Bristol's Heart Farm

06/12/2023

I can't put into words how much this Pony means to me. This time two years ago we preparing say goodbye. He is such a blessing to our family. Happy to say he is doing so well that he out grew his blanket!

Santa came early for our precious Sparky!

09/07/2023

Joe surprised me with a UTV and I'm loving life. Spa days are so much easier ❤️

10/05/2023

General enjoying this beautiful spring day🌼

02/12/2022

We had a sad day here at the farm. Our sweet boy Donkey/Donk Donk was laid to rest yesterday. The Vet estimated him to be about 40 years old (give or take) His arthritis couldn't be treated anymore. We made the hard decision to release him from his pain.
So many stories some not so warm and fuzzy. He was a real jerk in his younger years. Keep in mind he was in his twenties when we got him in 2002. First off, he was a stud! We did not realize it at time when we bid on him. Natalie, Lindsey and Alyssa had to have him. Of course Joe with his big heart was in agreement. Lets save this poor old soul! I thought he was adorable to. If any of you are familiar with rescues and neglected animals they usually come in very grateful and quiet. He soon started showing his true colors after some groceries. Donkeys main goal in life was to kill Sparky, the goats, dogs, barn cats etc... One of the reasons why we put Chance in a different field was of course the fact that he was a stallion but he could be turned out with the boys no problem at all. Donkey was the problem child. He had to be separated from everyone! They became best friends quick. He was a people biter if you weren't giving him attention. He would go for whatever area was closest to him. In the meantime believe it or not he was great with the kids. As a matter of fact Katie would be upset if we put her on anybody for a lesson other than him. Sam not so much but she was a good sport about it🤣 Decision on castration came when he literally trampled me because once again he somehow got to Sparky and was once again determined to kill him. Lol as I'm laying on the ground I thought to myself, this is it! he gets castrated asap. Dr Runde said, " Its not a good idea he is 20 plus years old, a donkey and it's fly season" my response was, " Well, if he can't be cut I will take him back to the auction myself" Lol and I will tell you if you are not familiar with donkeys it was not pretty. Not that any of them are but donkeys do not do well under sedation. We have had several castrations at the farm . But this one was different . Let's just say that there was some vomiting and a close call with almost passing out. I won't give any names. Most of you can put the pieces together. LOL it wasn't Dr Runde🤣 in later years Donkey mellowed out. He was very sweet and loving. And if you weren't giving him some attention he would take his head and Bop you in the butt or whatever area he felt like. You were not walking past him without giving him Lovins. He attended many fun shows as Alyssa's sidekick. They were Shrek and Donkey one year in the costume contest and another time he was the Valdez coffee man's sidekick. Some of you may not know this but he also won first place in a barrel race once with Billy. His show name was Thoroughbred in training. (fun show) Everyone loved this onry boy. Loving him was so easy saying goodbye not so much. I thank Natalie and the girls for bringing him into our life. He sure enjoyed his condo that he shared with his brother in later years once they started getting along. They still had their days but for the most part they enjoyed each other's company.
The last couple of days Brianne has been laying with him and reading from her kindle. Kassie and the girls stoped by for a visit and gave him lots of love. On his final day Bree stayed with him the whole time. My heart melted as I Iooked out the window to see him laying with his head in her lap. I later joined her. Seemed like the weather was the same as our mood. Cold, damp and dreary. Dr. B pulled up and Bree and I started preparing ourselves for what was to come. He put up a good fight (I was expecting it) when he finally drifted off the sun came out! We stayed there with him for a bit after Dr. B left. (I can't say enough about Dr.B and Tidewater they are great!) During this time we were being entertained by a blue Jay and our Eagle was chirping. It gave me a sense of comfort. Soon afterwards a beautiful rainbow appeared. I knew it was a sign Donkey was ok and probally looking for his girlfriend Emma. (story for a another time, she was the only one he was ever sweet to) I feel that all the signs were letting us know that we did the right thing and it was his time. It's just never the right time for us. Fly High sweet boy you will be so missed.

Joe and I want to thank each and every one of you for loving him through the years. Also, all of the love, support, kind words and all the fun stories of this mischievous boy.

Bobby and Kassie thank you so much for all of your help❤

01/10/2022

September 29th was 10 years without this precious girl. She is missed everyday. Bristol was a once in a lifetime horse. For some of you that didn't know. She came to us as a 20 plus aged, obviously abused at some point, untrusting highly anxious large Pony. She did not give you anything. You worked for it. Earning her Trust was harder than her ride. She was smart enough to know an advanced rider but, gentle and safe for a kid. She was a beast on the poles and barrels! She passed one week (from colic) after doing a horse show with CJ and Alyssa. If she wasn't first she was in the top three. What took up her time was her silliness and drama. I think she liked the attention! I say this because one of my fondest memories is the day the big hitters came to the horse show to run barrels. Belinda and Deidra showed up with their flaring nostril locomotive quarter horses and spanked everyone there that day. It was quite fun! Fun fact these two ladies took Cory under their wings and taught him how to run barrels on Reed. The amazing Quater horse that Belinda later gifted to Cory. Anyone who's ever seen these two ladies race know they have to sometimes be assisted into the ring because the horses are so hot. For those of you that don't know about barrel racing they usually have to do a side pass into the gate before they can turn around and let them face the barrels because after that you just have to hold on! It's a lot of head flipping, circling and maybe a rear until they get to do their job. On this show day Cory and Bristol of course stayed with them the whole time they were there. After Bristol witnessed Belinda and Reed going in needing a little bit of assistance she thought she should do the same (a first for her) I forgot the details now of who led Bristol into the gate whether it was Joe or possibly Belinda and Reed I can't recollect at the moment. It was a sight to see! Cory had to keep circling her so she wouldn't run off like a nut, snorting and farting the whole time! Bristol loved her audience and had many fans! She took a back seat to no one and held her own next to those big guys and did not apologize for beating them. Lol

Till we meet again my sweet Princess Bristol❤

06/08/2022

Spa Day Videos

05/08/2022

Spa day at the farm❤🐎🐑❤

04/06/2022

Sparky is feeling good! He was lunging himself to dry off from his clip and bath. Love this pony❤️

29/05/2021

Hi everyone! Mom is doing my spring shave. So far I have destroyed two sets of Clippers! Sparky is my name and crushing clippers is my game😂

To my fan club, I am feeling great!

24/05/2021

Beautiful Cinderella ❤

24/05/2021

Bella❤

24/05/2021

Father and Son❤

26/04/2021

Time for the Farm's annual free horse hair!!!

Anyone who comes to the barn and sheds out a horse can take home all the hair they want! Yes, you heard that right! Even the hair that's in your pockets, shirt, boots or any place else we may not want to mention it's all yours!

This crew is a hot mess

Bonus- dirt and slober🤣

16/12/2020

Sparky wanted me to thank all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts. He wants you to know he's feeling a lot better. So much in fact that he's pushing his barn family off of the hay and the water when he feels like it. He came up to the barn on his own tonight to eat. He was actually hungry and was eating a little bit close to normal. I am going to let him decide tonight if he's staying in the barn or out. He can come and go as he pleases with the rest of his herd. He seems to do better when he's not separated from them.

More news from the barn... Pepe Le Pew is back! He came to the main barn tonight. At least he did what I asked. He left the top barn. But, he went to the other barn. Problem is Rollie Pollie Rocky Raccoon it's probably not going to like him on his territory either. Stay tuned🤣

13/12/2020

Natalie with the adorable Clara and Grace came to visit Sparky yesterday and her boy Chance. The girls even got to ride him in the stall. He is so smart he just kept going in a circle. When they were done Clara asked if she could ride again!

They gave me homemade applesauce ornaments oh, sugar cookies and a Christmas Day candle. I love all three of these girls More Than Words❤

06/12/2020

Day 4
Last night was rough then this morning I saw the Glorious normal pile of p**p. I was on cloud nine on the way to the vets. Could not wait to tell them I think we are good! They still were not comfortable with his demeanor and level of pain. So we decided to palpate and tube him as well. The great news was no impaction. The bad thing was Sparky still seems very lethargic and just not himself. We agreed to tube and palpate him. We went over the results from yesterday's blood test results and scans. Several things were ruled out. They are leaning towards cancer in the upper GI area. The Vets have come to the conclusion due to other factors like his demeanor and the markers in his blood results. Also, seems like this is throwing him into an EPM flare as well.

I speak for the whole family when I say we are devastated with this news. We just want to spend as much quality time was Sparky that we can get. His comfort and safety come first. We are supposed to have one more appointment tomorrow morning for his last round of IV treatment and antibiotics. He came home with lots of different medications. We are praying that with the help of medication we may be able to steal some precious time with him. Everyday is a guess as to what direction we are going. It changes constantly.

We cannot thank you all enough for the Tons of love and support that we have been given. every phone call, message in Facebook love have been very appreciated.

Just a side note ... I decided to share this very personal Journal with my family and friends that truly love Sparky. By doing so I hope it will make a difference for someone else one day to look back on this if they're ever in a similar situation. Please do not misunderstand it's not for sympathy. Just experience ❤

05/12/2020

Day Three with Sparky. It is been a rollercoaster ride for sure. We decided to trailer to Tidewater for further testing. Hoping the next 24 hours are quiet. He will be going back there tomorrow for some more fluids and antibiotics. He was very popular with the staff today. The doctor walked him right into the surgical area which was quite bustling with lots of people and all kinds of animals. Sparky just looked at them like, "hey! what's up?"
There have been lots of photo opportunities during this journey. Just wanted to share some.

05/12/2020

Just a girl and her pony❤

30/09/2020

Lil' Treasure Bristol eight years ago today that you left us.
We miss you every day💔

23/09/2020

Vet day yesterday and pedicures today.

23/09/2020

30/08/2020

Every horse deserves to be loved by a child. Even better when that love grows into adulthood ❤

12/08/2020

This was Hannah. The only kid I ever saw drink out of a horse trough😆

11/08/2020

Callie got her first bath ever. She is adjusting well from barn/garage cat to indoor retired lazy girl.

11/08/2020

I like big butts and I can not Lie🎶
Chance and I did join up today. Then a well deserved bath❤

29/06/2020

Some of the Pony Club! Thank you all for choosing to spend time at the farm and helping out. The horses are very happy to see you! We are as well!

20/06/2020

Hardest workers at BHF🤣

14/06/2020

This place hasn't been the same with out you. My beautiful Golden Cover Girl. What I wouldn't do for one more ride. 1 year today you broke my heart💔

12/06/2020

That's a wrap for tonight. Sparky has a spa day booked tommorow. He was not happy getting a body clip😆
Here he is practicing social distancing. Enjoying his pony pad.