What a beautiful weekend despite high winds - we saw the sun for two days in a row here in Wisconsin - yay!
We had a rummage sale, hoping to raise money to pay HORSE the money they are demanding for Sadie and Holly. Thanks to Lynette L of La Crescent, who gave up her precious weekend day to sit at the table and even donated horse items with proceeds to benefit ASAP. Needless to say, the main rummage sale in the neighborhood really dwarfed anything we would try to do, and most customers turned around in our neighbors' yard before making it down to our sale. Still, Lynette assisted in raising $101 for ASAP! Not enough to pay HORSE their mandated fee to get our horses back, but every penny does help.
I am at a point of our hands being tied in regards to Sadie. We have not been able to recruit anyone to adopt Sadie at the astronomical price they are asking for her. They refuse to release her and have even threatened "taking over ownership" of Sadie and Holly is payment was not made in full by May 15. Sadie bucks, and she has hoof issues that we have just been made aware of, and ASAP has no cash lying around and our personal bank accounts cannot purchase Sadie (and I feel shouldn't have to). The sheriff's department assures me that the horses cannot be sold and they are assisting ASAP and watching what unfolds in regards to HORSE and these two horses.
I am a firm believer that all rescues should work together rather than divide one another. I am still a little shocked by the whole situation. We do not want and cannot afford our precious time to go to court in case these horses are sold outright through HORSE as they have promised us would happen. The sheriff is standing by to assist ASAP but it will ultimately become a civil matter at some point. Do you know anyone wanting a Clydesdale/QH cross mare and an aged STB mare that would step up to pay the ransom to free them? Even if, at some point, ASAP could repay them once they have been adopted formally? It makes me grieve to have to ask these questions. Your advice is truly appreciated.
I am personally infatuated with Timesareachanging, who has settled in quite nicely and has been acclimated to a solitary turnout area with grass. He has made friends over the fence with Brandy, Fargo, and maybe Cole...............incidentally, I may be offering Cole up for adoption. For any of you who have seen him, he is one of the most beautiful Standardbreds who has ever walked the face of the earth. He has a lot of energy and has ridden the hills in South Dakota and never done anything wrong with me as his rider. Still, it is unfair for me to expect I am going to be able to ride Cricket and Taser Gun this summer if I also have to be sure Cole is getting all the riding time he needs. Maybe a silent auction with all proceeds going to the release of Sadie and Holly? Just ideas we are throwing around.
I'll write more as soon as I know more! Thanks to Barb and Scott Edwards for their donation of ten worming pastes this week! Thanks to Lori H. for her donation of vaccines!
Susan
