April 4, 2006

Remember, your vet check is due each spring. Please print one and mail it to ASAP. Thank you!

Thanks to all of you who pitched in to help out horses in need. Because of you, the following horses have been helped or are in the process of finding caring homes for foster care: Inside Straight, Anxious Larry, Holly, and Buddy. Who did I leave out? You came from far and near, and ASAP is blessed to have all of you there for the horses!

The Black Hills Horse Expo was unbelievable. The weather was deplorable, with high winds and snow! We weathered the storm, though, and Zach and Rachel did a great job of helping with the demos. Zach had a bit of a nervous breakdown on Saturday as his stirrup broke just a few moments before our first demonstration in Rapid City. He could not bear weight on it, as we put it back on to look as though it were "on" but it was a good fake job. Thanks to Craig's mom, who came along, she led Tex into the arena so Zach had one less thing to think about ...... and Rachel took command of Janimal as he walked trotted and cantered around that arena!

We were all glad to get back to the house in Nemo that night we were chilled to the bone, but it was good to talk to so many STB lovers out west! I got the chance to see Medicine Wheel, and meet a wonderful woman who does work with young girls in South Dakota using horses as healers. The booth had lots of serious inquiries about adoption. We got home and were chilled to the bone, but back at it again Sunday morning.

We had to demo by noon again, so prepared and this time Zach was going to ride Randy, who is a pro at this by now, and I took Tex (who is just a little bit more nervous when demonstrating)........
Zach was still reliving the night mare of the day before and was naturally nervous to get on board Randy. I took Tex and warmed him up in the warm-up arena along with Randy and Janimal. I never thought I had ever heard so much bit-chomping as between Janny and Tex- we must have looked ridiculous! Nonetheless at least our horses were not freaking out or flipping over backwards or banging into other horses during our warm=up. We were in the warm-up arena with Fresians, Quarter horses, a Morgan stallion, a yearling Quarter horse and Fresian, some Norwegian Fjords.... wow was it a maze to warm up but it was fun. I had to laugh at Janimal, laying his ears back at horses coming up behind him but never offering to kick... and Tex just nerved up going chomp chomp chomp and holding his tail up high.

We demonstrated and no one leading the kids made for a neat presentation. Rachel, giggling, again trotted Janimal ans mom and her hot=dogged for the crowd. I could barely hear Zach behind us, but know he was, under his breath, crying "Mom you said you wouldn't go fast!" as Randy took him around in large circles like an obedient equine. The kids got lots of claps - after all, isn't that what Standardbreds are all about? Great family horses!

The horses knew it was Day 2 and ready to leave, so Craig ran them the half hour trip to our house and acreage at Nemo and they were about to really settle in to their hay when Craig had to come back to get us because a blizzard was brewing. He got a bad flu bug on day one of our trip and was just feeling miserably. We were supposed to have our booth all packed up by 5 pm to load in the truck and go back to the Nemo house but Craig's mom and I got all caught up in what they call the Trainer's Challenge. Three trainers, three totally green unbroke horses. They got either one or two hours to go as far as they could go with their horses and judges got to decide who they thought the best trainer was. I had trainer 2 all picked out from the "get go" - gentle, slow, confident... always rewarding the horse with a pat... and trainer 2 did win! The other two were great trainers, too - one a bit more wild and crazy than the other, but when the time was up all three trainers had gotten on their horses and were able to walk trot and canter them after lots of round pen work. It was amazing to watch!

We loaded up the truck between 5 and 6 pm and off to the Nemo place where the snow had begun to fly and temperatures dropped. I took one look at the outdoor pasture and knew I did NOT want my horses out there for the night. Craig mentioned the doors were iced shut on the barn but that didn't stop Craig's mom or me. Out in the storm we went to get those horses in stalls. I said that Randy was 25 and I didn't want him standing out there in that blizzard with high winds! The horses were ready by the time we got the door unstuck and the lights on their eyes were peering in as if to say 'Please let us in!!'
In my rush to take off halters and leads and feed horses I forgot to keep track of my dogs. You see we have added a new member to the family - a six month old Welsh Corgi named Buckaroo (but we call him Ju Ju). He is supposed to be my son's dog but a mama is a mama and Bucky follows me constantly. He was outside with Sandee and I that night, too, but when it came time to go indoors there was no Bucky in sight... we frantically searched for paw prints in the snow but saw none leading to the pond or creek. We called and called and called and no response. My kids were upset and my husband did not love the idea of going outdoors when so sick to launch a massive search. Just when I had about given up the thought of sleeping that night I remembered that I had gone into Tex's stall to take off his halter. I back tracked to the barn and slid open the large metal door. I trudged over to Tex's stall and opened it, and inside was tiny Bucky standing next to Tex waiting to be reunited with us!! Thank God for a gentle Tex, and thank God for retracing steps!

The kids were scared to sleep in their beds because of the high winds so we all joined hands and prayed that night before bed. The kids slept restfully and I slept next to them feeling quite thankful for another day peacefully coming to an end.

We enjoyed our Monday (Sandee and I slipped away to Deadwood for a few hours) and the sun was shining and it was gloriously warm! We headed back on Tuesday and the rest is history! A safe journey back and lots of grand memories.

I am thankful for my home and family and satisfied with the mission God has put in my heart... and love all of you too! I look forward to Iowa Horse Fair, and MidWest Horse Fair and hope to see you there! Of course, I do not have pictures of Black Hills Horse Expo, as I am the only picture taker and the digital camera was in my pocket - I am sorry! Oh, one more thing - was amazed and happy to have Wayne Williams approach me at Black Hills Horse Expo - as he was the annoncer for that event! He was so friendly and made us feel right at home. Hope to see him this year at Belvidere IL!!!

Until next week and another adventure to share,

Susan