CA Horses in Danger! Joe at TBFriends Blog

[jdw2w1]

Wednesday, April 16th... On Monday I told you how we are helping 34 owners find good homes for their horses. We are up to 55 horses now, and they are all breeds, all ages. Some have not been ridden for years, some are ridden all the time. They are located in Northern California. These horses are free. Since Monday there have been more than 20 inquiries. 4 horses have new homes. A long way to go. My cell is 530-383-2120.

The strangest phone conversation yesterday. Chloe came to us from the race track one year ago, and she was adopted by a girl who is experienced with thoroughbreds. I thought for sure this was a perfect home for Chloe. Here is the hearty part of our talk on the phone:

Girl: I am having lunch in San Francisco, and I just made a decision.
Joe: Hmmm...
Girl: I am going to give Chloe back to you.
Joe: Why?
Girl: I met a guy.
Joe: I meet guys all the time. But I keep my horses.
Girl: I am in love.
Joe: Congratulations. Now what about Chloe?
Girl: There will be no time for her. I am in love.
Joe: Did your new boyfriend tell you to get rid of Chloe?
Girl: No. I just met him yesterday.

I phoned my good friend Ryan Andrews faster than you can say The Olive Garden. Ryan hooks up his trailer this morning and brings back to us the beautiful filly Chloe. Her picture is below on the bottom right. A sweetheart. I obviously made a huge error in judgement when giving Chloe to that girl. Mistake number 14,165 for the year, and it is only April.

Turn The Corner, we call her Corny, was also returned after being adopted. A much different story though. Her owner became very ill, and has asked for privacy. She loves Corny with all her heart. Corny left yesterday for a tryout with an event trainer. The trainer has adopted 6 horses from us in the past, and there is a really good chance Corny will be number 7. She is a poetic mover.

The tall handsome gelding Cola went to live on green grass at a beautiful ranch with a foster family. Yesterday the daughter phones to ask, can she change his name? The girl wants to call him David. Well okay then. Cross out Cola, write in David.

A strong cold wind all night, and this morning hungry horses will be chasing alfalfa. Later we could be 70 degrees. Enjoy your thank goodness this season is over for The Kings Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses. We buy our hay from Tom Hayes, and Tom has an American Idol pool going on. Put in $5.00 and predict the final order of all contestants. I was too late to play. Shoot. 20 ranchers in our area. $100.00 in the pool. I would have won. Next year then...

Joe

Horses rescued across America has become very popular. Thousands of letters saying so. Well maybe not thousands, but at least 25.

Top Left: Klyde was a race horse who was rescued from a bad situation by Anne in Coweta, Oklahoma. Anne wants the world to know she loves her Klyde like crazy.

Top Right: Southern Preacher is a hunk, and in 2006 he was adopted from us by Lisa who lives in Colorado. This is Preacher today.

Bottom photos are by request.

Bottom Left: Fade To Blue made big dollars as a race horse. He lives in our north field. A special hello to Mia Thompson who loves Blue from afar.

Bottom Right: The cute filly Chloe comes back to us today.


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Thursday, April 17th... So I am wandering around a thingy fighting horses waiting for slaughter feed lot, and it is windy and cold and in the clouds I see mashed potatoes. I had just paid cash for a skinny bay thoroughbred gelding who was friendly enough, but when attempting to halter he rears backwards in a hurry. I establish a realtionship with carrots, the halter goes on, and in checking his lip tattoo I discover he is only 6. He looks 16.

A friend at the race track had phoned earlier, asking me to try and find Black Jack Attack. Our handyman Adolfo is here mending fences, so I tell Adolfo keep an eye on my ranch. I gotta go search the feed lots for a chestnut gelding with an E tattoo. Black Jack Attack made good money as a race horse, and he is 7 years old. Which means his tattoo should begin with the letter E. At 2 different feed lots there were no chestnut race horses. There were 4 former race horses who are bay. I chose the skinny friendly head rearing gelding because he reminded me of Whale, who died years ago, but I loved him like crazy. Whale was the same way. Scared to death of people, no confidence at all, but within a few months he was constantly in my lap.

So because Black Jack Attack is missing, this skinny bay gelding who looks like Whale and is only 6 but I would have guessed 16, will be transported to us today. Horse killer Wade Giles only takes cash. No checks, no credit cards, no monthly payments. And yes, I often buy horses from a horse killer who allows me to make monthly payments. But that is a whole other paragraph. We instead need to talk about Black Jack Attack. His picture is below on the Top Left. He has an E tattoo. My friend at the race track told me Black Jack Attack was given to a groom, and there is a very good chance he was then sold for meat. Which is why I am checking feed lots. Except this all happened in March, so searching feed lots in April is a little dumb.

But I would jump over the moon wrapped in barbwire for my friend at the race track. All the favors she has done for Cathy and I. All the horses she has rescued from certain doom. She tells me to go search feed lots, I go search feed lots.

Back home, and Handyman Adolfo shows me how the right front tire of our tractor has fallen off. Huh? Susie and Jennifer come with carrots and apples. Holly shows up to retrive a saddle she left in our shed. The filly Chloe is returned to us, but she already has a new home with a friend in Davis. And then comes a girl, maybe 20 or so, who asks about the free horses I need to find homes for. The girl is nice enough, good references, a full time job, and then she tells me she hates thoroughbreds. What? You come to a thoroughbred rescue ranch to announce you hate thoroughbreds? She would like me to find her a gentle quarter horse please. Thoroughbreds are good for nothing. After their racing careers are over, the girl tells me thoroughbreds are pretty much worthless.

I tell the girl about our video library. Hundreds of pictures are proof. Thoroughbreds leave our ranch to become champion jumpers. Dressage horses. Trail horses. Companion horses. Try telling their owners thoroughbreds are pretty much worthless. You will need one to flee from bodily harm.

I call my friend at the race track and tell her sorry, there was no Black Jack Attack. Feeding supper, and grain is delivered in the old ranch truck, because the tire on our tractor fell off. (oh wait, I already told you that part) A shower until the hot water turns cold. Make dinner. Kristy was kicked off American Idol, and I thought she was getting better each week. Screaming from outside, and the mare Eclipse is teasing the poor gelding Pragmatico. Eclipse is in heat, and when I lead her away she excitedly pees, and from the wind her urine splashes all over me. Another shower. And that is about all from yesterday. Probably by now you have clicked off and moved on to Fugly. I am right behind you. Enjoy your lucky number 77 degree Thursday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: If you have seen Black Jack Attack, please call me. I know it is a long shot. But there are people who love him, and they are worried. Under his lip the first letter should be E.

From our video library. Horses leaving our ranch to go on to successful careers.

Top Right: Michelle and her beautiful filly Hot Stuff.

Bottom Left: Kelli and Krismenow will once again do the jumping thing this summer.

Bottom Right: Cute Maria and the very handsome Maxibob.


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Friday, April 18th... There are at least 6 horse killers and dealers in Northern California who read my morning journal. The tattoo number for Black Jack Attack is E32851. If you have him please call me. There is a reward. We will 4 times whatever a slaughter plant pays.

Sadness with one of our recent horses. Sea To See came to us last year from the race track, and he was later adopted by good friends who live near San Francisco. They called him CC. The family had an older mare who was lonely, and CC became her shadow. The two were constantly together, and they had complete run of a beautiful 8 acre ranch. Yesterday CC began to colic, so a vet came quickly. The cost of colic surgery has gone sky high, but the family said no problem, get him to a hospital. A trailer was summoned, but CC had ruptured, and he died with the older mare by his side. There is a picture below on the bottom right of Sea To See. The day he came to our ranch. We send our best to this family. The older mare has been screaming all night, and this morning I am sending a kind gelding to help ease her grief. Rest In Peace Sea To See. A very special horse.

Apparently yesterday in a Northern California chat room, someone wrote Tbfriends is giving away free horses right now. Just show up with your trailer and pick out the horses you like. Here comes 3 different trailers, including a family with twin 13 year old girls.

All 3 trailers turned out to be wonderful homes. Two of the families live not far away in Vacaville. I sent the twin 13 year old girls to a home in West Sacramento, where they became the happy new owners of an older gelding who might be a Morgan, but no one really knows for sure. Both girls jumped on for a ride, and it was a perfect fit.

We have access to 61 horses who are free, BUT they do not live on our ranch. These horses are owned by others, and some are in deep trouble. My cell is 530-383-2120. You will be screened, but not judged.

Which is what a lady in Vacaville was worried about. She thought I would judge her appearance. Come on now. Wait till you see my appearance. Because of a sore foot I have been wearing mismatched shoes. In the parking lot of Raleys, with my old ranch truck and mismatched shoes, a nice man offered me a dollar.

We only care about your ability to handle a horse, and to support a horse.

Speaking of horses, it is time to feed 105 of them. Later we could be a perfect 73 degrees. Delicious coffee is from Harry & David (I always wanted to meet those two) and microwave pancakes were made by Krusteaz. Enjoy your another Friday is here Friday, and be sure to hug your horses. A special hello to Megan, who last month rescued a pregnant mare and yesterday came a colorful colt. Megan named him Vinnie, because he looks like a Vinnie. He is healthy and full of himself.

Joe




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Saturday, April 19th... Little Allison Martino says geez Joe, all you need is one more horse for your fences to explode.

We are shoulder to shoulder, with more horses coming. Yesterday an evil lady says take my horse right this minute, or one hour from now he will be dead. On the phone with a vet who confirms the euthansia order. A big Thank You to a good friend who quickly hooked up her trailer, and now the gelding is with us, and he is a sweetheart. Just 3 years old.

On the phone with horse killer Wade Giles, and he has a pregnant quarter horse filly. Babies having babies. She is only 4. With preggo girls I can call Cheryl in Auburn. Allison in Auburn. Jodi in Dixon. Megan in Fairfield. They always say sure, bring em over. But I remembered a lady from several months ago with a ranch in Woodland. The lady said she would love to have a foal to keep her other foal company. They could grow up together, and she promises a wonderful home. I call the lady at her day job. In her excitement she says I will receive a delicious apple pie this weekend. Well okay then. Transportation is arranged. For $550.00 the lady gets a beautiful quarter horse filly who is due to foal in May. Two lives saved. A very happy lady right here in Woodland.

The stories are one after another. Every day in Northern California horses find themselves in hot water. I wish we had a million acres. A million dollars.

We are joining forces with several group homes in the Sacramento area. Troubled kids will be introduced to horses. Troubled horses will be introduced to kids. You never know unless you try. Maybe they can help each other.

With my own eyes I have seen it happen. All the time. One girl told me without her horse she would be in jail. Or dead. Every year I give you numbers of horses we save. I wish I knew the numbers of people saved by horses.

On this crisp Saturday morning, 107 horses are waiting for the old man to come with food. Later we could be 63 degrees. Chores are forever. Poop on top of poop. NBA playoffs begin today. Allison Martino plays soccer, and the winning team goes to Santa Rosa for a championship game. There are horse auctions, horse shows, and there are trail rides through Cache Creek. Spring has sprung. Enjoy your busy Saturday, and be sure to hug your horses. The coffee is from Peets, and delicious double chocolate brownies are made by Becky Coombs.

Joe

Then and Now. In 2005 we rescued a beautiful yearling filly, and we named her Becky. Top Left shows Becky with Dave Barrett on the day she arrived at our ranch. Top Right shows Becky with her owner Hannah. Hannah wants us to know she loves her Becky like crazy.

Bottom row pictures are by request.

Bottom Left: Butch came to us with a huge tumor on his face, but now he has healed, and last week with a young girl he attended his first schooling show.

Bottom Right: No Night raced until he was 11 years old. He is not available for adoption. In fact No Night is not available for visitors. He is unpredictable. I have grown quite attached.





Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Sunday, April 20th... Right before the sun went down came a beautiful little filly from the race track. They said her name is Rose. Winds were nuts, and Rose remained sane. Later the winds became so bad we lost our Dish TV signal. A dust storm. Right now, at 6:20 on a Sunday morning, things are quiet. The man on the radio is saying we might not hit 60 degrees today. Cold like January. Race horses with no hair are hoping for a ride to Pheonix. I will take pictures of the new filly Rose, and show her to you tomorrow.

more to come


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Sunday, April 20th... Right before the sun went down came a beautiful little filly from the race track. They said her name is Rose. Winds were nuts, but Rose remained sane. Later the winds became so bad we lost our Dish TV signal. A dust storm. Right now, at 6:20 on a Sunday morning, things are quiet. The man on the radio is saying we might not hit 60 degrees today. Cold like January. Race horses with no hair are hoping for a ride to Pheonix. I will take pictures of the new filly Rose, and show her to you tomorrow.

Since April 8th we have placed 9 unwanted horses in new homes. The horses were owned by others. These horses are free, and there are still more than 50 who need a good home. My cell is 530-383-2120. We have to meet face to face. Several hopeful owners have been turned away, as they have no income and no possible way of supporting a horse. If you are 17 or younger please bring a parent. I am not strict, but common sense must prevail.

The horror stories of well known race horses going to slaughter keep coming. The horror stories of nice event horses going to slaughter also keep coming. Horse killers are no longer buying ponies, as ponies do not weigh enough. Gobs of ponies at auctions who are not bringing a bid. A thoroughbred breeding farm in Northern California selling their nice older mares to horse killers. A rent your horse by the hour in Lake Tahoe selling their nice older trail horses to horse killers. What a Saturday it was. I wanted to toss my cell phone against a brick wall. If I had a brick wall.

But a new day hopefully brings new owners. Hopefully. Always liked that word. Hopefully. A new day brings 3 eggs scrambled, with fried potatoes, toast, and Dunkin Doughnuts coffee. A new day brings lunch with my good friend Paul Sedgewick. Maybe we will do tacos. A new day brings new poop on top of poop. Too cold for flies to hatch. A new day brings all that is right with horses. How they love you when carrots are in your pocket. How they flee when a vaccination is in your pocket. A new day brings a new horse from a feed lot. A new day brings new dreams for tomorrow. Horses will do that to you. They make you think about tomorrow.

Enjoy your chilly Sunday, and be sure to hug your horses. A crock pot kind of day...

Joe

Kids Who Love Horses:


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Monday, April 21st... Last night horse killer Wade Giles phones to say he has a thoroughbred gelding with a racing tattoo, and the gelding appears to be sound. 40 cents a pound. Horse killer Wade Giles will be going past our ranch on Wednesday. He can transport the gelding for free. I ask why are you going past our ranch on Wednesday? Wade Giles says there are 7 horses with a family in Red Bluff, and he bought them all for $40.00 each. Great. Another heart warming story...

The times we live in. Nikki in Vacaville is soon closing escrow on her very own ranch. Nikki rescues horses, usually from public auction. On Saturday Nikki gave away a beautiful gray thoroughbred filly to a teenage girl. Also on Saturday Allison in Auburn gave away a cute as can be pony to a family in Folsom. Rachel in Oakland gave away a thoroughbred mare to another teenage girl. Saturday also found Joe & Cathy Shelton giving away 2 horses, both to homes right here in Woodland.

On Saturday I told Ryan Andrews. I have never seen anything like this. The numbers of needy horses are through the roof. Later that day Ryan phones to say he has a plan. Ryan is certain he will be approved for a loan. He is going to look for a 100 or so acres. Bare land. Doomed horses can live there until they can find good homes. Well golly gee. I ask what about fencing? What about hay and grain? Farriers and vets? Insurance? Gasoline? Property taxes? Tractors and trucks? Buying land is the easy part.

Ryan called my a downer. But then on Sunday he phones again. To say we can do this. He crunched the numbers. Troubled kids who visit us from group homes can help with chores. Insurance will be provided by the State of California. Ryan is convinced we can make this happen. Well okay then. Sign me up...

more to come




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Monday, April 21st... Last night horse killer Wade Giles phones to say he has a thoroughbred gelding with a racing tattoo, and the gelding appears to be sound. 40 cents a pound. Horse killer Wade Giles will be going past our ranch on Wednesday. He can transport the gelding for free. I ask why are you going past our ranch on Wednesday? Wade Giles says there are 7 horses with a family in Red Bluff, and he bought them all for $40.00 each. Great. Another heart warming story...

The times we live in. Nikki in Vacaville is soon closing escrow on her very own ranch. Nikki rescues horses, usually from public auction. On Saturday Nikki gave away a beautiful gray thoroughbred filly to a teenage girl. Also on Saturday Allison in Auburn gave away a cute as can be pony to a family in Folsom. Rachel in Oakland gave away a thoroughbred mare to another teenage girl. Saturday also found Joe & Cathy Shelton giving away 2 horses, both to homes right here in Woodland.

On Saturday I told Ryan Andrews. I have never seen anything like this. The numbers of needy horses are through the roof. Later that day Ryan phones to say he has a plan. Ryan is certain he will be approved for a loan. He is going to look for a 100 or so acres. Bare land. Doomed horses can live there until they can find good homes. Well golly gee. I ask what about fencing? What about hay and grain? Farriers and vets? Insurance? Gasoline? Property taxes? Tractors and trucks? Buying land is the easy part.

Ryan called my a downer. But then on Sunday he phones again. To say we can do this. He crunched the numbers. Troubled kids who visit us from group homes can help with chores. Insurance will be provided by the State of California. Ryan is convinced we can make this happen. Well okay then. Sign me up...

Every single ranch we work with is filled. No room at the Inn. Just imagine. Another 100 acres to help horses. The search for bare land begins today. I will of course keep you updated.

And now this chilly Monday morning needs to get started. Our farrier Tim comes soon. 106 hungry horses are demanding attention. Later we could be 63 degrees. Enjoy your Utah plays in Houston Monday, and be sure to hug your horses. The coffee is strong from Folgers, and cinnamon rolls were made by Raleys. Roberta Flack singing on the oldies station.

Joe

Top Left: From the race track Saturday night came this 3 year old filly, and they say her name is Rose. She is 15.1 hands, and very quiet.

Top Right: Jenny Hartman rode Jordan from her house to our house yesterday. Jordan was born on our ranch, and he is so tall Jenny can reach up and touch a telephone wire. Okay, maybe not quite that tall. Jenny loves him like crazy.

Bottom row pictures are by request:

Bottom Left: Wasabi came to us from a feed lot in Fallon, Nevada last year. Wasabi can gain weight just from looking at hay. We have to be careful with overfeeding. Wasabi is not very friendly. People are annoying to her.

Bottom Right: This is at least the 5th time I have shown this photo. It is often requested. An important discussion in our fields.


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Tuesday will be up soon...


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Tuesday, April 22nd... Something about her face. The two photos below on the top row show you a preggo thoroughbred mare. She is 12, with a racing tattoo. The mare is located in Los Angeles, and we prefer she stay in that area. I could easily place her in a Northern California home, but shipping is 7 or 8 hours. The mare is a whopping $240.00. If you live down south and can give a home to this beautiful mare, please call me at 530-383-2120.

We have helped place 19 pregnant mares this spring into new homes. Might as well make it an even 20.

When I bought Old Abe from a feed lot I thought for sure his time with us on earth would only be a few more days. But at a foster home in Clear Lake Old Abe flourished. On green grass with shade and his best friend Chuck, Old Abe gained more than 200 pounds. Earlier this month Old Abe became sore, and tests revealed rotation of his coffin bone. The vet said Old Abe is at least 25. Yesterday Old Abe was put to rest, with Chuck by his side. It is never easy. The picture below on the bottom left shows Old Abe when he came to us. Rest In Peace.

When I bought Reno from a feed lot 2 years ago, I thought he will easily be placed into a new home. Reno is cute and friendly. A beautiful mover. But visitor after visitor passed him by, and one event trainer told me Reno is just too plain. Well okay then. On March 23rd I sent Reno to a foster family in Stockton. Green grass and a change of scenery often brings confidence. The foster family has a daughter who loves to jump, and she began working with Reno. On April 3rd the daughter phones to ask if she can buy Reno? He jumps higher than the moon. We mailed the girl a one dollar bill of sale, and Reno is hers. The picture below on the bottom right shows Reno when he came to us.

We salute our foster families. They feed our horses. They hold a horse and tell him goodbye when euthansia is a must. Our foster families are unbelievably generous to horses, and there is no way Tbfriends could function without them.

There is a so called rescue ranch in the Sacramento area, and their horses are in horrible shape. We are in the process of buying some of their younger horses. So I am once again annoying our foster families. Asking please, can you take care of one more? 6 foster homes have said sure, our porch light is on.

To all of you who help horses in need. Our foster families, our supporters, Friends Of Tbfriends, those who transport for us, and those who stay awake all night waiting for the previously unwanted foal. I thank you with all of my being. Enjoy your Tuesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe







Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Wednesday, April 23rd... Ryan Andrews found 88.5 acres not far away. We are looking for bare land to help doomed horses. Ryan lives in Vacaville, and I live in Woodland. The land must be within easy driving distance for both of us. The 88.5 acres has electricity and water. A storage shed. Nothing else. The asking price is way too high, but Ryan will make an offer. The land has been used previously to grow tomatoes and alfalfa. Across the street is a lady who has several horses. There is an A&W Root Beer stand less than 5 miles away. An important factor...

On this cool and cloudy Wednesday morning, our vet Lisa comes to take X-rays of Tapatio. Later a gelding will make the long walk up our driveway, and horse killer Wade Giles provides transportation. I must go to another ranch and turn horses out to play. After school Allison Martino has a riding lesson in Davis. Today we will welcome over 1,000 piles of new poop. Leg wraps come off this morning, leg wraps go back on tonight. 4 horses are currently on daily bute. Molly the dog needs a bath. Maggie the bird needs attention. A big Thank You to Patti Lu for the Trader Joes spaghetti sauce. A good chance spaghetti will be served for supper.

I hate to be a broken record, but we currently have access to more than 70 horses who need good homes. These horses are owned by others, and they are located in all parts of Northern California. This month we have help place 12 unwanted horses into good homes, but there is still a long way to go. My cell is 530-383-2120.

Julia lives in Lincoln, and trainers at Cal Expo in Sacramento call her when one of their standardbreds needs a home. Last week a trainer from Pleasanton asked Julia if she would consider taking thoroughbreds as well. Transportation was arranged, and Julia greeted a gelding with a bowed tendon. From the internet Julia discovered her new gelding was born on a ranch just 3 miles from her place. A small world this horse world. The gelding was born in Lincoln and he retires to Lincoln. His mom still lives down the street...

105 hungry horses are waiting for the old man to put down his plate of microwave waffles and begin with morning feed. Later we could be 64 degrees. A few rain drops last night, just enough to muck up the dusty windshield. Enjoy your American Idol gets down to 5 Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Kids who love horses:



Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Thursday, April 24th... A big Thank You to Doctor Lisa and Doctor Linda, who yesterday removed the right eye of our blind mare Georgia. A large tumor had taken charge, and surgery was quick and successful. Georgia was up and eating less than an hour later. She will be on penicillen for the next 5 days.

The news was not so good for Tapatio. X-rays revealed complete rotation of her coffin bone. Tapatio is only 7, and options are many. We try to do what is right for each horse. Hopefully Doctor Lisa and our farrier Tim Gee can come up with a game plan. Hopefully.

Lindy lives in Vacaville, and she is 13. Yesterday I sent Lindy and her mom to look at an older quarter horse living in Elverta. The quarter horse needed a new home fast, and on the phone Lindy tells me he is the one. Lindy and her mom have visited 4 other horses, and none rang their bell. Lindy was looking for sweet and gentle. Ryan Andrews provides transportation, and Lindy will greet her new horse today after school.

We have access to over 70 horses in Northern California who need new homes. I must meet you in person. Many of these horses will be shipped to public auction in May. I can help you with transportation. I can direct you to competent boarding stables. I can give you a list of my favorite trainers. Whatever you need, we can do. My cell is 530-383-2120.

Upcoming events include a Celebration Of Horses with Jodi Tuft. On May 4th at her ranch there will be food and exhibits and more than 50 horses for sale. On Saturday April 26th, Holly Meeks, Jennifer Wright and Patti Lu take several young girls on a trail ride through beautiful Spooner Lake. The young girls come from not so great situations, and this will be their first time with nature. Also this Saturday Stephanie Diaz and 5 of her pals will ride the hills above Cache Creek. Lunch includes crab salad sandwiches with giant dill pickles. Their horses will be treated to home made oatmeal cookies. For a week it has been cold and windy, but this weekend will bring lots of sunshine. We are talking baseball, softball, soccer and barbecues. This Sunday Mike Baker cooks for several foster kids, and Mike invented a barbecue sauce which includes hot peppers and spicy salsa. One week later and you are still reaching for Rolaids. Summer is coming at us fast. Jenny Hartman says just 6 more weeks of school. Well okay then. Flies hatching all over the joint...

Enjoy your 65 degree Thursday, and be sure to hug your horses. A special hello to Krista in Idaho, who last weekend saved the life of a pregnant paint mare. The mare was to be euthanized after no one bid for her at public auction. Krista named her Flowers, because at home the first thing the mare did was eat brand new flowers. Plus Krista says she is beautiful like a flower. Good going Krista...

Joe

Kids Who Love Horses:


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Friday, April 25th... A million or more things going on. All kinds of hopes, dreams, not to mention recipes. I met a girl yesterday and her name is Shannon. She is a student at UCDavis. Shannon heard how Tbfriends and troubled kids from youth shelters are doing the slow dance. Shannon wants to help. She owns 2 thoroughbreds and loves kids. Well golly gee. One major hurdle is liability insurance. Silly California. Turn the wrong way and someone sues you. We have friends in San Diego who recently lost their ranch because they were not fully insured. Shannon says no problem. She can pass a background check, and she can pay her own liability premiums. Shannon is a believer in horses helping kids. Kids helping horses. You gotta believe in the magic horses bring.

more to come


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Friday, April 25th... A million or more things going on. All kinds of hopes, dreams, not to mention recipes. I met a girl yesterday and her name is Shannon. She is a student at UCDavis. Shannon heard how Tbfriends and troubled kids from youth shelters are doing the slow dance. Shannon wants to help. She owns 2 thoroughbreds and loves kids. Well golly gee. One major hurdle is liability insurance. Silly California. Turn the wrong way and someone sues you. We have friends in San Diego who recently lost their ranch because they were not fully insured. Shannon says no problem. She can pass a background check, and she can pay her own liability premiums. Shannon is a believer in horses helping kids. Kids helping horses. You gotta believe in the magic horses bring.

Over the years dozens of well meant plans have been tossed in the garbage. Not enough money, not enough time, not enough fully insured helpers. Still there are dreams, and maybe Donald Trump will appear in our driveway with a suitcase stuffed with cash.

But little by little we are climbing the hill. Last year 529 horses from Tbfriends found good homes, and we should surpass that number this year. We have new helpers who are dedicated beyond belief, and they bring a sense of humor to an often sad way of life. Hopefully (always liked that word - Hopefully) more land is in our future. Hopefully just one kid, only one, follows the path of horses, and who knows the impact he or she can have? We have the best vet in Lisa, and the best farrier in Tim. Years have been spent attempting to find the right ingriedients. Horses will fool you. Just when you start thinking any situation can be dealt with, horses will hit you on the head with something new.

There is a girl in Sacramento, and her life on earth has been troubled. There is a girl in Woodland, and her life on earth has been a piece of chocolate cake. Last summer, in our driveway, the two girls came together. They would hang out at horse shows, and the girl from Woodland gave the girl from Sacramento riding lessons. Almost one year later, and the girl from Sacramento has her own horse. She gets good grades. She works part time and opened a checking account. She just turned 17. If you would have met her one year ago you would not have liked her at all. If you met her today you would want to spend all of your time with her. Her life was changed by the girl from Woodland. Her life was changed by horses.

Anything is possible. Horses bring it to the table. And now I have to feed 107 of them. A perfect 72 degree day on the way. John Melancamp on the radio, and I always liked him. But Randy would call him pitchy...

Joe

Kids who love horses:


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Saturday, April 26th... Yesterday I bought 6 horses from horse killer Manny Phelps, and all 6 are in decent shape. 3 for sure are thoroughbreds. Twice in two weeks horse killer Manny Phelps has sent cattle trailers crammed with horses to Canadian slaughter. Because of gasoline costs we are being charged sky high prices to rescue a horse. I argue with horse killer Manny Phelps. The horses I buy should be cheaper, as gasoline is not a factor. It is like being robbed in the parking lot of Wells Fargo. But then you take a look at these 6 horses and think who cares if Manny Phelps is building his third home in Mexico? Who cares he must send money to his 3 wives and 114 girlfriends? These 6 new horses only wonder where is supper, and must we really listen to folk on the cd player?

My old (very old) friend Gaylen Strong is always saying, it is horses who matter most. Let all the other crap, killers and breeders and gasoline and abusive auctions, let all the other crap take the fast lane. Gaylen Strong says stop and play with horses. And each day will be better than the next.

But my goodness...

We are seeing abandoned horses like never before. Animal Control from 3 different counties are asking us to take horses. Sad little carnival ponies are left to fend for themselves. Overflowing feed lots, overflowing auctions. Where did all these horses come from?

We send our best wishes to good friends Jodi Tuft who broke her leg, and Jennifer Wright who broke her wrist. Ouch. We hope recovery for both is quick. Jodi is having a Celebration Of Horses next weekend at her ranch, and the show must go on. Neither rain nor wind nor a broken leg will slow her down...

And we send our best to Kristina Leggit, who had her infected tonsils removed, and she wants to know my favorite ice cream. Denali Moose Tracks for sure, and Dreyers Rocky Road. Have fun with your scary movie festival this weekend Kristina.

And what a toasty weekend it will be. Maybe 86 degrees for today. Horses all over the joint, and they are waiting for the old man to appear with breakfast. Well okay then. Have a happy Saturday, and be sure to hug your horses. Misty is looking through the window right now, waiting for me to quit typing. She rules our yard. Next weekend Misty will be in 3 different classes at a not so far away schooling show. One of the prizes is a gift card to Applebees. I wonder if the hostess will let her in?

Joe

Kids Who Love Horses:


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Hi all. Here are 3 addresses if anyone would like to help out TB Friends. Tom is Joe's hay guy; Joe goes through 3 stacks of hay/ week ( 240 bales ) !! Georgie is a a good friend of Joe's and works with "Friends of TB Friends" to raise money for special projects that Joe gives input on. Recently, they raised enough funds to buy additional round pens for Joe.

Joe Shelton 15891 County Rd 92C Woodland, Ca 95695

Tom Hayes 15140 County Rd 91B Woodland, Ca 95695

Georgie Hartman 19504 County Rd 95 Woodland, Ca 95695

Stephanie in Ca

[jdw2w1]

Sunday, April 27th... You had to be there. To see the response. Driving home Queen was singing on the radio, and you could not have asked for better timing.

A friend in Davis phones to scream help. Her horse jumped a fence, and in a panic he is racing down the road. I was 20 minutes away, but in the old ranch truck I got there in 15. I might as well have stopped for coffee. Maybe a club sandwich with fries. Because I was no help at all. You should have seen the crowd. Men, women, kids, everybody there to help. Cowboys showed up with their horse trailers. A lady in dress slacks and fancy shoes is trying to remove broken boards from the fence. A girl maybe 13 is calming the frightened horse. A young man with a smile that lit up the street brings hammers and a saw, and suddenly there are at least 10 people who are building a new fence. Including the lady in dress slacks and fancy shoes. Another lady comes with an ice chest of sodas and bottled water. An older man, maybe my age, pulls out his wallet and proudly shows off a picture of his horse. In less than an hour a new fence is up. The horse was back in his pasture, settling in for supper. And there was little Casey, I have met her before, and she is 10 or 11. Casey says: This Is So Cool.

I have to drive home and feed dinner to my own 107 horses, and this is when Queen starts singing on the radio. On the county roads between Davis and Woodland.

more to come


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Sunday, April 27th... You had to be there. To see the response. Driving home Queen was singing on the radio, and you could not have asked for better timing.

A friend in Davis phones to scream help. Her horse jumped a fence, and in a panic he is racing down the road. I was 20 minutes away, but in the old ranch truck I got there in 15. I might as well have stopped for coffee. Maybe a club sandwich with fries. Because I was no help at all. You should have seen the crowd. Men, women, kids, everybody there to help. Cowboys showed up with their horse trailers. A lady in dress slacks and fancy shoes is trying to remove broken boards from the fence. A girl maybe 13 is calming the frightened horse. A young man with a smile that lit up the street brings hammers and a saw, and suddenly there are at least 10 people who are building a new fence. Including the lady in dress slacks and fancy shoes. Another lady comes with an ice chest of sodas and bottled water. An older man, maybe my age, pulls out his wallet and proudly shows off a picture of his horse. In less than an hour a new fence is up. The horse was back in his pasture, settling in for supper. And there was little Casey, I have met her before, and she is 10 or 11. Casey says: This Is So Cool.

I have to drive home and feed dinner to my own 107 horses, and this is when Queen starts singing on the radio. On county roads between Davis and Woodland. I see a young girl in her front yard grooming a beautiful black and white pinto. I see a family cooking over their barbecue, while a young boy is being chased by his dog. I see 2 teenage girls riding their horses on a canal bank. I see 2 guys drinking beers and laughing while leaning against a truck. I see a man cutting his shrubs. I see a lady hosing off her porch. And through the window of a cute yellow house, I can see a lady sitting at her table, and maybe she is eating.

In the front yard of a family I have met before, I wave to Brian as he plays catch with his son. From the grill I could smell their supper.

On the phone Jenny Hartman says she is out buying a birthday present for her friend. On the phone Allison Martino says they lost their soccer game 3-1. On the phone Mike Baker says the Los Angeles Lakers could win it all this year.

During final barn check, in the late darkness, Cathy and I can hear a baby fox. I could sleep for a month. Cathy cleans the kitchen, and she is amazing. While I am in bed Cathy is still working. And now another day is here, and coffee from Peets has yet to kick in. Hungry horses are making noise. Flies are starting their engines. Little Casey is right: This Is So Cool.

Joe

Adoptions From 2005.

Top Left: Lucy and Bev are with their filly Runaway Dolly.

Top Right: Lauren is with her gelding Flying Nickel.

Bottom Left: Jessica is with her gelding Teddy.

Bottom Right: Jennifer is with her gelding Huggle Berry.




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Monday, April 28th... We need to catch up on things which need catching up...

This coming Sunday, May 4th, will be a big party at the ranch of Jodi Tuft. A Celebration Of Horses. There will be vendors, including Higbys, Vacaville Tractor, and Sundowner Trailers. There will be a silent auction to help horses. Demonstrations include roping lessons, farrier lessons, and a chiropractor will give you the inside scoop. Friends Of Tbfriends will have a booth, and hopefully even I can show up. For the free food of course. And to see Rascal Flatts performing on the main stage.

Okay just kidding about Rascal Flatts. But you will have a blast. All by herself Jodi Tuft has built the largest training center in our area. A beautiful ranch she has, and her address is: 4203 Rio Dixon Road/Highway 113 South. Dixon. If you get lost give Jodi a call at 707-688-1741. She will guide you in. The party is from 10 to 5. I hope to see you there.

I need the following to please get in touch with me. The free horses who need new homes fast has gone bonkers. These names might not be spelled correctly. Leela in Sacramento. Merrisa in Georgetown who has a dad who wants a horse. Brenada in Woodland or it could be Brinnada, you own the yellow cat. Parker in Elk Grove, and you have 6 acres. Madison with the boyfriend who works for Netflex. And I am embarrassed to say, either Jan or Pam, I have you mixed up with others. But you live in Walnut Creek, and you love to eat sushi. I can make the free horse thing happen for all of the above. My cell is 530-383-2120.

Hillary in San Antonio, your shoes are on the way. Megan in Tucson, your shoes are on the way. Michael in Los Angeles, I found the book you want, but I need a mailing address please.

Jessica in Oregon, the mare you were wondering about is named Tolder. I do not know how to get in touch with you, but I hope this helps.

The best writer in the world is Fugly, and you can read her at fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/

The second best writer in the world is Patti Lu, and I am trying to coax her into writing a daily journal. Patti works with untrained horses all day, and then sends us letters describing what it feels like to slam into an arena wall. She is a riot.

Congratulations to Jessica Slaughter (yes she hates her name) who on the internet found for free the horse of her dreams.

Congratulations to Hannah in Vacaville, who from Tbfriends found the horse of her dreams.

Congratulations to a nice family also in Vacaville, who from Tbfriends found the horse of their dreams.

A photo will be coming to me of a thoroughbred mare with her one month old foal. They are in the San Francisco area, and a new home is needed. When the picture arrives I will show it on my morning journal.

I have all of these little sticky notes on my desk and computer. I think we are caught up. Yesterday was 91 degrees, and today might be 78. More horses are coming to us this week from race tracks. More horses are coming to us this week from feed lots. Upcoming May auctions include Turlock, Petaluma, French Camp, and Roseville. Enjoy your beautiful Monday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Recent arrivals from feed lots, and they have been coming to us in decent shape.

Top Left: We named him Billy Ball, and there is a racing tattoo which says he is 6.

Top Right: We named her Nona, and she is on meds for an infected hock. Nona will soon be leaving us for green grass with a foster family.

Bottom Left: We are not sure of his breed, as there is no racing tattoo. We named him Truck, because he loves to run right over you.

Bottom Right: We named her Cat Cora, because horse killer Manny Phelps says she is from the Storm Cat line. Her racing tattoo says she is 9.




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Tuesday, April 29th... You gotta love those chat rooms.

Yesterday I was joking around, and wrote Rascal Flatts will be singing this weekend at the ranch of Jodi Tuft. Jodi is throwing a huge party, and everyone is invited. I wrote Just Kidding about Rascal Flatts. But apparently things went crazy in a chat room, until Holly Meeks went on line to douse the rumors. Poor Jodi is wondering how can she get Joe to quit writing his morning journal?

More from chat rooms: The topic was how Joe Shelton gave away a horse worth $20,000.00. Huh?

Last Friday Hannah in Vacaville received the horse of her dreams. An already trained thoroughbred appendix, and I understand in the beginning he was bought for big time dollars. But that was then, and this is now. His worth on Friday was free. An owner from a fancy barn in Davis brought us this beautiful gelding, and in turn we gave him to Hannah. We have a list of hopeful people who want an already trained horse. Hannah has been on our list since December. She came with her parents and easily passed our screening process.

But for reasons I fail to understand, there are others who like to judge and condemn. Because her horse is free Hannah is critized and called a spoiled brat. One person wrote Hannah must have sucked up to Joe big time.

I seldom respond to this garbage, because we all know there are people who like to tear down the happiness of others. Hannah never once sucked up to me. What business is it of others anyway? On Friday when she received her gelding Hannah cried from happiness, and she wanted to share her excitement with other boarders. But the put downs began. Face to face, and on the internet Hannah was ridiculed. Yesterday Hannah moved her gelding to another barn. She phones to say the people at her new barn are very nice, and there is no drama. One girl invited Hannah for a trail ride this Sunday. Another girl helped Hannah give her new horse a bath. My kind of barn...

I was told not long ago a very good friend of ours was ridiculed in a chat room because her husband moved out. And she had to sell her horse. It boggles the mind how people can find time to publicly enjoy the sadness of others. You can picture them at their computers, nothing at all going on in their lives, waiting to jump all over someone.

Our friend sold her horse. And it broke her heart. She has filed for divorce. Never ever will you meet a more giving person. A horrible time in her life right now, and yet she has to endure the judgement of strangers.

Since we are talking people and horses and judging others, I want to share with you a story. I was told by several people to stay away from a certain person in Davis. I was told the person did not feed her horses right. I was told she would buy cheap horses at public auctions and then resell them to first time buyers for giant profits. I was told she stole money from an old man and partied for a week in Vegas.

Well who cares? I got my own problems. But then I met this girl, and because of all the rumors I am naturally skeptical. But her 5 horses are beautiful. Like they were polished with Lemon Pledge. All with good weight. The girl was polite and shy.

And so the second time we met I asked her. Did you steal money from an old man and go party in Vegas for a week? Do you buy horses cheap at auctions and resell them to first time buyers with little horse knowledge?

The girl says she has never been to an auction in her life. But she would someday like to go. She sold one horse, to a great home, for one dollar. All of the evil rumors going around Woodland and Davis were created by another person she had personal problems with.

I was guilty of judging someone I had never met. A lesson learned.

We went from 91 degrees on Sunday to cold and windy last night. Today we could be 65. Our shoer Tim comes this morning, and later there is employment at another ranch, earning the big bucks. Enjoy your American Idol Tuesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Then and Now.

Top Left: Imagine came to us from Animal Control 2 years ago.

Top Right: Imagine today. Imagine trusts me a little, but for the most part he is not fond of humans.

Bottom Left: I bought Wyatt at a feed lot in the summer of 2007.

Bottom Right: Wyatt today. He loves people. Once when the passenger door was open on the old ranch truck, Wyatt had one foot and his head inside. I wish I would have had my camera. Wyatt wanted to go to town with me.




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Wednesday, April 30th... The end of another month. 115 horses rescued so far in 2008. 63 adoptions. A girl who lives at a shelter for troubled kids said on a recent visit: This ranch is like a shelter for troubled horses.

More horses are coming to us today from race tracks, and one older mare will arrive from a feed lot. We are scrambling for space. Poop on top of poop. Monday night on TV a man was talking about our crappy life. Unemployment at an all time high. Americans who live on the streets at an all time high. Gasoline, rice, eggs, crime, the man on TV was depressing, so I switched over to yet another rerun of Law And Order. And then yesterday we lost a foster family. For almost 4 years this family has taken excellent care of our horses. But the lady says rising prices of hay, grain, and gasoline have conked them on the head. Their young daughter is not so young anymore, and this fall she is off to college. The lady says sorry, they can no longer provide for our horses. And so this weekend the 3 horses will return, and we are so grateful to this family for all they have done for us.

Times they are a changing. Horses and gasoline were never before in the same sentence. Horses and liability insurance were never before in the same sentence. Because of gasoline and auto insurance, horse killers Wade Giles and Manny Phelps have both raised their prices. The mare coming to us from a feed lot today was priced at 50 cents a pound. I think we will name her May, because May is a day away, and because she looks like a May. A sweet old gal you can picture baking cookies with an apron.

I also bought a rooster, and apparently he was too nice. Nice roosters are unable to earn money. A combination thingy fighting and horses on their way to Canadian slaughter feed lot. Never will they make the cover of Better Homes & Gardens. The rooster was to be disposed of, so I said put him in my truck. The man said twenty dollars. I said why, you are going to kill him anyway. The man said twenty dollars. And so the rooster is now in our barn, and we named him Twenty Dollars. Because of steroid injections he is probably 16 hands.

Holly Meeks is off to Ireland. Brian Gill flies to Austin. Patti Lu gets to look at horses in San Diego. Tom Hayes is already in Washington, looking at tractors. Mikka Thorson goes with her family to ride horses in Wyoming. Joe & Cathy Shelton will be in Woodland, scooping poop, fighting flies, watching yet another episode of Iron Chef America. Today could be a perfect 70 degrees.

Another girl who lives at a shelter for troubled youths. She asks: Can I pee behind your barn?

Joe: Um, we have indoor plumbing. You can go inside.

Girl: No thanks. I always wanted to pee behind a barn.

We all have our dreams. Mine came true on Sunday, when Jill Droubay brought us the most perfect cherry pie. Jill drives from her home in Elk Grove to a bakery in Tracy. Kandi Sweets is the name of the place, and you have to bake the pie for almost 2 hours and give it an egg wash. Unbelievable stuff. Better than peeing behind a barn. Better than Alicia Keys on the radio. What would we do without the little moments in life?

Joe

Some of this, Some of that:

Top Left: Now that nice weather has come, all the time horses are breaking water floats. Here is Forest Gump trying to make a mud bath.

Top Right: In April we have helped 15 horses who live at other places find new homes. Here is Alexis with her new gelding Red. Alexis is a sweetheart, and so too is Red.

Bottom Left: Recent adoptions from our ranch include Turbulent City, who gets a great new home with Onica. We call him Turbo. Onica is a student at UC Davis.

Bottom Right: Our farrier Tim Gee is a farrier for UC Davis. Tim works on our ranch every Tuesday. Here is Tim with Prairie Rose, a sweet young filly who came to us from the race track.







Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Thursday, May 1st... I keep losing the internet, so I must type fast. Which is like asking our old dog Daisy to chew with her mouth closed. Cold winds are rattling the house. 2008 will be remembered as the year of the Winds. So before I am once again booted of the air (the crowd roars) here is a quick replay from yesterday:

The gelding Truck, who recently came to us from a feed lot, was adopted by an event trainer in Vacaville.

The paint gelding Sun Rise was living in Vacaville, and we found him a new home with a family in Winters. A big Thank You to Ryan Andrews for providing the transportation.

A thoroughbred mare living at a feed lot in Vallejo came to us, and I named her May. She looks to be about 15. A big Thank You to Ryan Andrews for providing the transportation.

We greeted 3 race horses yesterday. A big Thank You to Sandy for providing the transportation. All 3 are geldings, and all 3 are bay. There is Sacred Senor, and I suppose we will call him Senor. Paradise Cove, and for sure we will call him Dice. Crowning Moossa, and around our barn his name is now Moose.

A lady phoned from Kansas to say she has a plane ticket to come see us. Of all the rescue ranches she visits on the internet, the lady has decided to adopt from Tbfriends. Awe shucks...

A lady phoned from New York, and she wants to know what exactly am I doing to stop the shooting of wolves? Huh?

I raked all the poop in the south pasture, and naturally no one drove by to see how sparkling clean it was.

I paid five thousand dollars to fill up the old ranch truck up with gas.

Carls Jrs makes a very good chocolate malt. They use real malt.

Theresa and Monica phoned from Louiville, Kentucky. They were eating at Joes Crab Shack, so I told them to try the fried calamari. Theresa and Monica flew to Kentucky for the big race this Saturday.

Brian Gill phoned from Austin, and for lunch he had fried catfish. It was incredible, and now Brian wants to move there.

Becky Coombs phoned to ask who is gonna be kicked off American Idol? I tell her Jason. Like just about everything else that comes out of my mouth, I was wrong.

Cathy and I had lasagne for dinner. The kind you stick in a microwave and guess the minutes because my glasses were in the old ranch truck, and the printing on the side of the box is so tiny you would need to be Superman to see. Not bad for frozen.

Final barn check, and it was so cold you could almost see your breath. New geldings from the race track are grabbing for my cell phone, hoping to call a cab. And can someone please change the station from love songs by request?

And that was yesterday. Lots of stuff in between, but by now you have already clicked off and moved on to My Space. Enjoy you windy first day of a new month Thursday, and be sure to hug your horses. A crock pot kind of day...

Joe

Top Left: Horses come to us from the race track.

Top Right: Sacred Senor, he is 6, and at the race track he earned decent money.

Bottom Left: Paradise Cove, he is also 6, and as a yearling in Kentucky he sold for 600 grand. A very kind horse.

Bottom Right: A hunk. His name is Crowning Moossa, and he is 4.




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Friday, May 2nd... Allison Martino is 12, and yesterday she had this to say: Geez Joe, one more horse and Animal Control will close you down.

But you should have been here in the winter of 2002. We had 164 horses jammed into our 30 acres, and the rains would not quit. It would take more than 4 hours to feed. I would go inside for a sandwich and dry clothes, and then start feeding again. There was a stallion named Tomkins, and one time he kicked and a large bucket of grain actually exploded in my arms. That bucket of grain saved my life. I tell Allison Martino 109 horses is easy. Especially in good weather. But Allison is no longer listening. She is sitting on the gray gelding Devil Badgett, and I am left telling myself my own stories...

There was a period in 1998 when we were down to 54 horses. I had time to walk in the grapevines with my dog Beans. I watched every Clint Eastwood movie. Often more than once...

And now I am going to tell you about a third grade class in Coachella, California. Coachella is quite possibly the poorest community in all of California. There are 20 kids in this class, and they collect old water bottles and soda cans, and then cash them in. The kids send this cash to Cathy and I. One little girl brings in a bag of soda cans every week. Not long ago we received $17.00. Yesterday it was $25.00.

The kids have started a horse wall. Pictures of horses at Tbfriends. Pictures of kids who love horses. Pictures of adoptions. Other classes gather at this wall to discuss horses.

One day next week I will devote the entire morning journal to this third grade class in Coachella. The kids sent letters, and they drew pictures. Lots of horses runnning through grass. Lots of different colored barns.

Can you imagine? These kids have not much. Yet they collect money for our horses.

I think about little Alice Bento walking the streets of San Francisco, asking strangers for money to help horses. And how proud she was at our front gate when she handed me a thick wad of one dollar bills.

I think about Kristy in Vacaville, who went around her school begging for money. Kristy asked other kids for a buck, and that night she brought us $63.00 and told me to go buy grain.

Cathy and I thank the third grade class at Valle Del Sol Elementary in Coachella, California. And thank you for putting up a horse wall.

Enjoy your just right 74 degree Friday, and be sure to hug your horses. Anything is possible...

Joe

Then and Now

Top Left: It was 2 years ago (May of 2006) when Heather came to us with her friends and adopted Sights And Sounds. Here is Heather holding her new horse.

Top Right: Heather with Sights And Sounds today. They are getting ready for a summer of jumping events.

Bottom Left: Cute as can be Hannah rides her cute as can be gelding King. Hannah adopted King from us earlier this year.

Bottom Right: The newest addition to our barn, and we call him Twenty Dollars. He is a pet. Twenty Dollars follows us around like a puppy.






Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Saturday, May 3rd... Tis the season. Spring brings horse related injuries, and the list grows longer. We send our very best wishes to Jodi Tuft with a broken leg. Jessica Talbot with a broken nose. Jennifer Wright, and she is learning how to eat with her left hand because she fractured her right wrist, and the cast is obnoxious. Wendy Wainwright lost a front tooth. Stephanie Diaz needed 6 stitches above her eye. Fred (Fred is a girl) has an injured leg. Robin an injured shoulder. As her trail ride came to an end our little friend Kaitlyn was smacked in the face by a tree branch. She saw stars. And poor Ryan has to wear a slipper because his horse stepped on his foot, and now two toes are the size of Pony Boy.

A fast recovery to all of you. Horses can be goofy after a long winter.

And we have a ranch full of goofy horses. Every female in season. Every gelding thinking they are Seattle Slew. All night through open windows come screams and stampedes. Neighbors quickly put out their For Sale signs.

It is horses who take center stage. This weekend there are horse shows. Trail rides. Camping trips. Riding lessons. The Kentucky Derby. More horse shows. More trail rides. Tomorrow a food fest at Cache Creek, and riders will dine on barbecue salmon sandwiches. Red potato salad. Baked beans. Apple pie. Their horses eat cookies and carrots. A big party in Dixon tomorrow at the ranch of Jodi Tuft. Everyone is invited. Both today and tomorrow should be a beautiful 80 degrees. The winds have stopped. Flies are gunning their engines. On our ranch every horse needs a bath. Poop on top of poop. Later today another gelding will come to us from the race track. And Georgia Hartman will transport Turbulent City to his new home in Davis.

We also send our best wishes to Lesley Ann who lost a foal, but her mare is kind and willing. If you know of someone who needs a nurse mare let me know. The mare is located in Sebastopol.

Have a safe and happy Saturday.

Joe

Currently 109 horses on our ranch, and more than 50 are lifetime residents. Here are 4:

Top Left: The pretty filly Halo, and she came to us in 2006.

Top Right: Hottie, and he came to us in 1997.

Bottom Left: Jag, he was a lesson horse, and he moved here in 2007.

Bottom Right: Sizzle Butt, and she was born on our ranch in 1999. A big pet.







Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Sunday, May 4th... It hardly mattered. The nutty kind of Saturday. 11 different cars up our driveway. 4 horses were adopted, and their new homes are more than we can ask for. Employment at another ranch, and the manager gave Cathy and I a $50.00 bonus for feeding on weekends. A new gelding from the race track, and his name is El Prado. Coming off the trailer, and El Prado looks just like Pencil Point, a stallion I once worked with in Davis. Even the high left hind sock. I think about Pencil Point all the time, loved him like crazy, and now here is his twin.

Anika brought much needed morning muffins. George and his family brought Equine Senor. Mike and Kathy brought sandwiches, and delicious chocolate brownies. Cory came with carrots. Allison came with apples.

At last it was time for supper feeding. New horses from the race track still learning our routine. 6 horses on night time pain killers. Cathy feeds one section of our ranch. I feed the other. We come together in the middle to finish up. 107 horses, and in less than 3 hours they are tucked in for the night.

A shower until the hot water turns cold. Sandwiches from Mike and Kathy for dinner. The 47 incher has a DVR, and I programmed The Kentucky Derby. Rumors are spreading about a monster horse. A horse that comes into our world every 30 or 40 years. His name is Big Brown, and a friend at the race track tells me he is Super Horse.

And so Cathy and I watch Big Brown from post 20 destroy his competition. He is beautiful. The rumors are correct. Big Brown is a monster horse.

A filly in the race, and past the finish line she breaks both ankles. In less than 2 minutes she is dead. For the whole world to see.

On our ranch from the race track we have broken ankles. Broken knees. Ruptured tendons. One broken leg. A fractured shoulder. Broken withers. All will go on to live quality lives.

On our ranch if I rode a horse into the ground and the horse broke both front ankles, I would be arrested. Jail time. 3 meals and an old National Geographic. Cathy could come see me every Sunday.

At the race track you can ride a horse into the ground and the camera shows her lying dead on the track. No one is arrested. Legalized animal abuse.

A friend who works for The Jockey Club tells me one good thing at least. Every year thoroughbred broodmares are having fewers foals. The numbers will be less again this year.

Hardly a consolation for the poor filly lying dead on national TV.

Three times in the last two weeks troubled kids living at youth shelters have visited our ranch. Most of these kids have never been with horses. They are uncertain and afraid. Feeding carrots, and the kids stand far from the horse. Their arms all the way out, dangling a carrot, and I tell them get closer, how long do you think his neck is? When the kids leave they all say the same thing. They never knew race horses could be so friendly.

There was a girl 15 years old, and she spent a lot of time with the gelding Yummy. The girl was not at all afraid. Yummy came to us with both his sesamoid bone and ankle broken. A double whammy for Yummy. I knew immediately we would not euthanize. 5 months later, and his bones are healing. His pain is less each day. Yummy is personality plus, and with this girl from a youth shelter he turned on the charm.

My cell phone rings at 10:30 last night. It is the 15 year old girl from the shelter, and she wants to know if I remember her? I say sure. The girl asks how is Yummy? I tell her Yummy is yummy. And I ask how come she is calling so late? I gotta get up at 4:30.

The girl says she watched the news. She saw the dead filly on the race track. It made her cry. And even though she knows nothing about horses, or horse racing, she and Yummy had a thing. A connection. If she can get a ride, would it be all right if she visited Yummy again?

I told the girl I will come get her. Because when she was here Yummy turned on the charm. He loved her attention. As she and the other kids left, I saw how Yummy watched their van. All the way down County Road 92C.

One thing I know. Race horses give their lives for humans. And race horses love to be recognized.

Many of you have requested the address of Jodi Tuft again. Today Jodi is having A Celebration Of Horses party at her ranch. The address is: 4203 Rio Dixon Road/Highway 113. Dixon. Her phone number in case you get lost is 707-688-1741. The party is from 10-5. The whole world is invited.

Joe

Scenes from yesterday.

Top Left: In the morning Anika walks her new gelding Turbulent City into the trailer. I became attached, and I am going to miss him. Turbulent City is now at a boarding stable in Davis.

Top Right: Lots of visitors yesterday, and they appear to be hungry.

Bottom Left: The nicest couple on earth, Mike & Kathy Monoghan come in their brand new truck. They brought sandwiches, strawberries and brownies.

Bottom Right: A very handsome gelding from the race track, and his name is El Prado. He is 7, and an exact replica of Pencil Point.




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Monday, May 5th... There are letters saying I must have fallen on my head. Descriptions of 4 pictures below do not match what you are seeing. All you have to do is hit F5, which is your Refresh key. Each morning I show 4 new pictures. F5 will get you there.

One night a week I go to a beginners computer class in Natomas. There is a man my age and we sit together. He looks just like Alan Alda from MASH. I have no idea why I am telling you this. It is a beautiful Monday morning, the coffee is from Dunkin Doughnuts, and microwave waffles were made by Eggo. Later we could be 84 degrees. Right outside my window old mares are flirting with young geldings. The blind mare Georgia waits for her morning banana. Lisa Wallace comes this week to take out her stitches. Georgia had an eye removed, along with a giant tumor. A busy week coming up. Kids from a youth shelter in Sacramento will visit. Two race horses will come to us from a track in Los Angeles. A young thoroughbred gelding arrives tomorrow from a feed lot in Vallejo. We will say goodbye to a gelding and a filly who were both recently adopted. I found a great home for a sweet pony living in Vacaville, and tomorrow Ryans Andrews transports him to Placerville. Daily on our ranch we say hello to a thousand piles of new poop. Weeds up to my giant nose. We could smell rain last night. Lightning in the sky, but our ranch stayed dry.

Jodi Tuft threw a bash in Dixon yesterday, and I walked around and broke things. All kinds of vendors, including a nice lady who was selling statues of horses. The lady makes these statues herself. I picked one up and somehow it broke, and suddenly I am the new owner of a broken statue. I needed to borrow $5.00 from Tim Gee to complete the transaction. A man from Vacaville Tractor wanted to sell me a tractor, but I told him I just had to borrow $5.00, and by the way thank goodness for Noelle Bicker who last year adopted Charley Pink. Noelle looks like Kelly Clarkston, at least I think so, and a nicer girl you will never meet. Noelle baked amazing goodies for the Friends Of Tbfriends booth, and since I am poor from having to buy a broken statue, and Tim Gee was embarrassed and left me, I ate baked treats from Noelle and tried to blend in. I saw Nicole, and she looks just like Sandra Bullock, at least I think so. I met lots of people who send us e-mails, and it was nice to put a face with the name. I saw Middle Town Road, a gelding who was just adopted from our ranch, and farrier Steve Stieb gave him new front shoes. I saw Good Doctor Slew, a gelding who was adopted from our ranch at least 5 years ago, and he looks perfect. There was Tarzan, a gelding with issues, and Jodi has done an amazing job with him.

I would like to Thank those who did so much work for the Friends Of Tbfriends booth. Georgia Hartman. Mike & Kathy Monoghan. Vickie Duncan. Noelle Bicker. Gerry Hartman. And Betsy Sholes, and it was good to meet her.

I saw Brenda and her family, and they adopted Micro Brew. Anika from Davis, and she just adopted Turbo. I got to meet Simone, and long ago she became the new owner of Thirty Five Black. Ritzy, or it could be Rickie, a sweet lady who owns Cooper, a thoroughbred who came from our ranch and now he is 30. I met Robert for the first time, he looks like Nick Nolte, at least I think so.

At one point, right around noon, there were at least 300 people at this party. All kinds of horses. Many different breeds...

Enjoy your busy Monday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Pictures from the bash in Dixon.

Top Left: Poor Jodi recently broke her leg, but the party must go on.

Top Right: A Friends Of Tbfriends picture board.

Bottom Rows... Lots of people, lots of horses.


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Tuesday, May 6th... Over the years many morning journals have produced a strong reaction. But none like the morning journal from this past Sunday. I wrote about Eight Belles, a filly killed in The Kentucky Derby. And I told you about a 15 year old girl who lives at a youth shelter in Sacramento, and how on our ranch she fell in love with Yummy, a broken down gelding.

I am several days behind in answering your letters. To the almost 300 of you who have written to express your feelings, I will soon reply. Sorry for being so far behind.

I have permission to share the following letters. Passion for horses reaches into all corners of our world.

This is from Bonnie, and she lives in Italy: Perhaps when Michael Vick is released from prison, he could find a job at the race track. I think he would fit in fine.

From Sarah in Ontario, Canada: I was unable to sleep Saturday night. My heart is broken.

From Alanna in Washington: There was no reason to keep whipping Eight Belles. She was not going to catch the winner. I will never again watch another horse race.

From Ronnie in Washington: I bet $2.00 to Win Place and Show on Eight Belles. I refused to collect my winnings. In her memory I am keeping this ticket on my desk. I am done watching horse races.

Name withheld from Petaluma, California: My daughter is 12 and all she talks about is horses. Not long ago I thought it would be fun to have a mother daughter day out. We went to Bay Meadows Race Track so my daughter could see close up the beautiful thoroughbreds. During a race, as the horses approached the finish line, a horse broke his leg and right in front of us his leg was dangling. It was horrific to see. I will never forget the terror in his eyes. They brought a horse ambulance, and my daughter was crying. A nasty lady, who I discovered later was a horse trainer, told my daughter to quit crying. She told my daughter to grow up. All the way home my hands were shaking on the steering wheel. I was so mad. I called Bay Meadows and was finally put through to someone in charge, and they put me on hold and then the line went dead. My daughter had a nightmare the other night about a horse who broke his leg. You will never ever see either of us at a race track again.

Name withheld from Southern California: Joe it takes a death on national television to piss off America. But every morning during workouts horses die. Every afternoon when they race they die. I get to see how they suffer. I am an exercise rider, and I am saving money for my own rescue ranch. I cannot tell you how many times I have gone home from work and thrown up.

From Colleen in Minnesota: For the 15 year old girl I am writing her a special letter. I want her to know how important she is. Could you make sure she gets my letter.

From Audrey in Colorado: Early Sunday morning a black filly was born in our barn, and I asked the owner to name her Eight Belles. The owner agreed. I spent Sunday afternoon cuddling with the new filly and I prayed, asking God to please give her a good life.

From Lisa in Arizona: How wonderful the 15 year old girl connected with Yummy. A day of national tragedy, and all the girl can think about is Yummy. After Eigth Belles died I drove to the barn so I could hug my Chet. I stayed with Chet for hours, and I fell asleep in his stall. God Bless Eight Belles. God Bless America. May we learn from our troubles.

Joe

108 horses on our ranch, and more than 50 are not availabe for adoption. They are lifetime residents.

Top Left: This is Air Bag, and he made lots of money at the race track. Air Bag is our babysitter. When wild youngsters come to us we put them in with Air Bag.

Top Right: She is a little nuts, and her name is Victoria Secret. Victoria is now 8.

Bottom Left: Right before Christmas he came to us from the race track, broken down badly. We call him Yummy, and now he is feeling fine and dandy.

Bottom Right: This is Weather Man, a son of Storm Cat, and he came to us from the race track in 2002. Weather Man is a stakes winner. He also likes to be left alone.





Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Wednesday, May 7th... Webmaster Max Wilcox is busy at vet school, and in one year he graduates. Sometime soon Max will add 2 new links to this website. Past Adoptions and Where Are They Now? Our dial up computer is faster than Am Trak. With these 2 links I will be able to show you a whole bunch of new pictures.

This tiny website is receiving letters from India. Italy. Spain. France. Alaska and Canada. There is a 10 year old girl who writes almost daily from Mexico. They all ask for more pictures. Many want to see adoptions from years ago. Others want to see lifetime residents on our ranch. Once a week a girl in Anchorage requests a new picture of Pony Boy. A reader in Michigan sends me up to date news in the horse world. A reader in San Diego lets me know when I make a spelling error. Which means I hear from her every morning.

Because of Eight Belles and your passion for horses, I am far behind on answering e-mails. Every letter means the world to us, and I will catch up soon.

Horses up and down our driveway. Giants Cause was only here long enough for a snack and a nap. He came from a race track in Los Angeles, and he leaves this morning for his new home in Davis. Crowning Moossa was here long enough to know he would rather be with Corey, a student at UC Davis. We are quickly filling up boarding stables in Davis. Transportation for Crowning Moossa is being arranged.

From a feed lot in Vallejo I bought a young thoroughbred gelding, and he knows how to lead. But little else. And from a feed lot in Wilton I bought an older mare, and she will come to us later today. Horse killer Manny Phelps says 45 cents a pound.

But horse killer Manny Phelps says he will give me half off on the mare if I agree to take care of an older gelding for 3 or 4 days. The gelding is living in Woodland, and he was advertised for free on the internet. The gelding is headed for Canadian slaughter, and since we are close to Interstate 5, why ship him all the way south to Wilton? With gasoline prices gone nuts, horse killer Manny Phelps says he can have the gelding picked up from my ranch on the way to Canada.

I told horse killer Manny Phelps to eat crap. Only I used another word instead of crap. Which means I am paying the full 45 cents a pound for the older mare.

If you have your horse advertised for free or cheap, please be careful. Horse killers will show up in bunches. And they can fool you. Horse killers bring small children, maybe a wife, and they act very excited to get your horse. In a matter of days your horse will be on his way to Canadian slaughter.

This is from Alissa, and she lives in San Francisco: We must raise funds to campaign for a ban on horse racing. It can be done. Groups have come together to stop whale hunting, and the shootings of wild mustangs. I am only 17 Joe, but I have seen how those with a cause can bring an end to controversial actions. No one goes to the race track anyway. Would anyone really care if horse racing was banned? I went to Golden Gate Fields earlier this year, and there was no one in the stands. The abuse and deaths of thousands of horses a year must be stopped. An advertising campaign takes money, but an advertising campaign gets the juices flowing. My pledge to you Joe, and to all of the surviving horses who live at your ranch, is I am going to begin working on this. My best to you and your wife Cathy.

Well okay then. Anything is possible. Enjoy your just right 76 degree Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: Crowning Moossa gets a wonderful new home with Randy, Corey, Phil and Jennifer.

Lifetime residents on our ranch.

Top Right: Say hello to Logician. From the race track he came to us with a broken leg, and now he is healed. Logician once sold for $520,000.00 at public auction. He has an attitude, but we love him.

Bottom Left: Forest Gump and Gotta Get are best friends forever. Forest was born on our ranch, and he is bit slow in his mind. Gotta Get broke down at the race track. We call him Freckles.

Bottom Right: We bought Susie from a feed lot last year. She is happy and doing well. Susie has arthritis in her right front ankle and pastern. Her husband is Red River Valley.


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Thursday, May 8th... Now I am really behind. Yesterday I shared with you a letter from Alissa, who wants to raise money for an advertising campaign. Her goal is to stop the abuse and deaths of thousands of race horses a year. We are getting e-mails from all over the world. Horse lovers who want to help Alissa. I am far behind on replying to your letters. Please know I treat each e-mail as the most important e-mail ever. I will eventually catch up. Many of your letters I am forwarding to Alissa. She is 17. When Alissa was 14 she raised over 4 thousand dollars all by herself. The money helped pay expenses for a kids softball league. New uniforms and equipment. When Alissa was 16 she changed the mind of an apartment owner. Pets are now allowed. Alissa loves her thoroughbred Tank more than anything in the world. Tank came to her injured from the race track.

This is from Staci in Loomis, California: The only way to stop the deaths and injuries of thousands of horses a year is to ban the racing of two year olds. I will gladly give one thousand dollars to Alissa to help with her advertising campaign. She has my respect and support. A kid who knows right from wrong. So simple, when you stop to think about it.

From Collin in Hawaii: The equine world is made up of two parts. Those who love horses, and those who use horses. I wish I could reach across the ocean and give Alissa a hug. Tell me where to send money, and I will.

So far I have read and replied to more than 80 of your letters. I wish the entire world could feel your love for horses.

This is from Alex, she lives in Washington, and she is only 10: I fail to understand the thrill of watching a beautiful horse whipped to death. Tell Alissa I have the summer off, and I can be her secretary.

Race horses coming to our ranch are not staying long. We have said goodbye to Crowning Moossa. Prairie Rose. Giants Cause. Little Lively. Feed lot horses who have recently been adopted are Crunch Bar. Truck. Neil. And an older mare named Yogurt, who licks strawberry yogurt from the palm of your hand, and what a mess. Yogurt is now best friends forever to Tiny Tim, a pony in Auburn who was lonely. An even 75 adoptions so far in 2008.

It was tough saying goodbye to Prairie Rose. The sweetest filly ever born.

Coffee is from Nob Hill, and microwave pancakes were made by Krusteaz. Later we could be 77 degrees. Poop on top of poop. 106 hungry horses are waiting for the old man to bring food. A new day, a new horse comes to us from a feed lot. Enjoy your birds are singing Thursday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: Friends Of Tbfriends bought us 2 more round pens. We have injured race horses who live in stalls, but now they can enjoy the sunshine. A big Thank You to Friends Of Tbfriends. Cathy and I are grateful, and our horses are grateful.

Top Right: Corey loads Crowning Moossa yesterday, as he leaves for a boarding stable in Davis. We called him Moose, and he is a hunk.

Lifetime residents on our ranch.

Bottom Left: This is Barbie Doll, and she arrived injured from the race track in 2001. Barbie Doll does not care at all for humans.

Bottom Right: I groomed Sultry Baard, got him sparkling clean for pictures, and the first thing he does is roll. Sultry Baard broke his sesamoid at the race track, and now he is healed. Sultry has loads of personality, and his very best friend is Saylor.




Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.

[jdw2w1]

Friday, May 9th... The morning journal today is dedicated to the following:

Destiny Vazavez
Alia Yah
Nahomy Vasquez
Christian Villafana
Emily
Sebastian
Henry
Jeremiah
Monica
Monesha Claggett
Robert Bazua
Angel Delgado
Kevin Leon
Livette
Olivia Vasquez
Lizabeth Andrade
Henry Toribio
Merieneiana Arriaga
Jesus
Iram
Mrs. Cheryl Dean - teacher at Valle del Sol Elementary School in Coachella, California. Her 3rd Grade Class.

Not much money in the town of Coachella. These kids have very little. Yet they collect cans and bottles, turn them in for cash, and then send the money to help horses in need. The kids write Cathy and I letters, complete with drawings of horses and barns.

And so today I dedicate my morning ramblings to the 3rd grade class in Coachella. Horses are universal. Your e-mails this week prove how horses are loved all over the world.

There is an attorney in San Francisco who wants to help Alissa with her advertising campaign. Free of charge. There is a newspaper person in Los Angeles who also wants to help. More than 400 e-mails for Alissa, who hopes for the abuse and deaths of race horses to stop.

One of my favorite letters came from Kristin. She is 14, and lives in Santa Rosa, California. Kristin gives me permission to share. This is part of what Kristin has to say: My dad is a tough guy, but when Eight Belles died he cried like a baby. He was embarrassed when my sister and I saw him crying. We went out to eat and no one talked about Eight Belles. It was really quiet. All of a sudden in the middle of dinner my dad says we should go around the table and tell how much we mean to each other. There was my mom and dad and my little sister and my brother. We all took turns telling how much we love each other. This would never have happened if Eight Belles was still alive. Our family never says this stuff. We know we love each other, we just never say it. When Eight Belles died she made something in my dad change. He got all mushy, and this was the best family dinner we ever had. I told them about your ranch, and we would like to come visit and maybe someday I can get my own horse. Or at least maybe I could hug one of your horses. I wish I had lots of money to help Alissa. I hope Eight Belles is chewing on green grass in heaven. Thanks for listening. Kristin.

To the 3rd Grade class in Coachella, California. We love your letters and your drawings. Thank you very much for recycling cans and bottles, and helping our horses. It is difficult to fully express what this means to my wife and I. We really appreciate your thoughts and efforts. Thank You.

Joe

In 2007 we found new homes for 529 horses, and here are 4 of them.

Top Left: Noelle is with Charlie Pink. If you made a list of the nicest people on earth, Noelle would be at the top.

Top Right: Stephanie from Woodland is with her handsome new guy R Tax Man.

Bottom Left: Maddie and her new gelding Flaming Al. Flaming Al is one of my all time very favorite horses.

Bottom Right: In cold and wet weather our friends Becky and Brooke came to adopt Super Coy, and he is a hunk.


Located in Northern California, TB Friends is dedicated to the rescue and placement of horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Usually these horses arrive from the race track. The horses obtained by TB Friends are often saved from the brutal trip to rendering facilities in Texas.






When possible TB Friends takes care to select horses well suited to make the transformation to riding mount or show horse. Our proximity to the bay area race tracks, along with the throwaway nature of the racing industry, unfortunately results in a situation where there are many horses in need of rescue, and therefore many horses from which to choose.


At TB Friends we manage to rescue about two hundred horses every year. When we place a horse there is no charge for the care that we provide them here at Shelton Farms. We only ask for the cost of a horse's rescue and transportation to the farm. For most horses this amounts to less than $1000 dollars.

Sadly, we can not save them all. We are limited by the number of horses that we can care for at any one time. However, as we find homes for the horses we have rescued, we replace them by rescuing others. For this reason we ask you to consider purchasing a horse from our farm. Not only are you likely to obtain a beautiful animal, but you will also help us to save more horses.

You can call me on my cell at 530-383-2120. If I do not answer it means I am probably busy with a horse. Or on the couch with a rerun of Malcolm In The Middle. Just leave a message and I will call you back soon.