Midwest Horse Fair.
Theresa shows off the great ASAP stalls which were decorated by Kellie Magsamen. Thanks to Kellie for volunteering her time at THREE horse fairs this spring!

Stephanie and Hannah ready One Bad Bob.

The girls head back from the Collisium.

April 24, 2003   

Dear Friends,

I am sitting here tonight feeling the most fragile and vulnerable that I have felt in ages. I have just come inside from medicating yet another horse - and it is one of our own. It seems that he contracted a secondary complication from the Strangles.........involving hemorrhaging of the internal linings and also causing hives and edema. We are treating with massive doses of penicillin and flucort and hoping for the best. How long can this go on?

The illness that was brought here by a race horse out of Michigan has passed through our farm like a wildfire out of control. Some horses contracted the Strangles, while others barely had a runny nose. Some never got it at all (thank GOD!)..............but for the ones who had it, we are finding out that Precious KC and our gelding both have complications from it. We have hundreds of dollars worth of vet bills, and a ton of tears and headaches and stomach upset to go with it. We can only pray that this is the end of things, and from now on we will vaccinate. For the first time in 13 years, we have experienced a phenomena over which ASAP had no control................ but like I said, thank goodness it is nearly over. Say a prayer for our gelding - Precious KC has recovered and is healthy and ornery as ever!

We are actively seeking avenues of funding from the Thoroughbred industry for Granny at this point. We have two major leads, and I should be speaking with an administrative member from the Thoroughbred industry tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!

I have to say that we need to extend the raffle and pursue other avenues of funding due to the lack of raffle sales at Midwest Horse Fair. This wasn't anyone's fault in particular - Precious KC came down with a life-threatening complication from Strangles which kept me at the farm until Sunday afternoon, and thus no one was in the booth to represent ASAP. I must say that I spoke with quite a few people on Sunday afternoon, but the total raffle collection was a measly $43, and ASAP paid $50 just to have the raffle permit issued to us prior to Midwest Horse Fair! It was so important that someone could be present in the booth at all times, but since extenuating circumstances arose, it was not possible. Thankfully, we can extend the raffle until the $1300 has been collected to cover Granny's vet bill....................................

So ASAP has met with some extremely difficult times the past month and a half. I am speechless in the face of the tragedies, yet must continue to do our best on behalf of all the horses waiting for homes. People from all corners of the midwest have been reaching out to assist us in fostering horses free of charge, while others have offered to ship horses at no cost. This speaks of the calibur of people we have that make up ASAP Inc. You are all family!

The Horse Illustrated article is being read, copied, and handed out to everyone who is interested, and many who don't care, but I'm making them read it anyway! LOL...........
It was such a feeling of humility, yet pride, to read this article - and honestly, I did not provide an interview for it! This article sprung forth as the result of someone's visit, and subsequent study of the ASAP website, as well as personal letters exchanged in regards to a horse that the author of the article placed in our program, and one she has adopted. WE cannot thank Sue Weaver enough for the exposure. The resulting contacts and phone calls and mail we have received as a direct result of this has kept us quite busy, but thankfully so!

The Minnesota Horse Expo is coming right up, and we will be there to help on Friday evening briefly, then again on Saturday morning. Kim Cleminson, along with Linda Bair, Adrienne de Master and Kristen and other members of the local 4-H club, as well as at least one other volunteer, will man the booth round the clock to pass out materials and answer questions from the heart. They should be wonderful ambassadors for ASAP, as they all have provided the best homes anyone could ask for for many of the ASAP horses over the years. Thanks to all who will participate, and we'll hope for good digital photos!

A fellow teacher passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday after having back surgery. It was a shock to all the faculty, and we offer condolensces to the family of Biljana Zeisler of La Crosse. None of us ever know what tomorrow will bring..............it is a harsh reminder to always be ready, as it seems we have little control over our destiny. Biljana was always in the hallways in the morning to greet the middle school students as they entered the building. She had a kind smile and a wonderful accent - she had come from Europe and had never lost her accent - I often shared stories with her about my Norwegian mother and how she has never lost her accent in 40 years...............my, how things can change................

Send me a joke if you think of it - or a line of encouragement. I am feeling especially battle weary this week!

Until next week,

Susan