OMG - Yakima Rez Orphans When I first found out about these babies I just about jumped in the car and headed over the mountain. I have been wanting a baby horse to raise up for a few years now. Finding out about this beautiful Lady, Suzanne who created and runs the Sugar Shack Horses orphanage for these babies, made my day!
So I started doing my 'homework'.
Little babies do better in 2's.
Time - Babies are currently eating every 6 hours. Little bit older ones going 8 hours. She has some yearlings that are almost weaned? if not already.
Fencing - Lil Star my Shetland found every single hole in the fence and when my board host thought she had them all fixed. Lil Star, made new holes. So a baby is going to need secure fencing for the nursery.
Housing - We have predators and the babies will have to be 'locked' in a stall in a barn at night for protection.
Training - If we're going to do this, it requires a consistent commitment to training. Every day - rain or shine - warm or cold . .
Star Bright ~ my girl. How is she going to respond to having a little one around and 'how little should we go?'.
Well, as you can see, I haven't jumped in the car and headed over the mountains YET.
First ~ I need to get an oil change on the car, brakes checked, 2 new tires on the front... and a day for the trip!
We have tried a few times now to find the 'second horse' ever since Buddy passed. Getting the pony was probably not the smartest idea, but I really thought we'd have a few more years before everyone outgrew her.
We need a horse that can grow up with them...
I believe if something is meant to be - it will work out to happen. So, as we plan and prepare... I did get good news in the feed line that they would not be rounding up the horses and there will NOT be any more orphans at this time, so these babies are it for this year.
Yay!!!!!!! for the horses. Sadly, it means I might miss out on my baby, but I was looking at the yearlings today and thinking a yearling is a year closer to being ridden than a baby! We can always look at babies next year, because I'm sure the round up will happen again Sadly.
A baby horse is a 30+ year commitment! They are cute! They grow up! These babies have been through enough losing their mothers at birth. They don't need to have a cruel life or end up in an auction on a truck bound for slaughter, so THINK before you buy ANY HORSE. PLEASE!!!!