Kaliffe's Adopted Mom sends an UPDATE! AWESOME!

Hi Linda

An update on Khalif (you pronounced him Cuu-Leaf),

Besides being completely healed - He’s Perfect!!!! I love him so much, and I know he feels the same. His energy and personality is just what I hoped for, but never thought I would have again after the passing of my life-long best friend last thanksgiving.

Okay, gotta gloat a little about what Khalif and I just did last week! We went on vacation in Humboldt County, and camped along the way from South to North. I’m attaching just a few of the pics – my dial-up is sooo slow. If you would like to see any more, just let me know and I can send you a CD.

We started in Cueno Creek State Horse Campground in the Avenue of the Giants, and rode in the ancient redwoods, (FYI - $35 per night, 2 small pipe corrals per campsite, pay showers). The trail takes you to Bull Creek near Albee Campground, where there is the most living bio-mass, measured in tons per acre of land, than any other place on the planet!!!! I swear the horses were looking up at the giant redwoods as much as us humans!  Khalif even saw a bear 20' off the trail before anyone else did.  It was laying down, and I only saw it just as we were directly across the trail from it.  It lifted its head to look at us, and then went back to hanging out.  Whew!  What good horses!!!!

Then, we went to the beach (free!) and rode in the surf on the South Spit near the old light house in Lolita. It was actually sunny – very unusual for summer in Humboldt. Khalif was great, and cruised though the sand and loud surf – no problem! We went slow, and stayed on the hard wet sand to help my mostly blind 27 year old Russian arab mare. Khalif could have run all day, and thoroughly enjoyed himself! He only spooked once at a piece of driftwood (at a walk) I love arabs! The horses stayed at a local ranch that night, Hillcrest Stables, in acres of beautiful pasture (free!). They didn’t want to leave!

 Then we trailered up to Orick and stayed at the rodeo grounds run by the chamber of commerce, ($10 per horse, per night, camping is free, big wood stalls on a 1^st come 1^st filled basis, no showers). The entire camping area is low grazed, green, green grass, and is bordered by Redwood Creek. The gravel is small, and the creek wide, so you can run in the river on the horses! But, the real reason to go is the adjacent trail up into Redwood State and National Park. It has a ride-in redwood tree that Khalif went right into – no issues!!!!! The ferns and thimbleberries are taller than the horses! And the redwoods are HUGE!!!!!!!!!! The fog was thick (normal), and we used blankets on the horses at night. What a difference from our hot summer up here in Hayfork!

Linda - Thank you for all of this. I truly appreciate what you did for Khalif, and for bringing us together. Khalif has found his happily-ever-after home because of you – and I feel good knowing I didn’t support the horse breeding industry while so many are being euthanized.

Take Care & Long Live Safe Haven!

Sincerely,
Jamie Levitan & Khalif

The Baby's education Begins, on Aug 4th, 2011

Mid afternoon on August 4 was just a typical day for the un-named Paint Filly, she was just 'hangin out' with her Mom, Kisses, being Very Cute! Little did she know that her basic education was going to start in an hour or so when Linda R. & Ashley Ewing would get back from picking up TONIETTA! Yes, Tonietta the big T/B mare is back to Safe Haven, but that is for another blog! Ashley brought her friend, Cassie, along too. Moving Tonietta went very smoothly as Ashley, our Trainer really knows what she is doing, so back to Safe Haven at an early hour......it was time to put a HALTER on the Filly!

With the help of the Unmovable tree, the Filly was soon CAPTURED by Ashley & Cassie.

The halter is ON! But we decided it was just way too big, we did not want to take a chance of her getting her foot caught up in it! Hold on to her Girls, I'll be right back!!!

There we go! All haltered up & time for some human hands to rub rub rub! You'll see, she looks so much better in Blue!

Well, the rodeo is not over yet! Even tho there are encouraging words & soft nurturing noises, little baby filly is Not going for any of it!!!

Kisses, the 7 year old, Not halter broke, or ever ever handled, was very good through the whole 'haltering' of her baby! She stayed close but did not offer to attack or anything!!!!

Yep, the Baby Filly decided to throw a fit & Ashley kept a firm grip on the short lead rope & just let her back up into the panel, no baby neck was injured! As you can see Kisses is right there too!

Well, the tantrum is over for now, at least & we are looking good in that Blue halter! Quite sophisticated actually! Good job Ashley!

Cassie has a hold of the Filly now, & she has pretty much done wore her little self OUT! See Kisses, right there close but not freaking out! Ashley & Cassie would pet the baby down her back & then slowly put their hand to the mare, but she was not going for any of that!   Well, I'll share with you, that I have another blog to write on these two from yesterday, & I'll just say.......Cathy H. has figured out what makes Kisses very Brave! Wonder what it is???????????

Bye for now,
Linda C.

Pretty, Painted, & LEERY, New Arrivals!

Kisses & her 3 week old Filly arrived at Safe Haven on Tuesday, August 2nd. They were offered on Craig's List for $100.00, Maggie's Mom called her & told Maggie if she could find them a place to go, she would pay the $100.00 so the Untrained Brood Mare would not end up at the slaughter house. So, you can figure out the rest of the story!

Kisses is a Registered Homozygous Paint, she is quite leery of people, but we think she will come around after a whole bunch of FOOD, LOVE, & COOKIES!

The little filly is so cute, & she NEEDS a NAME! Got any suggestions?? The color on her ears, covers both ears but not the pole, so I'm wondering if she qualifies for being a Medicine Hat? I will be looking that up shortly.

What you see here is; The first step in the 'people are a good thing' process! We put some cookies in her feeder, as she will not come to take them from your hand. She Will some day soon tho! I'll be sure & let you know the Day she does! It's Amazing just how many horses we get in, that Don't know what Cookies, Apples & Carrots are!  

The little filly really liked the salt block with the selenium mineral in it! she was at that over & over again!

After all that Salt, she needed a Drink! These two will be out at Safe Haven for quite awhile, they are in the 'settleing' in stage, as Safe Haven always keeps the horses for a few weeks just to settle in, before they are evaluated as to what they know, & if they are sound, or if they have any issues, & just what they are trained for! If you have a couple of hours to spare, you are Welcomed to come & Volunteer at Safe Haven to help us take care of the horses! HORSES are the BEST THERAPY around! Hope to see you soon!

Bye for now,
Linda C.