Horse and Man

Archive for the ‘Bucket Fund Stories’ Category

OMG. Really?! BARELY LIVING – AMONG CARCASSES… MEET: THE MANY. Our February Bucket Funders.

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

(PLEASE FORWARD!)

First you get angry. Then you get kinda sick. After that, you move into FIX IT mode.

Let’s help fix this horrible wrong.

Here’s the story… (There is a much longer version of this story here. FB here. But, I think I can make my point in just a few graphs for today…)

Heartbreaking... gathering tattoos.

THE NIGHTMARE – 60 DESPERATE, STARVING HORSES AMONG THE CARCASSES.

On January 6th, Louisiana Horse Rescue Association received a call from the Sabine Parish Humane Society asking if they could help in the seizure of 60 horses from a failing (failed) TB farm.

What they found was much, much worse.

60 starving horses in deplorable conditions. This is just a baby...

Dozens of animal carcasses, several fresh grave mounds and many, many starving horses. Some were in manure filled stalls, some were in paddocks barely shuffling around, others out in large pastures standing among the dead. All were starving and in horrible condition.

A poor, sick stud stuck in this horrible stall.

All 60 horses had to be caught, documented, doctored and hauled away to safe quarantines... 60 HORSES!

HEROES

Could you imagine walking onto that site? Could you imagine rolling up your sleeves and determining who, of all these horribly sick animals, deserved treatment first? Especially when all you would really want to do is strangle some negligent human…

Wow.

Well, they did it. LHRA, circled the wagons and dove right in. In a stroke of genius, LHRA called upon LSU Veterinary School to see if they had any extra hands available to help. They did. LSU sent out their Equine Response Team.

Exhausted after treatment, this baby rests for a while...

Over three days, this team removed every last horse into temporary foster care. No easy feat. They tagged, documented, loaded, found quarantines for and doctored 60 sick, scared and unhandled horses.

Wow again. Dedication among adversity for sure.

But that was just the start of a very long journey for the rescuers and these poor horses…

Of the 60 horses that were pulled immediately, another 8 passed shortly thereafter.

This was one of the better ones. This mare is alert.

Another luckier mare. She is alert as well.

THE BABIES

Sadly, there were many foals, yearlings and two-year olds that were in desperate condition. Young horses don’t have the stamina to fight – especially when they have had a horrible start to life.

It was several of these young horses who failed to thrive after their rescue…

We can help these surviving young ones who are fighting…

Administering to a filly

Foals lining up for attention. All stunted, bony, scrawny and failing to thrive.

LET’S DO THIS THING!

My hat is totally off to these folks for dropping everything, running up there, digging in and figuring out all the details to save the remaining horses…

LHRA now has 46 extra horses – all in need of medical care. It costs $450 EACH DAY to feed these horses. That doesn’t include medicines…

Let’s help them in honor of their bravery and for fighting the good fight. Let’s help them in honor of all those who died a horrible death before help arrived.

Enough. Let's help those who helped all of the surviving horses and who dignified those who didn't make it...

Gawd. Let’s just help them. Period.

Bravo LHRA, Bravo.

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Posted in Bucket Fund Stories | 9 Comments »

ALL HANDS ON DECK! I NEED A BUCKET FUND CHARITY FOR FEBRUARY – FAST!

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

UPDATE:

FEBRUARY BUCKET FUND FOUND!!

THANK YOU, READERS!

Well, this has never happened before…

I have not found a Bucket Fund horse for February! I need your help… Since many of you network all over the US, I figure somebody out there knows of a horse(s) in dire need that we can help. If so, please let me know. Send me the story and whatever links you can provide.

To prevent any hurt feelings or anyone spinning their wheels, here is a list of criteria:

1) Has to be about a horse(s) not simply a Rescue that needs help (Even though Rescues all need help, the Bucket Fund is for a specific animal(s) in need.)

2) The story has to be corroborated by a Vet, Feed Store, Animal Control, Authority, etc

3) If the Rescue/Individual is not a 501c (non-profit), the funds will have to go to an entity such as a vet or feed store.

4) The Rescue has to be able to provide good photos and updates

5) Foals, pregnant mares, injured or abused horses, skinny horses… as long as there is proof of need and a probable future for the animal

6) The Rescue has to have a Pay Pal account or be willing to open one

7) No one can profit from this other than the horse(s)

So, if you know of a horse(s) that would fit for our February, SEND ME THE LINKS AND THE STORY.

PLEASE email: horseandman@gmail.com

*Thank you all in advance and please don’t take it personally if we don’t choose your charity this time. I’m always open to these stories so there will be other opportunities.

THANK YOU!

THE BUCKET FUND NEEDS A STORY FOR FEBRUARY!!

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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UPDATE ON HARLEY’S CANCER plus newsy info and a great MUST SEE brilliant video!

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Happy Sunday!

Today I wanted to give you the good news about HARLEY our Bucket Fund Belgian who was very skinny and had a big eye problem. (You can read about Harley here.)

The vet came out to check on Harley’s eye last week and thought the odd, new ‘spot’ could be cleared up with antibiotics. He was hoping it was not the cancer returning…

Lo and Behold, Dr came out yesterday after Harley being on the medication for a week – and gave Harley’s eye an ALL CLEAR A-OK!

Wahoo!!

Here is Theresa’s account of the day:

1 (click to enlarge)

A READER SUGGESTION… the Hay Handler.

I’ve never used one of these HAY HANDLERS. However, a few readers recommended it last week when I posted about carrying hay around my ranch in the wind/rain.

The Cashel Hay Handler. You use it to transport flakes without the mess of hand carrying.

So, I thought I would pass on the info. They are made by Cashel so I’m guessing that the product is durable.

For me, I’d not really want to take the time to fill it… on the other hand, I am betting it would save me some spillage and also help not have all those strands floating about my driveway, if you know what I mean.

Here is the link.

I found this review on Long Rider’s Gear. You can order one there, too.

The Cashel Hay Handler is a super handy way to tote your horse hay without losing half of it on the ground or getting it stuck to your clothing! The handles have shock absorbing Cashel foam cushions your hands will appreciate! PVC poles along the top to help keep your hay secure along with Velcro closures on each end. The tough nylon Cordura™ construction gives it long-lasting value.

This hay carrier will easily hold three to four large flakes of hay and can be comfortably carried with one hand. Great for getting feed to your horses and for carrying wood as well! An essential for your barn, trailer, and home.

“I have ten of these, they are great! I have a scale with a hook and can hang the Hay Handler by the handles to get each horses hay weighed and ready to feed for the day…also had to get one more for my firewood! Great product!” – Paula C., CA

IF YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA…

Theresa is helping Animal Control place these two, beautiful horses who need homes ASAP. Email Theresa for more info: bhfer@earthlink.net

From Theresa:

Oh my gosh – Bucky is SO sweet! And Rogue is very, very curious and wants to learn how to interact with humans. He is a very handsome boy and moves beautifully! These two need to find homes ASAP – AC has given us an extension to try to place them. With time and training I’m sure both would come around and make nice horses. Bucky is very gentle. I rubbed him all over today and picked up his feet. Rogue came within about a foot of me today but backed off when someone opened a gate.

If anyone can help them, please contact me ASAP – Animal Control has advised that Rogue and Bucky have a limited time.

This is Rogue, the 13 year old mustang, who needs a home ASAP. He is so beautiful!

This is 15 year old Bucky. Look at that face! He needs a home asap.

AN AWESOMELY BRILLIANT VIDEO!!

This is amazing.

The first video these shepherds put out went viral but no one believed it was real. So, the ranchers went to work PROVING that this was all real. They show you how they did it, the behind the scenes and the actual performance.

These dogs, ranchers and sheep are brilliantly AWESOME.

WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO, it is short. There is a funny payoff at the end.

CLICK to view the video. THOSE ARE SHEEP outlining a sheep! See how it is done and other amazing shepherd/dog/sheep feats!

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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Posted in Bucket Fund Stories, Handy Tips | No Comments »

IT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE… The Dream is gone – for now.

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

Our internet will go down today for upgrading so I have to make this short…

THE OFFICIAL WELL REPORT.

So Sad…

We received the official Well Report on the wonderful 80 acres in wine country. (If you missed the initial blogpost, click here.)

It was even worse than feared. Instead of 3-4 gallons per minute, it was measured at 2.5. And, full of sulfur.

The sulfur part would have been smelly for sure, but workable with an oxidizing process that you can add to the system. However, 2.5 gallons per minute is just not enough water for us to feel comfortable.

So sad when dreams evaporate...

DUE DILIGENCE

Previously, I had gotten on the phone and called the well-guys in the region.

All of them said that that area has plenty of water. But, it was down deep and full of sulfur. So, if another well was drilled, most likely we would find an abundance, albeit smelly, heap of water.

Hmmmmm. Hubby and I don’t really have the cash to drill another well. And, to be honest, Hubby was not willing to take the chance on his dime.

I wasn’t too keen on the idea either, but I wasn’t worried about finding water.

I got on the phone...

ENTRANCE

The other point of my due diligence was the entrance to the property…

I called the Fire Marshall to ask if emergency vehicles could navigate the road to the residence. It is narrow and has extreme curves and uphills.

The Fire Marshall was familiar with the exact location. He’d been there and knew there was a gate code and could almost recall it. I was impressed. You WANT the Fire Marshall to know where you live…

Anyway, I asked about emergency vehicle access and he said he would be willing to come out ‘this afternoon’ (gotta love small town fire departments…) to check it out since he couldn’t remember exactly. But, then he said that the trucks could always cross the front yard neighbor since it was flat there. I told him that a fence had been installed. Hmmmmm. He said he would have to come out.

What stuck out in my mind about the conversation with the local Fire Marshall was his recollection “that the road was not workable during bad weather”. (Yikes!) But again, he wasn’t sure and would happily make a visit if he had the gate code, which we didn’t. (It changes daily, for some reason.)

So, another issue unresolved.

Could the Fire truck make it in?...

OUR DECISION

We decided to ask the seller to drill a new well that met the 10 gallons per minute pledge that we had been told when we made our offer. If that was successful, we were going to approach the road issue with the Fire Marshall.

So, armed with the crappy well report, we asked our agent to talk to their agent about drilling another well.

SELLER DECISION

About 12 minutes later (I think the phone wires were burning…), our agent called to say that the seller had blasted an unequivocal NO. He indicated that if the property wasn’t right for us, we should cancel.

OK then. That’s that…

(Having sold a few homes, my gut tells me that he might be sorry – down the road – that he was so quick to send us away. But, I could be wrong.)

He didn't mince words.

WE WONDER

So, with sadness, we must continue our search. I figure someone who has lots of money and doesn’t mind drilling a very deep well will come and snatch these 80 acres. I’m guessing that is what the seller believes as well.

On the other hand, I know a vineyard won’t want that acreage without good water and most equestrian people won’t either. Also, the entrance is still an issue…

However, just the size of the land will probably make someone bite. After all, it had only been on the market for 3 days when we snapped it up.

When it is gone, I will be sad. I’ll keep you posted.

ON A HAPPIER NOTE: MORE HARLEY PICS!

These photos were taken after Harley returned home to BHFER from his eye surgery.

Harley trotting over to his pen (click to enlarge)

In just one week at BHFER, Harley looks so much happier and healthier! (click to enlarge)

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Click for the Bucket Fund! Harley and his buddies at BHFER!

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Posted in Bucket Fund Stories, Horse Stories | 14 Comments »

HARLEY UPDATE!

Friday, January 13th, 2012

First off, I wanted to thank you all for sending your comments and “well” wishes from yesterday’s post. I TOTALLY appreciate all the time and thought that went into each email. I especially loved those few who had their non-Horse and Man-reader husbands or Dads email me. Bravo! Hubby and I have plenty to chew upon…

At the moment, we have still not decided what to do. But, we did speak to a well specialist in the area who said the property should have plenty of water – once it was drilled…

HARLEY UPDATE!

Harley had surgery today and pulled through with flying colors! Everyone was initially concerned because Harley had to be put under (the cancer had spread too far to do the surgery with him standing) and there are inherent risks with this, especially for a huge draft horse.

But, he did wonderfully! He recovered without thrashing about and hurting himself. Harley truly is a gentle giant.

Here are photos taken by Theresa. Her comments are on the top of each photo. Be sure to click the image to enlarge it so you can read her thoughts.

*Also, I know so many of you want to know about the Buddy… so far, the farmer has not given any indication that he will release the Buddy. Theresa will not give up trying.

I really don't know what the Bucket is for...? CLICK TO ENLARGE

He is a big boy...

Theresa did a good job of taking a surgery photo without gore. Click image to enlarge.

Looking good! Click image to enlarge

THERESA’S OTHER NEEDS:

BHFER is such a busy rescue! Along with helping Harley, they are presently trying to place 22 horses who had no where to go after their owner fell upon hard times.

19 have found homes in just one week! But these three still don’t have anywhere to go.

If you can take one or have an idea for them, please contact BHFER and let them know. I sure don’t know why the little mini is still available?! She is so cute and they are so easy to house!!

From what I hear, the Mustang is very workable and beautiful. The ex-bucking horse is very good and a fine pasturemate.

So, if you know of any home for these three, please let BHFER know at this link.