Bagaduce River Equine
Rescue
April Newsletter
I am going to try to keep everyone updated throughout the summer with a monthly newsletter. This will show you the progress we are making with each horse, with our organization and with the goal of educating the community about equine care, neglect and how we can all help. It will also keep us totally transparent regarding our financial records. Thank you all for donating in the past – It is because of you we are able to help these horses.
If you are receiving this newsletter, you already know the Texas Trio and Blossom. You can read our full story on our website www.bagaduceriverequinerescue.weebly.
This spring has been a long wet muddy season but it is finally starting to warm up a bit, soon the blackflies will be out and we will be complaining about that.
April Newsletter
I am going to try to keep everyone updated throughout the summer with a monthly newsletter. This will show you the progress we are making with each horse, with our organization and with the goal of educating the community about equine care, neglect and how we can all help. It will also keep us totally transparent regarding our financial records. Thank you all for donating in the past – It is because of you we are able to help these horses.
If you are receiving this newsletter, you already know the Texas Trio and Blossom. You can read our full story on our website www.bagaduceriverequinerescue.weebly.
This spring has been a long wet muddy season but it is finally starting to warm up a bit, soon the blackflies will be out and we will be complaining about that.
Early April the farrier, Andrew Birdsall came and gave Birdie and Tommy a trim. Birdie has great feet but Tommy is lame and has been for a long time. We decided to wait on shoes at that time until the chiropractor came and ruled out any alignment issues. Which happened mid month.
Dr. Cindy Reynolds came, along with her husband, Elijah Moore (an awesome trainer out of Searsport). He was only here to give his wife support, however, we learned a lot from him as well as Dr. Reynolds. She worked on Chester first who, despite his rough time in Texas, was generally very straight. A bit out at the poll, aka the top of the head between his ears (he was tied to a tree for a very long time before entering the killpen) that may have caused some headaches and the right front shoulder (probably result from his injury this past January). Birdie had some spinal issues that most likely are causing the sweaty spots on her rump, the direct path of the nerves from the injury down. She too had some poll issues and front right shoulder issues (a bit more then Chester). We are stretching her and using a magnetic blanket on her spine In hopes she can heal herself. Tommy was pretty straight, no reasons were found for his lameness. Elijah Moore, the trainer, thought he was a magnificent horse – not that we didn’t already know that but to hear someone that “knows horses” say it was kinda fun. He described him as an old fashion ranch horse, one that can go all day. He said “I bet if you got him sound and put a cow in front of him, he would have some gas”. He recommended getting Bob Solmon, an equine lameness expert. Gave him a call and he will be here in May.
Each horse is in a very different place in their training. Birdie is broke but obviously not ridden for a long time. Mary has ridden her times and she had done great but needs a lot of bending. She is very stiff. Work on bending and balance while giving her time to realize we are not going to hurt her are top priorities. Tommy needs a lot of time just being with people. He is a very nervous horse but very respectful on the ground. He is a bit herd bound and gets very nervous when Birdie is out of his sight. While he is lame, the best things we can do are just walk him behind the house and brush and show him that he is safe. Chester has come along way. We have done so many different things its hard to tell what has helped the most. Ron Johnson coming to give some tips on handling him earlier in the year was the single most important thing we have done. That, along with daily ulcer treatment/preventative, daily work and a change of attitude in me – I found that I held a grudge. When he would reach for me I would discipline and then wait for him to do it again instead of completely forgetting it and moving on with the intent of no more biting. I know this sounds simple but it is probably my biggest lesson. We also do focus for relaxation at the end of every session which usually ends in big yawns (when a horse licks and chews and yawns it is a sign they are going from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic – a process that releases endorphins promotes relaxation)
Each horse is in a very different place in their training. Birdie is broke but obviously not ridden for a long time. Mary has ridden her times and she had done great but needs a lot of bending. She is very stiff. Work on bending and balance while giving her time to realize we are not going to hurt her are top priorities. Tommy needs a lot of time just being with people. He is a very nervous horse but very respectful on the ground. He is a bit herd bound and gets very nervous when Birdie is out of his sight. While he is lame, the best things we can do are just walk him behind the house and brush and show him that he is safe. Chester has come along way. We have done so many different things its hard to tell what has helped the most. Ron Johnson coming to give some tips on handling him earlier in the year was the single most important thing we have done. That, along with daily ulcer treatment/preventative, daily work and a change of attitude in me – I found that I held a grudge. When he would reach for me I would discipline and then wait for him to do it again instead of completely forgetting it and moving on with the intent of no more biting. I know this sounds simple but it is probably my biggest lesson. We also do focus for relaxation at the end of every session which usually ends in big yawns (when a horse licks and chews and yawns it is a sign they are going from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic – a process that releases endorphins promotes relaxation)
Around the barn we have been working on building a safer, more secure fence. Cedar replacing the fiberglass poles will be a wonderful change. The Pelkys from Orland donated a truck load of poles, my husband drilled the holes and my grandson helped to backfill the holes with sand while a muddy Tommy oversaw the progress.
The horses have been having a special trainer come – She is an expert in 11 year old girl training , something every horse should be able to have on a regular basis. She is an expert in loving, brushing and asking nothing in return.
That pretty much wraps up April. Warm weather, blackflies and dried up mud with bring new opportunities. We are in hopes to find homes for Birdie and Chester this spring and Tommy as soon as we find out if he will be able to be ridden. Our goal is to send to places that will be their homes forever, homes that understand all three of these horses will take patience, understanding and a lot of love.
Stay tuned for news about our t shirt sale starting in May – this will be our big hay fundraiser – we need about 600 bales of hay which adds up to about $3000.00. There are still some people who have sweatshirts to pick up – message or call me if you would like to pick them up.
Following is a Balance sheet for April so you know exactly where your money is going.
April
Beginning Balance: $1029.21
Insurance 419.81
Barn Supplies 373.54
Hay 287.50
Dr.Reynolds 435.00
Training 122.48
Supplements 121.02
Office Supp 77.50
Website 18.00
Grain 94.40
Farrier 80.00
Shavings 72.00
Bank fee 7.68
Donations
Cash 1565.00
Donor Box 840.00
Facebook 100.00
Fence ploles
Fencing and buckets
Used Tack
Month end Total $1425.28
Thank you to all of our April donors….. This could not be happing without your help.
Visit our website www.bagaduceriverequinerescue.weebly.com
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram
Stay tuned for news about our t shirt sale starting in May – this will be our big hay fundraiser – we need about 600 bales of hay which adds up to about $3000.00. There are still some people who have sweatshirts to pick up – message or call me if you would like to pick them up.
Following is a Balance sheet for April so you know exactly where your money is going.
April
Beginning Balance: $1029.21
Insurance 419.81
Barn Supplies 373.54
Hay 287.50
Dr.Reynolds 435.00
Training 122.48
Supplements 121.02
Office Supp 77.50
Website 18.00
Grain 94.40
Farrier 80.00
Shavings 72.00
Bank fee 7.68
Donations
Cash 1565.00
Donor Box 840.00
Facebook 100.00
Fence ploles
Fencing and buckets
Used Tack
Month end Total $1425.28
Thank you to all of our April donors….. This could not be happing without your help.
Visit our website www.bagaduceriverequinerescue.weebly.com
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram