Today at Shiloh...

I decided I couldn't stand sitting in bed for one more day, so I went out to Shiloh just to get out of my house. I thought I would stay for just a few minutes, but as usual, plans just don't ever work out the way you think they will when you run a rescue...
When I arrived, Sally and the gang were working hard to try to get Gummie Vista up on to her feet. Vista is an estimated 36 or 37 years old and she has really been slowing down the past few months. But, she has stayed happy and active in with the Gummies and has lived at Shiloh for the past 6-7 years. Today, she was down and just couldn't get up. We were able to get her up at first but she was showing nuerological signs and couldn't hold herself up or walk straight. We decided that she needed to go into the vet and would most likely have to be put down. We used the new Ed Sled, which really made it much easier to get her moved around and she got into the trailer...

At one point, everyone helped her get up, but it was very obvious that her quality of life was too affected and her advanced age had caught up to her. We were very sad to send her into the clinic but we all knew we didn't have a choice. Vista made the trip into the clinic and was euthanised in the trailer while still lying down. She was brought back to Shiloh to be buried. This is always one of the saddest and most difficult parts of rescuing.

The other Gummies crowded around. Here is Melvyn stealing some of Vista's Equine Senior from Donna...

While Orlando snuck up from behind...

The other Gummies watched from a distance. Left to right: Yep, Whiskey, Canyon.

Temporary Ranch Closure

NOTICE: Shiloh will be CLOSED to all Visitors and Volunteers from February 5th until February 25th, 2012.

Shiloh will reopen on Saturday, February 25th.

While I am recovering at home, it is just too for difficult for Sally to do all of the daily chores plus greet and show new visitors and volunteers around...

Thank you for everyone's cooperation and understanding!

Nike Under Saddle

Calling all Feed Fairies!

Don't forget, it's Feed Fairy time! Help us feed our over 60 senior Shiloh Horses currently in the rescue. A $10.00 donation buys one bag of senior feed, it's that easy!

Click here to find out more, thank you!

Surgery and Recovery

As many of you already know, I had major back surgery last week.

I have had a bad back since I was a teen-ager, not unusual for those of us who have ridden horses all of our lives. My getting back into competitive riding again last year did contribute to the worsening of my symptoms, but I have always known that eventually I would need back surgery. I do not the normal disc compression problem, my problem is more than that. My spine actually slipped at L5/S1 (a grade 2+ slippage) and along with the resulting disc area complete destruction, I was experiencing severe nerve damage down my left leg and into my left foot. I had developed foot drop in my foot and was having trouble walking and standing. So, the time had come to get it fixed once and for all.
My screws from the back.

From the side. My spine was pulled back into place and screwed into place. My prognosis is great and I actually should be better than ever once I heal.

It looks like it will be a year before I can get back into the saddle- but I am just thankful that I am will be able to ride again. Jedermann will continue competing with my sister Sarah in San Diego- I will be their groom. It is going to be a fun year for Jeder and Sarah!

I spent two days in the hospital and am now on 30 days of bed rest at home. It is extremely important that I allow the screws in my spine to fuse and hold, so I cannot do anything except rest. I am able to get around and walk, but am weak and in pain.

I will try to update everyone with the Shiloh Happenings from here. We are keeping things quiet and low key at the ranch for now, nothing major will be going on. Sally is bearing the brunt of the ranch work and is also dealing with the county inspections of our new ranch homes. Of course, we have been waiting for our house inspections for months and now they are finally moving forward when I am not there to help!

We really appreciate the extra help, understanding and support our hard working volunteers have been giving. We really can't thank everyone enough!

Rainy and Windy Days...

We have had both rain and 60 MPH winds the past few days...

Here are some pics of the days, enjoy!

A cute close up of mini wanderer Baja...
Storm clouds over Okay Corral...
Okay Corral...
Okay Corral...
Big Pasture...
Big Pasture...
Assisted Living...Sun rays over the Barn...
The Blind Girls...
Austin and Stetson in their Duplex...
Roy, Lark and Hawkeye in the Duplex...
Little Vacation Village...
Cowboy wandering by the Hospice...
Gummie Saloon...
Yep and Graffitti, Gummie Saloon...
Big Pasture...
Reebok gets a drink in Big Pasture...
On Saturday, the 50-60 MPH winds knocked down two of our old shelters in Assisted Living. Thankfully, no horses were hurt but it was very scary for all of us trying to get the shelters picked up and stored safely. The wind can pick the very heavy shelters right up and into the air!
The second shelter...
The commotion got the boarder horses all riled up in their adjoining pasture!
Alydar, one of our goats, found shelter from the wind and blowing dirt in one of Assisted Living's feeders...The next morning, the dog office and the Cherry Pie's patio was completely buried in blown dirt!

Some of our hardworking volunteers cleaned it up...

On Sunday, we were able to use the new big tractor to lay some donated sod...

Derby, exhausted by the last few day's activities, took a nap on the new sod...

Finally Some Photos!

I have been swamped the past few weeks and found it difficult to find the time to post on the blog. Not only do I run Shiloh, and all that entails, but I also run my late husband Tony's business as well. My business partner and I are working hard on licensing Tony's artwork, something that Tony worked for as well. I am continuing the business and it has been taking up alot of time. It is a way that I can honor Tony and his artwork as well as support all of the animals at Shiloh.

I am also scheduled for major back surgery next weds (I had been scheduled for yesterday but it was postponed at the last minute).

So needless to say, my life is very busy (but isn't everyones?).

But, I finally took some photos today at the ranch and here they are! Enjoy!
This morning's Breakfast Club- left to right: Levi, Aztec, Donkey Otie, BLT and Lyfting.
Jerome and Poker waiting for breakfast in our bigger and better Little Vacation Village...
Yep is doing better. We actually moved her into the Gummie Saloon today so she can make friends and live in a herd which is good for her quality of life...
Belmont, Big Pasture...
Cisco, Big Pasture...
Freedom and Stretch, Assisted Living...
Marilyn, Assisted Living...
A shot of Boarder Corner...
More Boarder Corner...
Curly Sherlock, Bungalows...
Fame, Bungalows...
Skeeter enjoys a salt lick...
Volunteer Betsy worked with Sherlock today. He is such a sweet guy, he will really make someone a great riding horse...
Felipe used the big tractor while Diego supervised...

Mamcita and Florecita during Breakfast Club...

Helga spent some time with little Levi...

While Jimmy Dean took a drink...