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
