Running Room

The horses are all settled in to their new pastures, and were delighted to have room to run . They spent about half an hour galloping around and kicking up their heels with the three mares they are pastured with. Even Gussie, who is due to foal in about six weeks had her tail up and was flying around with the others. Beamer has an entourage of dogs who think it's their duty to look after him, and he's happy because he can see all his girls from his paddock. The dogs love it here too as there are numerous cats for them to keep an eye on, and Reba thinks that is her job.

Friends

The last few days have been hectic, what with trying to find a place to move to as our present place has become unliveable; so I figured I'd let you all know that I haven't abandoned you, just been really busy. I have found temporary digs with a good friend who has welcomed me and all my critters while we search for a place to rent or buy. We are blessed with some awesome friends, some near and some far away, and the true test of friendship is who stands by you when you are in need. So to all my friends, and you know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart and God bless you! I hope that I can pass forward all the kindness I have received.

Playtime

You know what they say about all work and no play.... well Tess makes sure that we get playtime in every day. She drops her ball (what's left of it) at my feet where I'll be sure to trip over it, and could play this game all day. She's still very puppy-playful as compared to her mother, Reba, who spends all her free time with the horses. Today was a beautiful, warm day, so I took Beamer for a ride, played with the dogs, then went to town for boxes for packing. I'm getting exited about moving!

Coyote Belle and Gussie agree!

Unwanted Horses?

This article came in the AQHA weekly newsletter that I subscribe to. This applies to the U.S., not Canada, as we don't have a drought and still have horse processing plants here. However, I believe it is the horse breeder's responsibility to not flood the market with colts, however good they might be. My original dream was to have a dozen mares and sell foals every year; that has changed to a more realistic 2 mares, whose foals I am able to find a ready market for, as well as standing Beamer to the public.
I think this state of affairs in the States is going to have the long term effect of making it difficult for the average family to own a horse for their children, and that is a very sad thing.

HOLY ROAD APPLES! We certainly touched a nerve last week when we asked you how the downturn in the economy is affecting you and your horses!
A summary of your comments tells us that your income is unchanged, prices for everything – except horses – have climbed, you're reducing horse numbers, not rebreeding mares, reducing or eliminating any horse-related travel and laying low to wait this thing out. And you're not one bit happy about it!
Besides telling of horses selling for as little as $5 a head, several readers even mentioned that they've seen horses that have been turned loose on government-owned land.
"Many horses in our area have been turned loose, due to the rise in hay and feed prices," writes Kristy White of Lawton, Michigan, who has taken in destitute equids. "Unfortunately, I cannot feed all that show up."
A LIST OF OTHER OPTIONS:
The Unwanted Horse Coalition has a growing list of facilities and programs that will accept horses. More than 125 facilities are currently listed by state, and the coalition asks any facility or program that wants to be listed to sign on to the UHC Web site and complete a brief questionnaire. Articles in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times have reported on an apparent increase in the number of unwanted horses.
Regional newspapers and television stations have also reported that state agencies and horse rescue groups are seeing a growing number of horses that can no longer be cared for by their owners. Some of the reports suggest that rescue groups are about to be overwhelmed and may have to start turning horses away.
"There's no way that the rescue places can take all the unwanted horses," writes Jan Corum of Lafayette, Indiana.
The articles suggest several reasons for this worsening problem. They include over-breeding, the downturn in the economy, sharply rising costs of hay and the drought that has affected many parts of the United States.
"The drought in our area made hay short, increasing prices from $4 a square bale or $35 a round to as much as $12 for a square bale and $70 a round," wrote Jane Felchuk of North Judson, Indiana.
HORSE EXPORTS TO MEXICO RISING
In 2007, nearly 45,000 horses had been transported to Mexico for slaughter, compared to 10,783 in 2006, according to an American Veterinary Medical Association press release. Economists also say the costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal, and the closing of the nation’s three slaughter facilities, which removed the price floor on the value of horses, are also having an effect on the horse industry.
"I have a friend who wants to file a class-action suit against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other animal rights groups that have been the cause of closing the slaughter plants," Jan wrote in her e-mail. "I'm not so sure that she does not have the right idea."
Whatever the causes, and they probably include all of these factors, this is not an optimistic forecast for the industry or these horses, says Dr. Tom Lenz, chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition and a veterinarian from Missouri.
UHC, which operates under the auspices of the American Horse Council, includes more than 20 national organizations and was created to educate horse owners and potential horse owners about what it means to own responsibly. AQHA is a member of this group.
Rescue efforts are important, but individual horse owners have a responsibility to do what they can for their horses.
UHC has materials that will help horse owners consider alternatives for their horses. The materials suggest options an individual can take now and in the future so the number of unwanted horses does not increase.
The UHC brochure, "The Problem of Unwanted Horses," explains the coalition and its activities. The handbook, "Own Responsibly: Guidance for Current and Potential Horse Owners," addresses basic horse care; the responsibilities of horse ownership; options for owners with unwanted horses; programs that extend the useful life of horses such as retraining, second careers, therapeutic riding programs and retirement facilities; questions to ask when trying to place a horse; euthanasia; and the tax ramifications of donating your horse to a charitable organization.

It's a Cats' Life

There's nothing like coming in from doing your chores and finding your cat sprawled out on the couch, totally relaxed and right with the world.

A Good Day

Yesterday was one of those days that starts out all wrong. The main problem was that all the drains were frozen (again), my husband is away on his new job, and I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do about it. Ever have one of those days? Well, I did the best thing I could do; I took a horse therapy day. All the horses got brushed, Beamer got to go out in the deep snow for a good roll; and the mares got hugged. Just being with them and caring for them took my mind off my own woes, and the next thing you know, the landlord came with a steamer truck and fixed the drains, my husband phoned, and the weather warmed up! Couldn't have been a better day! There is something about just being around horses that cheers up even my most foul mood.

Too Cold Again!

Once again we hit the deep freeze; it was -36 Celcius this morning. Beamer had white eye lashes again, so I snapped a picture for you. Not looking too happy, is he? Oh well, it is supposed to be much warmer this week, so I can take his extra blanket off, and we'll go for a trail ride.

Horse laugh

I'm sure you've heard the saying "having a good horse laugh". I guess it means a hearty, mouth-wide-open belly laugh, which is just what it looks like Beamer is doing here. Hmmmmm...... wonder if he was laughing at me?

My Pathetic Creatures

I think I'm not the only one with cabin fever right now, as you can see by these pictures. The cats are Bubby(the long-haired tabby) and Otis. They are pretty much confined to the house right now because of the cold and because I really don't want them to be a coyote snack. Reba is the blue-eyed dog, she is Tess's mother. This is the look I get when they are trying to get me off the computer and go outside to do chores: they're right- it's time to go do battle with frozen water tubs and wrestle another bale out from under the tarp!

Tess working

Along with my quarter horses, I love my border collies. There is something about the way a dog lives in the moment, has unconditional devotion, and is always willing to please (as long as you are their pack leader!) I took them to work sheep yesterday, and was real happy to see that there was an improvement in both of them; Reba is getting steadier and not flopping from side to side as much; and I learned how to get Tess to work a little farther out when I send her on an outrun. It's a lot like working with horses; body position is everything, and timing is crucial. I'm very much a beginner at this, as are my dogs, and I am having a lot of fun learning. I intend to buy some sheep after we move, so that I can work the dogs regularly. I am indebted to the gentleman who is helping me to learn; thanks, Carl!

Update: Sailors Red Rose

The new owner of Sailors Red Rose, Debbie, sent me pictures of Red Rose at her new home.

Her new best buddy is Debbie's paint mare, Apache, and the other two are minature horses, having their morning snooze. Her first saddling went really well, as you can see by her calmness in the photo. This is the type of horse my breeding program is all about; raising good looking, athletic horses with great dispositions.