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

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

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!

Big Thanks

While I was at home with my family and getting ready for our annual board meeting today, one very special woman was off on another call for help. An aged Appaloosa gelding (POA-type) and a 23 year old aged mare in foal named Jumbo Shrimp were in trouble. The owner, thankfully, asked for help. Trudy M. of Baraboo was on board to go and pick both of them up today. The mare is in better condition than we anticipated, while the gelding has back bone and hip bones protruding. Another special person who is going through the process of becoming a foster farm is waiting to receive Jumbo Shrimp into care. The gelding will go to Marie Kemp, another warrior of her own, but also for ASAP. She has stepped up and gone above and beyond what any average person would ever do. She faithfully cares for the horses at her farm, and works hard to support them when no one else can. What would ASAP do without people like this? We want to honor you women!!! Hopefully pictures will be available soon for you to see. In the meantime, discussion during the board meeting centered around what to do with so many horses at the ASAP farm who are classified at sanctuary horses, who will sponsor or support them, and how can we better communicate to you, the public, which horses really do need financial sponsorship?
Also fund raising, grant writing, all so essential for this organization to stay alive. We need you all more than ever in 2009. I'll share more later.
Until then, thank you Trudy and Marie!
Susan

Thank Yous

I wanted to publicly thank the people who have recently sent a donation to our program. We are very fortunate to have a member of our local Genoa community donate $3000 towards our hay bill. Thank you, Jim!

Thanks also to the IHHA, our faithful sponsors, for their sponsorship amount for the first quarter.

The following persons sent donations in memory of Jonn Glesmann:

Susan Cavallerano - $25
Calderwood family - $50
Somerset Medical Center Staff - $100

Also wanted to recognize Jennifer Lappe Stable for donation of $200 in 2008

James Crowley - $100

Clyde Slater - $25

Roger Pohlman - $20

These donations mean so much right now as we go through financially challenging times. The horses are ever-present and ever-waiting to come in to the ASAP farm.
With your help, we can properly care for these noble equines!

Late Night Thoughts

I am sitting up late at night, having been quite a busy day. You see, my 19 year old son, Jordan, decided to head to Florida to look for a job and get an apartment, with three buddies, two days ago. That being worry enough, he wants to go to college in Fort Meyers. I know at 19 I was able to find my way to Chicago in an old Ford Falcon 3-speed on the column with holes in the floor (actually, I did this at age 17 while my mom cried at home). Still, we are never ready for our babies to grow up. Craig keeps telling me to let him go. Jordan keeps telling me it is time to "cut the umbilical cord, mom!".............but it wasn't more than a year ago that he was asleep in his car seat in the back seat of my car. It wasn't more than a short time ago he was putting his whole hand in a glass of kool-aid and laughing at me, ear to ear. Or, was it?

Tonite I am home babysitting my 3 year old "grandson" (can it be???") Julien. His mom, my oldest daughter, Cherie, is on a journey to see her brother in Florida and help him get a job. She is a junior at UW-La Crosse, majoring in Education. We all panic at the thought of being without brother and son. Cherie felt like she needed to be near him so begged for time off from Julien to go to Florida. She is, tonite, at a motel in Atlanta by herself.........she missed her flight to Florida because of weather in La Crosse. I was worried sick until I heard from her and that she is okay. I pray a lot. Julien has been a bundle of energy. He is a blessing and feels at home here with us. Rachel, the youngest, feels it is an inconvenience to have him around, but she is, after all, the baby in our family. So, it is understandable.

Change is inevitable in life. Still, somehow, I am so afraid of change that is almost paralyzes me. If I were not afraid of change, it would not be difficult to leave the weather and our home behind in search of new adventures and a more polite climate. If it were not for my fear of change, I could get on that airplane and go to new and strange places. Yet, somehow, I think my fear of change stems from my constant forced transition between California and Wisconsin as a child. Twice a year, like it or not, we were transported by car or train between my home in San Jose to our summer place in Wisconsin. As the years went by it gradually became a longer stay in Wisconsin regardless of my education or opinion. By the time I was 16 my dad was selling our place in California and moving us "forever" to Wisconsin. Don't ever do that to a 16 year old!!! Anyway, I think this is what has caused me to have anxiety over any kind of change that could happen, for good or bad, in my life. One good thing I know it has created is a conscientiousness about how my own children feel about their life. I would never dream of taking them away from their home, their school, or their community. It would destroy them. So thank goodness for blunders our parents make, as it causes us to grow (hopefully) into better parents. Still, I have to wonder, what will happen once the children are gone and we are free to go where we want when we want? First of all, I pray for longevity and health to even have to face those decisions. Next, wherever I go, I want to take the program and all animals with me. Believe me, it will have milder winters wherever we end up, if anywhere!!!

We are in stages of planning for Midwest Horse Fair - fun to look forward to spring!
Hope you all are doing well - be in prayer for special friends who are facing health challenges at this time.

Until soon!
Susan

Happy New Year!!!

Pictures coming, as promised.
From our family to yours, please enjoy the photos of our trip to Las Vegas, and Christmas Eve with Grandma (my mom).............God Bless You All!

Merry Christmas, Everyone

Presents, running, work, cooking, baking, wrapping...........sound familiar?
I have been too busy to post my pictures, but I do want to share a Christmas story.
If you don't believe, you will after this, that the Lord cares greatly for His creatures great and small. How much more can He care for you and me?

Remember the little seven year old Standardbred gelding who was hit on the highway along with his Amish owners several weeks back? I knew God put me there for a reason, but never knew how it would play out. Despite my tears and prayers, the gelding was taken away per orders of the Sheriff's Department by a local farmer. He was left ABANDONED in his trailer in town because he had to "hurry home" to milk his cows. A wonderful woman who had just taken her kids to school witnessed the accident, and ran up to the ridge to get her neighbor and Amish friend, Joe Miller.
Meanwhile, a vet by the name of Rob Timan from La Crosse Veterinary Clinic happened by on a farm call and saw the severely injured horse. Joe Miller, Marilyn, and Dr. Timan all were in the right place at the right time, and Dr. Timan offered his services at no charge. Joe decided he would like to take the horse to his farm for care until it could be moved back to Cashton, and the horse was transferred to Joe's farm. This is a very compassionate and caring Amish family, by the way!

I was in a state of worry, not knowing what the fate of the horse was. The news channel stated that "the horse was treated for injuries". That didn't tell me much. I called as many Amish as I could (the neighbor's house and listed contact) and left messages. A week later, Joe Miller phoned me. He told me what had transpired and that he had the horse and the vet had been up several times. Praise God! Then he asked me if I would be willing to haul the horse back to the Amish owner, as the boys had recovered from their injuries (miracle in itself). I agreed.
The day I picked this gelding up his flesh lay open in his hind quarter, the stitches having popped out as the healing process progressed. He was limping, but I saw in his eyes the will to survive and a kind of innocence and trust that only an animal can demonstrate. He got into the trailer and I fed him well on the way to Cashton!

The Detweiler family was thankful to receive him back, feeling a bit indebted to him and undeserving of the fate that had become of him. He explained that his boys were doing well, and showed me the shattered cart and the pieces of it that had impaled itself into the horse. It made me feel nauseous. They led the horse into the barn and tied him in a tie stall. I felt compelled to leave my card, begging them to call if they needed anything.

Two weeks later, they did call. They felt as though the horse was not improving and I asked if I could send a vet out to look at him. Cashton Vet Clinic went out and reported that the horse looked better than they expected and to continue the treatment. The Amish agreed to continue.

Then a week or more ago they phoned again. I feel as though they were giving up on their gelding. He just wasn't coming sound. He was limping badly. His legs were swollen from standing in a tie stall. I guess they were asking that if we didn't take him they would have to "dispose" of him.

Well, I know you work, and so do I. This new teaching job has limited days off, especially since I cashed in all my PTO hours for Vetas. I knew I had to put out a plea for help. Posting on some local bulletin boards, two people stepped up to help haul the horse. But where??? I just had another Amish STB hauled to my house and could not take more. Amy B. and Andrea T. stepped up and offered to help. Neither could haul the horse, but both could help rehab him.

If any of you know Andrea, she is one of the most kind angels that has ever been born on earth and a mighty advocate for horses and ASAP. Amy is wonderful too. Andrea has a long history of supporting ASAP, and her company, Comfortex Mattress Co in Winona, Minnesota, has been a corporate sponsor for ASAP for years. We literally could not have survived without them!

Town and Country Veterinary Hospital offered to take the horse in for diagnostic work and treatment. Andrea offered to pay for the entire cost, plus the hauling.
As I headed to work yesterday I had just reached out to a stranger for help. Kelly G. of Sparta had responded to my ad posted on the mwt bulletin board. We put our heads together, exchanged phone numbers, and Kelly rearranged her life and schedule to accommodate the vet hospital's request to have him there yesterday. Thanks to Susan S. also, for offering to help, but time was short and we had to move or lose this gelding eternally.

During my lunch hour we all talked by phone to make arrangements.

By 4:40 pm, Kelly was just reaching the Town and Country Vet Hospital. The trusting, hurting Standardbred gelding was a real trooper during his transport. He was very sore unloading from the trailer, but in Andrea and Kelly's words, he "tried to act like a normal horse, rolling in the bedding in his stall and shaking them off, despite his extremely sore and aching body". The scab on his hindquarters is absolutely humongous, but is healing. The front leg remains the problem. Doctors will perform tests on Friday to determine the extent of the front leg injury, which is believed to be a deep tendon injury.

The story is for today - that the gelding had the Lord's hand on him from the time the accident occurred. We are all vessels, capable of doing mighty things in His name. If you are given the gift, use it to help creatures great and small who need you! And if you have the means, don't be afraid to give, as it will be given back to you sevenfold or more. I know if God ever blesses me with riches, it will be used to help people around the world who need it, and animals everywhere. My father passed away a very wealthy man, but he died wealthy because he never gave. Not to his wife, or his children (clothing, education, cars, nothing), or those in need.
I saw animals die at his hands because of his hardness of heart, and I will not be the next generation to be like him. He taught me quite the opposite, but I love him with all my heart and my prayer for him was that God would be merciful to him and take him to heaven, and I have spent the last nine years forgiving him over and over for the things my eyes did see. But good can come out of bad, and this little horse is going to be okay, thanks to the strangers who are now friends, the friends who are always there for the horses, and to the Lord above for His never ending mercy!

Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone, and we'll send pictures of the gelding when they come!

Love
Susan

Viva NFR

Hi!
I'm back from Las Vegas and four of the most relaxing yet stressful days of my life.
Thanks for your prayers for our plane - it got us there safely and back, despite my tears (praying out loud that I just wanted to be able to make it back home to my precious family and pets and horses and dear Lord have mercy as I am pinching a hole in Craig's arm).

The NFR was fantastic and we probably saw some of the most beautiful human beings God has ever created on the face of the earth both at the NFR and at our hotel.....what an experience!

I am going to send pictures this week, but in the meantime know that we are sending out newsletters as our budget allows. We are strapped for postage and still owe the printer $400+ for doing them. I think 500 have gone out as of right now.

I have another plea and that is my main reason for writing.
Remember the Amish horse that was hit by a cart when the car hit the two teenage boys? They did call yesterday at 11 am and tell us they no longer want the horse. Although healing, he is never going to be 100% to them again. They want him gone. The problem is, I just took in another Amish horse named Rocky over the weekend. Please please will someone step up to take this gelding if I deliver him? He is so sweet and so beautiful and I don't want him to end up at slaughter. He deserves a chance for full recovery, which I think can happen with proper care. I need a spot for him - please tell your friends and let's help him! Contact me on email at asapinc@mwt.net or by cell at 608-792-5126. Time is important.

I'll write more soon!

Hugs,
Susan

Special Gift for Taser and ASAP

I love Saturdays! I am off work, and people come by. Last weekend we entertained a wonderful woman and her son from 200 miles away. They came to spend the day looking at horses in hopes of finding "the one". I had had a feeling that they would like Bell Valley Titan. She is one of the sweetest horses we have had here. She never pulls on the lead line when you have her out, and stands and waits patiently alongside you. She is quite intelligent, yet quiet. One of the first things I noticed about her was she seemed unflappable in the barn area when she first came, with cats and dogs and other horses around. Last weekend we introduced her to a large stroller. It was colorful and it had plastic all over it and some was flapping in the wind. It had precious cargo inside, and if I wasn't fully confident Titan would be okay, we would never have exposed her to the new object. Titan, being her wonderful self, sniffed the stroller and its contents. Then, the stroller and Titan and her potential adopter walked side by side down the driveway. Titan didn't flinch. Long story short is that Titan found herself a loving family who will enjoy her for many years to come. She is a true friend and her adopter and her are a great match!

The same day that Beth and her son came, we got unexpected visitors from La Crosse. It was a family of four, all adults, and they had come after hearing about our program. The one gal, Megan, was particularly interested in Standardbreds. She has owned other breeds but has never really ridden a Standardbred. I showed her and her family around the farm, and, of course, I have to tell the story of each horse and how they came to be here at our farm. The family took pictures and "oohed and aaahed" at the many faces that looked longingly back at them. Meg mentioned that she would like to come and donate her time, in addition to adopting a Standardbred. Seeing her expertise and confidence around the horses, I was very pleased at the offer!~ She fell in love with Taser Gun, and within a short while she had him out walking him and lifting up his feet. Taser Gun enjoyed getting out, and even got a little bit feisty (Taser??? NAAAHHHHH!) Megan and her fiance braved the cold and roads during the week to come down, but didn't make it before dark and I had already completed my feeding duties and had come inside. We still got to have a great talk and I got to know them better. They share the compassion for animals and all the pets here at the farm can certainly tell that, as they gravitated to them! Today, they returned in bitter temperatures again. After greeting all of the horses and giving treats, Megan asked to take Taser out. She lunged him in the indoor arena and then got on him bareback. I took Arne out to work on his long, thick mane while she led Taser back and asked me if she could put a saddle on. I was elated! So she tacked him up and, after a bridle adjustment or two, she jumped up and rode Taser around. She couldn't resist, and before long was trotting him QUICKLY around the arena. They looked so great together! She had him doing barrel patterns and almost did some side passes! By the end of the hour or two they spent together she really thinks she would like to adopt Taser and keep him here at the farm. I told her I would agree to it only IF she PROMISES to join us at events like the horse fairs and events at the race track if Taser is showcased! She said, "Yes". So, I think, Taser and Megan are also a match!

Meanwhile, many people are knocking on ASAP's door to place their horse. There are many desperate stories. We are trying our hardest to help. Christmas is coming.....
I'll write more before we leave for the NFR in Las Vegas. IF I don't, I promise to write and send pictures after we return! Pray for me, as I hate flying more than anything in the world!

My best to you,
Susan