Wow, another big start to the day.  Was sitting quietly this morning, trying to get the computer back to where it needs to be, when the phone rang.  It was a neighbor a couple houses down, calling to tell me that he just went outside because there was total chaos outside.  His Llama was going crazy and his guinea hens were screaming away.  He looked out, and in front of him was a young mountain lion.  He said it wasn't huge, but it was on the prowl and looking to find some snacks.  However, before the kitty could choose his food, a pack of coyotes showed up.  There were at least four and one if not more in the bushes.  Mr. Kitty took off.
 
Hmmmmmmmmmm.  Are we more afraid of the cat or the coyotes?  Both are incredibly intelligent animals.  We have been hearing the coyotes the last several nights.  I know we used to loose quite a few baby foals to the coyotes on the ranch where I used to volunteer.  Wonder if they are simply expanding their hunting ground like the cougars.  When the easy pickings are moved, they seem to spread out, looking for their favorite meals.
 
I know the coyotes will wait in the background while one comes out, often yipping or making small noises to entice their pray out.  Once that happens, the rest of them form a circle, closing in.  Don't know if it is true for coyotes, but I have heard that once mountain lions get to feast repeatedly on baby horses, that is their food of choice.
 
So I guess I will remain in my "paranoid" state ha ha, keeping our little guys under constant scrutiny.  Seems like every time I start to get a little more relaxed about the mountain lion, something smacks me up side the head.  First it was the pictures of what a cat that mountain lion did to that car, and then the fact that once again this cat is cruising for brunch in broad daylight, only a few minutes away.
 
A few hours later, Honey Bandit managed to get himself cast on the side of the stall.  There was another factor this time.  DaBubbles was trapped inside Honey Bandit and the wall.  When HB tried to get up, he somehow managed to tangle his legs in between DaBubbles four legs.  So I had to hold HB still while my son got DaBubbles out.  He "scootched" him forward far enough so he wasn't injured.  Talk about a comedy of errors.  Once again all was good in the end, but I think they are going to give me a heart attack.
 
Hope all is well with ya'll.  We are trying to find a camera that works and streams video.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm , another interesting challenge.  But one day at a time.  HB sends hugs and kisses, and sends many thanks to everyone who is part of this and helping him survive.
 
God bless.  Hugs & kisses  Honey Bandit
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 Highway 44 east
Shingletown, CA  96088

Sitting here listening to the guys munching away, I am thinking about how wonderful it was to have all the warm weather and sunshine.  What a nice change for all the horses to feel the heat of the sun dancing on their backs; soft breezes playing in the trees, their manes fluttering softly.  And guess what?  Honey Bandit actually has enough mane to flutter.  My sister Tami, was here visiting, from Washington state, and Honey Bandit decided it was time to be a "regular colt", and actually tried to explain to his auntie that "he" was the boss.  Of course that didn't last too long, but he gave it his best effort.  Our little baby showed some real horsey, actual "mustang" attitude.  What a nice change from the carcass that couldn't move for the first 3 weeks.  

This was his best day ever, and he played and ran and pranced around.  He is a stunning little guy when he "brings it", and boy did he bring it that day.  My sis said "he's acting like an Arabian".  (My favorite domestic breed).   He had his head and tail up and he made sure we knew that he owns the world.  It brought tears to my eyes as I watched him prance and dance, (and of course trip a little bit) around the field.  But he never fell down once that day,(Tuesday).

Patches and DaBubbles and HB simply tore it up.  We took some videos and pictures, and hopefully will have them on the Internet soon.

On a very good note, I found kind of a weird solution to diminish the casting problem.  We had tried situations and spaces etc. To see what would make a difference.  He still gets cast, but much less when his area is full of critters.  You would think that more space would be better, but so far, having less space has helped.  We have DaBubbles, Chino, Bear and Honey Bandit all in the same stall next to our bed.  Funny enough, he has gotten cast quite a bit less with all the company.  I think he feels safer and doesn't need to "hide" against a wall.  Of course I could be completely and totally off base.  But for whatever reason, it has seemed to help somewhat.   So for now, we are taking it one day at a time, but what a wonderful day he had.  God bless all of you for your help.  We are looking in to some type of camera we could track him on, and appreciate all the good thoughts, suggestions and support.   Hugs P & the Gang www.chillypepper.weebly.com Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang 30027 State Hwy 44 East Shingletown, CA  96088

Sitting here listening to the horses shuffling in their fresh straw, I think about what a nice day Honey Bandit had today.  He got to meet his Auntie Tami, my sis from Washington, and put on quite the little show for her.  It was fun to watch the three of them messing around.

  We took some short videos and a few pictures.  When you look at the two of them playing, it is amazing that HB doesn't accidentally hurt Patches.  Their weight and size is so different, but they never seem to really hurt each other.

  Gee, for some reason DaBubbles decided to stay out of that little game.  Shows what a smart little guy he is.   

We made an adjustment in the size of the two stalls in the carport.  We have been playing with different scenarios to see if anything made a difference as far as HB getting stuck.  Last night he had a good night, and although he gave me a scare, he was able to extricate himself from the rather precarious position he was in.  He was having a "sleep-over" with DaBubbles.  Patches is simply too rowdy at night, so he gets his own area.

  I wonder if the fact that Honey Bandit was so severely beaten all over his body, has any thing to do with where he chooses to lie down.  I have seen wild mares surround an injured foal (who wouldn't be able to keep up with the herd, and is thereby a threat to the band) and try to kill it.  Since HB showed injuries all over, and had a clear "bite" over the back of the neck where a mare (most likely) tried to shake him, it would make sense that he is not so comfortable being out in the open.  Plain old survival instinct at it's finest.  These wild horses especially, tend to hold onto the memories of being injured or in a life threatening situation, and they instinctively will try to avoid that same situation.  I am really starting to believe that this is one of the reasons that he is cast so much.  He is simply trying to avoid being so vulnerable.  If he is close to a fence or a wall, it stands to reason that he can only be attacked from so many sides.  Then he gets stuck.

  That is just one of the few reasons that would make the situation understandable.  Obviously the neurological part is why he can't get out of those situations easily, but maybe he is just trying to protect himself.  It was much "more smelly" sleeping next to Honey Bandit AND DaBubbles, but we want to see if HB is more relaxed.  

Hmmmmmm.   How romantic, still no honeymoon and stinky to boot ha ha. ..That's okay though, when he is big and strong and out of the woods we will get our turn.  But for now, HB had another happy day.  Thank you for all your help.  God Bless.  HB & the Armstrong clan  

www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang 30027 State Hwy 44 East Shingletown, CA 96088 

p.s.   For those of you who would like to see Honey Bandit at CAL EXPO this year, Follow this link   http://www.horsexpo.com/html/exhibitors.html     http://www.horsexpo.com/HTML/contact.HTML  
You can either fill out the contact info and send it or call directly.  Just Tell 'em you want Honey Bandit there.

This bill has slipped past and is now in Committee.  Urgent attention is needed to stop this.  Even if you don't live in Oregon and/or own a horse, you may know someone that does.  If this bill passes in Oregon, your State may be next.  Help us spread the word.
  Stop SB262 Today!  This bill is in Committee at this time and will affect all horse owners in the State of Oregon by forcing you to register every one of your horses at $100 each, annually.  Not complying will result in a fine up to $1000.  This is an urgent request.

This affects horse owners, breeders, haulers, trainers, and forces individual horse rescues to register as an incorporated non-profit with the State.  It gives the government one more thing to control in our lives.

No more trail rides, 4H shows, other competition events, adopting, selling, hauling, training, etc. without complying with the State.  This is outrageous.

Read the bill in its entirety here:  http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measures/sb0200.dir/sb0262.intro.html 

Contact your State senator and tell them NO.  For a list of Senators and other representatives, you can visit http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/, or go to www.whisperingwindsequinerescue.com and download the list.

Please, let's keep government out of one more area of our lives.  Even sending horses to sale yards will be affected.  Due to the current state of the economy, this bill will only contribute to more horses going to slaughter to be butchered.   How much do you love your beloved companion?  Stop this today.  Sign the petition today.... Stop SB262 - Licensing horses and other animals in Oregon     Susan Pohlman, Director
Whispering Winds Ranch
Living Legends Wild Horse Sanctuary
Roseburg, Oregon
(541) 679-9022
www.whisperingwindsequinerescue.com Susan Pohlman, Director
Whispering Winds Ranch
Living Legends Wild Horse Sanctuary
Roseburg, Oregon
(541) 679-9022
www.whisperingwindsequinerescue.com

WOW, things are never boring here.  This week I had quite the wake up call.  We have been trying to catch up on all the things we have gotten behind on since Honey Bandit came into our lives.  We were fortunate enough to be able to place 3 of the Virginia Range Mustangs at a Sanctuary in Gardnerville, NV.
 
We left early in the morning with three of our beloved mustangs and headed to Nevada.  As usual, I was extremely stressed about not being here every minute with Honey Bandit, so I called one of his "aunties" and she promised to check on him regularly throughout the day until we returned.
 
Long story short, when she arrived to check on Honey Bandit, he was once again "cast", stuck upside down and completely unable to get up.  PTL she got there when she did, because it is so dangerous for a horse to lie down on their side or on their back for too long.  When a horse is cast, and especially when they are on their back, their lungs will fill up with fluid and they will actually drown.  The pressure from their own weight will overwhelm their heart and it cannot do the job it needs to do.  I always knew that a broken leg was extremely possible, but didn't realize just how fast things can go fatal.
 
That being said, we obviously have to revert back to "watching" him pretty much 24/7.  As you can imagine, after a while you need to leave to buy groceries, go to various appointments etc.  Honey Bandit is not "sick" per say, but he  is having neurological issues.  Until he outgrows these problems, we just have to spend the time with him to make sure he doesn't end up stuck for too long of a period.  Since it is almost impossible to spend every second with him, we need to buy a camera where we can keep an eye on him at all times if we need to step out.
 
There are cameras out there that allow you to monitor people/places via the Internet.   You can get a two minute feed at any time through your computer or phone.  It looks like it will be about $500 or so, unless we can get one on sale.  This is the only way to make sure he is safe.  However, this new expense was obviously not in our budget.  It doesn't matter if he is outside or in his stall, he still gets cast.  However, as he is still too little and not fast or strong enough to run away if the mountain lion goes after him, he is never outside without us being with him.  We did the same thing with Chilly Pepper until she was old and strong enough to be safe.
 
HB doesn't realize he has neurological issues.  He things everything is just dandy.  He is happy and played with his brothers for a little while today.  He was pinning his ears back and "snaking" the little guys around.  (In the wild, when a stallion wants his band to move NOW, he will do what is called snaking.  He will put his nose barely above the ground and chase whomever he wants to move.  It is amazing how fast they move when the stallions do that.)  So he was playing "grown up" today.
 
Appreciate all your support in taking care of Honey Bandit.  Thank you for all that everyone has done.  He is a lucky horse to have so much love.  God Bless   P
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 Highway 44 East
Shingletown, Ca  96088

Softly, almost shyly, Honey Bandit walks up and lays his head against my chest.  He is such a love bug.  All he knows right now  (once I stopped poking him all the time and sticking things into him, is that I love him and I am his "safe" place.  He is slowly learning that he can no longer lean on me, and that he cannot play "rough horse play" with his human family.  It can be a very hard lesson for them.
 
One of the hard or dangerous things about raising a baby that starts out so critically ill or traumatized, is that although staying close, loving on them, cuddling them, being "one" with them is necessary to help them survive, it can cause nightmares later.   When your two day old, (or in Honey Bandit's case I think he was 3 months old before he could voluntarily "come to me") comes running up to see you and crashes into you it is just "way cute".  But picture 1000 or more pounds of that same loving little horse flying up to see you and bumping into you.  That can be deadly.  But in critical cases, it is not an option whether you share your space with them.  It can be the difference be tween losing your baby or "pulling them back to life".  You also need to monitor the temperature for them as they are extremely susceptible to temperature changes and cannot regulate their body heat for several weeks or longer.
 
I know there are people who don't think you need to be so physically close to,  and keep such a vigilant eye on these babies.  However, I have seen a day old, exquisitely beautiful, perfectly healthy, little filly die, simply because she was left alone.  Although there were people "trying to feed her round the clock" she was left alone, outside in the hot sun.  The sad part is that the ones who were actually feeding her didn't understand that you cannot use a calf nipple to feed a foal.  They called and told me she wasn't getting enough to eat, but by that time it was too late.  So she ended up dying from lack of food and dehydration.  Also, she was alone, hungry and frightened with no one to turn to.  When you watch the wild horses, the babies may bounce around and run and play, but they sure check in often with their mamas.  Depending on the age of the foal you are trying to save,  they may not all need "babying"; but newborns and/or critically ill foals need that closeness.  They are herd animals and it is completely unnatural for them to be alone.  Imagine how frightening and sad you would be if you were all alone, hungry, hot and didn't have anyone to love you.  This little filly died after 3 days lying in the hot sun.  It was a horrible death for her and totally unnecessary.   Unfortunately my hands were tied and I didn't find out about her in time to help save her.  Instead I got a phone call from a young girl who held the convulsing filly in her arms while she died.
 
When Honey Bandit was lying on the blue mat at the veterinary hospital, he was in a deep, deep coma.  So deep that the Dr. Indicated she thought we would lose him before she could get the iv in.  I kept reaching in his mouth and messing with his tongue.  I simply wanted to reach through that fog and let him know someone was there and reaching out to him.  My dearly loved friend Shirley, who is the "horse angel of Nevada", has a foal room in her house.  Her babies wear "pullups" when they are inside, and they go outside to play when the weather is safe for them.  She is one of my dearest mentors and a lady whom I love and respect probably far more than she knows.  She and Susan, another of my beloved mentors, are always there for me if I have questions or need anything.  I know that when "success ratios" were being discussed, they both have some of the highest success rates when it comes to saving the critical, injured or newborns.  They also realize and will explain how much these babies need that extra love.   (I know there also scores of others who are very successful in this field PTL).  But I have the pleasure of being part of Susan and Shirley's world.
 
Back to the hard part,  it is time to teach Honey Bandit about the "space" issue.  He doesn't get to come into my space unless he is invited.  Chilly Pepper also did not like her "Lessons in appropriate behavior in regards to space etiquette 101".  But she did survive.  You will probably see what I am talking about when Jennifer puts up some of the recent videos of Honey Bandit in the front yard.  He is simply "growing up" and needs to become a well behaved "toddler".  He actually does very well, but he has a tendency to forget that I am not Patches or DaBubbles and that he has to "play" with mommy in a more respectable manner.  I have a feeling he is going to be huge someday and I need him to have exemplary manners.  With my leg it doesn't take much to knock me down, and America's Poster Boy to Stop the Round Ups need to represent our beloved mustangs in a manner befitting of  their level of intelligence.
 
Hopefully we will be attending CAL EXPO in Sacramento in June, and he will also need his manners there.  BLM has a booth there and will be answering questions for about 70,000 + people.  I would also like to be there with Honey Bandit to answer questions as well.  I believe that Honey Bandit is the perfect example of why things need to be changed in the way our beloved wild horses are handled.  We need to work together and make sure no more foals end up the way Honey Bandit did.  We can change this, and with so many wonderful people working together our horses will have a chance.
 
Honey Bandit sends his love to all.  X o
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 State Hwy 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088    
530 474 5197

It's Thursday night, and I am sitting here thinking about how far Honey Bandit has come.  From that tiny little guy who could not stand up or lift his head for the first three weeks, to the amazing eating machine that he is today.  We have been through so much, and sometimes it seemed hard to see anything better in the future.  It is amazing how you can just put your mind in limbo when the outcome is too scary.  I know probably most everyone out there knows what I am talking about.   When the future looks too scary to acknowledge, you just focus on the now, the right now, and nothing else.
 
When I look back at the pictures, and especially those wonderful videos that Sue made, I am truly amazed at the amount of heart this little guy has.  I guess I have been especially lucky to have such fighters in my barn.  Starting with Chilly Pepper, (for those of you who don't know her story, go to the website at the bottom of the page), then Honey Bandit and then DaBubbles.  I guess God sent them to me to remind me not to give up the fight, and to remind me that you should never give up, no matter how much pain you are in.  (If I was a good horse, I would have been put out down a long time ago.  !)  So I guess I should be grateful for these wonderful creatures and the amazing inspiration they provide.
 
As most of you know, Honey Bandit still has some neurological issues.   Tonight I came home from town, and the boys were inside getting dinner ready.  Matt had been outside about 45 minutes earlier and everything was fine.  I came into our "barn", (carport) and said hi to the cat.  As soon as he heard my voice, Honey Bandit let out a cry for help.  He kept calling me in a manner I have never heard from him.  He was so stuck.  He was actually in a position where it was physically impossible for him to flip over or get up.  It is weird though, because I am here night after night when he gets cast, and he always stays quiet.  It was so weird for him to be calling me like that.  I went into his stall and he lifted his head and looked at me, kind of like, "mom - get me out of here".   I called Matt and the boys came out to help.  He was in a weird position, and I was afraid that when we flipped him he would be stuck again on the back door.  But all is well.  We got him "unstuck", helped him over and when he got up, had a good shake, and walked over and started to eat.   On a good note though, we have been giving him lots of time to "figure things out on his own".  Two out of the last 7 or 8 times, he has managed to "git ER done" and get himself out of his little pickle.  So that in itself is a good thing.  A little bit of progress at a time will eventually be a lot of progress, as he has show so well.  We keep as much straw as we can around the edges of his stall, but can't put too much due to the size of the stall.
 
I am not sure how I feel about Tuesday's court hearing in San Francisco.  I keep thinking about what the judge said about how Congress ordered that if there were excess horses, and I do believe that is to be determined by the appropriate studies and scientific data, that there were specific rules to be followed, and in a specific order.  I keep thinking about what Honey Bandit went through, and how the proper procedures were not followed in the slightest.
 
According to the Judge, Congress ordered  that IF, AND ONLY IF, the appropriate steps were taken and there were indeed "excess" horses, the FIRST thing by law that could and should be done is to euthanize the older and ailing horses.  That does not mean traumatizing the young and healthy horses with a helicopter.  Chances are that Honey Bandit's mom would have still been able to nurse him if she hadn't lost her milk due to the trauma of the round up.  If the laws were followed, maybe Honey Bandit would be bouncing around like a normal foal, full of fun and life and energy.
 
However, I do know that if the people at Litchfield had not given Honey Bandit to me when they did, he wouldn't have survived, and I will be forever and eternally grateful that they did. (Yup, even on those totally sleepless days after days after days)   I am hoping that we can work together in the future and prevent this from ever happening again.  If we can work together, then there will be no more foals in the condition that Honey Bandit was in.  I truly believe that the round ups should stop immediately, and if there must be herd reduction, then wait until guidelines are in place that protect the horses, before, during and after the roundups.  We need to protect their family units.  But at the very least, if we can find a way to get these injured, sick or weak foals to the appropriate rescues the FIRST day someone sees them, we could save big bucks for all concerned, plus give these babies a much better chance for a good future.
 
We appreciate all your support and help in keeping Honey Bandit alive and well to tell the story and fulfill his roll of HONEY BANDIT - AMERICA'S POSTER BOY TO STOP THE ROUND UPS!!!
 
Hugs and God Bless  P & the gang
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
 
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 State Hwy 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088
 
530 474 5197

It's cold outside, and inside isn't too much warmer.  The ice in the metal water trough has turned from a giant slushy, (after our son broke up the ice with a hatchet) back to one big, solid ice cube.  Inside, the water doesn't freeze, so we are doing okay.
 
Sitting on my bed, I look over and see the guys.  Honey Bandit munches quietly away, and DaBubbles,Chino (the shepherd mix), and Bear are lying in the deep straw.  It is supposed to be about 14 degrees tonight, so we filled the stalls with fresh rice straw.  The boys fluffed it up so the horses could be warm and cozy.
 
Patches is in his own stall, where he slept before.  As Honey Bandit was still getting cast, we decided to check and see if it was a space issue.  Alas, it is not, and he continues to randomly get cast.  There is still no real pattern as to where or why, (he sleeps in different places all the time), so we are going to try and "pad" all the sides when we get more straw to keep him further away from the wall.  Last night I woke up Dalton in the middle of the night, (and yes, he was so impressed Click Me!) to show him how to help Honey Bandit if he was stuck.
 
Dalton was going to sleep out with Honey Bandit if Matt and I were both gone.  (We need to send out a thank you to our would be "horse sitter".  Ross, a friend of the family, has been there time and again in case we needed him.  He has horse experience and would be available if Dalton needed help with Honey Bandit).  Once again, he was ready to fill in, but Matt is staying home to "watch the fort", instead of going to San Francisco to the court hearing on the Twin Peaks Round up.  (Prior home of Honey Bandit and his family)
 
Hmmmmmmmmmmm - could it be coincidence that he became very ill at the same time as the play offs????.  I am just kidding.   He got whatever bug is going around. (Bad, bad bug)   I am sorry he doesn't feel well, but at the same time it gives me great comfort to know that he will be there with all the guys.
 
As I listen to the crunch, crunch, crunch of HB contentedly doing what he does best, a fresh sweet aroma fills the air.  There is something about the sweet smell of fresh straw that actually smells like brilliant sunshine.  I never knew that colors could have a fragrance.  But inhaling, you cannot help but think of warm summer days, with soft breezes tickling your skin.  It will be very exciting to see Honey Bandit when he has shed out.  I wonder how many of his scars will show.  He has his "war wound" on the left side of his head, above his eye and down.  It almost reminds me of a tear.  Like a valiant warrior who beat all odds, he wears his colors proudly.
 
Every once in awhile he looks up and nickers.  Sometimes it is because he wants more food, other times he is just saying hi.  He seems to feel completely at peace when we are all together in our little carport.  Patches spends the days with DaBubbles and HB, but at night it is more restful for everyone if they sleep in their separate stalls.  Honey Bandit likes to sleep alone, and has decided no more "doggy pillows".  If he is in the stall next to us, it is somehow acceptable for Bear to be in the stall with him.  But like a child who has outgrown his favorite teddy bear, Chino is no longer considered a viable sleeping partner.  If Honey Bandit is in the far stall, Chino will be greeted with pinned back ears and possibly a well placed hoof or two.  He did this last night, and then stomped away to his corner to eat.  Chino looked at me as if to say, "Mom, he isn't playing nice.  I want out".  So Chino came and laid down with DaBubbles and Bear.
 
I pray every day that Honey Bandit will live a long and happy life.  He still has some issues that are concerning, but looks fabulous and is quite a happy guy.  He happens to be the only horse that I have ever met that doesn't want to eat his grain.  If I hand feed him, he will eat a handful or two, but after that it just seems to be too much work for him.  He would rather eat his hay.   Most horses I have known love their grain and will do just about anything to get it.  I lie in bed at night and just listen to him breathe.  Kind of like when you have a newborn.  So much of the time, (but not always),  when HB is lying down, he sounds physically stressed.  Almost like he is having trouble breathing.  Even after the vet checked him out and gave him the "clear lungs" diagnosis, he still makes these weird noises when he is lying down.  It almost sounds like he is too heavy for himself, and there is a huge weight on him.
 
He is on supplements to help any ulcers he might have, and doesn't make those noises when he is up and about.  I am probably being overly concerned, but you know how you are with your babies.   I guess it is just second nature to notice all these little details when you are "roommates".  Sometimes it just seems like everything is such a big effort for him, getting up and down etc.  However, maybe it is just that he needs more time to heal and grow strong, yet at the same time, he used to have a lot more energy and loved to play.  Now that he is growing so much bigger, he seems to be losing the energy.  I cannot explain it for certain, but something is "off" with our beautiful boy.
 
I wonder, when he got kicked over and over, did it do unknown damage?  Does he have fractures, or is he "out of alignment" from all of the injuries?  There is no way to know what is happening inside that traumatized little body.   On the outside, he looks so so good.  As you can see by his pictures, he is a very handsome Honey Bandit.  So please say a prayer that he continues to get stronger and feel better.  He has been through too much to backslide now.   As his auntie Jen said, "he sounds like an old man, and has about that much energy".   He did play for a couple of minutes this morning though, just until I got out there with the camera
 
I guess we just take it day by day, and make sure he has all the love there is to give him.  Whether he turns into a great big "pet" for our equine therapy division, or is a great riding horse, he will be loved and cherished always.
Please remember him in your prayers.  God bless!
 
Hugs  Honey Bandit and the Gang.
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
 
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 State Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088

One of the HB Volunteers alerted me to a problem with the Time Lince/Fact Sheet that has been corrected, thanks for the heads up Jennifer!!!

Enjoy some new pics from Palomino!!

View the Time Line/Fact Sheet here or you can download it using the link below

PLEASE TAKE THIS POLL ASAP RE EATING MUSTANG MEAT, comment and post far and wide:
 
Online poll at bottom of article. 
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/01/05/lunchtime-poll-making-a-meal-of-mustang/

Hopefully vote: "No way. Never."

Did you ever feel like you are sitting at the bottom of a mountain and you can see the snowball approaching?  It just seems to go faster and faster and get bigger and bigger.  Funny how sometimes life seems like that.  We seem to have lots of water drama at our house.
 
Today, the pipe in the pump house was leaking.  As you know, Honey Bandit needs his nice fresh water every day, not to mention the fact that I am partial to bathing etc..   Fearing the store was closed, I took some baling twine and wrapped it around the broken pipe.  I know ya'll are laughing, but it did slow down the leak.  It went from Niagara Falls to a simple little water fall.  My hubby, however, being much wiser than I, decided to check the time and amazingly enough, we had just enough time to fly up the hill and sneak in the store minutes before they closed.
 
The story doesn't end there though.  As he was shutting off the water, he turned the ball valve and yes, you guessed it, it broke.  Water was flooding out everywhere.  Back to Niagara Falls and then some.  So we started flipping breakers, trying to turn off the water.  Finally, we got the power back on in the house and the water began to slow down.  After what seemed like forever, the water shut off and we started fixing the pipe.  Then, the part we bought at the store was being systematically stripped of it's threads with each turn of the wrench.  Needless to say, it was a teeny bit frustrating.  After digging around in the shop, we came up with a piece that had been cut off another water disaster, and eventually we managed to "git ER done".  (so far, at least Click Me!)  So now Honey Bandit gets his fresh water.
 
There are times when I wonder how my husband puts up with all this "horse drama".  As all of you who rescue horses know, (especially the foals) it can really take over every aspect of your life.  When I met him, he told me that he was a "city slicker".  Ha, guess we fixed that.
 
We also finished getting the barn "cat proof", as far as we can tell.  At least during the day when we cannot sit and watch over the "kids" 24/7, they will have a safe place to play and "buck out".  I feel so much better knowing they can stretch out and run around around.  Well I had better get back to starting all the things that should have been finished by now.  I am hoping that we will have a chance to let HB and the boys out to run in the big field this weekend.  Hoping to see ya'll in San Francisco next week.
 
Take Care and God Bless,
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
 
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 Highway 44 East
Shingletown,  CA  96088

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2011/01/03/zarrella.wild.mustangs.cnn.html
 
Hi
 
This is the link to one of the CNN stories on the wild horses and the round ups.  It is part of a 4 part series that talks about both sides of the issues.
 
Honey Bandit enjoyed the good weather.  We are trying to make sure that the big blue metal barn is safe for the horses to play in during the day.  Although we cannot just let them out to play at this point, the blue barn would have a lot more room for them to play when we are not outside with them.  However, the biggest issue is making sure it is "cat proof".  Apparently the mountain lion was sitting outside the back "gate" watching us.  So we want to make sure that he cannot come back and find his way in.
 
I am pretty sure it was already "cat proof", as I had gotten it ready for Ms. Chilly Pepper when she was young, and it kept her safe.  But since he has already had a bite out of Mr. DaBubbles, we want to make sure that he can't get in.
The guys are getting too big to all be in the stalls, and they really need to be out where they get fresh air.
 
Honey Bandit would kind of sniff noses with the big guys for a second or two, but would leave immediately.  Now he will spend several minutes saying hello.  So that was fun to watch.
 
We have a new special type of fund raiser going on.  Our friends at CANINE CARE, INC. Have generously offered to donate a portion of every "first visit" for an ANESTHESIA FREE TEETH CLEANING for your cat or dog, to Honey Bandit.  Simply go on their website, http://www.professionalteethcleaning.com/ ,   hit the "printable coupon" button, and enter HONEY BANDIT where it shows who sent you.  Not only will you get your pet's teeth cleaned safely, without the risk of anesthesia, but you will be helping support Honey Bandit, Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, Equine Rescue & More.
 
Many people realize how risky anesthesia is, and not only can they not afford the high costs of having their pets anesthetized for a teeth cleaning, they simply don't want to risk losing their pets.  They end up not getting their pets' teeth cleaned, and that puts the pet at risk of health problems down the road, not to mention Fido's stinky breath.  Please make sure to turn in your signed coupon to help HB when you get our pet's teeth cleaned.  There are locations throughout California, and if ya'll are from out of state, you can come stay here, meet HB in person and get your pet's teeth cleaned all in one fun filled trip.  Click Me!
 
Right now we are planning to attend the court hearing on the Twin Peaks Round up.  That is where Honey Bandit is from, and we are going to San Francisco on the 11th of January.  Hope to see you there.
 
Take Care and Have a wonderful day.
 
Hugs  HB
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
 
30027 highway 44 east
Shingletown, ca  96088

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnedLOYCKVc
 
 
Hi
 
Hope ya'll had a good night last night.  Honey Bandit ran and played and had a good time yesterday, for about 15 minutes or so.  It was heartwarming to watch him playing.
 
We were wondering if he shook his little brains too hard because he got cast twice last night.  It was almost impossible to figure out how he even got in such a precarious position.  Luckily Matt checked on him and found him and then I heard him again last night.
 
We are going to try lining the walls with straw again.  A wonderful vet tech suggested that, and at least that would help protect his legs.
 
He also ran into a tree when he was playing.  So prayers for his little wires to finish healing would be wonderful.  He is doing so well for the most part.
 
Today he was back to Mr. Mellow, but was having his usual ball munching away.  He was not too impressed by the snow this time.  I guess he is "used to it", as he was out in it for about 15 minutes the last time it snowed Click Me!.
 As some people aren't really familiar with what "cast" is, I attached a picture of HB "cast", when he cannot get up.  He gets stuck, and instead of rolling back over, he is just stuck.  A horse cannot stand up without their feet in front of them.  He gets in these weird positions where he cannot straighten out his legs, get them in front of him, or move at all.  Often times he ends up with his legs bent in front of him and he is on his back against the wall.
 
Because of their weight and size, horses cannot lay down for too long.  While they are little they lay down more, but the heavier they get, the shorter periods that they lay down.  Their bodies are too heavy and can cause problems internally.  Also, it is not uncommon for a horse to break a leg if they are cast for too long of a period and they panic or try to hard to get up.  This is one of the reasons he still needs to be watched nearly 24/7.  It is definitely not normal to get cast so often.  I have heard of horses that went through trauma doing that, sometimes for two years before they outgrow it.  It would be really cool if ya'll prayed that maybe he could get better a little bit quicker!!  :)
 
 
It is completely normal for horses to get cast every once in awhile, but we are pretty sure there are some neurological things still happening.   The way he kind of "ran into" the tree was not really a normal action.  But he just thinks it's what you do.  He just kind of stops, shakes his head and goes merrily on his way.
 
Just wanted to give ya'll a little update.  He is such a love bug.  Jennifer took some videos so she should have some up on youtube as well, and on Facebook.
 
Take care and God Bless!  Honey Bandit
 
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
 
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 State Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088