It's Baby Time!

Matt and I were sitting having a cup o' joe this morning when Shirley called.  When you hear those words "is the nursery ready", your heart starts pounding and your mind starts racing.  Are we ready?  Do we have everything?  Will we get there in time? So we jumped in the truck and hit the road.

It took about 2 1/2 hours to get there, and every time the phone rings on the way, your heart stops for a second as you wonder if you will get the "turn around" instructions.  But we kept going and arrived to meet Shirley and Shari (not sure if I spelled her name right, we didn't really talk about that kind of stuff), and the beautiful little colt which we named Collins Mitchell.  He is named after a wonderful woman who made it possible for us to have this wonderful place so we can do what we do.

While Shirley gave him some colostrum, Shari and she told us his story.  Apparently, the mare he was with was NOT his mom.  She was not letting anyone else around him, but she was brutal, kicking him and sending him flying.  His little eye is cut and swollen as she also kicked him in the head.  Shirley also saw the mare kick him in the chest and knock him down.  We didn't have time to hear about all of his horrible experience, as there was quite a bit that he went through.  As usual, we just don't know his story.  We don't know if the mare that was kicking him stole him from his mama, although there was no mare hanging around trying to get him back.  Did something happen to his mom in birth?  Did she reject him because there is something wrong with him?  We will probably never know.  The only thing we do know is that if Shari hadn't been watching over these horses so well, he definitely would not have survived the day.  THANK YOU SHARI!!!  YOU ROCK.!

We were told we could just bring the truck as we were picking up a newborn.  Hmmmm, he is a little bit bigger than we expected, and extremely strong!!  We stopped on the way home at a nice place with "horse people" and used the little grass area they had fenced to give him his lunch..  Let me tell you, he has all the right instincts.  Especially the one where they bang there mom's bag to get the milk flowing.  He tried it with my chin, but of course that didn't work.  He fit safely on the back seat with me, although of course the times that he was perfectly comfy and would sleep were the times I was bent at an awkward angle with my back whining.  They just know - don't they?  

We stopped at the rest stop and he ate again and a couple of very young children got to see their first real live horse ever.  He was fine and ate a good amount of his milk.  Then we climbed back in the truck, although poor Matt got a nice little present in the form of a kick in a most tender area.  But that seems to be just part of the foal transport when you lift them up into the truck.  It is beyond amazing how powerful those tiny little feet are.  He has no teeth whatsoever, and he has a little booboo under his lip where he fell when he was being terrorized.  He still has some feathers on his little hoofers, but most of them were worn away when he was being chased around the field by that poor mixed up (although very mean) mare.

He is dehydrated, constipated and a very tired little munchkin.  But he is settled down in his nursery and took a nice long nap.  As usual, there are little things that could mean a lot, or mean nothing.  On the whole, I think he is doing very well considering the day he had.

So now our world is once again babies, and this is the time of year that we need your help the most.  The life saving colostrum that Shirley brought over costs about $100 here in California.  I need to replace that so she has it for the next little one.  We also need to get some of that so we have it on hand if we get a call and she is not around.  She also gave him some Foal Response, which we also need to replace and get some for our kit.  It takes the world to raise a foal, and we are willing and excited to do anything and everything we possibly can to help this little man live a loved and productive life.  However, we need y'all to help us do that.  We need lots and lots of prayers as well.  He is a tough little guy, but we just have to take it hour by hour and minute by minute.  If you would like to help this beautiful little guy get through his rough start and begin a new life, you can donate at Hawe's Farm & Ranch Supply and donate under Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang.  You can also go to www.chillypepper.weebly.com and use paypal.  We so appreciate the help in replacing the critical components that Shirley brought over, as well as transport costs, or sending "milk money" for Collins Mitchell.  Y'all are the ones that make this happen and we are so grateful for that.  I also want to say THANK YOU!! AGAIN, FOR EVERYONE WHO HELPED IN ANY WAY TO GET THIS BEAUTIFUL NURSERY READY FOR HIM!

We will be sending pix as soon as possible.  Again, please send lots of prayers for this beautiful little colt.  No baby deserves to be born into that type of situation, so let's make sure the rest of his life is filled with love and kindness.  Gotta get back to the little one.  Thank you for all your support!  

"Collins Mitchell"

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