New Jersey Virtual Herd

10/31/2024

Redcat Tuesday 7 October 2024
Cat with a Cause, 1. Humans with Anxiety about Horses.

Since we didn’t pick out a kitty to be the Redcat, He chose us. And since we are not proclaimed feline experts, He also made most of his own decisions. Without very much to use as a reference, whatever Redcat did (or didn’t do) we just accepted that as what cats do or do not do. As time passed and we met more humans who knew more about cats than we did, and then some of the decisions he made we began to put more introspection around that. The heightened vocals and depth of conversation and the ban on hunting were both a bit unique, yet not unheard-of in the feline world making him interesting. What made this cat special? His Cause. He had one or two. Took his assignment seriously. Redcat was nice to just about everyone, he did not appear to have any enemies. Agreeable, live and let be. So, then what made him so prudent on making sure that humans could release anxiety enough to become closer to the horses? He would vanish once completed, so his motive was not about stealing therapy thunder.

For a decade we saw this occur repeatedly. When there was true fear or anxiety (often clients will say they are afraid of the horses, yet it will reveal as something else), about being in proximity to a horse. Redcat could feel that and know the difference. His routine would then become immersed in making a connection between that human and a horse. The scenario usually began with him entering the space, making the necessary steps to his candidate, then lots of vocals as if to say “Hi. I have 4legs, fur, and only 15 pounds!” Once he was noticed and connected (easy for him), He would then begin interacting with a horse(s) – checking in that his human candidate was paying attention. At times he would really make his point by walking around the legs of a horse or sitting under their belly. Once a connection was made, or beginning to take place, Redcat would just leave the arena. The ‘connection icebreaker’ talents shown up as His CAUSE here with us. How did he know, we do not know. He did know though, when someone needed him to help. For that, am so grateful as several would have missed their chance without his intervention. Have often wondered what the horses thought about their self-selected sideline helper…?
(*Video is random of Redcat, we do not have cameras inside the arena when working – HIPAA)

Redcat
2008-3/26/2024
Self-appointed therapist, feline, trauma groups with the horses 2014-2024
😻🙀😼😹

09/28/2024

Redcat Tuesday 6 in September 2024CATversations with Red. As these posts are coming forward (one per month) highlighting the interesting unique-ness of our ginger feline friend we are focusing on twelve topics that really had him stand out in our observations. This month is all about how vocal and talkative Redcat was in all of his glory. For years, he would engage in conversation, or CATversation as we ended up tagging it. What does this mean? Well, he meowed of course, yet there were so many intonations of his vocal abilities that in time became to mean specific things. Redcat vocab had a plethora of chirps, squeeks, squawks, and howls that when applied could show emphasis on his communication skills. Also, he had a way of being loudly vocal, unrelenting when he wanted your attention. While there is not a huge variety to compare to, what we will say here is that Redcat had a voice and he never was shy about using it. Are all cats this way? Do not know. Time will tell supposing. Yet, Redcat was this way and it became quite normal to have a full blown conversation back and forth for as long as he wanted it to continue. Here are a few short clips to show an example of this. Will link in our story the granddaddy which incorporates his catversationalism in addition to the use of body language and selective SILENCE to prove his point of view. Shot all in one edit, just added text and music. Enjoy! Redcat2008-3/26/2024Self-appointed therapist, feline, trauma groups with the horses 2014-2024😻🙀😼😹

09/04/2024

💛Junior Mif💛
has been cleared to leave clinic. We are on our way to you
💛Momma!💛

08/06/2024

Looks like Three Bridges NJ is about to become the middle of a storm sandwich!😱😳😬 (we are the gray dot)…

07/31/2024

More information coming. Yet, sneak into this and we are excited. NJVH is now an affiliate for Grazers Nutri-Treats and Equine Balanced Support ! This is the official "treat" for the Herd. You will see why shortly. Meanwhile, here is a link to purchase with our discount. https://equinebalancedsupport.com?sca_ref=6497097.trulcMZ77u

07/31/2024

Look! 👀
Miss Molly is in the news again. Please rally to support her. If you learn about her story…she has earned it! Molly needs our help. Both in her rehab and in her day-to-day care. 💚🫶🏼🐴

07/28/2024

"Came home to this today. I only own the dog."

06/15/2024

Check this out. Granted it is a couple of years late yet it came out well. A college student in the midwest edited this for us. NJVH-001 was published a couple of years ago (GusArchie goes to the hospital)...

This video shows GusArchie (Augustus Archibald) unloading from the trailer on his first solo ride in his life! He is returning from cryptorchid surgery at Mi...

06/02/2024

If you would like the inside scoop as to how or why we are all feeling and doing betters bestest… Miss Molly (wow miracles happening), Mif (renewed), Syri (confidence), Chubby (sleeping again), Donkeys - just wait your day is coming…
❤️🐴🩵🫏🫶🏼

We are thrilled to share with you the release of Dr. Maria’s latest publication-RIDING IN DIGNITY. We promise that it is about so much more than “riding.” Whether you are new to horses, a seasoned equestrian, an animal lover or simply a lover of life you will enjoy this reading

It is also selling on Amazon-see attached information in the comment box to purchase sooner. If you want an autographed copy Dr. Maria would be delighted to send you one. Simply send us a PM

More information below in the comment box 👇👇👇

05/30/2024

🫏? Edith the Donkey ?🫏

Why are male b***os/donkeys called jacks and female b***os/donkeys called jennies or jennets?

The name Jack is a derivative of the name John. Going back through the centuries, John is a pretty ubiquitous name, and, over time, the name Jack became synonymous with anything male. Thus, you get names like lumberjack, jackrabbit, bootjack, jack-of-all-trades, and even Jack the Ripper. And, yes, jackass too, since ass is the proper name for the animal we are discussing.

The terms “jenny” and “jennet” are a bit harder to pin down. Going back to the 1500s the name “jenny” is associated with female animals and birds, for example a female wren would have been called a jenny wren. The term “jennet” has a couple of origins. It refers to a small Spanish horse breed. But it also was an Old English girls name that was a derivative of John. In either case, sources aren’t clear or definitive about these terms’ use in association with donkeys. We might never know the origin but it is fun to do the research.

Tell us - do you have a favorite b***o fact?

Thank you to PJ Kaszas for this interesting background on b***os and their names!

Credit: PJ Kaszas
Location: Just outside Oatman, Arizona (Black Mountian HMA)
***os

05/29/2024

[repost - figured out the pics, not the audio] at least no magnifier needed. will cut the text down enough to put up a reel with sound. much of life is ...

REDcat Tuesday #2 May 2024

Rescue Redcat (or) Redcat to the Rescue! In some ways he always knew who needed rescue whether it be a horse or a human – he was happy to be the savior to both. If someone you love it hurting or ailing, yet they do not speak of it, how would you know that something is wrong – do you ever feel that about someone you care about.

We met Mr Redcat in April 2014 when we moved to Foxx Creek Farm in Hillsborough NJ. There were 6 barn kitties at FCF and three of them were ginger. So, at first Redcat didn’t really stand out, he was “one of the orange cats”. Looking back on our 10yrs together and began to examine at what point did it become notable that this cat was different. What was our meeting point?

It was the morning of April 29th, 2014. That morning our dear lady Straw was found down the third day in a row on her “good side’… we did not waste time calling for help as we knew in this scenario, She would need assistance one way or another. As we waited for MAEMC to arrive it became a challenge to keep Straw calm, she began thrashing and getting too close to the wall in efforts to get herself up! Straw was a very strong personality in heart, mind, and spirit and she didn’t take kindly to being told what to do, especially if she disagreed.

This place of “please lay still, help is coming” became an argument which I did not want to have. The stall door was open wide, and while we were doing all we could to keep Straw in place She kept working to get up.

Then, in a precise manner, this cat, this orange tabby cat calmly walked into the stall, and then walked right up to the back of Straw’s neck, and then onto her neck and just sat there.

The cat looked up at me with confidence and a smile in his eyes as if to say, “this will be good now’.

Looking at Straw to see what she thought of this, and she gave a look that said, “there is a CAT on my neck, this is really bad timing”, I said back “Yes, there IS a cat on your neck, and if you become still for that, the timing could not be better”.

Once the veterinarian team arrived, the cat disappeared. Very sadly that was the day that Straw had to go home, we were not able to get her to her feet again.

As time came on, we began to notice that one of the orange cats was really not like the others in behavior or in activities. As more time came on we sought to learn their names. We finally figured out that the one with a pair of white paws and racoon tail was named “Redcat”(all one word) and not to be confused with his littermate brother Foxxy, or his buddy Jonesey.

Redcat really liked horses, he spent much of his awake time in the barn with our horses, the Spotted one to be specific. And from out first meeting we already knew that he was a horse-nurse-cat and to take notice if he was really all over one of the horses ---chances would be that they were some sort of situation of needing help…

One beautiful summer evening, going out kind of late to check on the Herd in pasture and what did I find? A Redcat aboard the Red Spotted appaloosa just hangin out. Yes, riding him like a big couch, wondered how the cat got up there, the horse really didn’t seem to mind, so be it.

As that time came on it was clear that Spring and Redcat were close friends and so it was normal to find Redcat sleeping on Spring’s blanket (on his back) in the wintertime, or to be going for midnight rides in the summertime. They were often together, and I guess we all just got used to that.

Then. Redcat began showing up in the equine-assisted therapy arena with human clients. That will be for next month…

Redcat
2008-3/26/2024
Self-appointed therapist, feline, trauma groups with the horses 2014-2024