Monday, September 5, 2011
Would WILLIE have heard, "Voodoo!" ?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A BABY DEER
Every year, one might drive by our place, and question if we raise cattle......or deer?
This year was no exception.
We actually have an increasing number each year, too many for our tree strips, to be sure.
The threat of disease is something to not be taken lightly, for the good of the cattle, and the deer. But, I still like driving the meadows, tree strips, wherever they are; and enjoy watching them, watch me.
Picture taken September 12, 2010
Picture taken November 22, 2010
I have been known to walk out the door, yelling at the deer to go find other trees to eat on. I finally had to resort to walking out towards the trees, chewing the deer out for chewing on my trees. I eventually gave up, after they would trot 20 steps away, only to turn around and go back to the trees as I was walking to the house. I'm pretty sure it just became a game for them. I probably wasn't very convincing.
I'm sure they enjoyed the peaceful grazing moments, with no fear of hunters or wild animals attacking them! It became a daily ritual to watch the little family. The other deer were contantly around also, walking and grazing in between our houses, and the yards; but there was just something about this little family that captured my heart. They were more curious, more trustworthy. We could go outside and talk to them, they stood and listened. Really.
Picture taken September 12, 2010
This picture is my favorite little deer that captured my heart. As his mom and 'brother' would venture off to other places, he stayed. He would watch, keeping still for a few minutes, then if I didn't advance, he would just continue eating. I would throw carrots and apples toward him. At first he didn't know what the heck I was trying to bomb him with, but then he came to expect a treat and nose around until he found it. I remember when I took this picture, I thought to myself, "I shouldn't, but I'll bet I could make this little deer a pet." You can notice a buck standing atop the hill in the background; trying to figure out what this human was doing.
The other deer figured out that there were treats around, so they would come for goodies also.
Picture taken November 18, 2010
I had my concerns early on as to why my little friend did want to just stay around. The majority of the time, when all the deer would slip off out of sight, he would stay. He didn't excite too easily, and he was just content to hang around. A few times he would go with the rest of the deer to the tree strips. In the picture above, he just stayed, watching the other deer walk off; even his mom and sibling would leave to the tree strip.
Picture taken November 14, 2010
It just became my daily ritual to go out talk to him, and throw food at him. I could now get within 7 feet to toss him food. His ears would show that he was in controll of being able to run away, but he never did. Cadence went outside with me to talk to the deer. We would tell him how cute and handsome he was, and that he would always be safe - if he stayed in our yard!
This was the little deer family in our backyard. I would open the sliding glass door and throw food out to them in the back. With all the deer in our yards, and around the place...it is too bad that their droppings isn't worth a lot of money - I could be rich!
Pictures above and below were taken November 22, 2010
They became so familiar with us, we could stay outside with them, talk to them, tell them how pretty they are, take pictures, as I would try to figure out how I could always keep them safe; even during deer season.
Picture taken December 3, 2010
At Christmas time, my little deer friend added to the decor in our yard. People drove into the yard; the other deer took off to the back, he just stayed. He was the little yard ornament. One should know better that to give their heart to a wild animal. I know better. But it never changes anything.
"Say Cheese!"
The little deer even got used to Duke. Duke would walk up to him, the deer would trot a few steps away - stop, turn around and look at Duke. Duke would walk up to him; on and on it would go. For weeks, my heart began to get heavier and heavier. I watched him, took pictures, talked to him and fed him.....let myself and my emotions go - as I often do.
Our little rescue kitties got so they would run up and see what I fed him. This day it was corn. There was a little cream corn mixed in, so they thought they were entitled to the cream part.
I watched, knowing the reality of the situation....I was afraid he was not feeling well. My biggest fear was that he got something from the calves, or a disease that deer get. I was determined that TLC, good food, good friends, and whatever else I could think of, yes-prayers too; would help him. I guess I kept all these thoughts to myself, but then we all started talking about it. It was the week-end, so we decided we'd call our vets on Monday and ask if there was something we could do for him. I told Don we would be able to get close enough to grab him, but even being sick, he would probably be strong enough to put up a fight.
Now it was a matter of time. He was alone, except for us. His mom and sibling were not coming around him anymore....that says a lot. An animal's instinct picks out their favorite, or if one is sick, many times the poor little thing will get abandoned. Even cattle that have twins will sometimes 'pick one' and leave the other. It just meant more care we had to give. We carried water to him wherever he was standing. He was finding it more and more difficult to get around. He seemed confused.
I knew what was happening, but I didn't want to think about it. His apple chunks were smaller so he could chew them better. His water was brought to his side. I thought about deer that run for their lives to survive. This little guy could have a safe life forever, but it wasn't going to happen. He was so sweet, so trusting. What else could he be?
I couldn't resist. He had to know that he was loved. So I reached out and pet his nose. He lifted his head to meet the kindness given to him. My heart fell to my stomach. I continued to show him compassion, asking God to not let him suffer. Don went and got some alfalfa. It was going to be cold that night, and we wanted him to bed down in the hay. At least he would be pretty much sheltered from the wind here.
Picture taken January 9, 2011
The above photo is the last I took of my little deer friend. He was sick. In confusion, he would turn in a circle to the right. He would stop to eat a little, but turn again. I prayed he would stay on the hay during the night. I had called the Game Commision that day. It was January 9, 2011. I knew he was suffering. My photos may not show the pain, but it was there. He was limping, and it was getting worse. He walked away from the hay once, making a bigger circle. I would watch him from the kitchen window. I walked outside, and led him back over to the hay.
Tears, there were many. There always are in cases like this. I admire so much people that care and rescue animals. How you do it all the time, I'll never understand. It is good to know you helped an animal, if even for a short time; that's what I tell myself. I know that some people don't understand the emotion - that's alright. It's who you are, I guess. I have enough emotion that I think God forgot to monitor it when he was making my character and it overflowed. He must have figured I could handle it. Doesn't make a lot of sense when you raise cattle like we do. I guess I figure that at least while they are in our care, they are happy.
That night, my little deer joined the other numerous animals that I'm planning on taking care of in heaven some day. At least he died in his sleep, and didn't have to be put down. The Game Commision came out and got him. It sounds like it might be a brain worm thing, they get it from eating snails in the grass. We are waiting for results. Have you ever seen the movie, "Powder"? You should. If everyone really felt what an animal feels, there would sure be alot of happier animals. I'm not saying God didn't provide animals for us and our needs....but there are good ways and bad ways of that process. Just like there are good people and bad people. I'll keep giving my heart to the cows, the deer, all the animals.
My little friend on November 18, 2010. If you have animals in your care, care for them.
It was a hard time when Josh told me the deer had died during the night. But I knew it was going to happen. That is life. But Josh was on his way into town with Josie, and that morning would begin a good day. By the end of the day, I would have another Grandchild.
was born January 10, 2011
Cadence is well pleased with her little baby brother.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
One Step Forward....Twenty Leaps Back
It bewilders me how things can turn, or maybe the road was never on a curve, but a straight hi-way; with no road signs or speed limits. I must have been on the curb, waving at the traffic zooming by. That doesn't make sense? Well, this whole story doesn't make sense to me. What is weird, is that this person was one of the very FIRST people to offer her help in getting Meduna exposed when all the 3 Strikes stuff was happening. She took hits from people all over the place when she was trying to help 'warn' them about what was going on over there. She defended me whole heartily, and I defended her when people started bashing her about different things.
Then the day came when I became silent....I wanted to sit back and try and figure this out for myself. I DID NOT want to be like one of 'those people who knew nothing of Meduna, but defended him to the gills.' I always thought they were so stupid. I have not wanted to join those ranks, and be blind-sided on that curb. So I read the comments, and then I got busy at the ranch...and then the subject came up again when a friend on FB was mentioning needing to find places to take the horses that were being seized from that certain rescue. My heart fell again. I pushed it all to some distant corner in my brain, and kept doing the work here that needed to be done. Today I got on one of the forums, and it all surfaced again. This time I saw pictures.
I have no idea where things went wrong for her, or if they always were wrong and I didn't realize it, or if really bad circumstances happened and it was a sinking ship - but they did go wrong. I can't deny the pictures though, and I have to admit, that sort of thing doesn't just happen overnight. I just sort of hate thinking about it, to tell you the truth.
I do not like the term, 'he/she just got in over their head' - that's what I heard a lot of about Meduna. I found that hard to believe since people from back east confirmed that his history was long in contributing to the suffering of animals; and not just horses. So when someone claims to be a horse rescue, a sanctuary, whatever.... I do believe they 'should know better'. If you really care about the animals, and have their health, happiness, and best interest in the forefront; you don't just 'oops, have too many' - or 'oops, ran out of food' - or 'oops, no one would help'. Be real, we are supposed to be adults, making adult decisions. These are helpless animals. We know better.
Talk about living a sheltered life; I didn't know there was anything that existed called 'hoarding' until I started reading those forums...and now they have a T.V. show about hoarding. No, I have not tuned in yet; not sure I want to watch that. It's like there's some shows on Animal Planet that I hate to watch. If you have too low of blood pressure, it would be beneficial to watch.
In my rambling on, I'm just trying to figure out how people can let any of this happen? I'm probably referring more to 3 Strikes now, than anything. I think about the people who supported him; without wanting to know the truth. They must have been in it for their political or listener ratings reasons. So sad. Those people, you probably can't touch, because greed covers their heart.
The whole problem I see is this: there are many, many good rescues. Ones that know their limit on how many animals they can take in, according to accommodations, feed, money, etc. But when the media gets a hold of 'a rescue gone bad' - the forward progress is hurled backwards. Now the question is - just who are the good ones?...what if they don't really spend my donation for the horse's needs?...are they really a good rescue?.... on and on.
So naturally, the good rescues have to be hurt when news gets out about an animal seizure. Wish there was an easy answer. Not everyone can afford to drive/fly all over to visit the place and see if they are legit. I know first hand how an Internet web site can be falsified; and made to look fabulous; at the expense of the horses.
I just hope if you are a rescue place, and really in trouble for whatever reason; stop getting more horses! Stop breeding them, (or whatever animal it is) and get some help. I think it would be better if you are incapable of taking animals in - donate to a place that has the facilities needed. And I guess if you are a person that has only yourself in mind, anything anyone says to help isn't going to matter anyway....then you probably deserve what you get.
I realize, I have been told before I don't know what I'm talking about; as I'm not even involved in horse rescue.....but we do have cattle. We know our limitations of how many animals can be run on our land....and know about land management. We do know the difference in how animals eat.... and how that affects the land. The only 'rescue' animals I have are cats; but along with those and the cattle; there are of course dogs, our own cats, and horses.
If you choose to take care of animals, take care of them. If you can't - get help.
That's just my thoughts on a Saturday night.
And the Huskers did a fine job today!!
By the way..... God bless all you that fight for the helpless animals - for the horses - and that take care of them. I'm sure it seems a thankless job sometimes, I know it's hard work. What you do is amazing.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
New Beginnings
Our heifers at the solar tank; the windmill is gone - but the water is flowing.
This stacker belonged to the Koopers. I sort of like thinking of times gone by, when Glen and Lucille lived here. I imagine Glen put up a lot of hay with this! And then he updated. You know, I'm pretty sure even when Don and I were first married, Glen would hook up the horses to help with the haying. I think he used them to feed, also. The coolest thing was all of his family helping during the summer in the hay field. Some cherished memories were made there.
Times change.
I can't say that I'm not glad they do. Makes our work a whole lot easier.
Makes our time more efficient; makes Don think we should be able to get more done!
The land to the south of us has a new beginning. People who care, and want to do right by the land. To fix it up and make it whole again. Our neighborhood is once again, filled with people who care, are kind, and want to be good neighbors. The whole lot of us!
Now we just have to find the time to all get together!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
It's time to start speaking out...
It's too bad there are people who desire to bash people they know nothing about. In reality, I'm sure I've done the same thing, many times. The language in this blog is not my usual posting, but the words of spite and negativity are not mine. Once again, when confronted with, 'how long am I going to keep this up?' - and, I should 'just let it go'..... I might not completely let it go; but I realize (thanks to friends, especially my friend that's been thru this with me from the beginning; encouraging, understanding, and mostly; helping me to keep on the right path - thanks Brit) that I need to keep my character in check.
Turn the other cheek. I still like the story where Jesus went in and tore the temple apart, upturning tables, etc. I guess there is a time and a place for everything. I wanted to confront, (well - how can one confront someone who calls themselves anonymous?) so I'll still tell my side. Here is what was written on a blog I found while google searching 3 Strikes stuff:
from: http://bustedupcowgirlblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/ok-someone-give-me-low-down.html
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Anonymous said...
mustangtruth/vicki freiberger/satans little helper is back!What a psychotic nutbag!You don't and didn't give 2 sh*ts about the 3 strikes horses.All your broke a*s cared about was trying to steal someone elses land and life by the foulest means possible.How lovely for the Meduna family that they were able to move away from your stalking, stealing, horse killing a*s!Do the fine people of the ABR actually buy into this nutters game?Hope you rot bi**h! You and your boys!
December 3, 2009 11:13 PM
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Wow! That one surprised me! No, it wasn't bustedupcowgirl that wrote that, she actually defended me on her blog. And I thank her for that. I can't even begin to describe how I felt when I first saw that post from anonymous. But you guys are right, when I let it get to me, they won. Probably what did me in was talking about Justin and Josh in the way she did. But that also makes sense, when someone's going to attack, they are going to attack what means the most. I thank God I have good sons. Their thoughts on this person? ....just like yours...."She's not worth it, Mom."
I am here, because I desire a chance to speak up for myself against people that slander and lie about our character and what we believe in. Even if it is just on my blog. ***Let me rephrase: it was brought to my attention that people like this probably don't have happiness in their life. I should have more feelings of pity for them than of anger. I am usually a pretty compassionate person, and usually my first reaction would be one of 'wow, this person is empty'. So I read over my blog several times, each time the conviction hit me harder and harder.
My answer to your comments: yes, I gave more than 2 poops about the 3 Strikes horses. Seeing the survivors touches my heart greatly. What anonymous needs to remember, I...nor my family did anything bad to those horses. Meduna did it himself. Had they been healthy; none of this would have happened. Anonymous mentioned the word STALKING; I imagine you got that from Meduna. For instance; the day the Dep. Sheriff came to deliver my notice for the harassment hearing, we were in our meadow looking at a cow. We had cattle next to Meduna in the pasture to the west; I had just driven along the fence line on my 4-wheeler to make sure staples were not out, etc. The Dep. Sheriff had to stop at Jason's first and talk to him before delivering my hearing notice. Jason told the Dep. Sheriff, "She was just driving back and forth by the fence again a little while ago, STALKING us." Well first of all, .....If YOU had cattle beside Jason Meduna, wouldn't YOU regularly check your fences? That seems to be a no-brainer to me!
I'm trying to figure out the 'steal someone else's land by the foulest means possible'. Jason told people I hated horses, especially mustangs, and that's why I wanted them gone. What he didn't tell people is how I went over to the place and filmed the first load of mustangs being unloaded from the semi onto his property, as a favor to Lucille; the previous owner. He didn't tell you how he used to stop me when I was in the hay field on my tractor, and I would stop and go over and visit with him. (That gives me the willies now). That was the first summer he was there. He stopped me and said, "I see that you guys are haying this meadow, so I figure it must be time to hay mine since they're connected and beside yours." I am not kidding, that's what he said. He started haying it, but broke down and never got his equipment fixed. That was the end of his haying, until he hired it put up AFTER the horses were gone.
You call ME a horse killer? Our horses are doing pretty good. Maybe since you wrote that back in December, you now feel embarrassed; but that still does not justify what you said about me or my family. Like I've said before, this neighborhood, including our family; were very welcoming to the Meduna's. It was Jason that would not reach out for help. We offered.
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Anonymous said...
BUC you should do your research. You really should.Talk about drinking the kook-aid!I agree with Marilyn.Wishing that your life may be filled with good things.But you have VF and her boys all wrong on this one.Facts don't lie."The land is under new ownership. If the Freiberger's wanted the land, they would have bought it...dontcha think moron?"If they had the money. Which they don't.One of the first rules of responsible reporting is to confine yourself to proveable facts.And this loser believes in the truth first and foremost.I have no difficulty wishing animal killers to rot in hell.No problem at all.
December 4, 2009 10:15 AM
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So now she calls us animal killers, and we should 'rot in hell'?
Ok, we've killed some animals, that is true. They were suffering and we had done everything we could for them; so we humanely put them out of their misery.
And the money thing, I'm pretty sure this anonymous person isn't our banker, so how do they know our money situation? I'll add this about the money; who cares.
Rot in hell, huh? I still have a problem with this statement you made, anonymous. Let me tell you why, not so much is it a problem for me, because I know where I'm going when I die; I won't be rotting in hell. It's for those that aren't sure of where they're going...but that is a whole other subject.
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(Dena's comment)...
Well, this has taken an interesting turn.BUC I have to agree with anonymous that facts are important.Necessary actually. Especially when in reference to a situation like this.Finding out whether or not V. Freiberger or family made offer or attempt to purchase the land isn't that hard.And the answer is, yes.Now does having done my research make me a nutter too?Or, does it just mean that there is a lot more to this story than has been presented?I have no dog in this fight BUC.I just want the truth.
December 4, 2009 10:34 AM
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(By the way, Dena; I apologize for putting on here about your problems. If this was you, I guess I shouldn't judge you...how do I know the circumstances for what you did or did not do? If you were wronged, hopefully you can rise above the situation; if you did what was public news - hopefully you've changed your life around and that is all completely behind you.)
So now we have Dena, and anonymous. At least Dena had the courage to put her name when she questioned about the Freibergers.
Big thing isn't it? The Freibergers put a bid on the land. What is this world coming to?
***
(Dena's comment)...
Okay now I am laughing. And I agree that simply making an offer isn't indicative of nefarious intent.
That said, what if you are stretched to the limit and the bank says No Way Honey?
Vic's reply: Forget what ever I said about the bank, the money we have or have not. Who cares? If you all choose to ponder about it, guess it gives you something to think about. Remember; money is the root of all evil. I'm thinking though it's the root of all evil if you make it your god.
(Dena's comment): And what if you know something about the value of the property that not everyone else does?
And what if there is strong evidence that you deliberately worked to drive down the price of said property?
Vic's reply: WE deliberately worked to drive down the price of the property? I'd say Meduna worked pretty hard on that. We were not ever on the property. We didn't rape it of it's grasses. We didn't leave bones scattered all over.
(Dena's comment): Acted in all sorts of manners to make the property seem extremely undesirable?
Like I said, I have no dog in this fight.But in being objective doesn't some of it at the very least come across as a little stalkeresque?
I read all of her posts from the beginning and they just seemed blatantly manipulative to me.
I helped place some of those Mustangs BUC. My primary concern was and is their welfare.
And many of their symptoms did jive with rumensin poisoning.
Hair loss for instance from malnutrition usually isn't evidenced until much as in almost all of the body fat has been absorbed.
And one other nagging feature for me is this.Do I know the parties involved?
No.But Mr. Reynolds has devoted much of his life to preserving the Sorraia Mustangs. Something like 210 left?
Not sure of the number.But why would this man trust Jason Meduna with what appears to be his lifes work?
And why did everyone involved grossly exaggerate the number of dead?
To be honest Vicki Freiberger reminds me a great deal of another California nut before her fall from grace. The great STFU.There has been so much shoddy work by the supposed authorities in this it reminds me of the O.J debacle.
And I am not willing to throw Marilyn under the bus because she is adament in her defense of the Meduna family.
She took the time to go there. She also took the time to go and see Rayu.And we all know how I feel about poor Rayu. That horse has been lost and found more times than a set of keys.Honestly BUC I just don't know.
People lie.
People do horrible things to each other every day.
I just know that when it comes to credible information I am not willing to eat the candy at ABR.I want facts.
Because that is where the truth will unfold and reveal itself.
And I do not want to be guilty of convicting ANY innocent party.
I don't disagree with what you said about the background check.
But I know from personal experience that not everything put in print is the gospel.
And here is what keeps running through my mind. What if? Just what if the man is not guilty?
December 4, 2009 11:14 PM
***
So many comments. For what it's worth; Dena you have the right to think anything you want about the Freibergers. You are wrong in your assumptions, but anything I say will not change your mind. The people that are our friends, and actually seeked the real truth in this whole ordeal don't have those questions - their main question is 'what would possess a person to do this to innocent animals?' I visited with Mr. Reynolds all afternoon on his court day. We had an interesting conversation. People just speculate and don't know the truth about many things. A lot because they don't want to know the truth.
The number of dead was actually probably understated. We have since then found more skeletons that what were accounted for on the property. It would be interesting to gather all of the skulls, and get a count. But the coyotes have probably drug many of the smaller ones off.
The realtor called us before the property was listed. He said he always does that to surrounding neighbors when it's in the country like this. I asked him if he had any bids on it (I knew of 2 people that had placed a bid with him) - he said he could not tell me the bid amount, unless we placed a bid ourselves. I did not at the time, because I told him we knew it was going to go for more than what we would pay. I did not place a bid until the morning I was leaving for my harrassment hearing in Bridgeport. We were simply curious as to what the land was up to, so I called and gave him an amount. We both chuckled.
*
*
What I did, was saw horses and land in trouble. Nothing more. If you say you love horses, and accuse me of doing something wrong as far as those horses go; then it is my opinion, that you don't really have a horse's best interest at heart. How can you?
*
If by chance, these 2 people realize after all of this time, and all the facts are out; that perhaps they were wrong...let this be a reminder that you should be careful of what you write about someone; before you know the facts.
*
And as far as 'anonymous' goes; you say my sons and I can rot in hell. You call me satan's little helper. I don't think you understand the judgement you have just put upon your head. Yes, you might have gotten my dander up for a short time. But that too has passed. I am just thankful that I have a life, a good husband, good kids and their families, good parents, and a bunch of wonderful friends. To have thoughts as you do, I feel sorry for your emptiness. Hopefully by now, if you even read this; your opinions have changed, your heart has softened, and the world seems a better place.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Left Behind.....
Left behind....
Many questions have been asked about the whole 3 Strikes ordeal. Mainly, 'what kind of person does this to so many animals?' We certainly don't have the answers, not many people do. I wonder what kind of person does this - continually? Mudna stated often in emails, 'this wasn't his first rodeo' (in talking about dealing with Vicki Freiberger to his former supporters). Seriously. I have the emails-written by Mudna, and by some others: about the Freibergers. Blows me away. It's probably what I've read in the emails, and what I had read throughout on the forums; that keep me hungry to tell the truth - or just tell. Hungry- granted; it's more like throwing cups of gas on a burning fire; every once and awhile - there's a burst of flame.
It's like a friend of ours, Pastor Jim, said to Don many, many years ago: "Don, Vic is like a mamma grizzly bear. You stay clear of her, you'll probably be alright; but mess with one of her cubs, she'll tear you up." Now really, I don't write that to sound all 'your mamma - tough stuff'; or to portray that I think I'm tough- but it is how I feel. I might go down swinging, but at least I'll be swinging. I'm really a nice, mild-mannered person!
The following is some of what was left behind. Someone told me they saw a moving van in the night. I guess they didn't want to be noticed.
Must have dreamed of being a 'cowboy'.
Of course when I saw this, I thought,
Guess since they bought land in Wyoming,
There's a lot I wanted to write, but-
And sadly, as everyone knows.....
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Cleaning Up
***
The Freibergers are helping the Greens do some clean up work. Mainly going around and removing the big stuff from the land. Justin and Josh were over cleaning up some stuff a while back, and sent me out on the 4-wheeler to locate more 'big stuff' that they could haul off. This was the first time I've been on the south and west a little of X-Mudna's. This is what I found.....
Brit, this is for you. Thought you'd like to see it.
This belonged to the Koopers. Used during haying.
A nifty little bone pile Jason made.
It was simply a horse,
unable to continue on with life.
The weather is good now.
Snow is expected this weekend.
I hope to get to the large bone pile before the ground is covered once again.
I don't know what Jason thinks of as he sits in his cell. I don't know if Anissa will ever come to the reality of just what happened here. I still find it hard to believe that there are people who think Jason and Anissa did no wrong. I know there are many, many people that have visions of what was seen here. I was not at the scene when they were removing the horses. I was not on the scene, when they watched the black mare, who had dug a halo around herself, finally die; or to watch horses that could not stand up; watch new borns that could not survive. Those people, I feel for.
Those people will not forget the images burned in their mind.