New Additions and Updates

Firstly, we need to welcome 3 new little lives into the world. There had
been no indication that any of the mares were pregnant. But they had been
very thin when they first arrived and have gone through many changes in
their foster homes. But still they had not shown teats, gotten excessively
big and had had normal seasons. Despite it all, mums ensured that their
precious little bundles made it safely into the world. We see miracles every
day

208 – Colt born from one of our OBP Rescue Mares!

An unexpected surprise but a beautiful blessing and such a sweet, gentle
loving little boy who loves to cuddle, eat as often as mummy will permit,
stand in between his mums back legs enjoying the shade, lie soaking up the
sun and sleep on the soft summer grass. He is 5 days old in this photo
Born Wednesday 11th of November 2009. Isn’t he just gorgeous!

129 – Filly born from one of our OBP Rescue Mares!

And then . . . Surprise number 2 A sprightly little filly born on
Thursday 12th of November 2009. She has 4 white socks and has so much
energy. Her poor mum spends the whole time running after her nickering
frantically trying to keep her daughter in line hehe. A precious, curious,
amazing little girl who at only 1 day old was so full of life and spirit.
Mummy is very protective and won’t let anyone get to close to her beautiful
daughter.

Surprise Number 3

Another little colt born a few days before Christmas. We don’t have a photo
of him unfortunately but he is tall and chestnut just like his mum and very
beautiful.

The rest of the horses are doing amazingly well and going from strength to
strength. Some have been backed and are showing lovely potential. A few are
still too young but are really blossoming with their in hand work. There are
of course still a few who are special cases and will need a little bit of
extra work and a little bit more love and TLC than the others.

Our priority right now is to move the remaining horses from foster into
permanent homes. We have some that we VERY urgently need to move from their
current foster home to a new foster home or to their permanent home. They
are  numbers 5, 10, 11, 12 and 13 in the attached list. All in the blue
sections. The horse listed as item number 13 is a special needs horse. She
is still very nervous although has changed a lot and has come on very nicely
but will need someone with allot of patience, kindness and time to help her
through. She has obviously suffered much trauma in her 5 short years.

Secondly, our biggest problem is funds. Whilst it is the hardest thing to
have to come forward and ask, we are in dire financial straits. With the
rehab, the unexpected babies, etc we owe a fair amount of money to people who
have helped us without being paid and we need to pay them back and we still
need to be able to raise enough to be able to box the horses when the time
comes to move them to their new homes. We know times are really tough and
everybody is struggling but anything that people can offer will help us to
cover our outstanding bills and help the horses on the last few steps of
their journey.

The bank account details for the OBP Horses are as follows:-

Bank: Nedbank

Type of Account: Current Account

Account Number: 1522 168 028

Branch: Epsom Downs 152205

Reference: OBP HORSES

Last but not least, we have had many well meaning people approach us who
have wanted to adopt these horses but it’s really important that people take
into consideration the fact that these horses are mostly un-backed, green,
have come from a difficult background and will in some instances need longer
than the average horse to settle. They may always be a little more
excitable, nervous and highly strung. This is of course only an assumption
but because they are so young and only now receiving the very first handling
and schooling, they are not suitable for children at present. All of the
people who have contacted us bar a few have been people who live on a plot
or small holding who want to adopt a horse for their child and we have had
to turn them away for both the safety of their child as well as the safety
of the horse. Until the horses have been backed, had correct schooling and a
few years under saddle, we cannot know how they will react or what type of
horses they will be. They are all showing signs of being good natured, kind,
fun horses but for now, please understand that we need more experienced
horse people to assist with this process.

This project has been such an incredible journey. It has not been only the
horses that have benefited. We needed them too. Each one of the horses has
touched us, healed us and inspired us. They have demonstrated forgiveness,
acceptance, love of life, hope, courage, peace, strength and beauty.

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to you. These horses went from having no
hope to now having a chance at a life of fun and love because of people such
as yourself who are helping us to give them that opportunity. There are no
words that can really convey our gratitude nor how much this means but
please know that you have literally helped us to save lives and that gift is
priceless.