Need Help

I'd like to say that it's inner turmoil, where my head and heart aren't meeting up, or more that my bank account isn't matching up with my heart. I'm feeling not only frazzled but upset right now. I'd like to just sit right down and cry. Life isn't fair and I know it; we all know it. But that doesn't mean I have to like it or accept it. Not sure if that's my Type A personality or what.

Last fall we were asked if we had room to take in a very deserving mare. At the time, we had JUST accepted Junior into the Sanctuary. I'm just now barely getting my feet back under me from all the health scares, medical issues, and medical bills that we faced these past two plus years. I'd asked the owners if they were in a hurry to find her a new home, and they were not. They've actually been very good supporters of the Sanctuary and try to do right by each horse that they take in to try and find new homes for. Good people with a good heart. And I want to help.

But we'd taken in Junior with the help of supporters and with the owners donating two bales. Junior came in November and I got caught up with Christmas stuff in December and have been sicker than a dog from January until early April. Mike had been studying from Christmas until two weeks ago for his test, so I didn't want to call in those donated bales of hay until I knew Mike would have some free time. Apparently I waited too long because I'm no longer getting a response from them. I'm not sure if they aren't checking their email, my emails aren't getting to people (because I've emailed a couple people with no response), or if I've been schnoockered.

In any case, I'm left short of hay and short of funds to bring another horse in. But I'd asked if this mare's owners would be willing to hold on to her til spring and then I'd see where we are at. Well, I'm pregnant. That's where I'm at. I can't think, I can't plan, I can't organize, I can't function.

We had one of our guardian angels come up with an AWESOME fundraiser idea but there would need to be some upfront costs. I don't know how to swing it. I don't know how to promote it. I can't think, I can't plan, I can't function.

I can't even figure out how to do our standard fundraising efforts. So it doesn't look like we'll have ANY donations coming in this year simply because I can't figure it out. I know people are thinking I'm being lazy or crazy, but if any of you reading this have been pregnant, hopefully you'll know what I'm talking about. I can follow my standard routine, I can think a little about the day-to-day activities, but anything beyond that is out of my capacity.

So back to this mare. I'm trying to figure out how to bring her in. I mentioned her to Mike this morning and said maybe I could fundraise money for her for the year. Of course, he has logic. Because she's only 13, even if people were to donate to her care for this year, what about next year and the year after that and the year after that. She's going to need to be on supplements because of her arthritis. She wont' be an easy keeper simply because of that arthritis. I need to think about the future and not about right now.

And I'm still trying to figure out how to raise the funds to take care of Mayhem's surgery that I was supposed to have taken care of years ago. I can't seem to find the funds for that either. And then there's always the worry of hay. I still need to pay for last year's hay, let alone plan for this coming year's hay. And with the drought we are inevitably going into, I know prices will skyrocket, and we'll be left scrambling like we did a few years ago. And these past two years, I used the money from the fundraisers to help pay for hay. But with no fundraisers, there's no additional money to help offset those costs. It's all coming directly out of my paycheck, and that seems to be shrinking with the cost of living and having kids.

I don't know what to do, other than sit right down and cry. I have people who want to help, and I can't figure out how to make it happen. I have people who I think would be willing to help, and they totally ignore me, and then I have the battle in my head of what I know is right and what I know I should do (and they are at odds with each other).

I could really use some moral support right now. I really try to not ask for much. I am not a non-profit so I know I can't really ask for donations because they wouldn't be tax deductible. But at this point, I could really use some kind words.  I'll blame my tears and turmoil on pregnancy hormones....

...pause to wipe tears away.....

I could really use some help right now.

#NPCommPix - Day 30 Late

#NPCommPix Day 30 - Late. Love the late afternoon/evenings taking pictures of the horses. Miss this girl standing in our pasture. We lost her in October 2012. She was my comfort horse. Miss you lots Queen.

#NPCommPix - Day 29 Early

Still waiting for early spring to get here so we can put horses out on the lawn to adjust to grass before putting them out on pasture. Oh for green pastures!

Ten Types of Horses

This article made me laugh.. it so fits all of the Sanctuary horses

http://www.horsecollaborative.com/the-10-different-types-of-horses/

1. Hard Keeper

• Bo
• Junior
• Jim
• Brego

2. Mr. Tender Toes

• King

3. The Easy Keeper

• Tommy
• Skippy

4. Alpha Mare

• Rabbit

5. Scaredy Cat

• Ivan
• Rain

6. Accident Prone

• Mayhem

7. Experienced Rider

• Dude (although he's no longer allowed to be ridden)

8. Escape Artist

• Chaos

9. Stable Vice Master

• Luckily we don't have anyone with a stable vice (thanks to 24x7 turnout)

10. Bombproof Babysitter

• Maverick - he's our sorrel diamond in the rough... a true sorrel unicorn
• Zeke - as long as you know how to ride, Zeke is amazing to ride

Fencing Options

Here's a good read from HorseChannel.com about fencing options. I've been meaning to do some research on fencing now that we are in the beginning stages of re-fencing the drylot. I wish cost wasn't an option.

http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-news/2014/07/25-5-best-types-of-fencing-for-horse-farms.aspx

Five Best Types of Fencing for Horse Farms

1. Wooden
2. Wire
3. PVC
4. Pipe
5. Electric

Once we finish with the drylot, we'll have to start evaluating and looking at methods to re-fence the big pasture as that's about ready to fall part as well. Anyone up for some fencing in the very near future?

Just Another Horse

#NPCommPix Day 28 - Fly

#NPCommPix Day 28 - Fly. Skippy loves to fly across the lawn/pasture bucking, farting, and raising all kinds of ruckus. Darn pony!

#NPCommPix Day 27 - Attack

#NPCommPix Day 27 - Attack. Rabbit doesn't have to do anything but pin her ears to make Junior move. No attacking here.

#NPCommPix Day 26 - Health

#NPCommPix Day 26 - Health. We are so blessed to have been able to rescue Bo from an auction and bring him back to proper weight and health. He was very starved and near deaths door when we rescued him. So glad to have Bo in our lives.

#NPCommPix Day 25 - Home

#NPCommPix Day 25 - Home. We want to thank everyone who donated funds to buy hay so that we could bring Junior "home". We love offering a permanent home to our senior equines.

Ranting

So, apparently I need to do a little bit of ranting. If you are easily offended, please move on to the next blog post because I'm not entirely sure how level-headed and politically correct I can be.


**********************************************************
I recognize that I am fairly gullible and trustworthy when it comes to people. I try to see the good in everyone and am totally caught off guard when I'm taken advantage of. Actions speak louder than words.

I cannot figure out why I am held to a higher standard than everyone else. If I say one word wrong, I am accused of being inappropriate. If I make one wrong move, I am accused of being inappropriate. I've been accused of having my priorities in the wrong order (and yes, I was accused of putting my family and the needs of my family and horses ahead of other activities, which was wrong in those people's eyes). Yet, when I see others doing the same thing and call them out, I am once again the bad guy.

What I don't understand is that we are all in it for the same overall reason. We all have separate goals and such, but in the end, we all have the same overarching goal...the well-being of our horses.

I guess I'm grouchy because of pregnancy and because I realized last week, that my gullible-ness was taken advantage of and I was played, not just once but twice. Twice I've had people use my good intentions and my willingness to help, only to be tossed aside like a piece of twine. It aggravates me and makes me leery of wanting to help.

I am sure that most of what I'm dealing with are pregnancy hormones, but to come to the realization that I was played twice has really set me on edge. I'm sure that in the eyes of the people who overstepped on my good graces don't even realize what they've done, nor see anything wrong with what they've done.

I am simply struggling with my faith in humanity at the moment.

Badlands Trip

Last weekend we took advantage of the National Park free weekend. We did a flying trip to the Badlands. It was a great way to enjoy some good quality family time. Someday I hope to haul horses out with family and ride the Badlands.

Now, after a week of getting back into our old routine, we need to start focusing on getting the Sanctuary looking nice again. Everything has been on hold for the past few years due to health issues, etc.

Here's to hoping it's a fabulous week.

#NPCommPix - Day 24 Happy Hour

Any time with the horses is considered happy hour!

#NPCommPix - Day 23 Kids at Work

The horses are our kids. And they do make it tough to get anything done with they want to "help"

#NPCommPix - Day 22: Environment

Always inquisitive at the Sanctuary

Mind Boggling

I'm finding this a little tough. I'm listening to the Rolex with fancy horses and looking through the horses that have hours to live before they are shipped off across the Mexico border to lose their life.

It's tough to see the thousands and thousands of dollars going into these Rolex horses and knowing that the other horses standing in line to load onto a trailer are losing their lives and the dollars wrapped up in them are cents on the pound. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around it. The horses losing their lives were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

My mind is boggled and I'm without words.

Many Faces of Mare

I saw this on a twitter feed and it made me bust out laughing. It's SO Rabbit!!!

Horse Needs Retirement

I was asked last October if we had room for a mare. At the time, I had just accepted Junior into the Sanctuary so we couldn't bring the mare in. I asked if the owners if they were in a rush to rehome her. They said no and said they'd hang on to her through the winter and check with us again this spring. She's been on my waiting list ever since (and has been on my mind ever since as well).

Well, spring is here and we were asked if we could take her in.

She doesn't fit all of our criteria but she deserves a retirement. The current owners know of her past and know that she was used hard. She's now lame and only 13 years old. To almost anyone else, she's "useless and unwanted". She is unrideable because of the limp and most likely can't bare much additional weight (i.e., can't be a broodmare).

I'd seen pictures of this mare before the current owners got her. She's now had three homes in one year. ONE YEAR! Can you imagine? She deserves more. She's a beautiful mare and from the pictures and video I saw of her a year ago, she reminds me a lot of Queen and Babe. There's something about her that I can't put my finger on. I think it might be her temperament. Calm. She's the Mother Type. The Heart Horse. She's the one you go to, to cry your eyes out, to soak their mane with your tears. I'm not sure how many people have had horses like that. I've only had one and that was Queen. She knew when something was wrong and sought me out to provide comfort. I have a feeling this mare is the same way (although I dont' know because I've never actually met her in person).

But she deserves a home. Not just a place to live but a HOME...a FOREVER HOME.

Would anyone be willing to help sponsor her?

If you can't, can you help spread the word?

Break is Over

We've been fairly quiet at the Sanctuary the last couple of days. Last week was Mike's final week of studying before his big test, which was Friday. Now it's a wait and see timeframe to see if he passed. It was a tough test. We decided that to celebrate, we'd take advantage of the National Park's free pass weekend and headed to the Badlands.

It was probably silly to head out when we had rain one day and wind the next. Makes it a lot harder to do much when there's a toddler in tow. But we had fun and it was nice to get away from the stresses of everything. Mike had been studying for that test for four months and me being stuck with morning sickness, nothing has gotten accomplished at the Sanctuary for the past four months.

I'm hoping that now we can focus on getting things done at the Sanctuary. With all the family health issues we've had over the past five years, we haven't had time to really work on the upkeep of the Sanctuary. So now I'm hoping that we can tackle some of the bigger projects. We have major fencing to do and major painting on all the outbuildings. The roof on the hay barn will have to wait another year until I can get enough money saved up to get it reshingled. We also need to get the roof back on the run in shed we build (that the tornado ripped off).

Hopefully the weather will start cooperating and we can tackle some of the  major projects. I've seen some of the farmers out disking up their fields. I hope our farmer friend isnt' ready yet to disk and plant his field. Mike and I are trying to work out a deal to get the dry lot cleaned out (and some of the other pens as well). We'll need help and I think if I bribe the right people, they'll come out with equipment that will speed up the process. If anyone wants to help, that would be great. The more hands on a project, the faster it'll get done and the nicer the Sanctuary will look. It's never looked like a pristine place. It's always been a working farm so there's always something that needs to be fixed.

I'm also trying to see if I can come up with the money to do a fundraiser idea. We have one of our "guardian angels" donate their time and half the materials to a fundraiser as long as we come up with the other half. It's a fantastic idea but we'll need to promote the heck out of it. I'm worried with being sick if I'll have enough energy and brain power to promote it like I want. We'll see.

But there's a lot of work that needs to be done at the Sanctuary. Scraping/painting buildings, repairing fence, washing/waterproofing and repairing blankets, cleaning out stalls, etc. There's plenty to do so if you're bored, let me know and I'll put you to work.

I think our break is finally over and we can focus on the Sanctuary once again.

Conversations

I'm not sure what Rain and Chaos's conversation was about but I thought I'd share the scene.

#NPCommPix Day 21 - Spring

#NPCommPix Day 21 - Spring. Waiting for spring and green pastures is so boring. Hurry up spring and get here. The horses are ready to be out on pasture instead of trying to catch hay that the 40mph keeps blowing away.

#NPCommPix - Day 20: On the Wall

#NPCommPix Day 20 - On the Wall. Who needs a wall when you can look into the eyes of a horse and see your soul.

#NPCommPix Day 19 - Blue

#NPCommPix Day 19 - Blue. We have an array of blue skies over the Sanctuary on any given day.

Idaho Feedlot

So, last week I posted a bunch about horses on the Mexico border. The gal that was able to get the networking going in still posting horses at the border and in other feedlots. It's an amazing undertaking and I totally and 100% commend her for her passion.

We can't do much at the Sanctuary right now, except share. I went through the list of horses that are at the different feedlots and this beauty caught my eye. So unfair. Older mare (20+ years old) and blind in one eye. You know that she carried children around and took care of them.




She doesn't have the look of Queen or Babe. But she reminds me of the old appaloosas that we had at the Sanctuary and it makes my heart break seeing this poor girl. She deserves so much better than what fate she has right now. Idaho is too far away. All I can do is share her picture and her story, which isn't much when they come in to the feedlot. Here's what I know:

Gabby is an older Appaloosa mare who is blind in one eye. She is said to be gentle and stands approx 14'2hh. 

Deadline: 4/22/15
Location: Twin Falls, ID
Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Price - $300


If you have room and can afford her, I bet she'd be the best horse anyone could ask for.

#SFSHorsePhotoChallenge - April

I missed doing the #SFSHorsePhotoChallenge these past few months but I wanted to do the one for April. So here it goes!

1. Saddle. Zeke is enjoying paternity leave while I'm pregnant. No drill team for him this year.

2. Funny. Rain giving the camera a big yawn for the camera. He's usually not such a ham.

3. Buckskin. No buckskins in our herd. We've never had a buckskin yet.

4. DIY.  Sort of a DIY project: backscratching

5. Shoes. Luckily no shoes needed for these guys.

6. Eyelash. Might not see the eyelashes on King, but he definitely has guyliner.

7. Stretch. Jim doing his calisthenics. 

8. Expressive. We've only had Junior for a few months and he seems to be coming out of his shell more and more. 

9. Perspective. That's a huge step. Chaos (the horse on the left) is much taller than Rain (the horse on the right)

10. Sketch. Would love to be able to sketch any of the herd.

#NPCommPix Day 18: Music

Who needs music when you have a herd in your back yard. That's the best music in the world.

#NPCommPix: Day 17 - Out to Lunch

Out to Lunch. Junior always loves his meal times. He's a hard catcher except when it comes to his supper. I can just open the gate and he'll walk right into his stall and devour his grain mash!

#NPCommPix Day 16: Tech

#NPCommPix: Day 16: Tech

We are pretty low tech at the Sanctuary.

#NPCommPix Day 15 - Taxed

Once again, I've fallen behind in the photo challenge. Trying to make up for it now.

Taxing...these spring days are so taxing.

Pushing Bales

We had a busy night last night. Mike is out of town starting today and all day tomorrow so that leaves me in a bind on how to manage caring for the horses and caring for the toddler. Oh sure I could run out after my son goes to bed and do chores since that's what I've been doing for the past two months. But we were fortunate enough to have hay donated a month back and I kept half the load of hay back just for this particular issue.

Last night Mike and I worked as quickly as we could putting in the round bales for the big herd and the mares/Junior. These are smaller type round bales but very easy to manage and handle. Four bales went into the big herd and one into the mares/Junior's pen. Some of the bales started unrolling so I'll be out there Friday night shoveling in the loose hay into the mares/Junior's pen. No point in letting good hay go to waste when we are in a drought and who knows what price of hay will be like this coming year (never mind I still need to pay for last years hay ).

After we finished putting in the bales, we tackled the one other problem. Well, it wouldnt' be a problem just yet but in another two to three weeks, it would be a problem. The fence line in the drylot is not great. It's an old cattle feedlot so the fence posts have all rotted away. The horses destroyed the rest of the fence line. Two years ago we put up a new fence and cattle panels. Unfortunately Dude figured out how to climb the cattle panels and bend them so he could reach the tender grass growing up on the other side. He never did figure out how to get to the other side. Chaos on the other hand has figured it out a couple of times.

With Mike being gone for two days straight, I didn't want to take the chance of having a loose horse. Oh he wouldn't be loose, he'd be in a pasture but I don't want to risk anyone getting out right now and devouring all the grass and getting sick. So we took all of the remaining corral panels and put them along the east fence line. I knew this day was coming so I'd stashed away all of my corral panels that weren't being used (and some that were) specifically for this purpose until we could get the fence finished. Last fall Mike and J. put in new fence posts but we didn't have the time or money to finish getting the fence line in. the fence was decent but come spring, we both new that the horses would eventually be pushing on the fence line.

It's a good thing that we were out there putting in the corral panels. The horses had already been pushing on the fence line and managed to pop the top part of the gate off its hinge. Luckily it was still secured enough so no one could go in to the big pasture but it's another reason why we need to get some serious fencing done. But that means more money out of my pocket.

I'm trying to figure out how to pay for last years hay, vaccinations, fencing, and a possible fundraiser idea. It's all big ticket items with big ticket costs. I try to do things as cheaply as possible but it seems like everything is coming all at once. There hasnt' been any extra cash in to the Sanctuary for years. All of my discretionary money I used to have for the Sanctuary was taken up with medical bills. Now that those are paid for, I can stash a little back, but that's not the way to run a Sanctuary. I know I'm doing things wrong and would love some help.

I'm already starting to get baby brain and can't figure out a few things. I know that certain tasks have to be done and I used to be able to come up with the plan, who was going to do what, and identify what supplies we need. Now...not so much. Now, I know that there's a problem. Know that it needs to be fixed. And know that I can't figure it out. Yes, it does get that bad. I am not to that point just yet but it's coming, faster than last time.

Lets just hope that we have an easy summer. Enough rain to avoid a drought and keep the pastures going so I don't have to worry about feeding horses while I'm in the hospital. No tornados to rip the roofs off run in sheds, rip shingles off buildings, and destroy corral panels.  No major medical issues for anyone. An easy summer. I thought I could do a couple of fundraisers but I can't seem to get anything figured out passed the jumbled thoughts in my head. Lots of ideas but no energy to follow through. Lots of half ideas but can't figure out how to get them formalized.

I'll just keep plugging along. But if anyone has any ideas on ways to help, or want to volunteer their time to come and work on a project, I'd be eternally grateful.

Louisiana Feedlot

So the gal that is in charge of the Washington Auction Horses Forum has been super busy. I posted about some of the horses last week. Apparently, she's not only promoting horses in the Washington area, she went to the Texas/Mexico border to try and work some deals on publicizing some of the horses before they shipped to slaughter.

She's now working a deal with a Louisiana feedlot.

http://auctionhorseswa.proboards.com/thread/15879/louisiana-feedlot-horses

http://auctionhorseswa.proboards.com/board/39/horses-kps

Most have less than 24 hours to be saved from shipping to slaughter but any little bit is better than no chance at all. We can't bring anyone else in and if we do, unfortunately can't afford the expenses of hauling a horse from that far away. We'll focus our attentions on the horses headed to Canada. But for now, we are tapped out and can only focus on the horses at the Sanctuary and continue to look at ways to fundraise to bring horses in that are on our waiting list.

Horse Photo Challenge

I've been trying to do the #SFSHorsePhotoChallenge for the past three months. Hopefully this month I can try and do it. Still need to catch up on the #NPCommPix photo challenge. IF I do it right, there will be lots of photos to share!!

Somebody

Yawn

I wanted to post a silly pic just because. Today wasn't exactly the stellar day that I'd hoped for. So instead, I'll post a funny of Bo and Zeke. A couple of the other horses were yawning too. I dont' normally get "action" shots.

#NPCommPix - Day 14: Yellow

#NPCommPix Day 14 - Yellow.

Well, we don't have any palominos at the Sanctuary any more, nor do we have any super light blonde sorrels. We do have Dude, who has a pretty flaxen mane and tail. That should count for yellow.

#NPCommPix Day 13: Volunteer

Finally back to doing the #NPCommPix (unless I catch the same thing everyone else in the house caught).

This is Skippy volunteering to take pictures.

Sanitize

Not a good weekend at the Sanctuary. Actually, the horses are just fine. It's the two-legged boys that are not. The stomach flu is making its way through the household. I'm keeping my fingers crossed (and sanitized) that I dont' get it next. If you don't see many posts from me this week, we are here but swamped with trying to keep up with the day to day activities while everyone gets sick and recovers.

Equestrian Introvert

I busted out laughing when I read this post from  Horse Junkies United: How to Date an Equestrian Introvert

http://horsejunkiesunited.com/?p=93033

I am totally an introvert and make no bones about it. Oh sure, I seem pretty vocal but that's because I'm behind a computer and can think about what I want to say before I actually say it. I get nervous if I have to make a phone call, even if it's to a horse friend (I have no idea other than because I'm an introvert). Imagine my paranoia when I have to make a phone call to a non-horse person and have to interact!

I guess we all have our flaws and being an equestrian introvert is one of mine.

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.

More Faces of Slaughter at Mexican Border

http://auctionhorseswa.proboards.com/board/39/horses-kps


Please check these horses out. I read in one of the posts on this forum that some of the horses are being unloaded from one trailer and loaded into another trailer right away. Some are not even getting a chance. I feel so desperate and yet, there's nothing I can do.

There's currently a 25 year old molly mule standing in the pen. She has until tomorrow if someone wants to rescue her. The logistics are impossible for us to do anything.



I know there is a feedlot about an hour from the Sanctuary but I don't know how they operate. I did finally figure out where they are located and may do a driveby. However, these horses aren't the ones standing in the trailers being shipped directly to slaughter, at least not yet.

I grumble about the people who tell me they cant' go to auctions because it upsets them. If you can't handle that, then you probably shouldn't handle looking at the pictures and faces of these horses/mules/donkeys that have their fate sealed already.

If you look at the pictures, these are the faces of slaughter. Only one or two that are old, none that are lame, none that are blind. Young, healthy horses.

I feel so desperate because there's nothing I can do. We can't bring any more senior horses in to keep them from such a fate. All I can do is share and ask that you share as well. the more people see the faces of slaughter, the more people will understand that these are lives at stake, not just a used up machine that no one wants. These are animals that do have feelings.

If you can help, please do. If you can't directly help, please spread the word.

Slaughter Bound

That same percheron was supposed to be spoken for but the funds fell through. In just a few hours, his fate will be sealed. Makes me sick to think that such a hard working horse could end up in such a terrible place. That is exactly why we need more Sanctuaries and why I want to make sure the horses in South Dakota have a place to call home in their final days.

 That same Auction Horse Forum is now posting pictures of horses bought at auction on the Mexican border and are posting pictures. Prices are by pound, which is the slaughter value.

We are too far away and need to focus on the horses in our area. We are only a state away from the Canada border so need to focus our attentions there. Unfortunately, we're still unable to take in any deserving old horses at this time. Until we get a few horses sponsored, we can't take on any more. And it's hard to convince people to sponsor a horse when we aren't a non-profit.

Does anyone want to help with that aspect of our Sanctuary? I think all the information is in my head, its' a matter of getting down on paper. I'm afraid I only have about one more month before baby brain really sets in and I'll be lucky to know how to put my boots on!


For those interested in reading more about the horses that run through at a Texas auction near the Mexican border, check out the Auction Horse Forum. http://auctionhorseswa.proboards.com/thread/15816/texas-export-preview

Waiting for Slaughter at the Mexico Border

So we are 100% without internet at home so the next few days there wont' be much posted. But I was puttering around on the Washington Auction Horses forum board and I ran across a horse that bothers me.

Why does he bother me so? Because he's old, a percheron, and he has less than 24 hours before is fate is completely sealed. There's nothing I can do. Unloaded from one slaughter truck and simply waiting for another to take himto his death. He's in Texas. I can't bring in any horses here in South Dakota, let alone pull a horse in a feed lot in Texas and ship him back here.

Here's the little bit of info on him....

Lennon will need to be purchased and picked up by 2pm on Thursday 4/09/15 and will not be available any later. Lennon appears to be a senior gelding but I do not have a picture of his teeth. He stands approx 16'3hh and is in need of some weight, weighing at just over 1300 pounds. He will pick up his feet, lead, but I do not know any history as he came off one slaughter truck and is waiting for the next to cross the border. He is gentle, very sweet, and I would assume broke to either ride or drive. He has blue in one eye put I do not know if his vision is impaired on that side.

Location: US to Mexico Processing Facility Kaufman County, Texas
Contact:Sabrina 206-250-5115 Text is preferred






I can't get this guy out of my head. I'm going to have nightmares tonight about this guy.

Little Changes Change Lives

On Sunday we stopped at McDonalds so I wouldn't have to cook after a day filled with fun and family. On my son's cup was a saying "Little Changes Change Lives".

I haven't been able to get that saying out of my head. It's true on so many levels. I wouldn't say that I've made a huge impact in the horse industry or even in our neck of the woods. Most people don't know about the Sanctuary and what we do. But the little changes I've made in my life to make sure I can care for senior equines has not only changed my life but also the lives of the Sanctuary horses.

I know if I continue to change, other great things will happen to help change other people's and animals' lives.

I know some people will think that they have to do great things to make a difference but in reality, it IS those little things that make the day better, and make our lives better. A simple smile, a kind note to a friend or even to a stranger, anything. It doesn't have to be big to be important.

These little changes can make or break your day and in turn will change your life.

I know I'm not making much sense but I wanted to put that saying into writing and possibly spread that saying on to others. I don't know who or if anyone reads this blog so I thought, even if I can make a small change, maybe that will help in changing others' lives.

So I'll challenge you to make a small change. You'll never know when that small change will change someone's life.

I'd love to hear from you on your little changes that change lives. Perhaps that's my downfall. I thrive on positive and love to hear about the upbeat and positive stories no matter how grand or little they may be.

So today, tomorrow, next week, next month. As you work through your day, just remember Little Changes Change Lives.

Amazing what a little cup with a saying will do to get your mind thinking.

#NPCommPix Challenge

I need to caveat that this post is a bit grumpy. It wasn't supposed to be but it turned into me complaining....sorry.

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

So it appears that the #NPCommPix contest is going to become more challenging. The Internet at the Sanctuary quit. It's been flakey for the past few weeks but it upped and quit last night. So frustrating to pay for a service that you don't even get. I have no idea when we'll get it back either.

At the end of December Mike found out he needed to take a test for work. He's been studying for that test ever since. The test is in about two weeks. He's been hogging the computer for the past three straight months. At the time it didn't bother me because I was too sick to care. Now that I'm feeling better, what happens? The Internet craps out on us.

Figures.

In other news, last night's chores was no easy feat. I'd wanted to get out early before the sun set to get everything taken care of and make sure everyone was comfortable. We are supposed to get some much needed rain but at this time of year, it's a cold rain that soaks into you and chills you to the bone.

Unfortunately I didn't get out until after dark. From being gone 10 hours a day for the paying full time job, being a full time mom (and pregnant), and trying to run the Sanctuary (never mind the husband who's making life "interesting" these days with his studying), I'm pretty well burned out and there's very little time left for anything. So it seems that the horses always get fed after dark, which is what happened last night (much to my annoyance).

The wind was out of the east so I was dealing with wind, flapping tarps that protect the precious hay, sheets of drizzle, and more wind. I wanted to blanket Rabbit and Junior but they were too keyed up when I first went out to take care of everyone.  I gave up trying to do chores alone in the pitch black after my wagon load of hay tipped over while I was struggling to pull it through the barn door (I can only use one of the two doors and someone decided to stack stuff in front of the door that actually works so I can't get the door completely open). I stomped my way back to the house to have Mike help me. It's one thing to do chores alone, it's another to do chores alone in the dark and rain. And I can handle the hay twice (once to pull it off the bale into the wagon and another to toss it out to the herd) but a third time of handling hay (to pick it up after the wagon tips over) is beyond my physical abilities and my temper at this point.

After getting everyone fed, I opted to go back and blanket a few of the hard keepers although I'm not sure if that was a good idea or not. No one seemed to care one way or another. I thought we were supposed to get rain, not just drizzle. But I ended up blanketing Rabbit and Junior because their pen gets the brunt of any east wind. I also blanketed Rain because he can't handle any bit of rain or wind. I also went ahead and blanketed Bo and Jim. Jim is the old man of the herd and although he's standoffish, I think it's time he gets pampered. Bo has been losing weight again so I wanted him to be protected from any chill. I didn't even bother trying to blanket Zeke. He and I are not on speaking terms right now.

This morning when I went out to do chores, of course there was no rain or drizzle. Only because we desperately need the moisture, will I pray for rain! So the past few days/hours have been a bit trying. Lets hope that tonight's chores will be less trying and our Internet will magically fix itself so I can resume participating in the #NPCommPix contest.

#NPCommPix Day 5: Bunny

#NPCommPix Dy 5: Bunny. So she's not exactly a bunny, she's Rabbit or official senior broodmare. Rabbit Choker Nikki.

NPCommPix Day 4: Drinks

 #NPCommPix Day 4: Ivan. He's our tall drink of water (tall, dark, and handsome thoroughbred)

#NPCommPix Day 3: Red

Mayhem

The red mares of the Sanctuary. Always opinionated and have a will of their own!

Easter Newsletter

#NPCommPix - Day 2: Decisions

#NPCommPix - Day 2: Decisions. Hard decisions...who to play with first.

Drought Monitor

The above pic was posted on twitter earlier today. It shows that the Sanctuary is currently in "Dry" conditions. Unfortunately, the hay ground were the Sanctuary gets all their hay is on the edge of "Dry" and "Moderate" for drought.

We may need to start looking for alternative solutions in the very near future. I am not against using year old hay in the beginning of fall/winter to help offset the hay. Anyone have any leads on cheaply priced hay?

Also, I caught wind that we may be getting snow next week. I thought I saw 6-8 inches but maybe that was an April Fools joke and I was just slow on the uptake.