The Golden Carrot

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

So, news! Yesterday, we took in Belle. A 28 year old QH per the vet that floated her very bad teeth just before she came. We don't have any real history - just that she came to the stable that contacted me emaciated. With long feet and a mouth full of hooks and spikes, neglect had probably been ongoing. Her former owner agreed to send $100 per month to help with her expenses. I hope she will.

I know things are tight - she is one of many horses who have sought a place here. Most owners don't want to donate a penny toward their horse's care. But between the stable owner who organized the float, the farrier, the vaxx and the transport, and the owner's promise, I feel an effort has been made here to secure a safe haven for Belle. And at 28, I don't really worry that she'll outlive me! Ugh, how morbid that is.

Well, she was mobbed on arrival - our friend Matt was here and lead her out of the trailer, and I and Lynn flapped arms to clear everyone enough to get her to her stall; of course, Nugs tried to "do" her immediately, happy to find a mare that didn't already know he was mostly talk. She had a snack and a drink and then dinner with everyone. I'll try to get more and better pics.

She has a brand "710" on both hips. Anyone know what these might mean? And I already had dissent about her being a QH - one suggestion was "mustang"??? Opinions?

08/21/2026

a few pics from the last week or so. Ill be getting more today. Everyone is eating well, and drinking billions of gallons, The heat is pretty oppressive with such a high water content.

Im struggling as there are many "get ready for winter" chores that I need to do, and I need help. Preferably strong man type help. But Im being ghosted by everyone, and since Im trying nice guys who have done a lot of work in the past, and they keep saying sure, I'll do that and then ghost me for 2 weeks, Im getting pretty depressed about it. In this terrible place (people wise), I find someone who wants some work, and they bs me till they find something better, and then walk away without a backward glance. Leaving me with work unfinished, another lost possibility, and wasted $$. And the worry to get repairs made still hanging over me. "where have all the good men gone" ? sigh

08/20/2026

Nugs with Bella and Rosie inspect; bothering Daja and Cole; passing Annie and Kaz, and then leaving the area

08/14/2026

As the Stable Turns: Last night, as I went to put everyone away for dinner, Rosie was glued to Nugget's side. I could barely get him in his stall without her. She stood outside his stall, mooning over him as he ate. I put everyone away, fed all the buckets and she was STILL there. O my. I walked her back to her stall, and she grabbed a mouthful of feed and proceeded to pace the side of her stall nearest to his (not at all near). When she got out this morning, she dashed directly to his stall. She and Bella stood side by side, waiting for him to come out. Later, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a white horse dash by, and realized she was chasing Nugs. When they hit the lower level, she extended that lovely stride and cut in front of him, to turn him back! HERDED him back up the hill! He looked HUNTED!
I know you'll think Im mean, but I giggled. Nugs is pretty hard on Carson, Cole and anyone he thinks he can get over on. This was a little bit of tit for tat!
This evening, same as last, he RUSHED into his stall and ignored her. She backed up to his stall and winked! O my. She's on raspberry leaves.
And where was Laddie? He was with Bella and Star. He's confident she'll be back. And possibly relieved....
Here's Laddie and Rosie running; he outruns her easily. Imagine Nugs in front, shorter legs. She's pretty shameless and wants what she wants!

08/09/2026

O, the relief! We just had a tiny burst of rain (with distant thunder that scared my dogs). Here's Laddie and Rosie in Bella's stall, staying dry.

08/09/2026

I don't know why the poor quality, but here is Carson yesterday - king of the hill!

08/06/2026

yesterday was another exciting day. our own personal "Big Red", Carson was down in his stall. He'd ended up with just his front feet caught under the pipe panel between him and Woodie. I was able to drag him back with the tractor, enough that he was really clear and should have popped right up. But.... I think he'd been down a little too long. I offered apple pieces, which he gobbled up; and syringed water down his throat, and he swallowed. But no effort yet to get up. I called Matt, and he and Dan came over, and we asked him to rise, and when he tried to get on his sternum, we were able to brace him up long enough to get his hind legs under him, and up he came. As before, lots of something ran out of his nose, and he was a little creaky, but I walked him long enough for his gait to even out, and he took off. I kept spotting him all day, he was on his feet, taking his usual routes, and he hustled in for dinner as usual. Picture of his butt below. This morning, I saw him in his house having some more pellets first thing. Between then and this pic he came out and climbed the hill as always.

I was distressed when it seemed he couldn't get up - just the day before I watched him canter up the hill all by himself, just 'cause. the two images were too different.

Like me and several horses here, Carson is pretty ancient. He's strong, and so motivated to live this life we give him, which I believe he yearned for his whole life. But we have to be ready, because joints stiffen. When he can't get up, or stay up, it will be time.

08/06/2026

some sunset photos of dinner at TGC

08/02/2026

sweltering here in So Cal - muggy despite not a cloud to be seen. Here's a pic of Nuggs and his new bro, Jedi, and another pic of Rosie/Laddie, and StarKazAnnie headed uphill. I think they go there for breezes.