Monday, May 18, 2015

Horse Advocacy: May 2015 Important News

Reposted from Horse Advocates of Colorado:

http://horse-advocates.com/2015/05/18/the-sherri-brunzelldual-peppy-trial-begins-may-26th/

The Sherri Brunzell/Dual Peppy Trial Begins May 26th.


DualPeppy
As I write this, we’re just over a week away from the beginning of the Sherri Brunzell/Dual Peppy trial. Remember the first news report on that Friday afternoon, September 19, 2014? A neighbor had followed her dog into the barn to find ten acutely neglected horses and another fourteen dead on the ground, in various states of decomposition. Just to be clear: more than half the herd dead, sharing the same barn as the survivors.
 
Then the best/worst thing happened: one of the horses was recognized from photos on the news. He was the famous stallion, Dual Peppy. The local community was outraged already, but this drew the attention of horse owners around the world. The Sheriff’s Office told the public that the situation was in hand, although no vet had been called in. The community outrage grew; untold numbers of calls and emails were sent to the Sheriff’s Office from all over the country and parts of Europe. Three days later, a vet was called in and the survivors were transported to a safe place.
 
I think the second reason this case inspired so many emails and calls from the public was because the scene in the barn was easy to visualize. Reports said the manure was several feet deep, skeletons were left where they fell, some partially covered by tarps. The majority of the herd was dead–some reportedly as young as 3 years old. Photos were few, but the descriptions were so ugly that people outside the horse world were inflamed as well.
 
These victims were well-bred Quarter Horses with an estimated worth of over 1.5 million dollars, which is not to say their lives were worth more than a backyard horse, but it was more shocking and drew extra press attention. It’s a case that could help swing public opinion on horse welfare and eventually have an impact on horses with names like Blackie and Molly; horses with no famous relatives.
 
When the first explanations from the owner were made public, every horse owner in the county knew the excuses were as lame as these horses who needed emergency farrier care. Brunzell’s husband admitted “she doesn’t have a regular veterinarian due to expense and ‘unsatisfactory results.'” And “She felt it would be better to spend the money on feed for the horses than on veterinary bills.”
 
I remind you of the details of this horrific case because eight months have passed, including one postponed trial date. Outrage dims as time passes–after all, there are new atrocities every day. But these horses still remain in Limbo–they are still waiting.
 
Until the case is decided, the horses (and four llamas) are under the control and care of the Colorado Humane Society. They have gained weight, had veterinary care, and overdue farrier work. They have been safe from their owner who denied them the bare essentials required and left them hidden in a barn.
 
Our District Attorney feels the county has a good case, but if Ms. Brunzell wins, these horses will be returned to her.
 
Please stay tuned to the Horse Advocates Facebook page for locations, times, and updates. We will be in court from start to finish–please join us there if you can. A full courtroom sends an important message. Watch the news reports on television and post comments or call the station. Write a letter to the newspaper articulating your thoughts on this case. Talk about this story with your friends and share posts online.
Most of all, remember the 14 good horses who did not make it out of that dreadful barn. Remember those lost, as well as those who survived; remember this crime like it happened yesterday. Join Horse Advocates of Colorado in asking for a conviction with sentencing to the full extent of the law. Speak out and be heard.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

A May Flower?

Aww, my little flower. 
A bright spot on this wintery Mother's Day.


Wishing all daughters, sisters,  and mom's of human kids, and mom's of fur/feather/scaly kids a happy day.

I hope the sun is shining and flowers blooming in your neck of the woods. 

We impatiently await our May flowers.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Awaiting May Flowers


What do you see in this picture?

I see Winnie the Pooh

The clouds were building as I left my office at lunchtime today, to meet a mule farrier at my barn.
Before I exited the parking lot, Winnie's head had become detached from his body.
Rain showers in the forecast.
The grass is greening.
Birds are nesting.
May flowers will soon be in bloom.
Please, no more snow showers.

Lola, the mini mule, has been lame for weeks.
The vet was out, but didn't find anything obvious.
We both agreed her toes looked long, even though she's been trimmed regularly.
A round of Bute was prescribed.
She didn't improve much.

My new farrier was out for a 2nd trim, but he didn't trim much off.
He said her sole looks like she wants to hold onto everything.
???
No improvement and those toes still look long and getting longer.

The chiropractor was out.
He adjusted her hip.
No improvement.

The poor little girl can't run and play.
It's not like her to walk so slowly to her feed trough.

So I asked some friends who own Long Ears for a farrier recommendation.

The mule farrier was out today.
Yes, her toes are too long.
Yes, she's walking too far back on her heels.
No, she hasn't been trimmed properly.
So he got to work and...
uncovered a black, oily abscess in her front left frog!
 Hooves are trimmed, frogs cleaned and trimmed.
Lola is walking better already.

Yay for the mule farrier!
Yay for my new New Farrier!
 
Before and After
May goals:
  • Lessons, lessons, and more dressage lessons. 
  • Plotting, planning, and hoping to attend a dressage schooling show.
    • I'll make my decision in a couple of weeks. It will be my first show in over 30 years; my first dressage show ever; and Team Misty's first show together.
    • We'll ride a western dressage Intro level test.
April 2015 recap:
  • April was very cold and snowy. I missed some goals.
    • Didn't exercise as much as I intended (can't blame the weather for that).
    • Misty's tail didn't get washed and whitened (I CAN blame the weather for that) .
  • Two dressage lessons a week and seeing progress.
  • I received my gel injection to my knee and it helped.  I can walk up and down stairs a little better.
  • Almost didn't make our trail ride; had to cancel once due to weather. But on the last day of April Misty and I went on our first trail ride together since our July 2014 accident. It was stressful for me, but Misty was great.  The weather was lovely. 
  • Misty got a new headstall with a little western bling; some silver heart-shaped conchos to add a feminine touch to that big head of hers.  It's for that schooling show we are most likely going to attend this month. (Headstall and reins made by Buckaroo Leather)
My Heart Horse
Following our trail ride, I dropped her new headstall off at a local saddle shop, to have the poll strap shortened on both sides. I can't have that long strap covering her pretty hearts.

Big head, big heart