I have written before about my ongoing love affair with the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. The work this shelter does for horses, mules and donkeys who have fallen on hard times is often nothing short of miraculous. As a volunteer for the past three plus years I have watched neglected and abused horses regain their joy for life and trust in humans with the doting attention of staff and volunteers. I have seen the lucky ones adopted as companions or even competent saddle horses. Others have settled in to their "retirement" home with the assurance of a life of predictable nutrition, excellent health care and the companionship of loving two-legged and four-legged friends. I have seen some reach their final rest in a dignified and humane manner, mourned by all of us who were privileged to know them and care for them.
As a non-breeding facility, the presence of a pregnant mare is rare and, yet, we were blessed two years ago with the birth of a feisty foal, Windy River, whose mother, Daphne came to us undernourished, suffering from a variety of ailments and, unbeknownst to us, carrying her precious cargo. She blossomed at the farm and was recently adopted herself. Windy River has remained with us, a happy, mischievous two year old, totally spoiled by staff, volunteers and visitors.
This past month we had a second miracle. Eva, a young Arabian mare was brought in with Emir, a young Arabian stallion who quickly became a gelding as farm policy dictates. Eva's pre-arrival pregnancy was confirmed last fall and we settled in to await the outcome. On a cold February night two weeks ago, the colt arrived, hale and hearty and full of energy. He and Eva spent a few days at a local equine surgical facility as a minor precaution and then they made their triumphant return to the Windham farm with great fanfare.
He has been nicknamed "Little B" until a more formal naming process is established. As expected, he has endeared himself to all. Due to the pandemic, the farm has been closed to the public and even the office staff and most volunteers. We are all anxiously awaiting our chance to get to know Little B and indulge him with pets and rump scratches. He will most certainly become a local celebrity just as Windy River has.
Little B's arrival coincides with another major event at the farm, the annual Buy-a-Bale campaign. Horses eat...a lot! As a 501c3 charity the farm depends entirely upon donations to provide food, medications and veterinary care to the 35+ equines they care for at a budget of approximately $1M (that's million with seven digits) annually. The Buy-a-Bale campaign goes a long way to support the effort. Each bale costs $5 and each horse eats about a bale a day. If you do the math, that means 35 horses eat 12,775 hay bales at a cost of $63,875. That's why the campaign is so critical. I make a recurring donation, taken from my bank account directly each month in such a way that I barely know it's gone!
If you are interested in participating in this event with either a one-time or a recurring gift you can find a direct link here.The horses will make good use of your gift to be sure. To illustrate, here are some pictures of them at their happiest.
Spring is a season of birth and renewal. This year more than ever, we need reminders of a universe that holds hope and optimism for the future. Little B and his stablemates represent the promise of better days ahead.
