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
