RALPHIE
Ralph joined us on June 15, 2020 - an owner surrender. Ralph had spent approximately 6 years in a back yard unhandled. His feet are in horrible condition and he has a leg injury that may or may not be managable. The farrier has come and will be back soon - between the thrush that you can smell while leading him, being untrimmed for over a year and the fetlock injury, Ralph is in significant pain - we kept him in the small ring for the first week with Thor and Tommy taking turns babysitting but it is so hot there (even with the shade of the maple) that i finally decided to let him in with the herd. With fingers crossed that leg held up we made it through the first day yesterday. Chester is the biggest problem, he is a pest and Ralph is somewhat afraid of him - running is the last thing Ralph needs. His first reaction is to find Thor and hide behind him. Thor tolerates it and he is so big Ralph can sometimes just hide there and Chester forgets him. Ralph had been alone for a long time in his previous home and now the thought of being left behind panics him. It breaks my heart the reaction of a horse that has been left alone has when they finally have a herd. The panic and fear that they will loose the herd is unbearable but he is learning that even if they are out of sight, they are still there. Routine is Ralphs friend right now. being fed 3 times a day, fresh water 3 times a day, out every morning, in every evening.... never being forgot, never being left behind. Ralph will need to go to a home that has experience and definately with another horse. He will never be able to be ridden, not even by someone light, he may not even be able to hold his own weight but we will give him some time to heal, both physically and mentally and then assess where he is. If you have a home that is quiet, that has one other horse that needs a friend, a home that this boy can just relax at - he is the sweetest gelding that just wants a chance to be happy - he is wiggling his way into my heart and i really hope we can find that quiet soft landing that he desperately needs. If you would like to meet Ralph let me know and we can set a time up - he loves people, he loves being brushed and he loves eating on the lawn
August 2020 update
Ralphie is a 15+ hands 15 year old quarter horse - the first 9 years of his life he must have had some training / possibly shown. The past 6 years he has been in a back yard, most of this time alone. He has a fused right front fetlock joint due to neglect and owner inexperience. His feet were untouched for years and he was living in a paddock filled with manure. Ralphie is unrideable due to his injury and would do best as a pasture mate. Other then this injury, he is very healthy, an easy keeper and wonderful with all the other horses. He loves attention, being brushed, always comes up in the pasture, simply a sweet boy all around. We are hoping Ralphie can find his forever barn and live the life he deserves - with love, attention and company however, if and when Ralphies pain becomes greater then his joy for life, we will help him trot on to greener pastures with dignity
November 2020
During the summer, Ralphie developed a bond with Red. He was always by his side - it was like Ralphie knew his body may fail him and he wanted to be with Red for protection - not to say Raphie was timid in any way, on the contrary, he could boss anyone around - his personality was huge and he had a pride deep inside him that would never allow his broken leg to slow him down - but the mud and frozen ground were causing Ralphie pain, you could see it if you watched his nostrils flare with each step and listen to his joints creek as he moved gingerly across the frozen hoofprints in the mud. We made the decision to put Ralphie and Red down at the same time. The thought of him reinjuring that leg during the winter, laying in pain waiting for the vet was bad enough but the thought of him living without Red was unbearable. He would have been sad, scared, confused ...... he would have thought he had been left behind again, something that happened to Ralphie too much in his lifetime. Ralphie left this world with Red at his side, as pain free as possible and without fear. He has a loving hand on his cheek and a 'I love you' whispered in his ear. Ralphie will never again be alone
August 2020 update
Ralphie is a 15+ hands 15 year old quarter horse - the first 9 years of his life he must have had some training / possibly shown. The past 6 years he has been in a back yard, most of this time alone. He has a fused right front fetlock joint due to neglect and owner inexperience. His feet were untouched for years and he was living in a paddock filled with manure. Ralphie is unrideable due to his injury and would do best as a pasture mate. Other then this injury, he is very healthy, an easy keeper and wonderful with all the other horses. He loves attention, being brushed, always comes up in the pasture, simply a sweet boy all around. We are hoping Ralphie can find his forever barn and live the life he deserves - with love, attention and company however, if and when Ralphies pain becomes greater then his joy for life, we will help him trot on to greener pastures with dignity
November 2020
During the summer, Ralphie developed a bond with Red. He was always by his side - it was like Ralphie knew his body may fail him and he wanted to be with Red for protection - not to say Raphie was timid in any way, on the contrary, he could boss anyone around - his personality was huge and he had a pride deep inside him that would never allow his broken leg to slow him down - but the mud and frozen ground were causing Ralphie pain, you could see it if you watched his nostrils flare with each step and listen to his joints creek as he moved gingerly across the frozen hoofprints in the mud. We made the decision to put Ralphie and Red down at the same time. The thought of him reinjuring that leg during the winter, laying in pain waiting for the vet was bad enough but the thought of him living without Red was unbearable. He would have been sad, scared, confused ...... he would have thought he had been left behind again, something that happened to Ralphie too much in his lifetime. Ralphie left this world with Red at his side, as pain free as possible and without fear. He has a loving hand on his cheek and a 'I love you' whispered in his ear. Ralphie will never again be alone
June 16 2021
One year ago today Ralph, joined our herd. With the help of Makallie, Ralph was surrendered into our care from a situation that was dangerous and sad. Living alone in a rickety paddock, well hidden off the main road and well away from the owners home, Ralph spent his days in mud and poop. His one bale of hay was left out in the weather to get rained on and rot, his bag of grain that was randomly scooped out to him was wide open and sitting beside the hay. His water was filthy and his feet had not been touched in over a year. He had suffered a leg injury at some point and his fetlock was damaged beyond repair and his dinnerplate hooves were the only reason he was able to stay on his feet. Despite all of this, Ralph was a love bug. When he arrived he was so afraid of being alone (something we see alot when horses have been kept in solitude). but with time, he realized he was not going to be left, forgotten or taken away. He settled in and made a friend in Red. These 2 were the mischief makers of the pasture and were seldom seen apart. As Ralphs ribs faded throughout the summer, Andrew was able to get his hooves to a place that could possibly hold his body and still be reasonably shaped. Late last fall, we made the very difficult decision to put Red and Ralph down together. We may have been able to keep Ralph going for longer, however, the thought of him slipping in the mud and ice and injuring his leg, unable to rise, haunted us all. He had such a devotion and love for his friend Red that to make him live a few more weeks, maybe months more without him seemed unnecessary. Sometimes it feels like we are forced to make those decisions that are keep us awake at night. Happiness, freedom from pain and safety vs time. Its a question that has no answer - I can honestly say, as hard as it was to say goodbye to Ralph - I would do it again. He had been so scared of loosing his best friend and we were so scared of him reinjuring himself - Ralph and Red will forever be side by side - running happily through knee deep grass. We are honored and humbled to be able to have been part of Ralphs life and he will be remembered, loved and missed for always.
One year ago today Ralph, joined our herd. With the help of Makallie, Ralph was surrendered into our care from a situation that was dangerous and sad. Living alone in a rickety paddock, well hidden off the main road and well away from the owners home, Ralph spent his days in mud and poop. His one bale of hay was left out in the weather to get rained on and rot, his bag of grain that was randomly scooped out to him was wide open and sitting beside the hay. His water was filthy and his feet had not been touched in over a year. He had suffered a leg injury at some point and his fetlock was damaged beyond repair and his dinnerplate hooves were the only reason he was able to stay on his feet. Despite all of this, Ralph was a love bug. When he arrived he was so afraid of being alone (something we see alot when horses have been kept in solitude). but with time, he realized he was not going to be left, forgotten or taken away. He settled in and made a friend in Red. These 2 were the mischief makers of the pasture and were seldom seen apart. As Ralphs ribs faded throughout the summer, Andrew was able to get his hooves to a place that could possibly hold his body and still be reasonably shaped. Late last fall, we made the very difficult decision to put Red and Ralph down together. We may have been able to keep Ralph going for longer, however, the thought of him slipping in the mud and ice and injuring his leg, unable to rise, haunted us all. He had such a devotion and love for his friend Red that to make him live a few more weeks, maybe months more without him seemed unnecessary. Sometimes it feels like we are forced to make those decisions that are keep us awake at night. Happiness, freedom from pain and safety vs time. Its a question that has no answer - I can honestly say, as hard as it was to say goodbye to Ralph - I would do it again. He had been so scared of loosing his best friend and we were so scared of him reinjuring himself - Ralph and Red will forever be side by side - running happily through knee deep grass. We are honored and humbled to be able to have been part of Ralphs life and he will be remembered, loved and missed for always.