Mon Feb 8 2010

Maggie B is today's greeter. She invites you to call and come out to see her. Bring treats.
Not much happened today except Aaron came out and checked everyone's abcesses. All clear. no more problems.

Here is more of yesterday's story.

Several of the horses got to be free and wander the ranch. The were out all day and enjoyed being able to go where ever they wanted.

Breeze Bay headed to the upper barn to see if she could find the grain. The only thing she found was squawking guinea hens.

Ruby took to the high ground.

Cash found some hay that tasted mighty good. Braveheart and Tory enjoyed the grass. They wandered all over the yard, visiting with those still penned up.

I've decided there is one thing all the standing water does....

It helps grow some beautiful moss covered rocks

Julian wanted a close-up. He's getting sooo big. The calves come when we call them by name.
Lots of horses played hide and seek yesterday. First Rico, Chance and Pedro hid in the trees.

Then Rico and Pedro hid behind the panels and water trough.

Levi was hiding, too.

Belle thought we couldn't see her. With all that mud she is well hidden.

Before we put the free herd up for the night Jesse enjoyed a drink.

We get 2 or 3 calls a week for horses needing a place to be. We don't want to become hoarders, and take in more horses than we can care for. It is so hard to have to turn away the animals. We try hard to help folks find a good, safe place for their beloved pets. We hear more and more of abandoned animals, just left behind when their owners move.

To those who are thinking of breeding their horses, please, remember that you are putting an animal on this earth that may be here for 25 or 30 years. Too many folks think of horses as a disposable item-just throw them away when they are done with them. Maybe, instead of breeding every year you could breed every other year or every 2 years. There are a lot of unwanted young horses already born that can serve your needs. We have several here that would have been slaughtered, if we had not rescued them. Sweetie Pie, Leeso and Warrior are fine young horses who deserve a good life.

our vet bill is well over $1000.00 and vaccination time is coming. Last year it was $1750.00. We have even more horses this year. Can you help? Any amount, even $5.00 is greatly appreciated. Thank you POBox 4129 Yankee Hill CA 95965

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Busy Sunday Feb. 7 2010

Oliver and Candy Bar are the official feline greeters today. They watched as Jim and Brian thought about today's project.

When Jim and Brian decided to make the pen for Charles and Belle they did not realize they would have the help of The Three Amigos Consulting Firm. Pedro, Rico and Chance provided support, advice and even help in moving the panels.

Jim and Brian enjoy watching Charles and Belle in their new turnout.

Belle rolled 5 times before dinner. She loves her new pen. There is room to roam, roll and visit with the boys next door.



Charles thanked Brian for the new pen , then went and rolled. He has adjusted to his blindness and checked out every part of his new pen. There is still some mud, but at least there are dry sunny places to be.


Helen came today and had Posey come up to her!!! Maggie wants to trust, but still is too shy. She said "hello" to Breeze Bay, though.

Helen has a special gentle touch with the animals. Her patience is paying off. Both Julian and Breeze wanted kisses.

Running a non-profit takes all kinds of support. Thank you ,Helen, and the following businesses who have been so good to us: Dr. Gary Darling DVM Aaron Hamon farrier Tractor Supply Company Oroville Feather River Gypsy Vanners Wilson's Worms Spaulding Fly Company Butte Web Design Jackie Nelson Converse horse trainer NorCal Equine Rescue Purina Feeds North State Rendering

Thursdat Feb 4, 2010

No pictures today. I was too busy ducking flying hooves and dodging rampaging horses to get any photos. You will have to use your imagination to see the day's events.
The day started grey and overcast with a prediction of heavy rain. We decided the "oldies" needed to be put in the barn and stable.
I must interrupt here to tell you Jim has a "man" cold. For those that don't know, there are "woman" colds and "man" colds. A woman cold has chills, fevers, aches, pains, sneezes, snuffles and general bad feelings. A woman cold does not prevent work getting done. A man cold , however, has all of the above, plus it puts the man at death's door with whines , complaints and the inability to do anything.
This said, it became obvious that I would have to move the horses by myself. OK. first step- get the barn and stable ready for incoming critters. Gates opened, water troughs filled, horses in the barn moved around. Step 2 Get the halter and lead rope . Step 3 Here's where the plan goes up in smoke. The plan was to move Charles, then move Belle. Up until today Belle was a matronly white mule who never moved faster than a plod. She stood where she was until you convinced her to move. She was a sweet, quiet, compliant girl.
Today, as soon as I opened the gate to get Charles, Belle whirled past me at a run, kicked up her heels and left the country. Poor Charles stood there, head cocked to one said trying to figure out what just happened.
He led nicely to the upper barn and started to eat the hay I had put in there. I made 3 attempts to get Belle and had to duck the afformentioned flying hooves. She was out. She was going to stay out and eat grass. OK Plan B. I'll move Cash, then Braveheart, then Breeze, Tory and Jesse.
Have I mentioned we have mud? Well , Cash moved to the bottom end of his turnout down deep in the mud and I didn't want to lead him by the others because my boots kept getting stuck and I couldn't move without losing my boots.
Braveheart was waiting by the gate so I took him first. Before I could close the gate, Braveheart backed into the fence and got stung by the electric rope. Naturally he jumped. So did Breezey, right over the wire and out. Now Breeze and Belle had a good romp, which fired up Levi and Daisy. They went nuts, leaping and hopping all over the place. Levi even did his Leapazanner dance where he stands on his back legs and hops across the turnout.
Braveheart walked to the lower barn, always keeping an eye out for Breeze and Belle who took to tearing around everywhere. I didn't know those old girls had it in them.
About that time Breeze raced to the lower barn, ran in and out twice before I could get there. Finally I got her closed her in only to notice that Ruby was in with Lexi and Grace finishing off their breakfast. Since Ruby doesn't always have good table manners with others I led her back to her stall. Jake, Sweetie Pie and Quincy had come in out of the sprinkles and were standing in a stall eating some other hay. About that time Breeze popped her gate open and was off again, this time up to Chance , Rico and Pedro.
She and Belle had the boys going, and got Daisy and Levi wound up again. I was so busy watching the fireworks I didn't hear Jake come crashing up behind me. He is the all time best gate opener. Great!! Now there are 3 out. About that time Jim stuck his head out the door and yelled, "You've got horses out." On Feb 27 we'll have been married 45 years and I don't think he's ever said anything more obvious. He pulled his head back in and put on his coat. His man cold would just have to wait.
Jesse was next and led like a gentleman to the stable as did Tory and Cash. Now for the three wild ones. Belle came up and asked to go in with Charles, but about that time Breeze thundered by with Jake at her heels and Belle took off, too. I followed Belle until she got tired of the game, then put her in with Charles.
Breeze and Jake kept it up for a while, but finally she stopped for a breather and Jim caught her. Jake had gone into the calves pen and waited to be put away. He is a BIG boy, but has the gentle draft nature and wants to please. he walked nicely as Jim put him away.
All in all it took a good 2 1/2 hours to get everyone settled.
We came in for a cup of tea and a little rest. Jim's man cold needed attention.

Clouds Wed Feb.3 2010

Honey the cat wanted to be the official greeter today. All the abcesses on the horses are healed or healing and the herd is doing well. No one is looking forward to being stalled for the next storm, but the old ones get too cold if they stay out. Everyone enjoyed one more dry day. Honey took a sunbath on the porch.

The clouds were different on each side of the house.

After the horsework and the housework were finished it was off to do town chores. The clouds over the valley were not as thick, but puffy and white. What a view.

Here we are! Our favorite Tractor Supply Company in Oroville. The animals love their food and we love their people.

Home At Last always gets a big welcome. Hi Lindsay!



One bag of feed $9.48 will last 2 days. Would you help buy some feed for the critters?

Thanks, Dave, for loading the feed.

These cattle were lined up along the road watching the cars go by. I'm glad Banjoe and Julian will not face the same fate as most of these.





There are bee hives all over this year. I hope the bee population is making a comeback

Even though the rains make mud and more mud, we need the rain. Poor Lake Oroville is so low. The boats from Lime Saddle Marina are all the way to the bridge.

More clouds on the way home.


When I got home Helen was here to work with Maggie B , Sugar and Posey. We are unable to even touch the girls, so Helen's patience and kindness is much needed.

Maggie B and Sugar are interested , but they are in their 30s. After a lifetime of abuse they are afraid to trust people. Helen sits with them in their yard and gives treats to gain their confidence.

Ruby wanted to share the treats. Thank you, Helen, for caring so much for the horses that you are willing to spend your time with them.

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Tuesday Feb 2 2010

The sun rises over the propane tank and the day begins.

What happened to Hal the Home At Last windsock? The wind took him to the high branches of the tree.

The horses took advantage of the sunny weather to rest and sleep. Jessie donkey makes sure Chardonnay is safe.

Chance watches Rico and Pedro.



Blind Daisy guards Levi as he enjoys the sun.

Breeze Bay watches Jesse, Braveheart and Tory as they snooze .

By evening it was cloudy and showery.

Thank you Lorie H and Grant K for your generous donations. Every dollar goes to care for the horses.




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Monday Feb 1 2010

Animals and people alike enjoyed another day of no rain.

Aurora and Jake took time out for a visit.

In the winter we have to water only once a day, usually. the horses may drink 10 gallons of water a day per horse. In the summer we may have to water 2 or 3 times a day, as they may drink over a 1000 gallons of water when it is hot.

We have all sizes of troughs. Some are very large.

Some troughs are medium sized.

Some are small.


Some are even smaller.

An upside down step stool makes a fine water trough for a calf.

Thanks, Aaron and Amy for coming out so late after dark to take care of Ruby's and Brandy's abcesses. The girls feel so much better.