Hiya, FsOB! Wishing everyone here a safe & productive Thursday. It's a bright, much cooler morn here on the banks of the Thames. Some of the trees are just beginning to change from their Summer colours. Peace, RMH

#### To Joy in VT: I share your feelings about Senator Kennedy's passing. And I share your remembrance of the incomparably unique John Henry.
To Liz in the UK: Jonna posted an interesting excerpt yesterday from a news story about the Konik horses at the Kent Wildlife Trust. If you didn't see it, you might enjoy it. As Alex would say, "Very cool!"
To CJ: Wishing you a golden day with your kitties. ####

The 3rd Annual FOB day at Arlington Race Track in Chicago is Saturday, Sept. 5th.

The day begins with Breakfast at Arlington for anyone who is an early riser.
7:30 - 9:30 am. Watch the horses go through their morning training regimen against a breathtaking backdrop of early morning sunlight and enjoy a delicious Breakfast
buffet from 7:30am - 9:30am. Track announcer John G. Dooley and others host an
entertaining, informative program covering everything from training horses to
track maintenance.

Admission is free for Breakfast at Arlington, and guests have an option to
purchase a breakfast buffet for $7 (one-time pass through) or $10 (unlimited
pass through). Children under 4 are free.

Backstretch tours are also a regular part of Breakfast at Arlington. Sign-ups
open up at 8 and fill fast, so hurry in! They leave at 10:00 and take 45 minutes
to an hour.

Racing begins at 1pm (the track opens at 11:15am) and this year we are getting
General Admission tickets.

Please post on the discussion board Arlington thread if you would like to join us and I will e-mail you additional info.

Nice write up Alex

###If someone has already posted this, forgive the repeat, but Priscilla Clark of Tranquility Farm thoroughbred rescue in Tehachapi, CA (about 75 miles from where I live) has started a blog on the Web site (tranquilityfarmtbs.org). And it is wonderful.

She started it on the one-year anniversary of the rescue of the 40+ pregnant mares she was instrumental in rescuing from the feedlot on Phoenix, sent by a breeder in southern CA. The foals have all arrived, and she features a horse or two (or foal or two) regularly.

With pictures ;o)

I've got another "daily visit" Web site on my list now, along with AlexBrownRacing and TBFriends. An often glorious way to start my days.

###Thursday already (and where has August gone?? This is SCARY, the way the time is flying by).

Safe travels to all. Special prayers to MTB and his connections.

From Slaughter to the silver screen

SOS Equines is trying to finish off the rescue for Karma, Winston, and Jackson. The deadline is sometime today. Please help if you can! Karma still needs $180, Winston needs $280 and Jackson needs $275.

http://forums.prospero.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=40417.1

Thanks!
Debbie

#Debbie, great article about Freedom Flight; sure hope he wins a spot in the Secretariat movie! But, what hit me was the "illegal Miami-Dade slaughter farm" where the horse was found and rescued. I hope the abomination was shut down when this guy was rescued and the people responsible prosecuted. And, if there was one, how many other illegal "farms" exist? Damn.

#### Robyn

Not many signs of Autumn here yet, but usually as soon as September arrives the mists and a little nip in the air come too. I hope for an Indian summer this year .... but then I hope for that every year with limited success. The headline news story all through yesterday was the death of Edward Kennedy. He had had a few months to enjoy his honorary knighthood, awarded to him by the Queen back in March. I always think of the photo I have of him as a young boy in England, with all his brothers and sisters, and how his face retained that boyish look all his life.

Thank you for reminding me of Jonna's story about the Konik ponies of Kent, which I had just whizzed through yesterday as I tried to catch up (too quickly) with the day's events here. I think there are other herds in other parts of the country. To think Hitler wanted to develop Arian horses! Here is some footage of them:

The wild ponies of Canterbury

Joe at TB Friends

####
Linda
I too hope he get the part!

Freedoms flight pedigree

#Debbie,

That is a great article

## Liz UK ,
I remember a beautiful autumn in Newbold Verdon, near Leicester where I lived for a year in 1986.
It was beautiful with late blooming flowers and shrubs , small trees , etc.
The thing I remember most was the light , the quality of the light , it was so different from the light in the south ( southern U.S.)
This light made me want to reach out and feel it with my fingers , odd sounding I guess. But I will never forget it.

## Kay ,
Priscilla saved 40+ pregnant mares ! That is a miracle - a real miracle in itself. Wonderful.
Hope you enjoyed the meet in L.A. Dressage is beautiful to me , like horses dancing.
I saw the
white Lippazaner stallions in Vienna , airs above the ground, and it looked like a beautiful advanced dressage to me.

I have always had a dislike for animals being made
to perform for us , dancing bears, etc., that take away their dignity and make me look away in shame , but horses , when they perform these intricate routines , actually seem to enjoy what they are doing.
If you watch their faces it looks as if they are proud , have pride in their achievement - like , look at me ! look what I can do ! - I saw that so clearly on the faces in Vienna. If horses can smile with bits in , they did.

And last , hello everbuddy , bye now ! ,

#####
Report on BearBear from Jen....

he is wagging his tail...his levels are up...now...pray, pray...he eats...we need him to eat.

Please...call, email...fax...we have TO SAVE OUR WILD HORSES...AMERICA'S HERITAGE.

and read the db...alot going on...rescues that need help...and we need them....

please.

God Bless!!!

Joan ##
Good to hear that Bear is wagging his tail.
If you talk to Jen , and she can be at the hospital
with him , its a good idea to take his food , something savory like warm chicken soup , and most of all -- pretend to be eating it with him .
My dog, no matter how sick, would always eat with me when I " shared " his food - when he would not touch food at all. Maybe Bear would have the same response. Its worth a try . Prayers for him.

##Joan, that is fabulous news! I'm sure you've been swamped with suggestions, but here are two more - does Bear have something with his family's scent on it in his cage with him? Tshirt, pillowcase, anything? Something good and 'scented'! Also, going with the chicken soup idea, if Jen could sit with him, maybe put a few drops on his nose so he'd lick them off. Then she could eat some, put more on his nose, etc. Just kind of 'prime the pump' that way - being upbeat and encouraging the whole time. Just brainstorming ideas. We will all try anything in this world when it comes to our beloved four leggeds.
(((BearBear))) (((Jen&family))) (((Joan)))

## Linda , drops on the nose is a great idea ! Why didn't I think of that ?? lol,

Got my calling done , not easy today , they are busy and that's good !

Also , got a new number for BLM to take these calls, I hope it is not a " shift them aside " move
but that they will actually listen to these calls,
1.866.468.7826

call there and leave a message , but call the other numbers Jonna has also . Let's bombard them today and tomorrow. Thanks horse frens.

Signing off now , but ttyl, bye now,

####
Linda and Bobbie and SO MANY OTHERS...
I copied and pasted your suggestions to Jen.

I am praying for good results...

and for our wild horses to be protected...CLOUD AND HIS HERD.

and for all horses and animal and wildlife.

####
FYI:::

parts of Texas is having a severe drought...very bad...they are killing cattle because of no water....and worry for horses, dogs, cats, and wildlife.

they are hauling water in parts of the hill country....I know for Kerrville...they are....and they are in staged three.

Please pray for rain...

FINAL DAY * FINAL DAY * FINAL DAY * FINAL DAY*

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY for donations to UPenn to be counted in the check at the presentation tomorrow. If you have been considering a donation to the Barbaro Fund or the Laminitis Fund, well, this is it!!

You're burnin' daylight pilgrim. Get on that phone or web site !

Thanks so much.

Debbie A. in CO

Forgot to say: Make the donation "In Honor of Dr. Richardson's birthday".

I Love You So A Lot So Angel Robyn And Angel Brent And Angel Nikita. You Are In My Heart So (8) A Lot So.........You Touch My Heart So (8)
A Lot So..........For Being So, So So Very Beautiful Angels Of Love.........Your Glowing
Wings Of Love............

So, So So Special Prayers

Bear Bear And Angel Jen And Angel Joan Roya And
Angel C.J. And Angel Sandra And Chief And Angel
Renee And Angel Aaron And Angel Sherry And Amigo
And Angel Chico And Barbaro's Famblee Of So, So
So Beautiful Angels..........Your Glowing Rainbows Of Love...........

The Angels Of Love

Angel Lou AnnAnd Angel Robyn And Angel Brent And
Angel Nikita And Angel Lynne And Angel Linda And
Angel Sue And Barbaro's Famblee Of So, So So
Beautiful Angels.........Your Angelic Hearts Of
Love...........

The So, So So Very Special Gathering

Angel Dr. Dean Richardson "The Wizard Of Oz"
With Angel Staff "Glinda" And His Angel Famblee
And Barbaro's Famblee Of So, So So Beautiful
Angels........God's Divine Fellowship.......

Birthday Cards

Of Love And Joy.........
And Art.........
In Colors........

In Halos.........

Affirmed

###
Hello FOBS

Prayers for all 2 and 4 legged.

Love to the BBH

Thanks Alex...

On The local news out of Albuquerque this morning, they were discussing MTB, and they must have been showing a clip of him because they commented how playful he was and that he looked like a big dog at play. By the time I ran out of the bathroom with a mouthful of toothpaste, the segment was over. If anyone comes across the footage, please let us know.

Eat, BearBear, Eat.

JOE for THURSDAY
**************************************************
Thursday, August 27th...

There is a fancy hotel in Napa called John Muir. The caller asked could I meet her in the parking lot? The lady owns 5 starving horses, and before the authorities become involved she would like to sign her horses over to me.

I asked what breed are her horses, and she says Appendages.

Huh?

Well there is no way I can get to Napa. So I called a person who lives only a few miles from Napa. This person is a foster parent for Tbfriends, and currently she has two of our horses.

The person went to the parking lot. The lady is waiting, and says follow me. Soon the person meets 5 horses in awful condition. They appear to be quarter horse mixes, except for a gelding who is for sure an appy. The appy is in terrible shape. Each horse lame with ugly feet.

Our foster parent mom fell in love right off. On the phone she tells me the appy and a cute black gelding are going to her house.

Well okay then.

Our foster parent mom phoned her friend in a town called Yountville. Her friend says sure, she can take one.

I phoned a riding instructor in Petaluma. Told her the situation, and does she have time and space to rehab a starvation horse? The young lady never hesitated. Said okay Joe, and she hooked up her trailer.

One bay filly remained. She is crippled, and her fate grim. Last night here she was, in our yard. She gave a little yell, announcing her arrival to race horses. They hardly looked up from their supper.

I remember about 3 years ago, and a fair circuit race horse trainer asked do I want his gelding? If so, meet him in the parking lot of Chevys Restaurant in Vacaville.

I called a friend with a trailer, and drove to Chevys. The race horse trainer was waiting. He unloaded his gelding, handed me the lead rope, and drove off. My friend with the trailer was still 15 minutes away. There I was, in this busy restaurant parking lot, holding a fresh race horse.

I always liked the chips and salsa at Chevys. But the hostess refused to let the horse and myself inside. She said horses are not allowed. But soon the hostess brought me chips and salsa, and with one hand I ate and with the other I held the horse. What a nice hostess she was.

I remember several years ago I drove to a town called Dixon to meet a horse killer in the parking lot of a crappy motel. He handed me the lead rope to a very old, sad looking gelding. My friend with a trailer was not yet there. A little girl, maybe 7 or so, came up and said your horse is skinny mister. You need to feed him some food.

Okay. Good advice. Thank you.

It was 2004 or 2005 when a worker from an auction yard phoned, and said come get these two skinny quarter horse mares. They are so skinny the killers refused to take em. There I stood, a mare in each hand, waiting for the trailer. (how come I always seem to be waiting for a ride?) A teenage boy on a bike rode past and threw his coke and ice on me. I was drenched. Lousy neighborhood. One of the mares began licking my shirt.

The crippled, grim fate filly in our yard we have named Hailey. A whole other story the name Hailey, but chores are forever, and a new day begins. Enjoy your hot Thursday, and be sure to hug your horses. Thelma Houston on the oldies station...

Joe

Famblee:

Another horse at death's door--except for Joe and Cathy--now resting in their yard...probably getting
plenty of treats and love from Pony Boy and the Shelton's angel creatures.

Joe's stories. The hostess with the chips and salsa. The kid on the bike throwing coke and ice on him. The mare licking his shirt. When will he write his book? I can't say there are many people in life that I truly revere. I revere Joe Shelton.

God help and preserve his works and the works of his many loyal frens with pastures, pickups and horse trailers, and great, big hearts.

xxoo:j
COURAGE

hi gang,
i read a great article in the NY times about Tour of the Cat and Michael at Old Friends!!! it was dated from monday the 24th. if you have time pull it up. i love michael, a truly great man!!
barbara

Famblee , this wild horse situation with the BLM is just horrible , I don't think they are going to listen to we the people... Maybe they can be stopped by the courts.

Think on this - in the movie " The Usual Suspects"
is this statement :

The Best trick the devil ever pulled is convincing the world that he doesn't exist "

I think the fingerprints of evil is all over the destruction of these horses and their herds.

Good night until tomorrow, Bye now

####
TOMORROW NATIONAL CALL IN DAY....SAVE CLOUD'S HERD...THE WILD HORSES AND BURROS..

PLEASE...TAKE TIME TO MAKE CALLS....AND ASK EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

####
we need dollars to save 7 puppies...read the db...plus alot going on the db...so much needed...so much $$$ needed....please..please..please...

National Call in Day for Cloud is Friday, August 28th -- SPREAD THE WORD! Have your kids call in and write too-- These horses need to be preserved for future generations and we must act NOW

1. Call/write/fax President Obama as often as you can�this herd is a national treasure and should not be wiped out by a government agency. Please flood the phone lines with calls! Phone: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-9000 Fax: 202-456-2461
E-mail Obama

2. Ask Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar to stop this round up
Call: 202-208-3100
Write: feedback@ios.doi.gov

3. BLM Director Bob Abbey, tell him to halt this round up-- he must reconsider his agency's actions
Call: 202-208-3801
Fax: 202-208-5242
Robert_Abbey@blm.gov

4. Call and write your own Senators and Congress people- tell them that Montana is allowing the destruction of Cloud�s unique and historical wild horse herd. Politely express your outrage and ask them to help stop this round up.

Hiya, FsOB! Alex, egads, I hope that the worker at Wooddbine recovers from the stabbing. Truly frightening to think of such violence anywhere, but especially in a work environment and one with defenseless humans and animals.

Please do keep us informed about Michael Straight's condition, Alex & Wendy. May his surgery result in a full recovery from his paralysis.

Nice to read that Storm in May will retire to a loving environment. Here's to a world where all TBs can do so. And that brings me to Freedom's Flight.... What an incredible pedigree: Secretariat, Northern Dancer, Nijinsky, Seattle Slew. To think how this horse was abandoned & almost killed, I shudder. I certainly hope that Freedom's Flight gets to play a role of some sort in the film about Secretariat. Peace, RMH

#### To Jenn & Joan: Fabulous news about BearBear. I think that Linda and Bobbie have given superb suggestions. Dogs are so olfactory-oriented, I do think that bringing a blanket or garment from Jenn's home might help Bear. Chicken soup droplets on the schnoz - I love it!
To Liz: What a great video of the wild ponies, many thanks. I wish that there could be a home in Kent for some of our wild mustangs, who are being treated disrespectfully by the US Bureau of Land Management.
To Angel Dee: Brilliant rainbows to you, ma'am!
To Bobbie B: Loved your quote about the devil from "The Usual Suspects". The older I get, the more I believe that evil can truly be a tangible thing. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, the Lord's Prayer ends with "... protect us from the Evil One." ####