Beautiful Zip arriving at Sassafras Farm:
As soon as she made a whinny, Patriot knew who was here. He was all the way across the barn yard. He came running. I can’t possibly describe how frantic he was to get to her. I was afraid he’d break the fence down before we could get her in there!
He ran along following as she was moved into the front barn yard, but he was in the back.
He finally remembered he needed to come around the barn to get back into the front barn yard.
In case you missed this in the previous post yesterday on the Daily Farm page, Patriot and Zip were found together, with two other horses, starving and wandering loose in September, 2011. They are bonded, and you never saw two happier horses than when they found themselves together again. I know that I have a tendency to over-anthropomorphize animals, but these two horses truly wanted to be together. Due to housing availability, they had been through their recoveries after rescue at separate farms. They had been brought together the day I took Morgan initially to see the rescue horses, and Morgan and I were both touched by their story and how happy they were to be with each other again. We decided to adopt Patriot, but it wasn’t long before both of us admitted to each other that we wanted Zip, too, so that she and Patriot could be together. I brought it up to Morgan one day, and she said, “I was thinking the same thing!” So here they are.
There was a lot of nuzzling and loving and happy horsey hanging out.
But there was no time to sit back and enjoy that at the moment–at least for the humans. Time to load Buttercup, the visiting heifer, and take her home.
And away we went to SarahGrace’s farm.
I was so happy to see BP!
While Buttercup was being unloaded, I flew to the arms of my beloved! Or tried to. BP, she just wasn’t as interested in flying into my arms as I was into hers. She had dried mud on her face and flies were batting around her, but I would have flung my arms around her except she walked away.
Cows, they are so heartless!
Glory Bee was already contained in a stall, to prevent her from getting up to any of her antics, and both were led quickly to the trailer.
They loaded pretty easily, just took a few minutes–best BP/Glory Bee load I’ve seen so far!
Back at Sassafras Farm, they were safely unloaded and got busy in their cows-only pasture right away.
I’m so happy to have them home, but I think they could really care less. We think/hope they are both bred. They’ve been with the bull at SarahGrace’s farm (a Limousin bull) for over two months. The bull was seen paying attention to them in the first half of their stay, but not in the second half, which indicates they’re bred. There is little doubt about Glory Bee. She’s young, primed for breeding at this age. If BP didn’t take this time, after the past year of previous effort, it’s probably retirement time for her. Retirement, by the way, on Sassafras Farm isn’t a euphemism for the butcher. Retirement for BP will be a home on Sassafras Farm as long as she lives, as the Queen Mother of the cow pasture with limited royal duties.
Back to the horses!
Morgan and I wanted to see Tinia put a bridle and bit on Patriot, because he’s been so difficult with us on that.
He resisted, but being an expert, she got it on him after several minutes of struggle.
Everybody agrees he needs some training, and I’m planning to have some professional training with him this summer. Our original plans for training and lessons fell through due to some health issues with the riding instructor, but I’ve been in touch with another trainer and hope to be set up with training and lessons soon.
Patriot and Zip, happily ever after:
Everybody’s home!
KellyWalkerStudios says:
So glad that everyone is back home. And especially happy that you brought two friends back together! I love that story. Don’t you wish there was some way we could communicate to make them understand that this was the plan so they wouldn’t have to worry? You did good girls!!!
On May 8, 2012 at 7:28 am
caprilis says:
:snoopy: YAY!!! :snoopy:
On May 8, 2012 at 7:30 am
wkf says:
Zip has a lovely head. :heart:
On May 8, 2012 at 7:35 am
Old Geezer says:
There’s a children’s book here!
The story of Zip and Patriot. There first meeting (imagined) on a happy farm. That farm goes bust and is taken over by evil people. Zip and Patriot are stolen by an abusive person and ill used. Unfortunate events separate them (another thief/abuser?). They both escape their confinement. Maybe one frees the other, or they find each other while on the run. Close to death, they are rescued by the horse rescue people and nursed back to health. They are separated again, but not for long, prior to adoption. They are finally reunited at Sassafras farm and live happily every after.
Shouldn’t take you more than a few hours, Suzanne!
On May 8, 2012 at 7:38 am
wildcat says:
So glad that BP and Glory Bee are back home, I know you missed them!
And Patriot and Zip are just precious – they look so happy! :snuggle:
On May 8, 2012 at 7:48 am
bonita says:
Noticed that the 6th pic down, Zip and Patriot walking into the sunset, is nearly the same image you have of Glory Bee and BP. You’ve got a nice selection of animals, 2 x 2…expecting rain?
On May 8, 2012 at 8:41 am
foofeee says:
I am so glad you adopted both Patriot and Zip. Horses are herd animals and are happiest in a group. Even if these two weren’t bonded, Patriot would be much happier with a companion. Zip is just that much better for him! Enjoy! I can’t wait to hear about the first time you fall off Zip. It is said you aren’t a true rider until you land on the ground. When it happens, and it will, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get right back on.
On May 8, 2012 at 9:34 am
Cheryl LeMay says:
Zip is very very pretty.I’m so glad you were able to reunite those two. It’s nice to see your cows back home. Maybe it was just the angle in the picture I was looking at but it looks like GB is bigger than BP.They both look good and hopefully are pregnant. Maybe BP just needed extra time to get in condition to become pregnant.
On May 8, 2012 at 9:34 am
ulli says:
What a great post! So happy for all. I love the heart you have for animals.
On May 8, 2012 at 9:45 am
amateisgal says:
I echo the children’s book idea! :snoopy:
I love this post – I love that your cows are home and that you will have a baby calf in the near future (and maybe two!). I love Zip and Patriot’s love for each other and I love that they’re together again.
Happy sigh. I needed this post this morning. Thank you, Suzanne. :hug:
On May 8, 2012 at 9:53 am
nursemary says:
Heartwarming and wonderful! So happy for all of you.
Mary
On May 8, 2012 at 10:16 am
cabynfevr says:
Congratulations! Let the fun begin 🙂
On May 8, 2012 at 10:24 am
Leck Kill Farm says:
Horses can be funny, especially ones with “issues.” Like dogs, I think they can sense human emotions. My father could handle the most difficult of them but they walked all over my mother.
I am aniously awaiting cow pregnancy news!
On May 8, 2012 at 10:26 am
JerseyMom says:
I am sooooo happy that Patriot and Zip are together once more and that they can be confident in having it stay that way! Thank you, Suzanne and Morgan!! :hug:
Good to see the cows back home as well. It’s going to be a great summer on Sassafras Farm!
On May 8, 2012 at 10:49 am
Rose H says:
I’m SO pleased for you all, nestled and settled at home together, what could be better?
:sun: :happyflower: :sun: :happyflower:
On May 8, 2012 at 11:16 am
DancesInGarden says:
I had to giggle at the “grumpy horse” look on Patriot in his bridle LOL. Yeah, he is not a happy boy with that on. Perhaps he is used to a bitless bridle? I seem to remember from waaaaaaay back at horse camp, that some horses used a bridle without one. There was also one that was pole shy and was never tied. He would stand at his post until he saw you coming with his bucket, then would gallop at you full speed down the row! Used to scare the begeeebers out of me. Glad everyone is home!
On May 8, 2012 at 11:22 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
Hoooray! Everyone is where they belong!
On May 8, 2012 at 11:27 am
Gardengirl1 says:
I absolutely love this post, Suzanne! What a wonderful happy home for Patriot and Zip and BP and Glory Bee !They are so fortunate to have such loving, caring owners! I was just sitting here thinking about Sassafras Farm and about the beautiful new beginnings for all of you since your move there ! I am so happy for all of you ! It looks like a lot of work, but the important thing is that you enjoy it and that the animals are healthy and happy too ! :fairy: 😀
On May 8, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Pat says:
As the saying goes, “God is in His heaven, and all is right with the world.” All the animals are home, and all is well at Sassafras Farm!
:snoopy:
Pat in Eastern NC
On May 8, 2012 at 12:18 pm
liz2 says:
This post brought happy tears to my eyes.
On May 8, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Jan Hodges says:
Terrific news, great story and beautiful pictures! It is wonderful to see those horses together.
On May 8, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Flowerpower says:
I think some people think animals dont have feelings but you can see clearly they do. At the elephant sanctuary here in Tn…there were 2 elephants that had been companions many years but separated for a long time. Elephant sanctuary folks knew nothing of the bond between then but when they were put together it was just like your two horses. These were 2 females and it was the sweetest thing. All seems to be right and God is in His heaven! :happyflower:
On May 8, 2012 at 1:30 pm
lifeisgood/ Melinda says:
I must be going thru “the change” cause this post made me bawl like a baby! I am so glad all your animals are safe and sound and finally home where they belong. God bless your farm!
On May 8, 2012 at 2:15 pm
bbkrehmeyer says:
Nothing better than gigantic piles of horse and cow poop to make your garden flourish. Put it in a barrel, fill with water. Let it sit for several weeks and use it to water all the plants. .
On May 8, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Country Blossom says:
You and Morgan are correct that some horses bond tightly with another horse. I have seen it firsthand several times. Doing rescue I had two mares bond and was blessed that the owner of the one mare was very willing to take the other mare too. When they were being loaded to go to their new homes, the mares were calling frantically to one another until it was clear that BOTH were getting on the trailer. They settled immediately then. Their new human said they called again when the first was unloaded. Their bond was tight and very visible to everyone. I’m delighted that the mares are still together and retired in peace. You are doing an awesome act to accept both Patriot and Zip into your home and heart.
On May 8, 2012 at 4:29 pm
zshawn says:
my inner “farm woman” just loves your daily posts and this was an especially heartwarming one. glad all is well on Sassafras farm. and all your ducks are in a row.
On May 8, 2012 at 4:36 pm
missjane says:
Suzanne, I love your animal stories! Thanks for saving animals and giving them a good home. You are the best!
On May 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm
shirley T says:
Happy days are here again!!!Maybe after patriot is with his mate for a while he will be more contented and will let Morgan ride him. I do believe you have your plate pretty full, Good luck!!
On May 8, 2012 at 4:52 pm
shirley T says:
P.S. Your horses are beautiful.
On May 8, 2012 at 4:57 pm
whaledancer says:
It’s touching to see Patriot and Zip so happy at being reunited. It brings tears to my eyes. You’re right, those two need to be together. I think now they will be well and truly home, and will be healed in heart as well as body.
And your cows are home, too. Happy day!
On May 8, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Tina says:
Such a sweet story! It brought tears to my eyes. I’m so glad Zip and Patriot are together again. You did a good thing adopting both of them.
On May 8, 2012 at 5:25 pm
farmkat says:
Happy Tears!
I just love rescue stories with happy endings.
btw. Have you read the books by Kim Meeder? Hope Rising and Bridge Called Hope. They have a place in Oregon – they take in rescue horses or abused horses and pair them with kids who need “rescue” or have been abused. Stories that’ll make you cry.
Thanks for all your posts, Suzanne. I don’t comment much, but I do enjoy reading about your little kingdom.
May Yahuah bless you.
Kathy
On May 8, 2012 at 7:10 pm
ferngrower says:
This brought tears to my eyes. It’s amazing how every animal on your farm is a pet, right down to the chickens! :heart: :heart:
On May 9, 2012 at 8:52 am
Ms.Becky says:
I love love love this story about Patriot and Zip. Heartwarming and uplifting. I’m happy they’re together again. Who doesn’t love a story with a happy ending! :airkiss:
On May 9, 2012 at 11:15 am
sophanne says:
I love what you do and how you share. Thank you so much for being you.
On May 9, 2012 at 10:29 pm