New arrival

Today we had a new arrival at the ranch. A young dappled grey Thoroughbred gelding. A quick research of his tattoo told us he is registered as Sterling image. He is 7 years old, he will be 8 this April. He raced for a brief time with earnings of over $60,000 in his 7 wins. We are looking for a barn name for him, and are open to suggestions. Jessie has been suggested
He was known to be moody, aggressive and temperamental, but we saw none of that today. He walked into the trailer without hesitation, and did the same upon arrival at the ranch. He calmly walked on lead, taking in the countryside, acting like he had been here a million times. He greeted a couple of the horses, ears forward and with nickers.
As you can see from the pictures, he needs a bath. It will be interesting to see how much is dirt and stains and how much is his coloring. The dirty winter coat hides how thin he is, more so than the pictures show and it will take some time before he is an adequate weight.
Along with an adequate diet, he is in great need of dental work. Our vet will be out to examine him and bring him up to date with care. We'll keep you up to date on his progress.


Sterling Image seemed quite content to be at the ranch...
a closer look shows his thin body

JP greeted our new fellow with many nickers
He only peeked over his stall, not leaving his hay for long

old friends reunite

Today was another volunteer day and we had a new visitor to the ranch. Krissie was at one time the owner of Cassanova. It was obvious how much she cared about him. After having to sell him for financial reasons, Cass was not cared for well, and she was part of a group who helped buy him back. Cassanova is the sweetest horse, and he lives up to his name. He has a new girl under his spell, Joy and her daughter Savannah are adopting Cass. Here are a few pictures of them.

Cassanova on arrival

Cassanova today

Cassanova and Krissie

Cassanova and Savannah

Jakes Day

As some of you know Jake has been with us for the past year and change. He came with severe trust issues. While being ridden the saddle billet broke, the saddle slid, the rider fell off and Jake ran around terrified until the saddle came off. It was a traumatic event for both the rider and Jake. Jake was severely head shy, throwing his head up easy 30 or more times in a minute. Just dropping a glove would send him into a panicked run.

It has taken a long time to get to the point where he spooks in place, trusting now that he is safe. Still he has some fears but you can see he is trying not to give into that instinct of flight. Today was a wonderful day. We were doing so well, that I decided to try driving him. Sometimes change is a good thing. Jake was busy trying to figure out how I was directing him from 15 feet behind him, so busy in fact he forgot to be afraid. I was behind him, the long lines swinging around him, touching his legs, sides and even catching his tail, he ignored all of it, focused on the directions I was giving him. We spent a good 20 minutes in the round pen, walking, turning, stopping and then progressing to a trot, none of which set off his panic button.
I have added pictures.... I am so proud of him.

01/27/2011

Today was another sunny day and work continued on the ranch. Many horses worked in the round pen, and I am happy to report all did well. There has been so much progress on Jake, Kalib and my personal horse Zaida, all who came to us with serious trust issues, bolting, rearing and head shy, to name a few. All working well now off lead and joining up well in the round pen, nicely responding to voice commands, and standing their ground with blankets, ropes and lunge lines hanging off them.

While we worked, Tina and Rio had the run of the ranch, it was entertaining to Jake and I as we watched the neighbor horse running back and forth trying to figure out Tina. He was snorting and running away, but then would come back, so curious about this tiny horse. Is funny how such a little horse can cause such confusion to another.
It was a great day, how I wish I did not have to leave, but the paying job was calling...

JP update

JP is doing well, moving well on the injured foot, we will do another set of XRays in about 2 weeks to see how the healing is coming along. He enjoying some pampering from several girls this past weekend and of course enjoyed some sunshine too. He did manage to find the muddy spots to roll in outside, I think he just wanted to get another hour of grooming.
Thanks for the love girls!!!
Hey come back!!! you missed a spot!!!

sunny days

The weekend was a wonderful one. We had a great group of visitors, some new, some returning. Chores were completed, our big barn now has a matted isle, as do the stalls in our 4 stall barn. There were horses groomed and exercised and many others who simpley ran the hills enjoying the sunshine. I expect great pictures and video coming soon to share with you.
Thank you all for joining us at Lone Oak, I look forward to our next volunteer day.

Keeva's story on line

Remember to vote for Lone oak Rescue every day and tell your friends. The webpage has a quick link Also you can read the story of Keeva on the animal rescue site new beginning stories.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ars/story/keevas-fight-to-survive588.
Be sure to vote for Keevas story and help the rescue in our bid for a grant. Just think of all the medicines it would buy for other horses in need