CA Horses in Danger! Joe at TBFriends Blog

[jdw2w1]

Monday, June 9th... The lady at Nextel Sprint says a cell tower is down. This is the reason I have no phone. I ask the lady did the cell tower really fall, or is it like when they say a computer is down. You know the computer is not really down on the ground. Just down. The lady at Nextel Sprint says the cell tower will be fixed within 24 hours. I tell her my cell phone is my business phone. It rings constantly. Her exact reply: Well golly.

Cathy and I have the best job in the whole wide world. We get to meet the most amazing kids. I want to tell you about Sandy. She is 16, and lives in Los Angeles. When Sandy was 15 she graduated from high school. This year, at 16, Sandy received her associates degree from college. And now Sandy is getting ready for Pre Med. She will be a doctor at the ripe old age of 23.

Sandy loves horses with all her heart. Yesterday she adopted the young filly Del Mar Doris. There is a picture of Sandy and Doris below.

The remaining part of the journal for Monday is written by my friend Ryan Andrews. Ryan recently gave me a ride to the feed lots. We got there as doomed horses were being loaded onto a large stock trailer for Canadian slaughter. Ryan wanted to write a paragraph expressing his feelings. His paragraph became two paragraphs, then three, and now it is a short novel. I am going to share with you word for word. Here is Ryan Andrews:

I got hooked up with Joe and Cathy two years ago. I love the way Joe writes, and I wanted to experience his ranch. I have spent my entire life with forty thousand dollar warmbloods from Europe. Lots of competition in lots of barns. When I went to visit Joe and Cathy there were over 100 race horses. The horses were all so quiet. I remember a little chestnut filly and her knee was shattered. She was unable to walk. I ridiculed Joe. I told him at the barn I board at this filly would have been euthanized a long time ago. Joe shrugged and said she will be fine in six months. Jumping ahead to six months, and I was there when Joe gave the little chestnut filly to a high school girl. The filly turns out to be a beautiful mover. The high school girl and her parents were tickled pink. I remembered how I ridiculed Joe and felt terrible. The filly was so happy.

Joe said I could earn extra money by hauling horses for him. I said okay, and started doing two and three jobs a week. I would have done those hauling jobs for free but Joe said be serious, your time and gas are valuable. The money I earned hauling horses I put away. I am saving for a down payment on my own land. I have been hauling for Tbfriends for 18 months now.

On my first trip to a feed lot Joe told me to always treat others with respect. No gossiping. Look straight ahead. Joe said it is the horse which only matters. I would load rescued horses and bring them to Joe. Sometimes I would take them to other homes who paid for the horses. Hauling for Tbfriends I have met the nicest families. They love their rescued horse more than I have ever seen anyone love their forty thousand dollar warmblood.

Joe called and asked if I could give him a ride to the feed lot. He had cash. He said we could get two or three horses. His old truck would never make it. He said he would buy me lunch. Joe said the horses were going to Canada tonight to slaughter. Which is why we had to go today.

When we got there the horses were already being loaded on a big yellow stock trailer. A young kid Brent is a horse killer. He told Joe they were leaving now because he had to be back in Vallejo for a wedding on Saturday. Joe saw a bay thoroughbred gelding who was not on the trailer yet. Joe saw a racing tattoo on the gelding, and said we would take him. The horses on the trailer were looking at us through tiny slots. I got on the trailer. Lots of tired saggy butts. The first horse was a palomino mare, and I could tell the way she was looking at me she wanted to be saved. And there was a quarter appy mix, with clean white spots on her butt. Like someone just gave her a bath. I asked Brent to pull them both off the trailer. The palomino mare was old, maybe 20. The quarter appy mix was maybe 5. Maggie was there, and she and Brent are getting married. Maggie has been flirting with me since day one. If Joe were writing about Maggie he would say she should be on that Tyra show. She looks like a model. Joe says do not let my head explode. Maggie flirts with everybody. Joe says flirting probably makes her feel better about herself. She thinks she gives off a humane impression. Instead of the evil person she is for killing horses.

Maggie told Brent to charge us $1,500.00 for the three horses. Joe told Brent he only had $940.00, but could pay the rest tomorrow. Maggie said screw that. No credit. If Maggie had not been there Brent would have gone for the deal. We had to reload the palomino mare. I kept the quarter appy mix.

I cannot express enough how my heart was broke.

I named my new filly Apple. Back at my barn I tried to call my girlfriend Heather. I just needed to talk to someone, and Heather is my best friend. But when she is at work she cannot have personal calls. Her boss gets pissed.

On all my trips to feed lots this was the first time I have actually seen the horses being loaded. Usually they are just hanging out in a large pen. Makes the viewing much easier to handle.

So I called Joe and I knew he was busy on his ranch. But I felt so terrible, and I wanted to talk. Joe was not having an easy time either. He tells me it will get better. In a few days there will be other horses who need help.

I made my Apple a wet bran so she could go to the bathroom. I sat on the ground next to her while she ate from the tub. She sniffed my hair and my neck. Apple started kissing my ears. I knew she was telling me thank you.

I cried like a freaking 7 year old. I called Joe and told him I can never go back to those feed lots.

What kind of civilized nation allows their horses to be slaughtered?

I go to a California chat room on Yahoo, and they talk about how horses need to be slaughtered because people keep breeding and no one can take care of them all.

If you had to reload a sad palomino mare who thought she was saved then she was back in the trailer, you would not say in chat rooms horses need to be slaughtered.

I think you would be just like me. Wishing the palomino mare was by your side, eating a nice mash just like my Apple.

I thank you for giving me my moment on Tbfriends. Ryan Andrews.

This is Joe again. I know for sure how kids are the future for horses. And how adults are the future for kids.

I truly believe kids will change this crazy horse market. I show you new kids every day. I know how they love horses. It is kids who will make things right.

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

Joe

Yesterday on our ranch:

Top Left: Sandy is the happy new owner of Del Mar Doris.

Top Right: Haley goes for a spin on Dat Thing.

Bottom Left: Laurel gets to meet Fit To March.

Bottom Right: A new photo refuses to load. This is a recently rescued horse in Washington.


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 a trip to rendering facilities in Mexico or Canada.







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.

My cell number is 530-383-2120.

Our mailing address is:
Joe & Cathy Shelton
15891 County Road 92C
Woodland, Ca. 95695

You can send your letters to [e-mail]

[jdw2w1]

Sorry, I've been AWOL My two young sons broke my computer...I think I'm back...





Saturday, June 28th... So many horror stories coming from friends who work at race tracks. From Hollywood Park we are accepting a filly who was tied to the rear of her stall and beaten until her butt bled. All she did wrong was finish last in a race. For being slow she was punished.

And now in Northern California county fair racing has begun. Always our busy time of year. Last summer during county fair racing, 38 horses made the long walk up our driveway. All sorts of problems. Broken knees, broken ankles, and even a broken jaw.

Many so called horse racing experts are predicting most tracks will be closed in the next 5 years. Attendance is way down. TV ratings in the toilet. Only Big Brown trying for a Triple Crown brought above average television ratings.

Haley is 19, and she goes to school in Berkeley. On our ranch Haley fell in love with a gray gelding called Lit Royale. When Lit Royale was adopted last weekend I knew Haley was going to phone. And she did. Haley said darn it, she wanted Lit Royale so bad. She was looking at boarding stables close to her apartment. Haley thought she had time. As I explain to everyone, if a good home comes along, I must take advantage. A young girl Jessa also fell in love with Lit Royale. An all around amazing horse. Jessa was first to sign the Bill of Sale.

I reminded Haley she lives next to a race track called Golden Gate Fields. I told Haley go to the backstretch entrance and ask for a day pass. Walk around and tell trainers you are looking for a gelding to buy. You might as well be carrying free doughnuts. You will be swarmed.

Haley called me later crying. There was a black gelding, and when the trainer brought him from his stall the poor horse could hardly walk. The trainer said give me $2,000.00 and the horse is yours. Haley asked what is wrong with him? The trainer said not much, he is just a little sore. Haley thought his cannon bone was broken. He stood on three legs.

An older groom, Haley says he was at least 50, asked Haley for a date. 9:00 in the morning, and the old groom smelled of whiskey.

Haley could not get out of there fast enough. All she can think about is the sad black gelding. On the phone she tells me Thanks For Nothing. From now on she will search for her new horse only from Tbfriends.

On my visits to the backstretch of race tracks, everyone is nice as can be. I have seldom seen horses treated badly.

Horse killer Manny Phelps has a race horse gelding with filling in his left front tendon. 40 cents a pound. The gelding raced at Pleasanton County Fair. Six hours later he is at a feed lot in Wilton.

Coming to us early next week are three race horses from Northern California. And two race horses from Southern California.

All the time I am asked, either from e-mails or on the phone, why race horses? Why do I bother? A never ending supply.

If you have ever been with a race horse, felt his thunder, felt his will to live, you would know why. No animal is more loyal. No animal more loving. A race horse would literally die for you. At race tracks throughout America they die for our entertainment everyday.

Enjoy your still smokey Saturday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: We have had good luck placing horses who need a new home fast. Just from showing you their picture on my morning journal. Here is an 8 year old pinto mare. She is 14.3 hands. She loads and ties. The mare has a bucking problem. My cell is 530-383-2120. I do all the screening. The mare is free, and she lives in Northern California.

Top Right: We said goodbye to cute Justin yesterday. A quarter horse, Justin has a wonderful new home in Reno.

Bottom Left & Right: Very smokey again yesterday.





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 a trip to rendering facilities in Mexico or Canada.







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.

My cell number is 530-383-2120.

Our mailing address is:
Joe & Cathy Shelton
15891 County Road 92C
Woodland, Ca. 95695

You can send your letters to [e-mail]

[jdw2w1]

Sundaym June 29th... I am willing to wager horse killer Brent Sanchez has never been to veternary school. He tells me this fat cute Morgan mare is not due to foal for another month.

Including shipping, the Morgan mares costs me $840.00. Each time I tell readers of Tbfriends about a pregnant mare who needs a new home, there are 30 or 40 who respond. I figure next week I can show a picture of the Morgan mare, she will find a new home fast, and I get my $840.00 back to rescue another horse.

Well the Morgan mare arrives on Friday, and her boobies are huge. Mostly the mare hates me. Pins her ears and scowls. Early yesterday morning Cathy and I find a new foal on the ground. Horse killer Brent Sanchez was only off by 30 days.

A tiny little boy, the first time he tries to nurse the mare picks him up with her teeth and flings him like a rag doll. Oh oh. After foaling the first colostrum is very important. An immunity against all that is bad. The foal must nurse. The mare wants to kill him. So I hold her front leg in the air, and the little guy is able to eat.

Now the poor mare just came from a feed lot 18 hours ago. Where ever she lived before, she was well taken care of. Nice feet. A shiny coat. I tell myself the mare is probably stressed. She goes from a providable home to a stinky feed lot with green water. Standing in poop created by other horses 4 years ago. On her way to Canadian slaughter. I would be grumpy too. I put the mare in a pen next to her child. And in an hour or so we will try once again for a nice quiet meal.

I take the mare back to her kid. Pet her face. Whisper sweet lullabies into her ear. Kiss her on the nose. The mare tries to bite my face off.

And then she really tries to kill her kid. The mare runs me over. I finally get control, and enough is enough. The foal has to eat. I twitch her nose and pick up another front leg. The kid happily chows down. Like Sunday at Home Town Buffet.

Every 90 minutes around the clock we have brought the mare to her colt. She fights. Kicks out at her child. Pick up a front leg and she surrenders.

Pony Boy has raised two other kids. I put Pony Boy in our big round pen with the new colt, just so the colt will have company. Sometimes the baby tries to nurse from Pony Boy. Pony Boy gets grouchy. But when the tiny colt sleeps, Pony Boy stands over him like an old fat momma.

When I have issues, which is usually 60 times a day, I phone Jodi Tuft. Jodies operates the largest training center in the Sacramento valley. I tell Jodi about my new orphaned child. Jodi says she has an older mare who produces milk year round. She knows her mare will accept the colt. A motherly sweetheart. And so later today the colt goes to Dixon. A brand new mom. Lots of milk. No one trying to savage him while he eats.

I think the last time we had a new baby on this ranch was 2003. I had forgotten how fun new foals are. I had forgotten about giving an enema.

A big Thank You to Jodi Tuft for always being there. Enjoy your sky is kind of blue but there is still smoke Sunday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: This is Uncle Scott, who came to us from a feed lot. Uncle Scott has a racing tattoo which says he is only 9.

Top Right: Pony Boy gets to play Mom again.

Bottom Left: The new colt likes to dip his face in water.

Bottom Right: By the end of the day the colt had another friend. Eclipse came from a feed lot 4 months ago, and she is free to roam in our mare motel area. Through the panels Eclipse licked his neck and stayed by his side. The kid had Pony Boy and Eclipse to get him through the night.


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 a trip to rendering facilities in Mexico or Canada.







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.

My cell number is 530-383-2120.

Our mailing address is:
Joe & Cathy Shelton
15891 County Road 92C
Woodland, Ca. 95695

You can send your letters to [e-mail]

[jdw2w1]

Monday, June 30th... Sharon lives in a place called Hastings, New Zealand. Sharon is a reader of Tbfriends, and she wrote us the nicest letter. Four times now I have written Sharon back, but my e-mail is always returned. There is a message saying Norman Mailer-Matt Damon, or something like that. My letters will not go through. Just wanted to Thank Sharon for her letter, and how humbling it is to have someone in New Zealand tuning in every day.

E-mails from Australia. Japan. Italy. France. India. Ireland. Canada. Hawaii. Alaska. Carly lives in the tiny state of Delaware, and she owns Mad Max, an ex race horse with an attitude. Carly loves him like crazy. Carly has been writing us letters for three years now.

All e-mails have been answered. If you recently sent us a letter and did not receive a reply (except for Sharon in New Zealand who I know did not receive a reply) please resend your letter.

What a weekend just finished. We said goodbye to Piper, a little filly purchased from an auction. We said goodbye to Arson Suspect, a quarter horse gelding, and with all of these fires his name is certainly fitting. We said goodbye to Justin, who has a great new home in Reno. We said goodbye to Morris The Cat, a grandson of Storm Cat, and he left us for a boarding stable in Davis. We said goodbye to Hasti Serve, one of my all time favorite fillies, and she too went to a boarding stable in Davis.

And we said goodbye to a little colt born on our ranch Saturday morning. I bought a pregnant mare from horse killer Brent Sanchez, and one day later she foals. The mare savaged her kid, and twice she tried to kill him. Jodi Tuft to the rescue. Jodi has an arabian mare named Princess, who gladly accepted our colt. On the phone Jodi says the colt will not stop nursing. A hungry little guy. How fun it was to have a brand new baby on our ranch again.

Lots of letters asking what am I going to do with mean mom? We will make sure her milk dries up, and then out to our fields she goes. What a grouch. Mother Of The Year award is probably out the window.

Horse killer Brent Sanchez says he has another pregnant mare. A thoroughbred, and she is due in 2009. Her cost is 50 cents a pound. Horse killer Brent Sanchez says she came from a breeding farm. The owner of the breeding farm did not like her attitude, so off to slaughter she goes.

I am going to buy this preggo thoroughbred mare later today. With shipping she should be around $800.00. If you have room for a mare who will foal early in 2009, give me a call at 530-383-2120. I will of course need my $800.00 back.

On this last day of June we have hazy skies, and today could be 88 degrees. There is employment at another ranch, earning the big bucks, and later in the afternoon kids from a youth shelter will visit to learn about horses. Enjoy your Monday, and be sure to hug your horses. Strong coffee is from Folgers, with just the right amount of praline cream. Three eggs scrambled, with mushrooms and cheddar cheese. Simon & Garfunkel on the oldies station. There are 4 David Lettermans on the DVR to watch from last week.

Joe

[jdw2w1]

Tuesday, July 1st... Already 2008 is half over.

A gigantic Thank You to a family in Davis, who yesterday became the new owners of a pregnant thoroughbred mare who is due to foal in March, 2009. I told you about this mare yesterday. She was on her way to slaughter in Canada, and horse killer Brett Sanchez wanted 50 cents a pound. I had 11 phone calls yesterday from readers of this website. They would be happy to help. The family in Davis plans on finding a good home for the foal. The mare will be retired to a large ranch in Nevada. Last night the mare was transported to a boarding stable in Davis, where she will stay until her baby is weaned next year.

A big Thank You to all who offered this mare a good home. But hang on for a second... there is more.

Horse killer Brent Sanchez has yet another pregnant mare. She is a quarter mix, and due in 2009. The mare is also 50 cents a pound. She is currently at a feed lot in Vallejo. The mare is at least 20, and neglected. I can help with transportation. She needs foot care. Vaccinations. Lots of groceries. Since she is so thin her cost should be only $400.00 or so.

Horse killer Wade Giles has a fresh off the track filly, and at Pleasanton Fair she finished next to last. The filly is 45 cents a pound.

A big Thank You to Wendy Wainwright, who yesterday at our front gate brought 5 gasoline gift cards. Wendy tells me to pass these cards out to my horse haulers.

Channel 3 News says there are currently 1,400 fires in California. A drought. Boy do we need some rain.

On this first day of July, our farrier Tim Gee comes. An older gelding from a feed lot in Vallejo will make the long walk up our driveway. Tomorrow we will greet three more race horses. Poop on top of poop. No ending to the list of chores. Later we could be 89 degrees. A big Thank You to Brenda Fletcher for the Starbucks gift cards. A big Thank You to Cora Mason for unbelievable horse cookies. So delicious I ate two myself. A big Thank You to 10 year old Meghan who lives in Vacaville. A poem about her love for horses, complete with colorful drawings. Enjoy your Tuesday without American Idol, and be sure to hug your horses. Coffee is from Dunkin Doughnuts, and microwave waffles were made by Eggo. The blind mare Georgia waits at our back door for a left over waffle. She especially likes the maple syrup part.

Joe

[jdw2w1]

Wednesday, July 2nd... A little of this, a little of that. Yesterday I told you how three new race horses were coming to us, but now there are four. They will arrive later today. Scrambling for space. Already this week we have greeted two fillies from race tracks in Los Angeles. 108 horses on this fly infested ranch. Delicious coffee is from Napa Valley Roasting Company. Left over alfredo pasta for breakfast. The Doors on the oldies station.

We send good thoughts to Stephanie in Esparto, and Judy in Wilton. Both lost their horses on Monday. Captain was a warmblood, and in 6 years Stephanie only missed seeing him 5 days total, each time because she was sick. Utah was a quarter horse, 26 years old, and Judy raised him from birth. Our best to good friends Stephanie and Judy.

In time for supper last night came a little thoroughbred gelding from a feed lot in Vallejo. There is a racing tattoo which says he is 6. His name is now Kodak. 22 times I took his picture, with only one Kodak moment. Kodak likes apples, but spit out his peppermint and flies quickly pounced.

A big Thank You to a lady named Delores, who yesterday left a beautiful saddle and a bag of fly masks at our front gate. Already we have a new home for the saddle. A young girl in Davis on her third month of riding lessons. Thank You Delores.

An e-mail from a nice lady in Florida and she wants to know, what is Davis? And why am I always writing about boarding stables in Davis?

Davis is the city right next to us, about 20 minutes away. This is where UC Davis is. We have filled up several boarding stables with horses adopted from Tbfriends. Lots of trainers in Davis who give riding lessons, and we refer young kids to these trainers. The Davis area has gone horse crazy. Many small mom and pop ranches all over the place.

Beth was not going to miss out on this one. On Monday I told you about a pregnant thoroughbred mare due in 2009, and she was at a feed lot for 50 cents a pound. There were 11 phone calls, including Beth, who offered to pay for the mare and give her a good home. The mare went to a family in Davis, and we are forever grateful.

Yesterday I wrote about another pregnant mare, an older quarter horse mix who is skinny and neglected. She is also due to foal in 2009. No phone call from Beth this time. Instead she showed up at our front gate. A sweetheart of a lady. Beth has 10 acres outside of a town called Acampo. Beth says she is happy to help. The skinny mare was transported yesterday, and later on the phone Beth says there was a welcome to our neighborhood party. Carrots and apples for the mare. Turkey meatloaf for humans. No name for the mare as yet. Beth is leaning towards Grace.

And now I must go make room for the four new race horses. Later we could be 91 degrees. New pictures are not loading. Driving me crazy. There is a new photo on the Bottom Left. I wanted to show you how good Sea Captain looks after his castration. Also the new gelding Kodak, in his one and only Kodak moment. Enjoy your we still have smoke Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

[jdw2w1]

Thursday, July 3rd... On June 15th police officer Tony Diaz was shot to death. Only a few miles from us. Last night at a restaurant in Woodland there was a fundraiser for his children. Cathy and I dined on chicken, pot stickers, egg rolls, and spicy chinese noodle salad.

A community coming together to help these kids. Very serene. Very spiritual. A little girl maybe 8 or 9 sitting next to me, and she says: Wow you smell nice. Just like a horse.

Always making that first good impression...

On the way home I tell Cathy we could have our own line of cosmetics. Horse cologne. Horse after shave. How about a bar of Mustang soap? Thoroughbred body lotion. Friesian deodorant. Later today I will call Ralph Lauren.

Back home, 113 horses making noise, poop on top of poop. Four new horses from Northern California race tracks yesterday. One new horse from a feed lot in Wilton. Dust, with two or three billion flies. Smoke and heat. Dealing with horse killers. Horse abuse. Horse starvation. This is all I want to do. Horses are my entire existence.

Officer Tony, and we have no real connection. I know people who knew him. Every day Officer Tony went to work and protected us. A good guy. Coached sports. His kids were his world.

A man from a magazine back east wanted to interview me, and I told him no. A network wanted to interview me and I told them no. People do bad things to horses. Canada and Mexico turn horses into cheese steak sandwiches. Almost daily on the news there are horror stories about horse racing. Nothing more I can add to the mix.

Unless you want to talk about a good man who loved his kids and tried to live life right. Who never spoke unkindly about others. The first person to help when help was needed.

Late at night with my 113 horses, and Jewels the dog wanting to go back inside. Cathy and I are incredibly blessed. I wish parts of this planet were different. I wish Officer Tony was still with his kids. I wish all horses could be happy and safe. The fundraiser was a wake up call. Take time to smell the horse poop. All that means the most, horses, our community, our friends. Rock and roll on the radio. Giving Thanks for this life...

Joe

[jdw2w1]

Friday, July 4th... On this day of liberty and freedoms, we honor Susie Ingersoll who yesterday passed away. A good friend to us. A good friend to horses.

Her daughter is Stephanie Breaux, who does so much for Cathy and I. Son in law Lorenzo. We share in their loss.

On this day of grief I am not going to bore you with my usual drivel. A time out. We honor a wonderful lady who loved kids and reality shows. Susie would always tell me what was happening on Dancing With The Stars. I so looked forward to our phone conversations.

I will be back tomorrow with more of my horse stuff.

Rest In Peace Susie.

Joe

[jdw2w1]

Saturday, July 5th... I could, if I wanted, share with you horror stories of abandoned horses in Northern California.

I could tell you about horses evacuated from hundreds of fires, some are now with us, and their futures are in limbo.

I could tell you about a black thoroughbred mare who was given to us from an event barn, and she is stunning. A tragedy in the family, and her owner can no longer pay board.

I could tell you about horse killer Manny Phelps, and how on Thursday he loaded 16 horses for the long trip to slaughter in Canada. There should have been 20 horses, but Tbfriends brought 4 of them home. All 4 are former race horses. There is a tall gelding who Allison Martino named Ringo, because he looks like a Ringo. Been several years since we have had a Ringo on our ranch.

I could tell you how Officer Tony, a new gelding from the race track, took a nap in his round pen and his legs became stuck in the panels. It took 4 of us to get Officer Tony free, including a passing motorist who was taking pictures from the road. Said he had never seen so many horses. Would it be all right if he snapped some shots? I said sure, but first come over here and help lift this panel.

I could share with you views from our haystack. On the 4th of July we can see fireworks from Cal Expo, Raleys Field, Woodland, and Vacaville. California is on fire, yet they still have fireworks. Sound thinking...

But on this Saturday morning, with a list of chores 5 miles long, and a new wasp nest above our back door, all I can think about is Uncle Scott.

He came within an hour of euthansia. Starving and unhappy, I bought Uncle Scott from a feed lot. Thought for sure I could rebound him. Several months from now he would look like Big Brown. Instead Uncle Scott slid even farther down the healthy pole, and I did not want him to suffer. But yesterday morning, on our day of Independence, Uncle Scott was doing better. Diving into his bucket of grains like I dive into fresh strawberry pie. Yesterday afternoon Uncle Scott was galloping around and around our house. Playing with all the little animals. Teasing the blind old mare Georgia.

I almost pulled the plug. The road to recovery seemed far off. But Uncle Scott has newly acquired strength. He squeals as he runs and plays, always a good sign.

All that is bad in Northern California. Abandoned horses and over flowing feed lots and fires and daily race track deaths. But it is Uncle Scott who has my attention. The first thing I think about when getting dressed. I wonder if he is okay? Did he have a good night? Still dark, but I must go see him.

Funny how one horse will dictate your thoughts. How one horse guides your day. Uncle Scott is a bag of bones. Ugly broken pasterns. Just 6 years old with a racing tattoo. A survivor. Funny how one horse can penetrate your heart and the next thing you know you are blabbing about him to everyone and they are bored but you keep talking because he means everything to you. Funny how one horse can clobber you over the head and you are in love forever.

That tingly, glad to be alive feeling whenever I see him.

Joe

Top Left: A new picture refuses to load, so you get to see Susie, a beautiful thoroughbred mare.

[jdw2w1]

Sunday, July 6th... We have taken in horses evacuated from fires, and you should see us now. Elbow to elbow, hock to hock. Any step you take, and horse poop will cling to your soles. We are in the deep heart of summer. Later today could be 98 degrees. 104 for Tuesday. Yuck. Hanging out in the produce isle at Raleys. Nice and cool there. Tomatoes on the vine for $1.99 a pound.

We constantly rotate horses so they may have a few hours of shade. Thoroughbreds enjoy yelling a lot. Screaming is a better word. Neighbors quickly put out their For Sale signs.

In 2001 we had 164 horses on our ranch. Northern California was flooded. It would take 4 hours to feed. Days were short. Come inside for a cream cheese on datenut sandwich, then go back out for supper feeding. I lost a cell phone in the mud. Many combs. Gloves. Several baseball caps. More than one chapstick. Pocket knives to cut hay twine with. Buried all over our ranch lots of good stuff. Ear phones and a radio. Two coffee mugs, including one that says Loser. Still miss that mug.

Not sure how many horses on our ranch at this moment, but we are close to 120.

Nothing worse than wondering about your animals when a fire hits. That sick, this cannot be happening panic. Horses evacuated from fires are fitting in fine. Some were stressed, and some come with a no big deal attitude. Just another road trip, and what time is supper?

Not often we get a horse like Indy. Sound, and a beautiful mover. Two years old from the race track, and still with his testicles. Yesterday 10 year old Taia played with his face. 12 year old Allison took him for a long walk. 13 year old Kaitlynn groomed his entire body, and Indy stood so nice. His new home is with Kenny, Anne & Taia who live in Grass Valley.

Indy will leave us just as soon as castration takes place. An event trainer from Santa Rosa is angry with me. She wanted Indy badly. I just feel for Indy this is a much better situation. A loving family who own and operate a boarding stable. Indy will live like royalty. Taia bringing him treats...

Enjoy your hot and smokey Sunday, and be sure to hug your horses. We send good thoughts and prayers to all involved with the fires. If we can help with your animals just give me a call. 530-383-2120.

Joe

[jdw2w1]

Monday, July 7th... Up early, so early the roosters are annoyed. It seems every Monday I must work at another ranch, earning the big bucks. An extra cup of Peets, looking to find another gear. On our ranch we are incredibly crowded. Horses evacuated from fires are hoping to go home soon. Tom Hayes lives a mile away, down County Road 19. We buy our hay from Tom, and last night all alfalfa was gone. We are currently going through 36 bales a day. Tom left town for the holiday weekend. In the old ranch truck I go to his hay barn and load up. 18 bales for supper feeding. On the way home 5 bales fall off, and slide into a ditch next to the road. It was 175 degrees. Go to my ranch, unload the remaining 13 bales, drive back and reload the other 5. Passing motorists wave. Their nice, air conditioned cars no doubt with Rascal Flatts blasting from their cd players. Back at my house, and the 13 bales are once again put on the old truck. Three times in 240 degree heat I had to load that truck. Wondering if maybe this was the correct career choice...

Two race horses from Southern California and two race horses from Nothern California are waiting to come to us. No room at the Inn. Several horses evacuated from fires should go home this weekend. Others will stay with us while their owners rebuild. Sad times in California. Yucky smokey skies, with no end in sight. Later today might be 103 degrees. We slept with some windows open, and smoke filled our house. Strong coffee is from Peets, with just the right amount of praline cream. Whoopie pies came from Robin West, who lives back East. First time we have ever had a whoopie pie. So delicious I am hiding them from Pony Boy. Thank you Robin.

Pictures from the old Kodak program load quickly. Loading pictures from the newer Kodak program is like trying to get the ancient mare Elvira to lead. One long step at a time. All day to travel ten yards. Driving me crazy...

There is a mare here who lives far away, and she will stay with us until her owner removes burned fence posts. We know the chore well. Digging away in cement to bust loose the entire post, and then a new fence post goes in. Anyway, what was my point? Oh yeah, the mare is so cute. Every time a person approachs she holds her right front leg in the air and squeals. Like an excited puppy. And then the mare follows you all over, squealing and begging for attention. She is a thoroughbred, with personality all the way to the moon. The owner misses her like crazy, and this weekend new fencing should be completed. The happy little mare will go home, saying enough of this dust and smoke and flies. And all of those grouchy race horses. What an attitude they have...

Time to feed this ranch and then go feed another. Enjoy your ridiculously hot and smokey Monday, and be sure to hug your horses. A special hello to Sue, and Thank You so much for the coffee. We could smell it before the package was opened. Takes away from that kitty litter, dog hair, smoke smells we have grown fond of. Thank you for thinking of us Sue.

Joe