Posted by SierraRanch on November 14, 2009
by Kris Garrett
11-11-09
Yesterday, for the first time, I was too tired to ride
Yesterday, for the first time, I was afraid I would be hurt if I was thrown
Yesterday, for the first time, I heard someone say my barn was too shabby
Yesterday, for the first time, I let someone tell me I was too pudgy to ride
Yesterday, for the first time, I realized I was old
Yesterday, for the first time, I had to face that I could no longer keep up
Yesterday, for the first time, I had to let go of my dreams
Yesterday, for the first time, I felt my heart break
Yesterday, for the first time, I turned my back on my friend
Yesterday, for the first time, I knew I was done
Today, for the last time, I felt warm, braided leather in my hands.
Today, for the last time, I ran my stirrups up so they wouldn’t bang my mare’s sides
Today, for the last time, I released the buckles on the girth and watched my girl sigh
Today, for the last time, I slowly dropped the bit so it wouldn’t hit her teeth
Today, for the last time, I gave my mare a cookie to thank her for the ride
Today, for the last time, I buried my head in her soft, warm neck
Today, for the last time, I inhaled the sun and the dust in her long winter coat
Today, for the last time, I closed the gate and trudged to the muddy porch
Today, for the last time, I tracked hay and horse hair into my house
Today, for the last time, I pulled off my boots and felt the sting of warm blood returning to my cold toes
Today, for the first time, I cried after my ride
Today, for the first time, I felt my hands shake as I set the saddle on its rack
Today, for the first time, I hugged my young trainer a final goodbye
Today, for the first time, I waited for the new owner’s trailer to arrive
Today, for the first time, I set my boots in a box to go to the Goodwill
Today, for the first time, I sighed at the wear on my riding gloves
Today, for the first time, I had no hay in my hair
Today, for the first time, I did not hear nickering when I opened my back door
Today, for the first time, I felt worse leaving the barn that I did when I entered
Today, for the first time, I had no one to check on before going to bed
Tomorrow, for the first time, I won’t have to buy hay
Tomorrow, for the first time, I can stay in bed longer
Tomorrow, for the first time, I won’t see the poop pile grow
Tomorrow, for the first time, I won’t be able to fly on four legs
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be sorry I listened
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will regret letting her go
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be angry at God
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be angry at myself
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will cry the day away
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be glad to die
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will awaken in tears
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will know I was wrong
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will defy all the judgement
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will ignore my old bones
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will return the buyer’s check
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will bring my friend home
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will take my boots out of the box
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will be reborn
For the rest of my life, I will have a horse in my yard
For the rest of my life, I will ignore the cruel judging
For the rest of my life, I will watch the poop pile grow
For the rest of my life, I will have hay in my hair
For the rest of my life, I will track mud in my house
For the rest of my life, I will bury my face in her soft neck
For the rest of my life, I will let my soul fly
For the rest of my life, I will never be alone
I saw this on an email group I get messages from. I think many of us can relate. 
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by SierraRanch on September 30, 2009
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue, Inc. located in Jones, Oklahoma, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that strives to improve the lives of neglected, starved, and abused horses. We provide equine rescue regardless of age or disability. We promote and teach horse care and humane, natural methods of training horses.
Rescues:
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has had a very busy year. So far this year, we have assisted with 3 large seizures. We have taken in more horses from Animal Cruelty this year than we have any other year. From January 1 to September 27, 2009, Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has taken in 197 horses. Since we have started our equine rescue in 2001, we have taken in a total of 502 horses and have adopted out 410 of those horses into loving, forever homes. None of this could be possible without our wonderful supporters and volunteers. With Animal Cruelty on the rise, we need your support now more than ever. Donations are needed to continue saving these wonderful horses lives.
In our last newsletter, we told you about our rescue of 52 horses from Beckham County on May 1st. Since then, we have assisted Garvin County with the rescue of 82 horses on August 24th 2009. And most recently we assisted Oklahoma County with the rescue of 6 horses on September 23, 2009 and 2 horses from Logan County on September 24, 2009. Of course, we can’t forget the countless horses received from Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division this year as well. We have a lot of wonderful horses in our care and many of them require a lot of medical attention and care. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of the horses that need your assistance. We ask that you please consider making a donation towards the horses currently in our care.
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue is making an Urgent Plea for assistance. Any Donation, no matter the size, is very important to us. Help us continue to save so many wonderful horses lives. Remember “Success comes one bit at a time”.
TURTLE
Turtle came into our rescue program on August 20, 2009 from the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division. Turtle is a Beautiful, Palomino, Stud, estimated to be 20 years of age and emaciated. Turtle has bladder stones and is not able to urinate properly. Turtle is currently being treated for his stones and gaining weight nicely. Turtle is on extensive antibiotics and has to have treatments weekly to break down the stones and properly empty his bladder. He is making wonderful progress and hopefully, he will be able to urinate freely soon. Once he is healthy, he will be gelded. He is a sweetheart of a horse and tolerates everything wonderfully. Please consider making a donation towards Turtle’s ongoing medical expenses. He needs your support!
TEQUILA aka (MR. STUD MAN)
Tequila came into our rescue program on August 24, 2009 along with 81 other horses from Garvin County. Tequila is a Beautiful, Sorrel, Quarter Horse, Stud. Tequila is estimated to be 17 years of age and extremely emaciated. Tequila is one of the sweetest, well mannered Studs. He has such a wonderful personality and a strong will to survive. Tequila had not received proper hoof care in quite some time and he is going through a series of corrective trimmings. His teeth were in extremely poor condition upon arrival. Tequila is gaining weight wonderfully and once he gains his weight back and is healthy, Tequila will be gelded. Please consider making a donations towards Tequila’s rehabilitation.
MO MONEY
Mo Money came into our rescue program on August 20, 2009 from the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division. Mo Money is a Beautiful, Chestnut, Thoroughbred, Gelding. Mo Money is a former race horse and is extremely emaciated. Mo Money is a sweet boy that is very week. Mo Money needs your support, please consider making a donation towards his rehabilitation.
ISABEL
Isabel came into our rescue program on September 23, 2009 from Oklahoma County. Isabel is a 2 year old, Thoroughbred/Arabian Cross. She is extremely emaciated and is the size of a yearling. She is very weak and went down in the trailer while being transported to our facility. She is such a sweet girl and has already suffered so much in her short life. We pray that Isabel has the strength to pull through this. Please consider making a donation towards Isabel’s rehabilitation, she needs your support and prayers.
BOSS
Boss came into our rescue program on August 24, 2009 from Logan County. Boss is another sweet boy, that is stunted. Boss is a 2 year old, Paint, Stud Colt. He is emaciated as well, but doing very well. He has a strong will and should recover well, but will be very small. Please consider making a donation towards Boss’ rehabilitation.
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has many more wonderful horses in our program that need your support. We ask that you please make a donation towards any of the horses currently in our rescue program. All of them are equally important and they all need us now more than ever. Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue is currently caring for 92 rescued horses at this time. Donations can be sent to:
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue
17667 Markita Drive
Jones, OK 73049
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support.
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has many wonderful horses currently available for adoption. If you or someone you know is wanting to add a horse to their family, please consider adopting a rescued horse. Rescued horses make wonderful horses, they are so eager to please and give 110% to their adoptive family. Many of them are young and ready for training. Many others are broke to ride and some would just be wonderful companion animals or pets. No matter what you are looking for, you will find that building a relationship with a rescued horse is priceless!
Take a moment to read about one of our adopters experiences and what her adopted horse means to her.
Jan Talley — Midwest City
“I have always tried to on occasion to send Blaze’s a donation for all the horses that they are saving. Little did I know that last March, I would find my best friend from Blaze’s. Upon arrival at Blaze’s I met a skinny bay gelding, Porter. He was so sweet. I adopted him and brought him home. Over the next couple of months I watched him bloom into a beautiful horse. Porter is well broke and gentle. I indeed found my diamond in the rough. It seems like he knows he has a home that cares for him and finally he is loved. We now have a trust between each other that is forever. Children love Porter to, but that feeling is mutual. Although he is a big boy at 15 hands, he will let children ride him and he never takes a wrong step. It took me years to find Porter. He is the love of my life. I don’t understand how folks could let a horse of this character go down hill. He is such an easy keeper. He has a gentle, kind spirit and I am blessed that he is mine. I can’t thank Blaze’s enough for letting me adopt Porter.”
Jan Talley & Porter
Thank you!
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue, Inc. would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers that assisted us during the 2009 Oklahoma State Fair. Without your dedicated support, we would not have been able to successfully run 3 concession stands this year. Thank you Desiree Walling, Brian Walling, Roger Fees, Lisa Calder, John Brown, Leslie Brown, Tim Spears, Melissa Spears, Kathy Morris, Judi Leonard, Tammy Zeman, Brooke Bradley, Jeff Mead, Krysdyl Evans, Jananne Risenhoover, and Debbie. You all are amazing volunteers and supporters! Thank you so much for your continued support
I reprint the Blaze’s newsletter whenever I get it. As you all know we have adopted horses from them in the past. We have 20 horses on our pasture to support and fully understand what it takes to make these horses whole again. Please support Blaze’s with anything you can.
Thanks,
Posted by SierraRanch on September 3, 2009
These are things people both new to horses and those that have had them for a while need to remember.
1. My life is likely to last 20 or more years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you take me home.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long. Don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me that I am powerful enough to hurt you, but choose not to.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I have a problem that you are not yet aware of.
9. Take care of me when I am old. You too will be old one day.
10. Go with me on the last journey. Never say “I can’t bear to watch or let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there.
Remember that I love you. Here is something to pamper your horse with:
$10 off orders of $100 or more at Horse.com (some restrictions apply)
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by SierraRanch on August 3, 2009
BARN FIRES: AVOID HAY BALE COMBUSTION
Experienced agricultural producers in the southern Great Plains know that low wind speeds, high humidity, moist hay, and hot temperatures can be a recipe for disaster. Under such a set of circumstances, tightly stacked hay bales have been known to combust. Without proper preventive measures, hay barns or any other structures close to the blazing bales potentially might be lost. Continue reading…
AGED HORSE HEALTH SCREENINGS RECOMMENDED
Lameness, weight loss, colic, and equine Cushing’s syndrome are the four top reasons for euthanizing an older horse, said Catherine McGowan, BVSc, PhD, RCVS, European specialist in equine internal medicine, who presented research by Thomas McGowan, BSc, DVM, PhD, at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, held June 3-6 in Montréal, Quebec. Continue reading…
CRIBBING: CAN YOU STOP IT?
Many horses kept in unnatural environments and subjected to the stress of performance careers resort to repetitive behaviors (called stereotypies) such as cribbing, weaving, or stall walking. The cribbing horse grabs a surface with his top incisors, arches his neck, opens his throat, and swallows air with a grunting sound and a backward pull of the head. This activity wears down the top incisors and develops unsightly muscles under the neck that can interfere with proper neck flexion when ridden. Serious cribbers might lose weight because they become so addicted to their habit they’d rather crib than eat. Once the habit starts, many horses keep cribbing even when turned out to pasture. Continue reading…
Hope you enjoy these tidbits of information. Check out this:
$15 Off All Orders of $100 or More at Horse.com (some restrictions apply)
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
