Home of the RMR Ranch and the

From:

Paula Johnson <pjcountry_99@y...>
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2003 8:44 am
Subject: Re: [nonprofitrescue] Return of the Boss

Jerry,

You left way too early yesterday. Ray is incredible. His whole demeanor changes when he is in the pen with theses babies. To Ray, it is always safety first. Safety of the horses, then his safety. I am so impressed with him, his wife and their operation. Jason took Rolly Polly (the runt's name now, you know that baby we all fell in love with that just doesn't fit with this herd) in a stall. Ray would not work him in the round pen because he is too little and the opportunity to get hurt was too great. Jason got the halter on and then laid lil Rolly Polly down. We started to examine his mouth when Jason found what we thought were ulcers. There was no ulcers, but there were sores. Jason pulled out 2 to 3 inch mesquite thorns out of the gums of Rolly Polly. When Rolly Polly needed to switch sides and was not in a hurry to get up, Jason just rolled him over. But as Rolly Polly ended up on his back, he decided to stay there and lay like a dog to get his belly scratched. With this perspective, we were able to locate the hernia (about the size of you thumbprint) and find that his sheath was blocked. Jason cleaned the sheath, and then we rolled Rolly Polly over - hence the name. Jana was in the stall the whole time talking and petting her new baby. Jason was singing the Rolly Polly song as we worked on the other side of his mouth. He is now home, along with five of his buddies.

Man, this guy is good! I would never have expected his gentleness and caring.

OK OK OK
I can go on forever.

"pj "

Jerry Finch" <jfinch@m...>
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2003 8:57 am
Subject: RE: [nonprofitrescue] Return of the Boss

Ray is exceptional, but then again, so are you and Jana and Jason. I hope you know how many people would look at that baby as a waste of time. Here we are, real horse people, loving on the smallest, worst looking horse in the bunch. The guy that picked up horses yesterday started out wanting two full grown mares and ended up with two sad looking babies. He couldn't resist, either.

We wanted that baby, but Jana can offer the best home and forever care for him. That was a tough decision to make, but my desire to keep him was pure selfish.

Jerry

" HAHA, Big Ole Ray couldn't resist putting Rollie Polly in his OWN section of the trailer AND he got hay (lots of it) that Ray personally went got and delivered to his portion of the trailer. If any horse could grow, be nourished, and filled out by love, then Rollie Polly would be bigger than a Clydesdale! Jana is planning on keeping one of the five also. I would bet it is the little filly with the kick wound.

I was soooooo tired and muddy and sun burnt, by the time I got home last night. Mom had to tell me to slow down as I was explaining all the fascinating things I had learned and experienced at Ray's. Thank you, all of you, for bringing me to this point. I would never have known or had the opportunity to be involved if it weren't for the cause and the people here.

While attending the two day clinic at the Horsedome, we, (my husband and I) were both amazed at the level of instruction and hands on training we received. We had seen the gentling demo at the BLM adoption and were intrigued at the method that was being used. Desiring to learn it for ourselves we contacted Wild Horse Foundation on the internet and discovered that there were indeed clinics given on the subject. As Parelli level one and two practitioners of "Natural Horsemanship," we realized that there was a need for this type of training prior to the training that is administered to domestic horses. It's like the difference between your common household dog and a wolf straight off the range. It's STUPID to think that one could just jump in the pen with the wolf and begin level one training on it. It simply is a good way to get your brains bashed out. This is definitely PRE-Level One. How can one play with the horse if hands can't even be laid on it?

Something that really got our attention was the fact that we were asked to meet certain safety requirements. Headgear was a major issue. Having been in the pen with domestic horses before, it didn't SEEM necessary. I can only say, trust me!!!! It is necessary. Thank you for insisting we use it. Next, we studied the method of "Polling." It kept us at a safe distance from the horse and was used as a tool to sooth and calm the horse without causing damage to him in any way. The horse was INTRODUCED to all items used during the process, PERMISSION GRANTED (BY THE HORSE) and thereby the horse became a WILLING PARTNER in the gentling process. He was neither physically nor mentally traumatized as we have so often seen exhibited. (We won't mention any names here.)

And the facility??? Wow! What a wonderful idea, doing the Horsedome. We are going to try to build one here. All pens opening to the 100' roundpen in the center. What a great set-up! That alone is worth seeing. We really enjoyed ourselves and plan to attend more clinics.

One other thing that stood out to us was the friendliness and graciousness which you and your family showed to us. We were strangers and you took us in. Gave us your extra bed and fed us. Ya'll went above and beyond what we actually paid for. We hope that someday we might do the same for you.

Horse enthusiasts, with limited area to keep their animals, can now be assured that nearby horses have tested negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA).

EIA, also referred to as "Coggins" or "Swamp Fever," is an incurable disease that can be carried by biting flies from infected equine to "clean" animals.

Symptoms can include chronic health problems such as debilitating weight loss. fever, weakness and swelling of the legs.

There is not cure or approved vaccine for EIA. To combat the spread of EIA, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock health regulatory agency, has enacted a new regulation requiring that requiring that equine test negative for EIA within the previous 12 months, if the animals are boarded. stabled, or pastured within 200 yards of equine owned by another person.

Regulations also require equine to test negative for EIA within the previous 12 months if: they are hauled to assemblies such as fairs or rodeos, undergo change of ownership or are entering the state.

"Concerned owners approached the TAHC commissioners several months ago with a petition. asking for this new regulation," commented Dr. Linda Logan, Texas' state veterinarian and TAHC executive Director.

"Because many horse owners in Texas have small plots of land, they wanted to be assured that their animals would not be near potentially infected equids," Logan said.

Dr. Logan stressed that although EIA-infected equine do not spread the disease through close contact, biting flies can mechanically carry viral-laden blood from one animal to another.

"Owners may call the TAHC headquarters or their TAHC area office, to request assistance with this regulation. A TAHC representative will first ensure that the complainant's animals have up-to-date EIA test documents. Then, TAHC staff will canvass neighboring premises to gain compliance with testing requirements," she said.

Dr. Logan said Texas has had a dramatic decline in the viral infection since 1977, when more than 730 equine tested positive in Texas. Of the 250,000 equine tested in Texas in 2001, only 124 were infected.

Dr. Logan credits the drop to owner concern, more stringent testing requirements and a growing awareness of EIA.