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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 9, 2008 14:51:10 GMT -5
Wednesday, April 9th... Feed lots in Northern California are elbow to elbow. We have come full circle. Over crowded feed lots to empty feed lots to feed lots with only 5 or 6 horses. And now they are once again jammed packed with doomed horses on their way to slaughter plants in Canada and Mexico.
My old truck is making a funny noise, so shopping trips for doomed horses is done by phone. There is Vallejo and Wilton and Turlock. Sometimes in Roseville a feed lot appears, only they do not call it a feed lot. They call it a Holding Cell. Horse killers Wade Giles, Manny Phelps, Lyle Carter, Brent Sanchez and his girlfriend Maggie, are mostly who I buy from. I finally remembered where I have seen Maggie before. She looks just like that girl who played on the Buffy Vampire show. I told Maggie this on the telephone. I said you look like Buffy Vampire and Maggie said yeah, but I make more money than she does.
Brent Sanchez and his girlfriend Maggie operate out of Vallejo, and if Maggie had her way they would never sell me a horse. Maggie hates me. I know this for sure, because she said so. Maggie said me and my stupid website are stupid. And that about sums up her entire vocabulary...
But her boyfriend Brent Sanchez likes me. I know this for sure, because he said so. I am allowed to rescue their horses. 30 cents a pound if you are old and lame and no one has ever wanted you. 40 cents a pound if you are middle of the road with possibilities. 50 cents a pound if you are drop dead gorgeous. And then Brent Sanchez laughs. He thinks he is clever, using the drop dead pun.
A large stock trailer carring 10 or more horses to slaughter in Canada can bring a horse killer 5 or 6 thousand dollars. A double decker trailer can bring a horse killer $15,000.00. Depending on how much the horses weigh.
And do not kid yourself, there are beautiful, magnificient horses who find themselves on a slaughter bound trailer. Hunter jumper horses who only a few years ago would have sold for big dollars. All breeds. All ages. Lost in the shuffle of mankind.
And there are sad, pathetic horses. Neglected for years, never known love, and soon they will be dinner in Europe. Strange, the way neglected horses are all so sweet. Wired race horses or shiny show horses higher than the moon, causing all kinds of trouble. But neglected hungry horses with bad feet are the ones who hang their heads in your belly. Hoping for just a tiny bit of affection.
It is those sad, pathetic horses who we mostly bring home. A friend is always telling me, geez Joe, you have no chance of ever finding these horses a new family. Look how neglected and miserable they are. Why not spend your money on saving a fancy show horse? At least you will get your money back.
I know my friend is right. Common sense dictates you must have cash flow to stay in business. But when horse killer Brent Sanchez tells me about a crippled filly with deformed feet, I say sure, I can help her. And so I bought this filly yesterday from the feed lot in Vallejo.
And when horse killer Brent Sanchez tells me about a gelding with decent weight who has fencing hanging from his mane, his tail in knots, his feet in horrible condition, and his nose is bleeding, I say sure, I can help him. And so I bought this gelding yesterday from the feed lot in Vallejo.
During the phone conversation with horse killer Brent Sanchez, I did not ask how many drop dead, 50 cents a pound beautiful event horses he has. I quit with those questions a long time ago. Living in the dark is acceptable.
On Kentucky Derby day Saturday, HBO is doing a special on horse slaughter.
I have no doubt rambled on enough for one morning. The coffee is from Peets, and incredible apple cinnamon pie was made by Costco. Later we could be 70 degrees. Last year American Idol raised 76 million dollars for hungry kids all over the world, and they do it again tonight. Amazing stuff. Enjoy your perfect spring Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses.
Joe
3 new horses arrived yesterday.
Top left: She is so cute. From a race track came Top It Off, and I suppose we will call her Topper. She comes with a jell cast, and is very lame. We will get her well.
Top right: From a feed lot in Vallejo came this deformed filly, and we are naming her Alice. We will get her well.
Bottom left. From a feed lot in Vallejo came this gelding, and we spent 2 hours cutting knots from his tail. There is a racing tattoo which says he is 9 years old. He came off the van with lots of jewelry hanging from his mane and tail, so we named him Dude.
Bottom right picture is by request. This is Logician, we call him Logan, and he came to us from the race track last year with a broken leg. Logan has healed, and his very best friend in life is Devil Badgett.
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 10, 2008 10:09:49 GMT -5
Thursday, April 10th... The following is a word for word quote from horse killer Manny Phelps:
I provide a service. People are revolted when I tell them I process horses for a living, but without me there would be thousands of starving horses living on our streets. On that girlie website of yours you wrote how I exploit horses. Wrong. I exploit alcohol. I exploit Burger King. But with horses I provide a service. I mop up. I clean up the mess left by morons who just have to breed their mare. A few years later no one wants the baby anymore, so I come in to mop up. How come you never write about those morons who just have to breed their mare? Every spring I send dozens of mares and new foals to the meat plant. And every spring there are idiots breeding more babies. All of your do right for horses cause they built America is crap. The only way to do right for horses is to stop breeding them.
The following is a word for word quote from a man named Pete, and he is in charge of a major Northern California auction:
Kill buyers represent 80 percent of our business. The only market for the $250.00 horse is the butcher market. We provide a service for unwanted horses.
The following is a word for word quote from a large thoroughbred breeding farm in Northern California:
Can you send a hauler to pick up 6 mares? They have great bloodlines, but we are cutting back. Also we have several 2 and 3 year olds that need to go. I understand you are full, but if you turn us down we will have to sell them to slaughter. For you they are $300.00 each.
The following is a word for word quote from Allison Martino, and she is 12. Once a week Allison stays with us after school, while her mom is in a computer class:
What is wrong with people? I would go postal on these clowns.
We sometimes receive 50 or 75 e-mails daily, and I do a decent job of keeping up. This past Monday, April 7th, there were 37 letters asking me to take their horse. 37. All kinds of stories. Many of these letters would break your heart. Money problems, lost jobs, boarding rates keep rising, divorces, feeding costs, their horse is lame, their horse is mean, their daughter has a boyfriend, or their horse is 30 and it is time move on.
All 37 letters have the same dark theme. You are our last chance Joe. Otherwise we will have to take him to auction. Otherwise we will have to put him down. Otherwise could you give me the phone number of a horse killer?
The majority of these requests always come on Mondays. During the weekend is when owners decide they must say goodbye.
The following is a word for word quote from horse killer Brent Sanchez, and this came yesterday:
I got a gelding with a tattoo and he is 8. He has one shoe and he needs at least 100 pounds. A lady in Vacaville gave him to me. What a witch. She has all these horses, and when her little boy came to say hi she screamed and cussed him out. Told him to quit bothering everybody. I am going to give you this gelding Joe. He is sweet. You just have to cover transportation costs from Vallejo. Call Maggie, and she will have him ready at the south gate.
One thing I have learned about most horse killers. They become really angry when kids are treated badly.
Another gelding comes to us from horse killer Manny Phelps later today. We could be 75 degrees. I am experimenting with this posting pictures thing. New pictures will soon be up under the age links. Enjoy your beautiful sun is up Thursday, 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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 11, 2008 9:35:58 GMT -5
Friday, April 10th... Yesterday Channel 3 said we were going to be 75 degrees. What they meant was 75 below zero. A strong cold wind all day, and sweatshirts stayed on. We had a dust storm. Horses with gunky eyes, and fly masks came out of the closet. Channel 3 is now saying this weekend will be warm. Maybe 85 for Saturday. Flies are arriving from Bakersfield.
The winds have been crazy all night, and we keep losing our dial tone. After 53 cups of extra strength Folgers, you should see how fast I am typing.
If 4 new pictures do not appear below each day, just hit your Refresh key. F5 does it for us. There are e-mails saying I must be drunk. My descriptions do not match the photos. F5 will get you there...
From a major thoroughbred breeding farm in Northern California, we are in the process of buying a whole lot of horses. The farm threatens to have these horses sold to Canadian slaughter. There are broodmares and there are horses of racing age. Our foster families have been put on alert. And we are making room in our poop on top of poop fields.
Two geldings arrived from feed lots yesterday, and with the exception of neglected feet, both are in good shape.
Our vet Lisa Wallace is coming soon to take X-rays of our new mare Tapatio, and we call her Tap Dancer. Jenny Hartman found maggots eating away the right front foot of Tap Dancer. A deep hole in her heel, and who knows how long maggots have been feasting? Tap Dancer came to us last Saturday. She is unable to walk. Her sire is Cherokee Run, and he is the sire of champion 2 year old War Pass, a Kentucky Derby favorite.
And since we are talking Kentucky Derby, HBO has chosen this day to show a documentary on horse slaughter. It is said to be very graphic.
Yesterday in a Northern California chat room, 3 chatters (is chatters the right word?) came together to save the life of an older arabian mare. Holly Meeks provided transportation, and the mare is now with our friend Megan in Fairfield. She arrived in okay shape, and is probably 20 years old. There is good all over, and we hear about it everyday...
Mike Baker brings us kids from a youth shelter, and I must hurry and spruce up the joint. Horses living in our yard, and there is poop on our porch. A giant mountain of dirt from the dust storm, and our windows are so dusty you could draw faces. Enjoy your warm, windy, dusty, flies are making themselves comfortable Friday, and be sure to hug your horses. Home is where the crock pot is...
Joe
Top Left: I will often be showing you pictures of horses in Northern California who need good homes. These horses are always free, but you will be screened. Here is Red, he is a 19 year old thoroughbred, and he loves kids. My cell is 530-383-2120.
Top Right: I love this picture. Play Misty For Me lives in our yard, and she is sharing carrots with our friend Becky.
Bottom Left and Bottom Right: Two new arrivals from feed lots, and both are in good shape. Both need a bath. Top Left is Bear, and he has clumps of dirty hair hanging from his belly. Top Right is Cola, and he is wearing mud from 1989.
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.
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Post by atticus on Apr 11, 2008 10:32:22 GMT -5
I always love Joe's Blogs...it is just like you are there!
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 12, 2008 9:17:31 GMT -5
Saturday, April 12th... A thousand times a week (okay not a thousand, but at least once a week for sure) I am asked who is my favorite horse to ever live on our ranch. And I always answer truthfully: They all are.
Hunter Jumper kids want to know my favorite build of a horse. I love the small and compact thoroughbred. But lately in show rings I have been watching as long bodied, long neck, with an intelligent face take all the honors.
Yesterday from a race track came a baby, just 3 years old. He has a long body. He has a long neck. And in his face you can see how smart he is. Which is why below on the top row I am showing you 2 different pictures of the same horse. His registered name is Middletown Road, and I suppose we will call him Roadie.
This past week has been nuts. Horses coming, horses leaving, and I lost count of the number of horses on our ranch. I think we are at 106. But it could be 108. Endless chores, and at the ranch where I earn the big bucks there are yearlings to walk. My old feet are killing me. Kaitlyn Murray is 13, and at our front gate she meets me for the first time and says how old are you, a hundred? Kaitlyn Murray brought delicious pastries from Costco, so I allow her stings to slide. A young man named Ryan, and he lives at a youth shelter in Sacramento. He tells me his life story. Ryan has been arrested for burglary and for being a chronic runaway. He walks unescorted into our house and I think oh swell, there goes the 47 incher. Later, as Ryan and his group are leaving, he hugs me. And he says all these horses man. All this life. Your ranch gave me lots to think about.
We have gone from winter to summer in about 8 hours. Later today we could be 87 degrees. Congratulations to Melanie, who is the happy new owner of a well trained gelding. If you would like to be on our list for an already trained horse, give me a call at 530-383-2120. These horses are incredible, and they are also free. Times are tough. Well trained event horses are given to us from fancy barns. They are perfect for a first time horse owner. In 2007 we found new homes for 14 well trained horses. They were literally dropped off in our driveway. More than one horse a month. So far in 2008 we have given away 3 already trained event horses. Melanie has been on our list for 7 months. And at last she has her dream horse.
If your single horse is lonely, we have access to over 100 horses who would make a great companion. Give me a call. We will help with shipping.
Enjoy your warm, birds are singing and bugs are hatching Saturday, and be sure to hug your horses.
Joe
Top row is Middle Town Road, front and back. He is 3, and very quiet.
Bottom row pictures are by request.
Bottom left is Pappas Honor, and he has lived with us since 2004. We call him Pappa. My wife Cathy has ridden him all over our ranch, and he is mostly goofy.
Bottom right is the old mare Elvia, and we rescued her from a breeding farm in 2004. She is now 24 years old, and her husband is Timely Weave.
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.
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Post by chocolatemoose on Apr 13, 2008 9:51:10 GMT -5
Sunday, April 13th... As usual, I do not explain things right. Much confusion about well trained horses from fancy barns who are given to us. So we give them to good homes. We keep a list, and yesterday I told you how young Melanie had been on our list for 7 months before she received her perfect horse. This does not mean you will be on our list for that long. It all depends on the horse. Melanie had made it to the top of our list 3 months ago, but we had to wait for the right horse for Melanie. Just because you are next on the list does not mean you get the next horse. We match horse with rider.
If you are on our list and you find a horse someplace else, of course we cross off your name and everybody else moves up.
We promise privacy to previous owners. Which is why a picture of the horse is never shown. New owners are seldom allowed to contact old owners, unless old owners say it is okay.
Some of these well trained horses have been advertised For Sale, but there was little interest. Owners trust Tbfriends to find the right home for their horse.
I have been posting pictures of horses around Northern California who need good homes. These horses are also free. Yesterday a young girl in Granite Bay became the excited new owner of Red, a 19 year old thoroughbred gelding who I just showed you a couple of days ago.
Yes, there are free horses everywhere. All breeds, with all different levels of training. One girl in Woodland asks for a wild young horse. She wants to break her horse to ride, and they can grow old together. Another girl in Davis asks for a quiet gentle trail horse. Both girls have received their new horses. We even help with transportation costs.
I must meet you. And I usually ask to see your other animals. I want to know where your new horse is going to live. I will ask about your finances. If your new horse is injured or becomes ill, can you pay the vet bills? And that about covers our screening process.
Upcoming horse auctions include Petaluma, Turlock, and today in Roseville. Unwanted horses are flooding the market. Horse killer Wade Giles is charging us 40 cents a pound to rescue a horse. Horse killer Manny Phelps charges as little as 25 cents a pound. And horse killer Lyle Carter informed me yesterday he will no longer sell horses to Tbfriends. Because I talk too much on my morning journal.
On Friday night for dinner in Las Vegas, Brian Gill and his date Andrea ate fresh seared salmon in a spicy orange sauce. There were oysters on the half shell. A clam pesto pasta. Fried calamari with grilled green onions. And for dessert chocolate cake covered with dark chocolate syrup.
On Friday night in Woodland, Pony Boy ate a scoop of vanilla ice cream. One peppermint candy. And we watched a billion mosquitoes and moths play in front of the security light. Summer came at us quick. Later today we could be 88 degrees. Enjoy your NBA playoffs begin next weekend Sunday, and be sure to hug your horses.
Joe
Top Left: An adoption from 2005. Alex is with her new horse Charlie.
Top Right: An adoption from 2006. Keri is with her new horse Ink Spot.
Bottom Left: An adoption from 2007. Rebecca is with her new horse Strauss.
Bottom Right: An adoption from 2008. Wendy is with her new filly Lehanne.
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 14, 2008 10:27:35 GMT -5
Monday, April 14th... Mostly I was not a fan of chat rooms because I know nothing about them. Ignorance in my own little world. But now from the sidelines I am a huge cheerleader. On Saturday in a Northern California chat room 4 girls, including PepperSpray and ArabTeen, came together to save the life of a race horse. The 4 girls raised $400.00 in less than 2 hours. Holly Meeks provides transportation, and the gelding will come to us later today.
Recent adoptions include Carli, who came to us from a feed lot last week, and we named her after an American Idol singer. Middletown Road, who came to us from the race track on Friday, and we hardly got to know him. Chicago Bear, who also came to us from a feed lot, and he has a beautiful new home in Clear Lake. And Holy Bit, who goes to a girl in Stockton and she has been waiting for just the right horse.
Lots of readers of this website who live in Florida. Which is why I am going to tell you about Helen, and her phone number is 386-755-3454. Helen has an amazing trail horse who she must say goodbye to. Helen lives in a place called Lake City. Her horse is free. Give Helen a call for more information, and hopefully the horse finds a great new home.
The market is flooded with unwanted horses. 34 phone calls and e-mails over the weekend asking please, can I take their horse? If you can help a horse in need, phone me at 530-383-2120. I might not answer because my hands are full (with doughnuts) but I will call you back. We can even arrange transportation for your new horse.
Yesterday we were 86 degrees, but today could be only 67. A brand new week. I would like to send out a special hello to Heather Caster, and Thank You for the apples. Stephanie Breaux, and Thank You for the box of goodies. Cora Mason, and the oatmeal cookies are delicious. Pony Boy wants to go live with Cora now. A very special Thank You to Becky OReilly who lives in Pleasanton. Dawn Singleton Olson in Nebraska. Kathy Breakall in Florida. Heather Johnson in Florida. Randi Howser in Florida. Jessica in Montana, I really appreciate your letter, and sorry for your loss. And a very special hello to Hannah Sample, and it was great to finally meet you. Hannah is 17, and she is cool. Hannah works in a town called Cool. This summer Hannah goes to New Orleans to help rebuild homes. And how cool is that?
Enjoy your taxes are due tomorrow and we need to file for an extension Monday, and be sure to hug your horses. The coffee is from Dunkin Doughnuts, with 3 eggs scrambled, and 2 slices of toast. A long day ahead. Weeds up to my giant nose. This year the flies are biting. As if they are angry. We provide flies with over 1,000 piles of poop each day. They should be happy. At least you would think...
Joe
Top Left: Adoption number 50 for 2008. George and Joanna live in Napa, and they are the happy new owners of Middletown Road.
Top Right: That one rare moment in time when there is no poop in our north field.
Bottom Left: With Key Maker and half of Pony Boy watching, Rowdy Red gets rowdy in a round pen. A special hello to Ann & Robert in Maryland.
Bottom Right: A picture perfect Sunday comes to an end, and horses dine on alfalfa and Equine Senior. A special hello to Lindsey in Vacaville, and your poem is beautiful.
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 15, 2008 11:12:03 GMT -5
Tuesday, April 15th... A nasty letter from an event trainer in Sacramento, and here is the hearty part: You are the reason our economy is broken. After putting months into training I only ask for a reasonable sum when selling a horse. Your trained horses are free, and two of my clients who would have spent money with me have instead gotten their horses from you. For free. Needless to say they are no longer my clients. You do those of us trying to earn a living no favors when you give away these horses.
Oh brother... now I am blamed for our lousy American economy. Good one.
More from the mail room. This came from a mother in Sacramento: What if we get a free well trained horse from you, and the horse does not work out? Can we bring him back?
Always. I prefer the horse returns to us. This way we get another chance to put him with the right family.
This is from a girl in Elk Grove: My best friend got a filly from you, and 3 months later she sold her for $2,500.00. Does this make you mad?
Nope. Friday Night Lights almost being cancelled makes me mad. Krispy Kremes no longer at Raleys makes me mad. But when you place over 500 horses a year, there will be many who change owners. The way of our horse world.
This is from Melinda in Concord, California: Are you ever going to write a book?
Funny you should ask. I have been approached by a publisher. The money is beyond belief, and with all that money we could rescue a gazillion horses. The book would be about life with unwanted horses. But I can hardly find time to answer e-mails. The publisher tells me to write one chapter a month. After 18 months there should be a book. Well golly gee. If he says so...
This is from 3 different people: How come you are not non profit?
Because we prefer a mom and pop operation. I never ask for funds, but without the help of many there would only be 250 horses rescued each year, instead of more than 500. I like the open road. Being a mom and pop operation gives confidence to those at the race track. And it is those at the race track who matter most to us.
From a girl in Oregon: Can I come live with you and Cathy? My parents suck.
Up at 4:30 to grain the barn, make breakfast, write the morning journal, feed over 100 horses, scoop poop all day, fight flies all day, deal with horse killers all day, pray the old ranch truck will not fall apart, give baths, unwrap and wrap legs, feed special supplements, give meds, walk injured race horses, go to work at a fancy barn and earn the big bucks, find a few minutes to play with the dogs, and you want to live with us? There was cat vomit on our couch last night. This ranch would make you go crazy.
Which by the way, happened a long time ago. Cathy is the only one who can put up with me. 104 horses to begin a Tuesday morning with. We might be a scalding 64 degrees. Our farrier Tim comes this morning. We will say goodbye to Cola, who goes to live on green grass with a foster family in Tracy. Enjoy your American Idol is down to 7 Tuesday, and be sure to hug your horses. Alicia Keys on the radio. What a great way to begin a new day...
Joe
Top Left: Our friend Cheryl Rankin in Auburn rescues pregnant mares. Yesterday morning came this colt, and look at those legs.
Top Right: In 2006 Kelli Chrisman adopted At Dawn, and take a look at them now.
Bottom Left: Mia in California saved the life of this beautiful 23 year old thoroughbred mare. Mia named her Dixie.
Bottom Right: This is by request. Always Calm came to us last year from the race track. I gave her to a young friend and they are doing the schooling shows and 4-H thing together.
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 16, 2008 10:35:57 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 17, 2008 10:11:42 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 19, 2008 9:34:08 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 20, 2008 9:11:52 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 20, 2008 9:41:47 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 21, 2008 8:56:45 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 21, 2008 9:07:56 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 22, 2008 8:32:19 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 22, 2008 9:36:28 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 23, 2008 8:54:23 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 24, 2008 10:25:31 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 25, 2008 8:54:41 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 25, 2008 9:44:28 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 26, 2008 9:42:26 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 26, 2008 20:27:10 GMT -5
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
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 27, 2008 9:04:18 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 27, 2008 10:12:24 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 28, 2008 10:25:24 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 29, 2008 10:38:13 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on Apr 30, 2008 10:21:44 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on May 1, 2008 10:22:15 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jdw2w1 on May 2, 2008 10:08:24 GMT -5
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.
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