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Darcy was rescued while pregnant from a slaughter auction.  She came to us ferrel and very scared.  Her baby, Mathe was born on the ranch healthy despite of horrific abuse Darcy suffered.  Darcy is being socialized and beginning to trust a gentle touch.

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Spring has sprung…or at least it is making a very strong effort. Our orchard is prematurely boasting new buds, the air is full of the promise of the fragrance of blooming flowers yet to come, and new life is starting to make an appearance by way of birds trumpeting the joy of the arrival of a nest full of chirping youngsters and new little bunnies invading our freshly planted flower beds. As for Red Bucket, we are tenderly linking our arms…and our hearts while we prepare for the birth of our three new little foals. Marlee, Darla, and Darcy, our malnourished, neglected and abused feral mares recently saved from slaughter are showing telltale signs that the new birthdays are not as far into the future as we may like. While these three new mothers may have been robbed of the joy and blissful innocence of their pregnancies and deprived of every shred of dignity, we are slowly building their trust by way of our consistency, compassion, and kindness. We are channeling our outrage for the abuse and indignity that they suffered into gentle words and a positive energy that we hope will permeate the rightfully defensive amour of our beautiful mothers to be. Marlee, Darla, and Darcy will themselves soon bloom with heath, live in peace, and nurture their babies….babies who will never know the torment, fear and unspeakable abuse that their mother survived. We will keep you posted, and thank you for supporting our meaningful work. We are grateful.

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It is only later in quiet reflection that we see the irony in the juxtaposition of our work. Our weekend started early and finished long, as we welcomed Darcy’s daughter into the world and onto a ranch that she has instant equity in. While the birth itself wasn’t completely outside of the bell shaped curve, several factors that ran the gamete from concerning to down right alarming kept us on edge and on our feet all weekend. Mathe’s (Mat-he) birth was a little difficult on Darcey, certainly there were preceding factors that may have contributed to this including stress and malnutrition. The baby was large and most likely over due….and Darcey has had more than her fair share of bringing foals into the world. Darcy retained her placenta for 53 hours leaving us helpless and frantic. We found ourselves able to cheer and celebrate the birth of Darcy’s last foal when at last as she finally passed her placenta. Her daughter, a stunning grulla Quarter Horse filly is healthy, nursing, showing signs of curiosity…and is bucking, playing, and beginning a life as a wanted horse. It is only in the dawn of a new day, when both mother and baby are out of the danger zone, do we remember that Darcy’s pregnant body, vandalized with thoughtlessly placed brands was sold callously to slaughter. This morning Darcy nurses her daughter in a well bedded stall, with a manger full of hay, and a red bucket that is delivers nourishment and a newly found dignity. Happy birthday to our perfect little Mathe…and a job well done to her remarkable mother, Darcy.

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With four newly minted and perfectly healthy little foals scampering, playing, bucking, and frolicking around Red Bucket, it is easy to get lost in all that adorable fun. McGarrah, Kami, Micah, and Mathe are completely distracting during their waking hours, and when they are curled up (or in Mathe’s case completely stretched out) they have the ability to completely derail our entire operation, as we cannot take our eyes off of what has presented itself to us as a miracle. We are however reminded of perhaps what is even more magical…their mothers who have endured terror, starvation, and the horrors of impending slaughter to
deliver, nurture…and love their babies. Yes, we have a tremendous commitment to these foals, who will never know the unspeakable abuse that their mothers survived in order to bring them life, and we will remain supremely dedicated to these glorious mares who demonstrate devotion at a level that is spellbinding. Red Bucket celebrates Darcy, Marlee, Angelica, Darcey, and little orphan Roulettes mother…wherever she might be.