Friends of Maple Hill Farms

24/08/2025

FIRE DANGER. Everything is tinder dry here and the winds have been steady. The grass is crispy. The risks for any kind of fire are high. Here are some tips to mitigate the risk of trailer fires.

🔥Horse trailer fires: what starts them, how to stop them, and what to carry🔥 Where to find the perfect extinguisher 🧯 and 🎥 camera

A horse trailer fire moves faster than you can unclip a lead rope. We’ve all seen the headlines: in North Carolina, troopers said a tossed cigarette from a passing car likely flew into a partially open stall and ignited hay, killing six horses on I-95. In Kentucky, four thoroughbreds died when a trailer became fully involved on the roadway. And in Oregon, a trailer fire jumped to roadside brush and kicked off a small wildland fire. These are rare—but when they happen, they’re catastrophic.   

How trailer fires actually start
• Discarded ci******es & roadside ignitions
Unextinguished cigarette butts can ignite hay or roadside fuels. Fire investigators list “smoking” as a recurring human cause of fires, and there’s a documented trailer case where a cigarette tossed from another vehicle sparked the load.  
• Heat around wheels, tires, and brakes
Hot brakes, seized/under-lubed bearings, dragging brakes, and underinflated or flat tires generate heat that can ignite grease and tires—some of the most common origins of truck/trailer fires. Routine checks of tires, bearings, floors and brakes are basic prevention.  
• Electrical faults
Trailers vibrate; wiring chafes; insulation wears; a short near shavings or hay is a ready ignition source. (Add “wiring inspection” to your pre-trip.) 
• Parking over dry grass
Catalytic converters and exhaust components can reach 800–1,200°F. Dry grass can ignite within seconds—so never pull off into vegetation, even “just for a minute.”  
• Roadside sparks
Dragging tow chains, wheel failures, or debris lodged by axles can shower sparks into light fuels along the shoulder. 

Prevention that works (quick checklist)
• Before you roll: check tire pressures (including spare), torque lugs, test brakes and lights, look for loose/chafed wiring, and verify floor integrity. 
• En-route: every fuel/coffee stop, do a “touch test” on hubs/drums—warm is normal, hot/smoking is a stop-now problem. 
• Pull-offs: only on pavement or gravel; never over grass. Keep safety chains off the ground. No smoking anywhere near the rig.  
• Loading: keep loose hay/shavings away from lights and wiring runs; secure totes so nothing rubs a harness or junction box. (General wiring/lighting checks: see Purdue Extension’s rig guide.) 

The right fire extinguishers for a horse trailer

Carry at least two different types, mounted where you can reach them from outside:
1. ABC dry-chemical extinguisher (5 lb) 💥 https://amzn.to/4lERnaP 💥
general purpose for solids, flammable liquids, and electrical (truck engine bay, fuel, wiring). NFPA 10 covers selection/placement of portable extinguishers; ABC is the versatile baseline most haulers carry. 
2. Water-mist extinguisher (e.g., Amerex Water Mist) — outstanding on Class A fires (hay, shavings, rubber, wood) and, uniquely, safe around energized Class C electrical because the agent is delivered as a non-conductive mist. That makes it ideal for putting cooling water on burning bedding without spraying a conductive stream near wiring. 

😎Tips:
• Mount one ABC in the truck cab and one on the exterior/tack side of the trailer; inspect monthly, service per NFPA 10. (Know the PASS method.) 
• Plain water cans are great on hay but not on energized electrical or fuel fires; that’s where ABC (or water-mist, if rated for C) belongs. 
• Want extra protection? Consider automatic clean-agent tube systems (Proteng/BlazeCut) in engine bays or electrical compartments; they rupture at heat and flood the space with a residue-free agent.  

👁️👁️Eyes inside the box: proven trailer-camera options 📸📸📸

Best Camera Option
https://amzn.to/3HucizD

Seeing your horses while you’re rolling is both peace of mind and early warning of trouble (scrambling, smoke, a down horse). Four solid paths:
• Hard-wired trailer systems (RanchCams): durable, permanent installs, rock-solid signal for interior + rear views. Great when you haul often and want zero fuss. 
• Wireless monitor kits (Haloview MC series): https://amzn.to/3HQkNVE purpose-built wireless camera/monitor sets with night vision; popular with RV and horse folks for easy installs and multi-camera support. 
• Quad-view wireless with DVR (Rear View Safety RVS-4CAM): https://amzn.to/3HPQfTZ up to four cameras at once (stall cam + rear cam), onboard recording, designed for trailers. 
• Phone-view trailer cams (Trailer Eyes TE-0117/“WiFi EyeCam”): https://amzn.to/4mw2ELU sends a live image from inside the trailer to your smartphone in the cab—no router in truck or trailer. Handy, affordable way to add an interior look. (Have a passenger monitor; drivers shouldn’t operate phones.) 

Bonus road-view: pair a trailer interior cam with a dash cam that supports Live View (e.g., Garmin) https://amzn.to/3JBSkDz for the road ahead—your passenger can monitor both. 

If smoke shows while you’re hauling
1. Signal, pull onto bare dirt/pavement clear of vegetation. Kill the engine. Call 911. 
2. If fire is small/exterior, hit it fast with the right extinguisher (ABC for fuel/electrical; water-mist for hay/shavings). Keep trailer doors closed until you’re ready to unload to avoid feeding oxygen.  
3. When you do unload, angle horses away from traffic and flame; use the rear ramp/door only if it’s cool enough to touch.

⸻

Quick kit list for every rig
• 5-lb ABC extinguisher (truck) + 5-lb ABC (trailer) + 2.5-gal water-mist can (tack/exterior).  
• Wheel chocks, leather gloves, headlamp, folding saw/knife, halters with lead ropes staged at each door.
• Camera system (interior + rear). Spare fuses, spare breakaway battery.
• Maintenance habit: touch hubs at every stop; schedule annual bearing service and brake inspection.  

Fire in a horse trailer is the worst-case scenario—but the fixes are simple: prep the rig, carry the right extinguishers, add eyes inside, and treat every pull-off like fire season. That’s how we stack the deck for the horses.

Beat Fire Extinguishers - https://amzn.to/4lERnaP

Horse trailer supplies
https://www.amazon.com/shop/offgrid_onpoint/list/2LVURCCSC2Q27?ref_=aipsflist



Photo credit from Sports Illustrated article: https://www.si.com/fannation/rodeo/news/in-ashes-of-trailer-fire-two-young-women-search-for-healing-and-hope

24/08/2025

Keebler! (Keglar Hanover, 15 yo Standardbred gelding) Always up for some visitor games. For a small fee paid in carrots. It was Abby's turn to play yesterday.

21/08/2025

Most of the horses were out yesterday when a few of Bel's friends came to visit. It didn't matter. Keebler and Patch were ready, willing and able to accept a few bites of offered hay from the young gentlemen and melt into the embracing arms of their grandmother.

18/08/2025

CELEBRITY SIGHTING.
The Great Falls Balloon Festival last weekend offered fun for the whole family. One of our friends sent us a picture asking if we knew this pony? YES WE DO! It's Johnny Bee!
Johnny Bee has been a fixture here, out to homes a couple of times, and participating for years in the Special Olympics Equestrian Program. Paul and Chris came looking for an addition for their pony parties, and we showed them a few likely candidates.
When Paul saw Johnny Bee it was like lightning struck. Love ensued, and JB found a new home and job. The workload will be light, as befits an older, healthy pony. He very quickly became comfortable with the other ponies and his new environment. Johnny Bee loves the attention and having a purpose. We love happy new chapters and success stories!

16/08/2025

This evening's excitement.
It is the Auburn Balloon Festival weekend. Although we have an updraught from the river, the hot air balloons rarely come up this way. This evening was different, and a landing became necessary in the hayfield.
Despite the odd whooshing sound, the horses were only mildly concerned.

14/08/2025

Medical updates.
First, a big thank you to everyone who has pitched in so far. We still have a ways to go. Here are the donation links:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L2YSBVCC6MZD6
Venmo:

Any amount helps and prayers, well wishes, sharing and networking are also welcome.

***Joy will be starting her last round of meds for Lyme tomorrow. She has stayed fairly well, so we hope the treatment has put a halt to acute to chronic Lyme. Last weekend she participated in Youth Divisions at an Open Show at Ellis River Riders. Mounting a few young riders is helping her to stay in shape this summer while on hiatus from her usual job with Special Olympics athletes.
Joy's recent medical bills were $1000.
*** Moon. A little over a week ago we assisted in transporting Moon and providing a deposit for his care. Moon sustained an ugly cannon bone degloving injury. There was no time for planning and immediate action was necessary.
Today Moon is still at the vet clinic. His wound is closing and despite losing his extensor tendon he is managing. The area is waking up and although Moon is trying to be a good patient, his pain and concerns are needing management. He was happy to see his owner and relaxed in her presence.
Moon's prognosis continues to be guarded but good and so far the big flap of skin is doing its job acting like a band-aid and protecting the bone. It may die off or it may knit together. A wound of this size takes a long time to recover itself. Only time will tell. This will be a long horse nursing journey even after Moon is able to come home. Wound care and stress management will both need to be dealt with.
Although Moon won't be "perfect" after recovery, he will be able to walk, run, and be ridden. The goals are clear and possible.
Moon's total vet bill will likely top $3000. He is an owner assist for us and his owner and her friends are trying to fundraise on their own as well. Our understanding mission-dedicated Donors have replenished our little emergency fund and any donations we receive on behalf of Moon will be sent directly to the vet clinic. Sometimes owners need a lifeline; especially when an awful emergency presents itself and you have nowhere to turn. We happened to be in the right place at the right time to help.
***The Cushings horses. Simba and Sweet Georgia Brown require ongoing medication with Prascend. This is what keeps them healthy, so they are always on our medical request lists. We can manage chronic illness only with the help of donors who understand what an impact their support makes. It's the difference between suffering and enjoying a nearly normal life.
As always, our inbox is open if you have questions.

11/08/2025

With temperatures reaching record highs today, this fresh trough of cool clean water looks mighty inviting. Years ago, we had a few kids who would "test" the water for the horses. So kind of them! 😊
The kid photo here was borrowed since the ones of our kids (complete with lead rope lifeline) seem to be missing.

08/08/2025

DON'T FORGET the Gray Wild Blueberry Festival on Saturday!
Our young friend, Abbey, will be at "ABBEY'S AMAZING ARTS" table located near the town hall. Abbey has been busy crafting and creating treasures to sell to benefit Sanctuary at Maple Hill Farms and our friends at the Drop In Center.
Abbey and her mom stopped in to visit today and to pick up some of Sarah's popular horse necklaces and earrings. Our donation box will be ready, too.
As you can see, Maisie was quite taken with Abbey.
We are very grateful to Abbey and hope you will all stop in to support her fundraiser and make it a huge success.
Event info and sneak peeks in the comments.

07/08/2025

Our Friends are the best!

06/08/2025

EMERGENCY!! Degloving. Wound photos are in comments - Avoid if squeamish. PLEASE HELP if you can.
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L2YSBVCC6MZD6
Venmo:

Scroll down for more info and updates.

Yesterday morning, sometime after breakfast check, Moon was found with a HUGE gaping degloving wound on his left rear cannon. Bone totally exposed. We don't know for sure how this happened.
First aid was administered, we wrapped the wound, Moon was carefully walked out from the far end of the pasture, and we transported Moon to the vet clinic.
The financial side of this needs help. Moon's vet bill may top $3K. He was lightly sedated while the wound was thoroughly cleaned and evaluated. It appears that tendons and bone remained intact, but there was significant debris and some scoring of the bone. Antibiotics have been administered.
What is remarkable and tells us to work hard to save this horse is that throughout the trauma, Moon remained tractable and trying to make things easy for his caretakers and vets in every way. Alert, responsive and calm. His awareness and willingness are going to count heavily in his recovery.
This is going to be a long road, and we will update as things unfold.
A deposit has been left with the vet, but we really need your help.
PLEASE Donate as you are able, Network, SHARE, and a few prayers won't hurt either.
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L2YSBVCC6MZD6
Venmo:
THANK YOU for being part of this caring community!

01/08/2025

This is Joy. She has Lyme. She needs help.
Joy, who has been a rockstar Special Olympics partner for many years, has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The costs of diagnosing and treating her are putting a big strain on the Maple Hill budget and Joy needs financial assistance from her friends.
If you can find it in your heart and wallet to help, we would really appreciate it. We want her well! Thanks for helping in whatever way you are able.
Venmo:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L2YSBVCC6MZD6

31/07/2025

Rest in Peace, Kevin.
Last Saturday, our friend Kevin lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident. Years ago, we were looking for extra pasture and another friend, Leah, introduced us to Kevin. Kevin became our landlord at a place we called Little Barn. This sweet setup became the home for about six horses at any given time, a welcome place for horses that just needed to chill out for a while. There was a well-built spacious run-in barn and plenty of fenced pasture.
Every day (rain, snow or whatever) we traveled to that wee barn to feed, set hay, water, and clean. It was quiet and peaceful and comfortable. Kevin would frequently stop by to chat and debate the world situation. We talked about cars and trucks and dogs and life stuff.
Kevin was a larger-than-life kind of guy - brash, tough, and opinionated. He also had a soft side. He truly cared about our horses and our relationship was steeped in mutual respect.
As our needs changed we moved from Little Barn but will never forget Kevin's kindnesses.
Our sincere condolences to Kevin's family and friends.
Semper fidelis