Thanks
for checking in!
If you have adopted a horse from ASAP, please send your own "farm
updates" to Susan at
asapinc@mwt.net
ASAP will have its next board meeting at 7:00 pm on Tuesday of
next week.
|
January
17,
2003
BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's not so fun
now, is it? Going outside to do chores is not at the top of my
list every night, but you know what? Once you get out there with
the right pair of cover alls and head covering and boots, it's
almost invigorating! It is just the "getting out there"
part that we all have to gear up for, isn't it? Think spring!
Think ahead to the green grass and endless hours of riding - it's
just around the corner! (we can only hope?)
I get lost of questions
from people regarding how to feed a Standardbred in the winter.
I don't know about you, but I find that a Standardbred, like any
other breed of horse, has individual needs based on their present
weight and condition and age. Take for example my old man, Star
Cheetah. He is almost 27 years old, has half his teeth left in
his mouth, and cannot digest hay very easily. As a result, he
comes into the barn at around 2 pm (thank goodness for self-employed
husbands), and begins the four hour long ritual of eating. First
comes the Profile Senior pellets (4 large coffee cans). Later,
or mixed with, comes the 14% sweet feed (3 coffee cans worth).
Later come several pounds of hay cubes, wet down with water and
allowed to break down to a type of mush. No wonder it takes him
several hours to eat! It does pay off, however - he has held onto
his weight better in the past two years that he did the previous
8 or 9!
The other horses,
primarily the aged or lean, are ALWAYS separated out for specially
designed feed. If you are not willing to take the time to watch
your herd, note their age and condition, and feed accordingly,
don't have a horse. It may mean the difference between life and
death - literally! We have at least three horses who do not require
any feed in the winter whatsoever - they "blow up" just
by looking at treats! They also become more unmanageable when
being ridden if they have been grained, but in all three of these
cases the horses can and do have 24-hour-a-day access to hay.
Our hay is a good alfalfa mix, and you can see more alfalfa than
grass. It has never hurt any one of our horses, no matter what
the breed, to have a richer hay. Sometimes when you ask a farmer
for "good horse hay", all you will get is a coarse,
grassy worthless hay that the farmer would never dream of feeding
to his livestock. So be a good hay shopper, and watch the mold!
Thanks to all of
you offering to help out with Jackpot. He should be hitching a
ride with one of three people this weekend. It is nice to know
there are so many of you willing to help us out when we are busting
at the seams!
We have had so many
people interested in Maureen Anastasia, EV's Mack, EI, and Sam
and Touch of Greatness that I truly believe they may be adopted
out by this weekend. Also, JW Liten Power is another popular choice,
and ASAP must make the painstaking decision of which horses go
to which families. The adoption process is never done lightly.
We go to great lengths to discuss the horses, their needs, and
which families would provide the absolute best care for each horse.
We are not a sales arena, so it isn't always the first come, first
serve if ASAP has a feeling it wouldn't be the best match. That
is what makes us an adoption program - kind of like adopting a
child. You can't necessarily specify an age, race, boy, girl,
and then demand one certain child. You work with a social worker
and go through the adoption process - so you can kind of think
of ASAP as your personal social workers! LOL...
So - as we go through
the list of very adoptable horses and many apply, please do not
be offended if you do not get the exact horses you wanted. There
are three horses referred on the average each week, so many will
come in that you will fall in love with!
My life is full
- between my family, basketball games, wrestling meets, youth
group meetings, and teaching obligations - but I am eternally
greatful for our health - our happiness - and endless possibilities!!!!
I am making a Life-Long commitment to fun - to laughter - and
to kindness! WE are also very thankful, as always, for the wonderful
people involved with the organization.
Be watching for
ASAP represented at Midwest Horse Fair, Iowa Horse Fair, and once
again (ta da) as a part of a demonstration with the Illinois STandardbred
Owner's and Breeder's Association at the Illinois Horse Fair in
March. Minnesota is pending, as it is a very expensive horse fair
for us to attend. Michigan Horse Fair will have a booth represented
by Adrienne Nelson, a Standardbred race owner from Michigan.
As soon as Chicago
starts racing again (let's pray it's soon!) you will see us at
Balmoral Park one Saturday evening per month, and hopefully the
same at Maywood - thanks to the racing industry, that truly cares
about its retired race horses.
Until next week,
Susan
Read
past farm updates
|
