Dearest Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I must share with you the passing
of a great race horse - Tristinette.
TRISTINETTE
Foal of 1986
Keystone Mohawk - Tristine - Egyptian Dancer
Foaling Date: May 1, 1986
Foaling Place: Rio, Illinois
Total Earnings: $35,147
Tristinette was placed with ASAP Inc. in May of 2003. Her life
spanned almost two decades, and was full and exciting. Tristinette
raced in the Midwest, and also had the opportunity, because
of her speed and athleticism, to race at THE premiere track
at one point in her life - the Meadowlands.
After her racing career ended, she was retired and started a
new career as a brood mare at Harmony Oaks Farm in Marengo,
IL until May 2003.
She weaned her last baby this year, and was placed with ASAP
to find a loving home.
ASAP only had her in care for three and a half months, and her
adopter noticed a gradual decrease in appetite and weight. The
first vet was called out in early August and did a full exam,
discovering a growth in her uterus. ASAP brought her home to
the farm for observation. Hoping for the best, penicillin was
started to counteract any possible infections.
A second vet was consulted for another test, and the mass inside
her seemed to have increased rather than decreased. Tristinette
was having a tough time urinating and walking. Steps seemed
painful for her, and even having two babies around her didn't
cheer her up. The weight loss continued.
ASAP knew something more needed to be done, so we consulted
our high-tech equine hospital and had her brought there for
ulstrasound. The mass was, again, confirmed and it was connected
to her pelvis - inoperable. Still not wanting to give up hope,
a biopsy was done and fluid examined. The mass - the tumor -
was inoperable and is WAS cancer, as we feared.
Tristinette could have been brought back to ASAP to live out
her days, but they would be few and filled with pain. She had
no more joy in living... and the decision was made to have her
humanely euthenized.
Tristinette went to meet her Maker on Saturday, September 6,
2003. Never to be forgotten, her gentle spirit and sweetness
will always be a presence here at ASAP. There are many questions,
but no answers. What we DO know is that she was a blessing to
us all, however brief.
FARM UPDATE:
Taken By Surprise sustained a horrifying injury a week and a
half ago that left his entire side torn open, revealing the
flesh underneath. His skin was hanging underneath his abdomen,
and there had been a significant loss of blood but, luckily,
no major artery had been torn.
Our vet arrived two hours after discovering the wound. We knew
enough to take the large flap of skin and hold it up and wrap
it to keep as much skin viable as possible. The vet immediately
went to work to staple and stitch T-Bone back together (so many
staples and stitches it is impossible to count!).
He has been on a regimen of hydrogen peroxide, nitrofurazone
powder, SWAT to keep the flies out, two kinds of injectable
antibiotics (2x a day!), diapers to cover some of the wound,
gauze, vet wrap, ace bandages, iodine solution, and sheets to
cover his entire torso to keep flies from laying eggs. If you
have any sheets, full size or larger, disposable diapers, or
other things we have listed on hand, please give us a hand in
helping T-Bone recover! Your help is needed.
Vet bills are our main expense, as well as feed, at this point
in time. Tristinette's vet bills are over $300, while T-Bone's
vet bill is over $400. If you can help, use Pay Pal and all
dollars received will be greatly appreciated.
A special thanks goes out to Mary Schneider, who recently donated
500 pounds of Profile Senior to ASAP!!!
Thanks to Sandy L., a race owner from Chicago, who sent in $200
in donations, and Stacy C. for her $50 donation. And, Pastor
Stockwell from Christian Harness Horseman's Association, who
sent $100 yesterday to help us with vet expenses. You are all
loved!
Visit us at the Vernon County Fair this week. We will have a
tent next to the humane society! Then, it's off to Super Night
at Balmoral Park in Chicago this Saturday Night. Next Saturday,
look for Honey Fitz in the Billy Barn area of the grandstand
at Balmoral Park as he greets the public.
Hope to see you!
Susan
