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

URGENT NEED IN OHIO

I just got a call from a rescue in Ohio who recently took in a Standardbred from our program. Sand Wedge is a tall Standardbred gelding who has been in his adoptive home for a few years, but the family recently called to relinquish the horse. The options they were given were, per placement contract, to:
1) arrange for return of the horse to the ASAP farm
2) allow ASAP to attempt to rehome Sand Wedge in Ohio to avoid shipping charges.
They chose option #2, and also placed another horse who was a Quarter horse into our program. Sadly, the Quarter horse recently died of sudden and severe colic. That was the last communication we had from them. Now, Sand Wedge is standing at a horse rescue.
We have several people who have adopted horses in the state of Ohio. If any of you are willing to step up to take Sand Wedge it would be greatly appreciated!!!! Even if you are willing to do short term care so that the other rescue does not have to be responsible for the feed and care involved in an extra horse that is not part of their program, it would be wonderful.
Give me a call at 608-792-5126 or email me at asapinc@mwt.net

This is an urgent situation - please respond!
Thanks!
Susan

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