I just got a call from a rescue in Ohio who recently took in a Standardbred from our program. Sand Wedge is a tall Standardbred gelding who has been in his adoptive home for a few years, but the family recently called to relinquish the horse. The options they were given were, per placement contract, to:
1) arrange for return of the horse to the ASAP farm
2) allow ASAP to attempt to rehome Sand Wedge in Ohio to avoid shipping charges.
They chose option #2, and also placed another horse who was a Quarter horse into our program. Sadly, the Quarter horse recently died of sudden and severe colic. That was the last communication we had from them. Now, Sand Wedge is standing at a horse rescue.
We have several people who have adopted horses in the state of Ohio. If any of you are willing to step up to take Sand Wedge it would be greatly appreciated!!!! Even if you are willing to do short term care so that the other rescue does not have to be responsible for the feed and care involved in an extra horse that is not part of their program, it would be wonderful.
Give me a call at 608-792-5126 or email me at asapinc@mwt.net
This is an urgent situation - please respond!
Thanks!
Susan
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
People Are Amazing
It is another chilly night here - 19 degrees so far and looks like we will dip lower. My ideal weekend involves being outside with the horses as much as possible. Yesterday was beautiful but didn't quite make 30 degrees. Then it got windy. Today was even worse! I am so ready for spring...........
The people who support ASAP do so in many ways. Yesterday two people from near Cedar Rapids who had visited once before came back to visit their favorite horses and potential horses for adoption and to ride more in the sunshine. RT Rocky was their favorite in the beginning, and they stopped yesterday at an Amish tack shop to pick up a halter, a brand new beautiful halter, JUST for Rocky. It was so neat to think that someone cared enough about him to think of him and purchase a special gift for him. It was neat to see Rocky wearing it. I should have taken pictures, but my digital camera's battery is once again dead. I'll be sure to post it later.
Jerry and his wife got a chance to work with Bad Boy Adam and Lyric, and also rode Strawberry. They went to see Incredible Lou, who is in foster care down the road.
While I thought Bad Boy Adam was their best fit, they want to think about Lyric a little more and also consider Lou. We will see what happens, but I know they are the perfect couple to adopt a horse, and you can tell by their compassion and generosity how great they would be to another horse that would join their family.
Today Dawn Meyers came out. She is the gal who adopted Finale's Fooler last year. She said Fooler is the best thing that happened to her in 2008. She has never been around a breed like the Standardbred. I agreed!! You just have to adopt one to know what I am talking about. She wanted to give back to ASAP by coming out to volunteer some time today. She was able to take out and groom and dote on Arne, Bob Cook, Steelin Apples, Remmie, and RT Rocky. She gave them treats and let them roll in the sand. We are truly blessed to have such great people in the lives of these horses.
We are getting ready for Illinois Horse Fair in Springfield. Michelle D. and Beth W. and me will be joining ISOBA for the demo. Since ISOBA is paying for all of our stall space and the demo, we are seeking sponsorships to help defray the cost of our motel for two nights. We still have to consider that pulling a horse trailer 350 miles, gas, two nights motel, and coggins and interstate papers is quite an expense. We are looking at an amount over $450 just to attend for the weekend. If any of you have any ideas on how to acquire sponsorships please let me know. Most companies I have contacted have paperwork that is required to be filled out and sent in for approval. We just don't have that kind of time. I know Craig will frown upon our attendance at this horse fair if I don't generate some funding. Wish me luck.
Mick the Thoroughbred is adopted! He and Beth B. will be doing some showing together this year in dressage - isn't that exciting? Lyric MAY have two potential homes, and congratulations to second-time adopters Brian and Rhonda on the adoption of Hearts DeSire!!! He will be making the journey to Wyoming to join them in the next month or so. So lots of horses starting to find homes. Welcome to another foster family in Topeka Illinois - Kimberly W. is fostering Code Zero while having adopted Ideal Place To Be, who I don't think even made it onto the horses available page of the site!
I will try to insert pictures here soon. Continued thank you to Marie and Trudy for the hard work they are doing for Jumbo Shrimp, Chester, Chevie Silverado, and Cryptic Star. They both deserve a huge round of applause.
Hugs,
Susan
The people who support ASAP do so in many ways. Yesterday two people from near Cedar Rapids who had visited once before came back to visit their favorite horses and potential horses for adoption and to ride more in the sunshine. RT Rocky was their favorite in the beginning, and they stopped yesterday at an Amish tack shop to pick up a halter, a brand new beautiful halter, JUST for Rocky. It was so neat to think that someone cared enough about him to think of him and purchase a special gift for him. It was neat to see Rocky wearing it. I should have taken pictures, but my digital camera's battery is once again dead. I'll be sure to post it later.
Jerry and his wife got a chance to work with Bad Boy Adam and Lyric, and also rode Strawberry. They went to see Incredible Lou, who is in foster care down the road.
While I thought Bad Boy Adam was their best fit, they want to think about Lyric a little more and also consider Lou. We will see what happens, but I know they are the perfect couple to adopt a horse, and you can tell by their compassion and generosity how great they would be to another horse that would join their family.
Today Dawn Meyers came out. She is the gal who adopted Finale's Fooler last year. She said Fooler is the best thing that happened to her in 2008. She has never been around a breed like the Standardbred. I agreed!! You just have to adopt one to know what I am talking about. She wanted to give back to ASAP by coming out to volunteer some time today. She was able to take out and groom and dote on Arne, Bob Cook, Steelin Apples, Remmie, and RT Rocky. She gave them treats and let them roll in the sand. We are truly blessed to have such great people in the lives of these horses.
We are getting ready for Illinois Horse Fair in Springfield. Michelle D. and Beth W. and me will be joining ISOBA for the demo. Since ISOBA is paying for all of our stall space and the demo, we are seeking sponsorships to help defray the cost of our motel for two nights. We still have to consider that pulling a horse trailer 350 miles, gas, two nights motel, and coggins and interstate papers is quite an expense. We are looking at an amount over $450 just to attend for the weekend. If any of you have any ideas on how to acquire sponsorships please let me know. Most companies I have contacted have paperwork that is required to be filled out and sent in for approval. We just don't have that kind of time. I know Craig will frown upon our attendance at this horse fair if I don't generate some funding. Wish me luck.
Mick the Thoroughbred is adopted! He and Beth B. will be doing some showing together this year in dressage - isn't that exciting? Lyric MAY have two potential homes, and congratulations to second-time adopters Brian and Rhonda on the adoption of Hearts DeSire!!! He will be making the journey to Wyoming to join them in the next month or so. So lots of horses starting to find homes. Welcome to another foster family in Topeka Illinois - Kimberly W. is fostering Code Zero while having adopted Ideal Place To Be, who I don't think even made it onto the horses available page of the site!
I will try to insert pictures here soon. Continued thank you to Marie and Trudy for the hard work they are doing for Jumbo Shrimp, Chester, Chevie Silverado, and Cryptic Star. They both deserve a huge round of applause.
Hugs,
Susan
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Maywood Park - A Note of Thanks
I received a message from an official at Maywood Park yesterday late afternoon. Maywood had become aware of my comments posted in an earlier blog wondering if the race tracks were genuinely concerned for the welfare of the horses after their racing career was over.
I believe he was making it clear that Maywood is, indeed, committed to seeing to it that the race horses are justly represented after retirement and are willing to work with ASAP to get the commercial that was donated to us by John Stevenson of CC-106 radio up and running in between races on certain race nights.
We applaud Maywood Park for their response and look forward to working with them in the near future! Be sure to visit them for latest events and happenings at www.maywoodpark.com Thanks again!
Susan
I believe he was making it clear that Maywood is, indeed, committed to seeing to it that the race horses are justly represented after retirement and are willing to work with ASAP to get the commercial that was donated to us by John Stevenson of CC-106 radio up and running in between races on certain race nights.
We applaud Maywood Park for their response and look forward to working with them in the near future! Be sure to visit them for latest events and happenings at www.maywoodpark.com Thanks again!
Susan
Saturday, February 7, 2009
What a Day!!!
WOOOOWWWWW! A well-deserved break from the Arctic chill here in Wisconsin today! Zach just said that it was 45 degrees today - and I was outside with only a turtleneck and sweatshirt!!! To make it even better, the UW-La Crosse Equestrian team came at 10 am, and we went right to work taking horses out to ride and work.
Of course, naturally, the girls' eyes went right to the handsome bay looking at us from the pines - Taser Gun!!! He was the third horse that we took out today. The first was Mick, then Lyric, then Taser, Rocky (briefly), Cricket, and a casual observation of the natural hoof trimmer - our one and only Mark Stuber - working on Strawberry, Brandy, and Taser Gun. People were in and out of the farm all day long.
I must say I was especially pleased to have my son, Jordan, come home with Zachary, who spent the night at Jordan's bachelor pad in La Crosse last night! Jordan said all they did was eat pizza, drink soda, and play video games. Amazing! That is what the boys do here too!!!! But it was so good to have both my boys home, at least and if only for a little while before Jordan had to go back. He will move on March 1 and go to Florida to start his life as a student and enjoy year round sunshine. I was in tears last night just thinking about it, but vow to make it joyful for Jordan, as I recall my mom crying every time I left home after a weekend visit to return to central Illinois to college. It made me feel so awful to leave her and I don't want Jordan to have that on his mind at this time. I will look forward to visiting him - how about that for attitude?
Anyway, the equestrian team did a fantastic job of riding these Thoroughbred horses we have here. To Lyric's credit, after eight months of not being ridden, she was a dream. She walked, trotted, and cantered both directions, never offered to do anything wrong, and really enjoyed the workout she got. She was huffing and puffing when she was done, and a little bit sweaty, but what an impression she left! Mick was his usual gentlemanly self - I think almost all of the girls got to ride him today and needless to say he has a home for sure with Beth, if not the whole equestrian team. They would love to show him - and I welcome that! I wanted to get pictures but my batteries died on my digital so as soon as the team sends me pictures I'll post them. Someone came to look at Lyric today for Little Britches rodeo - I am not sure if they will adopt her or not.
ASAP's financial situation is not good, as the woman who adopted Haley several months ago has never submitted her adoption fee, and the family who adopted Sarajevo has not either. When people adopt horses directly, this often happens to ASAP. It just isn't fair to the many here waiting for homes. Still, we go on faith but we are sometimes let down. We are catching up with those people I can promise!
Four horses are being returned from north central Wisconsin and this is a very short notice placement. You will recognize the names of the horses, and all are beginner safe except for one. The family accepted a position in Alaska and the company will pay for the move if they go within 30 days. We need your help rehoming these great horses: Candy Speed (John Lyons retrained her to saddle in 2006 and she is gentle and beginner safe), Hononegah (also beginner safe), Fox Valley Festus (a trotter, smaller, lots of get up and go, safe, but when you ask for "whoa" you get it immediately!), and Shayz April Wind, the Paint mare. If you are thinking of adopting 3 of the 4 horses listed above are my personal recommendation.
I am getting along better with Miss Molly P and she tolerates and even seems to enjoy ear rubs and face rubs from me now. I hope to have her warm up to me eventually and as long as there is food she tolerates me. I want her to see the kindness we have to offer her!
We are gearing up for horse fairs - first one is first weekend in March in Springfield. We will join Michelle who is a foster mom for horses in Centralia Illinois and Beth who adopted My Bull Kennedy a few years ago. Michelle will probably be bringing Rhyma Rose and Yagottalovethiskid? Look for us!
Last week I sent out a request for Maywood Park and Balmoral Park to play 60 second spots (commercials) that John Stevenson of CC106 graciously donated to us last year. I asked for rates but neither track has responded. I also emailed Harness Tracks of America Stan Bergstein to ask him for suggestions and advice on how to better market charities who support harness racing and how to promote them. No response. Could it be they do not care, once a horse leaves the racing scene? I am beginning to wonder. Thanks to IHHA for their first quarter donation, and special thanks to:
ODDS ON RACING STABLE for their $500 donation to ASAP!! It helps us so much!
We received a donation of lead ropes and halters from Big D's Tack Supply but no person was listed at the donor - thank you so much, whoever it was!!!!
I'll write more later - hoping my husband will take me out to dinner after 7 1/2 hours of being outside it will feel great to sit down and have someone serve us!
Hugs,
Susan
PS - My son Zachary wants me to publish that he is on the Student Council at De Soto Middle School (he was also Student of the Month in December - way to go Zach!). Anyway, this pet food drive will benefit Crawford Area Shelter for Animals, or CASA, and Vernon County Animal Shelter. The drive goes February 1-13. The council is asking for donations of Science Diet dog or cat food to Vernon County Animal Shelter, and CASA would like any brand of dry cat or dog food, any brand of canned food for dogs or cats, partial bags of food are okay, treats, kitty litter, collars, brushes/combs, leashes, toys, cages for hamsters, birds, ferrets, etc. They can be sent directly to us at ASAP Inc. if you wish! Thank you!
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