November 17, 2005

GLOOOOOOOMMMMY..................

Do you ever feel like when you look outside your horses look as bored as you are?  These past few days with the sun becoming less and less evident and for shorter periods of time, I think I have to do more to entertain the horses waiting for homes.

My own horses have it good - a few hours at the round bale - a visit to the creek for a drink - feeding on what grass is left after the frost, then feed time in the afternoon.  They all get plenty of attention and look forward to the kids coming for day camp or the weekly lessons.  They eagerly stand by the fence waiting for what might happen today.

Yesterday I had quite a scare, but thank goodness for Tilly, our watch -donkey, who heard me come out of the house.  I thought I would open the gate and let Brandy, Alex, Quinny, Bob Cook, and Laredo Hall out to graze for awhile.  As I am chaining the gate I heard a frantic shake of our sturdy panels the line our driveway.  It sounded like something was caught up in it.  My donkey, seeing me, sounded the alarm with a deafening bray.  The llamas scattered and ran and ran, staring in the direction of the commotion.  I ran behind the shed to find my husband' horse, Fargo (nicknamed "accident waiting to happen") caught under the heavy panel.  He knew enough not to struggle too much - all four legs were under the bottom of the panel.  I ran for Craig, who was cutting up a tree which had fallen during the last wind storm.  We had to take apart the panels and roll Fargo completely over to get him up.  He got up and took off running, yawning!  Thank goodness for no harm done, and thank God for Tilly, our beloved donkey.  What would we do without her?

All the deworming got done last Saturday with the help of Sara a day camper and Whitney.  It took all day, and Brandy and Kokinos were bound not to be caught for the occasion.  TJ's MIss Double Mak was quite a character, and had to get into the bucket with empty deworming syringes in them, scattering them across the arena as she wore a nice yellow lipstick from her own de-worming experience.  I am growing more and more fond of this mare the longer she is around us, and she is blossoming into a pudgy but beautiful sight to behold.

Broadway Buddy and Rondancer are on their way back, after a brief adoption period with K Mac A Roni and their new adopters.  Seems Ronnie is being mean to K Mac, and is causing a ruckus, so they will be returned and traded for two other horses.  Maybe the kindest thing to do is to split up Rondancer and Broadway Buddy, but that is so difficult to do to two horses that have been together since age two. What do you think?

We are currently working on a holiday newsletter and a possible fund raiser with John Lyons and Michael Martin Murphy (if he obliges).  We are also excited about HorseTV contacting us, offering to broadcast a PSA for us free of charge and possibly do a show about ASAP! I am so excited about that.  I am also honored to be a part of HORSETALK RADIO with Warren Wexler, who has been doing three-minute spots featuring an ASAP horse of the week for the past several months.  This show is heard nation-wide.  Now to figure out how to win the lottery for ASAP so we can afford every luxury that each horse deserves while they are waiting for new homes.

Thanks to Barb and Scott Edwards we will have a new shed delivered and erected today!  The remaining money donated will go towards another shelter in another portion of a turnout so all horses can have access to run-in shelters in addition to a stall when they need it.  We are so grateful for these gifts!

My 12 year old autistic boy is growing in communication skills each week, using Chief as a therapy horse.  He is now able to initiate when he wants to "giddy-up" and can ask for a trot.  He knows "around the world" on his horse, and can identify horn, stirrup, mane, and horseshoe.  Chief has the patience of a saint as he goes into the evening hours in the indoor arena, and tolerates basketballs, badminton birdies, plastic balls, and stuffed toys that make all kinds of noises during scavenger hunts.  Last Saturday there were seven children from the ages of 2 1/2 - 9 at the ASAP farm, and all go the opportunity to ride either Lake Hills Texas, Randy, or Chief both in the indoor arena and down the road.  They couldn't get enough!

We have had a few horses trade homes recently.  Dealer Donnie D went to another farm in Iowa, while Sassie Susie and Never Smoother traveled between Michigan and Minnesota. Penguin Beware may have a new home in South Carolina (keep your fingers crossed), while Albert's Knight got adopted by his foster family in Michigan to join Natalina and Bad Alice, two former racing STB's from Michigan.  Ebony went from Minnesota to Iowa where she is now adopted.  BA the mule was adopted by his foster family near Black River Falls, and Dueling Fox has a forever home there also. Holly went to Iowa from Wisconsin this past Saturday.

Amidst all the concerns about finding homes where horses are properly loved, fed, and cared for, the majority of all that goes on with ASAP and their horses is immensely positive.  We are only as good as the people who jump in to help us out - we rely heavily on self-motivated, self-directed people who have knowledge about horse matters and horse care.  When things go wrong, as they sometimes do, we are ever so glad for the qualified people who can jump in and take over to help a horse.  There is never a shortage of horses to help, so if you feel led, please contact us to help ship, foster, or rescue if need be!

Until Thanksgiving,

Susan