|
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
| |
Happy Endings for 2006
most
pictures are thumbnails, just click on the pic to see the big picture
Hi again Celeita and staff,
I too love to hear back from you guys too! It brought tears to my eyes just
thinking about all of those horses out there who don't have someone to love
and care for them the way they deserve to be, especially when it is due to
financial restrictions which I totally understand. I have to say though, that
MY reward has already been received. Spade is such an amazing, brilliant, and
special animal that I will forever be indebted to him and you for bringing us
together. It's just another one of those "God things" that I don't question,
just know. This horse is a blessing to me on so many levels that in the short
three months that we've been together, I can't imagine my life without him,
ever.
I took vacation from 12/26 through 01/08 because his surgery is 1/3,
Wednesday, and I wanted to make sure that I can be with him to get him settled
back into the barn post-op. I'm anxious about his surgery, I'm sure he'll be
fine, but I'm a bit of a "nervous Nelly" He's just such a good boy, have I
said that a million times yet?
At the barn, they are having a kids camp this week so since I'm off and
able to spend a lot of time with him, I took him out on the trails with the
group of kids (and the guides too, of course) Spade does great in any position
of the group. He's fine in the middle, front, or bringing up the rear. He's
still not shod, but on his next farrier appointment, I'm going to ask Jack if
he thinks he needs to be or if it's better to leave him unshod. His feet look
so much better, but his frog was really deteriorated on his front hooves and
that will take a long time to heal.
As a rule, I frequent the SWAP website at least every other day to see the
updates and adoptions. I love to see the success stories, but sometimes it's
hard to see the cases of neglect like the group of TWH's. I know they will
thrive under the love and compassion of you and your team. I can't wait for
you to get into the new house and be able to utilize the barn and acreage to
the MAX. One bit of advice, "Invisible Fence," or rather, Pet Stop, to keep
the dogs out of the street. We had it installed this past summer and it's
wonderful. I was a tough sale since I had a REALLY hard time subjecting my
babies to being zapped, but trust me when I say, it takes smart dogs one zap
to learn, Chloe on the other hand might take a little longer, just kidding, I
love Chloe. I am a firm believer in the invisible fence, however, Pet Stop was
much cheaper and had a lot more options when calibrating the collars. I have
their number if you'd like it, just let me know.
Keep me in mind for a second adoption, eventually, we will need a pasture
pal for Spade and I'd love to be able to provide a home to another horse in
need, regardless of their riding status they all deserve a good home. There
will always be a special place in my heart for the TWH, but I'm sure there are
other breeds out there that I shouldn't discriminate against, right?
Take care Celeita and I will be in touch with Spade's surgery updates.
Thanks for all you do!
Debora
Thanks Debora, I'll look at invisible fencing. I've been considering
it. Sheena, the mongrel will be the one I will be most worried about but
we'll have to find something really safe. I understand about tough love
things that you do for your animals to keep them safe. Some things just have
to be done for their own best interest.
We got all the rescue horses their shots and coggins and looked at that
mare's eye. Today I'm ordering her a 5 day dewormer as she looks like she is
full of worms. So I'm sure they will come up soon, they are all already
looking so much better. We don't do anything magical, its just good care.
Horses that have been neglected are really an easy fix and ones I have no
problem taking, even when they are untrained, its the ones that come to us
lame from over use and miss use that I have to turn away as so many hard
tissue injuries are just not fixable without surgury and as you well know,
that involves lots of money. Well, enjoy and Kiss that boy for us. Enjoy the
new year. I'll be thinking of you two on the 3rd and saying a little prayer.
He'll be fine, I know he will. Celeita
Hey There!
I was just on your website looking at the available horses. I see
Casino, Freckles, and Sam, are still available. I hope they all find good,
loving homes soon! Spade's surgery at OSU is rapidly approaching and I am
getting very anxious. I really hope it all goes well, but I can't help but
being nervous, he is, after all, the love of my life. I took him out with
a large group of horses on his first official trail ride and he did
wonderful! We rode in the last position of the pack and he did perfect.
Even when a small herd of deer jumped up from their resting place and
scampered off into the woods, he just looked over in their direction, but
didn't feel the need to jump out from underneath me, thank goodness. I
have been exercising him daily at the request of the OSU surgeon who
suggested that he be in the best physical condition as possible at the
time of his surgery. He's looking really good, his coat is shiny and
thick, of course every time I turn him back out into the pasture after
spending hours brushing him out, he immediately heads straight for the mud
puddles to roll around on. Geesh! I wonder if he could be part pig? Or
maybe he just likes to see me throw a tantrum at the fence while he
wallows. That's my boy! Well, that's about it for now, hope you had a
wonderful Christmas!
Talk to ya soon,
Debora & Spade
Hey Debora, We love getting your emails. We all miss Spade but it seems you
are having a ball with him, which makes the process all worth while. What day
is his surgery? I'll say a little extra prayer for him on that day. I'm sure
it will be a success and he'll be a new boy. I can't tell you how much we
appreciate you doing this for him, we were glad to just get him a home but to
have someone go that extra mile to make him comfortable and help him to be all
he can be is more than any of us could have ever hoped for. Your reward for
doing such great kindness to an innocent animal will come back to you 10 times
over, it always does. The things we give just for the pure purpose of giving
and helping always comes back to us, I know this to be true as I've seen it so
much in my own life. Its never wasted.
Boy we've had some of the best adoptions lately. they have been few and far
between but they are good solid adoptions so we are thrilled about that. Yes,
the boys are all still here, I guess you also saw all those young TWH fillies,
gelding and foal/mare, the new rescues. We are busting at the seams right now.
I was hoping that our christmas special would get a lot more adoptions done,
it was such a good deal but I think we got 5 or 6 into homes, most of them
were not from here but they are still horses into good homes, so we'll accept
that. We got Ringo out of Florida right before the scare, thank goodness.
We are still working on the new farm, its going so slow.... if it keeps
going as slow as its been going then we won't be moving in until spring 2008.
I guess we didn't notice all the things that needed to be done to make it
functional for the program, lots of things to fix or change so it will work
for what we do, it was really just a horse farm for fun in the past, now where
the numbers we see, no rehab, heck they rarely even used the barn or wash
stall so the use of the facility is going through a major change. Plus I'm so
worried about my dogs on that major road, I have to find a way to build some
good fencing and kennels so I can make sure they are safe when I'm working or
gone. Its a beautiful farm but that busy road presents a lot of problems we
did not have to deal with in the past. I'm hopeful we will eventually have it
all worked out. Poor Ed hasn't realized he's now in his 60's and can't do it
all himself so I'm trying to convince him to hire contractors but not having
much success. I think I've finally made him realize that it costs us double to
have both farms and his stuff in storage. Most boys understand the logic of
money arguments so maybe that will work. :)))) Wish me luck, its going to be
the biggest task I've ever had to take on.
Well kiss that boy for us and give him lots of carrots for New Years!! Have
a great new year. Celeita
Hi Celeita & all:
I've been following the sale information of your
current place in WV....I'm sure you've heard it before, but if I hit the
Powerball this evening, my husband & I, our 4 retrievers, 9 housecats, and
Vido, my wonderful QH, would be knocking at your door! We just don't have
the room here in Calabash, NC that we want!
Seriously, the price for your place is unheard of.
I would buy it for the peace & quiet and wonderful home for horses that it
is. You guys helped me out with Cutlass when I didn't know how buying a
horse over the internet (sight unseen) could be so devastating. I wasn't
the easiest of people to deal with (please forgive me!), and as fate would
have it, my fall from a lesson horse (who did nothing wrong) in Sep 2003
didn't stop my love for horses. I need to email you a picture of my
beautiful Vido...he's 15hands, sorrel, and has the cutest face. He's a
western/english "lesson" type horse, perfect for a beginner. I still
consider myself a beginner, although I'm learning! Vido is very patient
with me, and once I conquer my apprehension, I think we'll be cantering
through the fields! So the things I've been through have led me to this
beautiful boy.
Anyway, I want to wish you & your staff a Merry
Christmas and all the best for a successful 2007. I keep watching your
site for news, etc. Anything ever happen to Robin Hollingsworth in SC?
I'm also learning that unfortunately there are people like her in the
horse world. But, there are plenty of good horse people too!
By the way, your mare Missy sounds like my Vido!
She's beautiful! Has anyone adopted her yet?
take care, and Happy Holidays!
Rosemary Biancardi
Calabash, NC
Hey Rosemary, thank you for thinking of us. Yes, we've had several tell us
if they ever hit that powerball. That would be nice but its always nice to
know that people think of us even more.
We are still waiting on the grand jury for Robin Hollingsworth. I did have
one of the prosecutors call us early in the spring but not yet. I'm certain
she is lying to them about something to get delays and they are buying it. So
sad that our judical system is so broken.
Missy is still available. I'm so glad you found yourself a horse. Bravo.
I'm so happy for you.
All the best in 2007, Celeita and all at SWAP
 Cody Cole and
AshleyHi everyone! How are you doing? Cody is
doing well. I have been riding him 4-6 days a week. He is doing great on
his riding. I got him to pace a little the other day. We are working a
little on cantering. I got him to canter a few steps a few days ago. Well,
have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Ashley
Hey Ashley, Loved the picture. It looks like you and Cody are doing great
and having a lot of fun. That's super. It sounds like you are becoming quite the
good rider too. That's great, because the better you are, the better Cody will
be and the more fun you both can have. You two are a great team and he looks
like he really loves you, very comfortable and happy. We are so happy to see you
two doing so well. Give your parents our regards and Kiss Cody for us. Happy New
Year Ashley, Celeita
Hi Celeita,
I just returned from the farm and wanted to update you.
Fancy is just gorgeous! I put her in an interior pasture and she ran and
ran and ran around the perimeter putting on a show for the horses on the other
3 sides! She is in with several goats. I want to see if a bunch of ankle
biters at her feet will help resolve her feeding issue. They did wonders on
another horse of mine that was very high strung and intolerant.
Rosie is as sweet as can be! While cleaning her stall and run, she got in
my way several times. All I had to say was, Excuse me, please, and she moved
over immediately - wow -- how wonderful!
Saving the best for last - Lady. As you said, she is perfect. I rode her
for a short while in the round pen, what a joy! I told my husband, Move over,
I have a new best friend! She is eating all her food now. I just think she
is very smart and very aware of what's going on, yet she makes no complaints.
One cute thing: When I had Lady on the cross ties, she was next to a
yearling stallion, who is a really funny boy. He kept sticking his nose
between the bars pestering her. She would put up with it and put up with it
and then when she thought I wasn't looking, she would snap at him and he would
go flying across his stall and then slowly come back and do it again. Lady
would look at me to see if I was watching and wait until I turned my head
before doing it again. She is so smart! She knew she shouldn't do it, but he
was just so darn annoying!
I know we're going to have a great time with these girls!
Thanks so much!!!
Robin
I love it. And, I was fortunate to have the
money to get started the right way. Don't have any extra now - ha!, but always
have enough to pay the bills which is all that really matters. I used to be
pretty materialistic because I had the income to do what I wanted when I
wanted, and a boyfriend who had the connections to travel and take time off as
I did whenever we wanted. After I got the horses, I found out it's so much
more gratifying to be here, doing what I love than doing what I used to do,
and my 'friends' from Butler still think I've lost my mind. They just have no
clue at all.
Regarding the problems we see... It's all a
learning process. There is always going to be something we wish we knew
before or know we could have done better "if". It's tough to deal with some
of the things we see, and it's always a learning experience. I always tell
myself that I learn something new every day. Not always what I want to learn
(negative), but always something new.
People tell me the same thing and I try to
give them a little bit of help, but I think with some people, they're just
overwhelmed and don't have time, and with the others it is a competition of
some sort. They don't realize they can't make it a competition and still do
their best for the horses. I know of one organization in it for just the
glory, and those are two ex cops. When people (including me) first meet them,
they think it's a wonderful place and it's all about the animals, but if
anyone who has any horse knowledge about them at all stays around them any
length of time, they begin to realize that female doesn't really know much at
all and won't take constructive help, even from a vet, and male has no clue
and is never wrong about anything - even things he has no knowledge about.
It's amazing who you run into and how they look at what they're doing. I
think a page on your site is a great idea. I have started to write canned
responsed to some of the questions I get and I just pull that up and send that
as a response. I agree. The biggest problem I see is that people don't
realize how much money or time it takes to get started and keep going, and
they don't think about how much it takes to bring a sickly horse back to
health or the time it takes to treat injuries properly. Then, they either
don't do what's best for the horse, or can't afford to do what they need to
regarding the basics. I took in too many at once in the beginning, and while
I had the funds to care for them, I didn't have the time to spend with each
one "one on one" and they all lacked a lot of attention that they needed. Not
basic grooming and physical care, but the mental connection was missing. I do
most of my work alone. And, it's all because of where I'm located, so I know
my limit, and unfortunately, it's ten to twelve horses at a time and no more.
Thank you for all of your help and
inspiration when I first met you. After two trips to your farm my eye were
wide open. I originally just wanted two horses for me and Ryan, my nephew to
ride, but when I saw how many needed help, I decided not to board, and instead
to just buy a farm and do what I could. Best move I ever made!
MErry Christmas!
Bev
Beverlee Dee
When you adopt a horse, you save two lives.
Darlin' is missing. Please take a moment, go to our site,
read her story, and pass it on.
We need to know she's safe. If you see her, please contact
us. More info on our site.
Celeita,
All is well with Jake, Farney, and Boots.
Sorry we don't take more pictures, we will try and do better. I am
attaching 3 of Jake, hopefully you can open them. None are great
shots, but the one with my husband, Phil makes me laugh. It looks like
Jake is directing him on what to do next.
Take Care, Chris and Phil
Hey you two, this subject line on this email had me worried. I was
almost scared to open it.. thinking that something was wrong with Jake. Glad
to know things are well, especially with him. Look at how much more quality
life you've been able to give him by not putting him down. Its wonderful.
Well, I'm downloading now. Would love to see the others too. Thank you so
much. Celeita
I will remember that for the future, I forget that you deal
with many sad issues with animals along with the successes. Jake is
thoroughly pampered and spoiled and HE BELIEVES HE DESERVES IT !!!!!!!
:)))))))))))
The new farm is beautiful, congratulations and wishing you
a wonderful future.
Chris
Hey Celeita, Just a quick update on Malone.
He is doing great. I started him on glucosamine for his arthritis and
it has really helped. He is walking much better. the snaps and cracks
are not as noticeable now when he walks.
He has a wonderful personality, very loving. seems to know what i say
to him, when i tell him that he can live with me forever and i will take
care of him and make sure he is happy. He starts nodding his head, big up
and down motion.
I love him. Thanks so much.
Starr
- Hey Starr, soooo behind on emails. sorry about that. How are things
- going. Still great I hope. He's such a love bug. I did forget to tell
you
- to just lift up his blanket on occasion and make sure he's
staying at
- a good weight, seeing ribs or hip bones is the first bad sign that they
- need more feed. Being a competition horse for so many years he may
- just require more feed and may need more this first year to stay warm
- until he adjusts from going from AR to WV. Did he ever start getting a
- better winter coat? I hope all is well with him. If you're having any
- concerns or troubles let me know, I'm close and can help. Is Bear
- being her same wild self but hopefully staying out of trouble? Well,
- Take care and kiss all those babies for us. Thank you for giving them
- such a great home. Celeita
Lilly, the walking horse mare.....
... Hello wanted to let you know we have had our first ride this
morning...it was very nice... even my daughter Reese got on to ride...
she'
s definitely the right girl for our family...so once again you have chosen
for us wisely once again......this girl will take me back into training
and
get my daughter back into riding .... so I am soo happy/pleased and wanted
to again say thank you for another great match.
we are thinking about changing her barn name only (since she'll not be
shown) to Cynder... (like black cinders from a fire place... ) we thought
it
was cute... your right she doesn't understand the whole concept of lunging
in the round pen...lol..so we can work on that together.... i tired out
just
cinching her up this morning.. but was able to ride for about 45min. to an
hour walk/trotting on her...around our property!... she got a little
frightened by an atv revving up the street and took off i surprised myself
once again by balance (thank God for being centered..and heels down.. )
so
that in of itself gave me a good workout and some confidence... so i
calmed
her down and they atv revved up /down a few more times and it didn't seem
to faze her...she's soooo good... i'm falling for this little girl...she
hates
my little dogs though....lol..she loves to chase them from her side of the
pasture while they talk trash to her...it's quite comical....
i saw on your web site the new horses you rescued... i'm glad they found
you....or visa versa.........the work you do is well so wonderful and i
know
that the horses and me personally appreciate it. Ok i'm going to watch a
dvd and ride again this afternoon before feeding... i just wanted to let
you
know that i think she (cynder) is great..and i am going to look for a
trainer for she & i so that we really are working to our potential and
really partner up.... ps. please don't forget my tack box measurements..
/
weight is all i need...thanks.
sydney jewell
That's good news Sydney, I'm glad its going so well. Just
take it slow with her as I'm not sure how much she was being ridden and I know
the girl was about 4 foot and 80 lbs so she will need to get used to a normal
sized rider over time. I'm sure you know this, I just feel better about
covering it, too.
Be sure to look for a TWH trainer, or a gaited horse
trainer. A regular w/t/c trainer will screw her up. I had an adopter send a
rocky mountain horse to her hunt seat trainer and she screwed him up so bad
they thought he was lame in the bad end because he was skipping in his hind
quarters..... daaaaa, he's just trying to do the gait he was born to do if
they would have just let him. I felt so sorry for the adopter because she
spent thousands on a vet before calling me, thinking he had something wrong
with him. I understand people think a trainer is a trainer, but its not true,
you take your hunt seat horse to a hunt seat trainer and you take your
dressage horse to a dressage trainer. I know you know this, I'm just venting a
bit. Once we got him with a trainer that knows about walking horses, it was no
big deal. Just be careful of soring and some of the abusive things TWH people
do. You'll want to make sure they don't do any of those things (nails in feet,
soring, feet in oil to make them sore... things that are abusive that make
them step big, etc)
I'm thrilled its going so well. The dog thing will settle
down, give it a month or two and they will get bored. I really hope this
little girl is a horse you and your daughter can enjoy for many years. Can you
send pictures the next time you and her ride? We'd love to see them and add
them to our happy endings page. All the best, Celeita
I am so glad the others are doing
well. I thought the foal may be okay, but I didn't know how bad the
mother was. I hope she will be fine too. I do the same with the very
thin ones - just wait for the dewormer and such. That poor thing
probably hasn't had a decent meal in a year. I hope she is going to be
alright. We got a similar case out of New Holland in June. An aged
Morgan stallion. probably a 1 1/2 on Henneke, and all he needed was
time and food. Came from an Amish man. Clipped his bridle path and
ears, bought him a new halter (tag still on it), trimmed his feet very
nicely, then sent him to New Holland way too thin. I just don't
understand how some people sleep at night.
Boys are doing well. You wouldn't
believe how big Stretch is. 17+ (not quite 17.1). Arturo is doing
great. Everyone loves him, and he really responds to the autistic kids
that come here. Brite even likes it when the kids come. We've got his
founder under control, he's getting the mustang trim every month and has
been barefoot since last Sept. His lf ankle is his issue. It's now
locked from the chips and arthritis, but he manages getting around just
fine and still plays with Arturo in the pasture. They're all three just
wonderful boys. If it weren't for you and Crossed Sabers, I'd never
have started what we're doing here now.
Bev
Thank you Bev, It's wonderful to hear about those 3, even
Brite. Poor boy must of had a tough life on the track but I'm so glad they are
all in good homes. I will have to let John and all the others from NY that had
Stretch know how big he is, they would be amazed. If I knew what I know now
about things like that, I'm certain he would have been in much better shape
too. There are a few horses like that, I look back on and I really wish we
would have known more and we could have helped them more, of course, 10 years
from now I may be looking back on some of the horses coming through now
and realizing how little we know now. There is always something new to learn,
new techniques, new technology, processes. Funny how that happens but its
heart wrenching to know you could have helped a horse if you would have known
more. We do all natural trimming on all the horses now and pull shoes when
ever we absolutely can and we've brought around several foundered horses but
its taken me years to figure out how to fix those things.
I'm thrilled you are doing such great work and that we had a
small part in it. I am still helping other programs get started and still
offer for people to come here as you did and spend as much time as you need to
get your feet wet and at least give you some things to think about. I'm
actually getting to do a page on the website about starting a program and
maybe even doing a weekend clinic. Many people tell me that no one will give
them information or help them and I just don't understand it. We are all on
the same team, we are all for helping horses, we just have our niches and
areas or horses that we specialize in. This is not a competition, programs
like ours don't compete for horses. They may compete for the homes but there
are plenty of horses and plenty of homes as well. Everyone that starts this,
if their heart is in the right place and if they have some sort of a business
sense and manage money can do great work for horses and we need all the help
we can get. The biggest mistakes I see programs make are money mistakes,
taking too many horses, more than they have money coming in and support. The
AHS recommended one year of overhead and I think most programs on an average
spend about $1000. on each horse they place so if they want to place 50 horses
in the first year, they really need to raise 50k. I know some of the older
programs are working one year ahead, I know Standardbred Retirement Fund is
always working on next years budget, meaning this year is covered. I have
never gotten that good, I usually stay about 4 to 6 months ahead and bills and
that is a huge help. I'd love to see about 10 or 20 programs in each state,
then we would not be so over worked. We always have a waiting list of horses
coming in and many we have to turn away so there are so many horses still not
being helped. I'm sure you are always full as well, the need is bigger than
the both of us, that is for sure but I am so thrilled you opened and
flourished. Much Love, and Admiration. Celeita
Here's a note from Karashell's Daddy's owner
|
I have been trying to find the words to share my appreciation for all
of the effort you made on my behalf. When I opened the email with all of
those pictures of Karashell - I just weeped. As thankful as I am that she
found you, it breaks my heart she didn't have a loving family to call her
own all the days of her life.
Hope you don't mind that I've been sharing your website with a group
online to try to help place some of your horses.
Once again, thanks isn't even close to expressing my gratitude for all
you've done for me and for so many others. You do a wonderful work and I
know you'll be blessed for it.
All the best,
Linda
Btw, wanted to ask if you are registered with the igive.com program.
It cost nothing and it might be a way for people who already support you
to help a little more. It might also get the word out about what you're
doing for more financial support from newcomers.
Thanks for writing back with this
information. I'm glad to hear Karashell was able
to find some loving homes after she was
adopted out. But my heart breaks to hear how she suffered. Thank
you for being there with her in the end.
It looks like you all do some fantastic
work and for that I would like to say thank you
from all of the horses who have received
your love & care and the people who love
them with you.
As you might have figured out my horse,
Karaborr was Karashell's father. I've just
recently lost him and am trying to connect
in some way.
Would love to see pictures of Karashell if
you are able to suggest where I might find
them on the site. Wondering if you have
any information on the foal you mentioned
she had.
Thanks for your time, your effort and
compassion to help those horses who have no
one else.
Linda
|
I did speak with Rose on Tuesday and she sounded excited for Ringo, but
very sad that someone had adopted him. I told her I would keep in touch with
her and send her updates and pictures.
I know Danielle and one of the other riders at our barn were considering
several different horses as possibilites for this rider. I hope they are able
to find one that fits.
Sorry about the shortness of the earlier email, I sent it from my phone. I
was took excited to wait until I could get to a computer. :)
Thank you again,
Fran
Hey Celeita, Hope everything is going good up there. I wanted to write
and say thank you for Fanelli. He is such a joy to have here. Annie and he
have become very good friends. They spend their days nibbling each other.
It`s great to have someone here for her to spend her days with that
doesn`t try beating her up. And she really seems to have taken a liking to
him, because if he goes to walk away she`s right behind him and vice
versa. I will send some pics tomorrow of the two of them together. The
other two mares are still buttheads, but the good thing is he doesn`t
have to put up with it because they are in the other pasture. So once
again THANK YOU so much for this sweet little boy we all really love
him. You can`t help but love him.
Maureen
P.S. Give my boy Sport a kiss for me
Awwww, Maureen, I'm just so happy you love this boy. We did
too. He is the nicest horse and wow, what a lover. He's a great horse for a
family because he loves people (of all sizes). Hopefully he'll get used to
your goats. Small animals are sometimes a huge surprise to many horses because
many horse people only have horses. Personally I love goats, lambs, even
calves, chickens, ducks, pigs and llama's .... I would have them all if I
could... that is a real farm but I have a feeling my dogs would consider them
all dinner and that scares me, for some reason they all do well with the
horses, all they want to do is bark at them and that I can live with. I'm sure
it will get better with him and the goats. Lets hope. :)))) Thank you for
everything, enjoy that sweetheart and give him a kiss for us.
Have a wonderful holiday and tell your hubby to stay safe
and thank him for his military service. Talking to you has brought back so
many wonderful memories of Ft. Bragg, I wish I could visit and see the post
again, its been literally years. I did deliver a horse to Raeford about 10
years ago and stayed in Moon hall and that was the last time I saw Bragg. For
me, as a young pilot it was the center of the universe for many years for me.
I could probably still get someone around R5311 and find all the LZ's and drop
zones, it seems like yesterday and it was over 25 years ago. Boy, that is even
hard to say. It all flies by so quickly, one minute your going in and the next
you're ready for retirement. Enjoy this time, even as hard as it seems at
times. It was really the best time of my life. Enjoy!! Celeita
hello i just wanted to let u know that we got moved out to wyoming.
and the horses arrived just fine. it is so nice to finally have them in
my back yard. i know how time to actually get out there and spend time
and groom them daily. i will be getting u the pics of their new home
sent out within the next week. they r both doing well. jake is sore on
the terrain out here so the farrier is coming to look at him on monday
and see if he needs front shoes as right now he is barefoot.
i need to know how many more checks i have to you for lucy's adoption
fee as we are going to change banks and i am going to need to get you
new checks sent out. i would like to get them out to you within the
next week with the pics and facility change form. thanks
anita angelo
Hello Anita, I'll need to look at the checks to see how
many you still have here.
Jake may be just sore from the trip. I've seen older horses
be lame for weeks after a trip like that. I would recommend giving him some
time and just see before slapping shoes on him. He may be fine in a month or
so.
Do you have a horse facility there? Barn, stalls, water at
the barn, etc? this will be a big change for them and even more so if they are
out all the time. It gets pretty cold in wyoming and eastern horses need
shelter out there, at least for the first couple of years and some may never
adjust to not having a barn. I'm guessing you have them both in waterproof
rugs and that you have shelter? Sorry to be such a worry wort... its my job to
keep them safe. I'll look for the change of facility form so we have all the
details. Be sure we have all your contact information as well. You can just
send that to me and I can hand it over to Diana to update the database but
we'll still need the details on the facility. I've always loved Wyoming. I
hope you do as well.
I'm sorry I missed the calls about the horses paperwork, by
the time I check the phone messages I was certain you were in Wyoming. Did you
find all their coggins and historical documents? Have a Happy Holiday and kiss
those babies for us. Celeita
Thank you Robin for the kind words and for being a voice in
helping this mare and foal. I do hope your son stays safe, but I'm sure he will.
Have a wonderful holiday!! Celeita
Good Morning
Celeita,
My Heather is
age 15, she will be 16 in March and Danielle is age 14, she will be 15 in July.
Heather has grown up so much and she can’t wait for the horses to be home. She
said she is going to ride Sweet Pea 24/7, and she can’t wait for the Geauga Fair
this year. Danielle does well with Jack and he really loves her. Jack picks on
me, little things like biting my coat or taking my hat. He is so funny! I have
had some problem lately with Danielle and boys. I hope when the horses are home
that may help get her mind on something other then boys. Raising teenage girls
may be the death of me. I do have some nice pictures of Jack and Sweet Pea from
summer I’ll get them to you. I’ll be looking for a large pony or small horse
that is quiet for my son (age 6) in the summer. I promise we will make a trip to
visit and help out at the farm this summer, I think it would be fun for all of
us. Talk to you later. Dorothy
Hey wanted to share
these, it was a little warm today, we were in the mid 70’s last week we
were in the 30’s for a high! Needless to say the horses got a little warm
today just walking around the pasture. I can’t tell you how much I love
this guy.
How are the mare and
other rescued horses doing? I heard that Stephany from Celtic Rein might
try to adopt them, she helped out an injured filly on a Ft Collins Co.
feedlot a while back, I saw this little filly for 200.00 and she had a
very badly injured leg, she was scheduled to ship to slaughter, I sent a
note to a few ladies in some rescues that I email with and we pulled her,
Stephany took the lead in the rescue effort and got that little filly
transported to her. She treated that baby every day hosing the wound and
you could barely see the scar when she healed, it was amazing.
Hey Sharon, how cute. All you need is snow and it would
be the perfect christmas picture. grin. He looks great and he's obviously very
comfortable with you. I can see he's already totally attached to you. We've
had the same screwy weather, warm one minute, freezing the next. No wonder all
our horses have colds.
I did get an email from Celtic Rein but I suspect it will be
several months before that mare and foal will be in a position to travel that
far to a new home, I really expect her to be adopted by someone local or
regional but it was a nice offer. Actually several rescues called us to take
her but they will take her and place her again, meaning she will get moved two
more times, once to them and again to their new home... as that is what
rescues and rehab programs do. I'd really rather have her moved one time, into
her permanent home.
Its awfully nice that so many organizations have gotten so
attached to this mare but she is safe now and there are many more like her
still at risk... that huge voice that everyone used to save this mare needs to
be applied to other horses at risk but I know its very hard to let horses like
this go and to move on. Its hard for anyone to not see a horse all the way
through its rehab and see it placed into its final home so I'm sure all those
people that were involved in saving this girl are really just struggling with
the idea that its time to go help another that needs them. I mean if this mare
would have been in CO, they would have been calling Celtic Rein to take her
and I would be attempting to let go and they would be seeing her through till
the end, the closest organization is the one most logical to take horses like
this, mainly because they just are not healthy enough to travel far.
I was thrilled to be called to take them as this is really
the work that we all long for, the work where you are making a difference in
the horse. We get so many horses that are used up by owners who over use them,
which to me is even worse than starving a horse because I can easily fix a
mare and foal that is starving but these people that are using up horses and
dumping them are ruining them for life, most of them end up lame or ruined so
much that all they can do is maybe carry a small child at a walk. And these
are so called 'horse people' that care and are well respected, very sad to say
that no one even realizes the damage they are doing. To me they are
the worst abusers of all and you ask them why and they easily say....
'everyone does it' like that makes it okay. Its very sad really because its
abuse by people that most would consider 'good horse people' but they fail to
see they are ruining horses lives just because of a blue ribbon or a prize.
And none of the prizes are worth a hoses quality of life as far as I'm
concerned. I'm sure you agree, its just hard to think about those horses being
hurt on a daily basis and dumped and no one does anything. Very sad.
Well have a wonderful Christmas and 2007. Kiss that boy for
us. Celeita
Dear All of You,
Just wanted to thank you for finding Ringo a good home. Had to wait to
write this as I couldn't see the screen thru my tears. Am hoping Fran
enjoys him and takes good care of him. She is supposed to send pics this
weekend, and am looking forward to that. This |
