December 3, 2005

Darn Hose... here we go again with another winter of fighting the proverbial garden hose - hundreds of feet of it being dragged from one tank to the other as we head into the winter season. I tell myself to keep a good attitude - sometimes that is hard to do when you are wrestling the water source!

Horses are happy and healthy - and so are our children, thankfully. We are putting up another lean-to for the horses and waiting for our steel carport-turned shelter to arrive (still). I will send pictures when it arrives!

Brandy continues to follow me around the farm, "helping" me with chores and just hanging out. I love this mare to death, and hope that someday she finds a permanent home with someone who can appreciate her. Bob Cook, Arne, Precious KC, Asha, and other sanctuary horses here somewhat resemble the island of misfit toys... but my love for them is immeasurable.

I want to thank the people who have stepped up to the plate to help us pay bills. Without their support we could not continue:

Andrea Terek and Comfortex Mattress
Blue Horse Charities
Theresa Halbach (Sarajevo and Cape Cruisers mom)
Sally Watt (donated Five Dollah, Willful Won, and Friendly Explosion)

Theses were sizeable contributions and appreciated beyond words.

We continue to pay premium prices for our round bales, and wish we had another hay source, especially for square bales. If any of you are interested in sending hay our way, contact me. Having it shipped here would be necessary.

It has been a week of rescue more than donation and placement. Egyptian Lace was rescued before she could be shipped to Cavel a couple of weeks ago, and we thank another one of ASAP's Angels, Dondi, for her shipping and fostering of both Lace and Rosedale Denise, whose owner Joe Camponetti passed away and his horse needed a home. Thanks to Wally Butenschoen for giving us a call on this tall, elegant mare.

We got a call from a neighbor who had an Arabian who needed rescue - had been without food or water off and on these past couple of weeks. Last night we picked him up and took him to his new foster home which may turn into a permanent family, and we thank the Stillwell's for giving him such a nice place to eat and socialize with one other Arabians and two Paints. He hadn't seen another horse for months, so it was grand to watch his excitement as he met everyone.

Just got another call from north of La Crosse from a woman who had three horses "dumped" on her and needs to find them a placement. I will find out the details of what breed, age, level of soundness, etc and communicate that with you.

Meanwhile, another ASAP Angel has purchased a mare from the Amish who will need adopting. She is only six years old and never raced. She came from Canada (isn't it funny how they end up all the way down here?). Pulling a buggy proved too challenging for her of late, so she is going to be retrained as a saddle horse.

Kate the Standardbred/draft cross will be picked up in a few days. We are still coveting a gift of money to be able to recover Sunset Rendezvous. No luck getting the funds we need and no extra this time of year for ASAP to purchase her back. We have, so far, gotten a little over $200 total for her recovery and are very thankful to all of you for that. Does anyone live near Stetsonville who could pick her up and haul her to ASAP if we miraculously come up with the full $1500? I thought I had quoted earlier that they wanted $1300 to get her back, but now I have learned they paid $1500 so that is what the current owner wants in order for us to repossess her.

The holiday newsletter is almost done and will be printed and sent shortly. Thanks to USTA for donating mailing labels for us! Also thanks to John Stevenson from CC-106 radio for donating his time to produce a public service announcement which will be mailed to HORSETV channel shortly to air. And thanks to Sally Brose for being the biggest help to ASAP during the past two weeks, answering phone calls and helping me stay sane.

If you want to get involved, now is the time! I am so happy for the many people out there who are doing their part, and even more, for the horses. That is our mission!

I will write soon,

Susan