June 2008 Newsletter

As we roll into summer, we reflect on a very eventful spring. Paul M. from Santa Cruz donated a tractor! That's such a great gift for us. And Eq-Wine Covers out of Paso Robles donated a barn! We are so appreciative of these wonderful folks and companies helping us out! Our fundraiser was a huge success. Volunteers and dear friends made it a wonderful day to raise money for the horses. In 2 years we have saved, rehabilitated and placed 30 wonderful horses. Please keep watching our site for photos from our fundraiser. They will be posted very soon...

Our back acreage development is almost finished. We are waiting on irrigation, and then the barn goes up! Won’t it be great having warm dry shelter for our equines when the rainy season comes?

A generous donation from Jennifer in Texas (who works tirelessly on behalf of the horses in our nation) made the rescues of Penny, Hope, Patriot & Nevada all possible. We knew Penny was in foal. Her new adoptive mom says baby is due any day! What would spring be without babies? We all are waiting anxiously for news, and of course those baby pics!!! Here is a recent picture of Hope, now named Zoey, sent by her adoptive mom. Isn't she a gorgeous girl? You can see her "before" pictures, as well as Penny's pictures, in the "Meet The Horses" section under "Meet Hope and Penny".

Patriot, a sweet Thoroughbred colt, went into surgery the first week of June. Steinbeck Equine Hospital is truly wonderful to us. Tim Eastman, DVM, performed the surgery, and provided excellent care for Patriot. Patriot has touched the hearts of many people. He left a trail of broken hearts at the hospital; the vet-techs were all kissing him good-bye. This little guy must be amazed at how different the last half of his life has been compared to the first 6 mos. He was born and abandoned; left on a feedlot waiting for slaughter; then injured & infected with a severe case of strangles that almost killed him. Fast forward to the present. He is fed, loved, vaccinated, loved, wormed, groomed, fussed on, loved, all his injuries and his hernia have been repaired…and did I say loved? He deserves every second. Here are some pictures of Patriot. You can see how much healthier and happier he looks now. No wonder everyone falls in love with this special boy! You can see Patriot's "before" pictures in the "Meet The Horses" section, under "Meet Patriot".

Here is a picture of another one of our "babies". Caramella, now re-named Daisy May, was rescued off a feedlot back in August of 2007. She was adopted by Jillian, an 11 year old horse crazy girl, and her family, in November 2007. She now lives in a beautiful 14 acre pasture with her "big brother" Bill. She was destined for slaughter in Mexico when she was saved. Her new family couldn't love her more, even though she is pretty naughty...You can see her "before" pictures in the "Meet The Horses" section, under "Meet The August 2007 Rescues".

Here is an update from another one of our wonderful baby's new family. Junior, now re-named Tokota, was rescued off a feedlot in August of 2007. He lost his mother shortly after, and was quite the sad, lost, little soul. He has now found a wonderful new adoptive family, and is doing great!

"He's a striking little guy. He continues to flourish, still with all the gentleness, curiosity, and willingness-to-try that we saw in him the first day at PMR. He's made a lot of human and equine friends.

When its time to go out to play, he comes right up to his stall gate and holds his head steady as the rope halter is put over his nose and tied over his neck. As we walk around the ranch, he stops to introduce himself to every new horse he sees. Tokota can watch other horses being exercised or running around in turnouts without getting anxious or feeling like he has to move. When he does get nervous he simply walks around us in a circle, never trying to run away.

Once in the arena, we can jog/trot side-by-side both on-line and at liberty. Now that's fun.

He lifts all four feet easily for hoof cleaning. He's getting his feet trimmed on a regular basis, each time getting easier to accept the feel of the trim and file.

Tokota is now used to wearing a flymask and having a saddle pad draped over his back as we walk around the ranch. We can cradle his head, and reach over his back in a hug to simulate the pressure he'll eventually feel in carrying a rider.

He's ok with water and wet towels for cleaning him up, but does not like spritzer bottles or anything resembling a stick or rod. Yesterday he accepted a Parelli carrot stick to rub his forehead, but not yet comfortable with it touching him behind his head. Lots to work on still, but we're thrilled with how far he has come.

Thanks again for all you do at PMR. We hope you enjoy this update about one of your rescues. We are very blessed to have Tokota in our lives."

Here are some photos of this gorgeous little man. You can see Tokota's "before" pictures in the "Meet The Horses" section, under "Meet the August 2007 Rescues".

These babies wouldn't be given a second chance without us! They count on us. A big thank you goes out to all who can help! And so I send out this little mailer. It keeps us all connected, and keeps our horses in your thoughts as the summer rolls on by! Any and all donations are so gratefully accepted. Please remember to check our website for all the current information on our equine friends!