More November news

Elisha came today and adopted Squish (Perfekt Song)! She's gone off to her new home in North Gower - we hope that she settles in well and enjoys the "princess" treatment. Squish will have a stall as well as regular turnout there, and hopefully, provide Elisha with a foal in 2010.

Elisha dressed Squish in shipping boots and her winter blanket before walking her into the trailer.

Elisha's friend adopted River, the female kitten, when they came out to see Squish last week. River is now an adored and loved house cat.

Whisper and Stripe are busy chasing bugs and mice in the barn. They're both boys, so they can stay. They'll be neutered as soon as they're old enough so that they don't stray looking for the ladies. They know their job and have already caught a mouse or two even though they're only 10 weeks old. Good kitties!!

Whisper has more black on his head and Stripe has a white bib under his chin. Whisper had a collar on, but managed to lose it within a day.

Many thanks to Jennifer G. for cleaning out her garage and donating all her horse stuff! It is very much appreciated - and all of it will be put to good use. Jennifer was out today and brought Delilah in and groomed her thoroughly - Thanks, Jennifer! I'm sure Delilah enjoyed the brushing, and it's really good for her to be handled regularly.

Kirsten, the lady who leased Gilligan when he was here, was out today and rode Nikki. She brought her dog, Sky, and took all three dogs with her when she went out for a hack. Jasper is tired out after running with Sky and Daisy - he's sound asleep now.

Jennifer N. would like to find someone to part lease Maggie. She's found that money and time don't stretch as far as she'd like now that she has children, hubby and job to squeeze in as well as "horse time". If you, or someone you know, would like to part lease Maggie, please let me know and I'll pass on the information.

If you part lease, that means that you pay part of Maggie's board, farrier and vet expenses in exchange for riding privileges. The cost would be negotiated between you and Jennifer N.

Kittens for adoption

Some inconsiderate, irresponsible pet owner tossed a cardbox box of kittens in the ditch out front earlier this week. The kittens were filthy and encrusted with feces when I caught them walking up the driveway. Six hours later, all four were clean and dry - and I only got one small scratch!

We've named them Eeney, Mini, Miney and Moe for now. Two are male and the other two female. Mini had a dislocated hip, so he's already run up a $90 vet bill and Miney is on antibiotics to clear her eye infection. All have been dewormed and are litter trained.

If you'd like to adopt a cute little kitten, please let me know. They all have long fur, so they're not suitable for barn cats. I'd like to find good homes for all of them - and Jasper would like them to get out of his cage (they're in there so I know where they are).

Bart-allo-Mew is missing
Barty-cat disappeared a couple of weeks ago. He's gone exploring before and been away from home for a day or two, but never this long. We walked all over the property calling and listening for him (he got stuck in a tree once), but didn't find him.

He may have found someone who let him in, fed him and turned him into a full-time house cat. Bart delighted in lounging on the bed and couch, so I hope that's where he's gone.

We miss him, but hope that he's happy wherever he is.

The chickens now have a heat lamp in the coop to keep their water from freezing. Please make sure the big door stays closed so the heat stays in - the chickens come out during the day and go back in at dusk. We still have eleven chickens - Mama hen still protects them from Jasper and any other perceived threat. We haven't found any eggs yet, but they may start laying in the spring since we don't keep them in the coop all the time.

Correction: We new have 10 chickens. Fluffy (black and white with yellow legs) refused to be caught and didn't go in the coop last night. He died of exposure. RIP, Fluffy.

Alexandria, who sponsors Grandma Reba, runs a pet service to help raise her sponsorship money. It's called Pet's Matter, and she offers walking, feeding, and visiting services in her neighbourhood in Orleans. You can see Alex's website here. If you need a responsible pet sitter and you live in Orleans, why not contact Alex?

Sponsors...

We love our sponsors!

They make it possible, through their monthly donations, for us to continue helping horses. It's tough, though, when we get a sponsorship promise, but the sponsor forgets to pay. Should we call and remind them, or just help fewer horses?

The bills for vet, farrier and food don't wait, so while we wait for our sponsors to fulfill their promise, we sometimes have to turn down horses that need help.

If you're one of our sponsors who pays promptly, thank you. If you're one of the sponsors who might be a bit late, please think of the horses and send your cheque now. They need your help.

We ask for a minimum four month commitment so that we can plan ahead when we take on a new rescue. All of our sponsors can choose to continue past the four months, of course.

Sometimes horses are adopted quickly, others spend a long time here. All need to be seen by a vet and the farrier, and some need special supplements or drugs to get better.

More changes...

Classy is here! I picked him up last Thursday. He's in quarantine in the riding ring right now (let me know if you want to ride in there and I'll move him) and has settled in just fine.

This month we sadly say good bye to Gilligan. His owner, Natalie, sold him and he went to his new home on the weekend. We wish him well and hope that his new owner loves him as much as we did - he's a sweet guy.

Roxy is also leaving. She's going off for training for the winter. Natasha is pretty disappointed - she'd hoped to show her next spring and summer. There are other horses here for Natasha to ride, as well as her pony, Dash, so she'll be okay.

That means that we have two spaces available for outdoor board immediately.

Delilah comes back from Saddle Ridge tomorrow. She's been there a month already - and has made a lot of progress. Reuben and Karina got her to the point of accepting a saddle on her back. She's not ready to be ridden yet, but with lots of patient handling, she will continue to improve. If you go to the Saddle Ridge blog, you can see photos of Reuben and Delilah working with the saddle.

Many thanks to Dan Angell of Animal Care Solutions - he gave us a great discount on the ANIVAC System that should arrive here on Friday. This system will allow us to wash horses even in the winter without leaving them soaking wet or leaving huge puddles in the barn or yard. It'll save water, too - that's important when all our water comes from a well. It's a portable unit, so you can even use it outside (not in the depths of winter, though, the water in it would freeze). We'll make sure everyone knows how to use it safely.

Natasha, Mom and I spent the weekend in Toronto at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. We spent all day Saturday (from 8:30 am until 10:30 pm) and most of Sunday there. We rode the mechanical horses, shopped (I bought two more winter blankets, and Natasha and I both bought new helmets), handed out business cards, watched the horse shows, and collected free stuff.

Although our hotel room was tiny, it was clean, and we had a microwave and fridge. A continental breakfast (muffins, coffee, juice, waffles, apples) came with our room, too, so that saved us money on food. We had a great time, but we were still pretty happy to be home and to sleep in our own beds again.

Serge did a great job of holding down the fort at home. He took care of Mom's dog, Tinkerbelle, as well as our dogs, Jasper and Daisy, the three new kittens, all the horses, the cows, and nursed Stew (the Jersey steer) back to health after an episode of bloat (another vet bill). Serge seemed pretty happy that I was home when he got home from work on Monday!

Lest we forget

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada.

On November 11, at the eleventh hour, we pause to remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we could be free. Many others lived through the wars, some physically injured, others with memories of horrible sights and experiences that continue to haunt them. We thank them for their sacrifice, too.

We thank them and promise that we will never forget the terrible tragedy of war.

We also thank those who enlist and serve as peacekeepers and teachers to preserve our freedom, the men and women who stand guard for Canada and Canadians around the world, the men and women now in Afghanistan, and all who prepare to pay the ultimate price to make our world a safe place.

We also thank the story tellers who keep the memory of why, who, and how alive, so we can remember and can pass that wisdom onto the next generation.

We also remember the animals, birds, dogs and horses (and one cat), that give their lives to keep us free and to save the lives of humans.

Thank you.

Halloween Fun Day!

Natasha's mom came out on Wednesday and brought Natasha another birthday cake. Lucky girl - two birthday cakes!

Halloween Fun Day

Although it was a little cooler today than we hoped, the sun shone, people came, and the ponies showed off their costumes! Some people couldn't stay for long, but I'm really glad they dropped by.

First, though, I have photos of Sneakers and Dash from Halloween night. Sneakers was a cow - Natasha was a cowgirl, and rode him - and Spot was a unicorn. I led him - he's too young (and too little) for me to ride.


I parked the trailer in the parking lot by the Tim Hortons and we walked around from there. Both Sneakers and Spot were exceptionally well behaved -- and a big hit with the townspeople!



Sneakers and Spot both love children and both of them were pretty happy to be petted and told that they were good boys. Some generous people even made sure that they added an apple or two to Natasha's treat bag just for the ponies!



If you even has occasion to tie Spot, be aware that he knows how to untie a quick release knot. He untied himself from the trailer, but didn't go anywhere. You have to keep a close eye on him if you tie him!


We decorated the living room and dining room for the Halloween Fun Day.

Spider webs and spiders lurked in the corners. I put together treat bags and tiny pumpkin cauldrons of treats for everyone. Mom gave me a bunch of stuff from when she did more Girl Guides and Pony Club parties, so I didn't have to buy much.



We had a couple of new horses arrive today... They just came to visit, not to stay.

Michael rode a sorrel stallion into the living room.

Jasper was intrigued by ponies in the house and had to sniff him all over!

A pinto pony came, too!

The kids made ghosts out of felt, pipecleaners, and sparkle glue. I hung them from the curtain rod to dry.



Then the ponies were decorated.

Reba became a big green uni-dragon!

The pinto pony rode the uni-dragon.

Super Dash!

Jack Sparrow and his pirate pony (aka Otis), escorted the Princess.



Everyone lined up in a dry part of the field to be judged. Mom did the judging and handed out the ribbons.

Otis the pirate and Jack Sparrow give us their best pirate faces.

Otis the pirate took the ribbon for most original costume! Congratulations!

Levi was a purple princess. I know he's a gelding, but doesn't he look pretty?

He was very good, standing quietly to be brushed and dressed in many layers of purple.

Princess Levi took the ribbon for the creepiest costume - it's just wrong for a gelding to be a princess. :-)

After all the ponies were undressed and brushed, five of us (Otis, Dash, Levi, Sneakers and Reba) went for a short trail ride around the track and through the trail in the bush.

Then it was time to turn everyone back out into the field.

I had a great time - and hope everyone else did, too!

Thanks for coming out and making our first annual Halloween Fun Day a fabulous event!!