Happy Holidays to all of you and wishes of Peace on Earth everywhere. This Christmas morning the sun is shining and the mud is starting to dry out. Yesterday, the Tom Foley Memorial Medical Stalls were constructed in the upper pasture and will be finished soon with wood siding. Teenie, a mare from the Keebler Elf herd of shetland ponies is expecting and will be placed in there when finished so she can stay warm and dry.
Much to be thankful for this year. The day after Thanksgiving, I was kicked hard in the chest by Chiquita, an unhandled mare, and got three broken ribs and a bruised liver from it. Big thanks to my volunteers who took care of me in this time of need, I am so blessed to have them, thank you guys!
The horses have been blessed with loving adopters, sponsors, and those of you who have generously donated funds to help care for them, feed them, get them veterinary and hoof care. Donations are still desperately needed, especially now, as our feed bills are high. There are 53 rescued horses here in our care. Although we have taken in over 70 horses this year, and placed 68 in loving adoptive homes, there always is an average of 50 horses here in various stages of rehabilitation, training and need. I think of this place as a miracle. Given our small staff, which we really don't have any paid staff, just myself, David, Fermin & Lucia who feed and clean stalls, and our handful of volunteers to handle and care for the horses, to take in and place that many horses and get so many of them castrated, trained and gentled enough so they can get adopted, is just well, absolutely amazing.
We love to find the best homes for our horses...for they deserve it. Recently we brought in Luna, a 9 yr old black arabian mare who had been seized by Riverside Animal Control 2 yrs ago from a hoarder who starved her. She was adopted by them but the owner could no longer care for her, so we were called. Then we took in Kootenai, a 9 yr old paint gelding whose owner was also in need. Both will be trained/retrained and adopted out. So many gorgeous horses here looking for loving homes. I love getting reports back from adopters of how great they are doing and how much they love their new family members. Please let folks know about us as more horses need homes. Check out our adoptables blog, http://falconridgeequinerescue.blogspot.com, and spread the word about these super horses who need homes, who need you.
Santa came last night. He was out feeding the horses apples in the night quietly and blessing them with love.
We love Santa.
We love you.
Merry Christmas with love,
Nicki and the horses of FalconRidge
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