Tag Archives: R.T. Fitch

Aug 6 2017

Feel Good Sunday: Chapter 1 – Living with Four-Legged Children

by R.T. Fitch

“Behind the scenes, here at Straight from the Horse’s Heart, are several volunteers who write while others scour the internet in search of equine related news and articles that will not only be entertaining but of value to our horsey readership. One such individual, Geraldine Bray, works seven days a week with no compensation in an effort to get the news about horses, burros, buffalo, whales, wolves, grizzles, dolphins and any other wild being that is downtrodden by humans out and in front of our readers so that they can have the information needed to make a difference when discussing such topics with family, friends and legislators. Likewise, Chief News Correspondent, Geri, endeavors to locate at least one story a week that might bemuse and uplift our audience as a Feel Good Sunday (FGS) installation so that we can wash our hearts and souls out for one day a week before we wade back into the fray on Monday. This week, I am kindly going to ask Geri to take the day off as I have found the fodder for FGS right within arm’s reach in our own backyard with our wild and wacky four legged charges who never cease to either entertain or amaze me.” ~ R.T.

Terry and I never copied ourselves by manufacturing two legged children that would be labeled as “ours”. Her reasoning harkens back to the grotesque video that public schools used to show to pre-pubescent girls during special sessions after hours in grade school, when they thought the boys had all gone home, fat chance of that. Plus, she was prepared to take a hit for the team when it came to population control as humans do NOT have the propensity to treat their world, or it’s other inhabitants, kindly. (She also says that she has been raising one over-sized kid, me, for over twenty years and that was about as much fun as she could stand)

Me, I was and still am convinced that if you mixed my genes with another human’s you would end up with some sort of individual that would grow hair on the palms of their hands and drink out of the toilet so in an effort to save humanity from a backwards trip down evolutionary lane I was gelded very early in my adult life. And no, I do not speak in a high-pitched voice.

So with that all being said, we have always been guardians to four-legged children who we have welcomed into our lives and been devastated when they pass on. It is tough being a parent who outlives their children but we have always had a very staunch rule when it comes to being a guardian to dogs, cats, horses and yes, even fish. When you enter our lives, we will never, ever give you up, your home is permanent and you shall always be loved; even if you are a butt-head, we will still love you and your uniqueness.

With all of that tone setting preamble behind us let me tell you about a little adventure that I had when attempting to accomplish some fencing repairs out in our pastures the other day.

Perhaps those who don’t live with horses might not understand, just like I don’t get cute baby stories, but those who do interact with ponies and donkeys on a daily basis will recognize and appreciate the curious and adventurous spirits that graze upon grass out behind their barn and home. We are blessed.

I had been absent from the farm for several months, earlier this year, working hard to supply an income that would allow for the purchase of hay for the horses and batteries for cat toys; it is what I do, I am a guy, it tis my job. But in my absence the electric rope that is strung across the top of our cross-fencing in an effort to stop one juvenile drafty from breaking fence boards while playing “Dueling Heads” with his TB brother mal-functioned and it did not take the giant, 1 ton, golden baby very long to figure out that he could begin to disassemble the inert electric rope and associated gate guards. So that is what I returned home to and set upon repairing the other day, WITH a lot of help from my friends.

My trusty, full-time companion, Roxy the Wonder Border Collie, goes everywhere with me, so much so that she has laid claim to the big, red Dodge Dually and does not allow me to take it on my extended domestic trips, instead, I have been instructed to take Mom’s much smaller Grand Cherokee; a 4X4 with panties. Sorry, I digress.

The other day Roxy and I entered the pastures with my bag of tools, roll of rope and wire in an effort to get as much of the fence-line back up and running before the temps would begin to kiss the 100 degree mark so I attempted to work quickly while she supervised me from a shady spot and I worked along the fence-line.

And we had help. As shown in the video that accompanies this tale of frivolity and mirth, one of our pasture ornament off the track TBs, Bart, came over to check out his girlfriend, Roxy. Bart is in love with Roxy and she just does not have any time for the giant suitor who is 20 times her size, in fact, she is rude and will sit with her back to him but Bart is not the Einstein of Equines and continues to try to win her favor, which works out well for me as it keeps him busy. He loves to stick his nose in my ear, while I am working, and say “Can you hear me now” which is immediately followed by stealing my straw hat and running away with it.

Not today, when he became bored of being stood up by Roxy he stuck his nose in my ear and said “I have a special present for you,” and before his words even stopped rattling around in my head I saw his tail stand up and heard the sound of well hydrated horse turds plopping upon the ground, but upon further examination, they never made it to the ground as they ALL landed right inside my canvas tool back where they exploded all over my drill, pliers, screwdrivers and hardware. “REALLY!?!”

If not for the look of total and abject amusement on his face and Roxy running over to partake of this fresh manna from heaven I would have been a tad bit pissed but instead I trudged back up to the house and garage and cleaned up the mess before going back down to the pasture to continue my work.

Once back down, I clamped off a section of rope and began the tedious task of wiring an underground section to pass under a gate so that I could leave the gate open yet the power would continue to pulse further downstream where it was needed. With mission accomplished I looked for my staple gun so that I could safely secure the traversing wire to the fence posts on either side of the gate but alias I could not find it in the bag where Moose, the juvenile drafty, had been nuzzling just moments before. It took a few moments for it to register as I gazed at his ample backside calmly walk away and cross into an adjoining pasture but the concept struck home when I called his name, he turned around to look at me and there was a glint of shiny metal between his lips, I had been robbed. Of course, this turned into a fun and exciting romp around the pastures with dog in tow for about 20 minutes in 90 degree heat but I finally picked the staple gun out of the mini-mud pond that the horses roll in when it gets too hot. The staple gun was no longer recognizable.

Tools back in the bag, rolls of rope and wire under my arms and towards the house I dragged myself.

Industrial sized Wrangler Iced Tea was made and I walked into the pool fully clothed to sit on the steps and let the coolness roll over me and down inside me. I was finished.

Not much later, Terry appeared at the side of the pool, covered with sweat herself from her continued gardening obsession and stood over Roxy and I sitting neck deep on the steps in the middle of a giant slick of mud and grease.

With hands on her hips she said, “You two sure did not work very long.”

To which I replied, with Roxy panting in agreement, “Time is irrelevant when working with your children, often, it seems like an eternity when working in the pastures…and for that I am grateful.” as I raised the 36oz tumbler, filled with Diet Arizona Tea infused with a good Texas vodka, to her in the form of a salute. “Might I interest you in a drink?”

Curtain closes, exit stage left.

And so goes another day and chapter in the life of the residents at “Laughing Horse Farm”.

Next episode: “Moose eats tractor seat and steals all shift knobs when fuel line breaks during mowing and I go to the barn for tools. Time away from equipment: 2 minutes.”

Stay tuned…the adventures continue.

Keep the Faith!

Jul 30 2017

Feel Good Sunday: Wild Horse & Burro Advocate Takes to Facebook Live Blinding Thousands with Glare from Bald Head

NEWS JUST IN:  Although speaking to an important issue; President of Wild Horse Freedom Federation, R.T. Fitch, took to Facebook Live, yesterday, in an effort to help support the wild horse & burro advocacy by explaining the release of their biggest lobbying tool yet, their White Paper, only to end up giving thousands of cases of mild eye fatigue due to the continuous glare from his bald head for over 30 straight minutes.

“I normally wear a hat,” R.T. said, “but being inside I did not think it would be proper so I ensured the overhead florescent light was out but I guess I just shouldn’t have discounted the effect of natural light from the window.” he continued.  “Next time I will use powder or perhaps Terry might have a make-up trick that I could use, but in reality, there is nothing like a good ole full head of hair to do the trick.” he sighed.  “That stagecoach has long ago left the station.”

When interviewed on the success of the project, VP of WHFF, Debbie Coffey, who joined the broadcast by phone commented, “I think it went very well and I welcomed the opportunity to clarify just what our White Paper is and how important it is to get in front of our legislators now, but I did take issue with one aspect of the broadcast.”  When asked what that issue was she stated, “At the end of the broadcast, R.T. stated that his Executive Producer and good friend, Roxy the Wonder Border Collie, had fallen asleep on the job, well, it would have been rather cute if he would have shared that with us.”

Well Deb, he has, if you scroll down to the bottom of this page you will find a photo of the burned out Executive Producer who says that R.T. is a difficult boss to work for and like you, he pays her peanuts.

Keep the faith

“He bores me to tears”

Jul 7 2017

Saturday (7/8/17) Wild Horse & Burro Radio with Ginger Kathrens (Exec. Dir., The Cloud Foundation), John Holland (Pres., Equine Welfare Alliance), Katlin Kraska (lobbyist, ASPCA), Cory Golden (Advocacy Coordinator, Return to Freedom) and R.T. Fitch (Pres., Wild Horse Freedom Federation) on saving wild horses & burros from slaughter

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Wild_Horse_Burro_Radio_LogoJoin us on Wild Horse Wednesdays®, This is a SPECIAL Saturday show on July 8, 2017

10:00. a.m. PST … 11:00 a.m. MST … Noon CST … 1:00 p.m. EST

Listen to the archived show (HERE!)

You can also listen to the show on your phone by calling (917) 388-4520.

You can call in with questions during the 2nd half hour, by dialing (917) 388-4520, then pressing 1.

This show will be archived so you can listen to it anytime.

Our guests are:

Ginger Kathrens, Founder and Exec. Dir. of The Cloud Foundation, and member of the BLM’s National Wild Horse & Burro Advisory Board.  The Cloud Foundation is dedicated to preventing the extinction of Cloud’s herd through education, media events and public involvement and to protect other wild horse herds on public lands.

John Holland, Pres. of Equine Welfare Alliance.  Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) and its members are involved in a grass roots effort dedicated to ending the slaughter of American Horses and the preservation and protection of our Wild Horses & Burros on public lands.

Katlin Kraska, Equine Lobbyist for ASPCA.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is one of the largest in the world.

Cory Golden, Advocacy Coordinator for Return to Freedom.  Return to Freedom is dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America’s wild horses and burros through sanctuary, education, advocacy and conservation

R.T. Fitch, Pres. of Wild Horse Freedom Federation. Wild Horse Freedom Federation is dedicated to putting people between wild equines and extinction.

Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and/or top Bureau of Land Management officials have ordered all wild horses & burros currently in short term holding facilities be categorized by weight and age in anticipation of the approval of the federal budget. The current recommendation for this budget would allow for “sale without limitation” many or most of the wild horses & burros currently in holding. This can lead to the barbaric slaughter of our iconic wild horses & burros.

Listen to find out more information on this issue and the actions you can take to help save the wild horses and burros from slaughter!

   

Left to right above, Ginger Kathrens (Exec Dir., The Could Foundation), John Holland (Pres., Equine Welfare Alliance), Katlin Kraska (Equine Lobbyist, ASPCA), Cory Golden (Advocacy Coordinator, Return to Freedom) and R.T. Fitch (Pres., Wild Horse Freedom Federation)
This show will be hosted by Debbie Coffey, V.P. and Dir. of Wild Horse Affairs for Wild Horse Freedom Federation.

To contact us: ppj1@hush.com, or call 320-281-0585

TO LISTEN TO ALL ARCHIVED WILD HORSE & BURRO RADIO SHOWS, CLICK HERE. Continue reading →

May 26 2017

Proposed Federal Budget Could Spell Annihilation for America’s Wild Horses and Burros

“The potential for our worse possible nightmare to become a reality is knocking on our barn door, as I type, and we need to stop it and stop it NOW!

Below is a video plea from our good friend, Ginger Kathrens and both myself and Wild Horse Freedom Federation stand shoulder to shoulder with Ginger and The Cloud Foundation in urging you to take action in an effort to block the possibility of our wild equines being slaughtered.

When I snapped this photo on my iPhone I had the shutter sound activated and I was promptly reminded by Ginger to deactivate it as you can see it stimulated Ohanzee’s curiosity, big time.  Thanks for the insight, Ginger.

Ginger’s video is especially poignant for me as her equine guest is Ohanzee, the son of Cloud. I was fortunate enough to be with Ginger when we first came upon Cloud and his newborn son on a beautiful May day in 2014. We spent several days watching, videoing and photographing the youngster while in the evenings we struggled to come up with a name for him.

After much research and a few sips of adult beverages we arrived at the perfect selection which was Ohanzee, a Sioux name meaning ‘Shadow’ which was just what he looked like.

Ohanzee become my totem and further sealed my conviction to fight for those who cannot speak for themselves so for him to be featured with Ginger further lights my fire to do what is right, just and whatever is necessary to ensure the future safety, health and well-being of our federally protected wild horses and burros.

Please call the White House and voice your concerns, although I do not believe this to be a premeditated assault on our wild equines it can and will turn into a death sentence for the horses and burros if we don’t stop the bean counters from pulling the trigger…Now!

Please act, this is your opportunity to make a difference.  Thank you, my Friends.” ~ R.T.

“The remainder of the funding decrease will be achieved by reducing gathers, reducing birth control treatments, and other activities deemed inconsistent with prudent management of the program. The long-term goal is to realign program costs and animal populations to more manageable levels, enabling BLM to reorient the WHB program back to these traditional management strategies.”

The BLM contends that the horses on the range exceed the ridiculously low national AML of 26,700 by over 40,000 animals. There are over 40,000 animals in long and short term holding. 80,000 could be killed if we, the American people do not speak up!

There has never been such a grave a threat to the existence of our wild horses as right now!

Use the links provided in the video to call the WHITE HOUSE, your U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, and your 2 SENATORS. We must flood and overload the phone lines with calls. This will take only 4 phone calls—probably 1 minute each.

Never has it been more important for you to speak up on behalf of the future of our wild horses and burros!

CALLING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Leave your name (spell it), and the town where you live

2. Give 2 or 3 short sentences on your explicit concerns for the preservation and protection of our wild horses and burros.

3. Give your name again and express thanks for the opportunity to give comments.

4. You will probably get a Voicemail—but that’s ok. These elected officials must understand how important this is to you, and phone calls are all logged. If 50,000 of The Cloud Foundation followers will call, that adds up to 200,000 phone calls to Washington DC!

Thank you! Now let’s all get to work and make those phone calls for our wild horses and burros.

Links to Documents:

Nov 24 2016

An Equine Thanksgiving: Who’ld a Thunk It?

A holiday message from R.T. Fitch ~ president/co-founder of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

“Peace On!”

Moose and his buddy, R.T. FitchThanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for a very simple and straightforward reason; ‘it is what it is’.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is not tied to any religious custom(s) or overtones nor is it partnered with politics or some governmental event, it is simply about people getting together to give thanks for what they have, be it small or large, and sharing with family and friends.

Granted, there is a tie to an alleged historical event but even that event speaks directly to the simplicity of getting together with family and diversified friends to break bread and publicly give thanks for the simple fact that we did not wake up under six feet of dirt and that we have the power to effect positive change upon life’s upcoming events.

Perhaps, we equine advocates should quietly tick off a few of things that we could, and should, be thankful for this day.

If you are lucky enough to live with horses and/or donkeys you might be thankful that:

  • all of your equine companions were standing on four legs this morning
  • you received a clean bill of health from your vet’s last ranch call
  • there is ample feed in your tack room and hay in your loft (and beer in the barn fridge)
  • you were greeted with loving nickers when you walked out into the pasture today
  • hugging your horses gave you strength to jump another life hurdle last month
  • the sense that the equines breath life into your land and spread magic in your pastures
  • you cannot fathom a life without them

For those who’s hearts are tugged by the wild ones that grace our public lands we are thankful that:

  • we, collectively, have the power to effect change and can protect those wild equines that are a positive addition to our western plains
  • our hearts race when we see the magic and drama of family bands running free and enjoying their freedom
  • the wild ones have taught us about family, freedom and the bonds that hold a herd, tribe or society together
  • we have each other

Perhaps the last entry is the one that speaks the loudest to us, this day…we have each other. When the chips are down and we feel like we just don’t have the strength to fight another battle we do have the ability to look into an equine eye, center our souls and hold the hand of like individuals who not only feel the same pain but also understand the elation of doing what is right, just and required to help ensure the future safety and well being of our equine brethren, be they wild or domestic, for generations to come.

Have a peaceful and thoughtful day today as you gather strength and reassurance from family and friends ‘cause’ we will be saddling up later and hitting the rugged trail as there is a lot of work to do and if we don’t do it, no one else will. The wild horses and burros are in need and we are the cavalry; tomorrow we will pick the sword back up and ride on.

Keep the faith, my friends, and have a happy Thanksgiving.

Aug 29 2016

R.T. Fitch on Voices Carry for Animals Radio Show on Tuesday night

TS RAdio
JOIN US on Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 at 7:00 pm CST
DEBS LOGA
5:00 pm PST … 6:00 pm MST … 7:00 pm CST … 8:00 pm EST

LISTEN LIVE (HERE!)

Call In (917) 388-4520 press 1 to speak

Hosted By Debbie Dahmer

_______________________________________________________________

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Guest will be: R.T. Fitch- President of  Wild Horse Freedom Federation
 WILD HORSE FREEDOM FEDERATION
“Putting People between Wild Equines and Extinction.”
Wild Horse Freedom Federation advances the power of individuals to take informed and compassionate action to ensure the safety, welfare and lawful disposition of free roaming wild horses and burros.  Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) is an organization particularly focused on wild equine protection, research and education.  They do so by monitoring wild equine habitat conservation, advocating awareness for the environment and conditions as they relate to wild horses and burros, non-invasive research programs, legal intervention and more.
RT’s blog:  Straight from the Horse’s Heart    https://rtfitchauthor.com/
“Voices Carry for Animals” 2nd Year Anniversary! Special Thank You goes out to Marti Oakley, All former guests, and All Listeners for making this show a total success. The more voices and actions takers the stronger we become to get positive changes made for the animals in need. They so well deserve. All Lives Matter and All Ages Matter including all the animals. Put a little love in your heart and do your part. Help the voiceless, helpless, innocent, and defenseless. All animals should live in Peace, Comfort, Love, & Freedom. It’s up to all of us to make it happen. Thank You ALL So Very much! – Debbie Dahmer

Continue reading →

Aug 12 2016

Opinion: BLM Seeks Roundup of Ethical Wild Burros

“In my humble opinion” by R.T. Fitch ~ pres/co-founder of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

“Say what…?”

Here we go again; the BLM, our federal agency with bumbling communication skills and horrific math abilities, is back at it in their continued attempt to both amaze and confuse the American public straight into numbed oblivion.

"REALLY...?"

“REALLY…?”

Last week they wanted us to comment on their Black Mountain Wild Burro atrocity but our comments were to follow the strict guideline of “Comments are not considered substantive that are emotional in nature or in favor or against the project.”, and we got that. We are not to give a crap nor have an opinion either way, cool. Simple logic coming from a government employee but that is not all that they mean to instruct us upon, there are more golden nuggets that they want to share.

In the BLM’s Final Black Mountain Ecosystem Management Plan and Environmental Assessment we get a little lesson on wild burros;

“Burro populations appear to be relatively unaffected by drought or predation”…got it, we have been telling you for years that they are tough little rascals that will actually dig watering holes in the desert that other creatures, both wild and domestic, utilize to stay alive, yet you hunt them like they are vermin.

“MORTALITY for most age classes of burros is low, however…”, however?

That’s sort of scary, kinda like ‘ You look good, but…’ or ‘We were planning to give you a substantial raise, however…’, sorta makes your blood run cold, but let’s proceed with just a little bit of a drum roll because I believe the BLM is about to address a super-important factoid for the sake of enlightening the ever stupid American public;

“…however, MORALITY apparently increases dramatically for animals approaching six or seven years of age.” Holy Cow, Batman, let me riddle this one for ya!

The MORALITY of wild burros increases, they get more civil and more politically correct, as wild burros age. What the hell, that is news that puts the wild burros ahead of Homo-Sapiens as we simply become drooling dirty old men as we get older, our morality disappears into the mist of memory and is replaced by online skirmishes in the wee hours of the night. I must say, I am very, very impressed.

Armed with this new knowledge, I believe that the Wild Horse and Burro advocacy should take another approach in how we fight the BLM’s continued attempt to mismanage wild horses and burros into extinction. Instead of taking our case to politicians, who obviously don’t give a rat’s ass about what is happening, we should take our case to the clergy, the morale guardians of our souls and politically correct behavior.

I mean, REALLY, folks; these are the bumbling fools that we, with open eyes, allow to manage the national treasure that are our wild horses and burros? Their math sucks and is nothing more than obvious, contrived lies. They harass, hurt, round-up, conduct cruel experiments upon and even kill our wild ones; and between the lot of them they can’t even put together a document, that they use to justify their cruel behavior, any better than an average freshman in college. We got problems! We got BIG problems and instead of showing signs of improvement, the BLM continues to spiral out of control and into a realm where true MORTALITY and common sense no longer exist.

I know that I laugh and poke fun at the lack of decorum and scientific data but the crisis is real, and the problem is huge. The BLM needs to do what they do best, fight fires and save lives in that manner instead of playing with ovaries of wild horses and decimating our last, few remaining herds of wild horses and burros.

If it all were not so terribly sad, I would be rolling on the floor with laughter but instead, I feel the urge to lose my breakfast and bury my head into a pillow while I scream to the injustice of the entire, screwed-up situation.

We will never abandon the wild ones, nor shall we cease to speak out in their behalf. If it were not for you, the advocates, the last whinny or bray would now be a distant memory on the public lands that Congress has deemed home for the wild equines.

Please; continue to share, speak for and enlighten others on the plight of our wild horses and burros as knowledge and awareness are the most powerful weapons of defense that we wield and one thing is most obviously certain; we can make our case much better than the BLM and in the end, truth and facts will win over subversion and lies. It will happen, so let us make it so.

Jul 24 2016

Feel Good Sunday: Videos to Cleanse your Mind, Heart and Soul

“Today’s installment is a collection of videos that readers have forwarded my way as submissions for ‘Feel Good Sunday’.  Their interest and participation are greatly appreciated and if anyone would like to do the same please feel free to forward your most treasured and touching thoughts, articles and/or videos to me, directly, at rt@rtfitch.com or rtfitch@wildhorsefreedomfederation.org.  It is always much more meaningful and fun when it is a group effort.  Be safe, my friends, and enjoy!” ~ R.T.

Pippin the miniature stallion was out with his family when he meets a herd of horses and falls in love. It takes the other horses a minute to trot over to the fence where Pippin is standing. They’re quickly smitten with the little one and interact so gently with him!  (Over barbed wire, Oh NO! ~ R.T.)

(A tad lengthy but if you love donkeys and cats, we do, then it is worth sipping a cup of coffee and watching in it’s entirety ~ R.T.)

Click Image to View Video

Click Image to View Video

(And from our friends at the Cloud Foundation)

Jul 4 2016

Reprint: Equine Fireworks

Story by R.T. Fitch, excerpt from the book Straight from the Horse’s Heart

“Each and every year I have dragged out this excerpt from our first book, with the exception of last year…which I have taken a little bit of heat over.  So we bring it back this year and hope that each and everyone of you, two legged or four, have a blessed day celebrating the birth of this most wonderful nation; The United States of America.  God bless.” ~ R.T.

Last night, July 4th 2005, I entered Terry’s office to shut down the computer prior to heading for bed.  Everyone else was tucked away and I was just doing the last minute security sweep when my eyes caught the bright glare of a fireworks rocket heading for the stars in the northern sky.  When it reached it’s predestined point of suicide, it erupted into a brilliant display of red and blue stars cascading downward across the acres of millet that separate us from a distant subdivision.  I walked closer to the window when, suddenly, the noise of the explosion reached our farm.  BOOM!  As the sound trailed off, another took its place -the thunder of hooves.  The horses were freaked.

I ran out the back door and looked over our compound’s rear fence.  I could just make out, by the glow of the barn’s back security light, a multi-colored, many legged mass working up and down the back fence.  The boys were NOT happy.

I called them, jumped the fence, and began to whistle the comforting dinner whistle.  Although they slowed, they would not come any closer as I was several feet nearer to the terrifying sight and noise.  Continuing to walk towards the moving mass of fur, feet and earsI knew that there were a few bulging eyes in that mess.  The darkness, however, covered the evidence.

As I neared, Apache, the tough little Brazilero, peeled off from the herd and planted himself in the middle of the pasture staring at the source of the commotion.  I let him be as he was making his statement that he was tough, cool, and the big man on the farm.  Standing at only 14.3 hands, he suffers from chronic short man syndrome.  Again, I whistled, as I planted myself next to the back fence.  I was particularly careful that in the dark I not touch the electrified rope that keeps the boys away from that single strand of my neighbors barbed cow wire.  I only had on sandals and touching that now would result in all five hairs on my head sticking straight up.  That would surely terrify Terry when I finally made it to the bedroom.

Apache stood his ground and, in the dim light, I could both see and feel two Thoroughbreds, one Appaloosa and a little Mustang mix headed right towards me in full gallop.  It was a pretty sight, but rather disconcerting as I failed to bring out any protection – not even a lead.  I hollered “WHOA” and walked towards them.  They split up and in an instant I was surrounded by heavy breathing and horse noses tapping me on the shoulder and the back of the head.  Harley steamed up my glasses as he wanted to verify my identity.

As the horses milled about me, I listened and watched as their individual personalities materialized both to my eyes and to my ears.  Ethan instantly became brave with me standing beside him.  He planted himself firmly on the ground looking in the direction of the fireworks with his ears pointed forward – a virtual pillar of strength.  Should I move, however, he would too and not allow the gap between us to be any greater than just a few feet.  Of course, that was not due to fear, but rather comradeship.

Then there was Harley, slowly circling and finally standing behind myself and Ethan.  Although he wants all to believe that he is the toughest and the greatest, he will gladly give over the title of Pasture King to anyone who will take it in a time of crisis.

Big nervous Bart continued to pace the fence line with the little Mustang baby carefully tucked between him and the fence.  Little Pele kept peeking over Bart’s back to see what I was going to do to make the fiery noisy monsters go away.

I calmly leaned over, reached to the earth and jerked up a handful of grass as if I was grazing.  I kept this process up as I drifted further and further away from the back fence.  The notion that I was calm enough to graze pulled all of the horses to me, with the exception of Apache.  He was firm in his stance.  As the horses calmly came around me, I heard the whispers and the soft gentle sounds of expression that I have learned to love.  They come so rarely, but when they do, it is so special.  I listened and did not cloud their words with my inquiries.

“What are those things?” panted little Pele. “I have never, ever, seen anything like that.  Do they eat horses?”

“We don’t think so.” answered Harley, “But we are safe now that Grey Mane is out here.”

“We were safe long before he ever showed up,” countered Ethan.  “The fact that he is here shows that they are a special thing and he is only here to help us learn from them.”

Bart replied, “Man, you’re smart.  I thought that someone was shooting at us and that we were all doomed.”

Having enough of the chit-chat, Apache slowly turned his head and snorted, “You are ALL a bunch of sissies!”  Then he laughed.

I laughed too and, when I did, they all turned to look at me; then at each other; and then at me again.  It was truly a “Kodak Moment”.  Those horses looked at each other, and then looked at me.  You could clearly hear them say, “Does he hear us?”  The look of shock and surprise was priceless.

Ethan moved away from the others and pressed his nose against my chest.  “Yes he does.  I forget this as it does not happen often, but I was the one that taught him to listen.”

Without giving away my secret, I stroked Ethan’s forehead, looked directly into his left eye and smiled.  He put his left nostril into my right ear and exhaled, “And I hear you, too”, he said.

We then turned towards the north, standing behind Apache, and watched the fireworks: Ethan to my right; Harley to my left; Bart with his head over my right shoulder; and little Pele goosing me in the left kidney,

“Can I come in with you tonight dad?  Please?  Can I come in, huh, can I?”

I turned and petted his head, smiled and turned back to the display.

Five horses and one human watched in awe.  None of us can tell you when it was all over; the night melted away and I do not know how or when I found my bed.

Jun 26 2016

Feel Good Sunday: Sometimes Less is More

by R.T. Fitch ~ president/co-founder of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Enjoy Today, Prepare for Tomorrow

photo by Carol Walker of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

photo by Carol Walker of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

I’ve spent quite a bit of time scouring the internet for some good and meaningful equine news to share with our supportive readers and advocates (you) but from one ranch hand to another, “It’s kinda slim pickens out there.”

So I will turn inwards for just a moment and let you know that on this day I am out on the range with the horses and burros, on their rightful land, accompanied by a very dear and wonderful friend.  Life just doesn’t get much better than that…and our thoughts are with you as we watch the herds kick up the dust and run faster than the wind, it still makes my heart stop.

Okay, with that said, take a deep breath and enjoy the remainder of the day because the horses and burros are going to need you to be their voices this week, and if we lose this one we have lost it all.

If I fail to post in the morning, it’s because we will be getting an early start to get out on the range before sun-up so I will give you a little bit of home work for Monday morning…please, re-read this post, link below, and make the calls; then tune into Wild Horse and Burro Radio on Wednesday night (Moved to Friday Evening) for a very special, call to action broadcast.

It’s time to saddle up and get her done, folks.

Keep the faith!!!

http://wp.me/pyapj-cs9