Friends of Maple Hill Farms

11/11/2024

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, ended the hostilities of World War I.
Today November 11 is a day of remembrance.
Veterans' Day USA
Armistice Day and Remembrance Day UK
Independence Day in Poland
"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." (G.K. Chesterton)
We honor all who served, remembering those who served at home and those who were forever changed.
We are grateful for your dedication, service, and sacrifice.
(photo art from Dorota Kudbya, with thanks)

04/11/2024

Show us your blaze orange horses!
There is hunting around us, and we seem to be blessed with hunters who ask and then respect the needed distance from homes, big barn, and big open posted horse pastures. They keep themselves to areas suitable and safe for hunting.
Let's keep everyone safe, visible, and respect the No Hunting Zones.

01/11/2024

Halloween at the Farm.
Lots of ghosts and witches flying around. Shenanigans with the PAL kids. Joy and her caped rider sporting bats and bows.

28/10/2024

When you swear a Standardbred is a thinly disguised Saddlebred. This elegant finer b***d creature is The Last Apache (Patch), a 14 year old Standardbred gelding, rescued and sponsored with the support of a previous owner. He has recovered from his low, low body score, is fit enough for the upcoming winter, and is rehabbing his muscles. Still a little hitchy but it does not slow him down one bit.
His friend is Keglar Hanover, also in rehab. Keebler was helped to safety by his breeder, but now could use ongoing support and regular sponsors.
Donations in any amount for Keebler's daily care and needs would be very welcome. Monthly donations would be especially appreciated for Keebler and other residents.
https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=HXBG4JAR4JTEL

25/10/2024

We received a nice thank you note from our Friends at Rise Disaster Relief & Recovery, Inc. and ASAR. Almost a month ago we were able to quickly send equine medical supplies out for horses on Black Mountain in North Carolina. Here is picture of one of the horses we helped.
We appreciate all of you who make it possible for us to do what we do. If you would like to donate to replenish our supplies, here is a link: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=HXBG4JAR4JTEL
This week we refilled Prascend for Georgia and Simba ($356), and we will soon be ordering to refill our first aid supplies and other ongoing needs.
RISE is an NC agency, within an hour of the Helene affected areas, and can always use help as they continue to assist in rebuilding. Since warehousing, sorting, and distribution can create a burden on helpers, it is best to ASK what you can do first. It also saves shipping when bulky supplies (like fencing that is needed now) can be purchased closer to the sites. Updates and donation links are on the RISE page.

20/10/2024

SNOOTER SUNDAY! SHOW US your snooters and mooshes and smiles!
Here are some we've collected from the PAL kids and others.

16/10/2024

Today we are missing a Good Friend and Class Act among humans and horses.
Bill Varney passed away a few days ago. He was a family man, a businessman, a harness horseman, a man for all seasons and reasons. So many interests! So caring and giving!

Bill supported our efforts to raise up and help Standardbreds in trouble and those in need of second or third careers. He did so without fanfare, but with a certain kindness and plain dedication.

We last spoke with Bill about a month ago, when he asked for help for a horse. We knew we could help logistically even though we sometimes struggle to bring in another. Bill had helped many Maple Hill project horses and we agreed to help with Pembroke Pulse, a horse Bill did not breed but had owned years ago. As we got into the situation it did not look good.

Pulse was at Sugar Creek Auction in Ohio when we were advised of her need. We swung into action, signed in for internet viewing and bidding, secured a proxy bidder for good measure, arranged transport, local quarantine space, a local veterinarian, and got ready. We have other horses in Ohio right now, including Marilyn and her foal who Bill also helped support. Despite the distance we had known local resources available. The Pembroke mare looked to be in a very bad way – very thin and despairing, but we only saw one picture of her early on.

We have brought some pretty poor horses back to health but told Bill honestly that the mare looked awful. Bill, ever practical and caring, told us to do whatever we thought best and needed to do and that he would fully support the effort.

The auction went on for nail biting hours. As is customary, the best horses are offered first, being shown ridden or ground driven. Then the untrained or unfit or unsound horses go into the arena loose; singly or in groups. We watched the auction online and anxiously. Around 9PM “Our Mare" was finally led through. She could hardly walk, and I think she was the last horse of the day. We placed our bid and won, then asked the auction house to hold her for pick up the next morning. They put her in a box stall with plenty of hay and water for the overnight.

When morning came and our transporter arrived, we got a little more insight into the mare's condition. We gave her a short trip, so she did not have to wait to be seen by a vet. Her condition was dire. She was very, very stiff and contracted and could not open her mouth enough to eat. We haven't seen a case of tetanus in years, but it was unmistakable and tragic. We had her humanely euthanized.

There was a cast of helpers for Pembroke Pulse, but behind them all was Bill Varney, and we could not have helped this mare to a peaceful end without him. We are forever grateful for all of his support over the years.

May you rest easy, Bill, and may your family and friends take comfort in knowing all the kindness, care and good works you provided while you were among us. You have left a lot of very good memories. A life well lived.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Anah Shriners, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, Maine

12/10/2024

Keebler POV. Enjoying the sun. Staying out of the wind. Studying tail draping.
(We are wondering if this is a set up for the P**p in the Bucket Game).

03/10/2024

Who we are helping today.
RISE Rise Disaster Relief & Recovery, Inc. is within an hour of affected disaster areas and is working with ASAR from Michigan, particularly in assistance of large animals and their owners. Today supplies were brought to those stranded on Black Mountain. I'm awaiting an update, since there were some thoughts that airlift may ultimately be necessary.
We hastened to get a package of requested supplies to them for the 26 horses involved. It should arrive in a couple of days.
Both organizations have pages and websites for further information and to make donations.
https://www.facebook.com/RiseDisasterRelief
https://www.facebook.com/asartraining

01/10/2024

Tuesdays are PAL (Police Activities League) days!
A group of teens are here most Tuesday afternoons to help with chores, learn about horses, take pictures, and give the equine residents lots of love and attention.
PAL and the Auburn Rec Department host tons of varied activities and programs for our community youth, and we are delighted to partner with them to provide the horse and farm experience.

01/10/2024

Just a quick note to let everyone know that our Friends located in areas affected by Hurricane Helene have checked in. They are in various stages of disruption and disrepair but surviving.
Resources are strained, and we wish to remind folks what a bad idea it is to self-dispatch. Despite good intentions, untrained volunteers are a burden rather than a help. The time to get involved is way ahead of the disaster by joining a team and getting some training. If you have an interest, we can point you in the right direction to prepare for the future.
Please allow trained personnel to do their jobs, gather supplies, and determine best strategies without interference.
For horses and other livestock, hay will be a big ongoing need. Lend your support to Fleet of Angels as an organization experienced in urgent logistics, able to get supplies where they are needed and can be received.
(Photo credit: ABC News, Fayetteville. Bob the horse and rescuers)

30/09/2024

More Special Olympics Equestrian Competition

30/09/2024