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A special thank you to Erin Burnside of Elkins High
School and all the riders that came to the benefit trail ride for SWAP. As her
Senior project Erin raised over $400. for SWAP. Kudos Erin. If we had 100 kids
do this as their senior project or even just as a fund raiser, they could pay to
feed all our horses for a year!! Please consider us kids when you are doing your
volunteer projects for school or if you want to do a fund raiser this summer.
One kid with the desire to help can make a huge difference, just like Erin did.
Bravo for a job well done!!
Congratulations
to our Executor for her selection and award for the International Who's Who of
Professional and Business Women for 2006/2007. Kudos!!
Yehaa, Kudos again to our Executor for her selection to
receive the National Leadership Award by the Republican Party.
Click here to put
a horse into our adoption program
Click here to
see what we have learned over the years and with thousands of horses.
If you can't adopt, think about a gift to one or
all of our horses: supplies, tack, dewormers, a donation, fly spray, or a new
halter. Click here to be a sponsor to
one of our horses
Great Goals for 2008:
1. Spend
an hour a day with your horses, not just feeding, training and turning out, but
real quality time doing something that is enjoyable for the both of you.
Grooming or hand walking is a great way to bond with your horse and good for
both you and the horse.
2. Get
your loved ones more involved in your horses. Divorce is the biggest reason we
see horses coming back to us. Don't just share the work, share the fun too and find
something they really enjoy doing with horses.
3. Learn
a new discipline, go to a clinic, a horse show, or equine affaire. Come to one
of our clinics or watch a training video. If you are an adopter you can check
out books and video's from SWAP's Library for just shipping costs. Take a lesson at least once a month or Bring your adoption horse
here and we will help you. The better you are, the more fun you will have.
4. Make a
plan for your horse after you are gone or if you have a major injury, let your
will executor know your plans. Make a plan for emergencies or financial bumps
along the way for your horse. Have a plan if you or your horse gets injured,
even for the tough times of year like winter (or summer down south). Ask friends, family and neighbors
to be part of your plan. Most people can not resist someone when they are asking
for help for the welfare of an innocent animal.
5. Get yourself healthy and in better shape to
prevent injury, to live a long life and to more enjoy your horses. Eat 1-1-1
(one ounce of dark chocolate, one ounce of fresh walnuts, one glass of red wine
daily) and 2-2-2 (2 servings of fresh vegis, 2 of fresh fruit and get 2 sources
of fat free calcium). Drink 100 ounces of spring water a day, get a whole
house water filter. Change over to Sea-salt. Take one teaspoon of apple cider
vinegar every morning to keep your body alkaline (cancer and disease can not
grow in an alkaline body). Eat more fish and chicken and less red meat. Get a
good air cleaner and do daily deep breathing exercises, get outside in the fresh
air and sunshine for at least 1/2 hour every day. Get away from high fat food,
processed foods, fast food, can or boxed food, sugar or artificial sweeteners,
soda and don't eat anything if you can't read all the ingredients and know
exactly what is in it. Clean all vegis and fruits thoroughly, buy organic, buy
ocean caught fish, not farm raised, buy fresh meat and raw milk, not packed or
processed. Eat only natural carbs (potatoes, rice, oats) bake/broil or steam
everything. Use your microwave for only heating water, it kills the nutrition
value in food. Get 8 hours of sleep, reduce stress/risk (reduce commuting by car
pooling, tight schedules, cell phone use in the car, watch or read the news only
once a day or better yet once a week, stay clear of
negative people
and those very negative chat rooms and bulletin boards). Stop Complaining and be
Thankful for what we each have. Do one hour of walking, yoga or weight
training every day and it will make you strong, lean, look great and you'll get
wonderful complements from friends, coworkers and loved ones and the horse work
will be easier and more enjoyable.
6. Read
at least one book on training your horse and one on care each year, if for nothing
else but just inspiration. SWAP has a great
library of books/videos that adopters can check out for just the cost of mailing
it. Click here to
see our Library
7. Get
carrots/apples every time you go to the store, your horses will love you for it and
always come running when you call. Don't feed candy or anything sweeter. Carrots
are sweet enough. Get rid of the sweet feeds and you'll get rid of the hot horse
once and for all.
8.
Realize that if you are having a problem with your horse, more likely than not,
the problem is you. Learn more, practice more, ask in a different way, be
patient, change their environment or daily schedule to better suit them. Taking
better care of a horse always brings out the best in that horse. Good
feed/hay, time to rest in a quiet stall out of the elements, lots of fresh water, time to be with you and time to
just be a horse, time with their buddies, farrier and vet care always done is a
good start. The biggest part of this relationship puzzle is you, not the horse.
If you are struggling, then you need to learn more and get better.
9. Ride
at least once a week, regardless of weather. Use this time as your down time for
healing, your therapy, your time to relieve stress and the pressures of daily
life. Even if you don't ride, go sit and read a book in the pasture with the
horses or sit in the barn and listen to them munch on dinner, away from the
crowd and noise of your day. Enjoy the peace and quiet, enjoy hearing happy
horses eating dinner or grass in the pasture.
10. Spend
time leisurely grooming your horse once a week. Rubber curries are shine makers.
You will have a beautiful horse and a very loyal friend who will do anything for
you.
11. Come and spend a week at SWAP HQ,
volunteering and focusing on helping a horse and giving will change your life
plus it will be the best vacation you ever had. Help
an animal in need, whether fostering, being one of our state reps that goes out
to check on our horses in their homes or helps us approve adopters in their
area. Find horses in need and help us find them homes. Buy a horse at a slaughter
auction, get it fat and trained and we'll help you place it into a good home. Foster and
volunteer for your local small animal adoption program. I promise, the good
things you do will come back to you a hundred times over. Every person has a
talent they can offer and if you help one horse or one dog or cat find a good
home, you have changed their life forever.
12.
Know that every goal is obtainable and it starts with a single step.
Take that first step today!! No matter what it is or how big, YOU CAN DO IT!!
Every goal that is written down will come true (really!). Every famous person,
every great or notable scientist, author, trainer/rider, parent or friend
started out as just a thought, just a goal. Remember to take one step today to
reach your goals.
13. Start
every day with thinking about, what is the most important thing I can do
today to change my life and make it better. Do that one thing and in 30 days
your life will be totally different. Can you imagine what your life would be
like if you did that for 60, 90 or even 365 days a year. The opportunities are
endless.
14. Want to keep your horse sound for life? (That should be every horse owners
number one goal) do a
long slow warm up (cold muscle is easy to injure, a warm one is nearly
impossible to injure). The very best cool down is hand walking your horse for 1 hour after every work out.
Yes, get off the horse and walk with it. Its great exercise for you and a good
time for you to bond. Stop riding your horse during cool downs and stop using a
hot walker, do something good for you and the horse, hand walking. Its also the
best rehab for over work and injuries, the only thing better is hydro therapy
and swimming your horse. Allow soft tissue and hard tissue to
become more conditioned before going into any training program... that usually
means 3 months of at least 3 days a week for soft tissues and 10 months of work for bones to become strong
enough to jump or do any strenuous training program. Don't start any upper level
work, jumping or extensive training until the horse is fit and at least between
age 4 and 6 and has been conditioned for at least 10 months (especially if the
horse has never been jumped/worked or not been jumped or worked in the last
year).
15. Appreciate what you have and be thankful.
Instead of looking at what you don't have, look at what you do. Thank those
people who have helped you and supported you. The more you give, the more that
will come back to you. When you give something away or give something to
someone/something in need, you make space in your life for something good to
come to you. We are all very blessed, if we just take a moment to look
around and enjoy those things.
16. Get used to using favorite mantra's and visualizations
every day, simple ones that are easy to remember, like 'I can do this, I will do
this', 'this isn't going to get the best of me' or even, 'I deserve the best' or
'the gift of love, caring, and support always comes back' and take two minutes
every morning as you wake and at night as you go to sleep to visualize the life
you want, the you you want to be, Our thoughts become things, what you see
is what you get, if you expect the best, the best will happen, change your
self-talk from negative to positive and I promise your life will change for the
better..
17. Each person is put on this earth for a reason, each of
us has a mission. What is yours? Seek and you shall find, finding is a journey
... in the journey and the search you'll find your life purpose. If you died in
your sleep tonight is there something you haven't done that you need to do or
want to do? Someone you need to mend fences with, burnt bridges to fix? People
you need to tell them how much you love them? Have you fulfilled your purpose in
your life? Ask yourself, Why am I here? How can I make this better? Who do
I want to be? Who am I suppose to be? What reason was I put on this earth? What
is my purpose?
18. Be an inspiration to your family, co workers and
friends. We all fall on our face, we all make mistakes, we all get discouraged,
most times we all get up and try again.... sometimes we need a nudge. Instead of
being negative or doing negative things, be their inspiration. You do believe
they can do it, so why not tell them. If their self talk is negative, then you
be their positive self talk.... eventually they will start to say it and believe
it too. Life is self fulfilling, failure feeds on itself or causes more failure,
achieving does as well. So if you or your love ones are in a negative cycle,
break the cycle by changing your thoughts, your self talk, achieve something
small to get yourself and your family back into the cycle of achievement.
19. We all file a flight plan every single day for our
life. Where is your flight going today? Just like a pilot flying, the winds, the
gravitational pull will change your flight plan and take you off course, so you
must make small corrections along the way to make sure you make your
destination. Have you selected your destination? Have you picked the steps in
your flight plan to get there? Every goal is really that easy, pick the goal and
figure out how to get there. The easiest way to pick your flight path/plan is
find someone who has done it before you, then do what they did. Its all baby
steps you know. Just keep an eye on that destination and keep saying...."here is
my destination, this is where I'm going, this is where I am now, this is how I'm
going to get there.... I will arrive at this time on this day. You can do
it..... its just like getting in your car to go to the store, its just deciding
where you want to go and how to get there, then take that first step. You can do
it!! No matter how big or how outlandish you may think your dream to be...
it is obtainable.
20. Laugh every day and try (as hard as it is sometimes)
to find the positive and the humor in each situation (and have at least one bite
of a truly decadent desert once a week). Life is just too short to not enjoy it
thoroughly.
21. We learn the most and do our best work when we have
fallen on our face, when we are struggling, when we are worried, scared or
frustrated, when we anguishing over something or troubled by it. It is then that
you have true motivation, when you think clearer. The most brilliant ideas come
to people when they feel lost, frustrated, or at the bottom, helpless or
hopeless. Cherish these times because its when you can come up with your best
ideas to your biggest problems and challenges. You see, there is a reason for
the rainy days.
22. You can't make everyone happy, its useless to try and
wasted energy to think you can. 50% of all people will not agree with you at any
given time, don't worry about it and don't let it stop you. 50% becomes a lot of
people when you are in the public eye. As long as you are not hurting anyone and
you believe you are doing the right thing, then go ahead and do it. If you are
wondering what is the right thing to do, its usually the harder thing to do, the
toughest path to take. The easy way out is rarely the right thing to do.
Instead of worrying over what someone thinks of you or says about you, do
something amazing and outstanding to inspire them or at least have them sitting
on the side lines being jealous, secretly saying, "wow, she has guts". One
person with purpose becomes the majority, one way or another.
This should
probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day.
1. There
are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least
15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only
reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you
4. A smile
from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every
night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean
the world to someone.
7. You are
special and unique.
8. Someone
that you don't even know exists loves you.
9. When you
make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10 When you
think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11 Always
remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
Good
friends are like stars.......
You don't
always see them, But you know they are always there.
"Whenever
God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another,
I would
rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole
truck load when I'm gone.
Always in hope and admiration, Celeita
| | 
 TESTIMONIALS
You know Celeita, I'm sure I speak for All of your
adopters, but since I've had two of your horses, I have nothing but praises for
your program and the care that your horses are given. The two that I have are
well-mannered and very healthy and the best boys. I couldn't have bought them
from someone with any more assurance. Heck, if I had the room, I'd definitely
take two more!
I always tell my husband this, but the state park that is located beside our
property (Watters Smith State Park) used to have a riding stable until it was
closed some time before we moved in. It has an old barn and LOTS of pasture. I
would love to start a riding program there, but my reservations are people
interacting with the horses. I think folks would not give the horses the
respect they deserve, especially in those situations. I could imagine a lot of
your horses being very content there. But, its only a dream, but a thought.
Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your program.
Penny
celeita
what can i say...
im still in saratoga, my dad is racing at
plainridge, we only have 1 horse left. but if you want to talk or whatever let
me know....dont settle for less than you deserve...it was you that gave me the
confidence to get into this business, i had great sucsess. i saw how you
really cared for the horses, and thats how i always treated them...
i wish you all the best...if i can be of any
help just ask
chris hogan, harness racing trainer and owner
To: Celeita
From: Rick
It was a sincere please to hear about the latest
success of your wonderful programs. Over the last year or so I lost contact
with both you and your organization. Yet..... only about sixty days or so ago
I overheard a conversation at an event in the Chicago area about your
Organization. Rest assured nothing but good things were said! I am again so
delighted for you.
Drop me a line or two and let me continue to know how
things are going.
Best of everything to you and yours.
Rick
I would like to commend you on helping abused and neglected horses. I
would also like to give you a thumbs up on your tough stand on the people
who not only lie about helping adoptive by abusing themselves and/or
letting the horses die.
I have been rescuing animals for years only I called it a simple love
of unwanted or abused animals. Even a RAT once!! I also have a story to
share. I have a friend (about to be an ex) who has PLENTY of money...
seriously.. and has a very nice 20 acre farm, lots of grass, yada yada...
When I first went to her place she had a pitiful black mut dog who's hair
was coming out.. stunk... itched and scratched terribly. Well, we were
camping there and doing a trailride and this stinky dog decided he wanted
to stay up under my horse trailer while I was there. He was just
pitiful. Another friend asked me to take the dog, I was like no way she
can afford him more than me. THEN I found out it was not just some dog,
the dog had belonged to "Angie's" Grandmother who had died. The
Grandfather brought to dog to Angie because he didn't want it. Needless
to say the dog went home with me. I did some research and started feeding
him a good dog food and keeping him washed and he got so much better. Not
sure what happened, but one day he just disappeared. At least I made his
last days good ones.
Then I rescued two horses from a girl. A friend gave the girl my name
so she called me about taking them or buying them because she couldn't
afford them anymore. I had a friend dying of pancreatic problems but
wanted another horse badly, I arranged for her to get the horse and make
payments to the owner. My friend lived a couple of years and that horse
made her so happy. It felt good to pair them up. The other little mare
was absolutely pitiful.. starved.. old... I honestly didn't know if she
would live or die. I kept her up close to the house and fed her... got
some weight on her when ANGIE asked if she could take her because she was
going to use her farm for "rescue" horses... she would keep the mare for
her nieces and nephews to ride. I let her take her, the little mare did
great on the pasture was very pretty. Well, without my knowledge Angie
gave (or sold) the mare to someone. I had told her to give the mare back
to me if she decided not to keep it. From my understanding this friend
"Angie" is getting a tax break for claiming to have a rescue farm. Is
that possible? If so... how would I find out if she is and how would I
report her? I don't even have much money and I pick up strays... I won't
even tell you about the dogs I've picked up and found homes for. Of
course "bobby" my cocker spaniel is still at my house after I picked her
up in the middle of a busy highway coming home from GA. I'm alway asking
people if they want her, last weekend I had a trailride and campout at my
house and people teased me about trying to give her away for over 2
years!! I guess she's staying.
Didn't mean to write you a book, but I do want to know how I can find
out if she really is lying about being a rescue farm when she's not.
After reading all you wrote about people on your black list it made me
even madder about how Angie does. I'm thinking about getting into
rescuing on a more serious level. I'm not rich by any means I just love
animals.
Thanks for all your help with the unloved horses, they need all they
can get. It takes a special person to be so loving to creatures of all
kinds when they don't have to be. I have a friend who is looking for a
trailhorse and I think I'm going to talk to her about adopting one. She's
cheap (as far as buying a horse) but... she takes excellent care of her
horses. She has an old gelding but she can't ride him very long anymore
and we all love to trailride for hours sometimes. Take care horseygirl,
and bless you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Debbie McReynolds
Snafu Farm
Thank you Debbie for the very kind words and Kudos to you. If we had more
people in the world like you, programs like ours would not be needed and that
is really our dream for horses and all animals. There is a place in heaven for
you, I'm certain of it. And just a note, everyone can do 'a little' rescue
work, like take in one dog or cat a year and find it a home or even every
other year. It's true it may not change the world (it would if everyone did
this) but it will certainly change the lives of those animals you saved. All
the best and thank you again for all you have done. Celeita
Hello, I am looking to adopt a horse in Wisconsin and came across your
website surfing the net.
I just wanted to let you know that your tips and the knowledge you make
available on your site are invaluable. I have bookmarked your site and I
am now looking at your library/book recommendations and will educate
myself further using these books.
You obviously put a lot of care and love into your site and I am sure
many people, even the ones who do not adopt from you, benefit from this.
Thank you and kind regards,
Stefani Harper
Great Stefani, thank you for the vote of confidence. That is certainly our
goal but its always nice to know someone agrees with us and its working. Thank
you!! All the best, Celeita
I read your bio and was extremely impressed. You lived quite the
military dream. I've only been in 3 years, about to make CPT, but I'm
ready to pursue other avenues of life. Not to sound cheesy, even though
it will despite me saying that, you are an inspiration. You are not
only living your dream, but mine as well. I could on wish one day to be
doing what you are. Helping horse lovers obtain their dreams of owning
a horse of their own at an affordable price, and giving those who donate
their animals to the program that security of knowing their animal will
get what they have earned. A good life. You may not think it, but even
to strangers, you are a role model.
Thanks for you service then and now! Will hopefully see you all next
summer.
Wow, Erin, that is the best complement I think I have ever had. I never
think about it much, there is always another horse to save or worry about but
I'm glad we are appreciated. That keeps our hearts in the right place and our
hopes that we are making a difference. I'm sure as a CPT or as a civilian
you'll do the same. Much success and do come see us when you're settled. Stay
Safe. Celeita
I just wanted to tell you I follow your site
pretty religiously. I had horses for during all of my teenage years and miss it
tremendously. I'm now pregnant and hope to give my daughter what my mom gave me,
the special partnership and friendship only offered with horses.
I'm in Argentina till next spring and only wish there was a program like this
here. It's a country full of horses but sadly many are not well taken care of
and I've not been able to find any adoption programs, the concept just doesn't
exist here.
I will be checking you out once we get settled back in the States (hopefully NC)
and in the meantime I've put a link to your site in my website even though I'm
in Argentina and will put one in my horse blog as well.
Keep up the wonderful work!
To anyone looking to give a horse a second home, or looking to find an
animal for any discipline (or just looking for a friend); look no further
than the Second Wind Adoption Program. I first met Celeita Kramer in
1998 when I adopted "Expensive Jag" from the Second Wind Adoption Program
(SWAP). He was a two year old Standardbred Stallion. And man was
he gorgeous. I adopted "Jag," had him gelded at SWAP's stable and put
under saddle there. I can not say enough about the excellent training
Jag received there - he has gone onto to fox hunting and local hunter shows
- his trainer at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club praises his original training
he received at SWAP. Jag has always been happy and ready to learn new
things. Shortly after I adopted Jag,
I became the assistant barn manager at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club along
side the famed head manager Mr. Howard Lewis. Mr. Lewis and myself
placed many retired show horses and hunt horses through SWAP. We also
adopted a few school horses. Our huntsman even adopted one of his
craftiest mounts from SWAP. Every horse I have seen come from SWAP's
farm has been well cared for with a shine in their eyes and coat.
Celeita Kramer sees to the care of the horses herself. This is a
tiring job, as I learned at the
Hunt Club,.. however, the animals
in the program are Celeita's passion. She, like
myself, will not lay her head in
bed until all the horses are in a clean stall with all the water and hay
they could ever want. I have stopped in to visit The Second Wind
Adoption Program on my trips south to visit family and have always, always
found clean, happy, healthy horses.
Over the years I have observed Celeita in a number of circumstances.
One year, when Celeita had an influx of
horses, rather than rationing hay, she was out scouring the country to find
quality hay for the horses. My brother actually had extra hay that
year and off he went to West Virginia with a load. Upon his arrival,
who was there to off load the bales? None other than the executor
herself, Celeita Kramer and some friends. She does it all.
Celeita was in Cleveland one year at the Merrill Lynch Hunter Jumper
Classic Grand Prix where she had a booth to promote The Second Wind Adoption
Program. Many A-Circuit trainers were there and were impressed that
a person would take such interest in finding homes for their retirees.
Not to mention the people who had been looking for new mounts found a place
they could go and hear information HONESTLY about every available horse.
One trainer commented to me, she could spend tens of thousands of dollars on
an animal with a vet check and all and not know as much about the horse as
Celeita was honestly telling people about each horse's history.
And then, there was a case I remember in TN, where an adopter did not
hold up her end of the contract. And Celeita "swooped in" and brought
the horses the woman had adopted back to SWAP's stable. We all know
she "says" she will enforce the contracts on the program's horses,.... but I
am here to say she DOES enforce them. Celeita has more than once been
forced to take such people to court. She will stop at nothing when it
comes to the horses' well being.
In closing, after "Expensive
Jag" I have adopted "Kyber Hanover" another Standardbred gelding that is a
sweet trail horse for anyone to ride. I have gone back again and again
to SWAP and I will continue to support the program's cause. And when I
am looking for another horse, I know where I will go first- The Second Wind
Adoption Program.
I look to Celeita like Super woman. And that is something I said to
my husband (a military officer) this past week. Had Major Celeita
Kramer retired from the Army and gone out and started her own business and
poured herself into that business as she has The Second Wind Adoption
Agency, we would be talking now about a millionaire. Instead, we are
talking about a woman who REALLY is a millionaire of her soul. How
many of us do what makes us happy, regardless of how much of our own time
and money it takes?! What made Celeita a success in the military has
made her a success in life. She has passion and the discipline to do
what is right.
If I can ever answer anyone's questions regarding the Second Wind
Adoption Agency or Major Celeita Kramer, please email me:
Bethdombo@aol.com
Thanks,
Beth A. Large-Dombrowsky
Dear Celeita Kramer,
Thank you for the tours of your facility. I am very
impressed with your program. As you know my first
visit was mid summer just after you had received a
ship of rescues horses. Those poor animals were so
skinny and miss treated that it was amazing that any
of them would survive. The next trip was late summer
then early winter, at that time the "rescues horses"
looked fat and shiny. These horses are a walking
testament to your program. Only with great care and
love can animals in such horrific condition turn
around so quickly.
I was also impressed with the cleanliness of the barn
and quality of your feeding program.
As you know I have ridden and competed in dressage for
a number of years. And due to the fact that I was a
career Naval Officer I have seen many barns and
stabling situations, and I can assure you that yours
is near the top.
Sincerely yours
Captain B.E.Jones, Ret. USNR
To Celeita Kramer, Executor:
I am truly blessed and humbled to know you! Keep up the great work!
Semper fi & God bless...
Major General Randy West, USMC (Ret)
Celeita,
If anyone hasn't told you lately (and if
they haven't, maybe too busy), you are one super young lady.
My sister doesn't surf much and cries when
I tell her what you have devoted your life to.
Thanks for the Humane Society info and
link. I regret not sending you a donation up to this point-you are so
sincere and hard working to care for our friends. I routinely give to the
Humane Society (and to be honest-by mail-have not been to their
site), Legal Defense Fund, ASPCA, and recently Red Cross and Feed the
Children. New Orleans-how sad and devastating. Anyway, thanks for the
Humane Society info-I will earmark money to them (but only in your
name-again-you do so much).
I would still like to sneak down once in a
while on the weekends to volunteer-will help clean, nail (borderline
handy), groom and learn.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Michael
Michael, Thank you so much. Its always nice to be appreciated. We would
accept your donations or volunteering with open arms. Just let us know when
you want to come. We will always find something for you to help us with as
we rarely have volunteers come in to help us but they are always needed. So
very sweet to think of us, thank you.
Glad to hear you are involved in helping from Katrina. Such devastation
and so many animals dieing just horrible deaths. I hope many were saved and
their owners were able to find them. Its just so sad.
Take care and thank you again, Celeita
Dear Celeita,
I hope this email reaches you. I happened to call you
today not knowing
anything about you, your farm or adoption program. I happened to be
viewing
the Petfinder website. Upon discovering your phone number at that point, I
picked up the phone and called before doing my homework.
After having more time this evening to explore your wonderful
website, I
must admit how embarrassed I now feel not knowing at the time I was speaking
to "THE CELEITA KRAMER". I was intrigued reading your bio. What an
astounding person you are and in all that you have accomplished! How
amazing! You are to be commended for all your hard work not only with your
love of animals but with your civilian and military career as well.
I can appreciate your love of animals. I too love them
dearly. My
favorites are dogs and horses. I have had dogs all my life and currently
have three. Even though I have never owned a horse, I have always admired
them and would ride every chance I got.
I appreciate your time in reading this email and would very
much love mhearing from you any suggestions.
Sincerely,
Susanne Wills
I have never in my life seen such a fantastic and
comprehensive equine site. It is just absolutely full of information,
detail, easy to follow and your wonderful poems are an inspiration.
This is the most beautiful website I have ever seen.
Pamela J. Garron
Well, that is the sweetest thing I think we've ever heard. Thank you. We
love our work but its always nice to be appreciated. Thank you again, Let us
know if we can help you at all.
Celeita
realname: Eileen Gray
url: www.horsetown.org/eileen
city: O neals
state: CA
country: USA
comments:
Good things come to those who wait :-)
I am sending a $ donation today. God bless your rescue efforts!!!
Bravo, Thank you Eileen. I guess you noticed... we really need
donations now. Thank you!
I loved
your web site. I hope to own a horse one day. Horses are
my passion. For me it's the month to month bill. When I'm
ready financially, I will be calling you. I fell in love with so
many of the horses on your web site.
I do
beginning level Dressage and would love to go out on the trails more.
I'm also studying natural horsemanship.
I will
recommend you to all caring people.
Cynthia
D'Aquino
Thank you Cynthia, Good luck with all your endeavors and
definitely call us when you are ready to adopt. Its always nice to be
appreciated.
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
tia greca (tiagreca@comcast.net) on Sunday, February 05, 2006 at 20:24:49
Message: I stumbled across your website and I must say that I am over come
by emotions. The best and worst page of 2005, especially the worst brought
me to tears. Seems that everything beautiful humans touch.. we ruin, destroy
and hurt. Thank you for such a wonderful page. Your 2006 resolutions were so
heartfelt.. if I can live by one of those.. I shall be a much happier
person. No matter what.. keep up your good works, you shall be rewarded.
Sincerely, Tia Greca
Dear Second Wind -
It is amazing to me that there are still people in this world that
treat horses so poorly. However, equally as amazing are people such as
yourselves who dedicate their lives to rescue and rehabilitation of these
animals. Every horse, no matter their breeding or confirmation or past, is
good for something. Every horse deserves to really live.
I wanted to let you know how great it feels to see that someone is
openly speaking out against these horrible people.
- Jinn Schroeder
Grande amoureuse des chevaux, je ne peux que vous féliciter de ce que vous
faites. Grace a vous, des centaines de chevaux retrouvent un foyer et de
l'amour. Bravo!!
J'espčre que vous continuerez pendant encore longtemps.
Avec tout mon respect,
Camille Marcon, Nîmes, France
Here is the translation:
"Being a true horse lover, I would like to congratulate you for what you do.
Because of you, hundreds of horses find a home and love. Congratulations !!
I hope you'll keep on going for a long time.
With all my respect,
Camille Marcon, Nimes, France"
Thank you for all you do for these horses! I would love to have a fundraiser
for you soon. Keep up the great work, you are awesome!
Susan Grause
Loveland, OH USA - Monday, January 23, 2006 at 08:24:46 (EST)
Outstanding work you all do! Keep it up. I've been checking in on your site
about every evening for quite sometime. Looking for a pair of beginners for the
girls.
Jim Moore
Sistersville, WV USA - Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 22:49:18 (EST)
i think this work is wonderful i love to see how you have transformed the
horses through time keep up the good work!!!!
hayley Ironsidde
aberdeen, scotland - Tuesday, January 03, 2006 at 12:09:09 (EST)
Great site! Your work is wonderful with trying to help find homes for the
horses, and the educational resources. Keep up the great work! Sharon
www.coolfitwear.com
Sharon
Sewickley, PA USA - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 03:29:34 (EST)
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM READING YOUR WEB-SITE I THINKS ITS GREAT LOVE TO
SEE HOW THE HORSES WERE BEFORE AND THEN THE AFTER PICTURES. THOSE HORSES ARE
LUCKY TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
gracie girl
fresh meadows, ny USA - Friday, December 09, 2005 at 18:41:37 (EST)
Wonderful site. I've been visiting this site sense I was about 12. I'm only
16 now, but I've been coming here for four years. It's a daily check in for me.
You're doing a wonderful job with these horses. It's very impressive! You really
do change the lives these horses might face if they had never come to you. It's
a gift, from God. Never give up, he will provide as it is needed. I hope your
winter hay comes in without any problems. Kaitlin Nova Scotia ,Canada.
Kaitlin
NS Canada - Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 15:31:42 (EDT)
What ya'll are doing is amazing, your program is truly God sent! Thank you! I
hope to be in a position to adopt in the coming months. I learned of your
organization from the article in the Ladies Home Journal. I have been around
horses my entire life, I don't remember not having horses in my life. My dad is
a retired farrier and I grew up barrel racing, competing in HS Rodeo and then
onto College Rodeo. Keep up the good work and again God Bless you!
Misty Bishop
Lakeland, Fl USA - Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 11:24:44 (EDT)
Wow- so much to look at that I've been here for several hours and still have
marked it to come back!!! You've really peaked my interest in adopting. I have
just "rescued" two horses from someone who did not properly care for them and am
too busy right now figuring out how to be a horse owner to adopt at this present
time, but will definitely consider it in the future. I am a first time owner so
I am not very knowledgeable about horses-YET!- but "Po" & "Chili" are great
teachers. I loved your information on the clinics and would like to attend your
beginners class! Also, I especially loved the clear, concise descriptions of the
horses with the beautiful pictures- it would really help anyone narrow it down
who was thinking of adopting. It is so wonderful to know there are people in
this world with a heart for animals like all of you! Thanks!!!
Pamela Garnica
Blythewood, SC USA - Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 23:40:48 (EDT)
Reach over, pat yourself on the
back...you never know what paths in the past reach to the future....
Some day when you have nothing to
do for a few hours (lol) check out her website. It is the most extensive
website I have ever attempted to navigate. HOURS... we have hauled only
one horse from them and the new horse owners were raving about her.
Cyndy Salek
Miller Farms Equine Transport
WOW spent an hour
on her site last night. I'm impressed. She sure has come a long way since
she opened back in 96. My how time does fly. Her mission has changed from
what she started out to do, the adoptions were just a small part of her
original program but my how she has focused. A gold star for Celeita
Dear Crossed Sabers-
“Saving the life of one horse may not change the world, but the world will
surely change for that one
horse.” How true. A beautiful website! It brought back many
wonderful memories from long ago.
My question- I have been looking for a movie I saw several years ago about
Eastern European or central Asian horses. In looking thru the many websites
today it may be about Przewalski's Horses. I also vaguely
remember something about it being associated with a 20th century
war and the countrymens efforts to protect the horses. It was in the vein of
“In Pursuit of
Honor”
which stared Don Johnson and about that time frame (1995). While this
question is not directly related to the thrust of your website, it was a GREAT
movie with incredible riding sequences. I am in hopes I am not the only one
who saw this movie.
Thank you once again for the effort and anything you can do on the question.
Respectfully,
Donald K Morris
Arlington, TX
Great Web site, Keep up the great work!!
bluett jones
Cuba, NY USA - Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 21:30:31 (EDT)
Yeah, but
you know, you are in the power position, so you will always be under
attack. Same here. I am the boss and the owner and the one taking checks
from the boarders. We do a lot of talking and discussing at the farm and
still stuff goes on. With your business, no one really gets to know you
or talk to you on a regular basis, and they forget what your goals are.
They just want what they want. some with integrity and some without. It
is hard to know even with a face to face. don't lower your standards --
raise them and they will follow. Really!
Janet
Bravo.... Good point. I'll remember this when someone is attacking me again
for my high standards in order to protect the horse for life. Thank you for
reminding me. Celeita
|
Good afternoon,
I'm sorry to hear about your uncertain future with the farm. I hope it is
not too late to have done so, but I've started a little email campaign for
donations for you. I've heard a bit of favorable responses, so far - so if
it's not too late, hang on and let's see what happens. You are not alone.
|
| Thank you!,
From serving our
country to serving our horses, you deserve a big thank you! Have a
great weekend with family and friends.
May God Bless
you - Diana |
|
|
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|
|
I just wanted to drop you a note to let you
know you are doing a great job and touch more lives than the horses you take
care of and adopt out...I was out with my husband looking for a place to board
and trail ride (before finding the horse) and we stumbled upon a place with
lots of working cowhorses. The lady that owned it mentioned that she had a
horse for sale if we wanted to look. My husband saw this gorgeous bay gelding
in a field and fell in love--I saw a clumsy looking bigheaded horse (I've
always favored Arabians). She said he was a 17H Standardbred. As everything
unraveled, she needed to get rid of him quickly to pay vet bills and was about
to send him to auction! He had not been ridden in months, and we quickly
noticed how "rough" they dealt with all of their horses. I have no doubt she
was sending him to auction or worse. That was a month ago, and we now own
Todaysmyluckyday, my own 6 year old rescue story. Your site and the
information on it opened up my mind to Standardbreds! Thank you very much,
and keep up the good work! He is now at a wonderful stable that appreciates
animals for the friends they are, and we are retraining him for english
pleasure and hunter/jumper!
Thank You!!
Kim
Bravo Kim for doing what you are doing.
Standardbreds are the "new warmblood", laid back, sensible but yet very
athletic and can do anything with training. If every horse owner would do what
you're doing, we wouldn't need programs like ours. Even taking one home in
need, getting it better, rehabbed and trained and selling it is even better
than leaving a horse in a bad situation, at least your giving the horse a
chance. Thank you Kim for your kind words about SWAP. It is a labor of
love and I can't say we are experts but we have learned so much, learning
something new every day. Much luck with your new boy and thank you for
what you have done for this boy. It doesn't change to world when saving the
life of one horse but it changes the world for that one horse!! Celeita
Hi,
I am in LOVE
with Harry. I have been watching him for months now. I truly believe
STBs are the most versatile horses in existence today. Although, growing
up on a Standardbred farm, I may be biased. Sadly, at this time with a
new baby, I know adopting him would be an injustice to him. Can you
please give me some idea on how much it costs per year for y'all to house
& feed one horse. I do understand that he is not with you, but maybe my
family could help one horse. Rocket's a beauty too, although not a STB;-)!!
Thanks, and good luck with everything. Y'all do such wonderful work, and
we'd like to give back to you.
Sincerely,
Val Ouillette
Val, How sweet. We
have sponsorships for $50. and $75. a month, $75. covers everything. Thank you
so much for thinking about us. Harry is the cutest isn't he? Did you see the
drawing by the little girl that is in love with him in Virginia. She wants him
too and can't have him but we love her drawings,.... we think her drawings
give us good luck for finding the horse a home so we are hoping it helps with
Harry. I keep waiting for his foster mom to adopt him. She has fell in love
with him too. It happens to the best of us. :) Celeita
Celeita, I
wish I could help but I'm on social security now and it is all I can do to
feed us and our three horses. I wish you all the luck in the world on your
effort to hold on to the farm. I know how hard you have worked on it and
the love you have for the horses and other animals. People like you only
come around once in a while so I hope you make it. I'm almost completely
disabled now so my wife now takes care of my beloved horses and me.
God bless
you,
Joe S. Price
Crosby,
Texas
Home of the
Tornado
I totally understand Joe and always
appreciate your kind words and support. Thank you for always being there as
our friend and for giving Tornado such a wonderful home. Celeita
Hello,
I
was forwarded your email from a friend about your maybe having to sell your
farm. While I am not able at this time to donate a lot of financial Aid I
would certainly like to help in some way. Could you please send me the phone
number again of the Southern States near you so that I may buy some feed for
the horses? What type of grain do you prefer?
Please keep up the good work!!! My heart and soul goes out to you! I once
adopted a App - had to pay for her and she was in worst shape than the one on
your website. I got her back to good health and she lived to be over 25yrs old
what a great horse she was!! I sure hope you all can keep your farm going.
Please add me to your "email list" of newsletters you send out.
Paige McGhee
Swift Knoll Farm
- Isabella and Jerry
Restani
- 8903 Voula Lane
- Wilton, CA 95693
Re:
Second Wind Adoption Program and our Horse Turnberry Scott “Turner”
As you
can see from our address we live in California, a long way from West
Virginia. I first learned about the Second Wind Adoption Program thru our
Cleveland Bay Horse Chat Group. Many of the CB owners have used this program to
adopt horses for both riding and breeding purposes. It was said that this
program gives honest descriptions and evaluations of listed horses and that
there were not hidden surprises but that the application process scarred some of
the CB members because of its length and detail.
I went on
line, looked at the listings of horses and then went to the application part.
Initially it seemed overwhelming until you really looked at it and realized that
no you did not have to be an artist to draw your facility and to explain the
questions asked about horse care. I think that this is a good application
because only those sincere will take the time to go through the entire process.
The cost of adopting the horses is very reasonable. Of course if you live close
by it is down right cheap! We found the horse perfectly suited for our needs.
Celeita and staff kept in constant communication and did not misrepresent any
detail about this horse. Our goal for this horse was to have our 10 year old
granddaughter show and jump him. We were able to call the barn and speak
directly with the staff that had hands on riding and working with our boy
Turner, and we were able to get a feel for him and for his attitude. Even after
the first transport that we booked canceled, we were able to have their staff
provide exercise for our horse until the next transport could be arranged. I
paid all fees using Pay Pal which was very convenient for me. Because we live
in California and adopted a large 17h TB which required a stall and a half the
cost was $1500. to transport so combined with the adoption fee of $900.00 the
total cost of our horse was $2,400.00. A cheap cost for what we got!! The
program provided our horse with all necessary paper work and even included a
halter for transport, things couldn’t have been easier.
Turnberry
Scott “Turner” arrived at midnight with his complete file and documentation of
owner history, staff evaluations, medical records etc. We were happy to find
out that his previous owner wanted communication with us. We have been chatting
over the Internet on a weekly basis. It was also nice to see that this horse
had a value placed on him by the owner because of his extensive training much
greater than we ever expected. His training background proved true as stated.
He knew dressage but went of an actual foxhunt as well as competed in
hunter/jumper events. We have truly found a horse that not only shows but also
is sweet and gentle and can be trail ridden for pleasure. My friends were non
supportive of this adoption and were of the opinion that anything up for
adoption must be trouble and can’t be trusted. They are now eating their
words and we are smiling from ear to ear. Thank you Second Wind for providing
the facility for adoptee and adaptors to unite.
Sincerely,
Jerry and
Isabella Restani
Hi Guys,
I've enjoyed your website...I have been involved with Standardbreds for around
13+ years now and supporting rescue/rehoming retired Standardbreds for the past
several years. As I read through your website I noticed Evelyn's name. I though
you might enjoy knowing the whereabouts of 2 of Evelyn's 'adoptees'.
Over 10 years ago we adopted 2 horses from her. One became my beloved and
cherished partner in all things - a little on the snarky side when we got her
(to put it nicely <G>) this horse eventually became my everything. It was with
incredible pain that we buried her last year when she died a natural death in
her late 20's. It still doesn't seem right that she is gone - we jumped event
courses, drove in harness, even won placements in large western pleasure
classes. I cried on her mane and laid on her back just thinking sometimes. She
was my conspirator one Halloween as we dressed up and reenacted the Headless
Horseman. Everyone still remembers the Christmas parade where a giggling
cheerleader stuffed a pompom in her face - she never broke stride, just grabbed
it, chewed on it a bit then spit it out with an audible "PPPTHEW!" much too the
hysterical laughter of everyone along the sidelines....that probably best fits
her personality! I can't even begin to count the miles we covered just
meandering along trails.
The second horse became the family favorite and my husband's trusted trail
horse. He is still with us today, a dappled bay who is enormously spoiled and
unbelievably trusting and willing to do anything you ask him. He too is a bonded
part of our family and will remain with us for the rest of his life. He has
carried young children on trails, jumped courses with my then teenage sister,
and competed in barrel races with my husband. He didn't even object to the big
red bow and Santa hat he was outfitted with for several area Christmas parades
one year. A friend of ours in 'farrier school' asked to practice on him and was
astounded when he picked up his own hoof and stretched it out in mid-air, then
looked back as if to say "Well? Are you going to shoe it or gawk?". Today he
mostly enjoys a periodic trail ride and badgering guests for handouts. He can
hear a carrot being snapped in half all the way inside and WILL be waiting at
the gate for it when you get out there! And he is teaching a 2nd generation
about horses with my God-daughter.
Anyway - I will cheerfully babble on forever and plague you with photos about
our beloved horses. *LOL* But knowing how much I LOVE knowing how a rescued
adoptee has fared, I thought you might especially enjoy knowing these two were
wonderfully placed and still very much loved. If it hadn't been for Evelyn we
would never had had these two and I can't imagine life without them now.
Take care and best wishes for the continuing wonderful work you are doing!!
Kady
Hi,
My name is Melissa Beckwith and my father trains Standardbred harness
horses. We have a web site for our farm now and I'm just writing to let
you know that I made a link to your web site from our Standardbred
adoption page. I also wanted to let you know that I admire what you are
doing, saving and placing these horses with good homes. We have had so
many horses that have really had too much of the racing world and just
needed a loving home, some of these have been fortunate enough to have
owners that could be talked into retiring them and placing them into homes
for life, instead of continuing with them and seriously breaking them
down. Some day I hope to be able to run an adoption program like you have
and help to make a difference in more lives of horses and the lives
of people who adopt them. We need more adoption programs like yours.
Thank You,
Melissa Beckwith
Thank you Melissa, we love emails
like this... it keeps us all going. We love standardbreds and love getting
them into the program. What a wonderful breed. Most of them get placed into
homes with people that have no horse experience and they are so kind they
teach their families about horses. At first I was really nervous about placing
any horses into beginner homes, but they are beginners that want to learn,
which helps |
