We did it!  Honey Girl started her training late this summer, and today we rode her.  Pamela, my trusted assistant, was the first to ride, since she is so much smaller than I, and much more experienced at these things than I am.  ( Pammy has been training me ever since I moved next door.)  When we were sure that Honey Girl was ready, it was my turn.  First time in this saddle we discovered that my short little legs don't fit in even the shortest stirrup setting.  Yikes.  But I made due tippy-toeing as we sauntered around.  A few adjustments here and there and we'll be exploring the countryside.

There is one more thing Honey Girl needs to learn.  That is 'GO'.  She has walked with me for so long that unless I am moving, she just stands there.  She stops when I stop. She walks when I walk.  It was actually funny when Pammy was on her I had to run in front of her to get her to move faster than plodding along.  For a horse that's never been ridden before she was extremely settled when Pammy worked her way into the saddle.  First she draped herself across in the saddle...  Honey Girl just looked at me and said, "What are you doing now?"  Then when Pammy slid herself lengthwise, still laying on her, Honey Girl just scrunched her butt when she felt Pammy's feet there and looked at me like we were crazy.  Then when Pammy brought her legs down and sat up, Honey Girl shook her head a little and barely even reacted.  It was amazing.  No breaking loose, no jumping, no bucking.  She just stood there.  That's my girl.

We'll work on 'GO' later.

Many of you have seen our rescue site already.  Circumstances have kept us from updating for some time, so this blog is meant to keep you informed with the latest news while we make changes to the site. 

Charlie Johnson was the main reason (the entire story is at the rescue site) we started these efforts.  As his three year deferred sentence comes to a close this month, our little group was gearing up into watchdog mode again to see what he would do.  He's been heard boasting around town that he is bringing the horses back when the time is up.  He says he'll "do whatever he damn well pleases".  Since it's difficult in these times to get good money for decent horses, and the US slaughterhouses are shut down, he's been heard many times saying that the horses are "going south", to Mexico where he can sell them for slaughter.

He's had horses all along during the sentence period.  He just kept them hidden at another property just south and east of here, where the woods kept anybody from seeing the mess.  Truth is, the DA's office didn't care.  I spoke with the DA in June at a Flag Day parade in town.  I reminded him that the sentence period was up soon.  I told him that Johnson was still doing the same with horses, but we couldn't get solid proof.  The look on his face when I reminded him of who I was told it all.  He may as well have groaned out loud.  In my opinion, he could care less what happens to these animals.  Well, he's coming up for re-election in November.  hmm.....

Anyway, back to Johnson...  About three weeks ago his health took a turn for the worse with diabetic complications.  Lord knows he didn't take care of himself.  He lived in squalor.  Well. about two weeks ago, the powers greater than us, the courts, and even Johnson, decided that it was time to put and end to all this.  Two weeks ago Charlie Johnson died. 

No more horses will die by his hand.

Now we will wait to see what his two grown sons will do, since they were involved with that whole mess.  My only words to them are, If you are going to keep horses, FEED THEM!  If you are following in your father's footsteps as 'kill buyers', we will let the world know.

'Nuff said...

Welcome to our blog, where you can find the current events and latest news in the Oklahoma horse rescue world. Please check back soon for new entries, and be sure to visit the home pages of Nektosha Trading Co. - our Equine Rescue Efforts and our Store.