Hi,  today Honey Bandit and the boys went out to play in the big pen.  They ran and romped and had quite a lovely time.  Honey Bandit kept stumbling a little bit, and then slid (fell) onto his butt.    Maybe someday I can use that butt slide so he can be one of those horses that stop on a dime and slide their back feet.  I don't think they are actually supposed to sit down though.  But he did that last time he went out to play also.  He just kind of gets up and shakes his head like What???  That didn't happen!!!

It is amazing to watch him strut his stuff the way he does.  He is getting so proud, and today for a short time he did that neck arched, tail high in the air little prance that he does.  He kind of dances over the ground stepping high, his feet never seeming to touch the ground.  That is when I have my little "arabian" ha ha.

He played for a long time before he remembered to put on a show with the fancy stuff.  I am hoping that the clumsiness goes away, but if it doesn't I guess he will just walk like me ha ha.  The more he gets to play and run I think the stronger his muscles will get.  His brain is still not quite healed, but we are praying that he continues to make progress.  I  wouldn't want to ride a horse that falls down all the time.  But it's okay if he can't be ridden.  No matter what, I know everyone will always love him and he will always be the poster boy to stop the roundups and improve conditions for our wild horses.

He has been getting stuck more often (getting cast), but he is starting to figure out how to get up.  I worry though, because I know a horse can break a leg when they try to get "unstuck" from positions like that.  So far we have been lucky though, and the worst he has seen is a tiny bit of stiffness the next day.  It is almost comical to watch him get "unstuck".  He flips his head back and looks at me like "mom - what do I do now?".   Then he will thrash a bit and (more often than before), will finally figure out how to get up.  It is almost like when he actually thinks about what he is trying to do, he gets confused, but if he gets startled, instinct kicks in and he will often do what he needs to do almost automatically.

He is enjoying the warmer weather and loves to play in the sun.  He also loves his "treats" and is quite talkative throughout the night.  I am hoping it is because he loves me and not just cuz he wants food.  :)

We are looking forward to watching him play again tomorrow.  Hope ya'll have a fabulous day.

Honey Bandit & the gang

It was about 3:00 a.m. and I got up and checked on "the kids".  I saw the cutest little thing, a horsey train.  HoneyBandit was the engine, and DaBubbles was the next car.  Bear was the caboose.  I had to smile, because they really looked like a little train.  (of course it may not take much to be cute at 3:00 a.m.)  But they were all fast asleep, nose to tail, lost in dreamland.

We are anxiously awaiting some sunshine (along with every other Californian).  We need to get Honey Bandit out to run and get him ready for the RAIN opening of their flea market season.  Honey Bandit will be there (and most likely DaBubbles and Patches) also.

We are so looking forward to seeing everyone and also to letting everyone see what all their love and support has accomplished.  From the carcass covered with bitten and battered skin, he has emerged and is now a beautiful little colt.  He is very well put together and absolutely knows it.  He has personality overflowing, although he still does get skittish.  I guess the memories of the round up and the ensuing horrors he went through did not fade as I had hoped it would.

I was wishing that he would remember all the love and attention he got, but I am not sure if he was awake enough to pick up on a lot of that.  He definitely remembers flying plastic bags though.  I still can't believe how spooky and silly he can get when we had so many different contraptions in, on and around him.  Bet he wouldn't like his sling now.

But again, I cannot stress enough just how happy this little (well, not so little) guy is.  And it is all because of the awesome support we got from the community and all of his aunties and uncles out there.  ya'll saved his life.  Thank you for that!  It would have been devastating to lose him, and there is no way that wouldn't have happened with out everyone and their help.  Together, we have witnessed an amazing miracle.  We were at Kool April Nights and I was looking around our booth at some of his pictures.  It still just blows my mind to see where he came from.  DaBubbles too, after being shredded by the mountain lion, well, he just bops around like a little ping pong ball.  He is such a happy little guy. 

Early this morning when I rolled over and looked into the stall, Honey Bandit was lying down and DaBubbles was standing up.  Their heads were at the same level and they were nuzzling each other.  They were the perfect height.  It's going to be more and more amazing to watch the "three amigos" as Honey Bandit starts to grow even more.  He is still pretty good about not using too much power, but the other day he reared up and poor Patches caught a hoof in the nose.  He turned his back on HB, but didn't appear to have any significant injury.   I just hope that HB can always hang out with these guys without being too rough.  They have such a beautiful friendship.

We are looking forward to seeing ya'll at the RAIN "opener" on May 14.  There should be lots of cool stuff to buy, and major horse stuff.  You can still get a booth for only $15.  We will also have some of Honey Bandit's shirts on sale.  So come on up (or down) and say hi and see what happens when people work together.

God bless! and again, thank you for your support.

hugs p & the gang

www.chillypepper .weebly.com

Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 state highway 44 east
Shingletown, CA  96088
530 474 5197   530 339 1458

Hi I have been asked to put out this info.  (especially for all of Honey Bandit's friends)  The following radio stations will be carrying info for Honey Bandit's next appearance at the RAIN "mini fair" in Shingletown on May 14, 2011.  Lots and lots of horsey stuff,  booths available, come see Honey Bandit and just share a wonderful day in our community. hugspalominoThe radio stations are as follows:    KSHA 104.3       REDDING ROCK   106     OLDIES 105.3You have 38 minutes until showtime. God Blessp

It was about 12:30 a.m., and I heard Bear (the dobie) on the step between the stall and our bed.  A little bit annoyed, as I was almost asleep, I told him to knock it off.  He persisted with his whining, and then I saw the puddle.  I couldn't believe he had an accident, so I Iooked a little closer and could not believe my eyes.  There was water gushing into Honey Bandit and DaBubbles stall.  It looked like someone had turned on a couple of bath tub faucets.  There was water on the floor under the straw, and Bear didn't want to stand in it.

So I got up and with my slippers on, mumbling just a bit (ha ha) and started into the stall.  Just then I heard the most fabulous, intense thunder that literally shook the building.  I absolutely love the sound of thunder, and the lack thereof in California is one of the reasons that I had wished to stay in Pennsylvania.  It's like God is reminding us that he is all powerful.   Honey Bandit did not share my enthusiasm for this noise, as he thought it meant he should jump through the wall.  So I quieted him down, all the while amazed at the pounding of the storm on the roof.  It was a sound I could have really enjoyed had not Honey Bandit's stall been trying to float away.  I trudged out into the down poor.  It was like standing under a waterfall.  I was soaked through my jacket in seconds.  The mud and water was up to my ankles and cold rivers of water poured down my back.  I have to say I was not in the best mood that I have ever been in.  I might even have said a couple of words that were not so nice.

It took about half an hour to dig the trenches enough so that the water would run around the building and not into the stalls.  We had been doing okay for the most part with our make shift hospital/nursery through the winter.  However, there have been several times where if we did not realize ahead of time that we were going to get enormous amounts of rainfall, we had some serious issues.  But last night took the cake.   For the first time in a long time, HB's stall was soaked and once again uninhabitable.  So I stayed out in the lovely evening downpour, sloshing through the mud and the muck as I tried to redirect the flood waters.  I have to say that once again it has occurred to me that if I were ever to move to a more "nursery friendly" location, I would probably not miss being at the receiving end of all the Shingletown runoff.

I finally got the mess cleaned up as best I could.  Then, when I was finished muttering about the inconvenience etc. etc.. I said a big fat prayer that HB wouldn't catch a chill.  This morning we completely emptied the stalls so they could dry out.   At this moment he has had a lovely day where he got to go outside and play in the sun for a while, and is contentedly munching away in his fresh, clean, and yes, reasonably dried out stall. 

Honey Bandit is getting more and more bounce in his step.  His confidence is growing, and often times his attitude reminds me of a teenage boy.  When he has to do something he doesn't really want to, he will kind of toss his head and give you that look.  It is comical, because it is so clear that he is giving me attitude.  He is starting to push the mini's around.  This is actually quite a big feat for him.  I think that is also what is boosting his confidence so much.  He thinks he is a big shot because he can push the mini's around.   Wait until he meets Chilly Pepper.

His coat seems to be getting darker around his neck.  His mane is actually starting to grow and his tail is also growing quite a bit.  Except for his "starvation tummy" (it sags because the muscles were all eaten when he was starved and the vet said in a couple years it might be normal again), he looks pretty normal.  (Funny how our tummies sag cuz we eat too much and his sags cuz he starved.  hmmmm  what's up with that?)  He has more energy when he runs and plays, but of course has nowhere near the amount the mini's do.  But he definitely has more than he did.

The three of them are enjoying the fact that they have a little more room to romp and play in, now that we have expanded their pen.  There is still a very large mountain lion around the neighborhood.  He is spotted in the surrounding area on a semi regular basis.  He walks along the road and is supposed to be huge.  So the "small, young kids" aren't going out to play unless we are watching them.  Since the cat already had a bite of DaBubbles, I don't want him coming back for more.  (Last Thanksgiving we were eating dinner when something crashed into the chain link fence, moving it 15 feet or so, allowing Patches to get out and run around).  Thank goodness whatever it was "crashed into it" as opposed to making it over it.  So since people keep letting me know that the cat is still around in broad daylight, I will keep being a paranoid mommy.

I hope ya'll enjoyed the sunshine today.  I know we all did.  Off to get some rest.  Take Care and God Bless.

hugs
p

WOW,   Sitting here listening to the rain dancing on the tin roof, I bet I am not the only one who is happy it waited till after Kool April Nights was over.  That was pretty awesome.  Our wonderful friend provided a booth for us at KAN, giving us an opportunity to visit with many of Honey Bandit's "aunties and uncles" and share Honey Bandit's story with many people who didn't know we pay $64 million each year for the wild horses that have been rounded up.  It is always amazing to see how many people don't have any idea what goes on with our wild horses and their tax dollars.

We want to thank Jennifer Gillespie for everything she does for this cause.  I know she believes in it, and although until she came to Chilly Pepper's open house last August she had never heard about the helicopters rounding up our wild horses, she is a force to be reckoned with.  She has done so much and without all her pictures Honey Bandit's story could not have been told so accurately.  She is an amazing part of this story.  We also want to thank Sue & Gary Horst, and Denise & her wonderful hubby for all their help with this journey.  Of course I have to give an extra extra special thanks to my awesome husband for putting up with me and loving me anyway, even though he says I'm crazy.  I told him at least he'd never be bored though. :)

We also need some prayers for a very special horse that belongs to a friend of mine.  Her horse was severely injured when a neighbor used a "butt rope to try and force her into a trailer".    There is a very good chance that her whithers are broken.  She was in severe pain after she flipped over backwards onto unforgiving ground.  We are grateful that she wasn't killed, but this is so unnecessary and every one out there can learn from this.  It isn't worth it to try and force a scared horse into a trailer.   Many times they end up with broken necks or other hideous injuries.  Take the time or have someone who knows how train your horse to safely load.  There are so many ways to let the horses find out that trailers are not that scary.  But it can take time.  If they put two front feet in, let them "settle and think about it".  So what if they back out a couple of times, it beats them ending up maimed or dead.  Most of the time if you give a horse a few minutes to think about what they are afraid of, you will be amazed at how well they do once they figure out it isn't going to kill or eat them.

It is kind of interesting though.  When we brought that wild mare back to California, we did not "force her" into a trailer.   We simply showed her that there was less pressure if she went towards the trailer.  I am talking pressure being a moved arm or hand.  Not yelling or screaming or hitting, simply giving her an "out" in the direction we wanted her to go.  You can move a wild horse (or any horse for that matter) just by your body language and the tiniest movements of your hands.  If we would have tried to "force" her into the trailer, all heck would have broken loose and she would have been injured, and so most likely would we.  There is not a horsey person in the world that has not made a mistake, me especially,  but let's all remember not to try and force any horse into a trailer.  The results can be devastating at the very least.   So please, ya'll say a prayer for this beautiful mare.  She needs all of them, and so does her "mommy".  I actually think her "mommy" is suffering worse than the horse, because it is so hard to see our beloved animals in pain.

Honey Bandit now has about twice the room to play off of his "nursery".  He, Patches and DaBubbles had a blast.  They love to play "ring around the tree", and now they have another one to play around.  They had galloping good times, and I will try to post some pix soon.  Thank you everyone who took the time to stop by the booth and say hi.  There are only about 12 days left to buy your raffle tickets.  That chair is adorable.  So contact Kim at the Barn Bum and get your tickets.  God bless ya'll and thank you for being such a wonderful and supportive community.  That is one of the things I love about living here.  We are all working together for the good of the animals and the community.  Also, GOOD NEWS - Honey Bandit (and the boys ha ha) will be at the RAIN event on May 14.  So come on down and see your guys.    Honey Bandit is looking forward to "posing" for your photos.  It is going to be a "horse tack" based event, so all you horsey people come on up and "git er done".  There will be tons of tack, and if you have some to trade or sell I believe the booths are only $15.  (but please don't quote me - ha ha)

www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper Miracle Mustang
30027 Highway 44 East
Shingletown CA  96088
530 474 5197    530 339-1458

Hi All,


Please forward this message to as many of your California horse and pet friends as possible.
I have put together some quick links to help you easily let your feelings be known about California SB 697. It literally takes only 5 minutes or so to contact all of your representatives and let your feelings be know. PLEASE don't rely on others to do this.  If this bill gets passed, we will all be hurt.

If you haven't already done so, please find your city below, and the corresponding Senator or Assembly member. If your city is not listed, send me your Zip Code, and I’ll look it up for you.
1) Click on the link (name) 2) Type in your message opposing SB 697.    (I have included a sample message at the bottom of the list to help you get started.)
Atascadero: Assembly Member Sam Blakeslee Ph.D. - District AD33
Belmont:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Buelton:Senator Tony Strickland - District SD19 Assembly Member Pedro Nava - District AD35 Assembly Member Sam Blakeslee Ph.D. - District AD33
Carmel Valley:Assembly Member Anna Caballero - District AD28 Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27
Cupertino:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Paul Fong - District AD22 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Daly City:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19 Assembly Member Fiona Ma - District AD12
Escondido:Senator Mark Wyland - District SD38 Assembly Member Nathan Fletcher - District AD75 Assembly Member Martin Garrick - District AD74
Foster City:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Fremont:Senator Ellen Corbett - District SD10 Assembly Member Alberto Torrico - District AD20
Gilroy:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Assembly Member Anna Caballero - District AD28 Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27
Half Moon Bay:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Hillsborough:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Livermore:Senator Ellen Corbett - District SD10 Senator Loni Hancock - District SD09 Senator Mark DeSaulnier - District SD07 Assembly Member Joan Buchanan - District AD15
Lompoc:Senator Tony Strickland - District SD19 Assembly Member Pedro Nava - District AD35 Assembly Member Sam Blakeslee Ph.D. - District AD33 
Los Altos Hills:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Paul Fong - District AD22 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Los Gatos:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Milpitas:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Senator Ellen Corbett - District SD10 Assembly Member Anna Caballero - District AD28 Assembly Member Alberto Torrico - District AD20
Montera:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Morgan Hill:Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27
Mountain View:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Paul Fong - District AD22 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21 Moss Beach: Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Pacifica:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Palo Alto:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Pescadero:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Pittsburg:Senator Mark DeSaulnier - District SD07 Assembly Member Tom Torlakson - District AD11
Portola Valley:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Redding:Senator Sam Aanestad - District SD04 Assembly Member Jim Nielsen - District AD02
Redwood City:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Salinas:Senator Jeff Denham - District SD12 Assembly Member Anna Caballero - District AD28 Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27
San Bruno:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
San Carlos:
Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Rich Gordon - District AD21 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19 San Francisco:Senator Mark Leno - District SD03 Assembly Member Tom Ammiano - District AD13
S. San Francisco:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19 Assembly Member Fiona Ma - District AD12
San Jose:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Jim Beall - District AD24  Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
San Martin:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Assembly Member Anna Caballero - District AD28 Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27
San Mateo:Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
San Pedro:Senator Roderick Wright - District SD25 Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal - District AD5
Santa Clara:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Assembly Member Jim Beall - District AD24 Assembly Member Paul Fong - District AD22
Santa Cruz:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Bill Monning - District AD27
Saratoga:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Assembly Member Paul Fong - District AD22 Assembly Member Jim Beall - District AD24  Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21
Sunnyvale:Senator Elaine Alquist - District SD13 Assembly Member Paul Fong - District AD22
Woodside:Senator Joe Simitian - District 11 Senator Leland Yee - District SD08 Assembly Member Ira Ruskin - District AD21 Assembly Member Jerry Hill - District AD19
Here's a sample message to help get you started:
Dear [Senator or Assembly Member’s Name],
I vigorously oppose SB 697, and think it would be a terrible blow to the level and quality of care our horses receive.  I have received excellent care from my Certified Equine Dental Technician, Chiropractor, and other non-veterinary professionals who have taken the time and effort to become qualified to provide their excellent services. 
Possessing a veterinary degree does not indicate if the vet is qualified to offer Chiropractic, Dental Equilibration, or other non-veterinary professional services.
Please carefully consider the tremendous amount of damage that would be done to the industry, and animals that rely on these non-veterinary professionals for their equine's special needs.
Respectfully,[Your Name Here]

On Aug 3, 2010, at 10:58 AM, John Mares wrote:
Hi All,
If you value the services of your Equine Chiropractor, Dental Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Body Worker, etc., please take a few minutes to review the proposed law that is silently being pushed through the legislative process (California SB 697). If we don't let our concerns and feelings be known, then a very small vocal minority will make the decision for you.
In other words, most of the services listed below will only legally be provided by a veterinarian. Please exercise your right to choose!    Don't let your right to choose be taken away from you!
Please write to your Senator and/or Assembly member to let your voice be heard! If you would like some assistance drafting a letter, please contact me.
Find your Senator(s) here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
Thank you very much, John Mares, AED Certified, CEqDT(408) 476-2052

HI YA'LL

Just wanted to say come and see us if you are in Redding for Kool April Nights.  We would love to meet ya'll.

Honey Bandit is doing well and looking forward to sunshine.....

Take Care and God Bless.

Gotta get those last minute things done for the weekend.

hugs
p

We need to stop this now.  Look at the old pictures of HB and how far he has come.  No one is saying we don't need vet care, I couldn't have done it without our vet, but we certainly couldn't have taken care of him if we had to pay $1000 per night for intensive care.  Not only would it have been WELL OVER the $3000+ dollars we spent, (more like $15,000 - $20,000), he most likely would not have survived without someone with him, touching him and pulling him back to life 24/7.  The vet board already has more power than it uses properly, please don't give them more.  They will simply send out fines and citations, and if you don't want to pay them, you will have to hire an attorney and go to court.  
This bill will mean death to so many animals.  Please help us stop it.ThanksPalomino for Honey Bandit & the Gang.


Hi All, Well, they're at it again.  This time, they're trying to sneak it through the California Senate. If you value the services of your Equine Chiropractor, Dental Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Body Worker, etc., please take a few minutes to review the proposed law that is silently being pushed through the legislative process (California SB 697). If we don't let our concerns and feelings be known, then a very small vocal minority will make the decision for you. In other words, most of the services listed below will only legally be provided by a veterinarian.Please exercise your right to choose!    Don't let your right to choose be taken away from you! Please write to your Senator and/or Assembly member to let your voice be heard! If you would like some assistance drafting a letter, please contact me.TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.  SB 697 goes up for vote in 11 days -- April 25th. Find your Senator(s) and/or Assembly members here:http://www.my-horse-dentist.com/Equine_Dentistry/Senators_%26_Assembly.html http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.htmlThank you very much,John Mares, AED Certified, CEqDT(408) 476-2052 Proposed CA legislation against non-vet equine bodyworkers, chiropractors, and dentists

There is a bill going through the legislative process in California SB 697. This bill would make it illegal for your massage therapist, chiropractor, equine cranial sacral therapist, equine dentist, or equine body worker to continue to provide their services to you and your horse if they are not a veterinarian. There is a possibility that Chiropractors would not be affected by the bill but it is not clear in the language of the bill.

This bill takes away your right as a horse owner to make the decisions about who you want to treat your horse. It is placing the decision in the hands of a Veterinarian Advisory Board and the legislature. 

It would deprive the specialists working with your horse from earning a living no matter what level of expertise or training they have. It contains all sorts of anti-trust and restriction of trade issues.

It is going to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday. It has been amended several times and so far has not had any opposition. 

If you value the services your equine health care providers provide please contact your Senate, Assemblyperson and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and add your voice opposing this bill. You can find email addresses so you can send an email. It does not have to be long. Let them know you oppose the bill on the grounds of losing your freedom of choice in deciding on your equine health providers and the economic loss from losing the tax revenue and jobs.

This is the bill: SB 697 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0651-0700/sb_697_bill_20110218_introduced.pdf

PLEASE take 5 minutes out of your day tomorrow to write or call your Senator and assemblyperson (find them here http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html) and tell them to VOTE NO ON SB 697. 

In addition to properly trained veterinarians, Chiropractors with full postgraduate training and certifications (AVCA or IVCA acredited schools) are also fully qualified to provide chiropractic care to animals, so please don't exclude them. 

Please dont leave this for someone else to do...PLEASE CALL and tell everyone you know to do the same! Spread the word!
If you really want to be pro-active, print out this petition, and have as many people as you can sign it.  Then, mail it to your representative (above). No on 697 Petition

Wow,  Who does this stuff happen to?  Sometimes I cannot believe the crazy adventures we h ave.  It is 11:53 a.m. and I am sitting on my "emergency foal rescue tool box" about 8 feed away from a trailer with a wild horse in it.  Not just any wild horse, Oshunnah, the beautiful medicine hat mare that Cat Kindsfather saved.  We are, no let me say we were on our way home to California where she will go live at the sanctuary in Shingletown.  However, this is our story, and it isn't finished yet......

I had a strange feeling about this journey and asked everyone for their prayers.

8:00 a.m.,  Willis Lamm, Betty Retzer, my hubby and I are loading up Oshunnah.  Thanks to very calm people with some very serious horse skills, the loading went smoothly and after a short time she was loaded.  (Don't get me wrong, she didn't just walk right in like Honey Bandit,  but for a wild horse there was really no drama considering, and no horse or people were injured.  So to me that is a smooth loading.)  She wasn't sweaty or breathing heavily, just a little nervous and no doubt wondering what these crazy people were doing to her now.  She has a very "intelligent" eye, and you can tell she thinks about everything. 

There is a little twist to the story however,   our trailer lights decided not to work this a.m., and of course they worked just fine last night when we dropped the trailer.  So since there was a time element involved, an alternate trailer was offered and we accepted.  But the time factor was pressing as we had to complete the loading in time for our movie star Willis to do an interview about our beloved wild horses.  So it was offered to take the rig as it sat.  So we loaded her up and away we went.

About an hour into the drive, we smelled the smell you never want to smell when driving a vehicle.  Burning oil.  So long story short, we had to make an emergency stop on the side of the freeway.   Even longer story short, we ended up in the parking lot in Raleys while Cat and Matt (wow - that rhymes )went to get our truck.

So that is why I am sitting out here freezing with the horse typing away on my computer.  I went and sat in the truck and the whole thing started moving.  She doesn't want to sit out here alone.  So I am out here freezing, (everything was frozen when we woke up this a.m.), so I can talk to her so she stays calm.   It should only be about 3 hours - ha ha   (I need the wahmbulance again :)

It's Sunday, and we arrived at the sanctuary yesterday afternoon safe and sound.  But wow, not what you want to happen.  When you have a wild horse, who is still truly wild, and you are stuck on the side of the freeway, it can be very stressful and dangerous.  But I have to say, Oshunnah was the most calm out of all of us.  She never broke a sweat, started freaking out, or did any of the other crazy things that a wild horse could do when semi trucks are flying past at high rates of speed.

So thank ya'll for your prayers.  We were so lucky that we didn't break down in the middle of nowhere, without cell service.  If something bad was going to happen, we surely had everything else go right.

So Cat came over and got to meet Honey Bandit.  You will be seeing some very fabulous pix in the near future.  We had lots of fun, but everyone is exhausted.  :)  (but in a good way)    We let Honey Bandit and the little guys out and they ran around and got to hang out.  They had such fun and it was so awesome to see HB running and playing like a real horse.

We will be at Kool April Nights in an informational booth, (although we will have t-shirts and some pix available)   It will be a good opportunity to let people know what is happening with our beloved wild horses and all that tax money that is being spent on the horses in holding pens.  So if you are in the area,  come out and say hi.  HB won't be there in person, but the rest of us will and we would love to meet ya'll in person.

Again, thanks for all your support.  One more wild horse has a home.  Only 40,000 more to go!

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

Sitting here with a slamming head / face ache after spending 5 hours in the dentist chair.  Good times.  Make sure ya'll don't miss those.  (By the way I have an absolutely awesome dentist if anyone needs a good one.  :)

Enough whining, since the wahmbulance is already busy.  ;)  But he did a fabulous job so I am happy that it is done for now.   I guess I should cowgirl up and git Mr.Honey Bandit's update done.

Tuesday was an absolutely fabulous day here.  The sun was shining and warm and the horses were kicking up their heels.  The mustangs in the upper field were running and bucking and chasing each other up and down.  You could actually feel their joy and excitement as their feet pounded up and down the hill, their tails flying, their necks  arched as they chased each other.

Honey Bandit thought he should do that to.  He was striking out and prancing around his pen.  He started chasing DaBubbles and they were flying and kicking and I got a little bit nervous that one of those feet might connect and send DaBubbles to China.  So we put Honey Bandit, Dabubbles and Patches out in their "play area".  All the way to the corral, Honey Bandit had his neck arched, and it was tight.  He was ready to panic if he could only find something.  He searched side to side, arching that neck like their was danger.  But mean old mom kept making him stop and stand every time he was about to "explode".  I took all his fun out of it.  So he had to walk over there like a gentlemen, and if something scared him he had to stop and check it out until he calmed down.  But he really really wanted an excuse to "freak out".

So the three of them ran their little butts off.  They bucked and kicked and chased each other and skidded to a stop and had the absolute best time.  After awhile, we had to go inside, and they didn't think we needed to end their time yet.   So we got Patches and Dabubbles and walked over to the gate and started out.  I knew HB wouldn't be able to stand being left behind, and sure enough about 30 seconds later he ran to the gate and skidded to a stop right in front of me, almost as if he was asking me to bring him back.  I love it when they do that.  But one of these days he will turn into a big shot like Chilly Pepper and won't be so dependent.  Then it will be trickier.

I was rather disappointed though.  I told Matt, "guess what?  I bet he gets stuck tonight for sure, cuz he played so hard".    Sure enough, about 2:45 a.m. ish, I heard him smashing his feet on the walls.  I got up and went to him.  He needed a little bit of help, but when he got up he seemed disoriented for about a minute.  After that he was fine though.  I think there are still some scrambled wires, but hopefully he will keep improving.

We had a nice visit from Vidal (BLM Litchfield) the other day (and her hubby).  I think she was surprised and pleased with the way he looks, although he was not real friendly that day.  I reiterated the fact that yes, we still want to take care of the orphan foals and work together so we don't have anymore Honey Bandits.  She said they would be coming to freeze brand him soon.

So things are getting lined up so there should be a quick foal response in California like they have in Nevada.   Don't forget Tom Bogacnik and Amy Dumas, want us to set up a network.  That will make it so much more efficient, and give some of ya'll a chance to have "hands on" time with the foals.  That is an experience that is "priceless"  I am working with some of the "experts" in Nevada that have set up their network, so we will know the best way to "git er done".  I think that we have protested and done alot to make the public aware of these issues,  Now it is time to help the ones that are doing hands on solutions.  We all need to step up.

For so many people who want access to the facilities, become a volunteer.  (Not sure how many - but I was told by BLM that they always need them.)   We can and will figure out the best way and we can actually be monitoring and helping to protect our horses by helping make sure they are okay, and being able to detect ones that need help.

Well, I am wiped out and heading off to bed.  I am excited about working with ya'll to set up our California network and start gentling and moving some of these foals to permanent homes.  Thank you to all those who responded with offers of help.   We are actually trying to find a better facility that would make this easier.  So please, stay in touch and let's make a difference.  For years we have been writing letters, protesting etc.  Personally, I am trying something new.  The foal network is the beginning.  And when ya'll help with that, you will receive one of the greatest gifts on earth.  Just ask all the "horse angels" etc. who have been actually working on this and working with BLM to get the results.  Besides, it is WAY MORE FUN to work with the horses "hands on" then to write letters. hee hee.   Also, for those of you interested, I would be happy to do some 'clinic work" and help ya'll get started with these guys.  You can learn what you need to know very easily.  It's a new day and we need to make it a good one.




hugs
p

Hi ya'll,
Spent a couple days last week in Sacramento, trying to stop SB 697.  The way the bill was worded, the focus and priority of the Veterinary Medical Board would be to go after "unlicensed and unregistered" Californians who "practice veterinary medicine".  By definition, veterinary medicine is being practiced by anyone who cares for, administers a drug, medicine, appliance, application, or treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease of animals, except where the medicine, appliance, application, or treatment is administered by a registered veterinary technician or an unregistered assistant at the direction of and under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.  So, all groomers, hoof trimmers, accupressurists, anyone in the pet industry who takes care of an animal, would be guilty under that definition.  It also states that anyone who performs any manual procedure for the diagnosis of pregnancy, sterility, or infertility upon livestock or Equidae, are guilty of practicing "unlicensed veterinary medicine".  I certainly don't see steak on my dinner plate in this economy, and if the ranchers have to pay the vet to come out and preg-check each and every cow, well, there will be a lot more people who cannot afford meat of any kind.
 SB 697 stated that these unlicensed people would be the main focus, instead of the Veterinary Medical Board focusing on the veterinarians that the board was created to monitor.  We had the pleasure of meeting with Bill Gage, who will be revising the wording on the bill.  The bill will allegedly no longer place the main focus be on the unregistered people who are simply trying to take care of their animals.  However, until we see the final bill on April 11, we need to stay focused and make sure that this bill doesn't pass.  We already have laws to punish those who falsely represent themselves as doctors, veterinarians etc.     We already have laws against cruelty to animals.  We already have laws against false advertising.  So maybe we should just let the committee members and our Senators know that we do not want to waste any more time or tax payer dollars with a bill that we feel isn't needed.  If the bill passed the way it is written, nearly every rescue would need to leave the state.  I know I certainly would as Honey Bandit would have never survived if he would have had to stay at the vet the whole time.  It would have been about $15,000 or more.  Also, he most likely would have died if we had not been with him 24/7.  DaBubbles' injuries were also critical enough that he also would have had to be "put down".  I also feel that this bill is almost insulting to our veterinarians.  I am sure with all their training they are more than capable of deciding what we should or should not do and guiding us through whatever we do under their direction.  Both Honey Bandit and DaBubbles were taken to the vet and under their direction were allowed to have home care which ultimately saved their lives.  This affects ALL CALIFORNIANS who own a pet. 
Other good news.  When we were in Sacramento for the SB697, we also met with Tom Pogacnik, Deputy State Director,Division of Natural Resources, California State Office,
regarding the Wild Horses and Burros and the ongoing issues.  We also met with, Amy Dumas, Wild Horse and Burro Program Lead , California State Office.  Amy was part of the team that allowed Honey Bandit to come to Chillly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, Equine Rescue & More.  For that we are all eternally grateful.  (Especially HB).
We spent an hour and a half discussing the issues and challenges of the wild horses and burros, and some possible solutions.  One of the main issues we spoke about is setting up a foal/horse rescue network here in California.  There is a wonderful networking system set up in Nevada and it works very well.  If anyone is interested in helping me with this next step, or interested in helping with foal and young horse placement and care, and being part of the network, please contact me right away.  We are not talking critical care as much as being able to help with feeding young foals or whatever else comes along.   There will most likely not be babies in Honey Bandit's condition, and those foals would stay at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang.  However, we need to set up a network where we can gentle, and get the youngsters ready to go to permanent homes.  Many times just being able to be haltered, have their feet picked up and be touched all over is all it would take to find them homes.  There is an incredible "tip training program" already in effect.  We just need to set up a system here in California.  I was very excited at the outcome of our meeting and am looking forward to more baby steps.
I ALSO THINK THAT WE SHOULD VOTE FOR BLM TO GET THE 12 MILLION DOLLARS - NOT FOR ROUNDUPS, BUT TO SET UP PROGRAMS TO GET THE EXISTING HORSES OUT OF LONG TERM HOLDING AND INTO SOME "FACILITIES" / "ECO SANTCUARIES".   I know I would certainly be interested in running/helping with one of those.  Taking away the funds won't help the horses get out of the long term holding facilities, but allowing BLM to have funds to work with us (and those funds SPECIFICALLY ALLOTED FOR THAT PURPOSE) could make a big difference.  I know there are many people who want to run a sanctuary, but no one has the funds.  I learned so much at the sanctuary I was at about fund raising, "overnight rides" and what it takes to bring in income.  But getting the land and funds to start it is the problem.  Why not have those funds allotted for that purpose.  There were also multitudes of activities that we didn't take advantage of there, and it is not that hard to raise money for the horses if you have the facilities.  Not only would this solve the issue of horses stuck in long term holding, we could include the education of our children, and let everyone have a chance to experience the wild wild west.  Our children need to learn about their heritage, and get off the electronics for a few minutes, and experience the sun, fresh air and learn about our wild horses, so they will want to protect and treasure them for the rest of their lives.
Those in wheelchairs, (a place I am often in), could come and experience the wild west, sitting around campfires, eating cowboy grub, and for a few hours, would not be handicapped or crippled.  They could touch the horses and experience first hand what so many of us know and love.  They could ride in a "wagon" (obviously set up for disabled and the elderly and general public) and travel to see the wild horses.  It would be life altering for so many.  We could set up programs where "at risk kids" could come and work on the ranch.  It is already being done in one form or another, and if we work together, we could create places like this.  We could solve so many issues if we can just work together and use our tax payer dollars wisely.  Or, if anyone needs a big tax write-off and wants to help the disabled, wild horses, at risk kids etc., call me, and we can "git er done".
Honey Bandit sends big hugs to all his supporters.  Please remember all donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
30027 Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088
530 474 5197       530 339-1458