hI  Here is the contact info for the committee for the bill that would stop us from choosing the health care we want for our pets.don't forget, even if we were still "allowed" to take care of our own personal pets, what vet would dare to dispense "home meds", due to the fact that they are making such strict "aiding and abetting" rules. We couldn't even get vaccines from our own personal vets for our own personal use.  It is also ridiculous to basically say that our own veterinarians don't have the intelligence to know and understand what is appropriate for us to do ourselves,  under their guidance.   I am pretty sure my vet is smart enough to know what is safe for me to do at my home. we need to stop this bill now.p 

Agenda Sub-CommitteesInformation ~Standing Committees~ 
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Business and Professions meets every Monday at 1:30 P.M. in Room 3191. 

JURISDICTION:   Bills relating to business and professional practices and regulations other than bills relating to horseracing, alcoholic beverages,oil, mining, geothermal, or forestry industries. Members:
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Senator Ellen Corbett
Senator Lou Correa
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Senator Mark Wyland
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Well, Honey Bandit finally got to get out of his stall and go for a ride.  We met one of his favorite "aunties", Ms. Dottie Smith, and her hubby at the end of the Historical Barn Tour, on Dersch Road.  Honey Bandit and DaBubbles thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air as they went to meet some new friends.  Of course Honey Bandit put on his best show, as soon as the cameras came out. I hate to say it, but I do believe he knows that he is the star.  The second those cameras came out, his cute little face was popping over the gate where everyone could get the best shot.  It's like he knows.  His ears are forward and he is a "poser", pure and simple.  We want to take a minute and say thank you for all your wonderful support and the "Honey Money'.   It was a real blessing when we headed to the gas pumps.  It was so nice to meet all of ya'll, and share our "horse" stories.   It is certainly a blessing to have them and people like ya'll in our lives.  It was also just plain awesome to be able to fill up the tank before we pulled the "star" back up to Shingletown.  Thank You!!! A neat story .......  it was raining (I know, hard to believe that is possible) and the ground was flooded and I could hear one of our dogs yipping.  I went out into the cold, dark, pouring rain and made my way to the noise.  It was Snickers, and she had gotten stuck on her run where she couldn't get to the dog house.  She was quite wet and not very happy.   So I brought her into the "nursery" and  put her in with the horses.  They had an extra deep bed of fresh soft straw, and I figured she could warm up nicely all bedded down in there. But then I got nervous.  Honey Bandit cornered her and his ears were kind of back and he had his mouth on her.  She was looking over with a rather terrified expression, waiting for him to take his first bite.  Bear (the dobie) started over to her and Honey Bandit pinned his ears back and dove towards Bear, sending him off.  Now I was really worried, was Snicker's going to be "dinner"?  Honey Bandit once again lowered his mouth towards Snickers.  As I watched, fully prepared to jump into the mix, I saw an astonishing thing.  Honey Bandit started licking Snickers.  He nuzzled and licked her like a new mommy for about an hour.  Gradually the look of horror on her face subsided, and she settled into her "nurturing".  Every time Bear tried to come close, HB would charge him, sending him away.  Apparently this was extremely important to HB and no one was going to interfere.  After Snickers was all fluffed and much dryer, they all plopped down in a big heap, and the normal night sounds filled the air.
A couple hours later, just as I was finally drifting off to sleep, I heard the familiar sound of Honey Bandit's hooves against the wall, as he struggled to turn over to get up.  I jumped up, (just as fast as a crippled girl can "git er done"), and went to Honey Bandit.  I couldn't believe it, once again, DaBubbles was right in the middle of it all.  He was between HB and the wall, and HB's back feet were under DaBubbles.   So everytime HB tried to flip, Dabubbles would get knocked by HB's feet.  I finally got DaBubbles to move out of the way, and eventually HB was finally able to flip over where he could get up.  It seems like he is figuring out how to get up every once in awhile, but that little brain still has a ways to go.  I also noticed that Honey Bandit's stomach was all wet, because - you guessed it - DaBubbles was "gettin' him" while he couldn't fight back.  It is truly amazing how all of them really love each other.  The three of them are best friends, and as hard as they play, you almost never find one of them injured.  We should all be so lucky to have such good friends. God Bless and thank you for all your support.  Honey Bandit is extremely happy and it's because of all ya'll's support and prayers.HugsPalomino & the Gang! p.s  "Dad", (who should get hubby of the year) is watching HB and the guys while Jennifer and I head off to Sac to try and stop that Senate bill SB 697.  We need to keep the right to choose the care we provide our beloved animals.

Wow, It's always something.  There is a Senate Bill - SB 697, that will change the way we are ALLOWED to care for our own animals.  Jennifer and I are travelling to Sacramento to meet with Senators to discuss this bill.  If this bill had been in effect when I got Honey Bandit, you can be sure he would have died.  When Dabubbles was attacked by the mountain lion, he also would not have survived if my hands were tied and I was not allowed to care for him and provide the help he needed to survive.  People understand that without our veterinarians, we would be in serious trouble.  But for the California Vet Board to pull a fast one and submit this bill without anyone knowing about it is wrong.  It is simply a ploy to create a monopoly on ANY AND ALL animal care.  The following provides facts and information.  For anyone out there who wants to keep providing their pets with proper care, including getting their teeth cleaned without risking their lives needlessly by putting them under anesthesia, please pay attention to this.  The vet board would have free reign to "fine" individuals at will if they "heard" something was going on.  This is serious.  We are losing so many of our rights as Americans.  We simply cannot lose anymore of the rights we have to take care of our animals and have affordable care available.  Ya'll have seen where Honey Bandit started from.  If I couldn't have provided the intensive care at my home, WITH my veterinarian's guidance,  it would have been over $1000 per night, and he most likely would have died anyway, as there would not have been someone sitting by his side 24 hours a day.  Please make sure this bill doesn't go through.  Think of all the hundreds of thousands of pets who get their teeth cleaned without anesthesia every year.  Most people cannot afford "routine" teeth cleaning bills of $500 to $1400 just so the vet can do blood work and put the pet to sleep to clean the teeth.  If that is the only alternative, most people will be forced to wait until their is a serious problem.  As it stands now, there is an extremely affordable plan where your pet's teeth can be cleaned safely for $21 on a monthly maintenance plan.  Vaccinations, flea control, grooming, preg checks for cattle, it will all be taken away and you will be forced to pay a vet to do those menial things. Welcome to Pet Owners RightsDear Fellow Pet Lovers,

The Veterinary Medical Board is at it again! They are trying to create a monopoly by making “anesthesia-free teeth cleaning”, currently provided by non-veterinarians, the practice of veterinary medicine. Canine Care has provided this service for more than 32 years. Thousands of other people also offer this service.  You have the right to choose, the more affordable method of “anesthesia-free teeth cleaning” by non-veterinarians.

The Veterinary Medical Board is working on 2 issues simultaneously. They are changing their “Dental Operation” regulation to EXCLUDE scalers, crippling non-vets from performing their long standing trade, if the vet board succeeds. They are also working on a bill (SB 697) to give them authority over all “unlicensed persons”. That means EVERYONE in the state that is NOT a veterinarian.Pretty powerful! The bill also allows them to re-prioritize their duties. We believe this is an attempt to control EVERYTHING having to do with an animal, forcing everyone to use an expensive veterinarian for EVERYTHING.

They currently have a cite and fine regulation that is extremely powerful. Why do they need more power?  Please don’t allow them to take harmless scalers away from non-veterinarians and please don’t give them more authority over EVERY California citizen.

You can help by writing letters and making phone calls.

Fact SheetSB 697 is unnecessary The Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) currently has a cite and fine regulation to deal with unlicensed activity and the other issues that the bill deals with. Their cite and fine regulation adequately punishes individuals for the type of crime committed. For greater crimes, there are already laws that address those crimes.
Below are a few cases of the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine successfully prosecuted.
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/press_releases/2006/1012_vmb_susp.shtml
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/17321/CA/US/
http://www.animallaw.com/abuseandcrueltycases.htm
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83821943.html
http://www.stanislaus-da.org/News/news-2007.shtm

The real reason for SB 697 is to facilitate the veterinarian industry’s desire to monopolize the long standing practice of “Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning” for dogs and cats by non-veterinarians. http://www.cvma.net/images/cvmapdf/Survey_Results.pdf

The above link to the survey clearly illustrates their motivation. Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning is their primary concern. They already have ENOUGH power to prosecute “unlicensed persons” with their cite and fine regulation.

Cite and Fine The Veterinary Medical Board is already known for MAILING out fines to individuals that they THINK are practicing veterinary medicine without a license. This is done WITHOUT an investigation into the facts. The wording of these fine letters is “The Veterinary Medical Board received information…” and they expect a payment. See below link to see the hoops you must go through.
http://www.vmb.ca.gov/about_us/agenda_items/mdcagenda_20101117_7.A.1.pdf

Since July 1, 2010 thruough Jan 2011, the VMB has issued 17 citations. Only five were for “unlicensed practice” SB 697 is UNNECESSARY. See page 3, citation program.
http://www.vmb.ca.gov/about_us/agenda_items/mdcagenda_20110316_5.A.2.pdf

And the VMB wants more power?!

It appears that the VMB’s desire to “prioritize” its investigative and prosecutorial resources towards unlicensed activity, they are attempting to refocus their efforts to this end. They are attempting to create more authority over non-veterinarians which is UNNECESSARY.  City Attorneys and DA’s have consistently prosecuted “unlicensed” individuals practicing veterinary medicine. Their true motivation is to address non-veterinarians who provide services that fall outside the definition of veterinary medicine, such as teeth cleaning.

The Veterinary Medical Board is making sweeping changes to regulation 2037 (dental operation defined). Over 20 years ago the VMB attempted to make teeth cleaning by non-vets illegal with this regulation. The overseeing Department of Consumer Affairs opposed the VMB. Every government agency consulted on the issue opposed the VMB attempts. So the regulation was written in a vague manner, but still allowed teeth cleaning by non-vets. The VMB has tried to make it appear that teeth cleaning by non-vets is illegal, but that is not the reality. Their current efforts make the regulation illegal. The VMB is violating a law that governs them. Government Code Section 11347.5

On March 16th, 2011 The Veterinary Medical Board’s committee called the (Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee) held a so called public meeting. Only one member of the public showed up and was accused of being a spy and was asked “How did you find out about this meeting?” The VMB has been unconscionable and reprehensible in its secretive activities.  They make it crystal clear that they are protecting the profession and NOT the public. Notably the former Executive Officer Gary Hill got a job from the Veterinary Association CVMA right after he retired from the VMB. Currently Diane Hagel who was formerly the VMB’s attorney is now a paid public member! She represented the VMB for years, how can she set that aside and honestly represent the public’s interests?

HISTORY There are many pet services that over lap into the definition of veterinarian medicine. Two basic requirements to be considered veterinarian medicine are:

1. The procedure cures or prevents a disease.

2. The individual is diagnosing a disease.

The pet grooming industry has historically over lapped in numerous areas. Overall pet grooming cures and prevents disease.

The pet product industry frequently “diagnoses” a disease when recommending a product.

Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning is a long standing practice performed by non-veterinarians. This turf battle didn’t erupt until the late 1980’s when veterinarians discovered how lucrative this procedure could be, currently charging $300 to $600. Pet groomers and show dog handlers had been cleaning teeth for decades prior to this, for a VERY reasonable fee. Pet owners have enjoyed, for decades, the alternative to the veterinary version of teeth cleaning with the use of anesthesia (commonly known as chemical restraint, which in human medicine would be considered unacceptable).

In B & P Code section 4826 the only wording relating to veterinary dentistry is “dental operation”. The VMB has attempted to expand the meaning of “dental operation” to include the mere cleaning of animal’s teeth through their regulation 2037. Knowing that non-veterinarians were using scalers this wording is noticeably absent from the regulation. This is why they are now trying to exclude scalers in the regulation in an effort to keep non-veterinarians use from using them.

Office of Administrative Law rules the Vet Board is exceeding its athourity The Office of Administrative Law wrote a lengthy Regulatory Determination about the VMB policy statement regarding animal teeth cleaning. The conclusion is that Reg 2037 violates Government Code Section 11347.5.  Because reg.2037 attempts to expand the meaning of “dental operation”.  1989 OAL Determination 12 (Docket No. 88-015) attached.  Click here to see this document.

The VMB admits they have a loophole regarding animal teeth cleaning in their 1997 and 2003 Sunset Reviews.Click here to see 2003 document and click here to see 1997 document. Superior Court rules that non-veterinary teeth cleaning with a scaler is legal! The Superior Court County of San Joaquin made a ruling stating “The court is not prohibiting manual scaling devices as long as those devices are not used between the gum and tooth areas.” The VMB refuses to acknowledge this Superior Court DECISION.  Instead they rely on a dicta (unnecessary) OPINION of an administrative law judge.  Click here to see this document.

Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs opposes Veterinary Boards actions During the Regulatory process, Michael Kelley Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs wrote 2 letters to the VMB.  The first was his initial decision to disapprove the regulation stating, “I believe that the adoption of this regulation is not in the best interests of the public of California”…. “I believe that the adoption of this regulation will operate to preclude the public from obtaining a legitimate service at an affordable cost.”  The second letter was a 5 page letter of formal opposition stating that there is no need for the regulation because… “there is a notable absence of any evidence from disinterested members of the public evidencing actual harm as a result of these practices.” Click here to see veto document and click here to see other document.

Veterinary Associations attempt to BRIBE the legislature! In 1990 Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan introduced AB 3482. To illustrate the veterinary industry’s desperation to monopolize animal teeth cleaning, they attempted to BRIBE the legislature just 4 days prior to the first Assembly Committee Hearing. (click here to see letter from Bruce Bronzon to CVMA-PAC, CA Veterinary Medical Association Political Action Committee). AB 3482 passed unanimously, both the Assembly and Senate Committee Hearings. On the floor there were only 7 votes opposed to the bill.  Unfortunately the Governor vetoed the bill.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Ruling Recently the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION concluded:  “The proposed rule would modify existing Texas regulations to effectively prohibit non-veterinarians from providing specific and commonly-available forms of horse floating, absent veterinarian supervision”.  If enacted, the rule appears likely to significantly restrict competition without providing any countervailing benefit, thereby harming consumers.  Accordingly, the Staff of the Federal Trade Commission encourages the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to reject the proposed rule unless credible evidence supports it.  Horse floating is the filing to smooth the sharp points on horses’ teeth.Click here to see this document.

UC Davis doesn’t even teach teeth cleaning! Another issue for veterinarians is how can a profession regulate a field that they don’t even teach its students? It appears to still be the same problem. This link is for all of the classes offered at UC Davis.  None deal with veterinary dentistry. http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/CSRD/Spring2011/indexs2011.html
UC Davis did build a Dentistry Building in 1994 for Licensed Veterinarians to study under a residency program.

Dangers of anesthesia Pet owners should be allowed to determine what level of risk is acceptable for them and their pets. Veterinary Board Consultant Christine Hotz, DVM writes “ Many of the complaints against veterinarians received by the VMB cross my desk at some point in the complaint review process. An all too-common theme I see is that of an angry or grieving pet owner who believes his or her pet died as a result of negligence during the anesthetic period.”  http://www.vmb.ca.gov/about_us/cc_anest.shtml

Below are some anesthesia studies showing from 1 in 233 pets will die from anesthesia to 1 in 1800 will die.  Many suffer some sort of complication from anesthesia.

Anesthesia Deaths Statistics http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-health/dogs-and-anesthesia.aspx
http://www.vmb.ca.gov/about_us/cc_anest.shtml
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/anesthesia-surgery-and-your-pet.html
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=99207
http://www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/35/1/13

http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/content/99/5/617.full.pdf+html

The risk of death: the confidential enquiry into perioperative small animal fatalities. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18466167?dopt=abstract
full text
http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Staff/Documents/dbrodbelt_thesis.pdf

Microchip Issue A similar issue arose with the VMB many years ago about the microchip. It is a chip about the size of a grain of rice inserted under the animals flesh with a needle large enough to allow the transportation of the chip. Ouch! This INVASIVE procedure is NOT considered veterinary medicine. http://www.vmb.ca.gov/laws_regs/pol97_1.shtml

Loss of thousands of jobs Yet another important consideration on this issue are the hundreds of jobs that will be lost if Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning by non-veterinarians is successfully eliminated by the VMB and the CVMA.

The VMB and CVMA are attempting to put more teeth (pun intended!) into legislation that is designed to curb so called “unlicensed” activities in California.  City Attorneys and District Attorneys have consistently refused to prosecute these so called “unlicensed” activities, such as animal teeth cleaning, because the statute is too vague to include these activities and they have failed to prove any harm to animals.

Canine Care, in business for over 32 years, has had 2 cases with the VMB, and they prevailed in both cases. The number of anesthesia deaths during this same period is overwhelming. The VMB and CVMA have consistently failed to show the NEED for this service to be stopped. Most veterinarians that make negative comments about the procedure have NEVER personally witnessed it. Those veterinarians that have seen the procedure either refer their customers to this special service or provide our service through their hospital, despite the objection of their uninformed peers.


Canine Care has offered to take phone calls to help us out. Thank you Canine Care!

Sitting here in our carport/nursery, my fingers are stiff from the cold.  The propane heater is going, trying desperately to supply enough heat to keep the babies warm and us from freezing.  The snow blew sideways and the wind screamed and howled all through the night.  It sounded like the whole building was going to come apart.  But all through it, the horses munched quietly, being much more warm and toasty than if they were outside.  Unfortunately with all the rains and snow, the stalls are still leaching water in.  But we have been able to keep the horses reasonably dry, and have cut off the little coughs that have come at us randomly and often through this winter. 

The people haven't been so lucky.  Both the boys and Matt missed time off their usual activities, as they all came down with the local  6 week chest issues.  The three of them took turns being completely incapacitated.   I am sure sleeping out in the cold didn't help Matt, but he cowboyed up and "got er done".

It's quiet now, most of Honey Bandit's "drama" has subsided, yet he is still a special needs horse and a "full time boy".  PTL for that one.  I am extremely grateful that we are where we are in his journey, as he has come so far, surviving the almost insurmountable issues he has faced along the way.  Yet he still needs almost constant monitoring.  We don't leave him alone for more than a couple hours, as he still is getting cast.  The dangers of that were reiterated clearly yesterday when we went to visit a friend and her burro.

A friend of ours, that we assisted in acquiring a wild baby burro called us as she was wiped out, and very worried about "Mason".  Mason is fighting hard to "get back to normal", after being cast under a fence for part or all of a cold night.  He slid under a fence and was stuck there, on his side in the cold.  He received some serious head trauma as he banged his head on the fence while trying to get up.  He had injuries to his side and over three weeks later, he cannot stand up.  His neurological damage is starting to reverse, and he has some of the best care around.  I was approached about maybe bringing him here so he could spend more time upright in his sling.  But for now, they are doing such an awesome job and he has such a large and supportive group of people that love him, I definitely think he is in the perfect place.  We are on standby if we are needed, but that is one lucky little burro.  Talk about people coming together.  It is beautiful to see.  So they are doing well, but it shows how much damage can happen in such short time if these animals get stuck.

It looks like he will have a full recovery, but it is taking a lot of time and work.  I was talking to a lady a while back, and she was surprised that we still were sleeping with Honey Bandit.    I explained to her about him getting "cast" all the time, and that the results can be catastrophic, if not deadly.  We are hopeful and reasonably confident that he will keep improving, but whatever he needs, he will get it.  However, I have been saying lots of prayers that the weather warms up.   We are having to spend a fortune on propane as this winter has been rather nasty.  Hopefully in the spring we will be able to finish this "nursery" so it won't be so cold.  In a way it is kind of like camping, but there are times when it is just plain "too cold".  It feels like you are burning up dollar bills.  But again, I have to be thankful he is here to keep warm.  It's kind of like being between a rock and a hard place.  When you have to keep them warm, they don't get a winter coat, and if they don't get a winter coat, you have to keep them warm.  DaBubbles has already shed out, as he had a normal "winter coat".

The two of them and Patches are absolutely the cutest things ever.  Dabubbles looks like he is getting smaller, as he runs around under Honey Bandit's belly and barely even reaches it now.  It is going to be so much nicer when it warms up and they can get out and play more.  I guess one good thing about Honey Bandit not having quite the "normal" level of energy for a colt his age, is that it doesn't bother him to hang out in his warm and cozy stall and munch away the winter.  He is loving life.  He also will eat a treat now.  Before, he didn't even try new things, but he loves his peppermints, and the horsey candy that his auntie Virginia and "Ma" Patch sent him.  Big kisses to ya'll.

We really appreciate your support as we want to keep him warm and cozy until spring finally decides to stay for awhile.  Please remember, we can't do this without you, and together, we can and have done wonderful things, like pulling HB through!  As many pregnant mares as there are in the holding pens, it probably won't be long before we have another little one to care for.  It's time to get Honey Bandit his vaccinations, (according to the vet).  That is a little bit scary, but will probably not be any big deal for him.  He is growing up!  I want to make sure he gets those right away.  Take care and God bless.  We look forward to seeing ya'll when this silly weather goes away.  So stay dry and think of us out here when ya'll are in your warm beds.  (I know - most of you would love to be here and be able to give him a big kiss from your bed - I know I do)  Hugs from Honey Bandit and the gang!

Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 State Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088
530 474 5197     530 339-1458

www.chillypepper.weebly.com

I am sitting here watching the cold and very wet snow fall.  It isn't real snow.  Just pretend.  It acts like it will turn into something, but is just a cold wet mess.  I am quite dejected as Honey Bandit missed his appearance at the Historic Barn Tour.  He was invited to be a guest at the end of Dottie Smith's historic tour.  We were so excited, and he was so ready to get out of his stall and do something different.  But then came the weather.  The roads in front of the house are clear and wet - but what if?  What if, we couldn't get back up the hill if it got colder and the snow actually started to stick?  What if someone slid into us?  What if we are coming up the hill and start sliding backwards?  Well, the "what if's" win.  We did not attend this special event..

Several hours later, I am even more frustrated.  The snow has turned to rain, (of course), but we simply couldn't take the chance to risk Honey Bandit. We were so looking forward to going, but we have to keep his safety the number one priority.  So once again, he spent the day in the stall.  Can't wait for some sunshine.  Staying in his stall, however, does not bother him in the least.  He thinks it is a great life, and he is a very happy guy.  I can't believe how much he is growing.  It seems like DaBubbles is getting smaller and smaller, but actually it is just HB getting bigger.  It is so funny to watch DaBubbles whip in, around and under Honey Bandit.  Kind of ticks off HB, I think he feels like it's cheating.

I went to Carson City and spent the day with Dr. Liu, among others (I worked with him prior with the pzp "birth control" studies), and got to help with the wild mustang mares that were in the pzp study.  It is almost indescribable to actually get to work with the horses that are truly wild.  The look in their eyes is so different than that of a domestic horse.  It is as if their blood runs faster, stronger and more intensely through their veins.  I worked at Bay Meadows race track as a groom, and the race horses are amped, but it is a different kind of fire.  The wild ones are truly incredible, and don't lose their fire even after being rounded up.

I understand that people are not thrilled with the PZP, but I would certainly rather have horses left that were given birth control, as opposed to not having any left to manage.  I don't know if anyone truly knows the exact number of wild horses that are left, but it it is a choice between birth control or permanent removal, that is a no brainer.  I also want the round ups stopped until we see scientific evidence of how many horses are actually out there.  However, in the meantime, I think it is important to work together in any way we can.  I have a feeling we will see a few changes, at least with regard to the foals, and hopefully we will see improved conditions at the trap site, at least until we can stop the roundups.

Honey Bandit's, story is getting out there.  We recently had a beautiful "HB" chair donated by an anonymous artist and it is being raffled off by the BARN BUM in Palo Cedro.  Honey Bandit also has his own column in our local paper here in Shingletown.   He is telling his story, a little at a time.  We will also be having a booth at Kool April Nights, if ya'll want to come visit and get some info.  HB will not be at that event, but part of his crew will be there to get the word out about the fate of our wild horses.

Today is Chilly Pepper's birthday.  She is two years old, and was found nearly frozen, hungry and dehydrated by her dead mom.  She was about 3 days old, and it looked as if her mom had been dead for about two, judging by the "activity".   Chilly Pepper lived in our house for a month, was completely potty trained and America's sweetheart.  She was such a feel good story.  Today, on her 2nd birthday, she is out slogging around in the mud.  But she is very excited to have a joint birthday party with Honey Bandit later when the weather is better.  She was our first little miracle mustang!!!   :)

We appreciate all your help and continued support.  I feel fortunate that with everyone's help, we can continue to get the message out in a positive way, thereby making tiny changes at a time.  It's HB's mission - moving the "mountain" one rock at a time.  God Bless.      (please remember that all donations are tax deductible)

www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 State Hwy 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088
530 474 5197

Hi ya’ll.  Sorry it has taken so long to get out an update.  We are actually in the air on the way home right now.  It was a very intense couple of days.  I would say it was a success in the fact that many different groups came together as one to try and save our wild horses.

People came with different messages and suggestions, but all with the same need in their heart, to save the horses and stop the roundups.

We had some good interaction with the BLM Advisory Board Members, and heard some really valuable recommendations.  We don’t know if they will be followed, but hopefully it is a good start.  Many of the items were things that we as advocates have been trying to get accomplished.  A few of them were simple, common sense items, if you understand the way a horse thinks.  When you hear people talk about a horse “spooking” they are usually talking about when the horse moves quickly away from something that frightens it.  It may jump away, take off running, whirl around or stop, rear up and turn around or start bucking.  One of the hazards for the mustangs has been the contractor’s coolers, sweatshirts etc. left near or on the fences where the horses are being run in.  The horses are already panicked, they see this “predator” in front of them and naturally they freak out and turn around, often trampling or smashing smaller horses or babies.  Correcting this problem was one of the recommendations BLM received.  Steps like this may not seem important, but it would greatly reduce the stress and injuries that the horses receive and could even save lives.

Simple solutions to tiny steps in this huge problem are available and have been brought to not only the Advisory Board’s attention, but BLM as well.  There was heartfelt testimony by the advocates and the ranchers told their side of the issue also.  It is always difficult to measure the value of attending a meeting like this, but we definitely feel the financial stress  incurred to attend this are worth what was accomplished.

Nearly all the Advisory Board Members and the personnel from the BLM were extremely familiar with Honey Bandit’s story.   Because of this,  members of the Advisory Board invited me to submit my proposal for improved orphan and critical foal care, as well as my comments.    We submitted Honey Bandit’s written story, along with a detailed proposal outlining procedures and solutions that would save more foals.  This proposal recommends more public access, a visitor’s observation card, which would allow the public to notify BLM personnel of any animal in distress.  This will create a record that cannot be altered and will facilitate systematic  follow through actions and feedback.  There will be no more he said / she said, all concerns will be documented  in triplicate with  carbon copies.  If a foal dropped, was orphaned or simply thought to be at risk, it would be immediately moved to an appropriate and qualified rescue.

Our purpose in attending this meeting was twofold.  To join all advocates in sending the message to Stop The Roundups until appropriate scientific studies prove how many horses are actually left, and to establish a better system for the foal rescue.  We accomplished this, at least the first steps, and now we need everyone to contact their Senators and ask them to stop the roundups with the exception of those in emergent situations.

It was hard to be away from Honey Bandit so long.   I had a horrible nightmare one night and I called and woke up my poor hubby.  I told him about my dream and he looked over and said not to worry, he was just fine.  So all is well back in Shingletown.  Each small step is a tiny victory in Honey Bandits journey to Stop The RoundUps!  God bless you and thank you for your prayers and support.

Palomino & the Gang

I was given the opportunity to share and submit a proposal to set up We presented a proposal for the foals to be immediately released to the proper care facilities upon discovery as opposed to waiting for their condition to worsen.  No more Honey Bandits.

Sitting here typing this update, I am really kind of bummed.  Honey Bandit has avoided getting cast for almost one week.  It was his longest span of not getting stuck.  Then, just 10 minutes ago, HB got himself stuck in a very very bad way.  It took both Matt and myself to "unstuck" him  (ha ha) and he is up eating and feeling fine.  Didn't bother him a bit.   I also wonder, and we are going to keep track of this, if it is just coincidence that after he plays hard and gets tired, he seems to get stuck later that day/evening. 

Honey Bandit, DaBubbles and Patches got to run and play in the big area today.  I thought that HB was going to run for hours, but instead he played for a good 15 to 20 minutes. He ran and slid and chased the little guys around in the mud.  He also had his first "little stallion" moment.  Wah......  He did the nose dip in the mud and sniffed and curled his lip and I have a feeling he was enjoying the fact that there are two fillies normally living there.

I was a little bit disappointed that he pooped out so quickly, but he sure had a great time while he played.   He seems to be thriving in other areas.  He is growing and getting lots of attitude.  It is kind of strange,  it is almost as if all the time he was sick has been erased from his brain, and he is having flashbacks to his life before.  He gets startled by things that you wouldn't believe he would ever react to.  All the time we climbed over and around him, stuck him, put leg warmers on him, moved him, covered him, strung him up in his sling, and did every other thing you could imagine,.......well you would think that nothing would startle him.  But he is scared of plastic bags.   Hmmm, we know what those remind him of.  He is also more worried about things over his head.  So I guess we are kind of almost starting with a "wild colt" in some ways.  Obviously he is getting more of his memory back.  With Chilly Pepper, our first "miracle mustang", who was born in the wild but rescued at about 3 days old, she never had anything scary happen to her, so there was nothing scary to remember.  I was kind of hoping the other memories would stay away and he would only remember the safe and secure part of his life.  But he is smart and will do very well.

He is awfully cute when he prances through the yard, looking for anything to give him an excuse to "spook".  It is so obvious that he wants a reason to jump and be silly.

I would like to say thank you to our wonderful donor who painted the fabulous Honey Bandit Chair.  It is at the Barn Bum in Palo Cedro and is adorable.  More information on that coming soon.

Well, we are trying to get ready for Phoenix.  Will write more later.  Hugs from Honey Bandit.

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

Wow, we saw such sad news the other day.  I saw the video of the foal at Antelope, and I have some serious concerns.  I understand there are people who will not want to hear this, but I feel if we are not completely truthful we will go nowhere.  From 8 years of living pretty much WITH WILD MUSTANGS, and having seen hundreds of newborn babies; from the video, this WAS NOT A VIABLE BABY.

I was lucky enough to work with, around and in the middle of wild mustangs for the past 8 years.  We actually lived in the middle of them and would wake in the morning to see the foals running and playing when we were at camp.  (from the end of April until the middle of October)   It was a setting extremely close to living in the wild for the horses in some ways, and in others it was completely un-natural.  But for these horses living on 5000 acres, free to roam with their families, it is the next best thing to being out on the range.  There some drawbacks to this situation however,  predators are higher in number due to their being an above normal abundance of foals close together.  You provide more food, you attract more predators.  They are also fed in very close quarters compared to the way they feed in nature.  In nature, they would travel up to 12 miles a day, grazing as they went.  However, due to the high intelligence of these mustangs, they adapt very well to sharing the closer spaces while eating, and then they go their separate ways.

However, when the mares are "foaling", they will go off alone, and bring back their healthy baby when it is safe to do so.  I think one of the things that we forget when we are all caught up in these
"save the horses" issues, is that NOT EVERY FOAL IS VIABLE AND GOING TO SURVIVE.

During the 8 years I spent with the mustangs, and I don't mean standing outside a fence watching them, or watching them from a car in the distance.  I mean WITH the mustangs.  We rode through the areas where the stallions and their bands were.  We were often warned away by the stallions, and very respectfully (I might add), kept our distance.  We stayed in cabins surrounded by bands of mustangs, and there were actually times we had to climb on a picnic table to not be trampled by competing stallions or a stallion "snaking a mare".  (We had a stallion running after a mare that preferred his son to him, and he had his head just inches off the ground as he chased her right through the area we were in.  People hid in outhouses, under picnic tables, on top of picnic tables.)  That is something you don't often see in a lifetime. 

When I heard the news that night, I was angry that BLM didn't spend more time trying to see what was wrong with the foal.  However, after I watched the video, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE FOAL HAD SOME SERIOUS ISSUES.  I have seen so many newborns, tried to save numerous babies that were not viable, and have cried enough tears to fill the oceans.  But we cannot save them all.  When our baby got attacked by the mountain lion and was so badly torn up, his mama simply stood watch over him.  She would nuzzle him, similar to that baby's mama, and then she would stand quietly by him.  She knew he was going to die and that she could do nothing about it.

I have cared for so many foals that were not viable.  We had a beautiful and perfectly healthy filly get caught in some rocks and break her leg.  Her mama knew she was healthy and didn't understand why she wasn't "coming".  That mare came back time and time again to nudge her baby to get her up.  I sat with the foal for more than an hour while someone went to get what was needed to end her suffering.  When the stallion came over, I hid behind a big tree.  I was sitting by a big rock about 10 feet from the baby.  I knew her mom could smell me on her, and when the mare came over to me, I was truly scared wondering if she was going to attack.  Instead she reached over and sniffed my arm.  The she kind of nuzzled my arm and walked away from her foal for the last time.  I truly believe she knew I was trying to help her baby.  The intelligence of these animals is incredible.

If you look closely at that video, the foal's back end is not working properly.  This is usually a sign of some sort of significant injury.  It is definitely not normal "new born" behavior.  I have seen newborns in 8 to 10 inches of mud, and the mares will keep encouraging the babies to get up.  It seems almost like this mare is simply offering love and comfort.  She certainly does not appear to be pushing him and nudging him over and over to get up.  You will note that this baby is still in the general population.  He could have been stepped on, or he could have neo-natal-tetanus.  There have been several cases of this in the holding pens and it is pretty much one of the worst ways for a foal to die.  It is a certain death sentence and if a foal has this there will be nerve damage, resulting in loss of function. 

BLM has been working steadily to place the orphan, and/or critical foals with rescues in Nevada.  Only that day a foal was turned over to LRTC by BLM.  (Am waiting to hear which one, but it was a healthy and viable foal).  I know we are all frustrated and angry, but any foal that is considered not viable should be put down immediately.  There is also a foal that was walking on three legs that was recently placed in a rescue.  The diagnosis was presumed to be a hairline fracture.   It is sad that we don't spend any time telling people about the ones that are saved.  I know my "mentor" has at least 3 orphan foals in her house right this second.  The other critical care foal rescue is full up and they both have already re-habbed and adopted out babies.  I have issues with stuff that has been done by BLM also, but we have to actually do something besides yell and scream. 

We need to be completely honest, and tell the reality of what is actually happening.  The following is an accurate account of what really happened.

 The normal process with foals is to wait until the foal is completely paired up with its mare, then move the pair to the nursery corral.  This is tricky and isn't done right away because these are wild horses and they will react fearfully when being sorted.  The foal has to be able to recognize and keep up with its dam.  This isn't just a BLM issue, but is a problem experienced by any agency, group, nonprofit, etc. that is holding mares during foaling season.  LRTC went through the same thing with the Dann Sisters mares.  It's a hassle at best.
 
The foal couldn't get up and had some neurological deficiency.  Nobody could say if it was a birth defect, dismature syndrome, brain or spinal cord injury during foaling or what, but the foal had no appropriate hind end coordination long after foaling and long after it should have been able to stand.  This is not the kind of presentation that is suggestive of any kind of successful recovery, and a couple of photo views also suggest that the foal may even have been deformed.  In the wild, mom would have hung around until the foal went unconscious, then the coyotes would have finished the job.  In this case the crew at PVC humanely euthanized the foal.  For the record, while the BLM crew was being accused of not caring about the foals, they managed to send a couple of viable foals to focused care. One is at our Lucky Horse Corrals in Dayton with Shirley Allen and one went to Wild Horse Organized Assistance with Dawn Lappin.  If BLM wasn't interested in saving foals, they wouldn't have done it.  But leaving a defective foal to suffer and eventually die, is completely inhumane.  We need to stay focused, honest and work together to save these horses.

HOWEVER, Honey Bandit's goal is still to STOP THE ROUND UPS, as they are a factor in many birthing complications, which could have led to this latest incident.

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

HI

Was so happy to hear that the newly born foal in the latest roundup was taken care of.  Instead of leaving the tiny newborn in with the general population, it, complete with umbilical cord dangling, was moved with is mom to safety.  We have been begging BLM to remove the foals immediately after they are born, as it is extremely dangerous for them to be in with the general population.  This is a huge step to improving foal care.  I understand that the world is not going to become perfect overnight, but this is definitely a huge improvement.  There have been numerous cases documented where the newborns were kicked, stepped on etc. to the point of receiving fatal injuries.  This is one of the major issues we are working on, improved foal care.  Instead of becoming another Honey Bandit, covered in kicks and bites and with serious injuries, this foal is safe with his momma.

In a natural environment, the mares in the herd would look out for the babies.  However, there can be much confusion in the holding pens where nothing is "normal" and instincts are overwhelmed.  So I am very hopeful that with each small step, the future of our wild horses may be more secure. 

There are times when it seems like it is mean, but this is truly a time when moving the foal is for it's safety.  In the past, we would see days or weeks go by and the foals still in with the masses.  So Honey Bandit is pleased and thankful that there will be one less injured baby.  To have another foal suffer needlessly would be completely unacceptable.  There were also foals that were lost due to a mare that was "stealing babies".  She would steal them from their real moms, and (i believe at least one) died due to not having it's real mom to nurse from.  The mare that was stealing the foals had no bag, so they could not nurse.  It is so important that when we mess up the family structure, we at least provide a safe place for the displaced.

We are looking forward to each tiny step forward.  Together we can move this mountain.  Thank you for your continuing support for Honey Bandit and all our wild horses.

God bless

Palomino & the Gang

www.chillypepper.weebly.com

Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088
530 474 5197