The Golden Carrot Newsletter's Archive
March 2009
Golden Carrot Newsletter
GIRL SCOUT TROOP VISIT
I am thrilled to report that my girl scout troop visited again on February 22, 2009. I have posted photos on the website. The girls came with the idea of helping to photograph various items of tack which have been donated to The Golden Carrot, which are not used, for sale on eBay. One of the moms is the eBay queen and is researching how to set up the store, and as soon as I know, you will. All proceeds of any sale will go to feed and care for the horses.
The girls didn’t stop with pulling out dusty tack and cleaning it up. They then took curry combs and brushes out into the paddock and made a serious dent into grooming the winter coats of the horses, making amazing piles of hair from horses like Anna, Duke and Inch. They couldn’t get everyone but they sure tried. And remember, these little girls work on the hair coat at eye level - at least two of them had very red eyes by the time they were done. For something a little easier, I had the two little ones help me prepare the evening buckets, and the girls distributed them to the hungry mob. And Troop Leader Jean’s daughters, Andrea and Caroline filled water barrels, and Dad Bjorn walked my stall line with hammer in hand and made a lot of small repairs to fencing.
All in all they really worked hard to help the horses. They made it LOOK like fun, but they didn’t get to ride this time, and still seemed to enjoy helping the horses to carrot treats and grooming.
I’m looking forward to another visit from the Troop in April. I hope maybe some of you who have not visited in a while, or at all, might consider coming then too, as I am determined to put the girls in the saddle and will need horse handlers and spotters....
ANOTHER SPONSOR VISIT!
Helle Gylling of Northern California, who has been dear Debbie’s sponsor, came to meet her horse recently, and also met and fell in love with Surely. She has stepped up with some additional money to sponsor Surely temporarily, until I can find a full time sponsor for her. Helle and her friend Sue spent some time meeting all the horses, and feeding treats to Deb.
Helle had horses as a child. We never get over this, do we? There’s something about a horse....
GRANTS and DONATIONS
I am proud to announce that the ASPCA granted TGC $3000 to help with building repairs, and the building out of the QT area stalls. So, since I had notification of that, I’ve had Albino out not just making repairs on the stall line, but rebuilding the crossties; and Bruce has been out on his mighty Caterpillar tractor clearing the QT area; and I’ve purchased materials for these endeavors. I’m grateful for the grant money, and the kind words of encouragement that came with the ASPCA’s check.
Between the cost of materials, Albino’s labor and the tractor work needed, I think we are in pretty good shape. Additional directed donations have been paying Albino for many of the stall repairs; you’ll recall a donation was made to put up the hay cover; and materials and tractor work have taken care of the rest. There are many smaller stall repairs still to be made, but Albino has done all of the big stuff except the QT stalls which he will start next week. Those stalls will cost me less thanks to the donation of some pipe corral panels by Anna’s sponsors, as well as some posts-fencing donated by our farrier
For those who wonder, I DID apply for a hay grant, but apparently at the time I did it, they were keeping hay money for the drought and flood afflicted areas of the country, as well as what they called "large seizures" of animals. I will probably re-apply for the hay grant later.
You’ll remember Jennifer Bishop from last month’s newsletter, who donated many wonderful blankets for the horses? Well, Jennifer came thru again with an email that got TGC 17 bales of nice bermuda grass hay, from Daria of the Rancho Santa Fe Association, who works at Osuna Ranch (home of Hap Hansen’s horses!). Apparently, the horses at this high-end stable didn’t think the grass was suitable, but my horses have grazed away at it just like anything else I feed them! Thank you Jennifer, and Daria, for helping The Golden Carrot horses!
In addition, I was thrilled to get a grant from a Foundation back east. I’m not familiar with it, and not clear on how I came to their attention. But between Daria’s gift and the grant, all the horses had breakfast for a month!
These donations are especially appreciated as two of the larger donors from 2008 have not, as yet, donated as they had by this time last year. In these economic times, it may very well be that they cannot. The grant by the ASPCA may only be used for building and repair work, so the need for donations to feed, farrier and vet the horses continues. Times are tight for everyone, I know, but I hope you can continue to support our efforts here!
FEATURED HORSE - BUCK
Well, there was no good news for Victor, but this month, we’ll try Buck. Buck is a 17 hand Tennessee Walker. I’m advised that this is how Tennessee Walkers were originally bred - to be big and long legged for carrying plantation owners over their property all day long. Buck was a show horse, but apparently very unhappy with it. He would attack anyone who came around when he was eating, and was very headshy. Jeff and Misty, who sent him to me, spent many hours working with him on his ground manners, which are now excellent. Under saddle, Buck is terrific. Owning their own business, Jeff and Misty spent about 30 hours a week in the saddle on Buck and his love, Hava. They did search and rescue, parades, shows and hours and hours of trail riding. Buck was the brains of the operation - always cool and calm, with the long ground covering stride of the Tennessee Walker. During his time with Jeff and Misty, he was never asked to perform any of the gaits that make his breed famous, but even today, sometimes, you can see a ghost of the unusual stride. Of course, today, a lot of his movement is hampered by the arthritis which sent him here to TGC.
Buck came to TGC in 2003 with his ladylove, Hava. For five years, the two of them adjusted to a herd situation. They were tightly bonded at first, never leaving each other’s side, as they’d been constant companions for 15+ years. As they became familiar with the group, little by little Buck would move away and play bite my face with Beau or Falcon. As long as she could see him, Hava didn’t cause any problems. But if he was approached by another mare, Hava would shoulder in. After a few years of this, one spring Hava fell in love with Falcon. At first, Buck was relieved - at last, a little free time! - but then realized he did miss her. So these three became a little mini herd and I had to rearrange stalls to put them all together, Hava in the middle.
Up until last year, Buck was happy carrying visitors around the round pen as well. He is steady as a rock, and with his size, could carry anyone. He was the horse who carried my only ‘disabled’ rider, standing like a champ as we got her into the saddle and then carefully paced around the arena as though he had eggs on his back! And my neighbor likes to make jokes about how Buck is a "gated" horse as he knows how to get his stall gate open if it is not securely latched! He is quite the character.
Then, in 2008, tragedy struck. After a severe bout with colic, Hava died. We were all devastated - she’d been ‘in the pink’ before that. And as I’ve seen happen before, the stress of such loss caused a severe flare up of Buck’s arthritis, seeming to age him overnight. He and Falcon were inseparable, but I did fear losing him too. Buck has slowly recovered, with the help of his friend Falcon, and strangely, at almost exactly the year-of-mourning mark, Debbie has become attached to him, and he to her. He has joined Debbie and her long time buddy Mary in the field, and the girls escort him to his stall every night. Having a lady to care for may help Buck to continue with us here at TGC for a long time. I sure hope so, as this faithful guy deserves it. Does anyone want to step up for Buck? With his size and age, Buck eats a lot, and a larger than normal portion of senior feed each day. A full sponsorship for Buck would be $125 a month. I hope someone might be willing to help Buck have a ‘golden’ retirement....
DON'T FORGET US, AND PLEASE CONSIDER A VISIT!
Good weather is coming, folks, and I hope that all of you who can will find a day to come visit The Golden Carrot horses. I welcome visitors, and the horses love those carrots! If you give me enough notice, I will try to have a suitable horse in shape to give you a riding lesson if you like.
And please, although I know it’s harder than ever, please don’t forget the need here. If everyone has to give less, we need to find more people to give, so please spread the word. Lives depend on it!
Thank you for all your kindness, and the stinting and scraping I know you do in order to continue to donate. Each of you that helps is blessed. Opening your heart and pocketbook for the protection of the innocent is truly the most exemplary behavior. Thank each and every one of you that remembers there are others worse off, and reaches out to help.