a very warm day + a dirty horse = bath time!

A very warm day in late march (80 degrees!) and it time for KC to get rid of all the dirt and lose hair that was so very, very itchy! Looking pretty good for 33 years old!

On the Road and Heading to California!

Well, Calvin and Hobbes are on the road and heading to their foster home in California! It always seems like such a long wait after a month's QT in Texas, but we are now happily counting down the days until they are here and can settle down in their new temporary digs and relax. The boys had rough weather and lots of storms while in Texas so we are hoping for better weather on their trip West. And a few sunny days when they arrive would be great! Can't wait to meet to meet Calvin and Hobbes - they will be the first mini donkeys at Blue Horse Rescue :)

Word has it Calvin is really into people, Hobbes  ... not so much, just yet!

Our Little Mini Donks! Doing Good in QT!

Our two little mini donks, Calvin and Hobbes are doing really well. No sign of runny noses, coughs, or any bugs picked during their time at auction.  We are two weeks into quarantine and all is good!

Today was supposed to be a big day for the two boys - time to get gelded, but unfortunately due to really bad weather in Kaufman, Texas we had to reschedule for next week.

Two more weeks to go in QT and we are busy  trying to organize transport from Texas to CA. Our usual transport is not heading that way due to winter weather. Any suggestions are very welcome! We can't wait to meet these two cute little ones - they have an amazing foster waiting for them.

This would be Calvin checking out the camera!

I love the ears and the curiosity. Not touchable, but very curious - a good thing! Love those little faces and big ears :)

Week two in QT - Straight from the QT pen but doing well!

Calvin and Hobbes are about to start week two in QT.  They remain in their small paddock while we make sure that they have not contracted some bizarre illness while at the Bowie Auction. During their time in auction they were exposed to horses, donkeys, etc from all over the US with unknown bugs. We don't know their history, or where they came from. We need to Qt them to get them healthy and also make sure that when they are transported from Texas to CA they do not infect any other horses or donkeys. We are also very committed to our foster moms - we don't want to share bugs with the equines in their new foster home. It's a tough time and very stressful time for Calvin and Hobbes, and we are always checking in to make sure that all is going well. Even the rescue process is very tough on our new kids. We are hoping to have Calvin and Hobbes castrated and wormed during the net week - no stress there!. Also, if doing well, they will be vaccinated for all bugs they may encounter between Texas and Ca.  It's still a very tough time for these rescued mini donkeys but we are committed to getting them healthy and on their way to their safe landing, and relaxing time, with their amazing foster family. But, it's still a long process for them and we keep a close watch to make sure that all is going well.  Fortunately, we have a great QT lady, Cindy, who shares info and pics. She has also quarantined our past ponies Bo, Belle and Bentley for us. While we count down the days, our hearts and prayers are with Calvin and Hobbes and we can't wait for the day they arrive in Ca where they can chill and recover from the past trauma of auction and finally get them on the road to healing. It's definitely a process for them.  Fingers crossed for success in getting them on the road to an amazing new home.

Meet Hobbes! His very first solo pic! He's really cute.  Both are untouchable, but we will work on that once they are with us. And, ... I think that's Calvin hiding  out behind him!

Calvin and Hobbes - Safe in Quarantine with Cindy!

Our two little ones, Calvin and Hobbes have made it safely to the next step in their journey to a new and loving home. It's a lengthy and stressful process for them, but they are now safely in quarantine with Cindy (in Kaufman, Texas) for the next month. Our hopes for them are that they remain healthy during thie next month and that they didn't pick up any nasty bugs during the auction process. And also that they begin to settle. get healthy, and hopefully relax a little. While in quarantine we will have them gelded and wormed, and we will also begin their vaccinations. It still remains a very stressful time for them with more challenges during the next month. Once healthy they will begin the journey to their great foster home waiting for them in California with Carolyn. They will actually be with four other mini donkeys that have been saved from slaughter by our amazing foster mom. We are looking forward to their arrival, and will begin the process of finding a really great home for these two little guys. They will be a package deal and adopted out together when the time is right. Our quarantine mom , Cindy, shared that they have been minimally handled so the training and trusting people process will begin. This can be a slow and lengthy process but when the time is right, we will be looking for a really great home for these little ones. If you are interested in welcoming Calvin and Hobbes  into your life, home and heart, please contact Blue Horse Rescue to get the adoption process going.

Calvin and Hobbes - Heading from Bowie Tx to Quarantine!

Calvin and Hobbes are loaded up and heading from the Bowie Livestock Auction to their home for the next month with Cindy while they do their quarantine time in Texas. Calvin is the little one looking over his shoulder - he has a lot more white in his coat, and Hobbes is the one always avoiding us folks! We wish them well on this next step to a great new home.

Our Two New Guys! Little Mini Donks!

Two little mini jacks have been added to the BHR family. They are currently in Texas and details are being made for quarantine and eventual trip to California.  I will post pics as soon as I have some! Their names are Calvin and Hobbes!  (We had a great video but once Bowie Livestock Auction pulls it from facebook, we loose it.)

Holiday Visit with KC

An unexpected visit with Blue Horse Rescue's almost 34 year old sanctuary mare had a very happy ending this week. KC had an episode of colic the day after Christmas. Luckily our vet was on the spot by 7 am and with timely and great care by KC's foster mom, KC has recovered and is now back in her herd of two enjoying the big pasture and companionship again.  A very happy outcome, but we are keeping a very close eye on our senior girl.

Bodhi's Been Adopted!!

Little did we know that when Bodhi stepped off the big trailer and was greeted by his foster mom, Janey, that he truly was at home! Lot's of love to Bodhi and we are so happy that you're home!

Remembering Our Sweet Mare Jessie

It was a sad time for Blue Horse Rescue as we said good bye to Jessie. Jessie came to BHR in 2014 and became our very first sanctuary mare. We watched Jessie grow healthy and happy with her foster family who surrounded her with love. Jessie was kind, sweet, gentle and a mother & friend to all. She was a teacher as only a wise old mare can be. She blessed us with her knowledge, trust and love. During the past year, Jessie's arthritis became more challenging for her and we were running out of options to keep this sweet mare comfortable. She was showing less interest in her eating and drinking during the last days, and with a recent re-injury to her hind leg we knew that Jessie's quality of life was beginning to fail. Sadly, the time had come to let her go. It was a sad and difficult decision to make but we couldn't let this sweet girl suffer.  Jessie passed on Wednesday morning after spending time in the pasture with her friends Mariah and KC.

Jessie's golden presence in the green pasture will be much missed and we will always remember her under the big willow tree, hind leg cocked, napping during the afternoon heat with her friends close by. Much love to you Jessie - you will be greatly missed by many and will be held in our hearts always.

Much love and many prayers go out to Jessie's amazing foster family who gave Jessie the love and care she so deserved. Jessie left us knowing she was very much loved - thank you Christina for sharing your heart and home with Jessie.

A young girls love ...

He's Here!

It seemed a long time coming, but our handsome little Bodhi arrived at his new foster home in Watsonville, Ca today! Foster mom Janey, and Katy, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of this little one - his quarantine time seemed like forever, but we are very happy to say that he is doing really great! They have been waiting for about five weeks to have this little guy with them and start him on his way to a whole lot of love and great health. I think it's going to be a good time for them all.

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped Bodhi along the way. Christina Pagan, who hauled Bodhi from the auction to quarantine for us, and then kept an eye on him during his time in QT. Her updates and photos were so very much appreciated! So a big thank you to Christina!

Mary, what can I say? I'm pretty certain I drove you nuts with my many phone calls and questions on this little guy! You were always so patient and helpful and made having him 400 miles away, very much easier. The care you gave him was amazing and thank you so much for helping out with his eyes, and special diet - you got him started back on the road to health; very much appreciated!

Another big thank you goes to Kate and Dr. Williams at Sweetwater Vet. You were great and we are so happy our little guy Bodhi is getting healthy again thanks to your great care. He's looking so much better!

And then there's Matt! If ever you need your own horses transported, or rescue horses moved, I 100% recommend Matt Watkins of DDP Equine Transport. I can't say how great a job Matt does - I always know the horses are in the very best care and as stressful as moving horses can be, I am very confident with Matt in charge! He communicates throughout the trip with updates and is always available by phone. Wonderful! DDP Equine Transport is a family run business - very pleasant to work with Matt's mom Deb - can't say enough good stuff! Very professional! Thank you so much!

A big hug goes to Blue Horse Rescue's amazing foster mom, Janey King, who does an incredible job with our horses, (even finding them homes!) And my amazing friend, Katy who is there every step of the way!

Learning Everything Bentley Needs to Know to Head out on the Trails

Out Exploring!

Bentley heading out with new friend Monica, and his proud mom Sharon, who's busy snapping pics along the way as they head out for a walk along a new trail for the very first time. This little guy has definitely met some amazing folks on this journey and he continues to win hearts along the way! It's a whole new world out there for Bentley, and he embraces each step with an enthusiasm, a passion for life, and a soul just soaking up what the world has to offer. Amazing to see. A huge thanks goes to Bentley's amazing trainer, Ray Berta, who focused, encouraged and gave confidence and manners to this very over the top yet very lovable, but pretty much unruly, little kid. It's been an amazing time and I'm honored to have been a part of what Bentley has presented. As always, there's a lesson to be learned.

Bentley's First 48 Hours in his New Home!

As always, (which is a great thing to see!), Bentley is settling in and open to everything his new home may bring! Everything from dinner in his new stall and paddock, to time out with the herd - that's a herd of nine!!!!  That's 'little-big' (his new nick name), along the fence line, but doing his diligence during the acceptance phase - not in everyone's space and face, but ... there. And he's doing great! Ray Berta was there on day #1 to help settle Bentley in, and so far it's been going great! Am I thrilled? Oh, yes!