks or even attempt to pet an outstretched muzzle looking for a treat. Heck, the kid wouldn't even talk to us! Dean would go about chores while Richard watched. I've stayed out of it thinking, 'let Dean encourage him'. Yesterday I looked up to see Richard leading Wop down the road into the pasture with Dean walking beside him. Then I hear Dean instructing on the finer art of using the shedding tool. That is when I went to the back porch so they wouldn't see me crying! They stayed in that pasture for 2 hours with Richard doing all the grooming and leading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I'm not always out there when the boys are here so, I didn't witness what led up to this over the past few months. All I can say is, what a wonderful example of what a rescued horse, one who has known more than her share of neglect over the years.....

can bring to someone's life.

Before they left, we asked Richard if he had enjoyed himself. His face lit up and he said; "Dean says I can sit on her next week"! OMG, the boy can talk <LOL>

Hope this brightens your week. It did mine :>) m`

Thought I'd drop you a line to say hello. It's been a long time since I've emailed and I wanted to let you know that we have orders!!! Of course nothing is set in stone and I'm afraid of jinxing it but it looks like we are headed to Langley AFB, VA this summer. Terry has a report no later than of 31 July. We are quietly excited and are looking for 'horse property' there, we are planning on making this our last move - hopefully - as Terry has just three more years left to twenty and we are filling a four year tour billet. We cannot wait to get out of the boarding business and look out and see our crew in the back yard. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Anyway Farino is fine, he is fat as a pedigree pork piglet and enjoying life to the full. The horse seems to live on thin air, certainly an easy keeper! In October my husband bought the full sister to his brown mule and she arrived here in GA at 8 months old. We were worried about her getting beat-up in the herd but turned her out with Farino who promptly adopted her. Unfortunately that meant he dropped the original one who was quite 'sad' for a week or two but now they all get along just fine. The baby is a pushy little thing but Farino seems to be keeping her in line a bit more than he did with Rose. Obviously he has taken to parenting very well and is truely worth his weight in gold. Morgan, my daughter who is 8, is enjoying taking lessons on him and in fact she takes care of him a lot of the time. He is very good with her and is teaching her responsibility. In fact the other night Morgan sat with me and asked if I could 'turn Farino over to her' - while I'm pleased she has such a great bond with Farino I don't think I'm prepared to go quite that far!!! I'll have to get you some pictures of him with 'his mules.' It is really quite amusing!

I hope everything goes well with your upcoming move. I cannot imagine moving so many horses it will definately be a lot of work but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the long run. The rescue cases broke my heart, the mare looked so sweet and kind. I keep watching your website for potential broodmares (TB or Arab or Trakehner) for when we move but I really cannot take on anything else right now. I'm hoping to breed Trakehners - just one or two as a hobby - once we get settled. I already lucked out and found my old mare's daughter for sale on-line and was able to purchase her. It was sweet to reunite them.

I'll probably do the annual review early again this year and as much of the facility change form that I can. I'm guessing by May/June I'll be in the thick of it so to speak.

Well that is about it for now,

Hi Celeita,

Well Farino came home on Tuesday and has been doing great. Of course he thinks he is starving and subsequently his manners are leaving a little to be desired but that is a small price to pay considering. He's on four small meals a day and today I turned him out to grass all afternoon. The round rolls have been removed and they are feeding square bales in the evening so I'm leaving him up until I'm thoroughly sure his stomach can handle it. He certainly scared the life out of me but I'm so grateful to my vet, who didn't waste anytime referring him, and to the University of Florida who were exceptionally professional and reassuring. Even the Ag Inspector on I-75 was kind - I think he saw a woman on the edge!! Farino's little mule buddy is so relieved to have him home - she called to the trailer as we left and when we came back after dropping him off she was calling again. When Farino was home she even tried to climb over the gate to get to him in his stall (the barn manager was not impressed!)

One thing that amazed me was when we discovered him on Sunday afternoon, all our crew were around him and keeping the rest of the herd away. They wouldn't even let one of the other boarders near him to catch him and bring him in. However once I showed up they parted like the seas and I was able immediately to throw a rope over his neck and bring him in. Out of a field of 22 horses I am constantly shocked by how my six manage to keep an eye out for each other and protect each other when the need arises. It is truely moving to witness.

Anyway I have to finish dinner before I go back out to check on him. I just wanted to give you an update.

Take care & best wishes as always,

Jane

When Spade was in OSU, one of the girls that works at the stables that he is boarded at had to bring her horse in and it was suspected that her horse may have had EHV. (it didn't) You probably remember me calling you in a panic trying to determine if Spade had all of his shots. She ended up putting her horse down which was just awful for me because I had my baby just a few stalls down from her. The funny thing about it was when I went to see him during all of the commotion, I was a WRECK, and I really wanted to love on him and he didn't want a thing to do with me that day. I'm sure he could sense the "drama" all over me and he wanted no part of it, Mom. Now, if I've had a bad day I try to make sure and adjust my thinking before I go into see him. He knows. It's so amazing and this is just one more example of how he has helped me MORE than I could ever do for him. His ear is still draining a little but it does appear to be healing really well. It doesn't look as bad but I'm hoping it's coming to an end soon. He's still very good at letting me clean him daily and seems to enjoy the extra treats and attention. I am considering volunteering him and I for a Brenda Imus Gaited Horse workshop that she is doing at the Equine Affair in April. She is looking for all levels of horses and riders so I thought why not? Monty Roberts and Craig Cameron are also seeking demo horses too. I watched the Extreme Equine race the other day and have decide that Spade and I could totally do that. He's so smart. Some of those horses on there wouldn't even back up! Have you seen the agility course before? It's a series of different tasks they give the horse/rider to do like dismount, grab a rope tied to like a 125lb weight or log and have your horse pull it to a destination. There is also like a 3 ft step off they ask them to do, and move a pen of calves from one side of the pen to the other and you have to stay mounted while opening and closing the gate. It's really interesting and as soon as I can get Spade home, I'd really like to present him with some of these challenges. Slowly of course. Spade. like Maggie, needs to be kept busy and I know he is hating being stalled for the past two weeks. That's why I feel it's vital that I go visit him everyday so at least he gets a break from just standing in a stall, even if I am just cleaning his ear and giving him treats and attention.

I always end up rambling on and on about that horse don't I? Forgive my self-indulgence.

Hi ya'll,

I know I have been promising pictures of our boy for a while now so here ya go! He's so pretty. Let me know how you think he looks in your expert opinion. Also I sent a picture of his feet, he's due for a trim, but they are getting better. I took him out today and let him get some exercise in the round pen and he was thrilled to be out of the stall. He's been kept stalled for the past two weeks because of the snow. I am so ready to bring him home, here, where he belongs. He did the cutest thing today, while he was out in the round pen he was pawing at the snow and busted loose a rather large snowball and then picked it up and started to eat it. Ok, ok so it's not amazing, but it was still adorable to me. I'm a proud momma. Well, enjoy the pics and let me know how you think he looks.

Debora

ps: His ear is looking better, but it's still not healed completely! It's been almost two months and he's still oozing gunk out of his wound. I plan on calling his Surgeon again on Monday. I'll keep ya posted!!!

Hey Carrie (good on both accounts, Hootie was fat as a butter ball) so that is good.

The movers are coming the 19th as I have to have this place cleared for the closing on the 30th, that is not much for a farm this big, we are still frantically working on the new farm, so much to do in so little time. Our floor finishing guy hurt his back on another job, our water in the barn froze and burst at the new place, the bad weather.... you know how all things go when you get into a job of moving.

We will publish the new address on these emails and the website on the header (at the top). I will also do a mass mail to let everyone know when we are all moved, we have all the new phone numbers of everything but the fax so that will be published as well.

Have already had much interest in your girl, now it will be just finding the right person. Every beginner in the world wants an arab that looks like that so I will be telling a lot of people no until we find the right one but I'm certain we'll get emails about her on a daily basis so it will be just screening and looking for the right match I'm sure. Celeita

Yes. I viewed the CD that had the registration information. Thanks.

Dixie is fitting in wonderfully and has found her place in the pecking order. She responds well to Terry and myself. We love her and glad she is with us. She is a beautiful addition to our family.

Thanks for everything,

Melinda

I'll keep you updated on how she is doing with pics, etc.

Thanks, Celeita for getting back to me so soon. I know, I am 44 and I think I am just starting to figure things out in life, haha. To bad people are so selfish that they cannot work things out, a little hardship can grow you up in a hurry.

Tessa, by the way, is due to foal any day. She's my gem!! Good old Ben is hopping around, some days good, some not.

Again, thanks for all you do. Hope your new faclities will be good for you guys!!

Janne

I know what you mean, I turned 50 this year and I've had real stability (after 23 years in the military) the 10 years I have been here....well, if you want to call scraping by stability but at least I've always kept my horses and not had to move....though I did have a hubby to walk out (hated farm living, it interfered with his golf game) and some how found a way to keep things going. I think the program was just meant to be, whether I'm here or someone else, its just meant to go on.

awwww, glad to hear about Tessa and Ben, I'm sure the winters are always tough on the horses with problems, I know they old ones don't move around much here when its really cold. Well, send us pictures when she foals. This is perfect timing, a nice early foal (but not too early).

gosh, if we ever get moved. Well, the closing here is the 30th so I know we have to be out by then. Can't believe I sold a farm on ebay and saved all those realtor fees. Amazing... who'd a thunk? :))) We're excited about the new farm, it is lovely but I hate that its on the main road (eeek) and I'm worried about all that grass. I've never had to worry about founder here and with all the horses coming in it terrifies me. Good thing we had small paddocks on both sides of the barn. Its a joy and a curse. I'd much rather have small pastures and tons of hay fields.... call me crazy.

Well, send pictures when you can. I'm hoping Kelsey will send us more pics of that boy, he's so pretty.

Hi again, just had a colt born by Tessa. About 1/2 hour ago. Big sorrel colt with huge blaze and a hind stocking. Go figure, no coloring like that in her background or the sire's, tho he is sorrel. Cute and leggy. So far so good. My camera doe snot do good indoors, so will have to wait until his first day outside. Oh, and we named him Calvin (barn name) as my kids got to see it and they all read Calvin and Hobbes. Funny.

Back to the barn

Celeta,

I was just reporting that Lucy had an accident last night. From what we can figure she rolled into our fenceline and then paniced. We took her to the vet and had her stitched up on the left shoulder blade and the front of the right front leg. She just required some stitching and is currently sound and bandaged up on in corral. The vet advised us to clean the wound on the shoulder twice daily and the would on the front leg was deeper so the bandage is to stay on for a week then we will take it off and clean it and replace with a new one. One week after that we will be taking her back to the vet for a recheck. No ligaments or major arteries were hit. The one good thing is that she was exceptional through the whole process. We have replaced the bottom fence wire with electric tape(and soon the rest of the fence will also be replace with the same to avoid this again). After apparently rolling under the fence after getting caught in it she decided that she would take a walk up the road and into the neighbors yard which is were we found her this morning. We figure that she rolled into the fence because there were no skid marks were she might have slid into it and the top 2 wires were intact and still had tension in them. The third wire down was loosened alot and the fourth wire on the bottom was taken completely off. Jake is fine and was in the pasture eating when we went out.

Please let me know if you need any more info from me or the vet.

Anita Angelo

About 100% better; thanks for asking- I'm stiff in my lower back but I'm always stiff there. I'm leaving in a couple hours for the annual Va Pro Photographers Assoc convention- I will be competing with a few images, attached in this email.... Classy is doing good- she had a riding lesson with my younger daughter on Wed night. All the ice and snow kept them in a for a week but she is out now- its in the 50's!! Plus she has a new mare friend right next to her stall and in turn out- she is with four others now, not three- all mares and they get along great. She seems very happy. She is working out great for our family- nice horse, sweet girl. How is the move going?

Hey all---

Just got a minute, so updated the spreadsheet for you again (via the website).
I'll attach it below. You sure are moving some horses…super!!

I've talked with Nancy now…what a nice lady. Ukee sounds super for us.
She is in no big hurry to move her & our weather has been HORRIBLE this week again
(ice & snow…power outages, schools closed…UGH, I hate winter!!)
so we're going to wait a bit to move her up here.
I had contacted Suzanne Nay and she can do it for us, but is happy to wait for now, too.
Just not a great time to be on the roads, of course.
I'll let you know once we have a date set.

I sure hope you all are doing well, and your 4-legged critters, too.

Stay warm…brrrr…

Angie

Thank you Angie, I was hoping you all got together. Nancy is not much of an email person, but she loves her phone and loves to talk about horses. :))

I know, what a winter. I saw on the news that the mid west was getting hit pretty hard, so is NY, NJ. Its bad here but nothing like what other people are getting. I've had two transporters delay and cancel on moving our horses over weather, good thing I don't have horses waiting to come in but I'm trying not to take any until we are moved and settled. Its very hard as we are still getting calls daily.

I'm sick of frozen troughs and buckets. uggggg. This is a good reminder for Ed on why I need to spend that money to update the electric at our new place (so we can have heaters in all the troughs and plugs at every stall). He's starting to call this new place the money pit, just realized this guy was not a builder, electrician or anything else but he still did it all himself. Ed, who is very detail oriented has been amazed at the poor work. Well, at least he knows how its supposed to be done. Hopefully, we'll get it all fixed eventually. I've been getting quotes for indoor arenas. ... talk about heart failure. They are more expensive than what I paid for this farm. oh boy, but I think it will be worth it to be able to continue to work horses in winter. We are at a dead stop with training or any riding, the ring is nothing but ice.

Thanks for the updated spreadsheet. It really helps me focus on who needs to be adopted and it reminds me when I'm on the phone talking to someone. Amazing how you can't think of all the horses when you are on the phone without going to the website or the files. The old steal trap. :(((

Just let me know when you move her and what you think. Be sure to get all her information from Nancy and the registration papers. We are surviving, but looking for spring to come soon. You do the same. Thank you again. I do think you will like Ukee, she's been a professional mom for many years and has done well with it. Celeita

Hey, Celeita---

I hear you about the big UGH for winter...we've been battling frozen buckets since Christmas here!

We'd spent over 1k then to get outlets between stalls so we could eventually put heated buckets in them all.

Well I bit the bullet and bought four more (had three) and a larger heated tub, too. And, we drug in a couple tanks and put heaters in them, too.

We're down to only 3 stalls now without...so that's better...until our power went out Tuesday...YIKES.

And, it shut off our well pump then, too...so we had to drive to my parents and do the milk jug brigade.

The horses don't seem to care and are fine...but I'm checking on a generator now, so we won't have to do this again! Winter with horses is TOUGH. I just don't know how they do it in New England or Wisconsin...much less Canada.

ANY extra precautions you can add now for winter ease is WELL worth it. Glad that your hubby-to-be is seeing it first-hand. There is almost nothing worse than having to bang buckets out 2-3x a day. Exhausting.

As for indoor arenas, indeed. They're worth their SIZE in gold nearly!

One idea you might consider at first (that they had at a lovely farm I boarded at in Lexington years ago) is a covered outdoor. That way you get an arena & a roof...but it's a lot less than an indoor.

They had theirs "walled" too with stirrup boards and those were set in at least 2 ft. under the roof overhang.

Only once did it even rain in when I was there...and they get a lot of rain! (hence the green, green grass...ah...)

It's a nice compromise. Something to think about anyway...

I was lunging and trail riding still until this snow hit but now we're stopped, too.

Sure puts me at a disadvantage to those with indoors, when the shows start up again in April and May.

I was even thinking of moving a couple horses (Skye or Gatsby) to an eventing barn near us just for March & April to be able to have an indoor!

Maybe.

Well hang in there...hopefully we've seen the worst of it now,

Angie

Here are a few pictures of Charlie. Will send more later. He's a wonderful horse!

Lt. Robin Shaffer, Ft. Bragg, NC

Hi Celeita-

How is the move to the new place going? Just wanted you to know that all is going very well- Classy looks just great- filled out and she seems happy- she is in her stall at nite next to her best pal, Spirit, a black 8 yr old mare, blanketed, and in a large pasture with 3 mares by day and they all get along great- there are several other pastures with other horses in them but this is for now the best arrangement for all of them.

My daughter gets a riding lesson on her a couple times a month. Classy doesnt have a mean bone in her body- very sweet and cooperative- but very jumpy/prancey if everyone else is out and she has to be ridden alone in a ring. She seems to be more of a "ladies horse"- tho great with kids. She just loves treats and carrots which I give her often along with kisses when groomed. I see her a few times a week. She does better on the MSM /Glucosmine/Chondrotin- not rubbing her knees near as much- The barn manager, Melanie Bayne, spoils those horses rotten and takes awesome care of all of them. That is about it for updates.....

As for the horrible practice of horse slaughter that I saw forwarded on your email from the Humane Society- is there still any plants legally operating in the US besides the one in IL? Did the one in TX close? I saw the footage and was outraged; I cant get those awful images out of my mind- my husband refuses to watch it and I wont let my kids see it. I want to do something about this- tell me if there is something we can do.

Thanks again for all you do for these beautiful creatures.....!

Betsy

Hi Friends and family-

Just sending you word and update about a minor accident I had- I fell from the horse (Classy MElanie) friday morning! Do I feel dumb! She spooked out from under me going right and I went left. I landed on my left hip but the impact went thru my pelvis and both my hips- She just stood there the whole time and watched me! My fault, not hers. It was very painful for the moment but after a few minutes I got up and put her back in the stall (hobbling). I was on her bareback like I used to ride when I was a teenie bopper- Im still stubborn enough to think I can still do the same thing as I did as a teen. Anyway, I was in some serious pain and had to drive the stick shift home and later that nite went to the ER for xrays. Nothing broken, just a strain and slight separation of the tailbone area- and now a huge bruise on my left behind cheek.....but I do have some osteoporosis in my lower back- no surprise- Im always stiff there- so Im going to get a referral from a family dr to see an orthopedic dr. Im still limping but im taking tylenol when its get too sore and stiff. My ego is just as damaged as the hips- I can't recall a time that I have ever fallen off or been thrown by horse- from age 10 to 17. I guess youth (and strength) is wasted on the young! Im def gonna be ok and this probably wont stop me from riding again- just use a saddle next time-

Thanks for your prayers...........

It's snowing like crazy outside and I have the day off from work. Yeah. So I decided to make new stall name plates and it reminded me of this: I took Beau to a show this summer. I asked my mom to go get my ribbon/score sheet while I was loading the trailer. My mom came back in a huff and said the woman at the show booth has Beau's name wrong. She said "she thinks his name is Classy Sun!" Apparently I never mentioned he has a registered name. She thought the woman in the show booth was nuts. It made me laugh remembering it. P.S. - His name on his stall plaque is "Beau" - it's much shorter to spell than "Classy Sun"!
Hope you're making it through the winter with a smile.
Jen

When you first placed Jillian (Diamonds and Pearls, track
name Salmon Lori) to Nicole in NY, did she have papers? I
know she is tattoed and Nicole didn't give me anything
like that. I just wondered as I was thinking of breeding
her to an Arab, but in order to do that for anglo arab
need a copy of her papers. I don't need the originals, I
realize you don't release them. If you can let me know
asap as I'm getting ready to book to the stallions that
are not mine. Curly foaled Jan 29th a LOVELY filly.
Jillian is not due til May and Willow is due March,
everyone is doing superbly, fat healthy. I had a case of
the snots run through the barn which was odd as no new
horses have come in but everyone is good now! Maria

Maria, I'll have my office manager research it and give you a call. I don't remember her coming with papers but yet, she went straight to Nicole from Florida and never came here but she will check and let you know.

Thanks for the update, send pics when you can. Everyone in the barn had the snots here too and coughing, maybe a lot of rag weed in the hay that we got late but the vet said this was a bad year for allergies with all his customers. well, kiss those girls for us. Celeita

Good evening Celeita,

Just a brief not to let you know that Fly arrived early this morning with Blue Chip Horse Transportation. She was an absolute angel to unload and take in the quarantine barn, I took her shipping wraps off of her and made certain she was comfortable. I spent time in the mid afternoon grooming her and just getting to know her a bit and i think we are going to be just fine. The weather was not so lovely for us last night and it is rainy today as well.

Julie is going to come up with a turn out area for Fly so as to not keep her in the barn the length of her quarantine. i Put her new blanket on her this evening and gave her hugs and treats.

I will go out tomorrow after I take the dogs to the vet for their shots etc and do a weight tape measurement on her just to place in her record book and to keep track of her.

SHe is very pretty and has a very pretty eye.. certainly the type of mare I wanted to find for future breeding. Will keep you posted on everything and congrats on finding homes for 19 of the available horses!!! That I hope that will moving to the new farm a little easier on everyone!!!

God Bless and take care,

Rhonda

I went to a tack auction about a week ago and got some great things fro him. I bought him two winter blankets and tons of other stuff! It was all brand new tack too. I have more than enough tack for one horse. He has at least 8 lead ropes, 3 nylon halters and 4 leather halters and leather leads. Three saddles, four different types of bits, buckets galore, a large metal water trough just like the ones you have in the stalls, leg wraps, and anything else his heart desires. For Christmas he got more grooming tack. He's all set for his first real bath too. I can't wait until I can give him his first bath! I'm really looking forward to shinning him up, don't cha know he will just GLEAM. He is, of course, the love of my life! I am looking to buy a small horse trailer so he and I can travel this summer. I'd love to bring him up to the new place so you can see him, he'd probably tell you all about how I fall all over him and try to get him to put in his own bit which he does for me. He's truly my best friend and spoiled rotten but NEVER a brat. He deserves so much, I can't help but spoil him. He gets carrots and apples, but will spit out a peppermint in a second. He's really funny. I can't wait for spring time to get here, this snow bites! We have been snowed in for the past two days. I have been able to get out to doctor spade's ear, but only because he's close.

Talk to ya later,

Deb

Ha, Deb, When I die I want to come back as one of your horses. It reminds me of this picture one of our supporters drew.... very cute.

(Thank you Connie French for this great art work).

hehe. Its all good Deb, Celeita

Hi Celeita,

I was happy to see that Sara has a new family to love her. I was also happy that she was going with a friend. It's going to be tough for me not being able to "visit" her on line on a regular basis. It might to silly, but I felt connected with her when I was able to "check in" and see her photos.

What can you tell me about her adoptive family? Has Sara been moved yet? Would her new family be willing to stay in touch so I can know how she is doing?

Thank you for all you efforts on Sara's behalf. Good luck with your move and new facility. I will look forward to learning more about it.

Kind regards,

Kim Koch

Kim, Hopefully by now you have received your notice in the mail of all the information on the new adopter. Its an excellent home with a family in Winchester who are just getting into horses but working with a trainer. The facility is quite lovely. Please don't hesitate to contact them or even so see her. We are all in this together to make sure Sara is always well cared for. I think you will find Lori and Don to be very sweet and would certainly stay in touch. Sara is going to be Lori's horse and it seems to be working well that way, though Sara is still settling in at her new home. She went there with Missy a little QH mare and has gotten very attached to her already.

Thank you for being so patient and helpful during the process. Let us know if you have any questions at all. Thank you again, Celeita

Teresa & Celeita,,,,

          Just a suggestion. I know you are aware of the costs of feed going up due to the cost of corn and its use in the new bio diesel among other things. Here is something we tried this past year. We purchased a secondhand Gravity wagon (new ones are outrageous) on e-bay for less than $200.00 . It holds roughly 100 bushels. The total cost of the wagon ie going and picking it up, shelled corn from a local farmer, having it ground and vitamins and minerals added...other than the additional time involved it has saved us almost half on our grain bill and the Babies love it. Just a thought who knows seeing as how lots of farmers use their wagons as storage as well, maybe you could find someone local when you get settled in to your new digs. That would let you use the wagon as storage if you buy from them towards the end of harvest....maybe entice them with a tax deduction or two ..lol...and be assured you can get the same additives at the mill as the ones that come in the brand name feeds. Meg and Papaw ( Snickers) are doing great. Meg is pregnant!!! Daddy is our little paint stud so guess we're looking forward to a appy quarter horse appendix cross...should be interesting to see how the App bloodline (supposedly dominant) comes out in the Paint mix. As for the suggestion feel free to share it with everyone...We're currently shopping for a grain bin....the only drawback to that is i know lots of people dont have access to a tractor or grain auger...so the gravity wagon is the least expensive option for most of us... Plus...(i know this is getting long winded but the thoughts keep coming) ..you need not have a barn large enough to store the wagon inside. We built a temporary roof from plywood covered it with reinforced plastic and the wagon sits right outside our barn door. Think i've rambled enough for now if you or anyone else has any questions about the different types of wagons or anything at all feel free to write or call. Keep up the good work.

                                       Tom and Cheryl Montgomery

Well, Dixie is at her new home safe and sound. Now we will be getting used to each other. Our stallion, Lucky, has already claimed her as his new girlfriend. They are in adjoining fields. We do not want to breed her yet and so they must be happy with just holding hands for now.

Everything went well and Audrey and her mom gave me the information they had. I do have a question. How does it work with her registration papers? Do you keep them? Then, maybe after the 2 years I can buy her and have her put in my name? Also, could you mail me a copy of her papers?

Thanks so much. I'll keep in touch and send updates and pictures.

Melinda

Hey Melinda, thank you for the update. How are things going with Miss Dixie?

According to your adoption contract, we send you copies of her papers first, then at the two year mark we send you the actual papers. We just like to make sure its a good fit and the horse will be staying before we pass off papers to adopters. There is a page on the website about buying your adoption horse, that should explain everything. You should have gotten a copy of her registration papers on the CD that came with Dixie, were you able to open that? Celeita

Hey Celeita! It's Sharon Itzkoff again, even though it's been a really long time since I last mailed. 0_o Just wanted to tell you that my mom and I have started to look at horses for adoption, and we're thinking about adopting a PMU foal. Also, I'm going to be on my stable's show team this summer, and will be the first person to show the mare I'm leasing, Peggy's Last Forecast (aka Peggy). I can't wait! Peggy finally has enough arena manners to do hunter shows at walk, trot, and canter. She isn't ready for jumping, so all competition will be on the flat this year. If you want to see pictures of her, I have a lot up on my deviantart account that you can find at wolfsilver-x.deviantart.com.
A really sad thing happened at my stable the other day. It was late at night and Sarah (the stable owner) and her family were probably already asleep. The horses were out in the pasture for the night, blankets and all. A couple neighbor boys decided that they thought it would be fun to chase the horses around on ATVs in the dark. All of the horses were frightened, most likely thinking that a pack of hungry wolves/dogs was after them (because that's what ATVs sound like). Sugar, the lead mare, is especially spooky and decided that the best way to get away from the predators was to crash through the black-boarded fence and run across the road into the open field on the other side. One of our chestnut mares, a 16 hand TWH cross named Margo, had abscesses in her hind hooves that were healed enough for her to be out with the other horses, but running wasn't on her agenda. We think that she was probably lagging behind the others, which is why she was the only one to be hit by the truck as it came over the hill. Of course, the truck driver had no idea that there would be a horse in the road on that night, so we don't blame him for Margo's death. Luckily Margo died almost instantly and so didn't feel any pain except for that of the pain in her hooves. One of the boys who was driving an ATV had enough of a conscience to wake Sarah and her family up and tell them what happened. Sugar and the others actually returned to the pasture on their own, so Sarah didn't have to round them up or anything. She is, however, suing the boys for a lot of money, and she now has to look for a new show jumper, as Margo was our best. Luckily the only other horses that were hurt only had small gashes on their chests from the fence.
Oh! I also got my learner's permit! I got it on Friday, though I could have gotten it November 27th, because that's when I turned 15 1/2. My dad took me out to the parking lot of a train station nearby today and I got to practice. He also let me drive to the Giant - which wasn't all that far away - and it was my first time on the road with other cars! It was really freaky because I hadn't done it before, but I managed not to crash into anything! I'll be able to get my license in September, and my mom is excited that she won't have to drive me places anymore. ;)

Anyways, just wanted to share all of the news and say congrats again on the new farm, and good luck with placing the horses. I'll have my mom look at the info on that little black rescue filly of yours and see what she thinks. The baby looks like a sweetheart. (Name suggestions: Tempest, Felicity, Hope, Caraway, Eve, Kemuri (means 'smoke' in japanese), Kurai ('dark' in japanese), Faith, Mystic, and Magic. Hope they help. ;D)

Hope to hear from you soon,
Sharon Itzkoff

Hey Sharon, We're here, sorry its taken so long to get back to you. Its always a pleasure to hear from you. what a terrible accident you spoke of. Its a terrible thing to see and even harder to deal with the loss, I'm very sorry. I'm sure everyone at your barn is very sad.

Congrats on your learners permit, the leasing and potentially looking for a horse. I don't need to tell you to look at our horses first, I know you will. Do come see us when we get to the new farm. We do miss your drawings of our horses, are you still involved in your art work?

Well, better go, I'm suppose to be cleaning out and packing. :))) Take care dear, Celeita

Thanks again and good luck with your move.

PS I called the lady who got the ponies and she seemed really nice. Jazz is also doing just fabulous so this worked out perfectly. I am so glad you do the things you do. If I can ever help in a situation just let me know. I help the rescue here all the time and it is my pleasure.

Linn

Thank you Linn, we are glad it worked out. I feel they all got exceptional homes. The ponies are in a perfect situation, she is very sweet, she has 3 kids, all 3 she adopted and she does professional day care in her home. The ponies will have tons of kids and attention for as long as she does that job. I don't expect there will ever be a dull moment for them. She even has a little girl that has polio that she adopted from Russia and she adopted our old girl Georgia for her. She is in love, its a perfect match for an old mare who is still sound but can't do much. Lead line is perfect for her. We are real happy to have found them all. Thank you again for being so patient. Sometimes it just takes a long time to find the perfect person. Celeita

Celeita,

Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while but I'm a mere 6 weeks away from giving birth to my first baby and things have been a bit hectic. I wanted to update you on Lendy. You would not believe the change in him. He has gained a healthy amount of weight, and he's got a great shaggy winter coat. Last year the poor thing had nothing. Obviously I can't ride but I still go out 2 or 3 times a week to groom him and give him some treats. He is being ridden 2 or 3 times a week by the stable owner's daughter and one of her advanced students and he is winning everyone over. He still struggles a bit with sensitive feet but they are in great condition and we've been able to keep him barefoot so far. What a difference a year makes. I can't wait to get back on him this spring. I will send you some pictures so you can see for yourself. Dory.

Celeita,

You don't need to worry about us keeping Lendy. We love him and I'm looking forward to my child growing up knowing horses. Also the girls at the stable love him to death, they'd be crushed if anything happened to him. I'm hoping I'll be ready to ride again around April, just when the weather is warming up. I'm eager to test all his progress for myself. Anyway, I hope the move goes smoothly. Take Care

Dory Bledsoe

Hi Celeita, Just wanted to let you know Skye got here just fine. She arrived about 10:30 Sunday night. So far so good, Chou just thinks she's so fine. He's torn between Missy and Skye. We have a love triangle! Anyways, just wanted to let you know. Thanks!
Jen Ayres

Hi Celeita,
Sorry I didn't drop a note in so long , so much happened - and GOOD stuff for
you !! -just for now: does Angie need somebody to bring Ukee to her, or will she be
picking her up herself? Michael finally got his green card and just started driving horses - if Angie is interested, his cell is : 540-250-6436.
I was following the new house and the new man thing online - WOW - what a good
pick in both categories :-)) MUCH better than that BMW guy ( forgot his name - Manfred ?) would have been even if he would have been real!
See, good things come to those who wait - and deserve it, and there is somebody
to listen to your prayers. It all sounds and looks wonderful, and I see you heading into the best time of your life.

Now.... all the updates are long overdue, let's start with good old BUNNY in
this email: Bunny was doing great all through the summer, her melanomas grew steadily, but she was in during the day and away from the flies, and had a happy 25th birthday in July last year. About 6 weeks ago she started having neurologic problems in her hind legs, dragging the left hind, and walking sideways like a crab. Had the Vet School out, drew blood and titers and basically nothing came up other that the tumors now started to invade her spine. So I have euthanasia solution in the fridge , but every time I get ready to email you and Cathy ( her donor), that
she can't make it any longer, she turns around and is better ! Last week she
developed a huge, fluctuant swelling on her left hip, we lanced it expecting an
abscess, but a huge amount of brown-black fluid came out - a cystic melanoma had
opened, and you could see the tumor going into the hamstring muscle ... so I was
sure, that was it, bought her tons of carrots and oatmeal cookies and ginger snaps (
her favorite) and - she is much BETTER again !?! Guess the pressure on the muscle
is gone, she still walks ( and trots and canters) sideways - we now refer to her as our
4th level dressage horse, but she is not ready to go yet. It may be over tomorrow, that she lays down and can't get up, it may be still months, nobody can tell, and I just enjoy every day with this incredibly beautiful girl - what a great spirit, and what an inspiration ,she by now almost died four times - a girl who knows and has ridden Bunny before, now is a VA Tech student and comes to visit regularly and told me that the people Cathy got her back from already had dug a hole for her because she was doing so poorly, and that was 4 years ago - and still keeps on going. I do formally have to ask you for permission to end Bunny's suffering, whenever
SHE decides it's time, I want to see her go with the dignity this grand old lady
deserves on her last journey. Attached are pictures of Bunny last summer and last week with the open tumor. I will also send updates on the other three - and their kids - later this evening.
So long, and "to the old horses!"
Zorana

Hello Zorana, so sorry its taken me so long to get back with you. My goodness things have really come along. So glad to hear that Michael has gotten his green card and all is well for you all. If you don't mind I will list him on the website under transporters. I know he will take good care of all the horses.

Zorana, I would, of course, trust your opinion about putting a horse down as I know you would always do it at the right time and humanely and for the right reason, for her. I know that you know horses will always tell us when its time. As sad as that is, when they are telling us its time, we have to be there to make it easy for them. I'm so sorry she has struggled so. It is very sad.

I do love the old horses, if I had more money I would just do retirement work and keep all the old timers, they are so much more personality and a life of experience. Just don't be too quick, she might end up being like old Daisy Mae, who was 32 this year. She is lame in 3 legs with severe ringbone and club feet and only has one eye and she still eats like crazy, runs all over the pasture and still finds a way to keep the others in line. I'm not sure what to think of it but as long as she shows me she wants to live, I will give her the same care everyone else gets and she eats more than anyone. She is tough as nails. When she came to us at 25, I never thought she would see 28 but she had other ideas.

You just never know I guess. My stallion at 23 was the picture of health, he self exercised the entire time he was out, very active and he's gone. I lost him last Christmas and I still think of him every day and still cry over him every time I think of him. Its going to kill me to leave him in the ground here. I know that sounds crazy but I always thought he should be close but this was his home so it only makes sense that he is here. Its terrible to lose a horse, I've spend the last year wondering what went wrong. I have two of his sons and as much as I love them, they are not their daddy. Well, they say it takes a minute to fall in love with them and a life time to forget them. I now know what that is like. Zorana, certainly, do what you must for Bunny.

How have you and Michael been? How are things at VA Tech and how are all the other horses? So good to hear from you. You all must make a visit when we get moved (if we ever get moved). :))) Take Care and Stay warm, Spring is coming!! Celeita

Great Carrie. I'm so glad that has been informative to you. Many adopters can't seem to get them open to view them. I don't know if its something I've done or they have done but its always nice to know when they work.

Thank you for the vote of confidence and the kind words. We do love our work and hopefully it shows but like every organization there are so many ways we can improve (the list is long). So hopefully in 10 to 20 years it will be a much better organization than it is today.

Yes, Ed is very much a new englander. He was commissioned into the Navy by Senator John McCains father, ran around with Kennedy's, worked on Lobster boats in the summer, even went to the big Culinary school up there and he still loves New England, though he no longer has his Mass. accent. He attended Clark and swears his fraternity, of which he was president, was the example in which they made the movie Animal House. Hahaha I do hope he can show me parts of New England I've never seen. Well thank you again, I'll get your pretty Arab on the website on the website soon.

I hope all is well with those two. They are such sweet guys, they deserve a very loving home. Celeita

Missy and Sara are sooo happy. We let them out for a couple of hours last night and they ran and jumped and rolled. It was so funny when we went to bring them in. We walked out to the back of the field to find them. We called for them and all we could see was two big black shadows coming toward us. They were so sweet and walked back with us to their "rooms".
I know you recommend to keep them in their stalls for the first few days, but they ars so happy outside. Won't this be okay for a few hours a day?

I can't remember, how many scoops a day do they each eat?

Sara did not want her hay, orchard and alfalfa. But she was eating her bedding (straw) I guess this is okay?

Thanks for your kind words Celeita, your strength is appreciated. I promise that I will never give up on this boy, I've made the commitment to both you and him that he'll be taken care of and I will honor that promise come hell or high water. He's an angel and knows all my secrets now so I can never let him outta my sight. (He'd sell me out for an apple, anyway.) I understand the "tough-love" aspect, and he's handled that like a champ, but I am too the point now that it is hard to see him being a patient and not a horse. I know he'll get better, and I know that he'll be happy again, but I wish it would come sooner rather than later. I didn't mean for my last email to sound so distraught, I was just having one of those days. He's not going anywhere and this is a cake walk in comparison to what others have gone through with their babies. I am extremely blessed to have him and I really believe that he and I are bonded. He's just got to know how special he is to me. I believe he does. Transportation might be an issue for Monday so I may have to reschedule his appointment for later in the week. I'll keep you informed. I'd give anything to be able to adopt Daisy as his pal, but I'm not set up yet. You are having some great prices right now and I'm glad to see DJ is going to a good home. Eventually, I'll be back at the new Crossed Sabers facility to get another friend so remember to keep me in mind for my next perfect horsie.

Can't wait to visit the new place!

Debora

Ask me on Monday after his visit to the Vet, again. His ear still isn't healed. I'm beside myself. He's in good spirits, regardless but I'm still worried about him. The good news is that we are getting closer to getting our fencing up which means we are getting closer to bringing him home! I'll be so glad when he's here with us and I can spoil him even more! I'll let you know what happens on Monday.

Congrats on the auction! I KNEW Casino was going to be taken, but I'm glad to hear he's going to a good home along with the rest of them. But I really liked him.

Talk to ya later!

Debora

oh, one more funny story. I had him transported to the vet last week and when I got him back to the barn, I was left alone with him to get him out of the trailer. Well, this was a very nice slant load trailer and I knew he would LOAD ok, but I had no idea how to unload him. so here I am, standing in the trailer next to him and I have no choice but to tell him that I don't know how to get him out, so I asked him if he could help me.( I wasn't sure if he backed out or turned around in the trailer and walked out.) As soon as he figured out that I didn't have a clue what to do, he politely turned slowly 180 degrees and waited for me to lead him out in the proper manner. He just rolled his eyes at me and snickered. Thank goodness he's so patient!

Thanks, Celeita,

I much preferred Matine's performance to Salerno's (Anky Van Grunsven) whose test follows. That mare looks as if she is so happy to be working. And her forward energy is much nicer.

Once the FEI bans rollkur, the training technique Anky seems to be spreading throughout the world--to the dismay of many purists--I just wonder if her horses will be so obedient. Long story here, needless to say.

Thanks for sending on the link. It really made my morning. (Especially since it's freezing here and there is no way I am going to be able to ride for most of the week. *sigh*)

Jean

Hi Celeita,

Tucker went to a clinic with Patrice Edwards on Tuesday.

Is this a big deal?

Yes. This was the first time I took him to a brand new place and rode him without incident. He has been a feisty boy in the past and sometimes I am not at all sure how he is going to react in new surroundings.

I am delighted to report he was a star. Ms. Edwards is an excellent teacher from Great Britain who trains in the Classical style. I must say Tucker seemed to enjoy her style because he relaxed and really worked well. I am so proud of him.

What was especially nice was how attentive he was to my aids, making all the exercises really quite easy to ride. At times like that, I realize how truly well along he is in his basic training. He is a lovely, responsive fellow and I am truly lucky to own him.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I schooled "trail junkie" Chance in the ring the other day--the last time the ground was not frozen solid. He was so funny when I tried to pass the gate leading out into the woods. He stopped, tried to head for the gate, gave me the smallest argument and then just kind of heaved a big sigh and said, "OK, but I really want to go out."

We are making progress with his learning to reach down a little and take the bit, but I have to admit steering is still an "interesting" experience. I keep forgetting how challenging it can be to ride a really green horse, but this time, since he is closer in age to Tucker than Tucker was to my other horses when I got him, that I haven't completely forgotten. I must admit it is certainly entertaining when you start to turn and don't end up where you had planned to go! On the other hand, out on the trail that is much less of a problem. Out there, when you need to turn it's usually because there is a tree in the way and Chance figures out pretty quickly that he's better off going where you ask than hitting the tree.

Hey, if I find just the right configuration of trees, maybe I can school a dressage test out there!

Having fun despite the fickle weather,
Jean, Tucker, and Chance

Hey Jean, I'm here, so behind on everything. Awwwww, our little boy is growing up, going places without incidence... how cool. It sounds like you now have a horse for anything you would ever want to do. What a lucky girl. Chance still amazes me. Who'd a thunk? Haha Stay warm, spring is coming (really it is). Celeita

We had beautiful weather today, just at 70, nice breeze, the grandkids were with us and Gabby got her first ride ever while older sister Breagan rode River for the first time. Both went home tonight totally in love with River. He is just a wonderful guy, we all love him.

I also got to ride him a minute before the kids took him away from me. He was really funny as he would follow me all over the riding pen, when I stopped, he stopped, when I walked he followed, a couple of times I trotted off and he trotted with me much to kids delight. After I knew they were safe, I sat in a chair and let Breagan just walk around in the pen with him and she rode Gabby for awhile, he got to ride for about an hour today. Yesterday I rode him for about 30 minutes. Today before we rode, Breagan and Gabby groomed him and gave him treats, I wanted Gabby to talk to him so he could hear her voice, didn’t want her to startle him as 5 year olds can startle most any horse. River was perfect for them today. Thank you so much, he is a great fit for our family.

Sharon Boone <\__~

Oh Sharon, your stories makes me miss him even more but they are good stories so keep telling them. Isn't the is the best boy? I could not imagine anyone not wanting him but we had two adopters that returned him. Hard to believe but so many times its not the horses fault at all but they are the one that loses but not River because he now has you. Many horses are not so lucky. Wish I could have been there on that day. Sounds like so much fun. I'm sure those girls will talk about and remember River all their lives, things like that just seems to stick. So glad he's doing so well but many horses seem to know about kids and when people are different and they are kinder to them but its always amazing to see it when it happens. Give him big Kisses. Much Love, Celeita

I must take some time to deeply apologize for not being as communicative as I usually am. I failed miserably this year in getting my Christmas cards out. When I put Gi down on the 11th it really killed any Christmas Spirit I had. She is sadly missed. I did a lot of soul searching and realized that I didn't like being in my house without a dog companion so on the 23rd I went puppy looking/finding. I put a deposit on a female standard out a couple hours west of Suffolk VA. She was only 5 weeks at the time and needed more time with mother before coming home. As her pick up date approaches I must express my gratitude to everyone and to God in a way. Its funny but we walk through life doing the best that we can do. I tried to do my best by Gi and feel happy with the life that I provided for her. Its funny how God works in mysterious ways. I was scrambling trying to figure out how to afford a new puppy. I took a leap of faith in putting that deposit down as I didn't know at the time how I was going to make it all come together to get her paid for. But Tyson's has been working us some major overtime which has thus allowed me to pay for the puppy. I find myself looking forward with much happiness and anticipation as her pick up date approaches. I'm exhausted to my bones (I havent had a day off since Christmas Day) but glad to have had the opportunity to earn the money to make it all happen. So my trip out to get her next Sunday is going to be a happy time for me even though I'm still sad about letting my best friend go. I still have some work to do around here. My Tyson's schedule has been so insane that I've barely had time to cook, clean or do my laundry. Sleep is at a premium. I'm hoping that things will slack off once the Super Bowl is over. We've had monster huge orders for product for the last 2 weeks leading into the game. We ended up working until 2am this morning with the entire debone department working from midnight until finish on a monster sliced meat order. I still have a bit of fence mending to do...which is going to have to get done on friday. I'm planning on leaving as early as I can Sunday morning so I can try to get back before dark. Deer are still acting dodgy around here due to hunting season and I hate traveling around twilight or just after dark during hunting season. This was a god awful Christmas for me...filled with grief and badgering myself with regrets yet the one bright shining star was the love that my friends gave me in helping me through it all. I still have my moments...but they're getting fewer and farther between. This new pup gives me hopes and anticipations. When Gi was a pup I didn't know anything about natural training. It's a new beginning. A fresh chalkboard to see how I can improve my training techniques with dogs. I was very happy with how Gi was turned out but now I feel like I can do an even better job of it. So thank you everyone for all the love and kindnesses shown to me during this trying time. I hope I can return the feeling in your time of need.

Spade made it through surgery without a hitch! He is doing great and when I left him tonight he had already began eating hay. I really felt that he was glad that I was there after his surgery, of course I am probably wrong. Actually, the Surgeon allowed Shelly, (trainer) and I to view the surgery while it was in progress, when they pulled out the steel mallet and chisle I had to look away, it was difficult to watch, but VERY interesting. It turned out to be ALOT bigger than they anticipated and they could see at least two teeth in the cyst, so it was more than just his ear tooth. It also took the Cheif of Surgery to come in with some muscle to successfully remove it considering it was the size of an apple!. It was a very delicate procedure since it's been there so long and so close to his skull. I don't know if you remember or not but his ear use to sorta turn in to the inside of his head and it's already starting to straighten out. He's coming along so well. We are hoping to have him back home Saturday. I'm anxious to get him back home quickly. Oh by the way, he weighed 1045lbs and his doctors said he looked to be in perfect health and great condition, so that's good news. I took a picture from where we were observing and have included it for you guys to see. We really couldn't see that much, but we could tell what was going on. Like I said, it was very interesting. Our prayers have been answered! God is good!

Debora and Spade

The estimate that I received from OSU was $1400-$1800, depending upon what needed to be done and if he needed the MRI in addition to radiographs, but they weren't necessary, however the surgery did take longer than expected so I really won't know the total until I pick him up. Also, at OSU, half of the total bill is due at the time of his release and they allow 90 days to pay the balance which it going to be VERY helpful.

I'm REALLY glad we went ahead and had it removed, the tissue under the cyst was dead and eventually would have gone through to his skull. He was at risk of brain damage and generating cancerous cells that surrounded the cyst. My advice if you have a horse that is young, get the cyst/tooth removed at a young age. The younger the easier, and probably cheaper. I would highly recommend OSU, they have given him excellent care. Let me know if I can help.

Thanks for your prayers!

His surgeon recommended applying heat to the effected area a couple of times a day so at night when I feed him I warm up some towels and lay them across his face. He seems to like it. He just rests his head on my shoulder, awe. Since he was taken off his grain when he went into OSU, the only special instructions I have are to gradually get him back on his grain, but slowly. Also, he is on bute and antibiotics, but other than that, nothing major. He did develop a hematoma but they drained it and he's fine. He seems a little depressed, but it could be pain, or the bute, not sure. I'll be glad when he's back to his old self but if someone had hammered/chiseled on my head like they did his, I'm sure I wouldn't be too chipper either. All in all, he's a champ. Doesn't complain about anything. When we were brining him home from OSU we had to stop for gas and when I walked into the store he made a really loud nickering noise and I ignored him, but when I came back out, he started it again, he really wanted my attention so I walked over to him and spoke to him for a few minutes while pumping gas and then went to get back in the car and he started again. It was adorable. Sometimes if he is in his stall and I get out of his sight, he'll start calling for me if he thinks I am close. He's already my best friend, can you tell? It's still AMAZING to me.

Hi Celeita,

Chance is a trail junkie! He absolutely loves going out in the woods for a ride.

The other day, we tried a new trail--all of these rides are only about 20-30 minutes long--on the ridge above the little lake in the back woods. There is a horse-eating gray boulder lurking there according to both Tucker and PJ. Apparently, Chance is of another opinion because he went right past the thing without a second glance! What a nice change of pace. Aside from the fact that I do still have to steer him around trees and onto the trail now and then, I can just relax on him and enjoy the scenery.

Our next adventure will be out to the Christmas tree farm next door. We've already gone halfway. The trail runs near the NJ Turnpike, so there are trucks and cars buzzing noisily by all the time. It will be a good test of Chance's so far very level head about such distractions.

Ring work? Well, he's so much fun out that I haven't done too much work in the ring lately. All in good time. He is still just a baby and we will have lots of opportunities to do some serious schooling later. Right now, the little trail junkie and are just having a good time playing in the sunshine and warm winter weather.

Jean D.

Happy New Year Jean!! This is perfect, our first Happy Ending for 2007 and what a great happy ending. I'm amazed. I'm going to have to start putting notes on your emails for everyone else about "don't try this at home" .... I'm shocked. I know this boy was handled all the time as a baby, he was more like a dog to them but geesal, he totally trusts you. I guess you've found your 'perfect trail horse'. Amazing. Just Love it. Thank you for making our day!! Celeita

Every Dream Starts with a Single Step, Take Your Step Today!

Women from History Who Dared To Change the World (credit: O Magazine)

600 B.C. TO 200 B.C.: Tribes of statuesque women (and men) roam the Eurasian steppes. The fearsome Amazons of myth? Not exactly. But archeological evidence suggests that among these nomads, the women were the warriors.

Circa 39: Dynamic sister duo Trung Trac and Trung Nhi amass a Vietnamese army in a revolt against Chinese rule. For four years, they lead the rebellion.

Circa 395: Fabiola, a Roman aristocrat whose divorce and subsequent remarriage were condemned by Christian society, founds a hospital for the poor and other outcasts of her city. It's likely one of the first hospitals in the Western world.

Circa 1001: Murasaki Shikibu begins writing The Tale of Genji, an epic portrait of court life (twice as long as War and Peace), considered by many to be the greatest masterpiece of Japanese literature and possibly the world's first novel.

1429: Peasant girl Joan of Arc commands the French army in a series of victorious battles to liberate her homeland from the English; she is burned at the stake for her trouble.

Circa 1579: Grace O'Malley, a swashbuckling Irish pirate known for raiding ships, fights off an English government expedition sent to stop her.

Circa 1613: In her graphically violent painting Judith Slaying Holofernes, Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi slays the ideal of submissive womanhood: Her heroine is fierce, powerful, and ruthless.

1777: Teenager Sybil Ludington rides all night long through a storm to alert the 400 men in her father's militia that the redcoats are coming. She's called the female Paul Revere—but Paul rode with two of his buddies. And he was captured by the British.

1805: Sacagawea joins Lewis and Clark as their expedition's interpreter, traveling thousands of miles across the Rockies with her newborn babe strapped to her back. Who says life ends when you have kids?

1814: As the British torch Washington, D.C., First Lady Dolley Madison remains in the White House long enough to rescue historic valuables—running out moments before the soldiers charge in.

1862: Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, just 19 and dressed as a man, enlists in the Union Army. In a letter home, she assures: "I don't fear the rebel bullets nor I don't fear the cannon."

1867: Ida Lewis rescues three drowning men from wind-whipped swells in Newport Harbor. Then she rows back to save their sheep. Ida later becomes the country's first female lighthouse keeper.

1872: Victoria Claflin Woodhull becomes the first woman to run for president. A colorful candidate, she advocates for free love.

1906: Madam C.J. Walker hawks shampoos and serums door-to-door. The orphaned daughter of former slaves, she becomes one of America's wealthiest businesswomen.

1912: Astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt discovers the period-luminosity relationship (later used to calculate the distances between Earth and the stars).

1914: Barnstorming adrenaline junkie Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick makes the first-ever free fall from a plane.

1916: In a tenement neighborhood in Brooklyn, Margaret Sanger opens the doors of the country's first birth control clinic. Outside at least 150 women are waiting.

1916: Movie star Mary Pickford insists on becoming her own producer. America's Sweetheart is no sucker.

1937: Amelia Earhart disappears on the ultimate adventure—her attempt to fly around the globe. In a note to her husband, she explains: "I want to do it because I want to do it."

1938: Anna Mary Robertson Moses sells her first paintings, at age 78. Known as "Grandma" Moses, she continues to paint for 23 years, becoming one of the century's most renowned folk artists.

1941: Protofeminist superhero Wonder Woman first appears in a comic book, fighting off Fascists in star-spangled hot pants.

1946: Super-geekette Dorothy Hodgkin cracks penicillin's chemical makeup with an X-ray crystallographer. (Eighteen years later she'll earn the Nobel Prize.)

1953: Jackie Cochran flies an F-86 Sabre jet through the sound barrier. She learned to fly so she could travel around selling cosmetics, but it turns out trashing speed records is a lot more fun.

1959: On the edge of the Serengeti Plain, Mary Leakey digs up and pieces together a 1.7-million-year-old hominid skull, one of the most important finds in the history of archeology.

1960: At the Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph (left)—once partially paralyzed by polio—earns three gold medals in track-and-field, the first American woman to do so.

1963: Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first female to fly a spacecraft around the globe.

1967: Kathrine Switzer dares to run the all-male Boston Marathon, while an irate race official chases her.

1981: Alexa Canady becomes the first black female neurosurgeon in the United States.

1985: Just 175 miles from the Iditarod finish line, Libby Riddles heads into a blizzard when other mushers opt to stay in camp; this gives her a six-hour lead and, ultimately, the win.

1989: Performance artist Karen Finley smears her body with chocolate to illustrate that women are treated like, you know, dirt. The National Endowment for the Arts rescinds her funding, but she ultimately gets it back.

2005: Roz Savage quits her corporate job, leaves her unraveling marriage, and rows across the Atlantic by herself. Midlife crisis averted.

2008: Sandra Andersen, a barista at a Starbucks in Tacoma, Washington, learns that one of her customers needs a kidney to live. So she gives the woman hers.

2009: Navigator Ann Daniels leads the Catlin Arctic Survey, a 74-day journey from the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole to measure the thickness of sea ice.

*******************

The Warmth of A Horse

When your day seems out balance...
and so many things go wrong ...
When people fight around you
and the clock drags on so long ...
When some folks act like children
and fill you with remorse ...
Go out into your pasture and wrap
your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you as he
watches with those eyes ...
He may not have a PhD but he
is, oh so wise!
His head rests on your shoulder
you hug him good and tight ...
He puts your world in balance
and makes it seem all right.

Your tears will soon stop flowing,
the tension will be eased ...
The nonsense has been lifted.
You are quiet and at peace.
So when you need some balance
from the stresses in your day ...
The therapy you really need
Is out there eating hay!

but the world will surely change for that one horse”

don't forget to order your SWAP wines, exceptional wines from Chile and Spain with a Second Wind Label, order on a secure website and have them shipped right to your house. ALL profits for the wine goes to our Second Wind horses and Old Timers Sanctuary