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

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to Everyone!!!

As we all say farewell 2008, I would like to take this opportunity to THANK all of our supporters from all over the world who have enabled Miracle Horse Rescue to continue its efforts in caring for abused, neglected and unwanted horses of all types and conditions. Your generosity is truly appreciated and it does make a difference in the lives of all of our horses. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

I could not do this alone as there are wonderful people who deserve a lot of credit for what they do daily for the horses.

Beverly and Phantom, Thank you for all the work you put into your diligent fund raising and for listening.

Rosemarie and Brady for your diligent work for the fundraisers

Sheriff Susan, Thank you for all your ideas and work with the fundraising

Sheila, Thank you for your excellent work on the website, blog and correcting my spelling and having it make sense, I could not do this without you. Your patience with me is truly appreciated.

Lucy, thank you for your baked goods and the excitement you generate, and never forgetting anyone both human and furbaby.

MaryL, Thank you for everything you do for the horses behind the scenes it is appreciated.

You ALL make a difference in the lives of horses everywhere. You should be very proud of yourselves. I have made wonderful friends the last few years working with all of you, and most have been to the ranch and have now become members of our family..we thank you for being part of our lives.

We wish all of you the very best for 2009 cause it is going to be fine! 2009 will be filled with Hope and Faith. Together we can make many positive changes in every aspect of the word.

Have a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year!!!!!!

Our Very Best to Each of You and Thank You So So Much!! Without you this would not be possible!!!!!!

Stephanie, Robert, Joseph, Theresa and the entire MHR Family

Tuesday morning

Good Morning Everyone,

The last day has been very traumatic as most of you know, due to my brother being shot in the line of duty. Yesterday, we felt like we were in a daze and found it difficult to concentrate on just about anything.

My brother is doing fine and will hopefully have a full recovery from his injuries. At this time he is in a lot of pain, but knowing him he will "COWBOY UP." We are so thankful that he and the other two officers are with us today..we can attribute this to the excellent training they have received from their trainers.

I would also like to say that my family and I are grateful for all the prayers that were sent to him. It is truly appreciated. Thank you all very much.

Today, we are going to try and get things back to normal. This is the last day for the December Hay Drive Fundraiser, so I hope that you are able to join us one last day on this effort to provide hay and supplements to the horses.

Again, many many thanks for everything. You will never know what your words of encouragement and prayers have meant to me and my family.

Stephanie