Trying to get the word out!

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Thanks to KOMO-TV in Seattle for featuring FlakeSale.com and the problem of the horses displaced by our recent floods on the news. This is going to be so helpful for horseowners who have lost hay. We have taken in over $2000 on our first day! Thank you, thank you, thank you. (I know the donations from, say, Florida are probably FHOTD'ers!)

Watch the video!

(Yes, that's me in the background with the orange ball cap. I elected not to do the talking this time, as I look like I've been in a flood, ha ha.)

(And yes, for those of you who just cringe when the blog is too sunshiney, I have got some seriously snarkworthy material lined up for the rest of the week!)

And this one doesn't have any calories!

So, most of you diehard readers are aware that we've had some serious flooding here in Western Washington state. Since I was stuck at a friend's house all week and she and I both (a) are horse rescuers and (b) know how to do web sites, we decided we needed to do something to help the many horse owners who suffered damages - particularly losses of hay and grain. A lot of people got their animals to safety, but if they didn't have a hay loft, they lost a lot of hay and you've all heard me complain about how pricy hay is in this part of the country ($16 to $20 for a square bale of anything decent). So, we decided to help Second Chance Ranch, a terrific area Thoroughbred rescue, put on a Flake Sale!

What's a Flake Sale? Well, it's kind of like a bake sale except with hay! Basically, it's just a web site where you can log on and click to buy as many virtual flakes as you like to help out someone who has suffered flood damage. SCR is a 501(c)(3) so your donations are tax-deductible.

If you have been damaged by the floods, you can apply for aid on the web site. You will need to mail in your completed application with pictures of your flood damage. If your application is accepted, you'll be able to go to a feed store in your area and pick up some hay to replace those waterlogged bales.

We've also included information about how to safely return to your property after a flood and clean things up, as well as information about flood prep if you know that you want to be better prepared next time.

It looks like I'm going to finally get to go home tomorrow - fortunately the only animals I had at home were the cats, and they have gotten fed/watered by those who were flooded in instead of flooded out. I was lucky but many people weren't so we're all hoping the Flake Sale will help them get through this difficult winter - and of course, help them not have to give up their horses because of a loss of feed. This is the kind of disaster that puts otherwise responsible horse owners in a bind, and it's a time when I think it's totally appropriate to lend a helping hand.

One of those update posts!

A couple updates I know you'll all want to hear...


The starving mare in Gainesville on Craigslist that was mentioned in the comments - A.C. was definitely heading out there as of the 7th and we should hear what happened soon.


The horses on the reservation land that we just talked about - one has been rescued and someone is working on the one in the picture. We'll let you know if that happens!


Illinois doctor jailed for neglecting horses. More about the case. Of course he's trying to get the horses back! Asshat. I know we mentioned this on the blog but it might have been in the comments, I'm not finding the original link. I'm glad they popped him with a big fine but he deserved more jail time. Again, horses are dead here.

And of course the update that I know a lot have been waiting for - Champagne Til Dawn (Champ). My farrier came out today and we decided to go ahead with shoes to make him more comfortable. She set up a double nail pad system - pictures from during the actual shoeing job are coming, but it is very similar to what was done with this horse. We did do glue-ons since his feet were sensitive. (As she says, this is an ugly shoeing job - but it works!) Since he is staying indoors and only going out in the soft round pen type area, they should hold pretty well. He was a "Champ" about the shoeing and if he was uncomfortable, he was quickly distracted by a cookie. By the end of the shoeing, his new name was "cookie monster."

I was really encouraged by the fact that he could and did stand on each of his front legs alone! I didn't expect him to be able to do that, and of course he got rest breaks, but he handled more than I thought he could. Later in the day, it was fun to watch him learning to walk on his new platforms. At first he was hesitant but soon he was walking right out with no more encouragement than baby carrots as a bribe. He was definitely surprised that he could walk. I will bet it has been a long time. I continue to be impressed by his disposition. When we walked him outside for pics today, he did see the mares and whinnied and arched his neck but his manners remained perfect.

Here's some video courtesy of La Mexicana (Petersburg Knight's mom!). I'll try to get an update video in a week so you can watch his progress. Those of you who saw him literally hobbling and hopping at the auction will really see the difference! My understanding is they had a hell of a time getting him into the auction ring to sell him. Hey, did his actual owner run him through? Do we have a description? That is one asshat that definitely needs outing!

I am pretty convinced at this point that he will have (with continued excellent hoof care) a good shot at having the comfortable retirement he deserves. We'll know for sure in a few weeks but it's so good to see the progress. Thanks again to my vet, Dr. Sara Perkins, my farrier, Sandy Craig, Yellow Horses, Inc. for giving him a safe place to rehab, and of course everybody who donated to help Champ!

Back on the Chain Gang!

Click to see it larger if you think your eyes are deceiving you. Yes, that's a foal chained to its dam. Why? Why, you ask? What an excellent question, one that the reader who sent it to me was asking, along with many others:

"Why is a foal tethered to its dam in the first place? I though nature provided that bond!"

I am truly baffled. This is a real WTF moment.

"Note the nylon halter used on the dam, no breakaway visible -- very safe for turnout!"

Agreed. I particularly cringe at nylon halters when the mare has a foal at side. The foal can get caught in it too, you know.

"Love the extra-wide neck collar (also not breakaway) for the foal -- so he can strangle even faster than with a halter??"

And what is that neck collar anyway? I know he's a draft, but are we trying to teach him to pull his mother?

"And to tie them together with a heavy chain?!?! (also not breakaway, natch) WTF, do these people think they are raising ponies or pit bulls?"

Good question.

"Of course the chain is long enough to allow both mare and foal to loop a leg in it so they can fracture something before they choke to death."

It really does look like an emergency vet call waiting to happen.

"To make things worse, I found this picture in a national veterinary magazine! Of all the publications that should screen their pictures and promote safe equine care! The picture was simply a "stock" illustration for an unrelated article on ambulatory equine practices. There was no description of the picture in the article, nor could I find a photo credit anywhere."

See, and we bitched when "Glamour" did this. A veterinary magazine really should get 30 lashes with a wet noodle for this one!

*shakes head.* Another day, another idiot or ten...

Are there horses we truly cannot help?

So I've been following the saga of some starving horses north of Seattle, and recently learned that A.C. says they can't do anything because they are on tribal land. I am not as familiar with the law in this area as I probably should be so I'd like to know more.

Can we really do nothing when a horse is starving to death on tribal land?

Have any of you managed to do something when this is the case?

What should be done? How do you even find the information? I have an address but I don't know what tribe this would be - is there a map or something I can access?

As I say, I'm quite clueless about the legalities here but I know I'd like to be able to give some good advice to the person who wants to help these horses. It just sounds ridiculous to me. Like, what law do we have to change? Good grief, it's not like we stole America from this particular horse-starving couple. I find the idea that we can't go after them ludicrous, don't you?

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Welcome to our newest sponsor, NorCal Equine Rescue. You all know how strongly I support their euthanasia and gelding clinics, as well as their rescue efforts in general. I am proud to have them here and hope that you will consider helping them continue their much-needed work!

Well, if you have to be stranded by the weather...

At least we have entertainment.

CBER's former board member, who they turned on, just kicked their board open to all - including the Super Seekrit Staff Section.

http://cbequinerescue.proboards53.com/index.cgi

Enjoy!!!

Jeez, $am, you have GOT to learn who NOT to piss off! Never screw over your webmaster. Never. Bad idea. Terrible. Horrible.

Get the ark!

All right, I can't get home and I'm really annoyed by that so I'm going to blog about the damn flooding in the Seattle area! You are getting this blog live from Oneidea's couch because I can't go home. I did stare at the water across the roadway and contemplate trying to walk home. Then I realized that was the most idiotic idea ever and that is how people wind up drowned, with everybody they know going "why did she try to do that?" So I accepted defeat and called to have my landlord break in and feed/water my cats.

Anyway, it seems like everywhere you live, there's some natural disaster to worry about. I grew up in the Midwest, so it was tornados. If you're in the south or the east coast, you have hurricanes. I lived in SoCal, and we had fires. Now I'm in the PNW and we have floods. Awesome.

Last year, the entire I-5 corridor flooded with very little warning, much worse than anyone expected. People lost entire barns full of horses. I'm really frightened where this is going - because this year is worse. I-5 is closed again and anyone living near a river has pretty much been evacuated or is flooded in or out of their neighborhood. A friend of mine was helpfully informed that she should evacuate with her 30+ horses after the roads were already closed that would have allowed her to do so.

So, I want to talk about two things today. First of all, for those in the area, how are you doing? I didn't have any horses at home so mine are all safe, but I know many of you are not so fortunate. Second of all, for those of you not in the PNW, what is your area's great "natural disaster" risk when it comes to your horses and what tips can you share about keeping your horses safe?