Let me try to simplify the “foal incident” of the second of March. Seems there are a number of folks that were not present that have taken it upon themselves, for one reason or another, to determine what actually occured. To determine (as they were NOT present) that my information is not correct. (You all know I am fond of questions… particularly the “why?”)
“Chance,” was all he needed…
So let’s take emotion out of the equation and discuss timeline:
11:25 arrival at PVC. Checked in at the desk with Tim, as always. John Neill was in the office at that time. Asked Tim where mares and foals were and he said in the front pen and also in back somwhere. (The exact location of horses at this moment seem to be a difficult question to answer simply).
11:30 began to walk around facility and photograph horses as I usually do. Mare foal pen observed the day before had the same pairs (still not present were two mare and foal pairs previously photographed). Documented very pregnant mares and noted tag numbers for future reference.
11:45 documented the few “hospital pens” that the public can actually see. Large puddles of water present as we had precipitation and melt off recently.
11:50 began the drive around the facility. Noted water truck spraying the pens in the back. Note there were high winds but no need for additional water as the roads were flooded and the pens had significant puddles. No dust present to go “airborn.”
12:00 documented large “caravan” of manure trucks leaving facility and returning, apparently filled with manure on departure.
12:05 water truck had returned presumably to refill and roadway was now clear. Made my way down to see the area he had sprayed (and caused horses to run).
12:09 discovered the “foal in question.” Photographed and returned for video camera as foal was in apparent distress. Foal and area wet.
After observing the situation as “unchanged” for about 20 minutes, determined baby was not “just fresh from the womb,” but in unmistakeable distress. I went to office. On my way to the office I made two calls to find out if there was someone that was interested in taking the pair.
At the office I informed Tim that a baby was in distress and I knew someone to take the foal/mare that was approved adopter. I told him about the water truck and location. He said someone would go out.
12:35 returned to foal. Water truck was again starting to spray the area. I stood at the point where foal was to indicate he should not continue.
1:42 John Neill and female wrangler drove truck into mare pen. When John got out of the truck I thanked him. He hardly looked in my direction and over his shoulder said that she gave birth first thing am and they knew about the baby… it was weak at birth. I told him I had observed baby and he was still fighting, I was “dismissed.” They removed blue liquid from cab, put baby in cab, drove off.
1:44 I took one last photo of babies mom and drove back to the office to check on babies condition.
John Neill and wrangler were out of the truck but got back into cab when I pulled up. They drove to the back of the facility where the dump trucks were removing manure and a few pens are hidden from view.
I went into office and repeated to Tim that I knew someone to take the pair. I left my number to please call me.
John Neill does not talk to me much after a discussion we had last spring that involved the specifics (who, what, how) of release of ”orphan foals” and the photographs of the colt that died at Broken Arrow after his feet fell off from Calico.(That colt had an adopter prepared to cover all medical expenses). So my expectation was that John would pass info to Tim and then Tim would tell me.
The gal that wanted to take the pair called me not ten minutes after I left PVC, she was in tears. She told me the baby was put down. Tim called me a moment after she did to confirm what she said. I thanked him for telling me.
NOW that is the “what is.”
Reasonable inference: That the water truck was never notified of the foal born in the corner area. As the truck sprayed the horses ran (they always do). The foal (if actually seen early that am) was seen at around 8 am when personnel began rounds to feed. Foal was there for a minimim of three hours before I saw it, most likely more. If the foal was observed to be new (weak) but simply waiting for bonding, it was left to bond. If an injury (or other issue was observed) foal was left in place until I “pointed it out.”
The question would be “why?” on many of these observations.
Draw your own conclusions. But that is the “what is.”
Note: completing compilation to be available soon. You can view video by scrolling to two posts back. That post describes how I felt… ill. Helpless and sick… it is not a good feeling. I can bring this information to you. This is still the US and law forbides me to act in any other manner… but for now… our Constitution allows me my voice (sort of).
Support the suit to open facilities and stop the secrecy of the hands on care of our horses.
http://wildhorseeducation.org
Hang in… hang on… and raise your voice.
