I Don't Know Much, But I Know This.........

What a title! I was out in the cold mud tonite taking burrs out of Steelin Apples' mane and tail. I finally got tired of the wind so brought Apples to the barn and before long he was looking great again, but still muddy. This time of year is hard for me. In years past, as a child, we were long gone from Wisconsin and back in California before the temperatures dropped much below freezing. I never missed the snow, glad to be in the green hills surrounding the Almaden Valley in San Jose. The apricot blossoms came out in February there, and if it ever got below 35 degrees it was the topic of conversation around the neighborhood. The biggest storms of the season occur in winter out there, and I remember them well. During the Christmas season my mom would decorate our front porch with bright outdoor lights. She would have to fight the birds who had built nests in the vines that grew along the top of the porch. The sun was usually shining on Christmas Eve. It was green all around, and that is what somehow my heart will always long for - a green and warm Christmas!
In January the storms would howl. We often lost power during the lightning storms the blew across the hills. We had mud slides. One day my mother was doing dishes, looking out the kitchen window. A huge gust of wind came and our neighbor's roof was sucked off of their house and blew away! Thankfully, our neighbors were okay.
That was winter for me. So, naturally, now from September through November every urge to "run" has to be resisted. I am somewhat like a migratory bird that has had to learn to weather all four seasons. I do it, but I don't like it. I often think about moving and thinking, "Where am I going to find a place either west or south that has enough pasture for 25 horses, and if we find it, can we afford it?" GOOD QUESTION. Time will tell, but change is always hard, isn't it? Maybe that's why we all stick around.

Each day we are faced with people who have tough choices to make regarding whether or not they can keep their horses. We are hearing of more and more home foreclosures, divorces, losses of jobs, and some foster families who have been providing care for a horse for a number of years who just can no longer afford to do it. So I wake up to each new day wondering who will be knocking on the door of ASAP, needing to find a new home for a horse. Most times it is a very kind request, while at others are less than kind but cannot be taken personally under their financial circumstances. We are going as fast as we can to find horses homes, but sometimes it takes time. I heard at Waukon the horse prices have dipped to where you can get a horse for $5-$50. SADDDD....

Update on the Amish horse whose owners were hit on the highway: the horse is still doing well and is improving! I am thankful that the Amish family made a commitment to this gelding to see to it that he is being treated, even knowing that by spring he may not be useable as a buggy horse any more. They really care about him and the veterinarian is working closely with them at no charge. What a great vet! I know him, as he did treat Wolfie during his struggle with cancer and also saved a kitten that my kids injured by accident years ago.

Status at farm: Had to bring four horses back from summer pasture last weekend so we are once again at 23 for numbers. I am hoping to place Lyric in the next couple of weeks. Bell Valley Titan is now here - a very sweet STB filly - loves to be at your side and calls for you when you come outside. Not afraid of anything!
Waiting to come in:
Pinedon
Mick
Z Tempest (urgent)- Arabian mare
Crash
Letso Steve
Comet?
Kokinos?
2 STB geldings at the track
Hearts Desire?
Rocky
Enry Iggins

I don't know much, but I do know this: In all likelihood, Steelin Apples, Bob Cook, Brandy, Arne, Strawberry, Stylish Sharon, and Miss Molly P are going to be here for life. That is quite a few horses that are considered sanctuary horses. I don't know much, but I do know this: Miss Molly P is partially sighted in one eye due to an injury as a young filly. Her suspensories are horrific in the rear, so she leads a sedentary lifestyle. She is not a friendly mare, and will often squeal and lay her ears back if you try to pet her (but she is getting better cuz she is getting lots love here!). I do believe someone is out there who is going to take her in, love her, and form a strong bond with her. She has the potential. I think God will send someone, but I don't know how long it will take. I don't know much, but I know this: Strawberry is in her 20's now and her hips are sore. I had the chance to send her to a fantastic foster home for the winter. I wanted her to at least go with someone familiar from our herd, but the family only has room for one horse. I thought about the two homes Strawberry went to when she left here a few years ago....both wanted her to be their forever horse. Strawberry was left at the last farm she was at because the family had to move back suddenly to where they came from originally. When I drove up and got out she stood there, looking at me with those big eyes. I called, "Straw'BERRY!" and she just whinnied for me like a long, lost friend. I told her then that I would never let her go again - she is too old to keep reconnecting with new families and new situations. I don't know much, but I know that horses want peace of mind and heart, familiarity, and routine. I just couldn't do it although we know we cannot afford all of these horses for the winter. I think God will provide a way, and Strawberry will stay.

I don't know much, but I know that Stylish Sharon requires a whole lot of food to keep her at a decent weight. She has to be separated from the three other horses so that she doesn't get pushed out of her food. I know when she sees me coming to put her in a stall for "dinner", she gets so anxious (in a good way) that she holds up her front leg like a dog offering a paw. She is such a sweet spirit, but without proper care she will lose her hair. We have started giving her thyroid medication which has helped her immensely. She is kind of our new Precious, but she doesn't have any issues with being lame or unsound in any way. Wherever she goes, if she goes, I do know this: I will make sure it will be a last stop for Sharon. The old ones deserve this!

I don't know much but I do know this: Lyric has been her way too long, and so has Secretly Yours. These two horses, so smart and so well trained, but still no one has chosen them to be their own. It's sad to see a horse just sit and eat and not get enough attention. It's sad to see them look up at me when I go outside to get in my car for work, and they are so longing for someone to come and just groom them or be with them. It's unfair, but that's the world we live in today - just way too many horses and not enough homes.

I hope you will think about offering a home to a horse in need - we have so many and so many sad stories.

The Christmas newsletter is almost complete and will be in your mailboxes soon! We have many nice pictures from around the nation of the horses who have homes and what they are doing with their adoptive families. You all are great!

Hugs to you,
Susan

News from the Farm

Last Saturday our farm was alive with young riders. We also had two successful adoptions - Spirit and Copper Cadet both found the best of best homes with the best of people. I keep saying it - over time God sends people and horses and humans connect - it is the most spiritual experience to watch it unfold! I don't know what it was, but Spirit really chose his adopter and his wife on that cold Saturday morning two weekends ago. He literally would not leave the man alone, and it was clear Spirit was "choosing" him! The same thing occurred when Copper Cadet and Ralph connected. Ralph is long-time adopter of Egyptian Fashion, an ex race horse out of Chicago and Master Blue Chip, aka Monte, who recently passed after a short illness that greatly saddened his adopter. I had a feeling that Ralph may be looking for a horse similar to Master Blue Chip in personality and looks, and Ralph drove all the way from Chicago to the farm to see him. It was a true match. So that great feeling of joy and peace inside my soul has been achieved.

In the meantime, many more horses are being referred - far too many for the room we have here. Just in the past month two farms went into foreclosure, leaving two adoption horses without a place to go. We are scrambling to find a place where they can be fostered - while two mares in Michigan who have no where to go may be euthenized unless the owner can find a place for them to be fostered or adopted. Please help us if you can! Help the horses if you can!

The horses who are waiting to come into the program and to the farm have been delayed once again, due to an Amish horse being brought back to the farm unannounced. She has dropped suspensories in both hind legs. She is not lame but it does slow her down. She can no longer pull a cart or be ridden, but I have a feeling she is in foal. As she gains weight I can just tell it. I'll include pictures here but it was a bit dark when my son, Zach, took them. Speaking of Zach and Rachel, I'll include pictures of recent parties at the house and the joy of friends and fun. Many of you are asking about mom, and I appreciate that. She has, most recently, learned that her aortal valve is so blocked that she may have minutes, days, weeks, or yes, she may even have years to live. No one can predict. I don't like having her hear these words from her doctor, and cannot stand the thought of standing around, waiting for something to happen. Mom feels a bit of fear but is a tough Norwegian and is not really talking about it. She spent the weekend with my sister and is returning home to her condo and her caretaker tomorrow. Many things to say about all of this but cannot here. Even the closest of families experience conflict when it comes to fierce love for a family member. Be in prayer for our family as we make decisions in mom's best interest. I would, personally, like her to seek a second opinion at Mayo about whether or not she could withstand heart surgery to replace that valve. Craig's grandpa had it done four years ago (approximately) and is approaching 90 years of age and is doing so well - my mom is eight years younger, but her recent hospital stay has left her fragile.

Thanks to all the foster families who are hanging in there with horses, and placing owners who are waiting for a spot to open up for their horse. When horses arrive unexpectedly it places a hardship on families who have been respectfully waiting and are next in line. If only there were more homes!

We rode with kids on Saturday, then on Sunday loaded up and went to Yellow River State Forest. Now, I know I go on and on about Standardbreds, but here comes another good story. I have not ridden my old Standardbred gelding, Cash Wilco, since last year. I figured at age 27 he is entitled to retirement. Still, the reality of winter about to set in combined with the fact that Cash has been very sound this year made me want to reconnect with him on one last ride of the season (unless we are lucky and have a warm fall). So, one year later, I load him up in the trailer and haul him over to Yellow River, saddle him up, and without lunging, ground work, or any type of warm-up, we got on and rode for miles and miles. I won't say he was happy, and he did tire more quickly in the hills, but he was a perfect gentleman and we even got a few canters in on long stretches, with Janimal and my daughter, Rachel, close behind. That is how much faith I have in the breed, and in my horse Randy, aka Cash Wilco. After all, we have had 18 years together - I guess we should know each other pretty well by now! I wish you all of 18 years with your horses, too.

Until next week,
Susan