03/08/2026
Life on the ranch can be stressful but incredibly rewarding as we get to see miracles and God working in our lives.
Yesterday AM the girls went to the barn to do AM chores. Our horse Miami Annie had laid down in her stall and had positioned herself in an awkward situation and couldn't get back up. We tried unsuccessfully to get her back up and we couldnt physically move her. We are guessing she was down most of the night and her strength was gone as she had spent hours trying to get up. I got the skid out to pull her out of the stall. We rigged a harness around her chest with blankets so she wouldn't be hurt so we could get her out and not hurt her. There were five of us working together to save her... Kenzie, Kenzie's boyfriend Eric, Kennia, Javanna and myself. Horses are not meant to be off their feet for long periods of time. We finally got her out of the stall in the hopes she would be able to get herself up. No luck... We then rigged a harness with tow ropes just behind her front legs and in front of her back legs so I could lift her with the skid. It took time, patience and extreme carefullness as we needed to make sure she was secure and at the same time not hurt her. We all had our jobs that we just naturally did. Eric tirelessly put the straps on her pushing and pulling them under her body... keep in mind this is a 1500 pound animal and this is no small job to do. He repeatedly moved and repositioned the tow ropes, tied and retied them to make sure she did not get hurt. Kenz... stayed at Miami's head talking to her, keeping her calm and reassuring her she was going to be okay. Kennia had an extremely important job to keep an eye on EVERYTHING... if ropes slipped, if Miami was moving or getting ready to move so people could get back and not accidently kick by her thrashing legs, watching me in the skid so I was close enough to Miami but not to close to where she could injure herself. AND then Javanna was our gopher... she ran to get water, ran to get a blanket, kept the kitties away OR when someone needed to take a break as it was extremely stressful and emotional Javanna would step in and take over for that person so they could walk away and take a breather.
We finally got Miami up and realized her back legs would not support her as they were numb. We had to then position her legs for support. This was no easy task..... remember 1500 pound plus animal. Slowly and surely we got her standing on all 4 legs. We were all THANKING JESUS!!!!
We let her stand there for a few minutes giving her some grain which she loved!!!!! We unhooked her from the harness and Kenz slowly started walking her to the arena. She just got to the gate opening and Miami collapsed in exhaustion. She walked about 5 feet and her strength was gone.
I looked at Miami collapsed on the ground. Her head laying in the dirt, her body heaving gasping for air, acknowledging yet resisting that this is seriously more life threatening than I realized. We could actually lose her. Everyone was looking at me questioning with their eyes full of tears what do we do now? I didnt know how to answer or what to do???? My go to is JESUS. I started praying!!!! I prayed for help. I prayed for guidance. I prayed for strength. I prayed for help again.
We refastened the tow ropes and I picked Miami up and carried her into the arena. Everyone had a body part that they were supporting as she was limp. Her strength was totally gone. If she hadn't been breathing I would have guessed she had passed and I was moving a dead horse. After losing Buddy just last weekend the memories were fresh in my mind and I personally was struggling. We got Miami laid down in the arena and got her up on her chest and stomach which is a normal way for horses to be. We got her fresh water and some hay. We got a blanket and covered her. I told everyone that we needed to let her rest and hopefully with the grain, water, and hay she would regain her strength. Someone asked what happens if she can't get up. I answered..... we dont want to go there right now... we got the skid out again to get Miami up. This time we had an additional help as Emery was able to help us. It was nice to have an additional person. I could tell that Miami had rested and she had some of her strength back. So... once again, we rigged the harness on her, and slowly lifted her to standing position. Her back legs were still numb so at one point she was completely off her feet dangling in the air. I slowly lower her and the kids positioned her back legs so she could stand. Her back legs buckled a bit and her front legs were solid. We had to do this several times... lifting, lowering, positioning her back legs, letting her front legs touch the ground so she could get feeling in her back legs. Once she was able to stand even wobbly.... we started the massages. One person was at her head to talk and reassure her and then one person was at each of her legs rubbing and massaging her legs from the top to her hoof. We did this for about 20 minutes. As we were doing this, Miami was slowly lifting her legs and stepping in place as if trying herself to get the blood flowing in her legs. To me... this was awesome to see as she wasn't giving up. After this time, we unhooked her and I pulled away. They got Miami over the fence so she could eat her grain herself. We blanketed her as she was cold and we needed to get her warm again. We were THANKING JESUS again for the miracle we had witness. Crisis over...... or so we thought.
An hour later the girls went to the barn to do chores. Miami was still up and happily eating her hay. THANKYOU JESUS
I had some hay delivered and as I was unloading it.... they came and told me Miami was down again. My heart sank. I told them I would be there soon as had to change the forks to the bucket as I wasn't going to risk hurting her with the forks. I also told them... it was all hands on deck.... which means everyone in the barn to help....
We started all over again in getting Miami up once more. Fortunately, Miami was able to help as she already had some of her strength back. We were able to get the straps on her again. Through this entire process throughout the day... this horse.... this amazing animal.... never fought us in what we were doing. The multiple times she was suspended in the air, the tow ropes around her, the skid just inches away from her.... she never fought us nor did she show any fear.... this in itself is a miracle....
It didnt take us long to get her up and standing. We unhooked her and she walked over and started helping herself to more food. I asked what caused her to go down and the girls said she was excited to see her friends and lost her balance. I had to smile as this is so human in being extremely happy to see friends .
Miami was checked on several times throughout the evening to make sure she was still standing and she was.
I slept like a log due to the workout wirh Miami and the hard work at the Montour House. Everyone slept soundly last nite... I got up to do chores and didn't wake anyone as I was dreading going to the barn. I was fearful of what I might find. I was preparing for the worst and praying for a miracle. I was scared to my core that we had last her overnight. In her weakened state I knew if she went down and had laid there for several hours she probably wouldn't be with us. I stood outside the barn door for several minutes taking deep breathes. I opened the door and my eyes searched for the blue blanketed horse.... she was standing by her feed bucket and turned her head, saw me and nickered a good morning to me. The tension and stress I had been holding for 24 hours released immediately and I started crying. I ran over to Miami talking to her, and rubbed her faced.
I know I witnessed a miracle. I know without a doubt JESUS was the reason.
I can't thank ERIC, KENZIE, KENNIA, JAVANNA, AMD EMERY enough for what they all did. A life was saved due to their efforts. They are all part of this MIRACLE.
The next steps for Miami? She will be in the arena until she has fully recovered. She will be getting 3 a day grain, full hay and of course water. Tonite we are going to start a walking routine to start working on those muscles. Slow but sure to improve her health.
I know this was a very long post but wanted you all to know how we care and love our animals and a a day in the life of the ranch. This isn't the 1st time we have been witness to miracles and Im sure it won't be the last. I am so thankful to our Almighty God for sending his SON Jesus for all of us. I truly do not know how I would survive without knowing JESUS is beside me.
We do appreciate prayers and get well wishes for Miami. Thanks for reading about our MIRACLE!!!!
