Honey Bandit gets out to play 4-5-11

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