Upcoming Events- A Busy Weekend that Benefits the Shiloh Horses!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for these events:

Saturday, May 1st 9am, join us for the Joe Weitekamp Clinic at Shiloh. This will be a very educational clinic and we would love to see you out there!

Sunday, May 2nd Join the Las Vegas Arabian Horse Association's Trail Trial at Floyd Lamb State Park. This really looks like a fun event for people and horses! The organizers have been working hard and this promises to be a wonderful day.

NOTE: We are looking for a Shiloh supporter or a volunteer who will be attending Sunday's Trail Trial who can pick up donated items for Shiloh. You will need a truck. If you can pick up donated items, please email Jill at shilohhorse@aol.com.

Both events benefit the rescue horses who call Shiloh home. Thanks everyone!

Some Fun in the Turnout...

Learning to spit at the hand that feeds you...

Gentry's Great Strides...

Gentry has come so far. When he first arrived he was very stressed and had some behavioral issues under saddle. But, Elisa has been taking her time and starting him all over without pushing him. And now he is working quietly and moving forward under saddle. He obviously must have hated his former life and job and is now beginning to realize that he can enjoy a new life...

We are all so proud of Gentry! This really is a very special horse who will make someone an interesting and loyal horse.

To think someone hated this horse so much that they marked his feedlot paperwork as "For Slaughter Only". Very sad. I still remember seeing him on the Fallon feedlot, I walked by him three times but something about him kept drawing me back. Our contact told me that I "wouldn't want him"- but something inside of me told me I did. I knew that even if he had to remain at Shiloh for his life, that I could not leave him, that I would regret it and he would haunt me. We made a very wise decision in saving this guy, his willingness, intelligence and playful spirit have more than proven themselves.

Great Job, Gentry and Elisa!

Adopted Horse UPDATES: Reno, Bombay and Seven

RENO:

I was forwarded this from Reno's owner, Cindy: "Reno now lives just 15 miles from the gateway to Yosemite. We have 5 acres, which is now covered in tall grass. He has his cozy 36x24 stall and he also has his own turnout area in the trees. I am forwarding a picture of him grazing in one of his favorite spots.

Reno continues to be our biggest pet and just a love. He and I usually just go bareback around the property or go a mile down the road to my girlfriend's arena. The first time he met the new farrier, he plopped down right at the farriers feet and rolled. Then rolled again. The farrier said, "well, I've never had that happen before." Each night he is tucked in, about 9PM, with carrots and a pat. Reno is a ham. He also kneels down, right onto his knees, stops there, and will start to graze. LOL. It looks hysterical."

Lucky Reno and his new grass turnout...

BOMBAY:

Bombay in her adoptive home in Wyoming. She is doing great, really filled out and now with Spring finally there, she is ready to begin her new life, and new job, with her new owner, Sonnet. Looking good, Bombay!

SEVEN:

Thanks to Darcy who emailed me this update:

"Thought you would be tickled to know that we had a playdate in our arena today. Some folks from Arizona came and introduced us to horse soccer!! It was SOOOO COOL!! We had a really good time!! Seven was pretty convinced that the HUGE black and white ball was out to eat him, but he did pretty good for never having been around one. He looks so pretty when he arches his neck and gets a wide eyed look at something.... :) He wouldn't touch the ball, or allow it to touch him (heaven forbid) but he would "sneak" up on it - all kinds of curious and alert. (all Arab) :) He got to where he let himself relax and didn't mind following it with the other horses, as long as it didn't come towards him. Was very proud of him, and when they come back again we plan on signing up for a clinic!! It was so much fun!! I think Seven will really enjoy it once he allows himself too. Wish you could have seen it!!

My camera died after only two pictures and neither one of them have Seven in them, but if someone else sends us some pictures we'll pass them along!! Thanks again - we've had two wonderful years together and we're looking forward to many more. He is such a gem!!"

Some Before and Afters

Here are some photos of some of our horses who arrived in the past three months...

Magic at the Fallon Feedlot on 2/1/10.

Magic in Little Vacation Village on 4/20/10.

Peso at the Feedlot on 2/1/10.

Peso in The Gummies on 4/20/10.

Melvyn on 2/12/10 on his first day at Shiloh.

Melvyn in The Gummies on 4/20/10.

A Feedlot Horse's poem

Thank you to Kim and Deaconess who forwarded this poem on to me. I wanted to share it with all of you...

God’s Minor Angels

It is a long, long way to the feedlot

The path is clear and wide

Paved with pain and betrayal

The sign reads “Compassion denied”

They come from the backyards and barnyards

Grey-muzzled or “sadly outgrown”

Convicted of “green under saddle”

Or bringing too few ribbons home.

They gave of their love and their courage

They sacrificed comfort and pride

To let someone run and soar with the wind

And give little girls one more ride

This last road their courage and honor

Has purchased; the friends they had known

Have sold their dear flesh for a handful of coin

To be butchered alive, and alone

This road of despair has one detour

A respite, of sort, on their way

A muck-filled pen filled with strangers and fear

Foul water, a handful of hay

But here in the darkest of hours

Through heartbreak and tears of despair

A handful of God’s minor angels

Make miracles of wishes and thin air

With eyes full of tears and steely resolve

And knowing there’s no hope at all

They stand on a battlefield of unanswered prayers

Undaunted, and send out the call

To those who will listen to angels

As minor and unknown as these

No swords and no magic to hold back the dark

A small, simple whisper…just…please.

I think that God loves best these angels

Unsung, and unhallowed and plain

Who don’t mind the hay and the muck in their hair

But can’t bear another in pain

How else to explain their successes

While others throw stones and poke fun

As they wallow in filth and in misery

In a futile attempt to save one

And how must they seem to this single,

This voiceless and hopeless small spark

When angels of despair (with straw in their hair)

Led him out of the pain and the dark?

This one—one of hundreds of thousands

A plain unremarkable horse

Instead of a truck bound to Mexico

Is set on a different course

Instead of an ending in terror and blood

A story of kindness in store

He’ll be someone’s treasure, their pride and joy

For God’s minor angels have triumphed once more

by Deborah Wolf