The Guardian

Nate and Butternut. Its not a pair I could have foreseen, but its working. At first Nate, like most other sighted horses, was a little discombobulated by Butternut's behavior. She doesn't seem to read body language very well! He's getting used to her, but they still have a few things to work out.

For now, Nate watches over Butternut from a little distance, but rarely lets her out of his sight for longer than the time it takes to get a drink of water or munch on a senior meal. At night, when Butternut is stalled for some muzzle-free time, Nate hangs his head over the stall door, unless he is getting some sleep himself. He sleeps outside in the open, but resumes his post as Butternut's doorman as soon as he's rested. From Butternut's perspective, having a buddy tall enough to touch her over the stall door is taking some getting use to, but she seems to like knowing he's there. She's stopped pacing and calling and once again seems to feel secure in her surroundings.

Nate is scheduled for another combined vet/farrier visit this week. Its easy to forget, considering how well the rest of his rehab is going, that the big white horse is not entirely out of the woods, yet, as far as that right front foot is concerned. We're hoping for some good news this week but, at the same time, a little on edge.

The Feast of Saint Francis

In Catholic tradition, the celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis falls on October 4. Today!

Almost everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, knows that Saint Francis is often referred to as the Patron Saint of Animals. Francis, in fact, was a much more complicated figure, but one of his most noted attributes was his divine respect for all of creation.

The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, on its web site, says this of St Francis:

"He wasn’t a mere sentimentalist about bunnies and birds and pets—he simply lived from his heart the respect for all creatures—animal and human......"

Brother Wayne Teasdale, in The Mystic Heart, (very interesting book, BTW!) describes Francis as a Nature Mystic.

"He exhibited total openness to and solidarity with the natural world and all the creatures who inhabit it. In this, his spirituality was similar to that of the Native Americans. he accepted all things as brothers and sisters, and treated them with love and respect."

St Francis' Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility

You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

No commentary needed.

Lizzie, May 7, 2009 - Age 24

Lizzie, October 3, 2009

Traveller's Rest's Elder Statesman

When Sonny arrived at TREES at age 35, we were a little hesitant to introduce him to the "front field," thinking he might be too frail for the wild bunch.

Under close supervision, we gave it a try and Voila; the waters parted, the other horses bowed in awe and Sonny, with no initiation ceremony whatsoever, became Head King Alpha Dude of the herd. He remains in that position even now.

Sonny, October 3, 2009, Age 38.

Unexpected gifts!

Huh.
Yesterday, our vet clinic called and said there were two boxes of rabies vaccine there with our name on it. We didn't order any rabies vaccine.

As it turns out, the vaccine was shipped directly from Intervet/Schering-Plough, one of the sponsors of the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign. TREES applied for free vaccine last spring and was granted doses sufficient to vaccinate the whole herd, but did not apply for anything for this fall. We're assuming this gift is something I/S-P is doing in observation of World Rabies Day, which was September 28.

At any rate..we never look gift horses in the mouth here. So, whatever the reason, thank you Intervet/Schering-Plough!

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The Odd Couple

Ori's departure over the weekend left Butternut, a small blind Shetland cross pony alone in her dry lot paddock. Who could we move in with her that would do well on a dry lot and be kind to a small blind pony?

Rienzi! Perfect. Except Rienzi didn't think so. He paced the fence, wanting more than anything to go back "home." Normally we would give a horse a little more time to adjust to new surroundings, but after only three days, Rienzi had visibly dropped weight. With winter fast approaching, we couldn't allow a hard keeper to remain in a situation that was causing him this much stress.

How would Butternut do alone for a day or two while we decided on a solution? Terribly! She panicked. A panicked blind pony is a pony at risk of injuring herself.

Think, think, think.

Wait!


This may be it. Nate needs more room to get a little more exercise, he can't be turned out on a lot of grass, he needs a buddy, he's a very kind gentleman..........

As of this morning, the two are studiously ignoring each other, but at least all is quiet. Its not the love at first sight we've seen following some other introductions, but it looks like it will work.

Stay tuned.