I Don't Know Much, But I Know This.........

What a title! I was out in the cold mud tonite taking burrs out of Steelin Apples' mane and tail. I finally got tired of the wind so brought Apples to the barn and before long he was looking great again, but still muddy. This time of year is hard for me. In years past, as a child, we were long gone from Wisconsin and back in California before the temperatures dropped much below freezing. I never missed the snow, glad to be in the green hills surrounding the Almaden Valley in San Jose. The apricot blossoms came out in February there, and if it ever got below 35 degrees it was the topic of conversation around the neighborhood. The biggest storms of the season occur in winter out there, and I remember them well. During the Christmas season my mom would decorate our front porch with bright outdoor lights. She would have to fight the birds who had built nests in the vines that grew along the top of the porch. The sun was usually shining on Christmas Eve. It was green all around, and that is what somehow my heart will always long for - a green and warm Christmas!
In January the storms would howl. We often lost power during the lightning storms the blew across the hills. We had mud slides. One day my mother was doing dishes, looking out the kitchen window. A huge gust of wind came and our neighbor's roof was sucked off of their house and blew away! Thankfully, our neighbors were okay.
That was winter for me. So, naturally, now from September through November every urge to "run" has to be resisted. I am somewhat like a migratory bird that has had to learn to weather all four seasons. I do it, but I don't like it. I often think about moving and thinking, "Where am I going to find a place either west or south that has enough pasture for 25 horses, and if we find it, can we afford it?" GOOD QUESTION. Time will tell, but change is always hard, isn't it? Maybe that's why we all stick around.

Each day we are faced with people who have tough choices to make regarding whether or not they can keep their horses. We are hearing of more and more home foreclosures, divorces, losses of jobs, and some foster families who have been providing care for a horse for a number of years who just can no longer afford to do it. So I wake up to each new day wondering who will be knocking on the door of ASAP, needing to find a new home for a horse. Most times it is a very kind request, while at others are less than kind but cannot be taken personally under their financial circumstances. We are going as fast as we can to find horses homes, but sometimes it takes time. I heard at Waukon the horse prices have dipped to where you can get a horse for $5-$50. SADDDD....

Update on the Amish horse whose owners were hit on the highway: the horse is still doing well and is improving! I am thankful that the Amish family made a commitment to this gelding to see to it that he is being treated, even knowing that by spring he may not be useable as a buggy horse any more. They really care about him and the veterinarian is working closely with them at no charge. What a great vet! I know him, as he did treat Wolfie during his struggle with cancer and also saved a kitten that my kids injured by accident years ago.

Status at farm: Had to bring four horses back from summer pasture last weekend so we are once again at 23 for numbers. I am hoping to place Lyric in the next couple of weeks. Bell Valley Titan is now here - a very sweet STB filly - loves to be at your side and calls for you when you come outside. Not afraid of anything!
Waiting to come in:
Pinedon
Mick
Z Tempest (urgent)- Arabian mare
Crash
Letso Steve
Comet?
Kokinos?
2 STB geldings at the track
Hearts Desire?
Rocky
Enry Iggins

I don't know much, but I do know this: In all likelihood, Steelin Apples, Bob Cook, Brandy, Arne, Strawberry, Stylish Sharon, and Miss Molly P are going to be here for life. That is quite a few horses that are considered sanctuary horses. I don't know much, but I do know this: Miss Molly P is partially sighted in one eye due to an injury as a young filly. Her suspensories are horrific in the rear, so she leads a sedentary lifestyle. She is not a friendly mare, and will often squeal and lay her ears back if you try to pet her (but she is getting better cuz she is getting lots love here!). I do believe someone is out there who is going to take her in, love her, and form a strong bond with her. She has the potential. I think God will send someone, but I don't know how long it will take. I don't know much, but I know this: Strawberry is in her 20's now and her hips are sore. I had the chance to send her to a fantastic foster home for the winter. I wanted her to at least go with someone familiar from our herd, but the family only has room for one horse. I thought about the two homes Strawberry went to when she left here a few years ago....both wanted her to be their forever horse. Strawberry was left at the last farm she was at because the family had to move back suddenly to where they came from originally. When I drove up and got out she stood there, looking at me with those big eyes. I called, "Straw'BERRY!" and she just whinnied for me like a long, lost friend. I told her then that I would never let her go again - she is too old to keep reconnecting with new families and new situations. I don't know much, but I know that horses want peace of mind and heart, familiarity, and routine. I just couldn't do it although we know we cannot afford all of these horses for the winter. I think God will provide a way, and Strawberry will stay.

I don't know much, but I know that Stylish Sharon requires a whole lot of food to keep her at a decent weight. She has to be separated from the three other horses so that she doesn't get pushed out of her food. I know when she sees me coming to put her in a stall for "dinner", she gets so anxious (in a good way) that she holds up her front leg like a dog offering a paw. She is such a sweet spirit, but without proper care she will lose her hair. We have started giving her thyroid medication which has helped her immensely. She is kind of our new Precious, but she doesn't have any issues with being lame or unsound in any way. Wherever she goes, if she goes, I do know this: I will make sure it will be a last stop for Sharon. The old ones deserve this!

I don't know much but I do know this: Lyric has been her way too long, and so has Secretly Yours. These two horses, so smart and so well trained, but still no one has chosen them to be their own. It's sad to see a horse just sit and eat and not get enough attention. It's sad to see them look up at me when I go outside to get in my car for work, and they are so longing for someone to come and just groom them or be with them. It's unfair, but that's the world we live in today - just way too many horses and not enough homes.

I hope you will think about offering a home to a horse in need - we have so many and so many sad stories.

The Christmas newsletter is almost complete and will be in your mailboxes soon! We have many nice pictures from around the nation of the horses who have homes and what they are doing with their adoptive families. You all are great!

Hugs to you,
Susan

News from the Farm

Last Saturday our farm was alive with young riders. We also had two successful adoptions - Spirit and Copper Cadet both found the best of best homes with the best of people. I keep saying it - over time God sends people and horses and humans connect - it is the most spiritual experience to watch it unfold! I don't know what it was, but Spirit really chose his adopter and his wife on that cold Saturday morning two weekends ago. He literally would not leave the man alone, and it was clear Spirit was "choosing" him! The same thing occurred when Copper Cadet and Ralph connected. Ralph is long-time adopter of Egyptian Fashion, an ex race horse out of Chicago and Master Blue Chip, aka Monte, who recently passed after a short illness that greatly saddened his adopter. I had a feeling that Ralph may be looking for a horse similar to Master Blue Chip in personality and looks, and Ralph drove all the way from Chicago to the farm to see him. It was a true match. So that great feeling of joy and peace inside my soul has been achieved.

In the meantime, many more horses are being referred - far too many for the room we have here. Just in the past month two farms went into foreclosure, leaving two adoption horses without a place to go. We are scrambling to find a place where they can be fostered - while two mares in Michigan who have no where to go may be euthenized unless the owner can find a place for them to be fostered or adopted. Please help us if you can! Help the horses if you can!

The horses who are waiting to come into the program and to the farm have been delayed once again, due to an Amish horse being brought back to the farm unannounced. She has dropped suspensories in both hind legs. She is not lame but it does slow her down. She can no longer pull a cart or be ridden, but I have a feeling she is in foal. As she gains weight I can just tell it. I'll include pictures here but it was a bit dark when my son, Zach, took them. Speaking of Zach and Rachel, I'll include pictures of recent parties at the house and the joy of friends and fun. Many of you are asking about mom, and I appreciate that. She has, most recently, learned that her aortal valve is so blocked that she may have minutes, days, weeks, or yes, she may even have years to live. No one can predict. I don't like having her hear these words from her doctor, and cannot stand the thought of standing around, waiting for something to happen. Mom feels a bit of fear but is a tough Norwegian and is not really talking about it. She spent the weekend with my sister and is returning home to her condo and her caretaker tomorrow. Many things to say about all of this but cannot here. Even the closest of families experience conflict when it comes to fierce love for a family member. Be in prayer for our family as we make decisions in mom's best interest. I would, personally, like her to seek a second opinion at Mayo about whether or not she could withstand heart surgery to replace that valve. Craig's grandpa had it done four years ago (approximately) and is approaching 90 years of age and is doing so well - my mom is eight years younger, but her recent hospital stay has left her fragile.

Thanks to all the foster families who are hanging in there with horses, and placing owners who are waiting for a spot to open up for their horse. When horses arrive unexpectedly it places a hardship on families who have been respectfully waiting and are next in line. If only there were more homes!

We rode with kids on Saturday, then on Sunday loaded up and went to Yellow River State Forest. Now, I know I go on and on about Standardbreds, but here comes another good story. I have not ridden my old Standardbred gelding, Cash Wilco, since last year. I figured at age 27 he is entitled to retirement. Still, the reality of winter about to set in combined with the fact that Cash has been very sound this year made me want to reconnect with him on one last ride of the season (unless we are lucky and have a warm fall). So, one year later, I load him up in the trailer and haul him over to Yellow River, saddle him up, and without lunging, ground work, or any type of warm-up, we got on and rode for miles and miles. I won't say he was happy, and he did tire more quickly in the hills, but he was a perfect gentleman and we even got a few canters in on long stretches, with Janimal and my daughter, Rachel, close behind. That is how much faith I have in the breed, and in my horse Randy, aka Cash Wilco. After all, we have had 18 years together - I guess we should know each other pretty well by now! I wish you all of 18 years with your horses, too.

Until next week,
Susan

Computer Woes

Help! My computer is going crazy. I am using my lap top to stay in touch with all of you. Please forgive me if you have tried to write me an email with no success. My Outlook Express went wild a coule of weeks ago and got progressively worse with time. Now it won't let me delete received mail and it won't allow me to delete sent mail, so anyone I dare respond to gets about 100 copies of the email I send. I have phoned the support center at the phone company and also asked around for advice. Right now I am running Windows Live OneCare - let's hope it works! If not, I guess I have to resign myself to the fact that this computer is several years old (donated thanks to Mary D. who was mom to Friendly Explosion until his death a couple of months ago). It may need to be replaced. NOT a great thing to think about, especially since we are still paying off feed bills - $700 left to pay, to be exact, before we can start ordering feed in bulk again. In the meantime our personal pocketbook is running to the feed store every few days to buy feed. Today Craig paid $10.29 a 50# bag for 10% sweet feed and we bought four bags. Sunday I bought four bags at $9.29 a bag. We have the following horses at our farm or at the farm in Newton right down the road that we are feeding:
Spirit O Vegas
Secretly Yours
Copper Cadet
Lyric
Brandy
Taser Gun
R Colelateral
Remmie
Janimal
Chief
Lakehills Texas
Little John
Steelin Apples
Strawberry Jacki
Bob Cook
Arne
This doesn't include two llamas, a donkey, and my own personal brood.

We need a grant! We need a donation for feed and hay! We are sending out personal plea letters, but if you have any ideas for grants we would love to hear from you.
This is the TOUGHEST year we have had for paying bills and for adoptions. I know all groups are stretched and some are even closing their doors. We are only as good as our supporters -

I have all of my pictures ready to send but the computer must be fixed first. Bear with me.

Remmie, Fargo, Craig and I traveled to the Kickapoo Reserve last weekend to ride. Too funny! As I was typing this I fell asleep and woke up to five typed rows of lower case "k"!!! Ahem....so we did go over to the reserve and were hoping to find a little private camping spot. With the weather being so warm and the hills being in full color, I should have known better! We did find a spot and took off on horseback with Remmie attempting to lead every step of the way! We cantered and trotted and it all felt so wonderful. Unfortunately, Rachel was calling on our cell phone during our first ride, and when we went to the truck to check messages she was in tears, wanting to come home. We had to cut our night short (we were supposed to be having an overnight together but our children made us feel as though we had to come home. They had been at a friend's house but Rachel often has trouble falling asleep at other peoples' houses. I think we made a memory, anyway, plunging across the Kickapoo River at the reserve that day (the deepest water I have ever crossed) and traversing the steep hills, with an occasional run.

This week my focus was to be on Cricket and Taser Gun, but my mother is still in rehab and not doing extremely well. I spent a couple of hours with her yesterday and she doesn't even seem excited about being able to be released and go to her condominium with 24/7 care. It pains me in my heart to see the zest she once had for life not quite all there any more. She continues to struggle with her aortic valve and transferring from sitting to standing position. We are hoping and praying that time will heal.

Work is going well, but being away from home full time is quite a hard thing to swallow. I leave at 7:25 and generally get home about 5:00. What am I comlaining about? Most of you out there are doing the exact same thing. And to think some race trainers train in the morning and evening and work all day. They must be soooo tired! I always feel a lump in my stomach when I leave home, thinking the dogs and horses will actually miss me. Then I think of how selfish a thought that is - they have each other, they have down time, and their main task is to eat, sleep, and lounge until I get home from school!!! What a great life they have!

Still getting tons and tons of referrals and horses waiting to get into the program. We need homes for the horses we have here first..........anyone willing to give me name and contact info for any publication or paper where ASAP could put an ad in efforts to raise awareness about our program? Let me know!

Until next week or sooner,
Susan

Another Horsey Weekend

I'm sitting at the computer on Sunday night at almost 10:30 pm - where did the weekend go??
It was absolutely gorgeous outside - warm - sunny - summer-like. It was a great day to wake up early on Saturday morning to take four horses and three very excited girls to the Retreat World's Fair and horse show!

Chief, Cricket, Lakehills Texas, and Fargo didn't mind, either. They all came right through the doors in the early morning for hugs and grooming. Even Cricket jumped right into the trailer! Away we went, Lexi, Rachel, Lisa, and I for the 20 minute drive to the ridge. From 8:30-4:30 that day we had the time of our lives. Chief took a blue ribbon in one class and at least a couple of reds in other classes. Tex, on the other hand, was less than patient for Lexi and the poor darling girl really struggled to keep him standing quietly during the halter class. I saw her tears and kicked myself over and over again for taking Tex. Don't get me wrong- Tex is a wonderful, safe, gentle horse. ONE PROBLEM - he doesn't like to stand still! He will wag his tongue, push you with his head, or paw the ground. Once you are up on him and riding he is absolutely fine, but don't ask him to just stand there! I guess that is what made him such a great race horse (he made over $303,000 before we got him), but Lexi didn't deserve such a challenging day. We didn't take Remmie because he kind of got some marks on him from R Colelateral (Cole can be a bully at times), and I didn't want her marked down for that. So in a way it is my fault that she struggled so much. The good news is that she did place several fifth places Saturday and gave her best effort! Fargo and Rachel teamed up instead of Janimal and Rachel. She came away with three 3rd places, one 2nd place, and a fifth place. Way to go!

The girls were able to ride in the parade in Retreat, and Cricket was 100% fabulous under saddle and didnt' mind the commotion or the crowds one little bit. Amy A. got to ride her and I walked to assist the girls with any thing that came up. The most excitement we had was a donkey who decided to try to bail out of the back of a golf-cart type vehicle by going onto the roof - the halter and lead stopped her from making the great escape and it took three men to free her and lower her back down into the back of the vehicle. I was scared something terrible would happen but it all turned out okay.

We got a $500 donation to go towards the feed bill, which has climbed to $1,200. We are not allowed to order any more feed until this is paid off. Thank you so much, Ursula, for that donation. Ursula also has donated her pasture to four of our horses for the summer. We still have over $2,000 in hay bills. As long as we are not adopting out horses we have no way of paying on these unless we receive donations. Maybe an early Christmas gift that would be completely tax deductible?

Hope to hear from you and don't forget these dates:
Saturday October 11 - day ride at Yellow River in Iowa
Sunday, October 19 - day ride at Wildcat Mountain.

Join us if you can!!!
Hugs,
Susan

Sunday was spent with mom - she is going through a bit of a hard time and feeling as though she will never get better. We took her out to eat today and to her condominium. She cried a lot and it made me feel terrible to not be able to do or say anything that would make her feel better. I think she is completely entitled to her feelings at this point and we do support her but it is still so hard. Within two weeks she'll be discharged and, hopefully, back in her home with full time care.
If she doesn't return to her condo, she will come to either our home or my sister's, or split between the two.

Super Night Thanks

Super Night is over, and I feel a sense of jealousy at not being at Balmoral Park last night for the first time in, probably, ten years. The important thing for me right now is not to venture too far from home as my mother recovers from her long ordeal in the hospital. I thank you for your prayers. She is making some progress in rehab, but feels very tired and "not right". That is so scary to hear - her blood pressure is low - she sleeps an awful lot, but still enjoys watching her Daniel O Donnell on dvd and she has a room mate who shares the sentiment, so she has company and comraderie (sp?).

I don't think I have ever felt so thankful for the people who volunteered their time to be at Balmoral last night in my place. Alice Hubert of Gratiot (adopter of Penguin Beware, Mini Happi Times, Sunny Forecast, and Pistol Pete N) jumped right in and offered to be the coordinator. Very touching, as well, was an offer by Pat Mouw and Jennie Dowden, both former and/or present race owners (I believe Pat's husband was also a trainer) to man a table at Balmoral. It means so much to know that we share not only a compassion for our equine friends, but that in tough times people are willing to step forward to help out at events like this. I am humbled by their selflessness and generosity and wanted to publicly thank them. They are precious!

My son had his 12th birthday party on Friday. Fifteen enthusiastic 9-12 year olds flooded the farm, and immediately 50% of them asked if they could ride horses. Why, of course!!!! Little Jeffrey John, Lakehills Texas, Remmie, and Chief gave rides, and by the end of the three hours some boys and girls were riding independently. What a great gift in life to have horses like these four who are so safe for the children and so patient and forgiving. Sometimes it absolutely overwhelms me and I ponder why anyone would not want to adopt a breed that can offer life experiences like this? Who knows what impact any one of these horses will have on the lives of the children - our future generation - as they have only good memories of their relationship with a horse and their safe riding experience.

Craig was able to haul Colonel Meacham and Unmasked to their new homes on Saturday. I am never one to offer to take them away from here, though I know each horse is deserving of much more lavish attention than we can give here (with 23 here at a time it is hard to do). Craig was nice enough to go and deliver the boys, who had bonded well together while at the ASAP farm.
There were at least seven people at the adoptive home to greet the horses when they arrived. A German foreign exchange student was also in the mix. That is great timing!

I will share pictures with you of the Chileda summer school day program students that recently visited the farm, and some of our vacation, and maybe a couple of Zach's birthday just for kicks.
What's next? Staying close to home is priority now due to mom's illness, and next weekend is another local 4-h horse show that Remmie, Janimal, and Chief will attend. Of course, R Colelateral gets so jealous when we go anywhere without him - he'll be so upset to see us go. Who knows? Maybe next year he will be a 4-H project horse too! He sure has become a great trail horse, capable of mastering the Black Hills and the wildlife and streams that it contains. It sure has been different riding a four year old horse as opposed to my Cash Wilco, who is now 27. We had 18 years together, "Cash" and I - it still feels bittersweet to pull out of the driveway and see him standing there, fully retired. I know he feels no sadness about being left behind and is fully appreciating doing nothing in particular. I was just so much at home on his back. He was so predictable and so comfortable. Yet, as the days pass, Cole and I are getting to know each other more and, in turn, are becoming "one" as horse and rider too. It just takes time. And love.

I will continue to keep you informed as to mom's progress. OH< I ALMOST FORGOT TO TELL YOU................on Thursday as I sat with mom in her room watching, yes, Danny O'Donnell, the telephone rang. Mom picked it up, listened, and then screamed in what I thought was horror, "NO!! I'M GOING TO DIE!". I thought to myself, "Oh no, now what else could possibly have happened????". She talked awhile, and I was trying to piece together the conversation......"How's your mother?" my mom said. "Yust a minute" and she hands the phone to me. I asked her, "Who is it???". She could not answer but shoved the phone at me. I cautiously answered, "Hello?". A voice from far away on the other end said, "Hello, it's Daniel O Donnell. I heard your mother had been ill and in the hospital and I just wanted to give her a call to tell her I was thinking of her". WOW! Evidently, my sister Heidi had phoned his manager and given him a message. Daniel, knowing my mother is quite a fan of his and always knowing her by name, really wanted to phone her personally. I had to explain that mom wasn't really going to die, and that she was so excited that he called that it was just a figure of speech. He was relieved. She got back on the phone and told him we would see him on his tour in North Dakota. ????????? That was news to me! But, hey, if she wants to go, if she's feeling up to it, we'll do anything she wants! After all, it's my mom..............and I am so very thankful to God for every day I have with her and for all the years I have been blessed by being her daughter.
Mom's last words to Daniel were, "Tell your wife I say "hello"".....that was so cute! She was shaking and began calling family and friends to tell them what had just happened. I am so glad he made mom's day.

I just took an hour to try to post all of the pictures and I got a rejection stating something was not "tagged". If anyone can help me out by explaining this maybe I can rectify it? Sorry!

Hugs to you all,
Susan

Where Have I Been??????

They say life passes us by at times, and in this case I am still back in August, while things have happened so quickly and, in some ways, surreal=ly, that I have been catpulted into September in a whirlwind of not-so-pleasant events.

It seems like it was last week when the last day of summer school came and our family was on our way to a respite filled with fun and riding out west in the Black Hills. The kids did not remember ever seeing Reptile Gardens or Bear Country, and it was a real thrill for them to go through it. We also had the extreme pleasure of stopping prior to our place in Nemo at an overnight spot where our horses could rest in Chamberlain, SD. We were overjoyed to meet Rick Floyd at Wingmasters, a farm where people fly in from all over the nation to hunt pheasants. We found Rick on a web site for equine overnight stays........and we were treated like family. The best part was a real "western" atmosphere and a great, big, honkin hot tub waiting for us in the middle of the living quarters! Rick had taken off the top of the hot tub and Tina our dog was so thrilled to be out of the truck and indoors that she jumped up onto the wicker and attempted to jump on the "bed" (aka hot tub). Before I could stop her she was in the water and embarassingly surprised at the thing that was supposed to be a bed that turned into a warm swim. I gasped and ran over to rescue her. She was just devastated with the whole experience (she is 13 this year!).........and spent some time sulking and I thought I saw a hint of red in her cheeks..........

The kids loved the journey to Wingmasters because they also had free use of the PS 3 that Rick set up for them. Wow - what a treat! I will send pictures in the next few days....and want to thank Rick for such great hospitality!

On to Nemo and the Reptile Gardens thing, the Bear Country, the Circle J where you can also see the exact spot where Kevin Costner filmed part of Dances with Wolves, and so much else.
Deadwood was the usual great experience with Midnight Star (Kevin Costner's casino and restaraunt), lots of riding!@!!!!! Nemo Guest Ranch eats and treats, friends and family....sitting in the 95=100 degree heat but it felt just fine.................getting a tan, going to pawn shops in Rapid City, and then the bomb drops.......

I was sitting outside sunning when a car pulled up. We don't have a phone at our place in Nemo and we get no signal for our cell phone. The older woman walked up and said she had an emergency message for Susan from Cherie. My daughter had called to tell me she found my mother on the floor in her condo in shock and they were in emergency and things did nto look very good. I felt that awful anxiety that crept from my heart to my throat as I ran for a vehicle that would take me to a lifeline - a phone that I could find out more.

My mother was admitted to the hospital and by the next day was in full gear to the Coronary Care Unit. A very long story short, I was afraid I would lose mom as I hurried across South Dakota and Minnesota to be at her side. Emotionally exhausted, I was unable to drive any further and Craig's mom Sandee and I stopped in Mitchell for short shut-eye. As I was driving the phone calls kept coming - mom is having a heart attack, power of attorney, who signs for surgery if she would need it, she's getting an echocardiogram.....my head was spinning as I silently prayed for time - time to get to my mom's side before something happened.

God was on our side - we got back to La Crosse and I ran up to the CCU. The doctors met with us and told us they felt as though they were losing her and didn't have a clear answer as to why but they felt there was an infection in her body. Tests, tests, more tests. I slept in the hospital that night with my sister. Suddenly the next day, a turn around as mom became more conscious. I went in to see her. She was glad I was back and exact words were, "Something bad happens when you leave me".....tears, laughter, hugs, bittersweet seconds exchanged before she slipped into deep sleep. I thanked God for His grace.

Pastor came- not many relatives and certainly no flowers or gifts (but we did wonder why)......but mom continued to improve. She was moved to a floor that is historically known in our hospital as the "doomsday floor". Lots of terminally ill people sent there - not a good omen. Mom slipped into thing after thing going wrong and became increasingly unresponsive. Finally a week ago the doctors came in to see mom and she was unable to be aroused. They asked me to come in to sign power of attorney so they could do a spinal tap to check for infection in the brain and spinal column. For some reason, after the spinal tap was done, she awoke. She improved. She began speaking (weakly). She had a collapsed lung so respiratory therapy was ordered. She was delirious at times, which was scary. Slowly, all of this began to pass. I just want to thank God when I tell you that she is, today, out of the hospital and in rehab. Go figure!!!!! God isn't finished with her yet and I am so thankful. Everything I am, I realize, I attribute to my mother. Everything I have ever known is from her. I am not ready to be an orphan, although that is a selfish reason for wanting to keep her here. But I know she was wanting to stay with us. So thank God!!!!

I am still preoccupied with seeing her every day, and want to thank Andrea T. and Mike (Comfortex Mattress Co owner but also former colleague of my mother's at Gundersen Lutheran years ago when they worked together) for caring enough to come to see her, hold her, and bring gifts. Mom is still talking about it!!!!

Things that have happened other than this include:

This week we hauled Remmie and Chief up to the Vernon County Fair for 4-H horse show which is Remmie and Chief's first time!!!! Remmie took two 2nd place ribbons in showmanship and halter with Rachel ( my nine year old and first timer who was placed in an upper age class by mistake!!), and Chief took two blue ribbons (way to go Casey and Chief!!). Unfortunately Chief had a nervous breakdown on Friday night because Vernon County has tie in stalls only and he is not used to this and rightly so.......we were on our way to celebrate Zach's 12th birthday when we got the call that Chief might be colicking so we had the vet examine him and he found good gut sounds but appeared very nervous. I explained from my cell that Chief is a very emotional horse and the last time he left home he had a breakdown at the vet's office when he was in for treatment and we had to bring him home with an IV to finish his treatment due to his behavior. It was decided after Chief did not calm down after Banamine to bring him home so thank you Victoria and Mary for doing that so we could enjoy Zach's golden birthday in the Dells!

Tomorrow is more of the horse show at Viroqua and be rooting for Remmie and Rachel as they go in the gaming classes and I will be sure to let you know how things go.

I need TWO VOLUNTEERS For next weekend at Balmoral Park for Super Night to pass out brochures and just talk to anyone interested in adopting a horse. I will pay for gas for anyone to go there to pass out literature and enjoy a great night of racing at no charge since you will be manning a table. Please consider helping us - our donations are down right now and we are really hurting and would appreciate anyone close going to help out ASAP!!!! Call me on my cell at 608-792-5126 if you are thinking about it or have any ideas!

Bless you all,
Susan

Your Help Needed - Give If You Can

Wish us well! We are off on a well-deserved horsey vacation to the wild wild west. Tonite we plan to stop at Chamberlain and take a load off and get to know a family who has an equestrian campground and lodge. They kiddingly said, "No Standardbreds allowed - only Quarter horses!" Then he began asking a lot of questions about the breed and you never know - I think I might have him sold on trying one at his ranch! I'll try to get pictures.

Anyway, we are in the red again at ASAP. Adoptions are slow and there are so many horses waiting to come in. Now hay prices here are just fine and we have an abundance of hay in our neck of the woods, but other people do not have it so easy. Many foster families are stepping up to keep horses at their place until they can be adopted, but some simply cannot continue with the extra expense. We are in need of more foster families and also donations to help us continue to provide for the horses at our farm. Would you believe Spirit is still here? Pearl??? Lyric?

I am hearing countless stories of people who initially applied to adopt a horse but went ahead and took a FREE horse or a really "cheap" horse. Now that horse is not turning out and they are asking to place them into our program in order to adopt a horse through our organization!!!

The BEAUTY of ASAP is that we guarantee your satisfaction when it comes to adoption. If the horses do not work out for you you are entitled, within 30 days, to a FREE EXCHANGE. We stand behind our horses. We are also not a rescue. Horses coming through our adoption program are generally sound and well-trained. Occasionally we do rescue - we won't deny that - but adoption programs do differ greatly from rescue programs so if you study this you'll know you can't go wrong with one of our horses. If you do (I can't see every horse personally and evaluate them before you do so can't recommend one horse over the other if it is not at ASAP), I will do my best to make sure you are happy.

We are in a tight bind right now and need your financial help. The following horses require extra care. If you remember them and want to help sponsor them, it is greatly appreciated:

Stylish Sharon - needs much feed to keep weight on - needs blood work for thyroid function - needs skin care for hair that is just now starting to shed when it shouldn't. This mare raced and made over a quarter million dollars - we owe her our best! She is 22 or 23 this year.

Steelin Apples - ongoing monitoring as he gets sore in the shoulder area. Needs closer supervision

Strawberry - aged mare - hip problems - still gives great rides around the yard to kids but is not being adopted due to age and hips

Bob Cook - made over $100,000 as a race horse - still limps when he walks but has been enjoying a summer full of pasture and leisure - will come back to ASAP in fall - needs monitoring

Arne - made over $50,000 as a race horse - fractured his hock - been a companion horse since coming to ASAP. Needs close monitoring but has done well in summer pasture turnout!

Brandy - Quarter horse cross - 25 years old this year - sidebone - does well with regular trims by natural hoof care farrier and good food. WE LOVE THIS HORSE but she is not adoptable due to biting issues in the past (not at ASAP) and her age. Please help us support her!

Colonel Meacham - a recent return to our program - has been adopted by two families in the past seven or eight years. He came back very thin - trying to put weight on and giving bute for an injury that must have happened on the hind leg in the past year. We have been having to pull him out to feed extra and give bute. He is fairly fragile right now and needs dental care.

There's more but I won't continue due to time contraints (grandma and daughter Rachel are out catching horses to go out west and I am sitting here at the computer!!)..................but please give - use Pay Pal if you can - or send us whatever you can spare. We are feeling the effects of the anti-slaughter and know that horses are a dime a dozen right now - problem is people are not thinking and taking free horses has resulted in many people who wish they would have gone through the adoption program.

Upcoming events:

Vernon County Fair - Remmie the STB debuts as a 4-H show horse!

Super Night - Balmoral Park - Sat. September 20!!!!

Hugs,

Susan

Blogspot

I went on my blogspot this morning to try to email the page to the United States Trotting Association, and viewed quite a mess. I am not sure why I can type up the blogspot in one format and attach pictures and then have it come out scattered all over the page with huge gaps in between paragraphs. I apologize and will try to resolve it!

On Friday we will host Chileda Institute day program students - most of the students have autism or autism spectrum disorder. There will be 15-20 students with just as many youth workers so we will be a busy place! Pray for us that all horses behave and all students will stay safe and have a great time! I'll be sure to post pictures.

Events coming up:

Wild West Days Parade - Viroqua, WI = Friday August 15 @ 7 pm

Super Night - details to be announced

Vernon County Fair - September - Rachel is showing her Standardbred in Viroqua!!! This is a first for her so wish her well. Also in attendance will be Chief with a 4-h gal named Casey.

I am busy working or trying to get to Cricket, Taser Gun, and R Colelateral each day, training them as I have time. Cole was a bit of a spitfire last weekend - Cricket surprised me with her great behavior, and Taser is getting to be more and more calm all of the time! WE hope to be off to the Kickapoo Reserve this weekend.

Adoptions are slow this year - oh, so slow. I have heard the same from all adoption groups. There is a surplus of "free horses to good homes". The people taking these free horses are now coming to us to see if we want them, finding out the horses have too many vices or are too untrained. That is the beauty of adoption programs - we take in very well trained, healthy horses and guarantee that they will be satisfied or they can trade...........our horses are not throw-aways! They are valuable, loved animals whose owners want the best for them and a lifetime placement program. Check out your rescues and adoptions - there are only a few across the nation who maintain lifetime ownership - and after doing this for over 15 years I can be the first to tell you how much turnover there can be in a horse's life due to divorce, death, illness, and other life events. Isn't it good to know they won't go just anywhere when these events do occur in a family's life? I would rest assured if I died in a plane accident or was incapacitated that if I had an adopted horse like I did with Star Cheetah, there would be an organization who would be there to make sure my horse went to only a qualified family and be tracked throughout his lifetime. It's like having an insurance policy!

A few weeks ago I was having a rough week with Tommy, our long haired black and white cat. He had been attacked by dogs and we thought he would be okay but Craig came up one morning and said, "Something's wrong with Tommy - he can't walk". I knew if CRAIG was worried that there was something seriously wrong, so we immediately put him in a kennel cab and I drove him up to La Crosse Veterinary Clinic. His condition was critical - the bacteria from the bite had traveled into his spine. They diagnosed spinal meningitis and started huge rounds of steroids and powerful antibiotics. I had just come out of eye surgery and was in a great deal of pain myself, but went to work and kept checking in on Tommy. They reported that he was continuing to lose coordination and was not eating or drinking. I asked Jan, one of the vet assistants there, to give Tommy a big hug for me. I think Jan did more than that, but I know she went back and spent time with him. I searched the bible during my free moments, looking for reassurance and also preparation for anything that might happen to Tommy that would bring comfort to my heart. The next morning the vet called and my lump in my throat dropped to my soul as I picked up the phone. Someone was frantic on the other end - the vet assistant was ECSTATIC - Tommy was up and walking and eating! I praised God for what many people would consider a little thing that was such a huge thing for us - Tommy was going to be okay!

After that my eyes started to feel better and every day just got better and better. There are so many bumps in the road along life's path, and we never know what is on the other side of the hills we climb, but I want to be sure to be thankful for each day. I always said after Taser Gun was kicked and he recovered after a guarded prognosis that I could never have another bad day. Each miracle that happens brings me to the reality that God is so close in every situation, and He really cares and will respond if we come to Him with our problems and crises. The verses I found during the trial of Tommy and my post surgery pain were:

Psalm 31:7 "I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy, for thou has considered my trouble; thou

hast known my soul in adversities".

Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Don't forget to be thankful for something today!!!

Susan

Life Is Good

4 hours post eye surgery! John Jody kids and me

John and Taser and dog River - the kids LOVED River and cried when he left with John and Jody Lyons!



Mr. and Mrs. Walker with Taser Gun - talking with Craig....

Taser did bite John once, but other than that was a really great

horse for John to retrain to saddle!

I just came in from taking a horse up to its new home. The adopters who have committed to this gelding for so many years made the decision to rehome him, driving 6 1/2 hours to the ASAP destination. What a commitment. People like this just amaze me. To top it all off, Colonel arrived at our farm today from over 4 hours away in Iowa - another family who made the decision to end adopter-ship and made the financial and ethical commitment to drive him back.

We did try to adopt these horses out from their home areas, but sometimes it just doesn't work out time-wise. What an appreciation I have for the adoptive families - thanks to the Knoles' and the Formanek's for their great care of their horses for the years they had them.

The sun was shining all day long and this weekend is a weekend to reflect on John and Jody Lyons, the people who attended, and to thank everyone who had anything to do with sponsoring the event. While two sponsored children did not come, there were others in line who really were thankful to be able to attend and meet America's Most Trusted Horseman! Needless to say, Taser Gun and John got along very well, and the saddling and mounting were uneventful, thankfully! Taser seems to really enjoy a job to do, and we will continue using John's methods.

Making the event even more special was the arrival of Taser Gun's lifetime trainer, Bob Walker, and his wife and grandson. I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw a young boy wearing an embroidered shirt that read TASER GUN on it. It was an honor to have them here at the farm and they enjoyed reconnecting with Taser and having pictures taken!

I want to show pictures and write more later as time frees up - enjoy the sunshine, appreciate each moment, and let's ride while we can!!!

Susan