HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER
From AlexBrownRacing
NLER's December Newsletter
Happy Holidays
As I do every December I like to take this opportunity to reflect back on the past year. To be grateful to those who support our efforts, thankful for the horses that we have been able to help, and regretful for those that we couldn’t.
It has been a very productive year in terms of helping to save these amazing animals from abuse, neglect, and slaughter but there is still much work to be done. Many rescues have joined forces to better serve the horses that we all love and this cooperation has made us all more effective at rescuing, rehabbing, and placing in loving homes thousands of horses.
Most of the headlines that we hear and read report sadness, hurt, abuse, neglect, ignorance, and simple lack of compassion for animals and humans alike. But through the rescues, as well as many private individuals, there are also happy stories. Stories of a child who speaks for the first time after equine therapy provided by a rescue horse, of the sadness that is replaced with joy in the face of a little girl who learns to love her first pony. There is the comfort for a person who adopts and can spend time with their own horse that they have helped to save from a questionable future.
These animals give us so much and ask so little in return and I want to thank each and every person who supports NLER or any other rescue. It is through your generosity that these animals find new lives.
We wish you all a Joyous Holiday Season and Thank You so very much for your continued support.
2008 Horses With the assistance of the Maryland Friends of Barbaro, affectionately known as the MD FOBs, we have been able to pull and/or place a number of horses over the past year.
MarySue
First and foremost would be MarySue. MarySue is a 4/5 year old OTTB mare who was rescued by the MD FOB's and brought to NLER for rehabilitation. When she arrived it was clear that MarySue had leg issues that would need to be addressed. Her racing plates were pulled and it was obvious that she was in considerable pain. Dr. Kabala was out to do x-rays and it was determined that at some point MarySue had sustained a serious crushing injury to her left knee and the damage is severe enough that she is not a good candidate for surgery. She has severe degenerative disease in that knee and will always be limited by this injury. It was also discovered that MarySue has a canon bone fracture and she needed to be confined for 3 months to allow the canon bone to heal. In mid-July she was x-rayed again to see if the fracture had healed. Fortunately the fracture completely healed and MarySue was released for adoption. MarySue is an incredibly sweet girl and has made a lot of progress in her recovery. She shows no indication that she is in pain now and will hopefully be rideable as a walking trail horse. She is the most non-spooky TB I've ever worked with and really loves people and attention. MarySue has now completed her rehab and has been adopted by Ted and Amby. Way to go MarySue!
Margaret
Next came Margaret the blind Belgian. Everyone thought that this big girl was pregnant when she was pulled from the broker. After all as Christy pointed out she was big enough to park a Volkswagen inside her tummy. She certainly "looked" pregnant. After a vet check it was determined that Margaret was NOT pregnant (just huge) and that she was almost completely blind due to cataracts. She is not a candidate for surgery as there has been too much damage to the back of her eye but she can still lead a healthy and happy life. Margaret has been adopted by Tamara and is learning to be a trail horse. She is doing very well in her new home and will lead and long and happy life as a member of the family.
Bold Bather
Bather is a registered 23 year old dark bay TB mare who is in great condition. She was awarded the Premium Mare standing by the International Sporthorse Registry in 1993 and the coveted 1-A Premium Award by the American Hanovarian Society in 1997. She has schooled in 1st and 2nd level dressage, has foxhunted, and been a broodmare during the 20 years she spent with her previous owner. Bather has had a lifetime of excellent care and her current condition reflects that care. She is an excellent ride but does require an experienced handler and rider. Bather is currently in foster and available for adoption.
Mary Agnes
Mags is a beautiful approximately 10 year old TB mare that has found her way into Carolyn's heart. She was pulled directly from a feedlot in Fallon, NV, where she was heading to slaughter most likely in Mexico, and shipped all of the way to MD to join our little family. Carolyn has discovered that Mags was hiding lots of past training under lots of attitude and continues to learn just what this beauty knows. Other than some arthritis in her back pasturns she is a healthy and happy girl with lots style.....and attitude. But no matter because I think that Carolyn is hooked.
Mariah, Marisol and Mellie
Our next adventerous trio was Mariah, Marisol and her foal Mellie. Mariah is an older girl and has melanomas in her mouth and throat. She is a sweetie and will be placed as a companion horse to live out her life being treated as the Princess that she believes herself to be.
Marisol is an 8 year old Quarter Pony and is beiing evaluated to determine what type of training she has had. This girl is going to make someone a very nice mount and will be ready for adoption soon.
Mellie, Marisol's filly, should also mature to large pony size and this little girl is very well put together. She has unlimited potential and would make a great 4H or Pony Club project. Mellie is currently available for adoption.
Maryland Lady and Miskwa Tibiq-Kizis
Lady and Moonie were the next to arrive. Lady is a healthy older girl who does have ring bone and was pulled directly from slaughter. Lady is the perfect child's mount and is ready for adoption into a light riding forever home. This girl will teach your young one much and she is a very patient instructor. Moonie is a very flashy red-dun paint yearling who arrived with Lady and he proceeded to develop the worst case of strangles that I have ever encountered. The good news is the poor guy should never have to deal with that again since he has immunity. Moonie should mature to medium to large pony size and is going to look incredible under saddle. Moonie has been transferred to Forgotten Treasures Equine Rescue in PA for placement into a permanent home.
Lindy and Matapeake
Lindy and Mattie were pulled to safety by PonyTales Rescue and fostered by Karin until their return to health in PA. Lindy is a 10-12 year old Percheron cross mare who is in foal for a spring 2008 baby. She has the very best personality and is trained to ride and drive. She will be no problem to place after her foal is born and is going to make someone a terrific mount. Mattie has already found his forever home and is currently being spoiled rotten in PA by Brenda. He is also companion to Brenda's other horse Dream and I can see many trail rides in their future.
Coco
Coco was listed on many of the groups and you guys twisted my arm until I agreed to take her in and help her find a home. She was listed as an aged appy mare (28 years old) who was basically not a comfortable ride. Well let me tell you about Coco. When I went to pick her up I was speechless. I was expecting some wiry old girl who would need to be rehabbed and vetted so that she could get up to weight and be healthy. What I saw was a plump large pony size girl who was just begging for a kid to call her own. After discussing it with my family we decided to adopt Coco ourselves and she is truly a gem.
Curly
Curly was with a rescue in Vermont that was closing it's doors and was going to be put down if not placed. He is 27 years old and a former lesson pony who was tired of just going around in circles. Again, what a prize this little guy turned out to be. He is a medium sized POA pony and is my Grandson bestest friend. I do love the old guys.
Easter Bunny and Easter Egg
Bunny, now known as Tola, is a 15-17 year old draft cross with some good training to offer. She is a nice ride and is going to make someone an incredible trail horse. Tola was pulled from the same farm that Lindy and Mattie came from in PA by PonyTales and again fostered by Karin. Karin nursed them back to health but before they were moved to MD Tola had a disagreement with one of Karin's horses and was injured on her left hock. The wound itself has healed nicely but the vet feels that it will take 6 months to a year for the tendon to heal and for Tola to be sound again. We will give her plenty of time to heal and Tola will be available for adoption sometime in 2008. Easter Egg, affectionately known as Omelet, is such a hunk! He has recently been weaned and is now available for adoption. I can see this guy doing extremely well in the show/dressage ring. He truly has unlimited potential.
All in all it has been a very productive year and we were able to help quite a few horses. Of course none of this would be possible without the continuing support of an incredible group of people known as the FOBs. This group has grown from a few total strangers to many good friends with a common cause. To help the horses. Thank you from me and the horses!
Holiday Wish List Items needed to update farm:
- 8’ fence posts *Keep-Safe Horse Fence 48" h
- 1”x6”x16’ boards
- 5’ T-Posts
- Electric Rope Fencing
- Solar Powered Fencers
- Stone Dust or Blue Stone
Large items currently needed:
- Mid-Size tractor
- Copier for office
- (3) Hay rings
- Portable Stall Panels
- (2) Muck bucket carts
The following is a list of items that we can always use:
- HAY – rounds & squares
- Shredded Beet Pulp
- Breakaway Halters
- Fuses/Leather strips
- Horse treats
- Feed (Farmers Coop Prem Senior, High Fat- Prem Plus) *Platinum Performance
- Wormers
- Medical Supplies
- EZ-ALL Shampoo
- Grooming supplies
- Fly masks
- Salt Blocks
- Equine Mineral Blocks
- Tea Tree Oil (100% Pure) *Saw dust or shavings
Items needed for occasional use:
- Skid loader
- Dump truck
- Stock trailer
- Flat trailer
- Fence post driver
Any items that you no longer have a use for that are in usable condition are always appreciated. Items that we do not use will be offered for sale and the proceeds will be used to benefit the rescue. Remember even used items that are donated are eligible for tax deduction. Thank you.
Cathy @ NLER
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