Sad on a Sunday

Today my day started out wonderfully -I had completed a horse session with an enthusiastic sixth grade girl on Saturday - we had ridden Little John and Chief and played with the llamas and let them out on the short but fresh upcoming green grass.
Craig and I stole 1 1/2 hours together to drive around the countryside after tucking grandma into bed, kids tucked in, and another day just to be thankful for life.
I made breakfast, got two of my family members off to church (I stayed back with grandma who wasn't feeling well in the morning), and did morning chores.

This afternoon my dear friend Lisa and her daughter Lexi came over to play with Remmie and get ready for the upcoming Midwest Horse Fair. I told her I would be back after picking up some furniture and items at my mom's condo in La Crosse. Sun shining, Rachel, grandma and I headed into town. Then the dreaded phone call - not to me, but to Craig who, by this time, was visiting his grandpa Snyder in assisted living. Prince, the wonderful, beautiful llama that I had the privilege of loving and caring for the last several years, was found dead by Lisa when she brought Remmie into the indoor arena to practice.

Craig had to call me to tell me before I got home. I was stunned, shell-shocked. Just the night before (24 hours ago!) I was watching Prince and Sid eat peacefully in the paddock. Prince almost tackled Sid at 7 pm yesterday for the feed when I came in. No signs of anything wrong.

So..............I get really really quiet. We don't expect life to be perfect, and we are thankful for every day that goes by when God grants us peace and happiness and lack of illness or crisis. Today just threw me, and all I could do was keep coming back to Deuteronomy 29:29 . I'll let you look it up. I could say this happened because I wasn't good enough, because I sinned and God was mad (that is my old way of thinking)..........but I just think the secret things of the Lord that are unexplainable may remain that way until the day we see Him face to face.

Sid, Prince's llama life-long partner, is frantic tonite. He wants to find Prince. He comes to me with his vocalizations and hoping I will help him and make it all better. But all I can do is hug him and tell him how sorry I am. RT Rocky, a horse waiting for a home here at ASAP, truly loves Sid and was trying to console him tonite. Sid would have nothing to do with it, spitting at Rocky, who retaliated with a small innocent kick. Still, I fee helpless at this point in so many ways.

Thanks to Whitney and her family who trusted us to provide good care for their llamas on an ongoing basis (was it four years or three?). I hope they understand I did everything possible to help Prince during his brief illness that is, right now, undiagnosed and unexplainable. I thought he was completely mended yesterday, just watching him outside. He never lost his appetite. Always looked GREAT and his weight never dropped (I keep going over this again and again).

Say a prayer for me and for Sid and for my family. Craig went out and found a special burial spot for Prince tonite. He rests next to Haiaku and Precious.

Susan

Additions, corrections

In order to provide feedback to the group near Janesville (actually in Footville) holding a horse away from being adopted by a qualified family , you can simply email them at rescuehorses7@aol.com
The county sheriff was here and took proof of ownership by ASAP and is going to try to diplomatically approach the group to get this resolved. The potential adopter has offered them $650 that they were earlier demanding, but now that is not sufficient for them. Confused? I am!
Thanks for your support!
I want to include pictures from the Illinois Horse Fair that my son took and did such a great job - I told him we could name them Photos by Zach!

Interesting Situation!!!!

I need your help.
A relatively new rescue met me last year at Midwest Horse Fair. They spent the weekend familiarizing themselves with our program, and offered to help out in any way that they could. We understood that to mean working in partnership to help horses with housing and feed until they can be placed.

They offered to go to Iowa to pick up two horses that needed foster care. I had attempted to get them in foster care for some time, but the adopter was going to have a new baby and absolutely would not be able to care for all the horses she had there. Miraculously, Janesville Horse Rescue stepped up and offered to foster them and transport them.

Over a month ago the director asked me to please try to speed up the adoption of the two horses, reporting that one of them was now trained to ride by their daughter. I proceeded, along with office assistant, Cindi, to send interested persons their way. One person came out and fell in love with one of the horses. She had the paperwork in hand. One of the directors of the horse rescue attempted to "sell" Sadie to her at an astronomical price. The woman stated she was understanding the horse was an ASAP horse and could not be sold. The director stated he could do as he wished with the horse.

What we thought was a partnership of equine welfare organizations has turned into an "I own this horse and can ask as much as I want for it and you are not going to do anything about it."
I would encourage all of you to help ASAP by voicing your opinion. We are also going to be contacting the placing owner of the horses and diplomatically try to resolve this situation.

The documentation supports the fact that the rescue knew their role with ASAP. One of their best friends, also a horse rescue, adopted a horse from ASAP last year. She filled in the necessary adoption forms and was approved to adopt. With this knowledge, has the possession of a horse become a money game to horse rescues? This is most disheartening. As we endeavor to only find the best possible homes for horses, some of the horses in our care are, ultimately, gifted. If we were to put a price on our horses' heads, how unfair would that be? We rely on donations and sponsorships and some adoption fees to keep us in existence. Never before have we charged for a horse as a sale item. Furthermore, we offer free exchanges of horses to people who may not be satisfied with a horse they initially choose. Maybe this is why we have been around for 16 years now. Please research new organizations before getting involved!

I'll update you soon.
Susan

Oooooops and More.........

I wanted to correct an earlier blog - Thunder is actually a Saddlebred! I am so sorry! I want to thank Sara Weitzel for her donation of $100 to help Thunder. He is currently still with his placing owner, who has done so much to help Thunder recover from his parasites and help him get back on his feet again before ASAP places him.

I can't believe it's been so many days since I last wrote. I went to Minneapolis for a training conference last Thursday and Friday, and came back home to enjoy the weekend weather. I played horse all weekend, and helped my mother move in and get settled. She is doing well - probably her head is spinning from observing our lives, but she can never be bored!

One of the llamas I am doing foster care for was caught in something two Saturdays ago. I went out to help him and untangled him from the round bale feeder. Somehow he still would not stand to his feet, and I had to call for Craig to help me get him up before the horses kicked him. He seemed unsteady on his feet, so we put Sid and Prince in the indoor arena. Well it is many days later and I finally figured out the meningeal worms can bring about neurological problems. I FREAKED OUT. I did deworm him immediately and today am already noticing an improvement - thank goodness!

My two older kids have been coming around more often, and it feels like old times when they were all under one roof. I get so sad when they leave, but at least they are finding their way here to spend time on a more regular basis.

Midwest Horse Fair is coming up, with Iowa Horse Fair on the heels of that. I am excited that Craig will be coming with us to Iowa this year!!!

Chevie Silverado found his way to the ASAP farm this past weekend. I cannot say enough "thank yous" to Marie Kemp, who volunteered her time and energy to bring Cryptic Star to Julie P.'s farm, bring Chevie to ASAP, pick up Fox Valley Terror, and bring him back to Julie P.'s! I also want to thank Julie for fostering both Terror and Star. Our program would not be the same without caring volunteers like Marie, Trudy, Julie, and those who contribute to ASAP financially to help care for the horses. Thanks to Ray and Alice for their donation (again!) - it certainly gives us the much - needed financial help for feed and vet care.

I'll write more soon - happy spring!!!

Susan

Thunder - Urgent Need

I mentioned to you Tuesday that my heart had gone out to a woman who needed help with her 15 year old Quarter horse gelding. She actually planned to have him euthenized yesterday morning. Something spoke to my heart of hearts and asked her to see what the vet said about saving him. Well, the vet came out yesterday morning and found these things:
1. internal parasites - treated with ivermectin March 10
2. external parasites - easily treated
3. possible tooth needing attention
4. horse is so submissive he won't fight the herd for food
5. bloodwork reveals normal organ function so Thunder is going to be okay!!
I offered to help this woman if she would agree to give him a chance to live. The vet bill is $195. I plan to find a way to pay this to her for giving Thunder another chance at life. Now I need to find a place to move him, and he is near Stratford. For any of you reading, let me know if you can foster temporarily or give this sorrel gelding a good home!

Illinois Horse Fair!!!

I want to take this time to sincerely thank the many people who contributed toward our trip to Springfield last weekend. Zach, Rachel, Taser Gun, Janimal, Peanut, Tina, Cookie and I made the trip solo without Craig, who stayed home to rest his back. We had so many people who stepped forward to help us financially:
Bonnie Fallkowski
Barb and Scott Edwards - Michigan
Christian Harness Horseman's Association - Pastor Weldon and Nancy Stockwell
John Groth
Andrea Terek
Bob and Kathy Walker - Taser Gun's former trainer!
Timothy Jones - photographer and reporter - did article on Taser Gun for usta web site
Jennie Dowden
more to come

I want you to know we were faithful stewards with the funds. We spent:
$109 x 2 for our stay at Drury Inn
$23, $20, and $26 for meals for two days (free breakfast at Drury!!)
$120 for diesel fuel to get us there

We stayed within budget and came home with funds left over - this will go to pay feed bills and past fuel bill at Kwik Trip Stores - we cannot thank you enough. We also hope to bank a little bit for our Iowa Horse Fair at the end of April. Thank you again and again - this is the biggest show of support we have ever had!!
Thanks to Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association for paying for the stalls. We had an article featured on www.ustrotting.com on March 9, done by Timothy Jones. If you can't access it by this time notify me and I'll email you the link to see. You can also see video of our demonstration on youtube - I am not sure if it is through ASAP or Michelle Daniels? I'll just try to get more pictures soon.
Tim Jones also gave me a disc with pictures on it that I will upload and send.

I also want to say I really got to know our wonderful foster family, the Daniels family, this past weekend. I cannot thank Michelle enough for her support over the past couple of years - how willing she has been to pick up horses at the track, foster them, retrain them, and love and care for them! Michelle and her daughter Christian and her relatives were precious, and Rachel and Christian got to ride together in the demo. Michelle had plans to bring Rhyma Rose and/or Double Stitch to the demo. When this didn't come together, Michelle was able to bring Barb's adopted horse, Lonely Dreamer (bred by Tim Wilson Farms and named by Dr. Diana Wilson after a Neil Young song years ago) to the demo. Dreamer was beautiful and very well behaved in and out of the ring for Christian. Janimal was his wonderful self for Rachel (they are magic together after all of these years), and Taser Gun was, well, he was Taser Gun!!!! LOL He got to be a bit of a handful during the demo on Sunday after hearing the call to the post music - he was ready to race! Each time I tried to smooch to him to trot a bit he kind of just got wild on me, but I hung on! When we put him in his stall he would put on a show by kicking and pawing and rearing straight up for a time. He still was a handsome, wonderful gelding who was "all that" for the crowd. Tears were shed, memories shared, and the deep look that those familiar to Taser gave him when they looked in his eyes was priceless. He has touched so many lives. A request was put in by the family to have Taser Gun stay at ASAP and be the ambassador for the program. It would mean a lot to both the former owners and trainers. I can see it, and I can feel it - the desire for him to be well cared for and loved. The former owner's daughter said that this was the best she had ever seen Taser look in his life. What a great testament to the care they get here at ASAP.

Anyway I will share a couple of pictures but also will write more later. Wanted to let you know that I received a call tonite on a 15 year old QH gelding who was scheduled to be euthenized tomorrow at 8:30 am. I begged the owner to give me a chance to round up supplies to save this horse. He has been at another location and has a tremendous case of lice. She can literally watch them crawl. He is also thin. I told her I know we can step up to help - it wouldn't cost much as long as he is not too compromised. She is willing to try to treat him if ASAP helps. I will know more tomorrow afternoon!

Blessings to all of you!!
Susan

Birthdays, Sick Days, Back Days, New Adventures

I took Monday off due to a feeling of being completely overwhelmed with my life and feeling as though I were in a deep state of depression. It must have been seasonal affect disorder. Still, I feel or felt as though I were standing on a bridge, and on the other side of the bridge were things such as work, my mother moving in to our home, upcoming horse fairs, horse emergencies, office work piling up, and my life's future. I didn't want to cross it - too many unknowns. I think I was so exhausted from a weekend of birthday parties (my baby Rachel turned 10) and 14 kids sleeping over at the house, and my mother being with us for the weekend, and baby Julien who is now 3 being with us..............that I didn't recognize it. I went into meltdown on Monday morning and called in to work. I spent the day looking at my choices in life - how do I make a significant income so that I can stay home and take care of my own? How can I be all that I need to be for my family when I am on this continual treadmill and 40 hour work week in addition to the horses? I guess we all want our cake and to eat it, too. I know many people doing the same thing I am and doing it well. Still, add my mother's health to the equation, recent health care issues, drama within the family, and special events, and it seems too much.
On Wednesday I came home from work and knew something was wrong. Craig was in the recliner and he appeared in great pain. He had been outside and something in his back seemed to just snap and brought him to the ground. He said it took 15 minutes for my kids to get him inside. I wanted to go straight to emergency, but he refused. He spent one restless night in the recliner before we were able to get in to emergency. I won't go into detail there, but two days later we got an answer from a specialist, and Craig has Facet's Syndrome in a vertebrate above the fusion site in his back. Without treatment, possible hospitalization and six weeks to recovery. With treatment, one week to good recovery as long as he rests at home.
Thank GOD! Visions of long-term disability flashed through my head............but the doctor says with care he'll be okay to work and play again. What a relief. So back to work.

Mom may have fractured a rib yesterday - sister called to say they are on their way to urgent care. We are in the process of having her move from 24/7 care by caregivers in her own home to having her switch off living with my sister and I. Pray for her! If she does come to live here I will have to cut my hours down at work to part time - or face another meltdown. Still, I wouldnt have it any other way than to have her be with her daughters as she wants. Another life change.

So on to Springfield next weekend. We are bringing Taser Gun and Janimal. If Craig isn't up to speed I will go the venture alone with the kids. Pray for me! We need a miracle of dollars to pay for the fuel for the 700 mile round trip. If you have any ideas please let me know. Craig says it isn't possible for us to go without support. I thank Andrea T. and Comfortex Mattresses for her recent donation of $200 to help cover cost of motels. Press releases have gone out to the USTA and should appear on the site tomorrow or Tuesday. Taser is a huge name in the state of Illinois. I also thank the Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association for their sponsorship by paying stalls for us to be at Springfield.

So that is the news - many people coming to see horses - many people in love with RT Rocky - he is getting better by the day and I am sure will be strong enough to make trail rides by summer. A perfect beginner's horse!!! Bad Boy Adam is a stinker to catch but you can do anything with him once you have him. Hollywood Sam is "all that" and dominant - also a stinker for the farrier and to tack up - I have not had the time to get into the saddle yet. Please tell your friends to adopt! Foster!

Until next week,
Susan