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Having had some time to recover from the storms of January 2005, I wanted to
touch base with the patrons, sponsors and friends of the Golden Carrot to say - we made it! The
rains caused havoc, with many days so wet the horses were "stall-bound", and mud so thick and deep
that it has not yet dried up, despite two weeks of dry weather. All of the horses suffered from
"rain rot"; as the damp soaked deep into their winter coats, and then couldn't dry - the redshank
vegetation in the newly opened areas served as backscratchers for the herd.
Lucifer and Jack suffered in the rain because their stalls were so situated that
much drainage from outside the stall area came right into their homes; and nothing I could do
building dirt berms seemed to stop it. Since I had, now, two open stalls, I did some re-arranging
and now Belle, Luc and Jack are in a row, in better stalls, with Luc and Jack's old stalls standing
empty, very slowly drying out. In the move, I brought Debbie into a stall directly across the aisle
from Mary, and from this change, a new friendship has developed. Mary had offered comfort to Deb
when Ori died, but it was clear at first that Debbie was too depressed to care. However, when this
stall change occurred, Mary started hanging with Debbie in the field, and they have become fast
friends.
In the rains, the stalls were all very muddy and slick at least in the 16x16
outer portions, and I believe because of this, Red has badly injured his left foreleg. I came out
to find him with a huge knee one morning, bearing weight but unwilling to move. I began a course of
bute immediately and consulted with Dr. Zadick, who recommended bute for three days, and then
re-assess. At three days, I could report that he was willing to walk on the knee, but the swelling
didn't go down noticeably. He then recommended continuing the bute; cold water rinsing; and a 7 day
course of antibiotics in the event there was a puncture wound we could not find. Somehow, none of
this has made any real difference in Reds leg, except that the swelling seemed to spread throughout
his lower leg. I've had John Meza, the Carrot's farrier, check for abscesses, but no luck there.
And Red moves around a lot - but carefully, and after the herd has left the area. He lays down a
lot, but gets up whenever he wants to without any obvious difficulty. Between this injury, and a
wolf tooth problem, hes lost a lot of weight - he eats everything I give him as the tooth is not a
grinding surface, but I've finally decided I have to start him on rice bran in an attempt to build
him back up. Red is old - it's been a severe winter in temperatures, snow, rain etc., but I'm
hoping we can keep him going for one more good summer. He has been a sweet, tolerant trooper during
the daily medications (bute is as bitter as aspirin, since it's similar in nature), and all the
exams. Think good thoughts for this poor horse who's never had a break - and who at this time,
since Domino's demise and Red's friend Josh taking over the care of Shawnee, is alone and without a
buddy to cling to.
SPONSORS
The little girls, Samantha and Alexandra Zemanek who star in the little
slideshow of photos on the website, have, with the help of their Aunt Diane Mitchell, sponsored
Debbie and Falcon. I hope that each year the girls' mother will let them come visit both Aunt
Dianeand the Golden Carrot, to keep tabs on "their horses". These are very little girls, but they
have big hearts, and feel like "fairy godmothers" to their horses. On their next visit, I plan to
have each girl ride "her" horse (Falcon is Alex's, and Debbie is Sam's), and will post photos for
you to enjoy. Thanks so much Girls!
Belle has lost her sponsor, and is now available, along with Simply Red,
Ladyhawk, Prophet, Jack, Cuervo, Bruhad, Josh, Shawnee and Beau. Ill willingly give a
"half-sponsorship" if you can't afford to be a sole sponsor; or perhaps you can get your office
mates, or gym partners, to go "halfsies" with you - you'll get a Certificate of Sponsorship with
photos and information about "your horse";, as well as your "name in lights" on the web page of
your horse - plus the knowledge that youre helping a deserving and very appreciative horse. Look at
the website and view the pages of the horses listed above - then let me know if you're interested
and I'll tell you what that horse's expenses are.
Of course, I never lose sight of those of you donate in a more general manner.
Every penny helps - I'm sure you've followed the tsunami disaster and have heard there as well - no
donation is too small - it all adds up. Donations were good in 2004, but have declined since
October. An ailing economy, and then the tsunami relief have pulled support from TGC - I hope you
won't forget the horses, and their on going needs.
PLACEMENTS
I was instrumental in putting one more horse (Chubb, 20+ year old Arab) with a
new owner, but haven't had too many such requests in the past three months. I was approached via
email by one owner who wanted to place her horse with TGC; but even the request that she consider
some sort of ongoing support apparently scared her off. When I do this - and this is the response I
get - I worry so about what alternative route such an owner might have chosen, and what the
consequences of my behavior may be that the horse will have to bear. But I can't just take every
horse forever - without more support, I will be doing no service either to the new horses I may
take on, or the others already here. Hay and feed prices are climbing (I guess due to the huge
increases in cost of transport), but donations stay pretty much the same. To take other horses at
TGC, and fill those other two stalls, I must have more support ........ dang it.
A little nice news, although not surprising - Animals Services came by to
finalize the adoption of Belle, Beau, Jack and Lucifer to the Golden Carrot. I have decided to wait
for the winter coats to shed out, and then will announce and post photos of these horses on the
website. You will be AMAZED ..... Never underestimate the power of food.
EVENTS
On 2/12/05 is the Hemet T.H.E. (Therapy for the Handi-capable Equestrian) Center
Fundraiser. At the request of their Board member, Nancy Bradshaw, they have allowed TGC to set up a
booth and hand out fliers about the Carrots mission - thanks to them all for the free publicity!
THE focuses on the young and disabled riders; TGC focuses on the old and disabled horses. There is
a "vibe" here that may benefit us all. Most of my supporters are NOT in the local area, but if
youre in the Hemet area on the 12th, check it out - call me for more information on location, time,
etc. (951-763-0800).
It appears that the Jet Memorial Used Tack sale will not be taking place - but
Nancy Bradshaw came through again, and is in the process of setting up an E-Bay Store for The
Golden Carrot. I will try to sell the extra tack thats been donated to the horses over the years,
as well as the van, and various household items I've dug out of the cupboard, to make a little more
money. My assignment is to take photos of all the sale items - and those of you who know my
phototaking capabilities can stop laughing now, I'm actually getting pretty good at it. I'll send a
quick notice when the store is operational -
Thank you all for your ongoing support and kind words. The Golden Carrot
struggles on - and please accept our good wishes for your own fortune in 2005!
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