A Story of Two Rescues

The picture above was taken shortly after a herd of 18 stallions, mares (most pregnant) & foals were rescued from a neglect situation. This particular rescue has captured the hearts of many in this area. They have a huge following on facebook as well as regular updates on their status at their website here http://web.me.com/stephb0213/Site/Leake_County_Horses.html. It's admittedly a time of hardship for many these days. Even so, it's difficult to imagine allowing something like this to happen to a herd of what was surely once the pride of someone. It's my understanding that this herd contains Appaloosas, Paints & Quarter Horses. The herd was moved to Have-A-Heart rescue where they have been receiving care. A handful were recently deemed healthy enough to be sent to foster homes or adopted by someone willing to continue to rehab them back to good health. There are still many too sick or thin to leave the rescue yet, although they improve daily. When we went to pick up Sedona (yes that pitiful chestnut above is her) & her colt, Cash, I saw first-hand the poor, albeit improved, state of many of these guys. I've only ever seen horses with bones protruding in malnutrition in pictures. Sedona & Cash look much better now, although they still have a long way to go. I can say that they feel good. I observed Sedona (bony with her big pregnant belly) jump from a stand-still across a 4 foot across little creek in our front pasture. I'm betting she's gonna be a super athlete. Cash too, is cantering around to catch up with his mom & keeps sneaking over to visit with my herd at the fence they share, despite Sedona's protests. Donations to assist in the care of the Leake County herd can be made online at the above link. Follow Sedona & Cash's story here with us & follow the Leake County Herd's progress at the link above. They are sure to make you sad but will also hopefully inspire us to treasure what we have without ever forgetting the responsibility we all have as care-takers of horses or any other animal we breed or otherwise bring into our lives. Photo above taken by Taylor Kuykendal. Thanks to "mississippihorses" for allowing me to share it here.

Fall update!

Lots going on here in recent weeks so an update is due. Sir Miles, while still on lease in TN, has moved to a new farm &, from what I hear, is in the lap of luxury. He has moved to a beautiful farm where he has 100 or so acres of softly rolling hills to enjoy. Pastured with a younger gelding buddy, he is now with a mother & daughter. Mother is a dressage trainer & instructor. Daughter is a teen & advanced eventing rider in need of a schoolmaster type to help her move forward in her dressage. Miles fit the bill & so far is charming them with his talent & fun personality. Looking forward to pics & updates on how they are all getting along!

You may have noticed from the pics here that Kisia is a bit of an easy keeper. She's been dieting for the past couple of months. Her quick weight gain this spring caused some saddle fit issues we've been working through. Will be trying a new shim pattern with her pad/saddle soon that should help to fit her rounder shoulders & short, broad back. Hoping it will keep her saddle from slipping forward.

Foxy & Zorra are still on "mom & baby duty." They both look great & hold every one's heart strings around here for sure. Herradura Andalusians (breeder of our Kisia & Zorra's sire Chulo) will be showing Zorra's sire Chulo at the up & coming IALHA show in the Spanish/Portuguese Senior Stallion class & will hopefully leave with his 2nd National Championship Title. He was recently sold & will be heading out to his new home soon. Can't say enough about how happy we've been with Zorra & just feel lucky all around to have had the opportunity to breed to that amazing stallion.

And probably our biggest news of the moment is the recent arrival of our newest residents. Two fosters from "Have a Heart" horse rescue arrived this weekend. A really sweet & friendly chestnut mare & her lovely black colt. These two were part of the much followed Leake county horse rescue. They will foster here with us a while to basically fatten up & be pampered a bit....ok probably more than a bit. We're thrilled to have them & are certainly blessed to be able to help out. I'm calling the mom Sedona after the stunning red rock formations we recently saw in Arizona & the colt Cash after "the man in black". Much more of their story to follow in coming posts. Picture here is Zorra's view of Sedona & little Cash settling in on their first day with us.

Morning at Lafayette Valley

Morning at Lafayette Valley from Randall Barr on Vimeo.

Phillip & Zorra photo.....AAAH how sweet!

This beautiful photo taken by my talented husband, Randall Barr, recently won 2nd place in the AAAH's & HAHA's photo contest. The contest wasn't anything huge or official but is always nice to have your photo's (& horses!) admired & appreciated by others. The contest was hosted by Parelli Saddles through their facebook page.There were many really nice pics of sweet & funny horses submitted. Randy has aspirations to one day spend much of his time creating beautiful videos & photos. Obviously biased, I think he creates works of art every time he picks up a camera. Much thanks to the folks as Parelli Saddles for validating my opinion & allowing a forum for us to share this wonderful moment with others! If you follow this blog, you already know that Zorra is our sweet & dreamy andalusian cross filly out of Randy's mare Foxy. Phillip is our nephew & really wanted a picture with Zorra with her head up. Our little darling is all horse & often finds grass the most interesting thing in the world! Thankfully Phillip asked in just the right way if she would mind being in a picture of him. Surely the magic of photography is that it allows to capture a moment. Lovely moment here that might simply say "Hi" or may say something much more complex about trust & youth.