Great News & Foal Updates

* * * * *  GREAT NEWS!   We were able to bring home a used stock trailer in good and safe condition to be used for the Rolling Foal Nursery.  Now the next step is out fitting the trailer with the necessary modifications,  food, supplies, medicine, etc. to be ready to roll on a moment's notice for foal rescue and/or emergency evacuation. * * * * *

Hi,  Was in Nevada for a few days, and boy were we busy.  Had to have some extensive work done on the truck and trailer for safety.  Went out to look for a baby that was being monitored for big lumps on his face.  Pictures seemed to show maybe swelling from a snake bite or scorpion sting, or even just swelling from being bitten or kicked.  You never can tell when you are observing them from afar.

He was being monitored and we went out to take a closer look, and make sure that he didn't need to be brought in.  We drove for what seemed like miles in the 4 wheel drive, and then a couple miles on the quads, and then those that could (not me - haha)  hiked what seemed to be miles????  It was hot, and we were out in this amazing world of open land, mountains and never ending space.  It was so incredibly beautiful, although very hot and dusty.  There were lots of wild horses and they all seemed to be thriving.  Coming from California it is amazing to see what they live on.  It certainly demonstrates not only how hardy and tough these animals are, but reminds me of just how perfectly God planned all of this.  Each and every band of wild horses are able to thrive on their own individual and often completely foreign feed and conditions.  

Unfortunately we were unable to locate the baby, but that could also mean that he was doing better and took off with another band.  We did not find him with either of the two bands that he had been with, but he was seen the day before and there were no vultures circling anywhere in that beautiful big blue sky.  Unfortunately, this is part of the truly wild world of our beloved horses.  All of them do not survive, although we have seen countless miracles such as Honey Bandit, Suri, Rocky etc.  I was amazed and humbled by how many miles and the rugged terrain that our 'horse angels" cover, in nearly impossible conditions to monitor and rescue these babies, so we can do our part in trying to rehab them.

We then were called out to look at a youngster who has a problem with his leg.  It is swollen and he is obviously having trouble with it.  However, when he was finally located, because he is being monitored by some wonderful women, he is safe to stay on the range and he also has a new family to stay with, so that is by far the best thing for him.

Then, just as Matt and I were loading up to come back home, we got a call for a foal.  So off Shirley and I went to meet the wonderful "horse angel" who was bringing him to meet us.  He is a beautiful little colt, dark (almost black - or maybe he even is black) with a little bit of white on his leg(s) and face.  We picked him up and took him to Shirley's, and got busy assessing him and settling him in.  He is doing well, but was lethargic, underweight and dehydrated when he was brought in.  He has a "cold", and an injured back leg.  From his condition, it appears he may have been alone for at least 4 or 5 days if not more.  I don't have all the details, but was just fortunate enough to still be in Dayton so I could be there when he came in.  It was so hard to get in the truck and leave him.  Shirley is the best "foal mama" ever, and I would trust her love and instinct more than any vet.  No offense to the veterinary field, we ALWAYS follow their instructions and advice, but you can't just take one of these babies and stick it in ICU in a hospital.  You literally have to pull them back to life sometimes, and Shirley is so amazing with these babies.  I truly believe that we are all given gifts by God and that people can excel when they are following their calling.  It's like a famous singer, no matter how hard they work, without God given talent they would have nothing.  So when everyone is doing their part for these critters, we can work as hard as we want, but are only successful because we were given the "talents" or "ability", to know what is needed in each and every situation.  My son Travis got to name him, and he chose the name "Romeo" due to the fact that he was surrounded by women who immediately fell in love with him.

It is such an intricate chain in this horse world we are part of.  Without those out there monitoring and bringing in the orphans, newborns and injured foals/horses, we would not be able to do what we do.  I am so grateful to be part of all of this.  It was also very humbling as when we went looking for the foal, I was pretty much useless.  (Not just because my back and neck are in agony from the accident, but because I can only walk short distances on a good day, but generally need my wheel chair to even get through an airport, or if we go any kind of distance.  So I really believe we are each chosen to shine in different areas.  My hat goes off to all you amazing "horse angels" out there.  I thank God that you do what you do, so we can do what we do and with everyone working together, we can continue to save more lives.

We will be sending out some pix of  "Romeo" to follow.  (I was just talking to Shirley and she was headed out to take pix of him and he lay down in the poop.)  Babies love to lay in poo.  It is warm and they all do it!  I know that every single time the news or tv was headed out to see Honey Bandit, or Chilly Pepper too, they would find that one pile of poo and lay in it

This often causes people to worry when they head out to the holding facilities sometimes because they do not realize that babies will seek it out and lay in it, so when you see babies with poop on their sides, it is simply because they enjoy a nap in it.  Babies also eat poop.  I have heard people say oh- there is no food at the holding facilities and the babies have to eat poop.  Well, babies eat poop because it provides what they need for their digestive systems.  It comes from the older horses, and provides immunities and probiotics.  Another quick fact, the reason there is not food out all the time at the holding facilities is because the horses would over eat and die.  In the wild, they graze all day, but they generally move anywhere from 12-15 miles per day.   I have had people come and visit and they worry because there is not a constant supply of food.  Well, it's kind of like giving a 3 year old free access to candy.  A stomach ache is pretty much guaranteed.  So if ya'll visit the holding facility and you see a baby with poop on him and he is eating poop and he has a little green goober in his nose, remember, that is all okay.  Most babies in the holding pens can easily end up with green boogies because it is often very windy in the great state of Nevada, and alfalfa has this beautiful little green fluff that gets caught up in the wind.  Add that to normal discharge from a baby in windy weather and you have green boogies.  Do pay attention if a baby has yellow mucous discharge, because that can very well mean they have an infection or a cold which could lead to something else.

Have a wonderful day, and thank you for your continued support.  I am so excited we have a trailer to use and fix up for the foal rescue.  Once again things can seem "Too good to be true", and be a gift from God.  Say your prayers that fuel prices stop rising as that can be a very large expense when you travel 400+ miles round trip each time.  We are also on call for the Burns Facility up in Oregon if any foals are injured, sick or orphaned, and that is even farther.

Again, thank you to all the "horse angels" out there who are trudging up and down hills for miles in the heat to make sure our horses are safe and have adequate range to support them.  Ya'll Rock!

Hugs to you!!

Palomino & the Gang

Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang
www.chillypepper.weebly.com
[email protected] (paypal)