This is crossposted from another forum; hopefully someone in the MT area sees this and can help.

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Posting here with permission

Friends hope to complete woman's caring mission for animals

By KIM BRIGGEMAN of the Missoulian

Marilynn Taylor pets Sunny, one of the 11 Arabian horses in need of homes after her friend Lin Taylor died July 31 from injuries sustained in a horse-riding accident. Marilynn Taylor is a volunteer at Fox Hollow Animal Project, a nonprofit, low-cost spay and neuter clinic and is trying to find homes for the horses, cats, geese, ducks and chickens left behind after her friend's death. Photo by

LINDA THOMPSON/Missoulian

STEVENSVILLE - Lin Taylor's gate was forever open to animals in need.

She and they could use another hand now.

Taylor, 60, died unexpectedly July 31 at Community Medical Center in Missoula from internal injuries suffered a week earlier in a horseback accident on Bass Creek.


Left behind were 11 horses, 25 cats, two dogs and a passel of chickens, ducks and geese at her ranchette north of Stevensville, where Taylor, a retired U.S. Marine, lived alone since her husband

Steve died in 1997.

Homes have been found for the dogs, ducks and some laying hens, said Marilynn Taylor, a close friend who was no relation to Lin.

"We seem to be doing pretty well on the farm animals, though I think we'll have a hard time with the roosters," she said.

The Western Montana Humane Society has volunteered to take the geese and roosters if other owners can't be located.

Most of the cats are fostered out until homes can be found, though Marilynn said there's one old cat running around the place that won't let herself be caught.

But at a time when hay prices are skyrocketing and other economic factors have left horse sanctuaries jam-packed, locating proper and permanent homes for the horses could be a challenge.

"We'd like to find people who know horses, and especially people who know Arabs," Marilynn Taylor said.

All 11 are purebred Arabian. All but one of them are between 6 and 14 years of age. Lin's baby was Sunny, a 2-year-old gelding broke to halter.

They are healthy and well-fed. They nickered expectantly when Marilynn entered the barn Monday. Lin used to feed them three times a day, she explained. Those now helping to take care of the animals have cut the feedings down to mornings and evenings.

A few of the horses are injured and can't be ridden. Others, like Lin's top trail horse Echo, are accustomed to long rides in the mountains.

A graduate of Alberton High School, the former Lin Manning joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966. Among other things, she was an avid horseback rider and competed in endurance races while in California.

When she returned to Montana in the early 1990s with husband Steve Taylor, she found her dream home in the Bitterroot Valley, where she rode the surrounding mountains with friends. After her husband died, she began volunteering at Montana Spay/Neuter task force events.

"Often she would take unwanted kittens to find homes for them," Marilynn Taylor recalled at Lin's funeral services in Stevensville last Thursday. "Once she filled her horse trailer with carriers holding 15 kittens. I was hyperventilating just thinking about the job of raising and finding homes for that many kittens."

Often Lin bottle fed, nursed and medicated kittens so they could be adopted, Marilynn said at the funeral. "The ones who didn't find homes were welcome to stay at Lin's. She never turned an animal away."

Marilynn Taylor recounted the time a few winters ago when Lin asked her to drive to Kila with her to rescue three horses. Lin brought them back, fed them and eventually found homes for all three.

"She didn't have extra hay, but on faith that everything would work out, she took in the horses," Marilynn said.

Most of the Arabs weren't rescued because they were starving.

"A couple of them she bought because she just felt the situation they were in was so bad, and people just had too many to take care of," Marilynn said.

"Most of the time she simply gave the horses away to good homes. If she did get any money, it was spent to cover the cost of caring for the animals waiting for adoption.

In recent years, Taylor was a volunteer with Marilynn at Fox Hollow Animal Project, a nonprofit, low-cost spay and neuter clinic. At the time of her death, Lin was fostering cats for the

Hamilton-based Feral Cat Rescue.

Marilynn Taylor has taken the lead in the quest to place her friend's orphan animals in proper homes. It's a huge undertaking.

Retired from the College of Technology at the University of Montana, where she met Lin in the first place seven years ago, Marilynn is treasurer for Fox Hollow.

The organization was in the midst of a three-week break when Lin died, but is back in action this week. Starting Tuesday, Marilynn Taylor will be involved with neutering clinics five of the next six days.

Animal care will be covered by the neighbors and Lin's considerable circle of friends, she said. The horses will be comfortable at Lin Taylor's place for the foreseeable future. Fox Hollow is accepting donations to pay for feed and care, and Lin recently bought 20 ton of hay that should get the horses through the winter.

But they need to be relocated before the snow flies, Marilynn Taylor said. Lin's heir is her son, Scott Logan, who lives in California. He'll return to the Bitterroot next month to arrange for the sale of the ranchette. Taylor said Logan has agreed to foster the horses out and "pass along the papers" later if the matches work out.

Taylor said applicants for the horses will be screened "so they'll go to where the needs of both are met."

For more info contact:

Marilynn Taylor at

406-273-6007 or 406-381-0223

>>

Sad story - sounds like she was a wonderful woman and really cared about her horses. How horrible
I hope all of the horses find terrific caring homes

Lin Taylor was a good friend of mine, and I am still reeling from the news of her sudden passing. She died unexpectedly just over a week ago from complications from a horse accident. It will be some time until I can fully accept that she is gone . . .

Lin left behind eleven horses – all of which need to be adopted into permanent homes. These horses were everything to Lin, have been well cared for and are all healthy and in good condition. Many of these horses are going well under saddle (some with extensive trail experience), some are not able to be ridden, and there are some that are able but still need to be trained under saddle. If you or anyone you know may be interested in fostering or adopting one or more of Lin’s horses, please contact Marilyn Taylor (no relation) by leaving a message at the following number: (406) 273-6007. Lin’s horses are available for adoption to approved, permanent homes. All interested parties will be interviewed so that each horse is placed appropriately.

Here is a listing of the horses available:

YELLOWSTONE AHR*456434 20-April-1990 Chestnut Gelding (RG AL MONE x RAVENWOOD AMI)

ECHOS MYSTIQUE AHR*511450 12-May-1994 Grey Gelding (BEY ECHO x TAHZMANIA)

KHAYMAN AHR*528885 23-April-1995 Chestnut Gelding (ALADARA x FOUR SEAS KACHINA)

KL ALLEGRA AHR*549090 22-May-1997 Chestnut Mare (STERLIN x RAFFON FEL FIX)

FALAHAN AHR*557602 29-May-1997 Chestnut Stallion (now a gelding) (FALAT x AH SERAPHINA)

WOLINA AHR*557693 04-May-1998 Grey Mare (ELDANS WOTAN x ARALINA)

MOONRIVERFANTAZIA AHR*570555 03-June-1999 Black Mare (JUSSEIM x EXTRAE)

FILANI AHR*581279 24-April-1999 Grey Mare (WALOR x FINALE BK)

MOONRIVER KARMINA AHR*588512 12-May-2001 Chestnut Mare (ALADARA x FOUR SEAS KACHINA)

SIL BERRY RAFFON AHR*539353 11-March-1996 Bay Mare (SL SATIN STAR x RAFFON FEL FIX)

SUNSATIONAL BAY AHR*unknown 2006 Bay Gelding (GOLDEN ECSTASY x SIL BERRY RAFFON)

I am very interested in Wolina. Will contact proper folks tomorrow.

Cyclone

Sorry to here this I will pass the message her in MT and try to help out:( Shannon which ones are well broke.
Seems I have met lynn at a club meeting years ago.
shauna

Such a tragedy, sounds like she was a very wounderful person.

roger

Yes, Lin was a WONDERFUL person with the biggest heart . . . never refused an animal that was in need of care. And she didn't just care for them, she CHERISHED them. It was always a joy to see them blossom under her care and devotion.

Cyclone, please do contact Marilyn about Wolina, I hope you are able to adopt her.

Shauna, thank you for spreading the word here in Montana. I am not sure I know of all of the horses that are broke to ride, but can tell you that the following ARE broke to ride: SIL Berry Raffon, MoonRiverFantasia, Echos Mystique. I think there may be one or two more but am not sure which ones. KL Allegra and Filani MAY have been started, but I can't remember for sure (sorry!). I do know that Marilyn can give you all the details on their training status.

Roger, thank you for your kind words, Lin's passing is truly a loss . . . on so many levels.

Has anyone given some thought to sending this to Ken McNab?

He seems to be a wonderful person and if you can generate some interest from him, maybe he can take a couple or can help with finding them some homes?

I did a few days ago, but Marilyn advised against me getting Wolina for breeding. I am still torn as to whether or not her issues would be genetic as her pedigree says they are likely not. However, at this point, I accede to Marilyn's wishes and did not pursue adoption. They are confident they can find a more suitable arrangement for her, said Marilyn. I would have taken that mare in a heartbeat!

Cyclone

I didnt realize berry raffon was broke, maybe I will contact her tomorrow that is princes half sister. Do you know how broke she is shannon you used to own her didnt you? I am looking for a very broke horse.
shauna