Meet "COLT", the newest orphan at Chilly Pepper. Colt was born in the wild and was severely injured by coyotes. After getting permission from the proper authorities he was brought in. That's when life became even more "interesting".

As usual, there is never a dull moment at CPMM. Matt and I had just gotten home from an event in Carson City with Lacy J Dalton to fund raise for the wild ones. We had taken Sapphire, Diesel and Stormy, the resident orphans, for a "meet and greet" at Lacy's request. The even was amazing and so many folks got to "touch" a wild horse in the proper way. The babies did awesome and it was a great evening for all.

Matt and I spent the night with the babies in Gardnerville as we had to pick up Buddy, a sweet 4 year old mustang that we helped place in a new home up in Idaho. The next day we went home to meet the vet and brand inspector to get the 6 ready for their trip to Idaho.

Early Monday we loaded up Diesel and the other 5 and Matt set off to Northern Idaho. Once again the rescue truck needed repairs so my son took me and we dropped off that truck. About that time we got an emergency phone call. The horse Matt was supposed to pick up upon his return from BLM in Utah needed to be picked up ASAP. So as usual, God was giggling and Matt turned around, came home, unloaded all 6 and headed to Utah to do the pick up.

All went well and he returned with a gorgeous mustang. Once again we loaded up the 6 and he headed on out. While Matt was delivering in Idaho, and the rescue truck was sitting in the shop, we received notice about Colt. He was in extremely critical, life threatening condition and we had to get him asap. I was shocked and so proud when my son offered to pick him up in his little race car lol. He has a Golf GTI and he doesn't even let anyone eat in it. He loves that car, but was putting it out there to pick up a stinky, injured orphan who was oozing puss to try and save it's life.

It took nearly 7 hours to get to Reno, pick him up and get back home. We immediately started treating him and have been round the clock ever since. His injuries are severe and his whole right side is extremely swollen with edema from the trauma. He can barely walk and is unable to get up and down by himself except for a rare occasion or two. The vet is happy with the wounds and how they are draining, and is hopeful we will be able to pull him through.

Unfortunately last night he stopped drinking for the most part. So I am using a syringe and per the vet's instructions making sure he gets alternating milk and water. We are trying to avoid having to do IV fluids. He is on pain meds and we are doing everything we can to keep him comfortable and give him time to heal and survive.

Folks were asking what supplies we need. _This is what we use on a daily basis for Colt. _

Paper towels
Gloves (type to keep sanitary lol)
Probios
Banamine Paste
Uniprim
Foal Lac Powder
Powdered goats milk
Foal Lac Pellets
Shavings
Soft grass hay
Betadine
Garbage bags

Please keep him in your prayers.

So we placed 6 horses, including Donkey, but already picked up another baby ("Colt"), and Matt is picking up 3 miniatures in need of help and bringing them home from California. It never stops and God keeps putting these beautiful souls in front of us.

We also got the dreaded "yakama call". I was honestly hoping to not need to help so much with that this year, but there is only one place up there who can help so far and they can only do the babies. So it looks like there will once again be no rest, but I know God only gives us what we can handle. (That's what I keep telling myself lol).

So we continue non-stop and want to say Thank You to everyone who is in this with us. It can be very overwhelming to everyone, but the best we can do is keep plugging along. I just try to get through one day at a time, celebrate the victories, mourn the losses and keep trying to "git 'er done". Y'all are amazing and we so appreciate you and all the love and support.

Picture below: Top left - injury to his back upper leg. Bottom left - severe swelling and injury to his leg.

If you want to help You can go to You Caring - to help us keep saving lives..You can go to Paypal - [email protected] or go to our Donate & Support page
if you would like to help these horses.

You can donate via check at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, P.O. Box 190 Golconda, NV 89414

You can also donate via credit card by calling Palomino at 530-339-1458.

NO MATTER HOW BIG OR HOW SMALL - WE SAVE THEM ALL!
SAVING GOD'S CRITTERS - FOUR FEET AT A TIME

Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, LRTC PROJECT - Rescue & Rehab
LRTC (Least Resistance Training Concepts) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 68-0434118

All is well, though quite fragrant, here at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang.  We have had lots of visitors, two legged and four legged as well.  There are some big changes coming up, and although they are the right moves for the rescue, they bring heartbreak along with the happiness.

I am back from my surgery much sooner than I thought.  It went well and now I just have to catch up on everything.  Our friend Ross came over to help me do a much needed trim on Donkey's front feet.  Donkey is still pretty sensitive and nervous.  He is starting to trust me, and that is very important, especially when handling feet.  So I started to slowly proceed with his trim, hoping he would be ok.  (Apparently the last time someone tried to trim his hind feet they scared him quite badly).  So we are just taking things slowly and carefully.  He gave me his foot with very little stress and everything was going well.  However, all at once, he panicked and exploded.  Seems like Patches was banging his foot on the gate and that was just too much for him along with the outside rescue cats hangin' out.  He whipped around and did his 360, and then tried to take off.  I simply got out of the way.  Now Ross has been around these critters for years, and although it involved a little bit of "mud diving", he managed to keep hold of Donkey, which in the long run is so important.  I have worked with many animals who were "trained" to run away and get away when they were scared.  By keeping hold of the rope, Ross made sure that Donkey did not learn a very bad habit.  He did not learn that he should panic and run away.  He learned that he should stop and it would all be okay.  We then quietly finished up and he went on his way.  Donkeys are so different than horses.  I am constantly surprised at how much differently you handle a donkey than a horse.  It is so cute though, because Donkey figured out where the kitchen window is and he will come and visit to get a bite of apple or a piece of carrot.  He is so sweet.

As for our four legged visitors.  Matt and I have seen Mama and baby bear prints in the snow, traveling along the fence line.  However, the other day when we had some visitors from Redding, we noticed the bear prints in the snow in the yard.  Apparently they were "helping" us with our garbage disposal.  Now the cans are locked up safely, as I am sure the items in there are not the healthiest for mama bear and her cub.  Our favorite visitor (well, not really under the circumstances) was the skunk.  Now apparently getting "skunked" does not bother any of my dogs, as they do it over and over and over.  Matt opened up the front door and the smell was so strong it didn't even smell like skunk.  It was much farther past that.  I had to leave immediately as the odor was so strong it had me doubled over.  I have never smelled anything so strong.  I can't believe that the dogs don't learn their lesson and stay away.

One of the other changes at the rescue is that "Patches", our beloved therapy miniature, has found a wonderful new home.  Amid the tears before his new owners arrived were also happy thoughts for his future.  The folks that adopted him are some very wonderful people that we met when they came to visit the critters.  I have to say that I am proud to call them friends.  They do foster care for children, and I can only imagine the heartbreak they go through.  I am broken hearted every timed we place one of the foals that we help, and they are all going to wonderful homes.  So I can honestly say that they are amazing people and Patches will get to continue to provide his "love and therapy" to not only them but all the children who come to their home to share their love and care.  They arrived in their suv and after Patches got a last minute mani/pedi, he walked up his little ramp and into the back of their car.  He just fit and was happy and relaxed as they left to start their new adventure.

Other big news; Rocky, my beloved Rock Star has found his forever girl.  We will be delivering him to the Las Vegas area to a wonderful young woman you may have heard of.  Her name is "Rockin' Robin", and she is also known as "Wild Horse Robin".  She is an amazing and truly dedicated youngster that has devoted her life to saving and preserving our wonderful heritage, the American Wild Mustangs.  She founded the group "YEA", Youths' Equine Alliance, and is making big waves on behalf of the horses.  To all you kids out there who want to help keep mustangs like Honey Bandit, Rocky, Romeo etc. alive and well, visit her web page at http://www.yeaspage.com and joing the fight to preserve YOUR HERITAGE.  Wild Horse Annie and the school children are what made the difference for the Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971.  We need to continue to protect them and make sure that generations to come will have the privilege of viewing the amazing mustangs in the wild.  

Right now she is working on saving up to get Rocky gelded and transported to Las Vegas.  We are not charging anything for our time and travel, but she is raising the funds for fuel and his gelding, as that is not in our budget.  She is actually moving to be closer to where Rocky will be stabled and Rocky the Rock Star will be the Ambassador for YEA!  So we will all get to watch the two of them as they grow up together.  Again, I have cried a river already, but as usual, our little one is going to an absolutely amazing home where he will be loved and have a wonderful life.  Now, we just need to get a home for Romeo.

As the little ones move out, we are geared up for the next critical foal to come along.  Although of course we don't want any foal to be without it's mama, we are certainly anxious to be there for the next little one that comes along.   

We want to thank y'all, as always, for your continued support and for being part of this "community rescue".  They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it seems to take the world to raise a foal.  God bless and stay safe.  Don't forget you are always welcome to come and visit.  The snow is almost gone and the horses are starting to shed out.  Could that mean spring is getting here soon?  We sure hope so.  Also, don't forget to tell the folks at "Lowes" that Honey Bandit sent you when you start your spring shopping.  We are extremely grateful for all their support too.

Take Care and "git 'er done"!

Hi y'all,

Chilly Pepper Miracle - Mustang is sending out a big THANK YOU to LOWE'S, in Redding, CA.  Once again, they have demonstrated their love and support for their community.  As most of you know, not only do we specialize in the critical foals, but we are also involved with the local schools and are truly a "community rescue".  It is not "our rescue", it is YOUR RESCUE, and Lowes stepped up AGAIN to do everything they could to help all of us make this a safe place for the animals at the rescue.  We are blessed to belong to such a supportive and compassionate community and that is what saves these critters and lets so many children (and adults) come visit and enjoy them.

We are finding out that living so close to Mt. Lassen puts you in a whole different world weather wise.  Looking out the window, the sky is a brilliant blue, and the trees are magnificent against the pristine, blue backdrop.  The ice and snow are sparkling like tiny diamonds in the sunshine.  It is absolutely beautiful.  It is about 20 degrees and we are living in solid ice.  The ice has been here since before Christmas, and although it is much better for their feet than the mud ,it is quite treacherous.  In the areas where the horses spend the most time, they are walking on about a foot of packed ice.  

Wow, I just glanced out the window in time to see Honey Bandit "sitting" on the ice.  His back feet slipped out and he went down.  However, the good news is that he got right back up and although favoring his back leg slightly, appears to be fine.  Man, that is so very scary.  It makes you panic until you know they are okay.  We of course will watch him like a hawk, but he is walking around and eating just fine.  There is always that little part of you that wants to stuff them in a stall and "protect them", but that is not natural for them.  If we look at the mustangs in the wild, they travel in all kinds of weather, in all kinds of terrain.  The horses have shelter, but make it very clear they would rather be out in the fresh air.

However, due to the severity of the weather we have been having, and the cold and unrelenting temperatures we have been experiencing at night, that little part of me that is so protective, is making sure that their shelters are much warmer than before.  Matt and I decided that we would make the shelters warmer by adding more walls and wind breaks.  The other morning it was said to be about 3 degrees with the wind chill.  It's funny though, because it may warm up to mid 40's during the day and then it feels like spring.  If you look out, you will see the critters scattered all over, soaking up whatever bits of sunlight come through.

So Matt and I headed down to Lowe's to get some wood for the shelters.  Upon arrival, we saw a stack of culled lumber.  We spoke with the manager and he gave us an additional (rather large) discount on the stack.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!   So yesterday Matt and I used our "new wood" and added a couple of much needed walls.  We still have lots more to do, but this will make a huge difference in the wind chill.  The stalls already stayed dry and free of snow, but this will be much nicer for the horses.  As we get the funds, we will be adding additional walls to all the shelters.  It is kind of interesting looking, as it is made up of mismatched pieces, but the horses don't care and we may not be fancy, but we will eventually be warm.

Honey Bandit is now hanging out with Chilly Pepper and Dakota, as he was getting quite pushy with the little ones.  He actually "rolled" Romeo the other day.  He ran right into him and knocked him down.  Romeo is fine, but it is time for Honey Bandit to remember a few more of his manners.  All are well and enjoying the bright and beautiful days.

I did have a recent phone call which was kind of upsetting.  Basically the message was that I should not be trying to find a forever home for one of the horses up for adoption.  Unfortunately, we are not a sanctuary.  We have limited space and extremely limited funds.  We are a "rehab and then re-home".   We have to keep adopting out the babies or we won't have room for the criticals.  Unfortunately this person did not offer to "sponsor" the horse, and just expected us to feed and pay for it the rest of it's life, and as much as I would love to, we simply cannot afford to do so.  It also seems like people are forgetting we are in "crisis" as a horse loving nation.  There were over 100 (not exact on the numbers) of wild mustangs rescued at the last second from being sent to slaughter in Nevada, just in the last couple of months.  The Nevada Dept. of Ag has been continuing to round up the wild mustangs.  People have stepped up to "save them from slaughter", but many do not realize that is just the first step.  Most of these horses are still in temporary homes, and will need to be supported and fed and cared for the rest of their lives.  Yet through all this, there are still sanctuaries out there breeding more unwanted babies.  It is hard not to want to "save them all", but it isn't possible the way things are.  It is heartbreaking on one hand when we find a home for these babies.  After spending 24/7 and then pulling them back to life, it is extremely hard to let them go.  But we simply cannot be available for those emergencies if we don't do what needs to be done, and that is find loving, safe, forever homes for these babies.  This is what they deserve.  So please, when you are passing judgement on the folks who "rescue and re-home", remember that a little piece of their heart leaves with every critter they save and move on, whether it is horses, cats, puppies or whatever.  It is hard.  If you are really concerned about a specific animal, there is always the possibility that you could sponsor that one, and help to save it even if you can't care for it yourself.

Take care and remember - LOWES is the answer to all your hardware needs.  Tell 'em Honey Bandit sent you!

The photo with HB and the feeder is taken on about 1 foot of ice.  Very deceptive as it seems like you are on solid ground until you fall through on those warm sunny afternoons. :)  The horses don't seem to but we sure do.  Guess God made them better at this outside winter stuff than we are.

Honey Bandit and the babies took the screens off the kitchen windows, so now they can "visit".  

The pix of the car shows how much snow is really still out there.  Love it when it's white. .

Bear (black rescued doberman) is starting to spend more time "hanging out" closer to Soldier.  They still have some issues of "who owns mommy", so we are working with that slowly.  The girls spend lots of time playing with him in the pen.

Just thought y'all might like to see what you have accomplished.  We sure appreciate it! and so do the critters!!

Hi y'all,

As usual, life is keeping us pretty busy.  I spent a good share of New Year's eve, dreaming about parties, dancing, pretty clothes and lots of sparkles, as I spent a very cold hour digging through ice and snow with a shovel and a flash light, to find the hose that I had so carefully drained.  It has been awhile since we had a "real winter", and although I remembered to leave the faucet with a drip so it wouldn't freeze, and I remembered to drain the hose, I forgot one really really important fact.  You have to actually be able to find the hose to use it.  But it was another great lesson of how we need to improve our winter prep.  I have to say there will be many things that we will do much better next year!!  :)

The horses are all doing well, although we are feeding about twice as much as normal due to the cold and snow.  But everyone is happy and the youngsters are growing quickly.  Romeo and Rocky have the cutest "winter jammies", and the Rock Star has actually mellowed out quite a bit.  I think being pushed around all the time by Honey Bandit has crushed his little fantasy that he was "it".  He and Romeo are pretty equally ranked, and although they will both push each other around a bit when it is time for grain, neither one of them seems to be the boss of the other.   They are more like brothers, pushing and shoving but never in a serious way.   I think mainly they are sticking together to stay away from Honey Bandit as he is being quite bossy.  

As I looked out in to our winter wonderland, I cannot ignore the beauty of where we live.  The snow is frozen, and sparkles endlessly on the trees and in the sunshine.  The icicles bring back warm childhood memories of days passed.  There is something so magical about looking out and seeing icicles glistening along the eves.  It looks as though everything is covered in diamonds.  (I just love the sparkle).   The air is crystal clean, the sky a brilliant blue and the world feels clean and beautiful.   I can hear the crunch of hooves as I see a resigned Donkey trudging through the ice and snow.  You can tell by the way he looks that once again, this is not his idea.  He is followed closely by the Rock Star and Romeo, and bringing up the rear, all puffed up and proud, is Honey Bandit.  Honey Bandit normally seems like my little old man, but he seems to be thriving in this cold winter weather,  He absolutely loves pushing the others around and making them crunch through the snow.   He is getting a little too pushy around the food though and is almost ready to go back in with the "grown up horses", who will put him in his place.  But for now, he gets to be the boss and think he is a "big shot".

We had taken HB to the Palo Cedro Christmas celebration, but this time we left him in the trailer, instead of putting him in his pen.  He was extremely irritated and promptly turned his butt on me and proceeded to pout the rest of the evening.  Needless to say, he will be back in his "corral", available to mingle with his adoring public next year.  He has been going through a big growth spurt lately and is turning in to a very handsome young man.  It makes me sad though, because it is as if that year of 24/7 care never happened.  He doesn't seem to remember much of anything we did back then.  He acts like he has never seen a blanket before.  PTL he does not need one, but it amazes me that after spending nearly 24/7 with him for a year, and actually moving out and building an attached bedroom so we could sleep with him, it is like it never happened.  Rocky, on the other hand, remembers everything.  But I guess it was just the extent of HB's condition that made him forget, kind of like when you have surgery and don't remember much.  But seriously it would be nice if he remembered as it would make him one of those "bomb proof" ponies.   The Rock Star isn't scared of much.  Romeo is still extremely sensitive around his head, and when he was sick a few months ago, he seemed to have one of his little times when he couldn't remember much.  But he has been doing very well and as long as we are gentle and soft with him, he will have one of the softest heads around.  Rocky, Romeo and Chilly Pepper are all available for adoption.

The nursery is turning out to be absolutely adorable, and we won't have to use "diapeys" on a regular basis.  It is also going to be a Godsend as it is the one place that I will be able to bring in the babies for hoof trimming and winter training.  The stall is large enough for 3-4 "critical foals" (if there are any left by the time NDoA gets through), so we are getting the place much closer to where we need it.  We cannot thank you enough for being part of this and making all of this possible.  Even if you cannot actually adopt, please feel free to come and visit the babies and the rest of the critters.  We love the visits and will never forget that this is your rescue and we are just lucky enough to be hands on. God bless y'all and we thank you in advance for your continued support, prayers, visits and love for the critters in 2013.  We will be sending pix soon, so you can share the smiles.

We also have several miniatures that we are trying to help place.  So if anyone has been looking for a mini, look not further.  Just call us at 530 474 5197 or 530 3339 1458 for more information.  I also want to thank everyone again for the help and support as we were able to get the tank warmers that we need.  It is so amazing to have water instead of ice blocks, and it is crucial for the horses' health to drink enough water.  So many horses colic simply because they don't drink as much water in the winter.   So thank you - you guys rock!!!