Sunday, January 23, 2011
January 22nd and 23rd, 2011
A beautiful Saturday at the barn!
Jim moved hay around, and fed the horses in the big field (see the video on the next post!). Everyone seems to be much happier in the sunshine (although the fields are still damp and muddy...perhaps the sunbreaks will give them a chance to dry somewhat).
Kim and her two daughters were out and groomed Mary and Sue. Both now look beautiful!
Sam and Katie were here, and Katie rode in her lesson. Sam worked with Lilly in the arena, too.
Gail Keller and her son came out, too. Gail recently lost her older horse, and it was evident she missed her horse quite dearly. She donated a great feeder that Jim put into Katie Mae, our spokes-Percheron's paddock.
It will definitely keep all her hay from getting ground into mud!
Sasha was here, too, and worked with Vanilla Bean.
Vanilla bean was another feedlot rescue, and most likely came from the reservation near Yakima. She is one unique little horse, and has a particularly interesting brand:
Vanilla Bean was originally adopted from the feedlot into a terrible, terribly abusive home. It was lucky that Jim and Sherry were able to rescue her from extreme neglect and complete disregard. Vanilla Bean was also pregnant when she arrived, even though she wasn't more than a couple years old herself. She delivered a very cute, healthy filly who was adopted to a good home.
Sasha worked with Vanilla Bean and took her out of the field. Vanilla Bean is looking for her special person and home, too! She hasn't really had a particular volunteer work with her in some time. She's a totally adorable pony sized appaloosa type, and would make an excellent trail horse.
More to come next time!
Jim moved hay around, and fed the horses in the big field (see the video on the next post!). Everyone seems to be much happier in the sunshine (although the fields are still damp and muddy...perhaps the sunbreaks will give them a chance to dry somewhat).
Kim and her two daughters were out and groomed Mary and Sue. Both now look beautiful!
Sam and Katie were here, and Katie rode in her lesson. Sam worked with Lilly in the arena, too.
Gail Keller and her son came out, too. Gail recently lost her older horse, and it was evident she missed her horse quite dearly. She donated a great feeder that Jim put into Katie Mae, our spokes-Percheron's paddock.
Sasha was here, too, and worked with Vanilla Bean.
Vanilla bean was another feedlot rescue, and most likely came from the reservation near Yakima. She is one unique little horse, and has a particularly interesting brand:
Vanilla Bean was originally adopted from the feedlot into a terrible, terribly abusive home. It was lucky that Jim and Sherry were able to rescue her from extreme neglect and complete disregard. Vanilla Bean was also pregnant when she arrived, even though she wasn't more than a couple years old herself. She delivered a very cute, healthy filly who was adopted to a good home.
 |
| Baby Bean |
More to come next time!
January 13th, 2011
Apologies for the delay in blog posts! Things have been busy out in Eagle Creek. Jim is also the treasurer for another organization, so he spent the last few days balancing out the checkbook, which was no fun for him. Luckily, someone else will be taking over that job in the future!
As far as our horses, everyone is doing just fine. Dallas has lost a little weight, so she has been moved indoors for more attention and special feedings. She's walking just fine, so we are happy to see her improvement!
Juliet and Tempest are a special pair of horses at Hytyme. Both were rescued from the Yakima feedlot. If Hytyme didn't intervene, these sweet girls would have shipped to slaughter in Canada. This week, they somehow managed to break through their electric tape and wandered into Lilly's paddock. Everyone was returned safely, and Lilly didn't seem to mind her neighbors coming over for a visit.
Juliet is a chestnut Quarter Horse, and although she is probably in her twenties, it's obvious that she was once a perfectly well-trained horse in her prime. She has a bad hip and sometimes walks with a limp. Perhaps she got into an accident and had a bad fall, so that's why her owners got rid of her.
Tempest is a white Appaloosa, and she is blind. While she may be able to see some shadows, she certainly does not see much, and relies on Juliet as her seeing-eye-horse. The two are rarely far apart (although sometimes Juliet likes a bit of a break and "hides" from Tempest. Usually they will find each other soon after!). Juliet used to wear a bell, so when she moved, Tempest would be able to find her in the pasture. However, since both horses are in the main barn, residing in a big stall and paddock, they are able to stay close.
Katie and Sam were out this week. Sam hurt her back, but was back out mucking stalls within a few days. She sure is tough, and an excellent friend to have around the barn. She loves her horse very much! Becca and her mother were out at the barn on Monday to see Buddy and Hope. Hope did really well--and she is looking great this winter. Her new blanket makes a difference in how she is faring in the cold, wet weather. Buddy has a good trick he can do--he can smile on command. Although it's not the most flattering shot, here is Buddy doing his favorite trick:
Kassi was out this weekend. She is quite dedicated--driving all the way up from Corvallis. She worked with the horses very early in the morning and gave lessons. We also have some new volunteers! Sasha and Dani were out this weekend as well. Sasha has been out to the barn to help three times already in her 1975 Ford pickup truck she rebuilt herself!
Michelle, everyone's favorite Carrot Lady was here as well, doing what she loves to do: delivering snacks to our rescued horses. Thanks so much Michelle, for bringing all those delicious carrots as well as six bags of much-needed Strategy! Alisha, another new volunteer was out to clean stalls. She's been coming after school. Kim, her daughters, and husband Andy were also out to do some mucking. We sure do appreciate all the help! Without the volunteers, life would be much harder. So, thank you, Hytyme volunteers! We couldn't do it without you.
More soon!
As far as our horses, everyone is doing just fine. Dallas has lost a little weight, so she has been moved indoors for more attention and special feedings. She's walking just fine, so we are happy to see her improvement!
Juliet is a chestnut Quarter Horse, and although she is probably in her twenties, it's obvious that she was once a perfectly well-trained horse in her prime. She has a bad hip and sometimes walks with a limp. Perhaps she got into an accident and had a bad fall, so that's why her owners got rid of her.
Tempest is a white Appaloosa, and she is blind. While she may be able to see some shadows, she certainly does not see much, and relies on Juliet as her seeing-eye-horse. The two are rarely far apart (although sometimes Juliet likes a bit of a break and "hides" from Tempest. Usually they will find each other soon after!). Juliet used to wear a bell, so when she moved, Tempest would be able to find her in the pasture. However, since both horses are in the main barn, residing in a big stall and paddock, they are able to stay close.
 |
| Tempest (in the flymask) and Juliet (wearing her bell), Summer, 2008 |
 |
| Smile, Buddy! |
Michelle, everyone's favorite Carrot Lady was here as well, doing what she loves to do: delivering snacks to our rescued horses. Thanks so much Michelle, for bringing all those delicious carrots as well as six bags of much-needed Strategy! Alisha, another new volunteer was out to clean stalls. She's been coming after school. Kim, her daughters, and husband Andy were also out to do some mucking. We sure do appreciate all the help! Without the volunteers, life would be much harder. So, thank you, Hytyme volunteers! We couldn't do it without you.
More soon!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January 8th-11th, 2011
It's been cold and beautiful at the rescue for the past few days--but soon the weather will change for the wetter. Hope and Cameo are now back in the proper side of the pasture, although it took a good hour for Joey and Becca to convince Cameo to walk through the deep mud separating the two pastures. Now that the horses are all on one side of the fence, the grass will have a chance to grow for the spring (and the mud will have a chance to dry, too!). Kassi was out and rode Lyric, and Katie, although she was feeling sick, made it out to see her horses.
Our number of equine charges is steadily declining this winter. Since waiving the adoption fees on our horses to approved homes, we've been able to find new adopters. Each adopter is screened--we look at their property, and check their references. We do not adopt horses to boarding stables. . This bodes well for our winter hay supply. However, Jim has been battling the legal system for the last few months. This week brought more papers from the attourney that will stretch Jim and Sherry financially for some time. But, life goes on, and we'll continue doing what we do. For instance, even though it's the middle of January, the daffodils are starting to come up out of the ground. Spring will be here before we know it.
In some happy-but-also-sad news, Peanut Butter Boy and Maverick were both adopted. Congratulations to their new owners! Peanut Butter Boy had been at the rescue for a few years. He was surrendered by his owner when he was under a year old. He's had a few wonderful years at Hytyme to grow up. He'll probably still get bigger. Peanut Butter Boy is an appaloosa and Tennessee Walker cross. Volunteers knew him as the horse with the saddest tail and endearing personality. Volunteers have often joked about getting Peanut Butter Boy a tail replacement.
Peanut Butter Boy is a horse that we'll dearly miss at the rescue. He'd always been one of the first horses to greet people in the fields (but then you couldn't get him to leave you alone!). We're all very proud of him and know he'll be an excellent horse for his new owner. It's sad to see any of our horses leave, especially one as funny and charasmatic as Peanut Butter Boy, but we also know that each horse deserves their own, special person, and a life outside of their time at Hytyme. As our mission states, we seek to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome our horses. With each horse that we're able to place, we complete our cycle, as well as leave space for other needy horses.
Maverick was also adopted this week. Maverick's new owner is the girlfriend of Peanut Butter Boy's new owner. We're so happy that these two horses will be living together in Brush Prairie.
Maverick's new owner originally came to the rescue to meet Cash, but instead she met Maverick. She was familiar with Maverick's show career in driving and showmanship. Maverick is a 2006 Morgan gelding. He came to Hytyme in May of last year. A quick Google search of Maverick's registered name, Gambit Moon Shadow, shows that he won the colts under 2-years-old in-hand classes at the Pacific Northwest Morgan Classic show in May, 2008. He also won second place as a show champion stallion that day, and pleasure driving for 2-year-olds.
Volunteers know Maverick as another horse that's the first to greet people in his pasture. Becca and Joey have been working with him, and he loves to come inside for training. He seems to really enjoy doing work and learning new things. We know he'll be successful in his new life, but we'll all miss him very much. He's a very special, magical horse as well.
Maverick's new owner plans on showing him in driving and confirmation, and their first show will be in March at the Mount Hood Equestrian Center.
Both horses loaded up fine and are off to start new lives and new careers! Like all our adopted horses, we want to hear what former Hytyme residents are up to. Keeping track of our horses' new lives is really rewarding. It takes all sorts of special people to help our horses recover from past neglect and abuse.
Our number of equine charges is steadily declining this winter. Since waiving the adoption fees on our horses to approved homes, we've been able to find new adopters. Each adopter is screened--we look at their property, and check their references. We do not adopt horses to boarding stables. . This bodes well for our winter hay supply. However, Jim has been battling the legal system for the last few months. This week brought more papers from the attourney that will stretch Jim and Sherry financially for some time. But, life goes on, and we'll continue doing what we do. For instance, even though it's the middle of January, the daffodils are starting to come up out of the ground. Spring will be here before we know it.
 |
| Spring is coming! |
In some happy-but-also-sad news, Peanut Butter Boy and Maverick were both adopted. Congratulations to their new owners! Peanut Butter Boy had been at the rescue for a few years. He was surrendered by his owner when he was under a year old. He's had a few wonderful years at Hytyme to grow up. He'll probably still get bigger. Peanut Butter Boy is an appaloosa and Tennessee Walker cross. Volunteers knew him as the horse with the saddest tail and endearing personality. Volunteers have often joked about getting Peanut Butter Boy a tail replacement.
Peanut Butter Boy is a horse that we'll dearly miss at the rescue. He'd always been one of the first horses to greet people in the fields (but then you couldn't get him to leave you alone!). We're all very proud of him and know he'll be an excellent horse for his new owner. It's sad to see any of our horses leave, especially one as funny and charasmatic as Peanut Butter Boy, but we also know that each horse deserves their own, special person, and a life outside of their time at Hytyme. As our mission states, we seek to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome our horses. With each horse that we're able to place, we complete our cycle, as well as leave space for other needy horses.
Maverick was also adopted this week. Maverick's new owner is the girlfriend of Peanut Butter Boy's new owner. We're so happy that these two horses will be living together in Brush Prairie.
Maverick's new owner originally came to the rescue to meet Cash, but instead she met Maverick. She was familiar with Maverick's show career in driving and showmanship. Maverick is a 2006 Morgan gelding. He came to Hytyme in May of last year. A quick Google search of Maverick's registered name, Gambit Moon Shadow, shows that he won the colts under 2-years-old in-hand classes at the Pacific Northwest Morgan Classic show in May, 2008. He also won second place as a show champion stallion that day, and pleasure driving for 2-year-olds.
Volunteers know Maverick as another horse that's the first to greet people in his pasture. Becca and Joey have been working with him, and he loves to come inside for training. He seems to really enjoy doing work and learning new things. We know he'll be successful in his new life, but we'll all miss him very much. He's a very special, magical horse as well.
Maverick's new owner plans on showing him in driving and confirmation, and their first show will be in March at the Mount Hood Equestrian Center.
 |
| Good Luck to Maverick and Erica! |
 |
| Peanut Butter Boy and Maverick get ready to go to Brush Prairie |
 |
| Peanut Butter Boy in his fancy new halter gets ready to go home! |
Both horses loaded up fine and are off to start new lives and new careers! Like all our adopted horses, we want to hear what former Hytyme residents are up to. Keeping track of our horses' new lives is really rewarding. It takes all sorts of special people to help our horses recover from past neglect and abuse.
Friday, January 7, 2011
January 7th, 2011
Today was moving day for the horses in the big pasture. To let the grass start to grow in the main acreage, Jim moved the horses into the smaller pasture close to the barn. It seems that Hope and Cameo were being troublesome (by the way, Hope is feeling better and is back at home with her herd) and wouldn't leave the field. Even when Jim tempted them in with grain, they were still reluctant to walk through the muddy passage between the two pastures.
Jim placed the hay on the side of the fence he wanted the horses to be on, and it took a few minutes for the horses to figure out what was happening. But Buddy understood. Buddy, as usual, was the first horse to eat. He got to the hay at least five minutes before the other horses did. Hope and Cameo are still on the wrong side of the fence, and will be until tomorrow. They'll be just fine overnight--and tomorrow they'll be moved back in with the other horses.
Hope and Cameo like to stay together. Both are a bit older, and a bit crankier than most of the horses in the pasture. They keep to themselves, and keep away from people and other horses, for the most part.
Cameo is a bay Arabian mare. In her pre-Hytyme life, she was a broodmare. As a result, she hasn't had much human socialization. Hope, too, was probably a broodmare. It's terrible to think about all the broodmares who are dumped on feedlots or taken to auction when their breeding careers have ended. Since they are used for breeding purposes, most aren't trained at all. Training a horse can ensure their safety as they get older
and change careers and owners.
Brittany was out to work with Ada today. Ada had some rainrot, so Brittany and Katie doctored her skin. Unfortunately, rainrot is a common problem during the wet Northwest winters. Horses with heavy coats that get damp are more susceptible.
Today while Jim was feeding, he had a little help from Portia. Using her nose, Portia helped Jim unroll a giant round bale of hay, which weighs about 700 pounds. Jim asked her to keep helping, but Portia stopped. Maybe this is something to train her to do?
Jim placed the hay on the side of the fence he wanted the horses to be on, and it took a few minutes for the horses to figure out what was happening. But Buddy understood. Buddy, as usual, was the first horse to eat. He got to the hay at least five minutes before the other horses did. Hope and Cameo are still on the wrong side of the fence, and will be until tomorrow. They'll be just fine overnight--and tomorrow they'll be moved back in with the other horses.
Hope and Cameo like to stay together. Both are a bit older, and a bit crankier than most of the horses in the pasture. They keep to themselves, and keep away from people and other horses, for the most part.
Cameo is a bay Arabian mare. In her pre-Hytyme life, she was a broodmare. As a result, she hasn't had much human socialization. Hope, too, was probably a broodmare. It's terrible to think about all the broodmares who are dumped on feedlots or taken to auction when their breeding careers have ended. Since they are used for breeding purposes, most aren't trained at all. Training a horse can ensure their safety as they get older
and change careers and owners.
Brittany was out to work with Ada today. Ada had some rainrot, so Brittany and Katie doctored her skin. Unfortunately, rainrot is a common problem during the wet Northwest winters. Horses with heavy coats that get damp are more susceptible.
Today while Jim was feeding, he had a little help from Portia. Using her nose, Portia helped Jim unroll a giant round bale of hay, which weighs about 700 pounds. Jim asked her to keep helping, but Portia stopped. Maybe this is something to train her to do?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)