July 28, 2005

I have been chided for not updating the farm letters recently. You know, same old story, busy busy busy! We took Squire One out to South Dakota along with Hideamark, who got her new home in the Black Hills (a place to die for), and thought it would be a perfect time to take Squire to work him on trails. He was a perfect gentleman in the trailer, and at the ranch. He loved the horses around him and enjoyed his first experience on the trails. He crossed walking bridges over water, went across streams, and climbed hills like he had been doing it all his life. He was PERFECT and can you tell I am attached?

We took a horse to Minnesota and dropped him off, then went over to pick up Josie at Lakeville. I will have pictures soon of this beautiful Thoroughbred mare! We arrived home at 3 am on Saturday morning, then at 8 am we were up for the fund raiser that was held here by Mark Stuber on natural hoof trimming. We had a nice crowd and it was quite intensive (will have pictures soon). We want to thank Mark for all of his hard work and Denise's too - he was well prepared, organized, and thorough. We hope to have another clinic in the future.

On Sunday it was 104 degrees, so the only place to be was on the river, where we enjoyed time on the sand bar making sand castles and fishing with our children. The horses were all at home staying cool and the fan in the barn keeps blowing fuses cuz we have it running around the clock! I think the llamas actually enjoy the cooler weather, as most of you do. Still, I long for 90 degrees twelve months of the year!

Today is Tuesday, and Craig is already leaving again for a haul of four Paso Finos to Virginia, then from there he will travel to Kentucky to pick up two Standardbreds, then to Altamont to pick up a horse from Pam Coleman (Penguin Beware), then to Springfield to pick up a horse from Rick Schrock stables, then home. I must admit that with five kids at home ages 6-16 and 25 horses outside I am not looking forward to him leaving us! The only exciting part of him leaving is when he returns with more precious horses that need homes and the opportunity to do right by each of them.

We are also gearing up for Night of Champions at Hawthorne in Chicago, where Janimal and Lakehills Texas will be on display and a fund raiser will be conducted by the race track for the horses of ASAP Inc!!! Seems all goes crazy from there as we attend the Illinois State Fair, then possibly the Northern Illinois Horse Fest, then the Vernon County Fair and Super Night! We will then drop from exhaustion about the end of September!

We have been so grateful for the many donations received recently. We want to thank our corporate sponsor Comfortex Mattress Company for their recent contribution, and Chrisoula in Florida and Sarah in Milwaukee for donations of fly spray and traps and other supplies so badly needed to make the horses comfortable. Barbara C. of Kentucky recently donated $200, and Pat M. in Wisconsin sent $40. Sheryl in Colorado sent $50, and all of this helps our program so tremendously.

We are currently working on grants that will enable us to pay people working for ASAP and we would then be allowed to add additional staff to our program. We would also like to thank Cookie and her friend Karen S. for their recent donation of a complete stall! These are all blessings from people who really care.

Things we could currently really use are:

--More vaccines for incoming horses
--Lead ropes (can never get enough)
--Fly spray and fly masks
--Saddle racks and bridle/halter hooks

Until next time, your humble servant for the horses,

Susan