gdp1
Groovy Groom
Posts: 46
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Post by gdp1 on Jan 13, 2007 16:40:00 GMT -5
When running a rescue the horses come first, no matter what the conditions may be! The past two mornings the temperature has been 6 degrees above zero and hasn’t risen above 20 during the day time. The mud has frozen solid and some of the older horses are having a hard time walking on it and so are we. We are having to blanket several of them and we have increased all of their feeding to three times a day. I greatly admire my wife Jean, even with her bad cold she is out taking care of the horses. Her and I go out around midnight to throw additional hay to them. It’s costing a lot of money for the extra feeding but they need it to keep warm. I don’t mind the midnight one but morning feeding is difficult. It is so cold we are moving slower and it now takes over three hours to feed and check over all the horses. We have additional help in the evenings so it goes much faster. Fortunately the horses are handling the weather better than we are and none have had any serious problems.
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Post by calypso on Jan 14, 2007 1:20:54 GMT -5
gdp is right - the animals are 100% dependent on us and their needs come first.
My experience in rescue operations is companion animal. I run a rescue group for special needs cats. Still, there are many similarities. A hard lesson for me to learn has been: always have a little in reserve... a little money, a little energy, a little time. Cause guaranteed - if you run yourself right to (or over) your limit that is exactly when an emergency will occur and you need to be able to meet it.
Know what your capabilities are - build in some reserve - and stick to it. The needs are SO great you will always be tempted to take one more in, or just help with this one more situation...and if you aren't careful you are in over your head. You first commitment is to the animals (horses, cats, dogs, whatever you are rescueing) you already have. It's hard to hold that line, but you owe it to them to respect your limits.
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