Brighter View Farm TN

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

05/21/2026

There have been reports of black bear sightings in the area of the barn. Here is a really helpful post from a local wildlife rehabber with tips on how to
decrease the chance of feeding the bears, even inadvertently, as that puts them more at risk.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KoJhEzaBW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We’ve received calls about two separate black bears in the Chattanooga area in the last two days. Yay! Just like the Smokies to our north, Southeast Tennessee is normal, natural habitat for black bears. While they went unseen here for decades, they’re slowly reclaiming their native range. Their presence in Hamilton County is, itself, no more of an emergency than the presence of a squirrel or a hawk.

The first call we got was yesterday, when a yearling, who was mistaken by the caller for an unweaned cub, crossed the road at the busy 24/75 interchange and got a little freaked out and stayed in the median for a while. The bear eventually crossed the road successfully and has been spotted all day making his way away from the busy parts of the city: first East Brainerd, then Ooltewah, and now Athens. This is exactly what a bear is supposed to do. Good bear!

The other yearling spent the whole day in a tree in Cleveland, TN. We stopped by to check on it since we were in the area anyway. It, too, was doing exactly what bears are supposed to do. Just hanging out in a tree being a bear. Cool. TWRA and Bradley County Sheriff’s Office stopped by and kept an eye on it to make sure nobody did anything stupid, like, y’know, climbing up the tree to pet the bear. (Anyone who’s worked in the Smokies can tell you that people do, in fact, do things like that.)

So what can we all do to help these bears? For the love of all things holy, don’t feed them! If they start eating handouts from people, that will be the very end of their story because they will end up euthanized. That means that you need to feed your pets indoors, take down your bird feeders, and keep your trash secured. Even if the feeding is incidental, it will contribute to the demise of these beautiful animals.

If you do spot a bear that is actually injured or posing an immediate danger to humans— and please be aware that simply existing does not mean danger— please call TWRA dispatch at (800) 831-1174 or call 911.

Let’s all work together for the sake of our most treasured native wildlife!

05/20/2026

Brighter View has a visitor today. Girly Pop is from . She has been struggling with shelter life so she’s having a day out at the barn. Look at those eyes! She’s sweet, curios and enjoys some attention. She’s looking for a foster home (or a forever home!) so if you are in the Chattanooga area and also want to spend some time with this beautiful baby, contact

05/18/2026

Barn babies, but not the typical kind that get posted. ❤️😊🐣

05/12/2026

How you know it’s fly season and also how you know who is the uncooperative mare…
For all the non-horse people, horses wearing fly masks does not mean the horse is blind. They are wearing to keep the annoying flies out of their eyes instead. And yes, they can see through them without problem.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to those who mother in all the forms! If today is hard for whatever reason, text or message if you’d like some unofficial barn or horse “therapy” time. There is peace in sitting in the shade of the big tree in the barnyard watching nature, walking down to the creek, meandering the pasture and watching the horses graze, or even brushing on a pony.

05/09/2026

Update on Max, Jelly Bean and Nudge:
Last week the three remaining OTTB kill-pen rescues left us. The plans changed a little. Nudge has been having hoof issues so he ended up going to Equine Pride Training and Farrier Services where Chris is going to work their magic helping him to get sound. Jelly Bean and Max still went to a trainer out-of-state to make sure they are set-up for success in their future. Updates from both have been positive. Nudge is already making some progress. Max and Jelly Bean are creating a little havoc, only good havoc of course, but havoc that isn’t surprising knowing them. They’ve run and bucked, bucked and run, and run some more. And water. I’m not sure they were there even 48 hours before Max repurposed the very large trough into a horsey pool and splashed and paddled for all he was worth. Jelly Bean, also loving water, wasn’t pleased that she also couldn’t fit in the trough too. The quote from the trainer about the two of them was, “I love them!” Can’t get better than that! Seeing them leave was hard, but knowing they are doing well helps.

05/06/2026

Horses, birds and dogs 💜 The critters are delightful.

05/04/2026

I know the birds aren’t loved by everyone, but they do so much good by keeping the insects down and I love that! Currently have two nests, one that was recently “remodeled” with some long mane hair, and the babies are chatty. Yes, they make a little bit of a mess but they are also eating the massively annoying flying pests like mosquitoes so they are welcome to come back. I only recently learned that their nests are protected, too!