Pictures from today, 1/12/09

Did you ever think we would see the day that Jerri and Apple would stand next to each other by choice?? OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!



Baby B

Monday morning

Good Monday Morning,

Yesterday, our winds were high, and I made the command decision to leave Spirit in his play area, as he was feeling quite frisky and I felt that B deserved a break from his antics. Spirit is really a good boy, but he has to readjust to playing with others with a bit less vigor. Just takes some time.

It was a very casual and quiet day at the ranch on Sunday. Everyone was doing well and enjoying the early morning sunshine, and wind the wind kicked in they all just turn their hineys to the wind and stood around. There were no horse games in the football field, and the Ladies Parlour was extremely quiet. Apple and Jerri just stood side by side for the most part without a care in the world.

Another day begins, so I will talk to all of you later. I wish everyone the best!

Stephanie

Sunday morning

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that this finds everyone doing well this Sunday morning. I hope that our friends and supporters on the East Coast are staying warm.

Well, yesterday was the coming out party for Spirit who 8 weeks ago was gelded. He was quite the rowdy little guy to finally have someone to play with. He lost his mind a couple of times but regained his composure and drove Baby B nuts. However, she survived his playing. He was placed back in his play area for the night and fed by himself, which suited both of them. The other reason for placing him back is so that he did not try and eat her food as well.

This is the fourth day that the BBGs (Apple and Jerri) have been in what has fondly been named by Bev Young, "The Ladies Parlour." They are doing great, there have been no battles whatsoever over the fence with any member of the football team. They have settled in and there is harmony amongst the ranks. Both the girls are quite relaxed in their surroundings, which is so nice to see.

There is still no news as to the arrival date of FAITH. We are standing by. Her stall is ready and we just need our new Mama-to-be to arrive.

There will be a second camera put up on the ranch. This camera will give a view of the football field and the Ladies Parlour. It will be on Ustream and will be its own separate show as well as have its own chat. The primary cam will be focused on the Doc Wilbur Maternity Wing, so we can all begin foal watch 2009. Remember to have plenty of coffee, snacks and chocolate for those late night viewings. We will be changing the name of this ustream show indicating it to be "FAITH FOAL WATCH 09". Once this has been done the link will be posted on our blog as well as website. We wanted to give you a heads up of the future change.

Otherwise everyone is doing well. Yesterday was the last day of our monthly psyllium regiment for all the horses and all systems are good to go. This is a monthly program of one full week a month that they receive this in order to keep things moving and to remove sand etc from their system.

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to Doc Wilbur's Medicine Cabinet. Each one of you deserves major kudos for your kindness and generosity for the horses.

We will be conducting a major fundraiser in 2009 when our FOB family arrives for their annual visit. We will keep you posted with details as the time draws near. This should be a great deal of fun as well as very informative for the public.

Again many many thanks to everyone that helps the horses at MHR.

I wish you all a wonderful day.

Stephanie

One more video from today

Ladies in the Parlour

January 10, 2008

The football field 1/10/09

Sophie today

This is Sophie today, January 10, 2009

"To all my sponsors: Look at me now!"

Thank you everyone, for helping this lovely girl.

Friday morning

Good Friday Morning/Afternoon to All,

Yesterday was quite the day at the ranch...very emotional both good and bad.

The loss of Rio, our rescued Corgi, was the start of the day. He was a fighter and always by our side. It was an empty feeling not to have him at least five feet from me grumbling his pleasure or displeasure of a situation. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by our family and friends.

Apple and Jerri are doing wonderfully in their new environment, which we are now dubbing our "LADIES' PARLOUR" thanks to Beverly Young. They are relaxed, they have displayed zero aggression towards each other or members of the football team.

It was a wonderful thing to watch as they ran back and forth, kicking up their heels, dirt flying up. Jerri was the first to drop and roll and she made use of every inch she could swing her body into. Apple was a bit more hesitant. However she decided she could not wait any longer and dropped, scratching her back, rubbing back and forth and groaning in sheer delight. Once, she stood, she let out a sigh and then shook for all she was worth. Is is truly a pleasure to watch them.

We still do not have an arrival date for FAITH, but she will be coming soon. I think it would be quite remarkable if she arrived on the same day as the BBGs did last year.

We are going to be setting up a second cam, which will provide a viewing of both the football field as well as the Ladies' Parlour. It will have its own chat etc. We will give you the link once it is established and operational.

Sophie is doing very well, she has put on weight and her coat is now soft and fuzzy. Bright has dropped her weight and is moving quite well. She will continue to receive her grass hay and biotin.

Muffin (41 yrs old), aka Jack LaLayne(sp) of the horse world, was so full of himself. He was bucking in his stall this morning as I was not moving fast enough with his breakfast. Once he got it there was a soft sigh and wuffling. He is such a good old guy.

Well, I hope that everyone is well and that you have a wonderful weekend.

Stephanie

Video of the girls when they first arrived in their new digs

Rio, a remembrance

A couple of ABR regulars posted their memories of Rio when they visited on Labor Day weekend. The picture is from KarenND and SusanE made this lovely post:

My heart goes out to you and Rob and all the four-foots for the passing of Rio. I will always remember Rio over this past Labor Day weekend. Running here, running there, rooting around in the grass and trees in the front yard! Scarfing up spilled hay cubes when he thought no one was watching! Touching noses with the babies. Chasing chickens, checking out all the horses, going on countless carrot deliveries with anyone and everyone. Running and barking and tumbling with PJ and Ginger and Utah and Abby. Patiently waiting for someone to drop a piece of BBQ or another treat. Going from person to person, getting skritches and love and lots of hugs and lap time. Having FUN FUN FUN.

Rio, with his perpetual smile and sense of joy and adventure. He had it all in this last part of his time on earth. No dog could have wished for more. Thanks for adopting Rio and giving him what every dog deserves.

RIP, little one.

More pics from today

BBGs w/ a taste of hay along with their cubes and Amelia going along for the ride

The girls have moved

Thank you all for your kind words in regards to Rio. It was his time and he let us know. He is in a wonderful place now. Thank you and we will miss him.

********************************************

The BBGs are quite happy. We haltered Apple and Rob walked her to the trailer and she stepped right on in. I closed the center gate and she stood there. Then much to our surprise, and I do mean surprise, Jerri just stepped right on in. We did not need to use any form of bribery whatsoever. I believe we have earned their trust.

When we got to their area and opened the trailer door Jerri did a huge leap, landed in the soft dirt and stopped. It was total amazement in her face. Then Apple came out and together they ran from one end to the other.

I just went out and checked on them and they are standing side by side, eyes half closed. They are completely relaxed.

Thank you all for your support and for getting them to us in '08.

Stephanie

Rio

It is with deep sorrow that I tell you that our sweet Rio passed this morning. Though he was an older guy rescued from the ASPCA this past July 08, he was loved so very very much.

Stephanie

Bright Eyes

And the adorable little Bright Eyes, showing off her new figure.

Football field

BBGs new suite

Tuesday morning

Good Tuesday Morning,

Well, we managed to scrape two stalls yesterday. All of this is done working around Rob's schedule. I am not real good at operating the tractor as it is a 1953 and it has a lot of little quirks that I am not familiar with and I sure do not want to break this very useful tool.

We do not have any employees and our volunteers do have lives and cannot always be here. So we get done what we can when Rob is home from work.

Yesterday evening's feeding was met with a few flurries of snow which was quite surprising to all of us. We had issues with water barrels continuing to freeze over throughout the day, so it was many checks to break the ice.

The horses are all doing well. Shania is doing great in her foster home. She has settled in quite nicely and is already made a friend, by the name of Lil Diamond, who is a 2.5 year old paint filly.

Today, should be a quiet day. I must go w/ Rob this afternoon to assist him at one of his clients.

FYI: Star is tied up in red tape at this time.

I hope that everyone will take a look and consider purchasing tickets for the Nellie and Lil Angel medallion. This is a beautiful piece.

The January Hay Ride has beautiful gifts and your purchase of tickets benefits the horses at MHR.

Well I hope that everyone has a great day, must dash for now. Be safe and happy!

Stephanie

Monday morning

Good Monday Morning,

Well, most everyone has headed back to work in full force this first full week of 2009. We wish you all well.

The Doc Wilbur Maternity Wing has been established and we are patiently awaiting the arrival of "FAITH," a 12 year old Grade English Shire mare who was utilized on the dreaded PMU line. She is in foal, due date unknown at this time. As long as Faith will authorize it, Dr. Henesler will be vet checking her a couple of days after she arrives.

A little bit of history regarding the name of the maternity wing. Wilbur, a most beautiful Fan Palm turkey, was a resident of the ranch. When Misty and Rosie were in foal, he would spend hours, and we mean hours, by their stalls. Wilbur was present during the birth of Baby B. He laid in front of her stall gate and was watching the whole birth. However, a few weeks later Rosie was the cause of his demise. He was quite the character at the ranch, and is still missed.

This sign is beautiful and was created by Paul and Karen Borstad, of North Dakota.

Now a bit of information regarding our new arrival. A group of individuals got together and agreed to save another PMU Mare in foal, and they wanted her to come to MHR. For this we are grateful for their kind hearts, compassion and the need to save another mare from this inhumane practice. We thank you very much! Faith will have some special needs, but we will confer with our vet as to her requirements.

As of this month, it will be one year ago that Jerri, Apple and Nellie arrived from Canada from a former PMU ranch. Nellie, as we all know, endured many more years on the line than her daughter Jerri and her friend Apple. Unfortunately, due to the lack of care she had received over her 18 years of life, we lost Nellie to severe colic. She underwent surgery, came through said surgery but was paralyzed. We let her go along w/ her unborn foal whom we referred to as Lil Angel, who was destined to be an Angel before she ever hit the ground.

MHR is offering a beautiful plaque that was donated and painted by "THE BUG" of The International Blessed Broodmare Project. Please make special note of the tear in the corner of Nellie's eye which is starting to fall. It is a beautiful piece to be treasured as it represents the many PMU mares that were lost before her and after her. We hope you will consider purchasing tickets for this beautiful piece.More information is available here.

Jerri and Apple will be remaining in the round pen for a few more days. We are going to be constructing a large area for them to be in. We are having to work this around Rob's work schedule. It will be a nice area for them.

Shania has gone to her new Foster parent's home. She will be living the life of Riley. Her foster family has fostered for us before and enjoy doing this for the horses. They "GET IT."

We hope that everyone has a safe and happy week.

Stephanie

Doc Wilbur Maternity Wing

The Doc Wilbur's Maternity Wing
is open for business

Sign is courtesy of
Paul and Karen Borstad
North Dakota

Sunday midday

Faith Update

We are preparing the Doc Wilbur Maternity Wing today.

As per information received today, 1/4/09, we are anticipating her arrival sometime in the month of January. Exact date has not yet been confirmed. Some of you may recall that the BBGs were due in February of 08; however we were quite surprised and had to put the pedal to the metal to get last minute preparations completed as they arrived three weeks earlier than we were expecting.

Spirit, Part 2

Everybody's favorite gelding

Spirit!

Friday morning

PLEASE MEET FAITH

We hope you will welcome her and her unborn foal into our MHR Family.

Faith is a "Grade English Shire."

A most special announcement!!!

2009

Here We Come, Were Having a Baby!!!!!

A group of FOBs have gotten together and they have obtained a 12 year old Grade ENGLISH SHIRE PMU Mare who is in foal and will be arriving at MHR this month.

Are you ready for another Baby Watch!!

Get your pantries stocked with Coffee, Cocoa and Chocolates

Please Join Us in Welcoming

"FAITH"

to the MHR Family!!!!

Lub Apple and Jerri!!!!!!

New Year's Day

Good Morning and Happy New Year to Everyone!

It was a very quiet night for us, as we were in bed and asleep by 8pm. Days are long and busy so though we were saying farewell to '08 and bringing in '09, it is business as usual at the ranch.

The month of January is the 1st anniversary of the Big Girls arriving at MHR! Please take a moment to view the plaque of our Nellie and Lil Angel. Nellie and Lil Angel her unborn foal for those who do not know were taken from us two months after their arrival. Due to poor care she received at the PMU ranch she came from, she had to undergo colic surgery from which she did not recover and we had to let her go. However, Nellie did not die in vain; she helped many other horses that came from the same PMU ranch.

The plaque was painted by "THE BUG", an artist and a member of The International Blessed Broodmare Project" an organization established to aid PMU mares and their unborn foals. The plaque of Nellie and Lil Angel is the artist's rendition of what Lil Angel would have looked liked had she been born.

2009 is going to be FINE..and I wish you all Health, Happiness and Prosperity.

Stephanie