Happy New Year!!

And with a bang, 2011 ended and 2012 began!

2011 was quite a year for A Pinch of Luck.  From January until mid-May, we battled a nasty bacterial infection at the farm that forced us into a self-quarantine and stopped any horses from coming into or going out of the farm.  It made bringing in any new retirees almost impossible, though Wicked Queen did join us at the home farm in February, and stopped us from getting anyone other than Bob's Big Hope and Sidewinder (who stayed with us at the farm as a resident and who moved to California at the close of the quarantine, respectively) into new homes until the air cleared and everyone was healthy.  From that rocky start, which virtually tied our hands for the first six months of the year, we still placed or assisted forty three horses after life on the track and off of "The Truck."

2011 was a year of accomplishment in that, in spite of that rocky start, we fell only four horses shy of the same number we rehomed/retired in 2011.  It was a year to be proud of ourselves for growing inspite of adversity and for  continued  tweaking of the program to make it the best that it can be for the horses, the girls at the farm who are so integral to its success, and to the families and individuals who open their hearts to the horses that travel from our hands to theirs.

2011 was also a year of sadness in the loss of the lovely Hull Bay in April, of the wonderful campaigner Bob's Big Hope in May.  Our dear friend Sally waited her whole life for a horse like "Big," and was blessed to share his world until Memorial Day when he passed very unexpectedly from colic.  Big was the personification of racing and the heart that sport's thousands of athletes have.  He could become larger than life as he strutted his stuff in the ring, and in the next moment, could settle and drop his nose down to ruffle Sally's son's hair.  Though Holden (Hull Bay) never did officially have a family to call his own, we so happily called him ours, and know for sure, that both he and Big left this Earth very much loved, and are still very much missed.

As we look into 2012, we hope for continued successes of our horses who have found new homes, and hope, too, for continued success of our program here at A Pinch of Luck.  We are investigating the pros and cons of establishing 501(c)3 status, and will keep you all posted.  It would seem that to help the program continue to grow and expand, and ultimately have a home all of its very own (though we love our leased farm very, very much), that this may be the best path to choose!  Anyone with thoughts, ideas, or experience that may help us with this plan, please do get in touch!!!

To all of you, best wishes for the Happiest, Healthiest, and most Prosperous of New Years!!  Cheers to 2012! 

May it be great!!!!!


                              --Heather