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Hi all

Sorry it's been so long since I have sent out a real update.  There should  be one coming up soon.  Suri is doing fabulous.  She is getting more energy, growing like a weed and becoming fast friends with DaBubbles.  Had a scare the other day when DaBubbles grabbed her hernia in his mouth.  Not sure whether it is just instinct that told him not to bite hard or just angels from above.  Gave me quite the little fright though.

I have not had internet access for awhile and it is going to be sketchy longer.  Will try to get some more pix up though.  Suri has gotten stuck in the panels twice now.  She simply rolls over when she is getting her "sun bath".  She was so good though.  She had her top and bottom hind legs quite a ways under and through the panel, (she was on her side) but she just hung out quietly for a couple of minutes while she waited for us to get there.  Shows what a smart little girl she is.  Her cough is getting much less noticeable and she is doing better and better letting us lift her feet with very little fuss.  For those of you who are not too familiar with horses and why this is a big deal, the reason is this.  When a horse doesn't "have it's feet" (all four on the ground) they cannot choose their option of flight.  Horses have two options when their lives are threatened or they are scared.  "Flight or Fight".  If they can't leave, their instinct is to fight.   It is not as much in the forefront of the domestic horse's mind, but the mustangs live by being smart and their survival skills, which means "keeping their feet" on the ground.  The mustangs survival skills are obviously  much more honed and quickly acted upon.  This is one reason why people should not turn their domestic horses out to survive on their own when they cannot afford to feed them,  as they are not equipped.  Their survival skills are buried under years of coddling.

Another difference that I have been told about and have witnessed, is that while a domestic horse might give you a "little warning kick" if they are irritated or frightened, a mustang kicks for real the first time.  This is why they survive.  In the wild, it is the first kick that will save their life.  (Just a tid bit of info that I find interesting and painfully true).  

Honey Bandit is doing very well, although I think he misses all the time we spent together.  (Or maybe that is just me hoping that he misses it as much as i do - ha ha).  He is a very healthy guy, although his brain is still finishing up the rewiring process.  He & Patches are hanging out together.  As soon as he can kick a bit better and is a little more sure footed, he will get to start hanging out with Chilly Pepper and Dakota.  After talking to the vet, we decided to let him get a little more surefooted and the ability to "let fly" before we put him in with the big guys.  That way he can boot scoot out of the way if he needs to.

You can visit or donate at   
Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang,
30027 State Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA  96088                        
530 339-1458   or 530  474-5197  (The answering machine should be fixed shortly)
or visit the website at          WWW.CHILLYPEPPER.WEEBLY.COM

We are still working on getting the "rolling foal hospital".  I hope I am wrong, but with roundups in the upcoming heat, we may be picking up more little ones.   I have to say that although I wish all the babies were with their mommies, running free and wild, safe from human interference, it isn't the case.  Since that is not our reality, I have to say that being able to provide care and a place to heal for an orphan or critically ill foal and watching them grow up is a blessing I don't take for granted.  It is truly a gift to be part of that.  ( A very pricey and sometimes overwhelming one, not too mention sleepless ha ha, but a gift none the less.)   No matter how hard life gets and what kind of bad news you get, there is a peace and comfort that fills you when you watch the babies pull through the often horrendous conditions we get them in and start to be "horses".  I thank each and everyone of you who helps make our work possible.  God Bless!   Honey Bandit and Dabubbles will be turning one soon, and we also need to celebrate Chilly Pepper's two year birthday.  So I am thinking this summer we will have a birthday party for the babies!!!  God Bless and thank you for being patient with me.  Hugs, Palomino & the Gang!