As the year winds down, and I prepared our last newsletter, despite all the good news I was in tears. I had to review.... and the pain of our 10 losses this year was renewed. I hope we can all remember those lost this year - easily the worst year for losses I’ve experienced in 20 years. Horses like Prophet, Topper, and Sara had been with me literally more than a decade. Age of course was a factor, but Sara’s laminitis had progressed despite all efforts to disaster. How much I miss these faces so familiar for so many years. Little Shelby, Song, Smokey, Fannie and Latte only had a year or two, or even just a few months. Age again was a factor, for Shelby, Smokey, Song and Fannie, but Latte was just unlucky, sustaining a twisted gut. And Cassidy and Remy had a few good years. How depressed is Daisy, after losing the love of her life? And Mack and Sarge simply don’t know what to do - once they fought over Cassidy, and now they huddle together, wishing she was here. Each of them are so sorely missed. Each day I watch as these horses re-discover the joy of being horses, in a herd, and finding a friend to bond with. Its something we can offer here at The Golden Carrot which is rarely allowed in other stables. Their friends, and I, mourn their passing. But the earth continues to turn, and the need keeps knocking at our door. We took in 7 horses to fill some of the empty stalls. Pistol, Summer and Naomi come from the Animal Shelter in Kern County - horses abandoned or seized from prior owners. Each has signs of horrible injuries, and long term poor care and use. Dear Pistol made Shelby’s last 8 months more comfortable and enjoyable by attaching himself to that elderly pony as friend and protector, and he was bereft when Shelby passed. He has since attached himself to little Silver. Seems our giant boy likes the ponies! Sweet Buttercup was a victim of the PMU industry, and a rescue that didn’t bother to vet the home they placed her in. She lucked out by attracting the attention of the Sullivans who brought her to TGC. She’s young, quiet, and suffers from a bum stifle. I hope we can keep her comfortable for a long time, long enough for her to engage a little more with other horses. Jet is that horse who has done everything. With an impressive pedigree, and a lifetime of service in various disciplines including therapy work, Jet is truly a horse who deserves retirement. He’s 30, and who knows how long we’ll get to enjoy this beautiful boy, but he has some sponsors from his past standing up for him, and is deeply enamoured of our Basky (o men, they just love the young hot chicks don’t they?). Recently, little Leo, an OTTB badly injured at 6 and warehoused for the last 6 years without treatment, has attached himself to Jet and Basky. And finally, dear sweet Princess Anya - who stood confused and scared in the auction pen, facing only the kill buyer. Another rescue offered to rescue her, but changed their mind when they discovered her age (18-20) and that she was un-tattooed. We are thrilled that this wide eyed innocent has found her way here. She has attached herself to Buck and his ladies (so now he has THREE redheads following him), and also spends some time watching over our donkeys. We keep going. Each and every one deserves that we should do right by them. We can’t punish them for the mistakes humanity has made. They are truly victims in our world. Like a little child, whatever their problems are, they need our help. Please, if you can, consider donating any amount (NO amount is too small, really) to help feed, and care for these deserving souls. It’s a gift to them, and you’ll find it’s a gift to yourself as well! Thank you to each and every one who has helped the horses in any way. We cant do this work without you - your support is VITAL. You save lives.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 16:29:11 +0000