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