Three Pines Farm

I don't really think I need to say anything...I'm just going to sit back and be proud of these two for a moment... :)

Sorry for the lack of updates :).  It's just been a 'blah' couple of months.  Work, work, mud, snow, and more work.  But look how well Major's doing!  Thanks to Matt and Alison donating the funds for his new winter blanket, Major is well on his way to being fat & sassy again.  He's already got the 'sass' down, haha!  We're finally getting on top of his rainrot issues (it's just been too cold to put any liquids/oils on to treat); he's got large bald patches on his rump where we've finally got the scabs off so the oxygen can get to the skin and kill the fungus, but the skin is healthy and pink and starting to regrow the hair already.  Yay Major!  Keep it up, buddy!

I was sitting here trying to total up his portion of the feed costs, just for general reference, but I'm not sure I want to know just how many dollars we've put into him :).  Right now he's on a 50/50 of Purina Equine Senior ($15 a bag) and Purina Strategy ($12 a bag).  Until recently, he was 100% Equine Senior.  He goes through a bag about every 5 days (soaked in hot water to make a delicious mash; he's not spoiled at all, lol!).  So, as near as I can figure, he's gone through almost $175 in feed alone the last two months.  Not to mention all the wormers per IHR policy for emaciated horses; a little over $125 so far for that.  Right now he's on round bales but he was getting at least a square a day until about 3 weeks ago, at $3 per square; I don't pay much for the round bales, but they're several counties away and gas for that load is outrageous.  So that's well over $500 so far, not counting water, electricity, sawdust, labor, topical medications, and so forth.  But the look on his face and his excited nicker anytime he sees someone who might be bringing him food is worth way more than all that.  This, ladies and gentleman, is why I have two jobs and my truck runs like crap, lol!  And I'm not the only one; I know of several other equine, canine, and feline shelters that are really feeling the pinch; please consider donating a few bucks to your local animal shelters if you can.  I can provide paypal links to several deserving animal charities if you're looking for one; just email me at ihrpike@yahoo.com.  I can't wait until spring when I can get my home PC service back up so I can really start working on fundraising for the IHR horses.  Anyway, back to it; if we get a single warm day soon, I'd love to get some new pictures for you all.  Have a great day, and hug your animals!

I don't have any new pics, but I've been asked for a little more info on Major and how he came to be where he is.  I recieved a call from a lady who explained that she was going through a divorce and couldn't afford to keep her horses anymore; she had 5, but said that the ex would be taking one and a friend would be taking another, so there would only be 3 to sign in.  Still being new to the game, I referred her to IHR Southwest so we could get the procedure correct.  After speaking with Southwest and agreeing to terms & conditions, she decided to sign all 5 into the program.  At the moment we only had a 2-horse trailer on loan and I was having trouble procuring another (I knew we would probably be taking most if not all of them to Southwest and it would have been an all-day trip to have made it two or three times with a single trailer).  I called the owner and asked if I could bring her some hay and feed to last until the following weekend; she didn't think that was necessary but I felt a real sense of urgency, so I still kept calling the 'trailer list'.  We ended up finding a second truck and trailer so we set out for their farm the same day (this past Saturday).  I was a bit shocked at their conditions when we arrived; and even though I really didn't plan on bringing any into my already-overflowing barn, the skinny gray gelding looked at me with his heart in his eyes...and I knew he was coming home with us.  He and his trailer-mate loaded like a dream (Major was so ready to jump in there and get to the feed bucket that he practically ran Angie down and then busted her lip when he tossed the empty bucket, haha! Sorry about that, Ang!!!  He didn't mean it!), and even the three wild ones only took a few minutes to get loaded.  We brought Major home and settled him into the Donkey Run while we took the others to Southwest, then came back and sat with him for several hours before stumbling to bed. 

Tomorrow he will have been with us for a week; he's had two medicated baths for his rainrot and fungal issues and has been started on a parasite-control program suitable to his emaciated condition.  While he's still on feeding restrictions, he tucks into his portions with great gusto and paws for more when he finishes.  He's always the first to nicker when he sees someone--anyone--that might give him a gingersnap (the world's best horse treats!).  He's wearing a blanket at night right now although it's a tad too small for him; if anyone would like to donate a blanket for Major to help keep him from burning much-needed calories to keep warm, please contact me for sizing information.  If you have any more questions about Major or the other horses, please email me at ihrpike@yahoo.com.  Thanks, and have a great day!

First off, I want to give out a huge THANK YOU!! to Tony, Kathryn, and the rest of IHR.  I'm sure they are beginning to dread hearing our truck pull up in the dark; this weekend alone we brought in 7 horses (although only 5 went to IHR Southwest; we kept Major and Angie kept another).  8 horses, if you include the sweet black Arab (Molly) that we took down there to make room for our new guy.  So thank you thank you thank you, guys; these horses owe you their lives.

So now, meet 'Major'.  Major was one of 5 who were signed over by their owner on Saturday.  "Mage" is one hungry guy!  We've started working him up on groceries and have started treatment for his rainrot and parasites; I don't think it'll take this boy long to pack the pounds back on.  And when he does, look out!  He's going to be gorgeous!  Major is very sweet; handles well (although he gets highly irritated when you take him away from his chow, lol), and is said to be broke.  Keep an eye out for updates on this fellows progress as we go along!  More story after the pics:

If any of you are local, I have a huge favor to ask...if you have a trailer, please contact us about signing up for emergency transport.  We as yet do not have a working trailer of our own (we have a trailer but the floor is out, and when we spend every available free moment helping horses out of bad situations, that doesn't leave any time to fix it) and we need help desperately.  In the last two weeks alone, we've brought in about a dozen horses to IHR Southwest.  I don't mind paying all the gas money to do this, but having to call around and beg for a trailer is getting old!  If you could haul a couple or wouldn't mind letting us use your trailer when you're not using it, please contact us to sign up.  Sometimes that extra day that I don't have to spend hunting down a trailer can mean life or death for some of these horses.  Or if you have a trailer you might be selling, keep in mind that donations are tax-deductible for you!  :) 

Keep an eye out for more on this beautiful boy.  Have a great day!

I'm sad to report the poor skinny guy in the previous post didn't make it.  The one-eyed boy is still up but is still on the critical list.  It's always 'iffy' with a horse that has deteriorated that badly; when their body has been feeding on itself to that extent, sometimes the organs just don't function properly anymore.  Rest In Peace, sweet boy.

For starters, we finalized our status as the Pike County division of Indiana Horse Rescue!  As IHR Pike, we will be able to better help more horses than on our own.  And as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your donations will be tax-deductible!  More info on that (and a new website) coming soon.  In the meantime...

I got to assist on my first official rescue.  I was able to attend the whole process (giving me a step up on the investigation classes I'll be taking soon) and provide transport for the impounded equines.  Due to the close proximity to our farm, we decided to take the horses to IHR Southwest in Owensville, and they sent two others back with us.  I know, I know...you want pics!  :)  Are you sure about that?
Here's one of the ones we transported Friday night:

When I look at the round butt of Joe or Shiloh, it's hard to even imagine that these bones are in there on them after seeing the prominence of this poor guy's bones.  Here is a second horse (also showing the missing eye due to some past trauma):

A very sad situation indeed.  Moreso for the fact that they were so close to home, and we had no idea.  But thanks to someone who saw them and cared enough to call, they are now beginning their journey back to health.  Thank you, whoever you are!!!  Moral of the story, kids: if you see an animal of ANY type whom you believe to be neglected or abused, it never hurts to call someone.  At the very least, the situation will be investigated and nothing will be amiss.  Equine Rescues don't seize horses just because they want them...we have enough horses, thank you very much!  We want people to take care of their own.  If you don't have the knowledge or the means to do so, PLEASE JUST ASK...don't let the situation deteriorate until it gets out of hand.  We don't want to make enemies, we just want the horses to live a healthy, happy, properly-cared-for life.  If you're having problems, please just call; we can help you figure out how to get your horses back to health or other ways to deal with the situation.  I can be reached anytime at firebird96ta@aol.com, ihrpike@yahoo.com, or feel free to use any of the contact information at www.indianahorserescue.com (including an online report form if you think you've seen a situation that needs to be looked into).  Thanks!
And here are the two girls we brought into the fold.  The first is Molly, a Russian Arab...just the sweetest girl ever.  Shiloh is totally addicted to her! 

And Jenny, a draft mule (also a big sweetie):

Both girls could use just a pound or two more but are looking much better than they did when they came to Southwest.  I'm really looking forward to getting to know these girls and finding them great homes.  If you think you might be interested, contact me and we'll talk.  The rest of their information will be at the new website when finished and I will post links, I promise :).  Have a great day, everyone!

The boys are gone, and the barn is so quiet without Pancho's whuffling supper requests.  However, I'm sure their space will be filled soon. 

58 weeks after he was stolen, Max has been reunited with his family.  How great is that???  Prayers all around!!!  More info on the story at www.netposse.com. 

Ally and Keristen were riding Joe when Gabe came over to show off his cool new cowboy hat; next thing we know, they're all aboard!  :)  Ol' Joe didn't mind one bit.  (Yes, I realize that was probably hard on his kidneys, that's why they only made a small circle for the novelty of it and then quit).

Nathan went out to help with the dismount, and Ollie was wondering what was going on...

Nate got to hold Gabe's hat for a minute...

Earlier that morning, the girls had given Joe a good workout...

And of course Miss Nosy had to be right there with them...

Had some nice morning light this weekend, so I took a jaunt to the pits about a mile from home.  None of these have been retouched; the water really IS that color!  :)

And finally, the three roosters: