Fall 2008 Newsletter!

Fall is on the air and I am in a race against time.  Father time, ol’man winter, call him what you will.  I am rushing to get things tucked in before the cold winter rains are here!   It has taken a huge amount of work, and we are so very close to finishing.  I have lots of updates for everyone to enjoy.

I am going to ask for just a little more help.  As you read this if you can spare a donation, it will put hay under the tarp for winter, and the barn will be up!  This economy has been brutal on all of us.  The horses don’t understand.  They just want to be warm and eat.  Please help me to do that for them.  You can click right here and donate, any amount helps them!  Thanks for the continued love and support!

Okay on we go…

Projects~Equines~Events

Projects~

Irrigation is almost done and then the barn goes up.  We have been donated some concrete, equi-terre, no climb fencing &  we have been donated a harrow from IAM company.  A harrow is the thing you drag around behind the tractor.  This is a very important tool to have on a ranch.  We have pulled out the last of the stumps, have carved out the road to reach the back area, and the harrow is helping us prep the area for gravel.  Barn, Round pen and manure bunker all will be done pretty soon.

Straw Bales Many of my wonderful volunteers are collecting straw bales for the ranch.  After Halloween they should be plentiful.  We will use these for any water issues when the rain comes, and straw is great for foaling season next spring.

Horse Poop!  A fabulous gentleman is thrilled to come and haul away my manure, as he put it, “I'm developing a 10 acre permaculture farm up Trout Gulch Road in Aptos, and I'm in constant need of horse manure for massive earthworm culture beds.  I've got a flatbed truck and I can be your manure removal service on a weekly basis.  Bless you!” Bless me?  I could kiss the ground he walks on.  This saves the rescue a lot of $$$$$

Maggie & Dean  These volunteers work tirelessly for the rescue.  They are coordinating the pick up and delivery of 5 equine mattresses.  This is a huge undertaking.  The mattresses are big and not easily moved.  And they are all the way up in Los Altos.  Once delivered the mattresses will be very nice to have for the pregnant mares.  Maggie and Dean are also putting up donation boxes in local tack stores and pretty much anywhere else they can get them in, collecting money for the horses!

Laurie Dearinger of Blue Horse Design is always thinking of us and helping support the rescue.  She has rescue baskets currently out, that are filled with gorgeous singularly wrapped note cards for sale.  As each basket is sold, she donates a portion of her profits to PMR.  We love Laurie and she has come up with yet another fabulous idea.  She is also a rep. for Silpada Sterling Jewelry.  We are going to host a party and a huge portion of the sales will go to the rescue.  SO, Listen up here everyone…The Holidays are coming…lets shop early &  make money for the horses at the same time!!  I am going to try and do this in the first part of November.  Stay tuned!

Equine updates~~

The Jonas Brothers are getting bigger.  Joe has developed an umbilical hernia, and so he will be going to the “Ritz” in Saratoga.  Jenelle and Lorrie will fuss over him and get him well.  The surgery will take place next month. The other 3 are so darn cute. They will be ready for vaccines soon and maybe a new home for the Holidays…Here are a couple pictures so you can see how cute they are looking, as well as their beautiful mama, Angel.

Speaking of the Ritz, this is where Bridget had her umbilical hernia repaired.  She is healing and enjoying the good life.  Cute little filly will be available for adoption very soon!

Suri, is due to foal in march. She continues to make progress and thrive at the ranch. Pretty Suri, she looks like a cover girl.

Rasta and Remy look beautiful. We believe they too are due around the March time frame.

Treasure was moved to LA to her new home. Thanks to all who helped with her move.

Lakota, & Titan, have been adopted !  This is very special news for me as they are two very sweet boys.  They will be living about 6 miles away from our foster facility in Madera, and the bonus is they get to stay together.  I am very happy about that.  They are like brothers. *** Thanks Madera!  Good Work!!

May, Fancy & Blackjack all went to a gorgeous sanctuary home on 400 acres in the southern part of the state. Wonderful fabulous Joanne took all three and says they are all doing fine. I am thrilled to have found them a beautiful place to live. They deserve it!  ****Thanks Madera!! Good work!

Patriot has a job next week. My girlfriend Katy, has to take her filly  to the HorseHospital for some X-rays and possible surgery.  Patriot is going to go over to her pasture and keep Ty, the young gelding company.  He tends to get a little nervous if left alone. In the mean time…If you know anyone who’s looking for an EGALA horse, Patriot is the man.

Grace & Hunter the thoroughbred mare & her foal have settled in nicely at our Madera facility. Karie works her magic and they have both warmed up to her, and to humans. Upon their arrival, they were practically untouchable. Now, they nicker for her in the morning.

Destiny & Liberty, The girls from the Big Sur Fire will be travelling to their new sanctuary home on 40 acres outside Madera very soon.  Karie is doing a site check and then trailer arrangements will be made.  Mr. Moon, a lovely gelding that was in need of a new home, will be joining the ladies at this new home.  He comes from L.A.  I was notified about his need through the Alex Brown Racing Website.  They do a lot of good over on that site.  (Recently they helped raise money to get 7 horses off a feedlot in Nevada. We are taking the orphaned colt, and are anxiously awaiting his arrival.)   Anyway big thanks to Karie for making this sanctuary for 3 more horses possible. ******Yahoo Madera!!!!

Events~~~Coming up!!

Volunteer Celebration  Every year we love to host a celebration of all the lives we have saved. If you have volunteered at the ranch and helped the equines you are invited. This year's party is scheduled for December 6^th, Saturday nite 6pm.  We do a white elephant, horse themed gift exchange; limit on gift purchase is $ 20.00.  This part of the night is hilarious, as we get to see who the real thieves are!!!

A Bridal / Bridle Tea   Feb. 2009  We have been given a collection of designer bridal gowns from a beautiful retail shop that is no longer in business. We are collaborating with the cheerleaders from a local high school in Madera and we are putting on a fashion show.  Come spend the afternoon and sip tea, munch on bakery fresh treats and get a designer gown for peanuts!  We are also going to be allowing photographers, florists and caterers  to attend to answer any of your “Big Day” questions.

PONYFEST ~ May 2, 2009 mark your calendar kids.  Alex is a powerhouse and this promises to be the kids equine event for the year!  She and her troop of scouts and their moms are putting together a fabulous festival to celebrate kids, and horses.  Come & paint horse shoes, ride a pony, pin the tail on the pony and have a blast!  This fundraiser, specifically geared for the little ones, will be held at the Hummer Ranch , so don’t miss it!

Golf at Seascape, Aptos  June 5^th, 2009  We are putting together a golf tournament / fundraiser for the rescue to be held in Seascape.  It is scheduled for June 5^th Friday, 2009.  My dad, who has been a golf professional for over 55 years is putting the entire tournament together for us.  It will be on a Friday, and spouses, non-golfers, and significant others will be invited to attend the dinner and silent auction after the golf!  The silent auction items will be great! This promises to be a very fun event!

July “Ride for the Babies” We expect to be full with new babies at the ranch by July and figure a good ride to raise money will be in order.  Those who want to participate can get an entry form, accept pledge money, and we will be riding out on the trails of Santa CruzCounty.   Our goal will be 10 riders, each collecting $100 in pledged donations for a 10 mile ride.   If we accomplish this we will have raised $1000 for the new foals on the ranch.

Once more I leave you with this thought;

...Please make sure the money you give, your hard earned cash, does not go to rescues that kill horses after a certain amount of time.  Pregnant Mare rescue does not endorse this behavior. T here is no such thing as a “Kill Shelter” in my book.  You either shelter them or you don’t.  With that said, I want to reiterate that all of my donated money goes to equine care.  Not fencing, not tractors, trailers and trucks, not being bailed out for poor management practices, or leasing land.  It goes to the horses. They need it.  And we need you.  We cannot do this work with out all of you.  Your work, your donations, your support, your contributions and your concern help us Help Them!  Thank you for making a difference.