Journey’s End Ranch December 14, 2017 Newsletter

Journey’s End Ranch December 14, 2017 Newsletter

Happy Holiday Season!

Please remember to visit our affiliates page to look at merchandise you might want to give. Poco also has a new order of his book available. http://www.jersanctuary.org/available-merchandise/

Poco’s book

A very generous supporter has offered to match donations made in December and January, up to $5000. Feed and supplements run almost $2000 a month for the 17 equines, some with special needs such as hay pellets, which cost twice as much as hay.

I really wrenched my knee a few weeks ago and my new neighbors, Sheri and Mary Ann have been doing a lot of the feeding which has been a godsend. The horses and burros are now comfortable with them. Poco, Chico  and Diego get brushed a lot. Diego, who does not particularly like people, is in love with Mary Ann and stands by the fence waiting for her sometimes. They also bring treats such as apple slices. Windy, our very abused mustang who arrived 8 years ago, has even let them pet her. When Windy first came, it took me 2  1/2  years to be able to touch her. We are glad she has done a lot of emotional healing in her years with us.

Windy

We had another local person’s dog make the mistake of wandering through Poco’s area. He was nipping at Chico and Poco came to the rescue. Poco charged him, on his 3 good legs, teeth bared and bellowing. The dog ran away pronto. His owner has vowed to keep him home in the future. Despite his pretty severe handicap, Poco proves that enthusiasm and a good attitude can overcome most challenges.

The older horses are also playing a lot with the cool weather

We try to give our horses and burros what they want and need- space, companions, good nutrition and clean water. Keeping horses confined in stalls and small pens is not what they require, though it may make humans happy. We are also blessed with a temperate climate. Despite everyone having shelters, they rarely use them.

This is Diego, who spent 20 years alone in a small pen. He had chronic laminitis and has pedal osteitis in one foot, with coffin bone rotation. He is now 22 and look at him go!

Scooter, the rescued bunny, was acting lonely and looking longingly at the wild rabbits. We decided to take in another male domestic rabbit and they are getting along well, with a fence between them to avoid possible fighting. “Blackie” is a 5 month old Satin breed rabbit.

The 3 rats are my personal pets, but I wanted to share the big cage I built for them with my Christmas $ from my Dad. They love it, with 30 square feet of floor space.

Rattie condo

Our nation’s wild horses are at huge risk now. The BLM Advisory Board even suggested sending thousands to slaughter. We are glad we are able to provide a permanent, safe home to 12 formerly wild horses and burros, plus a burro born here to her BLM mother, 3 domestic horses and a mini donkey. We are also happy that our local wild horses are not “managed” due to the fact mountain lions keep the numbers in balance.

Cathy Deleree took this fantastic photo of wild Cerbat horses dueling. Cathy also creates beautiful folk art and donates a portion to us if you purchase through our affiliates page.

Please consider supporting us during this period when your donation will be doubled. Thank you to those who keep us up and running!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Love,
Cathy & The Gang