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Dear Friends
and Patrons:
I’ve been trying to write this newsletter for the past month and a
half, but I think the length of it will convince you that I’ve been REALLY busy. There have been
new beginnings, and painful endings during this time, some good news and some bad news. I hope you
can find time to read the whole newsletter and consider the situation of the Golden Carrot.
BECAUSE YOU CARE AWARD
First, I have had many inquiries about the voting status for the
Ivercare "Because You Care" award. I am proud to report that The Golden Carrot got 351 votes. That
is three times my e-mailing list, so I know a great effort was made on our behalf and I thank you
all. Let me point out that if 351 people were to send $5 per month to The Golden Carrot, the entire
feed bill and part of the farrier bill for all of TGC equine residents would be paid. Does $5 each
month seem like too much? $.16 per day?
HORSES LOOKING FOR HOMES/HOMES LOOKING FOR HORSES
As you may be aware from previous newsletters, or for you new folks
from looking at the website, because of my own financial difficulties, I have been reluctant to
take on any more horses. I’m willing to do the work - cleaning stalls daily, feeding thrice daily,
farrier schedule, worming, getting the vet out, repairing stalls etc, grooming exercising and
riding lessons - but I can only do so much financially with my own income compromised as it is.
However, I feel miserable about this, and try my best to set up Horses looking for Homes, with
Homes looking for Horses. Not all horses are suitable for a lot of work, but many people are
looking for "beginning" horses for young children, and the disabled horse is often a great horse
for children. I am happy to report that I have been instrumental in connecting three horses in the
last 4 months with new homes. I have been aided in this by friends and supporters of TGC - and
thank you, Sandy, Marion and Kathryn for your help.
Perhaps as time goes by and more financial support is found for TGC, I
can take on other needy horses, but in the meantime, this effort has at least found a few deserving
old-timers some new and more suitable homes.
PHOENIX - a NEW BEGINNING
Having just discussed my inability to take on more horses, I turn to
the story of Phoenix. I was contacted in late March by a woman in San Diego whose mother had been
involved in the rescue of horses but had died in February. This woman’s daughters were attempting
to place her rescued horses. She told me about "Arizona Highway", a large gray horse, very thin
with a spinal deformity, who had just lost his pony companion to injuries incurred during a casting
incident. She related that after putting the pony down, she and the vet had attempted to catch
Arizona Highway to put him down, but despite his feeble condition, he successfully evaded them
until the vet decided "it’s just not his time". They buried the pony, and as they left the
property, leaving Arizona behind, they looked back to see him stretched flat on the pony’s
grave.
I was resisting any further horses at TGC, and spent an hour on the
phone with this woman describing what she needed to do to help Arizona recover weight and strength.
In the next 30 days, I directed three different Homes looking for Horses to her, without success.
The last person I directed to her, Helen DeLatte, indicated that the story sounded very bad, that
his condition had deteriorated, and that she’d had a friend travel to look at him and he looked
close to death. Helen was willing to attempt his rescue and so we traveled to San Diego with my
trailer.
This 16.2 hand white (flea-bitten) thoroughbred did look very bad
indeed - but he doesn’t have a spinal deformity - he’s just so very thin that you can SEE his
entire spine, and hips, and ribs, and apparently every bone in his body. He was dehydrated and
hungry and yet, willing to put on a good face. With a little time and patience, he was willing to
approach me, and be haltered, and Mike and Helen’s husband Andy practically lifted him into the
trailer, where he began to munch a snack for the ride to his new home.
He was far too debilitated for Helen to work with, so this poor guy
came to The Golden Carrot. We decided right away that his name was impossible - the only
abbreviation we could find for daily use was "Zoni" which sounded like a drugged out beach bum -
and we felt perhaps the name had been a bad omen for him. In honor of his new start and our hopes
for his recovery, we’ve named him PHOENIX. Photo hopefully attached and soon to be on the
website.
Phoenix came to us April 29. As he approaches his 3 month anniversary,
he’s gained a lot of weight, but still looks very poor. He was adamant that he needed to be with
the herd, so after only a week, listening to him cry all day long for them, I finally opened his
gate and he charged out, immediately attaching himself to Sunny. I had thought he was making
progress until I saw his skeletal form with the fat ones! After 3 days, he admitted he couldn’t
handle it anymore, and refused to come out of his house in the morning. He slept for a week, and
now spends his time near the stalls, calling for the herd at dinnertime and happy that they come
back. Knowing the routine, that they WILL return to him each night, he’s willing to take some time
to recover alone. He has improved enough that he now sticks his head out with the rest of the
horses, asking that I please speed up his dinner delivery.
Phoenix’s problems include badly worn front top teeth, which have to be
affecting his ability to properly chew, and a spinal problem which causes him to track differently
with his front and rear feet (his rear feet being to the right of his front feet). He moves pretty
nicely despite that, but it is a problem which would probably greatly increase the speed of his
recovery if I could get a chiropractic vet up here to work on him. As he develops muscle, I will
begin massage in an attempt to loosen him up, and perhaps as time passes, he will lay down, roll,
and "adjust" himself. I have a lot of hope for this horse - his spirit is strong and I believe he
will recover given time and care. He is gentle to handle, although intimidated by other horses
approaching too closely when he’s on lead, and as many white horses are, he is COMPLETELY familiar
with the bathing process! Phoenix is now added to the list of horses available for
sponsorship.
SPONSORS
As my March newsletter reported, both Navigator and Cuervo have been
lucky enough to get sponsors. In addition, Kathryn McDonald of Northern California has now been
kind enough to sponsor both
Sunny
and
Mitey Nice
! Thank you Kathryn! This kind lady has a fondness for quarter horses, and has snapped up
two good ones. Funny how Sunny and Mitey Nice continued to be linked. They came to me together, and
have been the very BEST lesson horses - giving countless children their first happy and safe riding
experiences.
The list of horses available for sponsorship has changed because of
this and other events to be reported later in this newsletter - and now includes:
Domino; Sara; Phoenix; Inch; Simply Red; Ladyhawk; Malika; PC.
THE GOLDEN CARROT IS FAMOUS!
I was contacted by Molly Dugan, a reporter for the Press-Enterprise in
Hemet, on recommendation of Helen DeLatte. Molly came out to visit the Golden Carrot, to see with
her own eyes that we’re not abusing the "rescue" format as so many have done, and that the horses
are well cared for. She was impressed enough to send a photographer out, and attach is a copy of
the very kind article she published on June 24, 2003.
Response to her article has been amazing, generating financial support,
and many many visitors - both interested in riding, and simply visiting to feed carrots, apples and
other treats to the equine horde. I am working hard on my web site hoping to update it within the
next month to include photographs of the children who have come to ride, and volunteers such as
Chuck and Patricia, retired schoolteachers who have come to learn about horses. Photo
attached.
The outpouring of support from people near and far has given me a burst
of optimism. I feel that it shows a support for what I am trying to do that I didn’t realize
existed. So much of the support for the Golden Carrot comes from just a few individuals, without
whom TGC would no longer exist. Many strangers reached into their pockets for even $5 or $10, and
wished they could afford more. Many people drove for hours to visit the horses, and feed them
treats, and do chores such as cleaning stalls, without asking for anything in return. I thank each
and every one of them, and renew my invitations to return. I hope all can remember that these
horses continue to exist, along with their feed bills and other needs. Your on-going support is
needed, and deeply appreciated.
GOODBYE TO OLD FRIENDS
As many of you know, dear Joey died at 6PM on Wednesday, June 4, 2003.
Joey’s passing was expected, as he had been drifting away from us, becoming slow and feeble, for
almost 30 days. Like the coward I am, I had hoped he might pass away in his sleep one night, but it
was not to be. When the vet came to end his time with us, Joey passed on with grace and dignity, in
his stall, which he’d been unwilling to leave for 3 days, with his friends around him. In many
ways, this was the easiest loss I’ve suffered - I believe with all my heart that it was Joey’s time
to go, and that he wanted my help passing on. It was easy, quick and painless for him. I held his
head in my lap as we waited for his heart to stop, remembering our many good times together, and I
still say goodnight to him every night. He was my friend for over a decade, and I will never forget
him.
A much different scene took place on June 24. I was at a job in Orange
County when Mike called me, panicked because Andy was down. I suggested some action to take, and
gave Mike the vet’s number. Later that evening, Mike advised that the vet would not come. When I
got home 3 hours later, I found Andy in great pain from what appeared to be a gas colic, stiff and
cold on the ground on this damp evening, and apparently too weak to get up. I injected pain
medication; gave him a drink of ginger and baking soda and massaged his guts which provided relief
from the gas, and because he wouldn’t try to get up just yet, covered him with a blanket, leaving
him to rest, and get up on his own if he could. The next morning he was still down, but clearly
relieved of gas and making some attempts to get up. With the help of Mike and our neighbor Bruce
and his large tractor, we were able to get Andy on his feet, and discovered the real problem.
Whether he was injured going down, or trying to get up, or whether the other horses injured him
while he was down, Andy had incurred some sort of spinal injury which made him unable to move his
back legs. Braced by Mike and Bruce, Andy had a final meal of bran, carrots and grass hay, which he
ate with hearty appetite. He stood calmly as he always did, but even shifting his front feet caused
his back end to sway - and he was unable to hold himself up. We massaged his back and hind legs for
almost three hours before I had to go to work again, hoping to increase circulation and feeling,
but Mike called me in Orange County to report that Andy had fallen again within an hour of my
leaving. A decision had to be made. We’d tried all the vets again that morning, receiving one
refusal after another. With Andy’s advanced age (in his mid-30s), and the nature of his problem, we
felt it unreasonable to put him through the torture of another night on the ground, the distress
caused by lifting him with a tractor, the unknown stress of "treatment" which we might not be able
to find for him. So, Mike sent Andy on after Joey, with many tears and much heartache. We gave him
the best chance we could,.
Dear Andy - sometimes I feel he never got the breaks he so richly
deserved in this life. But he had 8+ years here at TGC, a best friend in Orion, plenty to eat and
an easy life with occasional lessons, or trail rides, to keep him interested. I hope he knows he
was loved and will be missed. Ori and I say good night to him every night, as it is hard for me to
believe he’s gone.
Joey’s stall was taken by Phoenix - Andy’s remains empty.
"PROFESSIONAL PROBLEMS"
As the above illustrates, TGC continues to be plagued with problems
getting veterinarians, and farriers, to provide their services to its old residents. Many vets don’t
want to "waste their time" with horses old enough to reduce their successful response to
treatments; most farriers don’t want to work with old disabled horses who might lean a little too
hard, or have difficulty bending arthritic joints. I can see their point, to a point.
I don’t look for extraordinary effort in the saving of an older horse,
believing the "cure" can often be a worse alternative, when horses are so tormented by the
treatments. I make myself available all week long as well as weekends, for the vet; and give up
whole days so the farrier can get everyone done in a day or two to avoid the trip up here. I always
pay in full and on time. I don’t know what else I can do.
But having been refused by vets who actually live in this valley, who
are home to take the call but just "don’t want to" come when they know a horse is in pain, I’m
losing my understanding and patience. Anyone who has suggestions in this regard - CALL ME. I’ve
even offered to travel to the vet’s office, placing $100 cash in their hands as a "retainer", so
they know they won’t be out of pocket for the call or medications, and have had them refuse me on
the grounds that "we don’t go there (Anza)".
Having the experience of long-time horsewomen to draw on, using
techniques from Linda Tellington-Jones’ T-touch, and common sense, as well as being here to catch a
colic before it’s gone beyond help, I’ve been able to avert many problems. Feeding the way I do, I’v
e prevented more. But sometimes, a vet is needed - and I don’t know how to get one here. I
attempted to contact UC Davis’s veterinary school, hoping to find a new vet looking for a practice
- with no response. I’ll put them up in my spare bedroom, provide a car, and even do their billing
and collections for them, in exchange for someone on-call. Know anyone?
I don’t look for extraordinary effort on the part of a farrier, shoeing
only those horses who HAVE to have shoes, and just trimming the rest. I had a good farrier for 5
and a half years but with a new family to support and care for, he needed to stick closer to home.
I’d work with several farriers, if I could get them here a day apiece every couple of months, but
can’t find anyone who will come reliably. I had one good farrier come from Fontana, but along with
his other clients closer to home, and his boarding stable, and tack repair, he’s far too busy to
make this trip. Another, closer to home, already donates his services to a therapeutic riding
facility in Hemet, and can’t handle anymore "cripples". I swear, if it didn’t take 6 weeks in
Montana, I’d learn how to do at least some of it myself! Those of you who know how unhandy I am can
stop laughing now. I would TRY, at least.
Right now, the horses have been trimmed and shod - but in a few weeks
time, I’m going to need a farrier again. Any ideas?
HERE WE GO AGAIN
Those of you who have been on my mailing list a while are cringing now
- but I cannot stress enough how VERY MUCH WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
Many individuals who used to donate have stopped - I know that times
are bad, but I’m not asking a lot from anyone, just something from everyone! Don’t think "it’s not
enough" - every bit helps. Look at your list of friends - any animal lovers? Organize a pool at
your office or at your kids’ school; get together with your friends who are dieting, and put $5 in
a pot instead of buying that extra treat; stop smoking and put that extra million in the pot for
The Golden Carrot! These guys are as deserving as the children who enjoy them - reach deep if you
have to, but find a way to support The Golden Carrot, you will be glad you did.
Ways to support also include websites like
www.iGive.com
,
www.wellspent.org
and
www.goldencarrot.flowerdispatch.com
where you can get the most lovely flowers. Buying on these sites benefits The Golden Carrot
without costing you. When my website is completed, there will be a banner to connect to these
organizations, but in the meantime, you can go there directly. I’ve been advised that some of the
links on my site such as
www.amazon.com
are not working, but again, go to their site directly and you can still benefit the Golden
Carrot.
I know some people are resistant to the idea of purchasing on-line, but
I believe it’s safer than you think. Certainly, plenty of people are having identity-theft problems
who have never shopped on-line, so maybe that’s a chance we have to take in today’s technological
society. I can say that I have shopped on line a lot, without incident (knock wood) so far, and
find it easy, competitive in price and convenient. Try it, you MIGHT like it!
In addition, if your office, school, or child’s sports team are
interested in hats or Tshirts with a Team Logo embroidered on them, please contact
misty@stitchinmagic.sbcoxmail.com
. Misty does great work for a competitive price, and will donate a portion of her profit to
TGC.
Finally, I always offer this alternative way to donate - contact
Kahoots in Murietta, 909/461-6993, and speak with Charles about setting up a credit card or other
donation directly to Kahoots on behalf of The Golden Carrot - that way, you KNOW where your money
is going. Just let me know what you’ve arranged, so I can remind them when it’s time to pay, and so
I can THANK you.
Don’t forget us - please -
these beautiful old horses are doing their best to earn your support
and respect.
Casey O’Connor
The Golden Carrot
!
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