Hi SandyBean! What sort of horse rescue do you do? A friend of mine started this place: http://wildhorserescue.org/  I'm a total animal lover, just rescued a cat from death row (he's the best kitty!) I would have a bunch of dogs too if I had a big yard   :)

Hi Josephine,

I checked out the website of the horse rescue your friend started in California, and it looks like a Fantastic place.  Tonnes of horses, really organized, and they are doing such wonderful work on such a large scale!!!

I have been volunteering for 6 years now at a local horse rescue, here in Abbotsford, BC, Canada;

www.circlef.ca

It's great fun, lots of work, and I have learned a tremendous amount from all the different horses that we have helped find new homes for.  I do lead two groups at the rescue; the Horse Team and the Conditioning Team, so I am responsible for what horses come in and which homes they go to, and also take care of training and exercising our horses while they are with us.  

Often we get Standardbred Pacers from the Harness racing track, and I have the great job of training them under saddle.  All the horses at Circle F Horse Rescue have taught me so much, and I am continuing to discover new things every time I interact with them.  It is a dream come true to be with them as often as I can.   ::)

Animals are my life, and I can't imagine life without them.  At home on our little 5 acre property, we have three dogs, two cats, four doves (all rescues), and 39 chickens for eggs (which I sell locally).  I could have horses too, but prefer to give my time to those horses at the rescue that really need extra TLC.  I am also lucky enough to have a neighbour that adopted one of the Standardbred mares that I had started under saddle at the rescue, and now ride her out on the trails here about twice a week with other local horse owners.  It is a wonderful life!   :D

It's really great to hear you rescued your kitty, I bet he just loves you so much, now that he has a good home and lot's of care and attention.  Almost all of my animals over the last 25 years have been rescued strays or from the SPCA.  They make the best family members ever!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I would love to see a pic of your little kitty boy!

Well, now that I have chatted your 'eyes' off, thanks for the interest and question, and take care, [smiley=dankk2.gif]

SandyBean [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Oooh, I feel badly that I am about to abet an OT thread but thought you might both enjoy this video on youtube of horses being rescued in the the Netherlands, if you haven't already seen it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8iSYMkFO2A&feature=related

It's lovely, but moving - have tissues ready.

Thanks, Scout, I have watched that particular YouTube video once before, and it was spellbinding, so it was great to see it again.  Talk about brave women willing to risk their lives and their horses' lives! :o

take care,

SandyBean [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

I admire anyone who does animal rescue SO much! You are a blessing.
[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Hello All,

I came across this youtube "Quantum Touch" healing on horses.  Thought you might find it interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg9i0fvf-D0

Scout- thanks for posting, that was beautiful {sniffle}


Missy- the news had a report today about a horse massage therapist (on the US East coast?) who shut down over the threat of lawsuits. The state wants to require licensing, as with humans.


SandyBean- your life on the farm sounds soooo nice! I miss the green countryside (there isn't much of it in southern California, unbuilt land here is mostly desert.) That's really great that you choose to volunteer and help lots of horses when you could just have your own and help only a few. I don't know a lot about horse racing, but I'm guessing it's like any other animal "sport" where the unprofitable animals are simply disposed of. (One of my coworkers rescued a "retired" greyhound, and told me a little about it   :'(   )

Wild Horse Rescue is one of those "follow your bliss" stories. My friend hated her administration job and got this "crazy" idea of having a horse rescue. She saved enough money to buy a small amount of land, got nonprofit status, and now they survive on volunteers, donations and adoption fees. The US Bureau of Land Management would gladly shoot all the mustangs and sell the land, but slowly WRH has been able to expand and save more horses.

Now, about my cat Thor. He wasn't presenting himself well at the shelter and NOBODY was paying attention to him (supposedly black animals are the least adopted.) He looked so sad and depressed I just had to get him out of there, so after he proved to not be aggressive or feral we came home (he was already neutered and, sadly, declawed.) It took him a few days to relax but he's turned out to be a big furball of love! He's 18lbs (8kg) but completely harmless- he's never even hissed at my other cat, just wants to be friends. My other cat hasn't warmed up to him yet, but we had nose-sniffing this week so she's getting there. I'll get some pics onto flickr so you can see him. In the mean time, he looks sort of like this but with shorter fur. And more cat-like  :D  www.wildvisions.co.uk/Mammals/black-wolf-portrait-4.htm

Hi SandyBean and all animal lovers, check this out- Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue is nominated for Animal Planet's Hero of the Year award. If they win the sanctuary gets $10,000!

To vote go to:

http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/hero_of_the_year/poll/poll.html


Jill Starr is the owner of Lifesavers, but vote for whoever you feel is most worthy.


To learn more about the sanctuary go to:

http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/hero_of_the_year/2008/nominees/jill-starr.html

or:

www.wildhorserescue.org

Thanks!

Hi Josephine,

Just saw your August post, and looked at the picture of your cat, Thor, my HE IS BIG, And Very Furry, and what a long nose he has !!!!  (ah, the better to sniff you with!)  Too Cute;  ;D

Hope to see his more recent images soon !

I did go on the Animal Planet to vote !  Great program, each of those rescues could use the $10,000 bonus, they are all great.  Thanks for sharing it and allowing me to help in a small way.  Your girlfriend is amazing, and blessed are the horses who found their way to her.

take care, hugs to Thor !  [smiley=engel017.gif]

SandyBean [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

SandyBean wrote on 02.10.2008 at 01:51:52:

...  the better to sniff you with!

The better to find the food with, you mean!  ;D  

I didn't get around to transferring my yahoo pics to flickr before they went down so I need to rebuild my photo albums. Doh! Got a pic of Thor in the temporary cardboard carrier (which I kept because he likes to sleep in it sometimes. Cats and boxes, what's up with that??) and when he lays down he spreads out and fills the carrier like a bread pan. It's pretty funny. My other cat is still nervous around him, but I'm trying to get them to eat in the same room at the same time. Unfortunately having them use the same litter box is probably months away.

Anyway, thanks for voting! It's so hard, I wish they all could get truckloads of money. But hopefully the exposure will help out all rescues. Thanks again   :)

Hi animal lovers- just a quick update on what's been happening at Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue. They recently teamed up with the Raven Drum Foundation (headed by Rick Allen, of Def Leppard fame, and singer Lauren Monroe), which helps veterans with post traumatic stress. Rick and Lauren spent the day "horse whispering" to see if this healing experience could benefit the veterans. Check out their video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT074OZ7eDg


www.ravendrumfoundation.org/
www.wildhorserescue.org