As I lay in bed, listening to the sounds of the babies moving about, I could not stop the tears from falling.  In the morning, for the very last time, we would be loading Annie & Lil Bit into the trailer to start their journey to their new home in Lompoc, at Return to Freedom.  Slowly, I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

At about 2:00 a.m. I awoke with a vengeance.  The sound of thundering hooves radiated all around us.  In the front, where the babies were, and in the other two areas where the big guys were, you could hear them flying around.  Every once in awhile you would hear them blowing and snorting.  "Matt, something is out there".  All of a sudden I heard a blood curdling scream.  It was clearly an animal in the horrible throes of death.   It was out on the highway side of the road and I raced out as fast as my knee would allow (which is not very fast at all).  I had grabbed the huge spotlight and I was calling desperately for DaBubbles.  I couldn't find him anywhere.  All of a sudden the light went out, (of course - lol) and I could hear Matt calling me telling me not to be out there without a weapon.  But I couldn't go back, I had to know he was ok.  I finally heard him running around, and breathing a big sigh of relief, realized that the kill had been outside of our gate.  Most likely the cat had taken down one of the deer that used to hang around.  My adrenalin was up and my heart was racing.  By then, realizing the danger was no longer, the horses and dogs had all settled down and were quiet, and we knew the danger was over.  I kept hearing that scream over and over in my head, and my heart was aching for the little deer that was now dinner.

Matt and I went back to bed for a few minutes and then we decided, let's just load 'em up and head out.  We had brought the babies into the inside nursery and they were all over the place.  There was no way we would get any sleep,  So for the last time ever,  I walked Lil Bit and Lil Orphan Annie into the trailer that they had come to know so well.  They just hopped in as if to say, where we goin' this time?  We got them settled, rechecked everything on the trailer and off we went.

The drive down was uneventful for the most part.  The babies traveled beautifully, and thoroughly enjoyed their little breaks and "milk stops".  They ride standing up part of the time but like to just lay down and chill much of the time when we travel.  We were about an hour from Return to Freedom when we noticed a large semi with a flatbed trailer who was all over the place.  He would go from 35 - 65, and would often be completely on the side of the road and other times be about 3 feet into the oncoming traffic lane.  Now I am pretty protective when we are pulling our little ones, and I sure didn't want to be in front of him.  After 3 separate calls and a great deal of time, most of which we were having mini heart attacks as he came within inches of wiping folks out, including a large fuel tanker, the CHP finally showed up.  He flashed on his lights and began to follow the truck.  Seems like it took 10 - 15 minutes literally for the guy to finally pull over.  We stopped in case they needed a statement, but the officer told us that they had seen enough.  Once again, the angels were with all of us on that highway.

We pulled in to Neda's place, and were met by a bunch of beautiful women.  However, when we opened the trailer door, the babies who could definitely tell that momma was being weird, decided that they would rather stay in the trailer.  So we took a bit of time to let them figure it out.   We had added a piece of wood just inside the back door so no little hoofers could get caught, and this was only the 2nd time they had seen it.  I think that with that piece of wood, coupled with so many folks waiting to meet them and them knowing that "mommy was different", they had decided why not stay in our cozy little trailer that is like our second home.  So we gave them a few minutes to settle in.

After they were unloaded, they went into a beautiful arena.  Both of these babies are secure, confident and ready to take on life.  They pranced around, showed off a bit and literally just soaked up the love.  That night when we came back from dinner, both of them ran up whinnying when they heard "their" truck.  It was really nice to be invited to stay there overnight.  We got to wake up to some of the most beautiful scenery there is, and I think it was easier for the babies to settle in when we were there for breakfast like normal.  I do have to say though, dropping off two babies that have bonded so well is so much less dramatic than dropping off one.  These guys have each other and are so secure that this will be an easy transition for them, although not so much for mom.

We spent a good part of the day with Neda as she showed us around and explained what they do.  Return to Freedom is an amazing place and a great one to support if y'all need a good tax write-off.  Their operating costs are about $6,000 a day, and they have done studies with the PZP that prove you can manage the wild ones with it.  As is the case with humans, not all mares respond to the PZP, so that core group of mares is with a stallion that has had a vasectomy.   The other mares who respond positively to the treatment are banded up with the stallions.  Life at Return to Freedom is very close to "nature" and the horses are living in their family bands.   I cannot begin to imagine the kind of responsibility and stress that could come with taking such excellent care of so many horses.  As she says, "these horses are yesterday's emergencies".  We were talking about how everyone wants to "save" the horses during the emergency, but as soon as it is over, the day to day costs of feeding, veterinary care, hoof care and all the other expenses seem to fall on the rescues.  We need folks to support these horses the rest of their lives.

You can sponsor one of their beautiful mustangs, and even if you cannot do a full sponsorship, anything helps.  Shirley Allen at Lucky Horse Rescue & Rehab in Dayton, NV also has some babies and big horses that could use a sponsor.  Honey Bandit & Donkey are also available for sponsorship at our place.  There is no end to the amazing places that need sponsors for the "saved horses".  Even $5 to any organization out there can make a huge difference for these animals and allow folks to provide the awesome care they deserve.

So Annie and Lil Bit are happily munching away at their new home.  They are surrounded by awesome folks and I heard a little secret that the staff run out on their breaks and visit with them, so we know they are still getting that special treatment they love.

Remember, please visit the websites and help if you can.  http://www.whmentors.org/lhp/orphan01.html  (Shirley's foal rescue) & Return to Freedom, where Lil Bit & Annie live  http://www.returntofreedom.org/about-us/   and of course www.chillypepper.weebly.com to see our latest.

During the year 2014, we had 10 babies here, Precious, Mikey & Ikey, Texas, Janie, Baby Boo McClellan & Luna, Lil Bit & Annie and Running Bucket.  Running Bucket is still on a nurse mare, (whom has done pretty much all the work) and has a potential, but not for sure adopter.  All of the others have found wonderful homes, with the exception of our beloved Janie, who is now in the arms of the angels.  THANK YOU EVERYONE who made these babies' lives possible.  Y'all are amazing and so very much appreciated.

Fun Day at the Shingletown Volunteer Fire Department today. Annie was standing between the stage where the band was playing and the raffle table. It was about 3 feet wide where she was and she rocked it while she visited a special friend
Click to enlarge pics!!!

If you missed us at the Shingleton Volunteer Fire Department don't fret!  Our Open House is just around the corner!  Saturday, August 16th.  Download the flyer below for more info, print a few out to share with friends!

Babies at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang. They are growing up fast Having some camera (or rather camera operator issues lol), but they still show how cute the little ones are...... Lil Bit looks soooooo different and is doing so well and also trying to go grey......

Hi Y'all,

It has been a crazy spring this year.  Not including the three that we placed the beginning of this year, we have had 7 critical orphans so far, and also have had great success in helping place some older horses.  Texas is doing well and thriving in his new home back in NV.  Running Bucket is thriving with her adopted nurse mama and growing fast and more beautiful than ever.  As most of you know, God gave us a very short, but beautiful time with Janie, whom we had to let go due to the severity of her injuries and health issues.   My heart still aches for her, and I treasure every beautiful moment we had together.  She was one of those beautiful creatures that emulate love and trust and all that is good.  While my heart was still in a million pieces, God sent the most amazing angel to help ease the pain.

God sent us a beautiful little foal named Baby Boo McClellan.  She is almost identical in appearance to Janie, although her face is a little bit longer and her eyes not quite so large.  However, the expression in those doe eyes was the same.  After spending most of the day in the blazing sun, frustrated beyond belief while watching the rest of the gang forge ahead, I had a moment of self pity, wondering why my leg is so painful and of such limited use.  While everyone else climbed from the bottom to the top and back to the bottom of these amazing mountains, I limped along as best I could, watching the action from a distance.  Hmmmmmm, so much for being able to drive right to them.   I am so never believing that line again. :)     Matt was amazing and did his best to hang back with me and not make me feel quite so useless.

Matt and I then took the shortcut and were picked up by Mikel Ann Hetrick, the lady who is responsible for Baby Boo actually being alive to be saved.  She had been following the bands and watching over this beautiful, severely beaten up foal, making sure that we could find her.  Baby Boo had been with 3 different bands, desperately trying to find solace and food within.  The mares continued to use her for a punching bag until finally, she would move on to a different band.  She was using every bit of adrenalin left in that tiny little body to stay alive, and she barely made it back with us.   She is now doing very well, although she is still stiff and just beginning to play a bit more every day.  Sweet Pea, who was named Luna, is Baby Boo's best friend and they will be going to their new home together.   Yes, I am already crying......

Annie and Lil Bit have been hanging out and they are the best of friends.  So far, the plan is for both of them to be adopted together and they will be moving to Southern California as far as we know....  Again, crying........

Honey Bandit continues to amaze.  He is absolutely gorgeous, the oh so bossy leader of the band, and just a pleasure for all the folks that come to visit to see.  He is sleek and one of the happiest horses around.  He loves "watching over" all the rest of the crew and seems to really enjoy the "manners" that he feels he must remind everyone they need.

We are excited to share the date of Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. to ?????? with anyone who wants to come and help celebrate not only the miracle of Honey Bandit, but of the wonderful folks who are part of this family rescue, and the lives of all the babies you have helped us save, equine as well as others.  As usual, we will have good eats and drinks and y'all can bring your families to the cool mountain air and enjoy a day of celebrating.  We talked to Honey Bandit and he didn't mind waiting for his birthday party, so we will also be celebrating one tough little mustang growing up.

We are 7 miles past Shingletown on Hwy 44 East.  There is a big white sign on the right side of the road in a tree that says "SIDEBOTTOM".  Turn right and we will be the 2nd house on the left.  You can't miss us and we really hope that y'all come in and say hi and see the improvements we have been making.  Brings the kids, grand kids, parents and friends to enjoy the beautiful mountain air and enjoy DaBubbles (our miniature) and Belafonte our (miniature goat).   Come see what YOU have helped to make happen.  Oh, and by the way, Donkey thinks y'all should bring him some carrots as he is doing so well protecting all the critters.  Although the mountain lion has been seen hanging out for a bit out back on the cameras, there has been no hanky panky, so we are loving Donkey.  Anyone with any questions can reach us at 530 474 5197.  If y'all want to help with these babies and their munchies, hay etc, you can go to [email protected] to Paypal or you can go to our website at www.chillypepper.weebly.com or come and visit us here at 34694 Sidebottom Rd, Shingletown, CA  96088

We are looking forward to another fun and fabulous Open House!

Emily the web admin here, I'm just back from a couple of days at the beach and playing a little catch up here while doctoring one of my critter's boo boos...  Here's the latest from Palomino, Matt & the Critter Gang!

Critter Kids at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang. Annie and Lil Bit have their first round pen lesson in tandem. (Click the pics enlarge)

All my critter kids are acting like they are on speed. The little one was wound so tight this morning I thought she was gonna flip over. Dogs were going nuts all night so who knows who was visiting the edge of the property. Matt saw a huge elk (butt - lol) leaving the highway. He is about 6'2" and he said her butt came up about to his shoulders. Apparently another one was hanging out by our driveway on Hwy 44. Hmmm wouldn't want to meet that with any vehicle. Hoping it was one of those and not one of our clawed friends though..... Much more comfy to think of "big deer" as opposed to "big kitties"

Hmmmm - Today is the day for "milk face" I guess You can see how much fun Lil Bit and Lil Orphan Annie have when sharing the milk bucket

Matt will be transporting one, (and hopefully 2) horses that were saved from ending up at slaughter. He needs to get them up to their forever home in Oregon. We are guessing it will be about $ 200 - $ 300 to get them there, and the folks have wonderful acreage and will provide a forever home for the mustang and the other paint that we were trying to save. Anyone want to be part of this awesome success and chip in some pennies for fuel? Our truck and trailer tires are wearing fast, but as long as we can get them there and keep them from slaughter it is worth it. Anyone who wants to help can go to our website at www.chillypepper.weebly.com or go to Paypal [email protected] or use snail mail Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, 34694 Sidebottom Rd., Shingletown, CA 96088 Thank you and God bless y'all for all you do!

Texas coming home and Texas going home Miss that little monkey. He is such an amazing horse and has such great personality and the cutest little bootie.  His band is in captivity. He could not go back to the wild. He slept in our house for about 6 weeks (haha) In the nursery but we slept with him. He is definitely not wild anymore. Folks want to see the family unit reunited. Not sure how it will go, just saying prayers whatever happens it goes smoothly. But they will make sure he is safe....

Do you ever get that anxious feeling like something is going to happen?  Well, I had it on Saturday, and sure enough, I spotted a notice for another orphaned foal.  After several phone calls to NV and to our awesome "crew" who is taking care of the home front, along with lots of scrambling, we loaded up Lil Bit and Lil Orphan Annie and headed out into the night.  We arrived at Shirley's in Dayton around 1 a .m. and the next morning headed out to pick up a foal.  Now first and foremost, you simply cannot go out and pick up a foal without the proper authorization and steps being followed.  However, since all that was in place, we went out to pick up the motherless orphan.  After about 4 hours in some rough terrain and pretty warm weather, we were able to approach the little one and bring her to safety.   We had an amazing crew, and Willis was astride his awesome mustang Corazon.  What an amazing horse.  The final blessing was a local photographer, who was in exactly the right place at the right time.  Together, working quietly as a team, we were able to approach and rescue the failing foal.

Mikel Hettrick, who was responsible for her having a chance to survive in this often times cruel world, (PTL!!) gently held the baby while I put on her very first halter.  She was scared, exhausted and was clearly not going to survive in the wild.  As I led her gently down the hill,  we had almost made it to the vehicles when I had to stop and give her some electrolytes.  She was in rough shape and could barely stand in the back of the jeep on the way to the trailer.

While we were out picking up "Baby Boo McClellan", Shirley was trying desperately to rehydrate and pull back another little foal from the brink of death.  Luna, who was picked up and brought in by Thomas & Dianne.  We always want to send out our most heartfelt thanks to the folks that begin these journeys by saving the babies in the first place.  Without these folks taking the time and effort to watch over and help these little ones, there would be no story. 

For now, we are waiting in NV for the appropriate paperwork and getting the critter kids feeling a bit more ready to travel and we will head back home.  Doc was here today to do the blood work.  We will once again have the "Fabulous Four", only with a couple of different foals.  :)   :(

This foal season has been a bit insane, and it is not over yet.  Once again we are asking for everyone's love, prayers and support for these tiny little babies.  Rehabbing orphans like this is not an easy or inexpensive process, yet it brings so much love an joy to everyone involved.  We need funds for fuel, milk money, meds and all the other things we use to help these little ones fight the good fight.

For folks who want to help a baby, but are unable to do the hands on, which unless you can devote 24 hours a day every single day for months at a time, there are other options.  We understand that so many folks would love to to it, but don't have the time t commit or the ability to stay up for days on end or cannot devote months out of their life strictly to the critical foals.  However, there is another fun and exciting way.   Another way that you can help is to consider fostering a grown horse.  There are many mustangs that are in need of fostering.  While Shirley & Bruce's  "Lucky Horse Rehab" is for orphan, critical and neo-natal foal care, along with the subsequent training these bottle babies need to be adoptable, they are also caring for horses that could be in foster homes.

Believe me, I speak from experience when I say that doing critical orphan foal care is literally 24/7 full time work.  When other horses also have to be cared for, it takes away time that in a perfect world, (or even a sane world) should be for either a few minute nap or more baby time.  So by fostering a mustang, you could also be helping the babies get the best care possible, and for all of us who do this to hopefully be able to stay healthy so we can continue to provide this type of care for years to come.  If we get sick, we can't take care of the babies.

I think that unless you do the hands on care, it would be impossible to understand how much work goes into this.  Often times when you get a baby you don't even climb into bed for the first 3-7 days or nights.  Even after you spend the first week or two up literally 24 hours a day to make sure you do everything to help pull these little ones back to life, the work is still there.  (Most of our babies are in very poor condition when we get them.  We are not talking about raising a healthy baby, - that is a whole different and much easier situation :)  .)     When you finally reach the point that you don't have to jump up and check them every time they breathe or cough or move, maybe at that point - maybe 4 or 5 weeks after you get them, and with some babies not until months later - or like with Honey Bandit, about a year later, then maybe then you can rest for a couple of hours at a time.

Then the "real" (haha) work begins; to train this little one to not only be safe for folks to handle, but to be the best that they can be so their future will be the best it can be.

Many vets say the same thing about what they have experienced.  Bottle babies are ONE of TWO THINGS - either the worst and most dangerous horses, or the very best, most calm and safe horses ever.   There are two choices - spend the time with them and teach them respect and manners, or don't, and create a monster.  Because with out proper TIME SPENT TRAINING THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY, they can grow up to be disrespectful and dangerous, even accidentally causing deadly injuries.  What is cute when they are 100 lbs turns out to be not so cute when they are 1000 pounds.  As the babies grow, they continue to test all the time.  In the wild, their mamas or the stallions or their aunties will set them straight.  They know their boundaries.  (We have often heard folks say they would take a wild 2 year old over a baby anytime and that is because it is much easier to deal with a horse that knows its boundaries and has respect).

So think about helping the babies by helping foster a mustang.  Arrangements can be made for an account at the feed store and you simply pick up the hay.  You have the joy of knowing that you are helping to save part of our Nation's Heritage - the Wild Mustangs.  You can help a critically ill, orphaned and/or injured baby by giving the folks that specialize in that work the time to do what they do best, and to not spend their time feeding and cleaning up after the horses who need "babysitting" when they really need that time for the babies.

It's funny how even though not one of us can do everything, together, all of us can "git 'er done", each one of us doing our own little part for America's Wild Horses, (and the domestics also).  God bless and thank you for all you do, no matter what part of the process it is.  You need the world to save a foal, and you guys Rock at it!  Thank you for helping us with these babies and to find some much needed foster homes.

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THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US!

Matt, Palomino & The Gang


Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
Equine Rescue & More -
Rescue/Rehab Project LRTC

www.chillypepper.weebly.com
www.whmentors.org

Date of Rescue: June 1, 2014
Saved by: Mikel Ann Hettrick

OUR LATEST RESCUED ORPHAN. SHE IS BABY BOO McCLELLAN. God sent me an angel to remind me of my beautiful Janie

Meeting Lil Bit and Lil Orphan Annie. WHO DOES SHE LOOK LIKE ? JANIE!!!!!!!!!

Heading out to pick up Baby Boo McClellan

Lil Bit, Orphan Annie & Baby Boo Mcclellan getting to know each other. We had to separate them after awhile, but they are hanging out next to each other and this way Lil Bit cannot jump onto Baby Boo's back

Hi All,

In feline news, my sister and her hubby were visiting last week.  We were walking down the driveway and Tami (my sis) heard a strange whining shrieking noise.  I thought is was the baby at first, as she squeals at me, but apparently that was not the same noise.  While we were watching TV, Matt noticed Soldier locked on to something.  His behavior was enough to intrigue Matt enough to get up and look.  "Oh my gosh, there was a mountain lion out there".  Although he was sure of what he saw, we checked the surveillance camera, hoping that he was mistaken.  Unfortunately he was not, and the video showed a mountain lion hanging out and heading toward the baby area.  It appears to be a young cat, but his footprint was about the size of a large orange.  PTL that Matt stood up and put his hands and head to the window, because when the cat saw him, he turned and headed away from the baby area.  So we had to run to Lowe's and pick up "mountain lion proofing" for the outside "nursery stall".  If it isn't one thing it is another :)  Please say your prayers that we do not have a repeat incidence of what happened to DaBubbles.

Just wanted to give you a quick update on Lil Bit and Annie.  These two have become pretty much inseparable, except for a short time every evening when Lil Bit hangs out at the fence with DaBubbles.  This ritual also extends to Annie having her little hissy fit.   She will race around madly, bucking and kicking and making little screachy noises, stopping to rear up dramatically to show her displeasure.  She is so jealous when Lil Bit is paying attention to DaBubbles instead of her.  She will run right up to him and stop about an inch away and he completely ignores her.  So she will run around and rant and kick and buck some more.  It is quite comical as it is so very obvious that her little nose is out of joint.

The two of them sleep cuddled up, usually with their legs intertwined or nearly on top of each other, much like Mikey and Ikey did.  It was interesting, although kind of sad to me as during Janie's last days, both of these babies would stay close together as far away from her as they could.  If Janie was resting, Annie would want to go over and pound on her.  So we had to keep them apart.  I wonder if it was just jealousy or if it was because poor little Janie was not "viable".  It makes you wonder how young these little ones realize the need for "survival of the fittest".

Both Annie and Lil Bit have been having a few health issues.  We are still trying to get their guts "happy and working smoothly".  I think we are getting much closer.  Lil Bit still moves a lot like a newborn, and it seems like his little brain is taking a bit longer than normal to "wire itself", but he seems to be improving every day.  Annie is extremely feisty and gets her "manners lessons" every day.  Lil Bit is struggling with the whole halter, leading thing, although we did make great headway today.  He seems to be frightened or get nervous more easily than most babies if he doesn't understand something and it just takes him a bit longer to "get it".

We are missing Texas a great deal, but from all reports from his new mama Karen, he is continuing to thrive.  Running Bucket, the baby that we were so lucky to have hook up with a nurse mare down in Anderson also continues to thrive.  She is in a beautiful place with hundreds of acres to play on.

So that is the latest from Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang.  The former FABULOUS FIVE is now down to 2 babies who are still fighting to get on the "thriving list".    We appreciate your support, and if anyone out there has an enclosed trailer that would be good for picking up babies in bad weather and would like to donate it or help us out with the price, we really need one that we could use when the weather is bad.  Last time we picked up the 3, it was snowing like mad, and that was May 10.  Please remember that all donations are tax deductible and the better our equipment, the better we can care for these little ones.  God bless!


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THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US!

Matt, Palomino & The Gang


Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
Equine Rescue & More -
Rescue/Rehab Project LRTC

www.chillypepper.weebly.com
www.whmentors.org


P.S. Some pix of Annie and Lil Bit and the new "nearly lion proof" outdoor nursery unit, (we still have to work on the bottom)  complete with my new bed :)

LIL ORPHAN ANNIE AND LIL BIT are still fighting their infection. (Was asked for an update). Both of them are on antibiotics and Annie has a bunch of lumps under her throat and jaw. We are praying it is nothing too serious, and treating them under Doc's orders. Please say your prayers for them. Both seem to be feeling pretty decent and are still eating and drinking very well. But they definitely need lots of prayers. Me too lol

The FABULOUS FIVE at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, becomes the FABULOUS FOUR, after tragedy turns to joy. The Fabulous five consisted of Texas, Annie, Janie, Lil Bit, and Bucket. However, after the hard work of some wonderful folks and my awesome hubby, Bucket is now matched up with a wonderful mare who lost her little one. The folks who suffered the tragedy of losing their beautiful baby turned their heartbreak into joy and gave Bucket the best possible start to life she could have as an orphan - a new horsey mama. This would always be the best possible outcome for one of our orphans. (The photo of Bucket, who is now called Running Bucket by the youngsters that helped her through the process of meeting and hooking up with her new mama - are courtesy of Chyrle.) THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED WHO SPENT THE ENDLESS HOURS TO GET THESE TWO SUCCESSFULLY AND SAFELY HOOKED UP! YOU ROCK!!!!

Hi y'all

A quick update - Matt and I went and picked up 3 more orphans tonight.  We were so blessed that Matt was able to take the one without injuries and help match her up with a mare that lost her foal.  PTL it was a success.

The other two are settled in, although definitely in critical condition.  Appreciate all your prayers and love for these little ones.  Annie is doing well, although a bit miffed, as is Texas, about not being the absolute center of attention.

Lil Orphan Annie needs your prayers. She is not feeling well Been up all night fighting colic. She has improved a tiny bit, but needs lots and lots of prayers. We are making progress, but she is definitely not herself Pretty uncomfortable. So please please send out lots of love and prayers for her!

She is still colicky and not a very happy little girl. However, we have the appropriate pain meds on board (following Doctor's orders) and she is being lubed from both ends, which means I am now covered also. We are doing everything Doc says and I am happy to say that there was a tiny change and a little teeny bit of movement. But that is amazing and a very good sign. (Kind of like when your horse farts when it is colicky) Of course only horse people would be excited about that! She is also staying very well hydrated and drinking on her own again. So THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND KEEP PRAYING - CUZ SHE IS NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET! But seems to be heading a tiny step in the right direction?

On Friday, May 2, which just happened to be Matt and my 6th anniversary, we had headed out to take Precious home.  The next day I got a call from Shirley, who had gotten the meds that were needed for Texas' scours.  So Texas and I drove to Susanville to meet her and get his meds.  I have to say PTL!, after 5 weeks of scours, we are actually seeing improvement.   Tex is thriving and growing up strong and healthy.  We have been going a bit nuts trying different things to get rid of his tum tum bug, but we are happy to say that Doc finally found the magic, or so it seems.  The next day we were just getting ready to load up for a very long overdue shopping expedition when the phone rang.

It was our friends Tom and Susan from Whispering Winds in OR.  Susan had rescued a beautiful pony named Little Joe from imminent death, and needed to get it to Oregon.  The poor thing had foundered and his feet were hideous.  He was in quite a bit of pain, and we could not delay his transport to his new home, where he would receive the appropriate care to alleviate his discomfort and get him back on track.  They had driven down with the woman who was going to care for him, when of course, their truck broke down.  It's almost funny how many tails of sadness and woe there are when you are trying to transport a rescued animal.  So we loaded up Tex and jumped in the truck. Once we arrived there, Matt and Tom started working on the truck and we three ladies loaded this beautiful pony "Little Joe" in the back of my trailer, with Texas in the front and headed up past Medford.  Now I will tell you that my lead foot seems to disappear when I am hauling my babies, or any other equine.  I have to say that I am not normally a person that even has to worry about getting into any issues when driving.  If someone is tailgating and needs to get by me in a hurry, I will always let them.  (I cannot tell you how many times Matt had to rush me to the emergency room, and you simply never know if someone truly does have an emergency, so we just let them go by.  It makes things so much simpler.)  However, when I am hauling my babies, it is amazing how fast you can go from calm to not calm.  I absolutely hate it when folks tail gate the horse trailer.  Maybe they don't realize that if I have to slow down quickly to avoid a deer or whatever else jumps out in my lane, that they are going to drive right through the back of my trailer.  They obviously do not know how important our "precious cargo" truly is to us.  Anyway, I turn into Grandma driver, pulling over anytime a couple of cars get stacked up behind me.  But folks do have to realize, when someone wants to pull over to let you by, there has to be enough space between the back of your horse trailer and the front of their car.  You cannot slam on the brakes without sending your critters flying.  They are not seat belted in!!!  So off we went on our newest adventure.  It was a long and slow trip, as I wanted to make sure it was as easy as possible for Little Joe and Texas.  We stopped and let them rest and it was a very successful and happy trip, with neither equine being too stressed out, although at that point any travel was hard for Little Joe.  Of course Texas is already a champion traveler, and he will just lay down when he is tired.  He happily hops right in when we need to go somewhere. :)

We were heading back home around 10 p.m. when I finally got the message for an orphan on my cell phone.  (This is why I ask folks to leave messages on both numbers if we get an emergency baby call, as I actually lost a baby due to the folks only calling my cell and it didn't come through in time.  Was so very sad and heartbreaking.  Am working on getting a better phone next time.)  So I jumped on the phone and called Matt, and we headed back towards California.  Luckily, it made more sense to go straight to pick up the baby, so Matt met me part way there and he took over driving PTL!!   We arrived just before day break to pick up the beautiful "Little Orphan Annie".  She is so small, actually tiny, and Barbara was not sure if she had been "stolen" by another mare or rejected.  Of course there were a few mares that were kicking at her, and so once again, one of our human "horsey angels" risked life and limb to pull out a tiny one in need.  For those of you who have never experienced something like that, it is not only dangerous, but scary.  With a large number of horses it is easy to get trampled if one spooks or drives another one towards you.  Especially if they do not want to give up the little one, and she was in with a bunch of wild mares.  So once again, my hat is off to Barbara who saved this little one's life.  You also have to spend an amazing amount of your time to always be watching so you can spot a newborn born in the midst of a large bunch of wild horses right away.  She was born the day after we dropped off Precious. 

So we loaded her up and headed back home.  She is doing very well, and is learning to buck and kick.  Her legs are still quite wobbly but she is already showing lots of spunk.  Sometimes I think God blesses these little orphans with extra amounts of heart and spunk to help them have the will to live.

We have been lucky with Lil Orphan Annie so far.  Not too many extra expenses as so far she seems to be doing very well.  PTL!!  We appreciate anyone who wants to help get these two little ones on their feet so they can grow up and find their forever homes.  We are going through about 45-50 pounds of milk powder between the two of them each week.  Both are doing so well, and we are also extremely grateful and appreciative for the prayers that keep these little ones alive.  If y'all want to help, you can go to www.chillypepper.weebly.com and use the donation button, or you can go to Paypal and go to [email protected].  Our address is  Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, at 34694 Sidebottom Rd., Shingletown, CA  96088.  We have already had tons of visitors and if anyone else is interested in meeting all the critters and having some R & R, please contact us at 530 474 5197.  This is your rescue and we are so grateful for all of you!

God bless and thank you from all the critters at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang!

THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US!
Matt, Palomino & The Gang

We were helping move a young pony that had been miraculously saved
from death to his new home in Oregon (after our friend's truck broke
down), and I saw my "baby call" last night about 10 ish??

I came home as quickly as I could and Matt met me and off we went to
pick her up.  We got home around 10:00 ish this morning?  Not exactly
sure.

She is named Annie,, after our wonderful horsey angel Anne P that made
sure this nursery was warm and dry for the critter kids.  She was
amazing and made absolutely sure that this was done right.  We
actually call it "Anne's Nursery", and we named this little one after
Anne.  However, Matt put his stamp on the name and her full official
name is Lil Orphan Annie.

Please send lots of prayers for Annie and Texas.  We are going through
lots of baby supplies so we appreciate any and all help with their
needs.  Not quite sure how Annie ended up with no mama, but Barbara
saved her life when she faced of a huge band of mares (some of whom
wanted to kick the little one) and she pulled her out so we could take
care of her.  It is scary and a bit dangerous to face of a large
number of mares who do not want you to take the baby, for whatever
reason.  I am so grateful that there are so many angels like that out
there who face off irritated horses and save these little ones.

Y'all rock.  Please send lots of prayers for Annie and still for Tex.
God bless you guys and thank you once again for all that you do!

Hugs

Lil Orphan Annie comes to Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang. Please send lots and lots of prayers for her.......

Got the call at 4:30 am, details coming soon...