Hiya, FsOB! Alex, thanks for the blue link to the story about Zarkava. What a beautiful filly she is! "Tres formidable" in the Arc de Triomphe, too. To use Liz in the UK's analogy, it is a morning right out of Wuthering Heights. The winds are blowing in from the southeast and the rains are lashing the windows on that side of the house. Wishing each of you a safe & productive day.

#### To Paul, Marg, & Margaret, where are you this AM?
To Harriette, please share your observations from yesterday's unveiling of John Henry's statue.
To Sandra, please telll Chief that Brent, Nikita, & I are thrilled that Chief has been reunited with his "security brick". ####

Good morning, fellow Fans! (Good morning, Robyn!)

A bit misty here in the Downeast this morning but nothing to remind me of Wuthering Heights. Spectacular Indian Summer supposedly on the way for the weekend and it's along one.

Wishing everyone peace and god health and safe trips of whatever kind.

Marg
Proud Fan of Barbaro forever

Good Morning Robyn and Marg and good morning FOBs

I don't like thursdays and you all understand the reason BUT I've decided that one of these thursdays I'm going to do something spectacularly special so that I can associate thursdays with something positive.

Question to everyone - is churchill scheduled for a synthetic track?

I hope you all have a great day!

Janice
A forever devoted to Kaiser FOB

Good morning Robyn, Marg, Janice and all

We are having a mini Indan summer after the Wuthering Heights fews days, though more storms are about to lash those "up north" apparently.

Janice, I was wondering the same thing about the surface at Churchill Downs. From a European perspective, an artificial track is much more appealing than a dirt one.

Good Morning, All,

on the DB:

SOS Equines and Equineangel both have rescues going on and need assistance; if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated...thank you!

Kentucky Horse Park unveils John Henry statue

THE FIRST COURSE OF JOE FOR THURSDAY:
***************************************************
Thursday, October 9th... 126 e-mails yesterday, and soon all will be replied to. I need to answer your questions:

Aunt Bea and Barney are from the old Andy Griffith show. There was Opie and Sheriff Taylor. We have lots of episodes on video.

Yes, there are scales at the Wilton feed lot. If a horse weighs 1,050 pounds, and a horse killer wants 40 cents a pound, then Tbfriends must pay $420.00 for that horse. Several years ago it was 20 cents a pound. Many times I would pay 10 cents a pound. Depends on the killer and also the circumstances.

There were 4 e-mails yesterday from individuals who sell horses. They want to know how can they continue to earn a living while Tbfriends has free horses, or horses for 40 cents a pound? I write back and say we all have to do our own thing. My thing is finding good homes for unwanted horses. If my thing conflicts with your thing then you should find a new marketing tool. I am not going to change our policies.

The majority of e-mails and phone calls want to know about the tall two year old filly on her way to mexican rodeo. Can she be saved?

more to come

Good morning all! On the DB there is a great opportunity to help horses without spending a dime. Audrey at Saving Horses Inc. has been resourceful in finding a fundraiser that just requires giving a little of your time. All you do is write reviews of just about any business anywhere and "earn" .$50 to $1.50 each. Only 6 days left - goal is $2500. Any other 501c3 could set one up too! Please check it out and if you can help, thank you!

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=28893.1

###Well, don't I feel old, reading in Joe's Journal that some people didn't know who Auntie Bea and Barney were. (Of course, I don't remember the original airings of those shows. I watch TVLand. Better be careful here. I can go to Hell for lying just like I can for stealing).

###Let's hope the rest of this week is better. I was upset yesterday with Joe's entry about that lovely tall filly and the groom who got her as a gift and then sold her to the person who sent her to the Mexican Rodeo.

And I was upset about the little filly that Manny Phelps gave to Joe, who stood by the gate of his south field waiting for some attention.

These stories break my heart, and even though I know the filly at Joe's is incredibly lucky and will end up in a home where someone will love her to pieces, I still wish there were something more I can do. I know others of us feel the same.

###Another horse, the one that was looking for a friend (a skinny gelding, I believe he was, from the old man who came to the gate and who was crying) and it had been two days but Joe knew he'd find a friend eventually.

These hang-back congresspeople need to see THESE stories and realize they could make a lot of people VERY happy (and make a lot of horses very happy too) if they would just GET OFF THEIR DA**ED BUTTS AND PASS THE DA**ED BILL.

(Sorry).

###Prayers to all on the road and the track and a big THANK YOU to Alex for everything you do for us.

Stallion Manager Q&A on Dynaformer

Gloria- I cant find that fundraiser, can you give me a little more information so I can find that link Jen

Part 2 of Joe!

All I know is the man is named Ben. I tracked him to a place called Flagstaff, Arizona. I was able to speak with a lady in San Diego who knows Ben. She says Ben sells cows, goats, and horses to rodeos. He sells in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico. By now the tall filly could be anywhere.

Because of bad publicity (much deserved) the lady in San Diego says the largest mexican rodeos have gone underground. Just like cock fights, you never know where the next one will be held.

There were 5 e-mails from annoyed parents who say their 8 and 9 year old daughters were really upset.

There was the nicest letter from a lady in Italy. The lady said she would give Tbfriends one thousand dollars Amerian money for expenses in finding the tall filly. I wrote back and said thank you, but there is no possible way. Like looking for a needle in our haystack.

Good or bad, I very much appreciate all your letters and phone calls. One teenage girl on the phone said she will no longer read Tbfriends. The girl said she is tired of feeling helpless.

I like that word - helpless. Gives motivation to do better.

A special hello to Andy & Carol Dickson from Redding. Thank you very much for the beautiful saddle, and I know just the right girl to give this to. She will be thrilled.

Enjoy your cool and windy Thursday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Good Mid Morning Beautiful Bay, Barbaro

What are you and your heavenly frens planning today? Just know we miss all of you...and we love you forever, Barbaro

Good Mid Morning Family/Fans of Barbaro

PLEASE CALL, FAX, EMAIL....we have to speak for Barbaro's brothers and sisters....we have to save them...please.

There must be ways we can save and rescue these beautiful God's creations...the horses from facing brutal slaughtering, neglect and abuse.

There are alot of sharp-minded folks on this board that I am proud to call my family....and I know we will come up with ideas to help them and all animals and wildlife....Thank God they have you, the loving, compassionate FOBS.

Please help and read what is going on the db...the rescues...pocket change anything can help.

Remember our Fallen Angels, the ones suffering human or animal, our wildlife and always our loving family.

Have a nice day.

###
Good Morning Alex.
Good Morning Tim and Fair Hill.

Our Fallen Angels, we are here.

###Here is another possible link to the fundraiser Gloria was talking about:

www.insiderpages.com/fundraisers

Click the "Fundraiser" tab at the top, register, and then designate the 501(c)(3) group you are helping.

Ready for the ultimate Christmas present..Three Chimneys has just what you want..in the Neiman-Marcus catalog....

Got $10M? It'll buy a racing stable for Christmas

By Janet Patton

jpatton1@herald-leader.com

Talk about your diamond and platinum studs: Neiman Marcus is offering a $10 million racing stable from Midway's Three Chimneys Farm as the ultimate Christmas gift.

The inventive and expensive Texas-based retailer traditionally offers fantasy gifts in its annual Christmas Book, and the Three Chimneys package tops the catalog's "Wow!" list this year.

"You want a working, turnkey, in-the-running thoroughbred racing enterprise right out of the starting gate? You go to Three Chimneys Farm," reads the catalog blurb for "Unbridled Passion: Horsepowered Holiday."

"They will build you a stable of 12-15 thoroughbreds and with your input will train them, house them, select races, enter them in races, provide you a personal racing concierge, and manage the entire enterprise for the next four years. As the owner, you get to name your stable and any unnamed horses, design your own silks, attend races, pose for pictures, give quotes to the media ... and keep all the purses and trophies."

The package was the brainchild of farm president Case Clay. "Every year the Neiman Marcus catalog has come to our house with the fantasy gifts, and we always enjoy looking at the wild ideas. We just thought, 'Wouldn't it be neat if we could be included?' We submitted a package and we got lucky," Clay said from Dallas on Tuesday after the catalog unveiling at Texas Stadium.

Clay said Three Chimneys has a racing syndicate but that this would be the first time it has offered such a complete package. Basically, the farm will buy yearlings, 2-year-olds, active racehorses and whatever the buyer wants, he said. "It's pretty much custom-made."

Even though the farm has been home to some of the most popular stallions in the world (Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew lived there; Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones stands there now; Big Brown will join him next year), it probably won't be making the racehorses from "scratch" since that might take longer than a buyer is willing to wait.

The catalog also shot a multipage spread at the farm, with stallions Flower Alley and Wild Again providing some expensive scenery.

The farm has some stiff competition for customers' stockings. Other gifts include, among other things, a Dallas Cowboys end zone from the team's soon-to-be-abandoned Texas Stadium, complete with a tailgate party with the cheerleaders ($500,000); life-size Lego sculptures of you and yours ($60,000); your own three-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed back-yard golf course ($1 million); a chance to play with the Harlem Globetrotters ($110,000); or your own Guinness home pub, including a one-year supply of fresh Guinness draught ($250,000).

Clay said he's always wondered who, if anyone, buys those gifts. Looks like he might get to find out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

update on Curlin & Casino Drive...

Curlin to work out Monday at Santa Anita
Associated Press

ARCADIA, Calif. — Curlin will have a 5-furlong workout on Santa Anita's synthetic surface between races Monday in another step toward determining whether he will run in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25.

The reigning Horse of the Year will run in company with Hawaii Calls, another of trainer Steve Asmussen's horses, between races four and five.

"Our biggest concern with Curlin is the difference in the way the track plays between morning and afternoon," assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. "We're not looking for anything real fast."

Beyond Monday's drill, Blasi said, "Everything else with his training will be routine. That's what we're looking for right now."

Asmussen is expected to fly in to oversee Curlin's workout, as he did Monday when Curlin drilled a half-mile in 52.80 seconds. The defending Breeders' Cup Classic winner galloped a mile Wednesday.

A decision on whether Curlin will compete against Big Brown and some of Europe's top horses in the Classic must be made soon because pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup will be announced Oct. 16.

In other Breeders' Cup news, Casino Drive was on the synthetic track at Hollywood Park Wednesday and will probably train up to the Classic, said Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for the Japanese horse's owner.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

thanks debbie l.a. So depressing......

#### Jen, in case you didn't find it from Kay's post (thanks Kay!), it is under "Horse Rescue Issues", "SHI Fundraiser at No Cost, Pls Help." I just bumped it up...

Charles Town Trainer to serve 15 day suspension

OMG Alex you just inspired my next "Quirky Quicky" - and I can't believe I never came up with it before, it is so deliciously obvious - RU ready for The Loose Horse Blues?

OMG Alex you just inspired my next "Quirky Quicky" - and I can't believe I never came up with it before, it is so deliciously obvious - RU ready for The Loose Horse Blues?

reposting (excerpt)

Rec'd this re the only horse in my virtual stable:

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.
Crazy Catlady
Your Comment: won w/ Prado 9/11/08

Date: October 8, 2008
Track: BELMONT PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:34 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 13/34

I asked this before after her last workout about a week ago - is this a good time? Apparently her scratch the other day from the 7th at Belmont was, as I suspected, due to muddy track condition, not any problem with her. I don't know squat about training details/statistics, so please somebody fill me in whether this is a good workout. THANKS!

######## Thanks to Nancy who alerted me to Crazy Catlady after her win with Edgar Prado last month.

Posted by: CJaffe at October 8, 2008 10:20 PM

reposting [excerpt] Posted by Harriette Brillianthawk at October 9, 2008 4:47 PM

. . . Monday when Curlin drilled a half-mile in 52.80 seconds. . . .

[end reposting excerpts]

Now - 4 furlongs is a half mile, right? So Crazy Catlady did that in 49:34 - faster than Curlin . . .

I think we need to be watching this filly . . .

Oct. 9 Cherokee Devotional [sharing email from Harriette Brillianthawk]

Never take on more than is yours to handle. When you are a caretaker by nature, it can appear that the whole world rests on your shoulders. Some of it does, of course, because no one is without responsibility. But when you begin to think you have to do it all, it is time to back off and reassess your position.

Life is a matter of give and take--and if you try to do all the giving, someone is going to get the idea they don't have to do anything. The only way they can receive is to give first. And if someone else does all the giving, there's something amiss...and it may be you.

Our patience...is exhausted, and we are discouraged from persevering any longer.

Joseph Brant
Mohawk, 1800's

###
Please pray that Joe and tb friends finds the 2 year old filly....so heartbreaking...underground mexican rodeo...

Please help the rescues going on the db board...and all other rescues...they need us...

Please pray for all the requests with our family and their furbabies and horses.

Our nation is in very sad shape...please pray for it...and for our nation to find its moral values again.

PLEASE CALL, FAX, EMAIL....GET OUR BILL PASSED.

HAVE A BLESS EVENING...I LOVE YOU FAMILY.

Removal Planned for McCullough Peaks Wild Horses

Dear Friends of America’s Wild Horses,

While the planned removal of horses from Cloud’s herd is still on indefinite hold, their close neighbors just outside of Cody, Wyoming, the McCullough Peaks Wild Horses, are in danger. Many of you commented on the BLM’s plan proposing the wholesale reduction of this herd. Now that the Environmental Assessment has been released the horses need you to speak out again on their behalf. Some of these horses have the blood of Buffalo Bill Cody’s prized Cleveland Bays and many are paints and pintos as you can see in Pam Nickoles' lovely photographs. Below is a sample letter to the BLM Cody Office- please rephrase your comments and send them to the BLM by October 20th.

Happy Trails,
Ginger Kathrens
Volunteer Executive Director
The Cloud Foundation, Inc.
A Colorado Non-Profit

You can read the Environmental Assessment by clicking here

Send your comments via e-mail to cody_wymail@blm.gov. (cody_wymail@blm.gov). Please include in the subject line: Re: 4700(020) EA McCullough Peaks Wild Horse HMA

Letters should be postmarked by Oct. 20, 2008 and be mailed to:
Patricia L. Hatle, Range/Wild Horse Specialist
BLM, Cody Field Office
P. O. Box 518
Cody, Wyoming 82414

Sample Letter:

Dear Ms. Hatle:
Please adopt the No Action Alternative (Alternative IV) to allow the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse herd to increase to more genetically viable numbers. The 110,000-acre McCullough Peaks Herd Area can and has supported far more than 185 horses in years past, yet the Proposed Alternative (Alternative II) would bring this historic and beautiful herd to a genetically non-viable level of 100. This unnecessary removal is a waste of taxpayer dollars and puts any horses removed from the McCullough Peaks in grave danger in light of our struggling economy. There is little demand for trained domestic horses at this time, let alone untamed and untrained wild ones. By taking the animals away from the safety of their home and placing some of them in BLM holding areas you set up a scenario in which they may lose not just their families and their freedom, but their lives. Right now BLM is deciding whether to kill all or some of the 33,000 wild horses currently in their holding facilities because they “can’t afford to feed them.” Leave the wild horses in the McCullough Peaks alone. They are in wonderful shape and so is their range. There is no reason for their removal. They deserve to live in peace with their families in this pristine place.

Also I question the use of PZP as a birth control method, as it continues to cause out-of-season births which is cruel and inhumane for both mares and foals. Giving infertility drugs to a non-viable population of wild horses is the equivalent of managing them to extinction and should not be permitted.

Thank you for your consideration and again, please adopt the no-action alternative.

Sincerely,
Wild Horse Supporter

Just getting in from work and checking in. Our new little "Petunia" is a doll, but is still very scared. We will need to be patient with her.

Glanced over the posts, but haven't read them all yet. I can't believe they are still messing with our wild horses. I write to the authorities every time I get an alert. They don't listen any better than Congress!

Thanks for that, Hilary. Have you posted that in the discussion board as well?

How's Snowball/Mr Twinkletoes doing? :)

Hello everyone

I'm sorry I'm late with a report. I wanted to stay out there with Sherman last night, and thank God I had a client this afternoon..... The new vet was awesome. She was so respectful of Sherman too. Quite a change from what has been going on with the other vet and farrier. Some on the DB have been saying they thought this could be an abscess..... so I asked her about that, and I called the farrier that came to help Sherman Saturday, and asked him too. They both said almost the same thing - they wish they could say yes, but no, it is not an abscess - they are sure. Dr. Schroeder took more x-rays. Three still have no problem thank God. The two front have thin soles. The right front still has some swelling and inflammation from the laminitis - AND, she took the shoes off - he is in soft-ride boots with pads. She wasn't going to take the shoes off until she developed the x-rays, but I asked her if she had a good "gut" - and she laughed - she is a scientist. I asked her what her gut said, and she said "my gut says to take the damn shoes off". I told her Sherman was all about teaching us to listen to our "guts" - and she took the shoes off! And kindly, slowly - at his pace. She put the boots and pads on, and asked the assistant to walk him out a little. She was satisfied, and they took his halter off. Sherman was on his way out of there, and instead turned (and that movement is very difficult for a foundered horse...) walked up to her, and put his head in her chest. She looked at me a little surprised, then said to Sherman, "you're welcome buddy".

She wants to recheck in a week, and x-ray in a month. He is to stay on the pain meds, low starch feed, boots pads, deeply bedded in peat moss (she really liked that), but she expects less pain in 2-3 weeks (my God) I am praying it will be less. She said she really hates coming in so far behind the 8 ball, and - about the type of shoes and pads "we still see this, but I haven't done that in years - and I would never nail a shoe on a foundered foot". She spoke about Ric Redden, and consults with him on a regular basis with some of her cases. I definitely think she is a much better vet for us.

This is really hard, in that I am so glad about her, but so angry about the other two.... would Sherman have less pain if they hadn't done what they did?? I am just as angry with myself for not knowing more - for ever letting them touch Sherman.

When I left, I was running late, and asked Pam if she would feed Sherman lunch. I went out to say goodbye - when I turned to leave, I felt him staring - and turned back around, assuring him, loving him. He started walking in, following me. Walking pretty darn well - and as if to say, don't you leave without feeding me :)) Of course, I went to get his food. Watching him with that determined look, walking in.....thank you God.

Please continue to pray for us. With the pain meds at his does, he has to be on gastrogard - I am counting the days he can come off of the pain medication - I know he is too!

Thank you for your prayers, your concern and your support. I tell Sherman about all of you - he knows though - he already knows.

Love, Light and Protection for all of Our Horses

####
Thanks, for the report, Mary. Sounds like you are on a better path.

Candles for Sherman and Mary.

Mary!
thank you so much for the update on Sherman....I am praying that this new team is actually as good as they seem!

(I love that Sherman walked back to the Vet and lubbed on her....What a GUY he is...)

Still in my heart: from jonna and the greyhounds: xxoo:j
COURAGE

I do believe we are on a better path Barb. Thanks for the candle link

I know jonna - I am praying the same thing.

##
Mary,

...breathing a little sigh of relief here...encouraging news about your wonderful boy...God bless you, Sherman.

Fran

Congratulations to Sherman and his mommy, who finally seem to be on the right path to healing! I think Sherman seems to be enjoying his fancy new footwear, and pray that his comfort level increases day by day!

Congratulations to Barbaro's dear friend Edgar Prado, who won a $150,000 stakes race today at Keeneland on a horse named LARAGH...who paid $25.20 to win!

Hiya, FsOB! I am so grateful to see the video clip that Debbie LA posted from this AM's unveiling ceremony at the KY Horse Park. Isn't it amazing how the sculptor took all of the mementos and ensconced in the heart-level section of the statue? Was our dear FOB Harriette one of the ladies in a turquoise blue blouse, shown in the front section of the crowd? Harriette, please 'fess up: are you a media star now?

#### To Mary S.: Yes, I've lit candles for you & Sherman tonight. Your report is truly encouraging, Mary. I believe that animals know when someone is trying to help them. Sherman's response to the new vet is evidence of his instinctive trust in her. May he feel much more comfortable tomorrow, Mary.
To Debbie LA: Thanks for the Q&A with Dynaformer's groom. He sounds as though he is as much of a handful as John Henry was!
To Barb: Thanks for the update, I was thinking of Petunia on my drive home from RI tonight.
To Janice, I don't know why, but I thought that the administration of Churchill Downs were resistant to Polytrack. I wish that they would change their opinion. I saw not one but two horses break down there on 06/21 (my first trip to Churchill Downs since Derby Day 1985!).
To Marg in Maine & Liz in the UK: Our Wuthering Heights morning gave way to an incredibly balmy, unseasonably warm and delicious day! ####