Dear Friends,
It has been a busy year for us at the Sanctuary. All the horses
are doing well at this time and our new addition, Cooter, is a big baby
with dreadlocks on him! He loves the attention of everyone,
especially Bucky. He and Bosco spend so much time together running
and playing all over the pasture. Cooter is always there to meet
and greet any young child or person that stops by to visit. We
often have people stop by the road, walk up to the fence and call to the
horses. Most of the horses are leery of these visitors but not
Cooter. He is right there getting all their hugs and kisses and
special treats anyone brings.
When the other horses see how much attention he gets, they usually
come up, however carefully, to get their share! Most of the
animals are leery of strangers but will come around if not pushed too
hard. They have to come up in their own good time and at their own
comfort level. Some, such as Torio, will never venture too close.
He definitely does not like being outside his comfort zone. I am
not sure he ever will.
Horses are very smart animals and once treated badly will usually not
come back for another dose. Lucky, on the other hand, loves
everyone and is always willing to give another chance after the initial
two years of acting out after he got here. Now he loves attention from
anyone. We have a group of school kids that come out every so
often from a Roanoke, VA high school. They are inner city kids
that have usually never been around an animal bigger than a dog.
What fun it is to see these wonderful kids communicate with the animals.
They usually don't know much about horses but they are willing to try
and touch one or brush one. Even when they just stand on the other
side of the fence and talk to the horses, it means a lot.
We have had about 50 requests in the last 9 months from people
wanting us to take their horses. It might be financial problems or
it might be the horse is old and ill. It is hard to turn those
guys down but we remain a Sanctuary for abused and neglected horses.
I wish we could have all of them here but we are committed to those we
do take and know they are surly the ones no one else would ever take.
I try to put people in touch with each other, the ones looking to adopt
and those looking to place. That is the best we can do.
Hopefully they get together and everyone is happy. Kind of an
information and referral source if you will.
We are getting ready for winter, getting hay in the barn, beginning
to see how much feed and supplies we will need. It is time to get
the Vet out here and float all the horses' teeth, get the farrier out to
trim and check their feet and for me to give all the fall shots.
It is a never ending cycle of needs. It is also time to stock up
on Bute and other arthritic pain medication as cold and wet weather make
the pain come worse. Those of you with just such ailments know
what I mean. Winter is usually harder on the animals than spring
and summer. We are always mending fences, cleaning stalls and
working around the horses. It is a never ending cycle as well.
As always we want to thank those of you that have supported us in the
past and those of you that continue to support us with your kind
donations. I know it is hard to do at times and especially when
there have been so many horrific events in our country by way of
Hurricanes and such. But the horses continue to need you help and
support. Monetary donations and
volunteered time are what keeps this Sanctuary going.
Please, if you could see your way to assist us at this time it would
be greatly appreciated. We only ask 4 times a year for help and we
operate solely on donations for people such as you. We do not get
any grants, or and other source of funding. Everyone here is
working on a purely volunteer basis, no one gets any payment for what
they do other than the Vet and the Farrier. We are a non- profit
Sanctuary, and all donations are tax deductible to you. Anyone
needing a receipt at tax time need only contact us. I maintain all
records of donations. Again, we thank you for your support and
help over the years and please know without your help, this Sanctuary
would not continue to operate.
Catherine (Kitty) Sutphin.
