Have we survived the winter? In a way I think we deserve a medal of honor for even living where icicles hang several inches off the bottom of our horses' winter coats. Dogs dont even want to venture outside to go to the bathroom, and all we can hope is that our cars will start in the morning in the sub zero temperatures.
I am crazy, I am crazy, I am crazy - that is all I can think each day - I want to get out of January so I can feel as though there is at least some end in sight?
At least the horses here have weathered the cold without too much discomfort. We have so many horses in their 20's that I have to worry just that little extra bit, but each morning they all stand, present and accounted for, without even a winter blanket. In fact, most of the horses literally RUN from me when they see me coming with one!
Some of my friends have not been so fortunate this winter with their loved equine companions, and my heart goes out to each of them. Bonnie called to tell me that Starzie, a STB gelding she got from the Amish in his 20's several years ago, had been peacefully put to sleep after a two day battle with falling and not being able to get up. Delaney Rae passed a few days ago - she had a front ankle/leg injury that she had lived with for many years and this winter she just had not been able to keep the weight on. We are sorry for Elaine and Stephanie's loss.
Then only today, Carmen suffered the loss of a very young horse, and you may remember her as Angel Spirit, daughter of Land of Witches. This was a shock to us, as she was just on the beginning journey of her life, and had lived with Carmen for the past couple of years as a foster horse. Carmen has a $320 vet bill and a $95 necropsy bill to pay and is unable to do so at this time. I want to ask any of you who want to make a donation in her memory to do so contact me.
Carmen is our placement assistant and she also maintains the web site at no charge to us. We want to help her and ASAP will do so as much as it is able.....we are still in a state of shock as I write this and this is her second loss this winter, as Nougat also passed away of something similar. If you can help either mail Carmen a check directly to the address on the application on our web site in North Branch or email her at mkcar1@usfamily.net Angel will be sadly missed.
On a more positive note, Super Bowl Joe and Picasso were officially adopted, and Little Tyrone went to his new home in Minnesota. Dr. Helsing from Illinois adopted Skater Boy! A four year old filly was moved into foster care in the Springfield IL area, and two are waiting in Illinois and there is an urgent need to get them moved from the breeding farm and Maywood Park Race track. So it has been a productive week for people adopting and also volunteering their time shipping or fostering and we very much appreciate it. We are hoping that Rollin Jesse also may have a home, as she is now retrained to saddle and a different mare from the one she was last summer! We still are seeking a companion home for Idlewhile Niatros.
We had pony club this morning and it was great to feel warmth instead of bitter cold on our breath as the four girls and I went to the barn for grooming, identifying horse body parts, and a little bareback riding. I hope it gets warmer from here on in!
Take care and I'll write soon.
Susan
I am crazy, I am crazy, I am crazy - that is all I can think each day - I want to get out of January so I can feel as though there is at least some end in sight?
At least the horses here have weathered the cold without too much discomfort. We have so many horses in their 20's that I have to worry just that little extra bit, but each morning they all stand, present and accounted for, without even a winter blanket. In fact, most of the horses literally RUN from me when they see me coming with one!
Some of my friends have not been so fortunate this winter with their loved equine companions, and my heart goes out to each of them. Bonnie called to tell me that Starzie, a STB gelding she got from the Amish in his 20's several years ago, had been peacefully put to sleep after a two day battle with falling and not being able to get up. Delaney Rae passed a few days ago - she had a front ankle/leg injury that she had lived with for many years and this winter she just had not been able to keep the weight on. We are sorry for Elaine and Stephanie's loss.
Then only today, Carmen suffered the loss of a very young horse, and you may remember her as Angel Spirit, daughter of Land of Witches. This was a shock to us, as she was just on the beginning journey of her life, and had lived with Carmen for the past couple of years as a foster horse. Carmen has a $320 vet bill and a $95 necropsy bill to pay and is unable to do so at this time. I want to ask any of you who want to make a donation in her memory to do so contact me.
Carmen is our placement assistant and she also maintains the web site at no charge to us. We want to help her and ASAP will do so as much as it is able.....we are still in a state of shock as I write this and this is her second loss this winter, as Nougat also passed away of something similar. If you can help either mail Carmen a check directly to the address on the application on our web site in North Branch or email her at mkcar1@usfamily.net Angel will be sadly missed.
On a more positive note, Super Bowl Joe and Picasso were officially adopted, and Little Tyrone went to his new home in Minnesota. Dr. Helsing from Illinois adopted Skater Boy! A four year old filly was moved into foster care in the Springfield IL area, and two are waiting in Illinois and there is an urgent need to get them moved from the breeding farm and Maywood Park Race track. So it has been a productive week for people adopting and also volunteering their time shipping or fostering and we very much appreciate it. We are hoping that Rollin Jesse also may have a home, as she is now retrained to saddle and a different mare from the one she was last summer! We still are seeking a companion home for Idlewhile Niatros.
We had pony club this morning and it was great to feel warmth instead of bitter cold on our breath as the four girls and I went to the barn for grooming, identifying horse body parts, and a little bareback riding. I hope it gets warmer from here on in!
Take care and I'll write soon.
Susan
