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SWAP
FEED FUND
MAKE CREDIT CARD DONATIONS TO THE SWAP FEED FUND... CALL
FOSTER FEEDS AT 304-269-1333, TALK TO CHARLIE TO GIVE A DONATION TO THE SECOND
WIND ADOPTION PROGRAM FEED FUND, WE GO THROUGH 6 TONS OF FEED A MONTH. YOU CAN
ALSO PAY FOR ADOPTIONS AND PURCHASES THIS WAY!!
monthly counters started on February 13, 2010 for the website, because this is a
free counter, it will only show about a 1/4 of our total numbers, so its
not an accurate depiction of all of our visitors, just gives an idea about all
the people that visit our site. We do love our international visitors. Welcome!
Visitors By Country
Top 100 Visitors
Last 100 Visitors
Visitors Map
Daily Stats
Congrats to our President for the nomination and eventual induction to the
ROTC Hall of Fame at West Virginia State University, nominated by the former VP
of the University, the induction will take place at the Embassy Suites in
Charleston, WV October 14, 2010. A former military school, rich in a history of
national defense has only inducted just over 100 military retirees to its Hall
of Fame, many of them general officers. Congratulations on this huge honor.
Stay up with our President/Executive Director, all the
directors, volunteers and riders. All the CSS/SWAP supporters and adopters are
having a big time sharing stories, pictures, lots of good stuff about their
horses. Our President is at her max friends so she is full but we are going to
set up a fan based page so everyone can be added. So sorry to the 200 + people
who have asked for a friendship.... we'll get our fan page up soon.
Benefit Wines is a unique online retail wine shop that partners with
non-profit organizations to raise funds. Every charity partner has their
own unique wine label. Supporters enjoy fine, organic wines while
supporting their favorite cause. Cheers!
Raise $1000. for Second Wind
Adoption Program and have a 1 in 70 chance at a 15 carat Ruby/Diamond
Ring! ... mail donations to Rt. 2 Box 24A Jockey Camp Road, West Union,
WV 26456
The Wish List of Our Needs:
More than anything we need a large donation to help us pay off our farm, we just
owe 70k. With a farm paid for, we will never worry about the program and schools
closing.
We are looking for 2 to 3 people to do work in exchange for a place to live.
1. New or lightly
used truck and 3 to 6 horse trailer, our equipment has seen its better
days, we've been using both for nearly 14 years to pick up horses and move them
to their new homes.
2. A Farm in any
location for low cost long term lease or donation to expand our program
to develop a retirement farm for our now aging horses returned to us from
adopters who could not retire our horses. Our highest priority locations
initially are Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland,
or Delaware.
3. New or Lightly
Used Farm utility vehicle (like a john deere gator), farm tractor,
& manure spreader
4. Tack and large
horse items donated... like carts/buggies, racing bikes, jog carts,
harnesses, saddles, horse trailers, blankets/rugs to use or sell on SWAP
Shopping. Supplies to use around the barn or office.
5. A bulk feed bin
that will hold anywhere from 6 tons to 9 tons of grain donated or at low cost or
even a break on the cost of purchase and instillation.
6. A volunteer or low cost
employee who can help us fix our
database that lists all adopters, donors, supporters and horses/dogs/cats
in the program.
7. Some sort of a cloth
facility like Cover-all or Farm-Tek
building to increase our abilities to be able to take more horses and
have an indoor area to work and train horses in winter, donated, grant or
partially donated. anywhere from 50 x 200 to 72 x 300.
8.
Monthly Sponsors for our light
use, elderly or retirement/sanctuary horses/dogs who's possibilities for
adoption are very low, ie. Orphy, Jelly Bean, Dixie, Allie, Kochese, Darlin, Mr.
Darcey, JoJo, Freckles, Lucy, Bandit, Max, etc.
9. Volunteers
to commit to doing one fund raiser for SWAP horses at your location during 2010,
it can be a golf tournament, a bake sale, book sale, lemonade stand, car wash,
setting up an information stand at a horse show. This is a great way to kids to
get involved in helping horses.
10 Anyone interested in
free high quality top soil
(manure already composted) and manure for gardens, you can pick up for free by
the truck load at our WV location (bring a loader). If you are a gardener and
only need a small amount, pick up in a truck or we'll be selling it by the feed
bag full at $2.00 a bag (in a bag that is usually used for 100 lbs of feed).
This is beautiful clean top soil. This offer will only last so long because we
will be leveling the manure pile this August when its dry enough to get a dozer
in there.
11. Someone to do
dozer work on the farm, level arena/round pen, do terracing on the hill
sides to keep water out of the barns and level the top soil and manure pile to
increase the level of that land in that bottom so we can put our methane
digester in and indoor arena. Volunteer or at a reduced cost.
Reporting Neglect:
Please, if you see neglect (ribs and hip bones showing or no
food available), its critical to call the sheriff of the county where the
horse/animal is located. Have the address where the horse is located or
directions to the farm, pictures and the owners name (if possible). If the
sheriff does nothing email our cruelty case workers Tom and Ruby Fleming at
tomfleming64@cebridge.net or email
PETA's cruelty case workers Stephanie or Tori at
sbell@peta.org,
or
ToriP@peta.org Remember horses can not speak for themselves so
we must speak for them!! All reports are kept anonymous.
Getting Help for Your Horses/animals if you can not care for
them:
If you can not feed your animals, whether they are horses or
other animals, if you are adopters, call SWAP HQ immediately, if not, call your
local horse rescue and plead for help, if they are full then call your animal
control officer or sheriff to release ownership of your animals so they can get
them help Before they are starved to death, do not wait until they are starved,
its critical to get help early. Contact us if you do not know what to do. call
304-873-3532 or email
secondwindadopt@aol.com. Many counties have pet
pantries so you can get feed when times are tough.
If things are getting tight with costs, go to a less expensive
grain like a simple stock pellet supplemented with corn, according to Ohio State
Corn is the leading horse feed in the US according to their research, many large
equine schools and large farms feed these all natural feeds because of what they
get for the price, a lot of negative stuff has been written about corn but no
one can support it with actual proof and research. We feed a simple all stock
pellet from southern states and we supplement with cracked corn for those who
need more calories, here is the link:
- http://ohioline.osu.edu/b
- 762/b762_7.htm
TOP TEN WAYS YOU CAN HELP PROTECT HORSES
(ASPCA and SWAP Suggestions)
1. BE THEIR VOICE - your vote is your
greatest weapon against injustice, so register and actively support horse
protection and preservation legislation.
2. LEAD BY EXAMPLE - Walk the talk. Don't support or attend cruel
horse activities such as Tennessee Walker events using "soring" techniques -
painful techniques to make the horse walk a certain way, or events that use
drugs to make horses achieve results. High-diving horse acts are cruel, as are
rodeo events that don't promote respect for animals and their health.
3. BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER - products made from horses like Premarin
(pregnant mare urine pills for estrogen replacement), are created through
horses' suffering. Your spending dollar is a weapon.
4. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE - inform people what happens to horses after
their short careers are over (slaughter plant bound), or where Premarin comes
from, talk to them about over breeding, the hazards of over using young horses
or not training a horse. Engage them in discussion.
5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HORSE RESCUE OR SANCTUARY - these organizations
make life better for horses.
6. VOLUNTEER - your gift of time is valuable to horse groups and if
you have special talents, so much the better.
7. REPORT CRUELTY - if you witness abuse or neglect, report it to
local animal control or your county sheriff. Someone cruel to animals is cruel
to humans, too.
8. PROTECT THE AMERICAN WILD HORSE - mustangs have a special place in
our history and you can support federal and local legislation by writing emails
and letters to your government reps.
9. KEEP YOUR HORSE SAFE AND HEALTHY - if you own a horse, maintain
its health with regular hoof, medical and dental check-ups. Make sure they are
companioned as horses suffer living alone - even a goat makes a good companion.
Feed what the horse needs, if you are seeing ribs and hip bones, the horse is
not getting enough, if you can't afford to buy more feed, then give the horse to
someone who can, just be sure to check the person out and make sure they are not
selling the horse to slaughter or just going to turn out and sell the horse to
anyone that has the money. .
10. PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR HORSE'S CARE - your health and finances
change so what happens to your horse of you can't care for it anymore? Research
your options, including a pet trust. Horses live into their mid 20s and early
30s now - that's a lifetime of commitment.
Crossed Sabers Stable:
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As many as 60
million visitors per year |
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As many as 530,000 hits in one day |
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Visitors from 113 different
countries |
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Website Visitors from every
continent of the world |
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Thousands of adoptions (of 68
different breeds) in homes today with SWAP |
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Horses adopted in 46 states and
Canada |
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14 Year History |
Preparing for a Cold Winter:
HAY: Get
your hay now before the prices become outrageous, get enough for the winter
(good planning is 2 bales for every 3 days for one horse or 10 bales per month
per horse, so to make it until the middle of June (first cutting), you're
looking at 90 bales per horse at the very least (from September to June). If you
have good thick grass that has been mowed and fertilized then depending on where
you live in the US you might just need 60 to 70 bales. For good grazing its
recommended that you have 3 to 5 acres of mowed, seeded, fertilized grass per
horse. Remember Grass is dead in WV from Oct/Nov until about April and every
state has some months where the grass does not give the horses their calories or
nutrients it needs to sustain life (USDA has details of that for each state).
They may be grazing in the winter but they are not getting anything from the
grass to survive. I know most know that but I say it because we had an adopter
last year in WV that thought if they were eating grass that was all they needed
and she nearly killed 2 horses.
GRAIN:
Remember on average horses need 1 lb of concentrated feed (grain) for every 100
lbs of body weight, so on average horses need about 10 lbs of grain a day, more
when its very cold or if they are living outside in a run because much of their
calories go to keeping them warm. Some horses need more so its critical to
watch to make sure their ribs and hip bones are staying meaty and covered. If
you see ribs, the horse is too thin and needs more calories, not supplements
but more calories.. Easy keepers may be round but it does not mean they are
healthy, most easy keepers need a multi vitamin to stay healthy.
WATER:
One of the most critical things needed in winter is clean fresh water all the
time, anywhere from 5 to 20 gallons per day per horse and everyone knows what a
pain that is when there is ice and snow on the ground but its critical to
preventing colic. Get your electric heaters, defrosters now, heated buckets,
what ever it takes to make sure they have good water in front of them all the
time and at least 10 gallons (2 flat backed buckets at the very least). Here we
keep 100 gallons troughs in the stalls since we have big stalls, its much easier
than frozen buckets in winter, all we do is break the ice and remove it most
days and put a heater in them on really cold days. We use a sump pump to empty
water and scrub troughs each week which keeps water fresh and clean.
SHELTER:
Domestic horses need shelter, they are not wild and can not survive outside
without shelter or some kind of heavy waterproof rug to keep them warm during
snow/ice and freezing temperatures but the best is a closed in shelter that is
free from drafts (meaning its closed on all 4 sides with some sort of
ventilation). Wild horses first of all don't live very long, living outside in
the elements is very hard on them, secondly wild horses move in cold
temperatures to keepselves warm and they often times move over thousands of
acres to keep warm or to find cover or water. No domestic horse can not do that
on 5, 20 or even 100 acres. Just because your horse has learned to survive in
bad weather does not mean its good for them, they need shelter in bad weather.
CARE:
Its important to make kids take care of their horses but they must have adult
supervision on a daily basis to make sure horses are getting what they need.
Trust me, I usually have 30 year olds working in our barn and I still have to be
there daily to make sure things are done, that they have clean water, especially
when its cold because our young helpers want to get out of the weather and then
the horses are left at risk for colic. Every day check your child's work, do not
leave your horses care to a child (completely).
The Woman I will Be
- I shall wear diamonds and a wide brimmed
straw hat with ribbons and flowers on it
- And I shall spend my social security on
white wine and carrots
- And sit in the alley of my barn and listen
to my horses breathe.
- I will sneak out in the middle of a
summer's night And ride the dappled mare across the moonstruck meadow, if
my old bones will allow. and when people come to call, I will smile and
nod, As I walk them past the gardens to the barn And show, instead, the
flowers growing there
- In stalls fresh-lined with straw. I will
shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel. And I will
be an embarrassment of all who look down on me Who have not yet found the
peace in being free To love a horse as a friend, a friend who waits at
midnight hour
- With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes For
the Woman I will be when I am old.
The perfect analogies for why we
have the life school tied into SWAP and animal welfare work:
"Everyone thought we took this
broken down horse and saved him but really he saved us"
Jockey Red Pollard from the
movie Seabiscuit
I rescued a
human today
Her eyes met mine as she
walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her
need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too
exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel
I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't
want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers
get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card
I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look
forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees
and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed
my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I
raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened
and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would
promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would
promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her
eyes.
I was so fortunate that she
came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Baggage
by Evelyn Colbath
Now that I'm
home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed,
I would like to open my baggage,
Lest I forget
There is so much to carry -
So much to forget.
Hmm, Yes, here
it is, right on the top
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my halter hides Fear & Shame
As I look on these things I have tried so hard to leave-
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them,
the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the
time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never re-pack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
A young boy was walking along the beach
- as high tide came in.
- With every crash of the waves
- he noticed that dozens of seahorses were
being cast onto the beach,
- where they lay gasping and squirming.
- Hurriedly, he ran to each seahorse he could
find
- and gently tossed them back into the surf.
- A man watching all this approached the boy
and said;
- "Son, what you are doing won't make a
difference",
- to which the boy replied,
"To
that seahorse .
. . it will".
Some folks said they missed my great goals
list for 2010, so here it is back again
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 and for a drought winter when hay prices
skyrocket). Ask friends, family and neighbors to be part of your plan, most
people that don't have horses or a farm love the idea of getting away and
helping. And 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. 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. Do one hour of walking, yoga or weight training every
day and it will make you strong, lean, you'll look great and get wonderful
complements from friends, coworkers and loved ones and the horse work will be
easier and more enjoyable.
6. Stay clear of negative people and those very
negative chat rooms and bulletin boards, they seem innocent but every time you
go to them you lose a bit of your positive self, they are truly emotional
vampires that will leave only a shell of a person. They are not based on the
truth, they are based on harassment, complaining, whining and dishonesty. We all
become tomorrow what we are around today, every person we come in contact with
defines who we are tomorrow so be careful who you choose for friends, even the
websites you go to as each of them affect who you are tomorrow. Do you want to
be a bitter, miserable, complaining person or do you want to be happy, inspired
and honorable, all that is affected by the decisions you make today. Stay away
from Toxic people and Toxic websites/forums that are negative or that spend all
their time talking bad about people and their horses. What you are around today
and what you are doing today is what you will be tomorrow. Stop Complaining and
be Thankful for what you have. If you become a target of harassment or anyone
saying anything negative about you, if you are doing only good, positive things
and not hurting anyone then ignore them, its all based on jealousy and a sick
sort of wish to be like you. They have the problem, not you.
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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 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).
16. 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.
17. 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..
18. 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?
19. 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.
20. 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 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.
21. 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.
22. 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 are 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.
23. 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 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.
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.
Always in hope and admiration, Celeita
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully
dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and
shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home
today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he
smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a
visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.
'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just
been presented with a new puppy.
'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or
not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my
mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when
I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the
difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of
bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and
all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing.' Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Our
lives with horses...
Our lives with horses are rich with feeling. You know this if you've
ever.... choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the
First time ...or watched your good horse wobble to his feet after surgery....
or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins
beneath them . . or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a
patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club payday ... or felt
the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a
hand-carved beer wagon into the arena ... or had your heart stop when you saw
your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited
breathlessly for an ear to flick ... or cheered at the screen when 'The Man
From Snowy River' slid Dennie down the mountainside, .. or when Seabiscuit
made his final surge to beat War Admiral ... or cruised along the highway and
seen a horse in a pasture and wondered what he's like to ride or pictured him
as a prospect ... or sucked in your breath as a horse and rider approached a
six-foot wall ... or sworn a solemn oath to your horse that together you would
triumph ... or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a
horse even when it was a commercial ... or laughed aloud when you rubbed your
horse's face and he rubbed back ... or gotten chills hearing Dave Johnson's
'and DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!' (or 'Run for the Roses' circa 1980 ish?)
... or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the
pasture, then stopped, head erect, and snorted defiance at the rest of the
world
... or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill
... or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky
haircoat beneath your hand ... or felt your jaw drop as you watched a Lipazzan
perform a capriole ... or if you've ever seen someone in the grocery store
wearing a certain kind of hat, or boots, or buckle, or have a certain cut and
length to their jeans, and felt some remote kind of connection ... or felt
warmed by a soft nicker greeting as you entered the barn ... or slid your hand
under your horse's blanket to straighten it out, only to pause in the glowing
feeling that you get when you touch the
warmth of his coat... or riding on a trail with your horse, thinking how that
trail over there looks nice and almost without asking, your horse has sensed
your slightest movement in the saddle and he's now taking you there. ... or
pulled up to your barn where you board and only your horse greets you with a
welcoming hello from the sound of your car or your voice.
HEROES AND HORSES
SOME NOTABLE HEROES AND THEIR HORSES ARE MENTIONED AND WE KNOW YOUR HORSE IS
YOUR HERO AND VICE VERSA.
1. Kanthaka - Buddha's horse, the one he used when he was still Siddhartha
the prince, to escape from his father's palace and begin his journey toward
enlightenment. Kanthaka's hooves made no sounds as they fled together and he
is often depicted being lifted on his four feet by benign spirits.
2. Pegasus - the mythical winged horse parented by Neptune and Medusa and
ridden by Bellerophon to rid the world of Chimera, the monster. Athena, the
Greek goddess of wisdom, was able to capture and train Pegasus when he allowed
her to place her golden bit in his mouth.
3. Phosphorus (Light Bearer) - the great Roman racehorse immortalized by the
4th century Roman poet Ausonius (at the emperor's request) in a beautiful
eulogy: Fly with haste to join the wing-footed horses of Elysium; may
Pegasus gallop on your right and Arion as your left-wheeler, and let Castor
find a fourth horse for the team.
4. Babieca - famed white gelding of El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar, the
Spanish hero who united Christians and Muslims against a Moorish onslaught
from Africa. Babieca lived to be 30 years old and carried El Cid into all his
battles. Babieca means "crazy" as Rodrigo made a crazy choice since the colt
was the runt of the herd.
5. Bucephalus (Ox-head) - beloved horse of Alexander the Great who bore the
Macedonian hero on his back from Greece to India. Odds against a horse living
past 20 in that era were great, but Bucephalus, in his 20s, endured until he
fell in battle in India.
6. Sleipnir - the eight-legged war horse of Odin, the Norse god, was able to
fly without wings and shape-shift.
7. Balios and Xanthos - a grey and bay, both sired by Zephyros, the West
Wind, who together pulled Achilles' chariot.
8. Vivasat - a Hindu sun-god who often took the form of a stallion.
9. Al Burak - Mohammed's horse, on whose back he ascended to heaven, was
brought to him by the archangel Gabriel
10. Chiron - the centaur who taught Achilles, Jason and the first physician,
Ascelpius, all he knew.
11. Rakhsh - blue-eyed and dappled red horse of the legendary Persian
warrior, Rustam. Rakhsh was highly intelligent and saved his sleeping master
from a lion's attack, killing the predator.
There are many more famous mythical and real horses and we will be adding to
our list. Can you help us add to this list?. thank you Harmony Horse Works.
The question is not: "do you support horse
slaughter."
The question is: "do you support the cruel, terrifying
transport for days without food and water in their journey to death?"
The question is: "do you support the torture and abuse of
the killer chutes, even for crippled horses, pregnant mares, wild horses,
protective mares with foals by their sides?"
The question is: “Do you support the horse slaughter
factories that lie to their consumers about the many chemicals that taint the
horse meat, and call it Organic?
The question is: do you support the breeder who breeds
hundreds of horses just to pick out the good ones and cash in the rest to the
killer buyer?
The question is: Do you support the person who uses the
horse its whole life and when it gets to an old age sends it to slaughter as a
thank you?
The question is: “do you support the slaughter workers who
cheer a horse on that struggles extra hard for its life?
The question is: Do you support the killer buyer who not
only buys up the strong, fat and healthy horses and leaves the meek weak and
unhealthy for society, but also bids against the good homes and horse rescues?
The question is: “Can you see though the lies of the ones
who stand to loose a buck with the end of horse slaughter?
The question is: Do you support ripping the last of our wild
horses away from their families and peaceful lives to be slaughtered?
The question is: As a nation, can we allow this to continue
and still call ourselves a civilized country?
The question is: "Can you look at the footage of innocent
horses with their eyes gouged out, hooves ripped off, legs broken, beaten by
the workers, faces smashed in from being on the transport trucks, horses
stabbed in their spines, horses conscious for the entire killing process and
do nothing?
That is the question, so what is YOUR answer?
Resolve to make the world a better place for animals
(credit: PETA)
| If you haven't already done so,
have the companion animals who depend on you spayed or neutered. These
simple procedures help protect your furry friends from many types of
cancer and prevent thousands of animals from being born only to end up
abandoned on the streets or dumped at severely crowded animal shelters.
|
| If you live with a dog,
pledge to walk him or her every day, even when it's cold outside and you'd
rather hide under a blanket. If you share your home with cats, set
aside some "kitty (or horsey) quality time" every day to play
with, brush, and bond with them. It's sometimes too easy to overlook our
feline friends, but they can get bored and lonely too. |
| If there is a lonely "backyard dog" in your
neighborhood, try befriending his or her
guardian. Start by politely talking to him or her about the dog's needs,
such as companionship, daily portions of fresh food and water, and a
weatherproof doghouse filled with straw. Many lucky dogs have had their
lives changed because someone like you cared enough to intervene.
|
| If you're shopping for yourself or buying
holidays gifts for your loved ones, stay
away from fur, wool, leather, and companies that make or sell products
made from the skins of animals. |
NOTE: Crossed Sabers can not fully guarantee the accuracy of every page
on this website which is huge (38,000 files and over 300 pages). We do not
have the personnel or time to keep it up to date and accurate for every
situation as this Stable and all its programs have always been a dynamic
entity, ever changing and improving itself to meet the needs of horses and
horse people. We do try to make sure each page is up to date and accurate but
the best thing to do If you have a question, is email or call us. Additionally
Crossed Sabers can not guarantee anything that anyone says about us on line,
we have no control over other people and their websites, forums or ads, all we
can tell people is if you do not know the person, their name, address and
their experience, age or history/background/education and location do not
trust what they say. That is true for everything on the internet. Some things
said about us have been grossly inaccurate and did not come from CSS, some
come from past employees we fired for cause (for hurting horses or stealing
from us), people that are pro-slaughter and hate our mission and what we do
for horses enjoy trying to make us look bad, some are horse traders that we've
helped put out of business and some are people we helped put in jail on
neglect cases. Again, if you have questions about us, our services, our
company structure, how we are licensed, how we pay taxes, how we do things or
anything at all, please feel free to contact us, just don't assume that all
you read on another website is accurate because 99% of it is not true,
especially if you read it on a forum, blog or chat room and don't assume that
it came from us, just call 304-873-3532 or email us at
secondwindadopt@aol.com,
or better yet, come and see our operation and you will see how we do things. I
can guarantee it's 1000 times better than what the liars and frauds say who
are jealous of our work.
All programs and services listed on this website, including
SWAP is a part of Crossed Sabers Stable which has been licensed in WV for the
last 13 years. The Mountain State Horse School and Second Wind Adoption
Program, Inc. and Crossed Sabers International Horse School, Inc. was
incorporated on 4 Sep 08 to address the education needs and life challenges of
people and horses.
Buyer and Seller Beware!! Update on the
Robin Hollingsworth of Blacksburg, SC
(she has several alias's and about 10 fake names) fraud case for those
of you who have been asking. The SC prosecutor accepted a plea bargain from
her and dropped the case if she paid the people she ripped off (the people she
took money under false pretenses from when she sold them horses she did not
own), she did that so she was let go but the 3 arrests will stay on her record
and the record of what she did to all those people is still on the books and
will stay there. If she is caught again I'm certain she will go to jail but
people who are cheated by her must stand up and testify.. If more people that
she ripped off would have not chickened out and backed out because of fear
(Quote from them was we are scared of her, she is crazy) she would be in jail
right now but beware, she is still loose and still taking free horses or
companion horses that have things like ringbone and navicular and drugging
them and then selling them as high level jumpers and competition horses on the
internet. Her daughter works with her, Amanda or Mandy, she helps her rip
people off. Beware, I'm getting calls almost every month where Robin has
committed more crimes against people, taking horses, not paying for them,
bouncing checks, buying vehicles and horse trailers and not paying for them.
BEWARE OF THIS WOMAN!! If you want her history or to check a person's name
against our black list (our do not adopt to, do not sell to, do not buy from,
do not hire or even rent to list), then contact us.
BEWARE: Do not buy a horse from anyone you
do not know, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERNET, unless they have websites like ours,
their names and addresses listed and they show they have a long long history
on their website and do not buy unless you go to see the horse and have it vet
checked and you have contact with the vet, not the seller or even trainer
telling you what the vet said. DO NOT GIVE YOUR HORSE OR SELL YOUR HORSE
WITHOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT IS TO HAPPEN WITH THE HORSE, RESELLING,
USE/LIMITATIONS, FACILITIES NEEDED, ETC. It you sell or give away a horse with
no agreement, they could go to slaughter the same day you release them or they
could be sold and misrepresented, living a life of neglect, abuse, over use
and miss use the rest of their lives. We hear stories all the time where a
best friend or neighbor, the nice lady you gave the horse to sent the horse to
slaughter or is neglecting it and there is not a thing the owner can do now
because they no longer own the horse and they made no written agreements
signed by both parties. If you need help doing written agreements, back ground
checks on buyers and sellers, just contact us, that is part of our 'SAFE
SELLING' SERVICES. Your horse's life depends on you being safe and thorough!
BEWARE: People are selling horses on the
internet that don't even exist so beware, the horse industry is full is liars,
cheaters, and thieves, even we have had to deal with them from potential
adopters who were in jail applying to adopt, to employees and former trainers
who totally ripped us off by stealing tack and tools, asking for huge advances
and then leaving after they get them, people who don't even know us or had any
experience with us slandering us on forums, harassing us and our supporters,
interfering with company operations and even adopters who don't think twice
about breaching their contract or forging their vets signature on applications
& annual updates or even selling their adoption horse to programs like ours
and even 501c3's public charities selling horses to slaughter auctions or
being put in jail for neglect and animal cruelty. We are bringing each person
that has wronged our horses to justice one at a time and winning all our cases
but that does not protect the general public from these liars, thieves,
con-artist and cheaters. Your horses life can easily be ruined forever, they
could end up in a fate worse than death so buyer and seller beware, your
horses life depends on you keeping them safe and you being thorough with doing
things like getting references and making sure the people have stable
employment, that they really own the farm they say they do, doing background
checks to check for criminal records. The horse world is full of dishonesty
which ruins it for honest people that really care and always try to do the
right thing, such a shame. Just be very careful and get proof that your horse
is going to a good home, get more than a feeling because we promise you about
50% of the time when it comes to horses, your feeling that its a 'nice' person
or a 'good' person' is wrong. And even when you pick a good home, they can
turn around and sell or give away to a bad home.
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and
height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches and negative people pull
you down. People who like to cause trouble will shorten your life and make you
just like them... miserable.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen.. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who
is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets,
keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next
county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away
| | 
Happy
Endings 2001
Hello, Celeita,
I just wanted to update you on Koda Bey. He is the most amazing
horse you could ever wish for. I just came in from giving him his midnight
carrot snack :) He has such a cute personality. When you walk over to the fence,
he is always the first one to come over and search for his breakfast carrot, or
nicker. I have been riding him every day, he is a bit spooky on the trails. He
recently got a minor girth rub, (I am putting Corona and Wonder Dust on it,
along with washing it) so I have been lunging him more than I would usually so
he will get a sufficient ammount of exercise every day. (He gets Sunday off). I
have tried to ride him bareback, but his wither is just too large, and we are
hoping within the next few months of a lot off good feed and care he will
develope new muscules in that area. He gets fed twice a day, and eats 3 pounds
in the morning and evening. Consisting of 14 % Sweet Feed, Pellets, and Alf-Alfa
Pellets. I think I have spoiled him a bit. He is already used to a wash down
everyday, and a lot of carrots and apple treats. Our TB gelding, Happy, really
loves Koda, but Koda is still playing hard to get with everyone but Foxy
(They're grazing partners). The alpha mare Jade has very little tolerance for
him when Happy goes over to sniff him. This evening Happy was following him
around, and he and Koda had a squealing face off, but in the end poor Happy got
ignored agian. Ever since Koda has gotten here - he has pretty much been my
favorite out of all four of our horses. He is just the most beautiful horse, I
can see exactly why he was a halter champion. He trys so hard to please and do
everything that is asked of him, he is truely a dream, and to me he was worth
every penny of his adoption. Every night he stands by the woods and trees, I
think he enjoys the peaceful crickets and night birds. He is facinated by the
frogs in the pond aswell. Koda really loves his grass. The instant he leaped out
of the trailer the first thing he went for was a big clump of grass. He isn't
ravenously hungry as he was when he first came, and he seems to be very well
sated on the grass. His ribs are almost all filled in already, and his chest
seems a little more bulked up. He has revived my interest in the Arabian horses,
and I am now looking at various stallions that in the future I will breed my
mare to. She is currently at my mother's house, but will soon be living here
with me. Thank you so much for allowing us to adopt Koda, he is certainly a
wonder of a horse, and such a magnificent mover. I will keep you updated on both
Koda and Fox in the next few weeks.
Sincerely,
Olivia Carpenter
Hi Chris and Celeita:
Just wanted to drop a note to tell you that Abby's doing well. She a great
girl. Everyone at the barn is amazed that she's an adoption horse. She is
so pretty and so sweet. The barn owner, Barbara, loves her. She lets her 5
and 6 year old kids lead Abby in and out of the pasture because Abby is so
well-behaved and safe.
We're working on our riding. Abby is a bit above my abilities but I'm
taking lessons on her and things are getting better and better. Wanted to
let you know that she's not a spook but she is lazy and spooking is her way
of trying to end work. I can tell that Abby has definitely called the shots
in the past as to when she thought enough was enough. She and I have come
to an understanding. I don't ask more of her than she can give but we
aren't finished with work until I say we're done. Now that she understands
that, she's become much easier to ride and to work with on the lunge line.
Anyway, to any potential adopters who are afraid to adopt a horse, tell them
not to worry. Abby was exactly what you made her out to be and whether you
adopt a horse you've never seen or you buy one that you've ridden, there is
always an adjustment period and you just have to be patient and work through
it. These are horses, not machines. They have to get to know you and trust
you. Their lives and well-being are in your hands.
On that note, I rode Abby yesterday and she was good as gold for me. She
didn't try any of her tricks at all. Then I let a friend hop on her who is
a much more experienced rider than me and I was selfishly pleased to note
that Abby is now definitely my horse. She didn't like having someone else
on her back and she made it known. Maybe I'm a bit sentimental, but I
really think she's so good for me now 'cause she knows me and cares for me
the way that I care for her.
I wish I could help you out financially but I donate as much as I can spare
to the TRF to go toward the care of my TB gelding. But if this helps to
adopt out any horses, then I feel that I've been able to help a little bit.
Thanks for all you do for the horses and thanks for Abby. I'll send some
pictures when I get a chance. She's a little butterball.
Warm wishes,
Lil Kleingardner
Celita,
I wanted to let you know that Brioso left for his new, wonderful home this
morning. Frank picked him up--what a nice man! Just wanted to officially
thank you for all of your hard work in the adoption program. I am also
looking at donating some blankets. Is there someone up there that can repair
buckles, straps, etc.?
Thanks again
Meg Vanderbilt
I wanted to personally thank you
for introducing me to Marissa St. Clair. She flew down on Sunday and fell in
love with Brioso. We had a great morning getting to know each other. She was
ready to take him on the plane with her back to Maryland. I cried tears of
saddness, but mostly tears of joy thinking of his new home. Thank you for all
of the work you have done to help him.
Hi All,
Tucker got to work with Kenny Harlow (The Virginia Horse Whisperer) last
weekend. We've had a few little handling issues...nothing serious, but
just more easily dealt with in a good training session....I felt would be
best handled by a professional. (Who doesn't have bad knees like I do...)
Tucker had a good round penning session, and settled right in for some
ground manners work. He learned to stand patiently for the shoer and how
to move off whip signals without panicking. (He had told my animal
communicator that he had been whipped by a man and terribly frightened.
This, I suspect happened when he was a baby before he was donated to
Crossed Sabers. Have to wonder if it had to do with his leg surgery and
all the bandaging, etc. he had to undergo as a foal.) It took minimal
time and effort for Kenny to have him standing there like a puppy,
perfectly still and obedient.
Kenny was impressed enough to suggest he could probably just saddle him
up and ride right off, but I told him I wanted Tucker to grow up a bit
more before that. I am trying to get into a clinic in the Spring so he
can be one of Kenny's "unbroke" horses. The techniques he uses really do
give the horse a solid foundation on the concepts of being ridden safely.
By then, I will have fully trained Tucker in ground driving so he will
turn, stop and work correctly on the bit. Getting on to ride then will
just be one more little step in the training process. (Hope we all don't
need a step ladder though. He's already topping 16.1 and I doubt he's
done growing.)
He is a sweetheart, all huggy and cute. He is also very smart. My oldest
horse, PJ, thinks he, Toby, and Tucker are a "great gang," and he really
enjoys their time together. It sure is fun watching them play, cavort,
frolic, and just generally have a good time.
I'm sending two pictures. The marks on the boy are a result of playing so
much, and purely cosmetic. I'm not thrilled with the full body shot, so I
need to work on getting some better ones.
Take care,
Jean D.
Theyre coming fast and furious
now...LOL the updates.
Please...forgive me for multi sending again...its that typing something over
and over again that Im avoiding...
so to all my horsey friends...and Addys "mommy"
Weve been exploring the local trails. Being of sound mind and wanting to
stay sound in body...we did our prior and proper preparation. The first time
we headed out he went on the 12' line and natural halter. We got down to
this one house that had blow up plastic style bags that were goblins,
witches and ghosts. He was like oh no...thats really scary. We played some
games and he went by. We just had a nice walk then hand graze. Then headed
home. Weve been riding out back there ever since. Ive even ridden him with
just the bareback pad and natural hackmore. We confronted our first kiddy
driven sand dune buggy back there in our 'bare' tack. He did great. He still
remembers the halloween decorations...and we still play some games to get
past it...but he gets better each time.
Ive been contacting the neighbors and getting some riding space in the now
cropless fields. We have to time it with the hunting season(s). I think the
one guy is going to be great...he has like 75 acres across the street. Nice
paths from the tractors around the rim and through some sections. Back
behind where we board is all creeks, woods, sandy areas and residential. The
neighbors are all cool with riders going through.
The big news. This past sunday (10/20) we went to a clinic in Willards.
Theres a beauitful brand new indoor arena up there. Theres a jump course and
proper size dressage ring. This guy Jorge Chevanes (sp?) has trained
Andalusians and is into the round pen aspect of natural training. He was
only charging $65 for a 2 1/2 hour clinic. I figured it was worth that to me
to find out how Addy would do in a more active multiple horse situation.
Were thinking about doing the Nassawodox trail ride Nov 8th (I think)..
about 100 riders....do woods...fields...and beach. I also figured I was at
least on par with this guy. Im sure hes better at the 'polish' than I
am...but after chatting...riding with and meeting this guy...I think I
probably have more versitility than he does. Anyway....I of course felt my
failings. Having broken this leg...my balance is a bit harder for me to
maintain at the working trot without stirrups. I feel tipped over to the
right from time to time and cant pull myself back with that bad left
leg...so he goes...sideways...want me to go sideways? Hes so funny. When I
ride in stirrups I can easily maintain everything because I can maintain the
balance. I think its something I need to work on. I dont know if I can get
it better without some repetition. The bouncing when I get unbalanced
irritates my back too...so thats still stiff today. I looked Jorge in the
eye and went look...I need to get into the stirrups now...I realize that I
need work here...but I dont want to fall off in front of spectators. LOL.
Adlige was a star. I see why he was called that. He was pretty funny. We
checked out the indoor...then got our tack on. Nancy grazed him while we did
the picture/lecture portion of the clinic. Bridled up...tightened our final
hole and went to the block. He stood like a champ to be mounted. He was so
polite and good. We went to the outdoor dressage ring. Different people
wanted different things out of the clinic. I wanted to play with passage and
passes and to see how he would do in the situation...Would my training hold
up? Off to the outdoor dressage ring. We just did some walking. Then walking
without stirrups. Then trotting without stirrups. I got through about 10
minutes before I felt like I wanted to get back in the stirrups. We did some
circling...bending work. He was soft and supple. Then everyone moved over to
one side of the arena and we did individual figure 8 movements. Addy was so
nice and soft. The horse to follow me was like a pistol over something in
the one corner. He would scoot forward...and then the rider would get
tight...then he would launch into bucking. He put her off 2x. Jorge ended up
getting on him. That went better but the horse was ....In my opinion..
shying over something and then when the rider got tense he got tense. I want
to stress that a lot of my success with Addy is in that I can stay relaxed
even when he gets tense. Jorge didnt mention anything to the girl about the
one rein halt to stop the bucking. It wasnt my clinic so I didnt mention it
at the time...but told her about it after Jorge had left. Once he got off
that horse...and sent him back to the barn...we got into leg yields. Oh
boy...what fun. Addy is sooooo awesome on yielding. You can do shoulder
in...shoulder out...full sideways...half pass 2 tracks..hes sooo fun. Some
of this I accredit to the porcupine game playing that we do. The yielding
the body no matter where I touch. I can point at which foot he needs to pick
up for the blacksmith...its so cool. I can point at his shoulder..hip...leg...whatever
and he yields. As the others struggled to get shoulder ins...we played...on
the diagnals half pass to the left...hit center... change to half pass to
the right. We could start out moving on the diagnal to the right...then just
switch our body position to finish the pass moving to the left. He was
awesome. We went to do some cantering... but he was like come on...come
on...just a few bucks.. ppplllleeease? Im like ...no bucking....We tried
again..a little light in the hind end but got himself together. I think he
just wanted to mess about. We didnt do much on the canter. Just a canter
around the rim in each direction. Hes great about picking up the proper
lead. I think my only complaint about him in the session is that when each
person was performing their own 'solo' figure 8 he would be a bit antsy. I
want him to learn to just stand...I dont want to have to maintain contact on
his mouth to get him to stand. We need to work on that....but as I explained
to the people after the clinic when we discussed the session...I was willing
to just do my hurry up and relaxes (lateral movments...one rein halts) and
not repremand or negatively reinforce. He stood like a saint to be mounted.
Waited for me to get my stirrups adjusted. He went to a strange place and
did everything asked of him with enthusiasm. He didnt spook...he loaded like
a level one horse by just being pointed at the trailer....twice. Im going to
pretend like that didnt happen. Im going to work on it...Im aware that its
there...it just needs work. Overall....another great experience. For him and
me.
I think hes also really starting to enjoy trail rides. We go places and do
things. When we ride out in the hackmore...we have our favorite lush green
spot that we stop at to graze for 15 or 20 mins. I figure if he just spent 1
1/2 hours doing what I want to do ...I can spare that to let him do some of
what he might want to do. He seems to appreciate it. Weve been riding 2 or
3x a week. Other days we just play around in the field. Hes gotten to the
point that he knows my car (its kinda creepy because my dog is like that
too)...as soon as he sees me pull up he matches my pace to and into the
barn. My buddy. My mother was like...you were showing off a bit ....I was
like mom... you dont even know how much more I could have shown off. I could
have done all that in the natural hackmore. I was good...I rode in a
saddle...I rode in a bridle. I could have done the pad and hackmore. I made
sure everyone in the clinic understood that I spent 3 months on the ground
with this horse prior to stepping a foot over his back.
Ill keep you all posted. Im heading up to Fair Hill this coming weekend. I
think I might go to the Washington international on fri or sat...then go up
to Fair Hill. Lisa is competing the team for the triple crown...Becky...my
old roomate from Mrs T's wants me to meet her up there on Sunday for the
marathon. I guess they have to use that area of fair hill for the 3 day on
saturday...so they have the marathon while the 3dayers are doing their show
jumping. I guess cones must be on monday. I dont know how all that works.
Theyre doing the endurance there too. All at once. That would be a planners
nightmare. LOL. Yikes.
All is well.
Chris & Addy
Celeita,
Butch will be picking up GG and Trippin some time Thurs morning.
As soon it stops raining we can start tearing down the old barn (more like a
shed) and grading for the barn. Hopefully after the 1st of the year I will
be set up to foster or adopt a few more.
I wanted to run a few things by you to see what you think. VI college is
having a horse show at the VA horse center in Lexington Feb 27-Mar 2. We can
get a 10x12 vendor booth for retail, information, or publicity purposes. I
will pay the vendor fee if you think this is something that will generate
some interest in the program. Last year they had over 500 horses competing
from 10 states. I think that the VA state director lives in or near
Lexington and may be able to find out more info before we decide.
Another thing I was thinking of doing is sponsoring a horse show for the Fun
Fest next summer. They had one every year until this past year (don't know
what happened to the sponsor). The show was part of the local show circuit
with points awarded to the winners toward year end awards. I know that the
Therapeutic Riding Center hosts a charity show so I don't know why we
couldn't with the proceeds going to CSS. They get people to sponsor the
different classes. You could come down for the weekend to host the show and
we could show what some of the adoption horses can do and have an
information booth set up with info on adopting.
Just let me know what you think and we can go from there.
Karen
Bristol, TN
Celeita,
GG and Trippin were fine this morning. I'm using a 10% protein/10% fat
textured feed for most of the Tb's. It seems to keep the weight on them
better with 3-6 lbs per feeding instead of 6-9 lbs per feeding of a feed
with less fat. I use a protein supplement for those that need extra protein.
I also use alfalfa cubes and a mixed grass hay. GG likes the cubes, she and
Baron were on them before according to their paperwork. Baron begs for them
like they are candy. Trippin isn't sure the cubes are food. He just crumbled
it up in the pan and went back to his hay. I can't believe all the stuff
that came with him. Did his owner get out of horses?
We will be working on the old barn some more tomorrow. We are cleaning out 2
stalls and fixing them up and cleaning out a feed storage area. Artie didn't
realize he had accumulated so much stuff. He found some halters and leads
that he gave me; some looked brand new. We are going to leave the other side
of the barn open (approx 20x30) so we can get 4-6 horses in there if the
weather gets really bad before the new barn is up. It usually doesn't snow
here before Jan but we have had some light snow in Dec. It will be in the
60's this weekend. We plan to let GG and Trippin get aquatinted with the
others while we are working.
I'll keep you updated on how things are going.
Karen
gotta read this, its hilarious! Diasy, bless her
heart was one of our oldest companion horses that we have had in the
program, all the young geldings loved her here, made me want to be a horse.
She was at least 25, had ring bone, had one eye, had a club foot. I mean
anything you could ever have go wrong was wrong with this poor girl. This is
one of the few horses that when it came here I said, "I know she will here
forever" but it was always such a hoot. The young studly TB geldings would
follow her around like puppy dogs. She is just like an old woman though,
according to Karen, she wants to eat at a certain time, wants to go out at a
certain time and lay under her favorite tree and wants to come in at a
certain time and by george you better be there. Trippin just arrived at
Karen's and I guess he has the hots for Diasy, too. Here's Daisy's reaction
to Trippin. :)
Celeita,
We let GG and Trippin out with the group last Sat afternoon. We took them in
the bottom gate because none of the herd was nearby. They wandered around a
little and then started up the hill. One by one horses started to appear on
top of the hill. It reminded me of an old western movie when the Indians
would appear on a hill above the wagon train. Trippin kept on charging up
the hill, GG turned around and came back to us. Bandit (he is top dog) came
down to meet Trippin; they did some squealing and then the other geldings
came down, even Hootie. The mares ignored him for the most part. GG decided
it was okay to go up when nothing happened to Trippin. Missy came to meet
her followed several of the other top ranking mares. More squealing and then
they all ran off. Trippin and GG were on the outskirts of the herd Sat
night. Sunday morning we thought we had lost Trippin. We finally found him
down by the creek with Daisy. She came over to us a fast as Daisy can run
and gave me the "eye." It was if she was saying "do something about this
guy, he won't leave me alone." Several days later he was hanging out with
Two Wap. He likes older women I guess. GG hasn't found a friend yet but the
others don't pick on her or try to run her off. Sometimes it takes a while.
We plan to get her and Baron together in the early spring. We are going to
build a run-in and fence about 2 acres for Baron, GG and Moon. Moon doesn't
have a close buddy either so may she and GG will bond. More later.
Karen
Hi Celeita,
Sorry it has taken me so long to
email you. Just wanted to drop a line to say Rocky is a wonderful horse.
He is all and more that you said he was. We learned from the vet. and the
farrier that he had been pinfired (I hope I spelled it right). They
explained what it is and that with allot of rest he would be around quite a
few years but would need to have a " Flex-all" I think that's the spelling,
during the cold days and winter. He is adjusting well and is so attached to
Midnight it is difficult to separate the two for any amount of time. He and
her took about one hr. I suppose to get acquainted. Nothing harsh but just
a quite stand still don't move attitude on her part before she would finally
let him move around. The next day though he was boss and that's how it has
been since. It's interesting to watch them and how the horse rules apply.
Thank you very much for him. We will take care and love him much. My
husband did not like hearing what kind of life he may have had due to the
pinfiring on his front legs and one back leg but to tell you he was here
now, and Rocky would be able have the horse life that he so richly deserves,
no schedules of any kind just being a horse and doing horsey things. In
other words he really is impressed with Rocky. Asking him to explain his
thoughts about Rocky and his reply was " The muscles he shows when trotting
through the field is something to behold. He is a stunning horse indeed".
This is not a person he has spent time around horses and his comment about
Rocky made me feel good. Some of the farmers around us has been by and
their comments were nice too.. " I'll bet he was something to see in his
prime racing days because he sure is pretty". The vet said he was beautiful
and was a pleasure to be around. Again, thank you very much. He has
brought so much pleasure to our hearts. I hope Rocky will feel the same.
P.S. Is it okay to contact the
owners for his registration papers? We were wondering also when he came to
your farm and where is was before hand.
Hi all,
Glad to hear the good news about the mortgage. We have our own mini-farm! Our
new address will Oxford, Ohio. The closing is set for the end of this month.
We have some fencing to finish and a little work to do on the barn before we
can move PG and Hawk to their new home. They will have horsey neighbors. There
are some pretty black and white paints next door. We will have 5 acres for the
2 horses. In the Spring, my friend will be bringing her 21 year old Arabian
from West Virginia to board with us. We are thinking about getting a miniature
horse, but no other large animals. Our plans are to build an arena in the
Spring so Allison has a nice place to ride Gem and I have a place to work with
Hawk.
Gem is having some stiffness in her back leg since the colder weather has set
in. She is still running, but does not like me to pick up her leg when I pick
her hoof. She also does not want to put weight on it. The vet gave me some
Bute for her and she is doing better today. It was warmer today, so I don't
know if her recovery is a result of Bute or the better weather. I am going to
e-mail her former owners and ask if she has ever had this reaction to the cold
before. I think she may need some joint supplements. We are not riding her
right now, but she is still getting excercise running around with the young
horses. I
I will let you know when the move is complete. I will send pictures.
Thanks,
Michelle Henley
Dear Celetia,
I just wanted to write you a short note to let you
know how Harry is doing. He arrived last Wednesday afternoon, and has settled
in nicely. He is not at all nervous, as I was worried he would be since his
new home is a busy boarding stable. I guess all the peace and quiet in West
Virginia was unnerving him, as he now stands quietly in the cross ties, and
looks really bored most of the time. I trimmed his mane and bridle path, and
he looks very handsome. I am having a good time letting everyone guess what
kind of horse he is. Most think a warmblood of
some kind. He is docile and kind, and has totally sold me on the
standardbred horse.
Thanks again for Harry, and all the STB material
you sent with him. He is definitely a keeper!
Sincerely
Pam Walsh
Hey
Stan, thanks for your support. So glad you still like that boy. Hope your
having fun on him this summer! Celeita
Celita,
You
have no idea <smile>... I really have to write up what the last year's been
like...
I
spent from November thru March doing nothing but groundwork, gettting our
relationship established and getting him to trust me. I know that Jo (Beyers,
who donated him to SWAP) treated him well, but it's also clear that the people
before her did NOT treat him well <sigh>.
Then I gave him to Bob Jeffreys (the trainer/clinician who runs the barn where
I board, who went through one of the first John Lyons
Certification Programs many years ago with Charles Wilhelm and Kenny Harlow
among others, and who is an excellent trainer and clinican in his own right - www.bobjeffreys.com) for
a couple of weeks of round pen and advanced ground work that I knew were
beyond what I knew how to do properly. Bob took a lot more of the fear out of
him (he says that it's the most rewarding thing he gets to do as a trainer
<smile>), and then his protege and my riding instructor, Suzanne, Shepart,
put some rides on him to get him set and comfortable in the snaffle and to
get him walking! Then I rode him and worked on him just walking and started
on transitions up and down... and then the end of June, I took a four day
foundation clinic with him, where we worked on giving to the bit, lateral
work, backing up, and taking out the hip, among other variations on a
theme...
I Also took a Centered Riding clinic from Susan Harris over
Mother's Day on Major, in an indoor arena, and he handled it (along with being
trailered over there and back) very nicely.
But there were a few bumps along the bumpy road... in early April, just after
Suzanne had started riding him, he started coughing a little, then a little
more, mostly when I was grooming him and he was shedding like crazy. I
figured that he was reacting to the hair blowing in his face... I know it was
giving me trouble, so why not him! Then one Sunday morning, after about two
weeks of coughing, I was at Church when I got a call from Suzanne just after
services had ended, she'd been giving him a ride, and he was coughing, and
when she'd finished, she noticed that he'd been bleeding (fresh blood) a
little from the nose. She asked if she should call out the Vet, and I said,
"Please!", and headed right out to the barn (was headed there anyway later).
Well, after a comedy of errors including the barn owner's wife taking his
temprature and getting it wrong (you do have to shake the thermometer down
before using it <it's funny now, looking back on it>), the Vet came and gave
him a quick exam, determined that the blood was just a broken blood vessel,
and not anything to worry about, but then said that he had "Emphysema" that
had progressed to 5 on a scale of 1-10 and wouldn't get any better!
Well, he paniced me (my grandfather died of emphysema)... so I did a lot of
reading... found out that it was COPD, and that it could be managed. The
more I read and talked to people who'd had COPD horses, the more I calmed
down. So we put him outside, and we wet his hay, and gave him an
antihistamine, and he got better. And I called Jo Beyers and asked if there
was any history of this, and she said he'd had one coughing fit a few years
ago, and that it was in the woods when the pollen was so thick you could see
it! Nothing after that. So given that and some more digging, I became
convinced that he had an allergy attack... and after talking to others who
knew the Vet better, found out that he would always give the owner the worst
possible view of things... his way of managing expectations <sigh>... So
we're switching Vets, and being careful, and he's been fine ever since.
We'll be very careful next spring and expect an allergic reaction and be ready
for it. I'm also going to put him on MSM (read up on it and can't find a
single negative thing on it anywhere!) to help prevent breathing from becoming
an issue again (and it also looks like it may work as a preventative for
athritis and such which he may be subject to, given that old injury on his
hind leg). He's also on Weight Builder since while he's not a hard keeper,
he's not an easy one either... so this keeps him where he should be weight
wise without making him any hotter. I'm also going to try him on a probiotic
to see if he's an easier keeper when he's digesting better <hopeful grin>.
Oh, and I put together a Gaited Horse Clinic with Liz Graves presenting in
September in Harrisburg, PA (central location to all those interested who came
together online via gaitedhorses.net from OH, VA, NC, MD, NJ, NY, and PA
<geographic grin>) so that now that his foundation is being built I can learn
a bit more about his gait and how to help him develop a good running walk
instead of the pacey one he has now.
We have a lot of work to do, but we have a real foundation to build on now...
Bob (the barn owner/trainer/clinician I mentioned earlier) was concerned when
I got Major. He didn't tell me till later, but he was worried that he was too
much horse for me at that point. After some time, and the four months I stuck
to doing ground work and relationship building that we needed to do, when I'd
rather have been riding, he told me of his original concerns, and said that
almost everyone he's seen who start out with too much horse wound up with a
Harley (or an ATV) instead of a horse a year later. But that he thought I
just might be the second one he'd seen who'd be the exception that proved the
rule. He's since said that he's pretty sure I'll be the second exception
<proud smile>... He and Suzanne (his protege and my riding instructor) told
me after the Foundation Clinic a week and a half ago that he's no longer too
much horse for me, that he's lost much of his fear, and that I've grown into
him. It was a high compliment, coming from them <proud smile>...
Oh, and every now and then I give Jo Beyers a call, just to keep her up to
date on how he's doing. She appreciates it, and I like talking to someone
else who thinks as much of Major as I do <smile>.
So yes, you could say that I "still like that
boy" <big smile>... Gotta go now... going out to the barn <bigger
smile>...
Anyway, take care, and good luck with the fund
raiser, you're off to a good start, and I'll let you know what else I can
raise as soon as I can
{and Thank YOU!}
Hi, my name is Reba, and I have a
special friend named Kaleigh.
Kaleigh is six years old, and says I'm "the prettiest big blonde
pony" she's ever seen. Kaleigh is only big as a minute, and is
missing two front teeth. She gives me treats, brushes my mane, and
sometimes takes me for trail rides in the woods.
I live on a 20 acre farm in northeast Ohio with Kaleigh's Grandma and
Grandpa. Kaleigh visits a lot, but most of the time I just hang out
with the other horses. And that's fun too. See, I'm getting on in
age, and my joints are a little stiffer than they used to be. Before
I came here, I had a job in a kids camp, That was OK, but it got to
where I just couldn't keep up with all the work they needed me to do,
every single day. I started getting cranky and misbehaved a lot. When
I heard my previous owner say it was time to retire me I was
thrilled. But when they said I was going to be donated to SWAP, I had
no idea what that was. It turns out that SWAP stands for the Second
Wind Adoption Program. They took me to a huge farm called Crossed
Sabers in May 2001. I was pretty scared at first but they worked with
me and taught me that the bad behavior was unacceptable. Finally, I
was put on their website for adoption, and that's how I found Kaleigh.
Actually, it was Kaleigh's Grandma who found me. When she spotted me
on the website, she jumped in her car and came to visit. I was in my
new home the next day! Kaleigh was there waiting for me and my second
life began. I was a little stiff and limpy because of the long ride
to Ohio so Grandma put me on arthritis medicine right away and in a
few days I was much better.
Even now, Grandma checks the Crossed Sabers website searching for
older horses that have experience with kids or have been
lesson/school horses. She says that older horses and young kids go
together like peanut butter and jelly. So far, she's been right.
Sometimes Kaleigh also plays with Snickers, who started out as one of
our Foster kids. Snickers was an old lesson horse that couldn't stay
sound for his daily grind either. His owner thought he needed a
quieter life with room to roam. She donated him to SWAP but Crossed
Sabers was full (which happens a lot, I hear), and Snickers had to be
moved. Lucky for us, Grandma had room to take him in as a foster. I
remember the first day Snickers came here. They put him out in the
newcomer pasture, all by himself, and he just stood there. It was
like he'd forgotten how to run, or maybe he just didn't know what to
do with all that room. Well, to make a long story short, Snickers is
still with us. Grandma adopted him a couple of weeks after he arrived
for Kaleigh's Mommy to ride. He hasn't been lame since he came to
live with us. His old owner was right. He just needed to have a
quieter second life and she gave it to him by donating him to SWAP.
Last week, our newcomer pasture was occupied again. His name is Giant
Boulevard. Boy, does he fit his name, at least the `Giant' part! I
get a crick in my neck just looking up at him! Boule is just a
youngster, but he limps a lot and has a knee that's really big. He's
a Foster Boy too, and Grandma says he needs some `recuperation.' I'm
not sure what that is, but I'll bet it has something to do with
eating lots of grass and not working so hard. I saw Snickers talking
to him through the fence yesterday, so I'll find out more about him
later.
Snickers and I have happy endings to our stories and I'm sure Boule
will, too. I heard Grandpa say just the other day that they do more
looking then riding anyway and he is a looker! I've heard a lot of
scary stories about some other horses who weren't so lucky. It seems
like a lot of older or injured or misunderstood horses wind up at an
auction, and I don't want to talk about what happens to them. But
since SWAP was there, our previous owners had an alternative. Because
we were donated to the Crossed Sabers Second Wind Adoption Program,
we all got a second chance at life. There are good stories about
horses like us all across the country. But right now, SWAP NEEDS YOUR
HELP! If they're not able to collect $55,000 by September 1st,
they'll have to close the doors and turn away a lot of horses just
like me. That makes me sad, so I'm going to stop thinking about it
right now.
PLEASE HELP!
Hello,
My
name is Hurc's Big Boy, also affectionately know as Pony Pony by all those
who know me. I am a Mustang/Appaloosa cross gelding. I came to
Crossed sabers in the Spring of 1997. I came from a place in Ohio from a
woman that was really scared of me. Why, I don't know, but some people and
animals just never hit it off. So she sent me there hoping for me to find a
good home. Well, in the late summer of 97, this girl came to the stable and
was looking for a horse, A big horse, I'm just a little guy, but I am tough.
So she looked and looked all over the barn and Celeita suggested me. She
looked at me and was not really impressed with me, but I knew that I would
be good for her, she and I would be good together. They took me out of the
stall and she looked at me further and then they put me back. I didn't know
what to think. The girl left and said that she would be back another day,
she lived a couple of hours away. My heart was sad because I felt that she
didn't want me. But much to my surprise, the girl came back a couple of days
later and rode me. I had not been ridden for a while and I was spunky but
not harmful. She said that she would like to have me, yeah! Finally, someone
that wanted me.....me little old me. I was the happiest horse in the barn, I
had found a home.....This is where my story really begins.
I went to Kim
Collins. She had been around horse for a while and she loved to have fun, So
I knew that I was the best horse for her. Low and behold so did Celeita too.
When I got Pony Pony in the late summer of 1997, I had not clue what I was
really getting, but I had not clue that I was getting a very trusted and
loyal companion. You see, I was told that Pony Pony didn't like where he was
and that he was a fire breathing dragon and had everyone afraid of him.
Well, let me tell you, this guy is a push over with me and everyone that we
have been around. He is the ultimate baby sitter for ANYONE. I have cattle
penned and barreled him, poles, small jumps, riding in traffic to ponying
scared and anxious horses past their fears of whatever. He ever does search
and rescue. But you can turn right around and put the most novice person,
child or adult and he knows it and will not do one wrong thing. Pony and I
have a very special bond that you don't find anywhere. He is the most loyal
animal I have ever had. He is out in a large field with his other CSS pals,
Galano and Chavez, but he still likes the girls because he was geld late in
life, like the age of 14, so he still talks, but that's all. I trust this
guy with my life and my hats off to Crossed Sabers Stables and the
Second Wind Adoption Program for helping me find a friend for life. May God
Bless us all, Everyone great and small.
Kim and Pony
:>)
Celeita: Thought you and your
team would like some recent photos of Jesse.
He is doing just fine and I hate being away from him when I have to work!
Hi Celeita:
Hope all is well with y'all & all the horses are happy & healthy.
Just wanted to give you a quick update on how Panache is doing. He had a nice
long rest while I was in Canada for 10 days - no poulticing, no icing, no
soaking! Just before I left I had another vet check him out - poor Panache was
once again flexed & trotted, prodded & poked. The vet (Dr. Graden) agreed with
Dr. Rey that Panache was sore in the hind end. In fact Panache seemed quite
sound in the front & only slightly lame behind - and in the back left only!
After some more checking, Dr. Graden found an old deep abcess in the hind left
foot which we treated with soaking and packing. Two days later, I had back
shoes put on him for protection & support.
I got back from Canada & couldn't wait to get out to the farm to see my boys.
Thankfully, they had not forgotten me - in fact seemed happy to see me.
Panache has called hello to me when I get to the farm ever since he first
arrived. And he certainly knows his name. He comes right up to the gate &
waits for me. What a doll! Anyway, I took Panache into the round pen for a
little exercise & he let me know right away he was feeling pretty good! After
a few steps trotting, he started blowing & snorting, tossing his head and
trotting a beautiful extended trot. This quickly moved into a canter which he
has never volunteered before. The most he would do if asked would be 2 or 3
short canter strides then back to trot or walk. Not this time! He kicked his
heels up & away he went. It's a good thing we were in the round pen & he was
on a lunge line! And thankfully he was very respectful of my space.
When really looking for it, I could detect a slight lameness in the back left
foot at the trot so he is resting again for now. However, he has improved
tremendously in the last month. The injections have definitely helped him plus
I have him on new supplements; the bad thrush is slowly clearing up; the new
support shoes all around and finding that old abcess - Poor guy - with all
these things going on no wonder he was lame! I'll keep you posted as things
get better as I am confident they will. I plan to take him back to Dr. Rey in
a week or two for a follow-up & to get his opinion on his progress. I'll
e-mail again then.
Thanks for all you do .........Gwen
Celeita,
Amira foaled Monday morning between 6:00 & 8:00 a.m. We missed it. She was
hanging her head out her door at 6 waiting on breakfast. It had been a very
long week checking on her through out the night so Julie went back to bed
until 8. We didn't think she would foal after day break. She sure fooled us.
When Julie went back out at 8, there he was peeping around Amira.
He is a bay colt with 3 white socks. He has VERY long legs. I've attached a
few pics of him and of Bru and the filly she adopted.
Karen Harlan
Bristol, TN
Hi Celetia (think I spelled your
name wrong...sorry!!). Whiskey is doing fine, this email is not about him. In
fact, we got to meet his old mom about a month ago, she was in Columbus on
business and stopped to see him. She said he seemed very happy, Whiskey and
Patsy were so happy to be reunited!! The reason I am writing...
I know you sometime place dogs and cats. I have a friend who is in a bind. She
has a dog that she needs to find a good home for. She has basically been left
homeless (very sad story that I won't get into). Her dogs are her children.
She has 4 dogs total, but is unable to keep the one because of his size. I was
wondering if you guys could possibly help place him. She is so afraid to find a
home for him herself, afraid he will get into the wrong hands.
Thanks, Celetia, I hope you can help!!
Michele Kopiec
Subject: BlackJack (bought 12/01
as Bold Ruler) 1998 black STB Gelding
Since I don't have a scanner yet, I can't email you recent pictures of this
wonderful guy. We've ascertained that he's NOT Bold Ruler, the horse everyone
thought he was, but he is about the calmest, sweetest, most willing horse I've
ever ridden. I simply adore him. According to Anne at the USTA, the real
Bold Ruler is still racing and has a freeze brand. BJ has no freeze brand and
his lip tattoo has me totally confused - it looks like S or Z 5785 - but the
last digits are on the pink/black mottled skin and very difficult to make
out. Anne has run the various combinations but has come up empty. I need a
professional opinion from a person with a seasoned eye to look at his tattoo
before it fades and blurs....
He's grown another inch since he arrived here in December (he's now 16.2 1/2),
and he's put on about 100 pounds. Since his feet are kinda small for his size
and the LR hoof is kind of clubby, I don't want him to get any heavier, but
he's gained enough weight that you can't see his ribs anyhow! He has an old
bow on the right fore, having been pin fired for it at some time in his past.
Didn't find the white dots til after he shed his winter coat! His LR club
foot grows faster on the inside than on the outside, so the farrier trims him
once a month. He moves just fine and doesn't seem to have any aches or pains.
The
summer weather here in central OH has been horrid for the most part- humid and
oppressively hot. (Read: minimal riding/training) One day our cool, lovely
green spring just disappeared and summer arrived with 70%-90% humidity and
90-degree temps. YUCK! We did get a few days break last week though, but it
was short-lived! We already have green bees and redheads out the yingyang
this year, and it's not even horsefly season yet! Not to mention the
flies...they act like they are related to the Africanized killer bees - major
aggressive. I've placed my second order for flyspray already. Fortunately
for BJ, he and my TWH gelding go out at night, so all they have to contend
with is the skeeters. All the horses here have their WNile shots, 5-way,
rabies, WEE/EEE/, etc.
According to our vet, at one time BJ had a major accident - a heavy blow to
the left front of his mouth (maybe ran into a pole?). He is missing 2 lower
teeth, and one there has been knocked kind of sideways. Facing him and
looking at his front teeth, the line runs from (viewer's) top left to lower
right. The vet comes out every other month to even them out somewhat so he
can chew. It must help, 'cause he's gained those 100 pounds! It also seems
that he is supersensitive about his lower lip on that side. I can only
imagine how that accident must have hurt. ;+( . He will let me touch and
mess with his lips, but the vet has to tranq him to work on his mouth.
Please understand, I'm NOT complaining at all. I love this boy and thank God
every day that I have a job that lets me afford to keep him. BJ is just
beautiful on the outside, but it's his kind, friendly personality that gets
him treats and other owners' admiration.
He's coming along just great on the trails; no problems at all (other than
stretching my leg up to get it into the stirrup- he is TAAALL!) He is willing
to try anything and seldom resists doing something new. If he can't figure
out what I'm asking him to do, he does the "Black Beauty head-wag thing" and
just stands there. (remember the movie at the open-air sale where Joe finds
Beauty after all those years?) When he does that, BJ makes it so easy to tell
that I need to find another way to ask him .....talk about training the
trainer!!
On
the trail, he likes to lead, but will quietly follow another horse or three if
I ask. He tends to tailgate, but his legs are SO long - he easily outwalks
every other horse in the barn, even the TBs. I've been teaching him to trot
under saddle by using ground poles. Though his natural gait is a pace, he
trots easily at liberty, and canters like a dream, but under saddle he seems
to get confused now and then. It's not him, it's the rider (moi)! He has a
smooth trot, when I can get him to trot.... <G> Too bad at our barn we cannot
bring in outside trainers (the owner's son trains WP horses, so even an "english"
trainer is verboten.
I
have gobs of film I've shot, but I haven't gotten round to getting it
developed! I won't guarantee the quality of the photos.....my calling most
definitely is NOT photography!
This is all for now; I just wanted you to know that no matter who BJ really
is, he really is MY horse and I love him. Our barn manager says I love him
and Roxy and Sonny Boy more than I love my hubby.....can't imagine why he'd
say that ! :+D
Joann Van Horn (says thanks for a great horse - I love him) and BlackJack
(says thanks for a great home and somebody to LOVE me)
Hi,
I wanted to let you know how Shadow (Vanity, Gray Arab) and Gem (PG,
Standardbred) are doing. Gem is doing great. I rode her yesterday and had a lot
of fun. My daughter, Allison, is intimidated by her size. So, as soon as I get
my farm (which is getting closer), I will need to adopt another horse that is
smaller so Allison can get her confidence back. Anyway, last Sunday I noticed
that Shadow (Vanity) was having coordination problems. I told Sharon Bennett
(her adopter) and she stayed up most of the night checking on Shadow. In the
morning she called the vet. They diagnosed her with West Nile Virus. We were all
very upset. Because we caught it early and the vet gave her a lot of
anti-inflammatory drugs, she has fully recovered. Some other horses in our area
have not been as lucky. She is back to running in the field. Last week, she
could barely keep standing. It was very scary. Sharon said Shadow will
definitely get the vaccine next season. She has seen how it protected Gem (PG)
and my other horse Hawk. I just wanted to let you guys know that we had a happy
ending.
Thanks,
Michelle Henley
So for all my horsey friends...that
I think might be interested.
Ive been working with Adlige on his training. We just have to polish off a few
things ...12' away trailer loading...better yo yo in the saddle...little yo yo
on the ground...little more in saddle squeeze. His sideways..single track and 2
track are awesome...he's willing to do it over (sidepass over objects) some fun
stuff...barrell...branches...etc. We'll soon graduate our level 1. What a dude.
We're doing a little prior and proper preparation for level 2 as well. Hes very
smart and willing...so attentive.
Ok...Ive also been working on the twitchy mounting thing on the left side at the
base of his neck. Ive found that he did fine as long as I scratched that area
until it didnt twitch. I just desensitized it prior to mounting. About 3 weeks
ago I began putting more and more pressure to the left stirrup for longer and
longer periods of time as I dismounted. Then I started to use the left stirrup
to step up (after scratching of course) into a lay over. Adlige now mounts
normally from the left hand side again. He doesnt move until hes asked to move
off. All that ground work is paying off in spades.
So...I broke down and started saddle shopping last month. I was so bummed out
that Thorowgood just isnt being stocked by anyone right now. Its an english made
synthetic...Millers was their distributor and anyone dealing with Millers knows
the financial difficulties and stocking problems that theyre having now.
Anyway....so I was looking at Wintecs and the Cair system....but with all
told...girth..irons.. leathers and a few pads it was going to run me like $750.
I was like man...for just a kick around saddle that will be kind to this horses
back...and fit him well....I think Im paying for too much name here. So I hit
ebay. I found a great Thorowgood all purpose. Brand new.
Saddle...shipping...girth...leathers... irons And....a high density padd...2
dressage type pads and one non slip on one side...fuzzy white to saddle
side....all for $400. It has a "sima tree" that flexes with shoulder
movement...a gel seat and nice soft cushy flockings underneath. I got the high
density to give him even more cushion. He moves great in it...it fits him well
and should wear down to fit and flex with him. I found out with the non slip
standard pad that if I put it on him...it doesnt move even if hes twitching. I
think sometimes he found it a bit disconcerting when the pad started to slip
back and off to the side when he would twitch.
Riding. Well...I wrote today to let everyone know about a milestone. Addy & I
along with Charlie & Nancy went for a ride on Assateague Island yesterday. It
was a beauitful day. We tacked up saddle wise in the barn with the girths just
snug enough and shipped the 2 of them over. When we got there...we unloaded. I
played a few games with Addy to show him around and let him get a look at the
sights and smells. I tightened up the girth. Got my helmet on...bridled him. He
stood like a champ...didnt tie him... just held him on a shank. We looked around
one more time.. went to our little portable mounting block. Stood stock still to
be mounted normally from the left. We wandered around a bit (he was a little
tense but not spooky/leavey style...kinda tense across the back snorty)...He
came down a bit. Nancy got on...and we headed down the parking lot. Nancy had
suggested that if we were going to go we should park further down so we just had
to go straight onto the beach...I went no way. If we're going to culture shock
him...lets do it proper. Lets just throw the whole works at him. So we walked
about a 1/4 mile past 4 wheel drive trucks, people flying kites, people
bicycling, people walking, jogging, sun bathing. There were people on the
bayside kayaking. He was such a dude. He relied on Charlie a bit. He eyeballed
the difference in colors of sand thinking about his footing. He eyeballed the
horseshoe crabs. I think the only things that he thought about spooking over
were 2 cars that had 2 kayaks on each roof. He looked that over and we played yo
yo with it...a bit of squeeze game with it. Then we walked calmly on. I think he
was looking at it going 'that sure looks like a dead horse'....LOL. He got his
feet wet at the bay.The back bay waters just gently lap. He didnt want to go in
at first...but then Charlie went in and he said if charlie could do it ...he
could. Now the Ocean....he was making me laugh. I had Charlie get down to about
30 feet from the line of water coming in from the waves...then had Nancy get him
a bit closer (we got to about 20 ft away) each stride to squeeze Adlige (I had
him on Charlies right) a little closer. As we got closer...you could feel his
back muscles tense when a wave crashed. It was pretty big surf yesterday. The
Ocean is still (at least yesterday) active from the reminents of Isadore. He got
more relaxed about it...when he did I then let him travel to Charlies left side.
We changed positions a couple of times...to teach both horses.. and they did
well. Addy was like...I know that eats horses....Its so big...it must!!! LOL
We got to see the ponies on the causeway over to the island. People were there
photographing them with telephoto lenses.
All and all it was an awesome experience for both him and myself. He took it all
in...and what Im all happy with is that he went..."if youre ok...im ok." I didnt
get tense at all...and therefore kept him from getting or staying tense. The
saddle fits. He is over the mounting issue. We're having a great time and hes a
wonderful fella.
Emily (adliges owner) ...he is such a dude. I fall more and more in love with
him everyday. Hes attentive...smart and willing. I was just lucky enough to have
the type of experience to teach him and help him through this nerve damage
thing. I couldn't be happier with him.
Chris & Addy
Hi Celeita,
Another update on Sam! I took him to the Jump Start
horse trials at the KY horse park this weekend and we
took 2nd out of 20 horses in Beginner Novice. He went
clear in both stadium and cross country jumping, and
his dressage score was low as well. We had a great
time, and I'll be sure to email pics of him jumping
when I get them scanned!
See ya!
Kristen
Hi, Just a quick note to let you know that they are both doing just fine. They
have adjusted quite well to their new home. We are so happy to have them. Junior
has taken the other horse, Daisy, under his wing, and they all get along
wonderfully. We are trying to get a digital camera to take some pictures to send
you. Thank you for the opportunity to adopt them and keep them together, we just
love them.
Terri Paradis and Stephanie Mayger (Adopted momma's of Rosie and Junior)
I wanted to give you guys an
update. To begin with I have a new email address that you might want to us on
the Web site. It is
gkhtjohnson@charter.net. Additionally,
beginning in November I will be moving Art and Louie as well as our third
horse to a private facility that I will be leasing for at least three years.
It is a five stall barn with three acres in pasture and a 100' X 200' riding
ring. Once I make this move I will be in a better position to help as I will
be able to foster up to two additional horses if needed.
A quick update on Art - he is in
training at Linda Wills in Milroy PA. I have had him examined by New Bolten
and was advised that his biggest issue is muscular and that he needed to be
worked consistently. Linda is working him on hills and trying to build
muscles. I have also started to take him to Chester County Farriers (in
Philadelphia) for shoeing. It is making a difference.......but a new set of
shoes runs about $250. I will keep you updated as Art will be home on
November 1st and I go and see him and ride at least twice a week. No one will
ever be able to say that I didn't give Art all the chances in the world. I
still have my fingers crossed that he will not just become a pasture mate.
Louie is a tough case. I adopted
him for my two boys as he was to have been a calm and steady mount. Once I
got him I found out that he was 18 (not 14 as his owner had stated) and that
he as severe allergies and requires allergy medication on a monthly basis. If
that isn't enough, he also is NOT a beginners horse. My kids worked for over
a year on the longe line trying to get to a point that he would safely carry
them (he has many tricks) and finally I went and got them a 20 year old
quarter horse who has been shown alot. They have made great progress on him
and my oldest son is now trying Louie again and it seems to be
working......unfortunately, he will have outgrown Louie (size wise) by
Spring. You might want to keep him in mind if you have any inquiries for an
advanced beginners smaller horse. I do not want to return him to the program,
but if there was someone that could consistently use him I would consider it.
Anyway, I wanted to update you
guys and let you know that I am still out here and am willing to do what I can
for the program.
CAMEO PAT AND TERRI, RACE HORSE
TO BROODMARE TO COMPANION HORSE. ITS HORSES LIKE CAMEO THAT WOULD END UP GOING
TO SLAUGHTER AUCTIONS. CAMEO HAS A FUSED ANKLE AND WILL NEVER BE RIDDEN,
COULDN'T RACE ANYMORE, TOO OLD TO BE A BROODMARE, SHE IS TERRI'S BIG DOG ON
THEIR FARM, FOLLOWS HER AROUND WHEN SHE RIDES HER STANDARDBRED GELDING, PICKY.
ART AND NANCY, ART WAS A FAILURE
IN ALL SENSE OF THE WORD IN THE RACING WORLD, IN FACT HE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM
CHILD, REARING, BULKING, TOSSING JOCKEYS. NANCY WITH THE HELP OF A TRAINER,
LOTS OF PATIENCE, TONS OF CLINICS WITH EVERYONE FROM TOM DORRANCE TO MONTY
ROBERTS, ART TOOK BLUE IN HIS FIRST SHOW AND IS DOING EVERYTHING FROM ENDURANCE
RIDES TO TAKING HIS 1ST LEVEL DRESSAGE TESTS AND JUMPING 3' COURSES.
BB'S STORY, GRAND PRIX SHOW
JUMPER TO FAMILY HORSE
SIGGY AND SLAVA, SIGGY, A RETIRED
LIPPAZAN AND SLAVA, A RETIRED GRAND PRIX DRESSAGE HORSE AND TRAKEHNER GELDING
PLACED TOGETHER, SLAVA WAS PLACED AS A COMPANION HORSE AND SIGGY IS BACK TO
COMPETING. SIGGY'S OWNER THOUGHT AFTER 5 YEARS OF RETIREMENT, HE WOULD HAVE TO
BE BROKE AGAIN AND TRAINED ALL OVER AGAIN. RAVEN HAD HIM DOING 2ND LEVEL STUFF
IN ABOUT 5 MIN. :) I LOVE THE PICTURE OF THEM IN FRONT OF THE BARN
FORMER HARNESS RACE HORSE,
EXPENSIVE JAG AND BETH AND THEIR LIFE AT THE HUNT CLUB, THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY,
RIDDEN BY EVERYONE, EVERYONE'S PET
ALISON AND RENE, FORMER RACE
HORSE BECOMES PART OF A FAMILY
MCLAIN, NATIONS CUP WINNER,
OMNIBUS, AND ADOPTER, RENE
IVORY, SUCCESSFUL RACE HORSE
CONTINUE TO RACE AND WIN WITH INJURY, AND EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THE OWNERS ONLY
BILL PAYER, SHE FINALLY LET HIM GO TO GET BETTER, HAVE AN EASIER LIFE AND A
HOME. IT TOOK IVORY ALMOST A YEAR OF YEAR BEFORE HE WAS SOUND BUT NOW HE'S IS
RIDDEN REGULARILY AND HAS NEVER HAD A LAMENESS PROBLEM AGAIN..
PUPS FROM CSS ADOPTED BY A
FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA
Paula brought over pictures and
video of our boy Eucher, pictured here in the show ring when he was ranked in
the top ten in the US in Country Pleasure Driving, also shown with Paula and her
Mom (fellow adopter) with Eucher before leaving to go to the trainers. The video
she had was amazing, just 30 days at the trainer and he looks like a 16 hand
horse in the ring, moves like a park or english horse under saddle with just
plain shoes on him. We're all looking forward to seeing Paula and Eucher at all
the big Arab shows this year!!
Hi Celeita,
I thought you might appreciate these pics. I accidently left
Tucker (Tobe's) stall gate open the other night. He used the opportunity to
redecorate the aisle of my barn since he couldn't go anywhere else once he got
in. Here are some photos of his work and one of him...rather dark, as it was
night...surveying his handiwork...or is that hoofiwork...or mouthiwork? *G*
Anyway, once I got there to see it, all I could do was laugh hysterically and
get the camera. I think instead of dressage he may have a career in interior
design, don't you?
Jean D.
Expensive Jag
was adopted in '99 by Beth Large of Gates Mills, Ohio. Beth manages the
facility at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club where Jag has lots of buddies. Shown
here with (l to r) Jane Davies, Jane Geisse and KK Hannah. At Chagrin, he gets
to do everything from hunter courses, schooling, trail riding and even driving.
Yes, Jag jumps and he is a Standardbred! Son of the great Jaguar Spur. Jag was
donated by Tanah Merah Farms in Felton, DE and was trained by John Hogan for his
harness racing career. Jag serves not only as an ambassador for Standardbreds
but also for our program to show what wonderful things they are doing and will
do with time. We are so Thankful that Beth walked through our doors and has
given Jag this wonderful home.
War Bird shows
all his many talents at home in Oxford, NC with adopter Marti Day, family and
friends. War Bird was donated by our executor. He was her first breeding
stallion, a son of the legendary Albatross. She just wasn't getting the racing
babies out of him, plus she really thought he was miserable as a breeding
stallion and wanted to be out with the boys. Celeita did ride War Bird
regularily and he was the first standardbred she had that would rack, walk,
trot, pace and cantor on command. Wow! War Bird, after years of breeding, was
castrated at age 13 and within a month or two you would have never known he had
been a breeding stallion. Marti's young baby sits on him while he eats and even
hand feeds him. He has become a super family horse for a wonderful family!
We're all very proud of him that he could make such an tough transition look so
easy.
BB finally has a
new home! Kathy and Gary Wolboldt of South Charleston, OH stands with BB at
Crossed Sabers before taking him to his new home. Kathy is a seasoned horse
person that is just looking for a fun mount and a buddy to ride. The Wolboldt's
have a wonderful facility and the biggest pastures I have ever seen...... I'm
talking Lexington, KY sized. BB will have the biggest time with all that land.
A Happy Ending for a great boy!
Bert & Sara
Schmitt prepare for departure from West Virginia to Alabama with 4 year old
Standardbred gelding, Almahurst Stormy. Both Sara and Bert are big standardbred
fans. Besides a family pet, stormy will be a pleasure mount. Bert and Sara
board at the Ft. Rucker Equestrian Facility at Ft. Rucker, Al where Bert is a
Senior TAC officer for young Warrent Officers going through the Army's Flight
School. Sara works at the stable and will be able to spend lots of time with
Stormy (and give him lots of treats).
Angel Heart
enjoys her new home in Glenwood, MD and her new best buds, the DeIuliis Family
Here are
pictures of ABCD Goldfish "Goldie" with his adopter (Lori Starnes, NC), who
writes:
"Goldie is
wonderful! He has gained weight and has a beautiful summer coat. I am riding him
about twice a week at the walk and trot. We have not mastered the canter yet.
Goldie canters beautifully in the pasture!
Thank you for
such a wonderful horse!!"
Saber, Buddy and
Ivory with their adopters, the Williams family of Phillippi, WV.
Tropic Knight
with their adopters, part of the Coen family, Dad, Bill Koen rides Knighty for
the first time.
Bryan and Rennie
(Renaissance Runner). Her adopter, Allison Rasmussen, writes: "Rennie is
getting more personable every day. ...(she and the horse next to her) lick each
other's noses through the bars on their stalls. Her suspensory ligament is
totally healed and her back is good. I am working her on a lunge line for
another week, and then we will begin riding again. ...The vet kept telling me
what a great horse I have and how well she is coming along. That made me feel
good. The chiropractor told me the same thing, and how well her back was doing.
So I am optimistic that we are going to have a good summer (2000)."
Here's something
really neat...... Allison was able to search Rennnie's records, find and
purchase old racing pictures of her from her former life.... It really helps to
understand where they are when you know where they've been, plus its just so
nice to see them in the winner circle, our adopters couldn't be there but at
least they can relive the moment in these pictures..... shown above.... how
cool!
Cute Frosty and
his adopter, Jean Emerson.
Boo-Boo and her
adopter, Sam.
Kristi and her
adopters, Bob and Susan McClanen. She's all dressed up with places to go!
Lou and his new
adopter, Jeannie & Bryon Younger, plus all of his pals.
The Price family of Crosby, TX
enjoy pleasure riding and driving with BJ's Tornado
Kim Collins and Hurc's Big Boy
during a fall organized trail ride in Wild Wonderful West Virginia
Shane loves his new life with
the Benitez family in Lovettsville, VA
Adopter Nancy Harmon develops
respect and confidence with her new TB mare, Money and TB gelding, Artichoke at
their western Carolina farm. Nancy is the Director for Mount'n Hopes Therapeutic
Riding Center which also adopted Whim, Do, Smoak, Millie Burn & Private Burn.
Shown also is Nancy & Art in the First Show, First Class & First Blue Ribbon,
plus various activities with all their babies! Nancy's such a good mommy to
always keep grandma, Celeita up on what the family is doing!
College student, volunteer and
adopter, Monica enjoys a moment with her new baby
The entire Wanstreet family of
Troy, WV, spend time with each of their own adopted horses; Ernie's Brother,
Jericho Warning, La Royce and a Rescued horse, Lady.
Craig and Allison Ross of
Ellenboro, WV show off their first crop of babies from our adoption horses,
foals of Keeper, Diego Riveria "Daisy" and Rosie. Also adopted by Craig and
Allison was Caddy, Soukab, Madchen, Kabuki and Charles Town rescue horse, Hope.
Jennifer Earlywine with her
adopted standardbred mare, RJ Snicker at their new home in Overland Park, KS
Celeita delivers Clamity, a TB
gelding to his new home in the Washington, DC area. Adopters and sisters Polly
and Amy Berman soak up a happy moment with Celeita and Clamity.
Adopter Beverlee Dee visits her
adopted babies, Stretch and Brite Decision at Crossed Sabers Stable during the
Training 101 clinic. Stretch has his very first try at ground driving and long
lineing with Celeita and Bev. Brite and Stretch are now with Bev at their new
home in Spartensburg, PA.
Rhonda Ross and her husband Robert, prepare to take
Rhonda's beloved Dutch Warmblood mare, Heaven Sent to their farm in Lexington
Park, MD. Rhonda and her family had looked for the perfect mount for her to
obtain the much needed therapy from a 1996 Kidney transplant. One ride on this
mare and Rhonda knew that she was truly "Heaven Sent".
Our most eldest senior citizen,
'75 Standardbred mare "Hula Bowl" (daughter of the world famous harness horse,
Super Bowl) is joined by adopter Ava Hunger of Salisbury, NC. Ava and Hula Bowl
enjoys hacking around the NC countryside and even the occasional cross rail and
cavoletti. Hula Bowl, still today, runs at a higher RPM than most horses half
her age. Latest information on our girl: Celeita's Harness Racing Trainer, John
Hogan's Dad trained and raced Hula Bowl as a youngster!
TB mare, Running Robbie (former
race horse and broodmare from the Tampa, FL area) and Adopter Marla Celluci take
some quiet time away from their dressage lessons and pleasure rides at her new
home in Maidens, VA
We've waited months for this . .
. Lil'Bit in her new home! This is one of those American Express moments . . .
the cost of months of feed; $450., the cost of months of health care, farrier
and training; $650., seeing Lil'Bit with these two happy campers . . .
priceless! Min'ya and her best bud share a Kodak moment with Lil'Bit. Lil'Bit
will have lots of company with Min'ya's older sister Alena and gray standardbred
filly, Little Tator Tot at their new home in Martinsburg, WV. Here's the latest
news: Lil'Bit is in foal, probably to the colt (Whim) she was turned out with in
Charles Town before the rescue! Another Second Wind foal coming soon!
Ali and Lily Vonderheide take the
Blue Ribbon at the county fair in Batavia, Ohio (halter class). Ali is a
yearling filly by the famous TB Race Horse and Sire Alysheba, donated by Sun
Valley Farms of Versailles, KY
Rebecca Beesley & Norquestors
Miss "Missy" in Groveton, New Hampshire. Becca writes: "Missy and I have
been doing a lot, getting her used to going different places and doing different
things. We've probably done about ten small hunter shows and the 4-H circuit.
We even plan to take our first dressage test together on October 8th. The first
4-H show I took Missy to was our county qualifying show. It was only her second
show ever so we were supposedly going "only for experience", but she did so well
that we placed in the top ten and were asked to join the Coos County 4-H
Equestrian Team. Needless to say I accepted and on July 21st we were off on a
new adventure, Missy's first overnight show. The show lasted for 3 days and the
competition was a step up from what we were used to, so we just had fun and
enjoyed the weekend. Sunday night I was in for a huge surprise. During the
closing ceremonies I was named high point Junior in the horse judging and
general knowledge quiz parts of the show, but the biggest and most unexpected
suprise was yet to come. Every year our state gets to send the top 20 horse and
rider combinations to the Eastern States Exposition for 5 days, to compete
against the top 20 from each of about 6 other states. When they started to
announce the team the whole arena got really quiet, too quiet. It made me
really nervous. I mean, I wasn't really expecting to make it to the Big E my
first year trying to qualify to go. I knew when I went down to states that my
chances were slim. I was mounted on a young, inexperienced horse who I had only
been riding for a little over 6 months but I clung to the hope that a miracle
would happen and I would make the team. Whoa wait, you now that miracle I was
talking about??? It happened, and I somehow got the number 11 spot on the team.
So now we are preparing for our biggest adventure yet. We leave September 20th
and will be there for 5 days. Hopefully my work with Missy since states will
show and she will be performing her best ever. I hope I'll be doing my best
riding ever too, so that we will represent our state well. Also, I forgot to
tell you that we went to our first A rated show the 1st through the 3rd of
September. She was very good and surprised me again. She got a trophy and we
won $450. I am soooooooooo proud of my horse! Did I mention that she is the
best and I love her?
Wow! Way to go Becca! Second
Wind is soooooo proud of you both! And get this folks, Missy, a 4 year old
thoroughbred mare, came to us because she wasn't fast enough for racing but
still came to us as a young, green 3yo filly with all the TB track issues.
Rebecca is 13 years old, does not have a trainer and has trained Missy by her
self. We could use this girl as an intern and as a writer. Ever since we met
Becca, we thought she was 13 going on 25. What was I doing when I was 13?
Certainly nothing like this!
Adopter, Vicky Mcintire of Fox
Run Farm in Lexington, KY stands with Donor/Owner, Linda Bland & daughter along
side of American Destiny, a TX/Shire x mare who developed arthritis and needed a
home for light riding or breeding. Besides working at the Ky. Horse Park, Vicky
breeds Spanish Normans and other assorted warmbloods. Destiny was donated by
Linda Bland of Hampshire, IL. Vicky writes "She is absolutely beautiful.
linda and her family got to meet all of our brood and got Des settled in. Linda
says she's happy about Destiny's new home. Destiny is quiet, well mannered and
really sweet as well as very big and quite a looker. We feel privileged to be
able to give her a new home and a job as mother in the years to come. She'll
fit right in with the others and is large but just the size we're used to. It
seems to be a really good "fit". Thank you again at Second Wind for the
opportunity to be the stewards of this lovely creature". Thank you Vicky
for giving American Destiny a wonderful home!
Anita Barry of Amissville, VA
takes her first ride on Ben at Crossed Sabers Stable, a 15 yo TB gelding. A
former school horse for Silver Medallist Peter Leone at Lion Share Farm, he was
donated by Tudor Farm in Greenwich, CT. Anita knew that Ben would be a wonderful
pleasure horse for her husband Paul, plus a horse that she could spoil, love on
and ride occasionally herself.
BJ Mistral loves her home in
Weare, NH with the McCalister Family, where everyone is involved with her care
and all the love she receives. Mistral, a standardbred was a pacing mare on the
race track and is now showing walk, trot, cantor in english classes. And who
says standardbreds can't transition from the track?? She's also a pleasure
mount for all the family and friends.
Carol Novack and her
grandchildren of Pt. Pleasant, WV enjoy a riding and driving Risky Bob, a
standardbred gelding and Super Park, a TB mare. Carol is an antiques dealer and
is lucky enough to have some wonderful carriages and sleds for winter driving.
Risky Bob was a very successful harness racing horse all over the east coast and
Super Park, as racing as a youngster had several years of being a broodmare in
Ohio. When she was ridden at Second Wind, it had been years since she had had a
person on her back, she fussed all the way with us, but you can see by these
pictures she is very relaxed with the Novack Family. Risky Bob was such a
wonderful horse, anyone could ride or drive him. We new he would do everything
well.
Dr. Steve, Nancy & Brittany Smith
from Bridgeport, WV adopted our beloved Karashell, what a sweetie. Brittany has
settle right in to riding her regularly and plans to come out and volunteer with
us maybe next summer. Here's another twist, Dr. Steve was Celeita's emergency
room doctor when she came off Smokey racing and broke her back......you never
know where you're going to find an adopter?
John Gantley from Mayslick, KY
profiles his beautiful boy, Not a Folly, an '83 standardbred stallion that he
used to show in road horse classes and as a breeding stallion for future show
horses. John has had nationally ranked road horses and as you can see from the
looks of Folly, his care is impeccable. Folly, while here was also put under
saddle, came to us from Saratoga Springs, NY. He will always be know at Crossed
Sabers for that beautiful head set, wonderful rounded back, black coat and that
gorgeous extended trot.
Kathy Dewitt of Bruceton Mills,
WV was one of our blessed adopters that didn't mind waiting. Matt Mobile (Matty)
came to us with a pull suspensory and needs rest. Kathy was willing to give him
all the time he needed and according to her, he's become one of the best trail
horses that anyone can ride. Matty came to us from Bobby Swain of Felton, DE
where she raced him, she knew he would make a fine family and pleasure horse for
someone and we were lucky to find this jewel of an adopter for this lovely boy.
Nepal's Dame "Sally" came in and
out of our program like a whirlwind. This beautiful Liver Chestnut TB filly was
donated by Sam Greco of Sinking Spring, PA and was adopted by the Fox family of
Belington, WV as a future hunter/jumper for daughter, Sommer Fox, shown here on
her first ride with Sally. Also adopted by Sally's half brother, Sismondi
"Bennie" as a family pet and also a future hunter/jumper.
Snow, a cute little Appaloosa
Filly came to us during the Charles Town Rescue in January of 2000. She was
adopted by Pam Sorando of Mt. Airy, PA. shown here with Snow at her beautiful
new home. Thank you Pam for giving this girl her Second Wind!
Standardbred gelding, Star at
home with buddies and Momma, Sherry Jewell in Reynoldsville, PA
Winnie Moyers of Bruceton Mills,
WV prepares to take home Moss, the collie & Stride, the QH gelding. Celeita
gives one last kiss to Moss before leaving.
Dynastic Guy finally at home with
his new family (Fabian Densmore & family) in Jacksonville, FL
Adopter Carla Fullam, with Won
For Cad "Sassy" after a ride in a National Forest around Horse Shoe, NC. Carla
after only a couple of months is already showing Sassy and doing lots of fun
stuff like Hunter paces, all in preparation for her future in Eventing.
Marry Me Do "M&M", a TB gelding,
with his best bud, Patricia Kamarowski at home in Hebron, CT
Pretty girl, Galant, Selle
Francias and former show jumper, is shown at home in Tridelphia, WV. She was
adopted by Dr. Kelly Stevenson, who is also one of Second Winds volunteers.
Kelly spends lots of time with her horses (you know Doctor's schedules, right?)
and rides Galant 3 or 4 times a week..... for nothing but pure fun! Galant was
one of our wonderful additions to the program by the Leone Family of Ri-Arm
Farm.
Chris Rosenburg
stands with her two horses from the Charles Town rescue. Many of you will
remember Cutie the Leopard Appaloosa (now called Sarge) because he was the one
we couldn't catch.... for days! Looks like he enjoys getting caught now! In the
middle is #11, who was probably one of the skinniest of all the mares in that
rescue, with the worst rain rot....... she looks just marvelous now, doesn't
she? Before #11 left us, the court released her papers from the person that
abondoned her and we found out she was the 6 year old TB mare, named Jewelled
Empress...... now she looks like she's living up to her name. Two beautiful
babies who got a Second Wind because of Chris & her family in Anderson, SC.
The Brat,
formerly a Standardbred stallion, came to us from Pompono Park, Florida. He had
raced until October of his 14th year (1 January of the horses 15th year, they
are no longer eligible to race. The Brat was gelding and adopted by Tim & Mica
Welsh of North Carolina, where he is a family pet and used for pleasure driving
and riding.
Mike Cassidy &
Summer's Class Act "Remmus" of Columbus, Ohio. Remmus, a TB gelding, was a
former race horse in Lexington, KY but now spends his life on the trails with
Mike and the entire Cassidy Family.
Angie and Apple,
a 5 gaited American Saddlebred, were a familier site at WV shows, then Angie
went away to college and Apple was sold. Years later, now an adult with
children and a farm of her own, Angie finds her old friend Apple on the Second
Wind List of Adoption Horses. Angie knew she had to have her ole girl back home
to retire and to have a life of leasure. Look under histories to see Angie's
and Apples complete story.
Who ever said
all TB's are hot have not met our boy, Big. Shown here with the Sobey Family in
Rural Retreat, VA. They ride him with a lead and halter! Margaret and her
family also adopted Emperor, our Oldenburg who is speeding his way to recovery
from Founder at the "Sobey Spa".
Sarah Gibson of
Culloden, WV shown here with #15 from the Charles Town rescue. The vet during
the rescue thought she was 12..... after getting her papers from the court, we
found out that she was Cathy's Fort, a 21 year old TB mare.
Sarah writes of
her girl, "Katy is such a sweetheart, everyone that comes here, just loves
Katy, She is a wonderful friend to us all and an amazing horse, we all love her
very much. She is always game to give visiting children a few rides around the
corral, we laugh because she walks very easy with them like she's afraid to drop
them. I just can't say enough about what a wonderful addition to our family she
has been. Thank you so much for being her rescuer and thank you to all the folks
that helped to make her rescue possible. Celeita, you and everyone with this
program are amazing"
Thanks Sarah, we
think you are Katy are pretty amazing, too!
Alice Foley
rides Cash Bar Bingo "Ici" and Maggie O'Rear (on the right) rides her adoption
Horse, Nancy's Margarita, nick named "Ciel". Ciel, a TB mare, came to us as a
retired race horse from the Charles Town track. Maggie does a little bit of
everything with Ciel, trail riding and even some jumping. Maggie and her Mom,
Jann Foley are also the proud adopters of Missile Fire. They are just closing
on a farm in Clarksburg, WV, just 30 minutes away from Crossed Sabers and will
soon be busy building a barn of their own. Just a bit of history... Maggie was
one of our first riding students when Crossed Sabers opened it doors in '96 and
was part of our After School Program for several years..... Maggie is now
driving and all grown up..... boy do I feel old.
Village Lieutenant at his new
home in New Mexico with Ingrid Morgan and her family. Ingrid, after years of
having Thoroughbreds had decided to try out a standardbred........ VL is a 3
year old and Ingrid just can't get over how quiet, nice and willing he is.......
Ingrids learning the best kept secret about our wonderful standardbreds, they
have a Thoroughbred body and good looks with a Quarter Horse temperament....
what more could you ask for.
We finally got a picture of our
super supporter in Jacksonville, Florida, Pam Rayl and her boy, George...... now
warmly called "Ethan". Don't they look like they'll enjoying all that Florida
sunshine!
River Ruby, a TB filly, came to
us as a weanling from a large TB farm in Lexington, KY. They thought Ruby
(called "Fuzz" during her days in KY) would never race because she had
contracted feet as a foal, which also seems to affect her growth as a
youngster. River Ruby is now 16.2 and because she was never restricted from
racing by her original owner, was put into training for racing in Louisiana. We
can't wait to see Winner Circle Pictures from adopter Bonnie Montgomery of
Canton, Ohio!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE HAPPY ENDINGS PAGE FOR
2002
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Every Dream Starts with a Single Step, Take Your Step Today!
Women from History Who Dared To Change the World (credit: O Magazine)
600 B.C. TO 200 B.C.: Tribes of statuesque women (and men) roam
the Eurasian steppes. The fearsome Amazons of myth? Not exactly. But
archeological evidence suggests that among these nomads, the women were the
warriors.
Circa 39: Dynamic sister duo Trung Trac and Trung Nhi amass a
Vietnamese army in a revolt against Chinese rule. For four years, they lead
the rebellion.
Circa 395: Fabiola, a Roman aristocrat whose divorce and subsequent
remarriage were condemned by Christian society, founds a hospital for the
poor and other outcasts of her city. It's likely one of the first hospitals
in the Western world.
Circa 1001: Murasaki Shikibu begins writing The Tale of Genji,
an epic portrait of court life (twice as long as War and Peace),
considered by many to be the greatest masterpiece of Japanese literature and
possibly the world's first novel.
1429: Peasant girl Joan of Arc commands the French army in a series
of victorious battles to liberate her homeland from the English; she is
burned at the stake for her trouble.
Circa 1579: Grace O'Malley, a swashbuckling Irish pirate known for
raiding ships, fights off an English government expedition sent to stop her.
Circa 1613: In her graphically violent painting Judith Slaying
Holofernes, Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi slays the ideal of
submissive womanhood: Her heroine is fierce, powerful, and ruthless.
1777: Teenager Sybil Ludington rides all night long through a storm
to alert the 400 men in her father's militia that the redcoats are coming.
She's called the female Paul Revere—but Paul rode with two of his buddies.
And he was captured by the British.
1805: Sacagawea joins Lewis and Clark as their expedition's
interpreter, traveling thousands of miles across the Rockies with her
newborn babe strapped to her back. Who says life ends when you have kids?
1814: As the British torch Washington, D.C., First Lady Dolley
Madison remains in the White House long enough to rescue historic
valuables—running out moments before the soldiers charge in.
1862: Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, just 19 and dressed as a man, enlists in
the Union Army. In a letter home, she assures: "I don't fear the rebel
bullets nor I don't fear the cannon."
1867: Ida Lewis rescues three drowning men from wind-whipped swells
in Newport Harbor. Then she rows back to save their sheep. Ida later
becomes the country's first female lighthouse keeper.
1872: Victoria Claflin Woodhull becomes the first woman to run for
president. A colorful candidate, she advocates for free love.
1906: Madam C.J. Walker hawks shampoos and serums door-to-door. The
orphaned daughter of former slaves, she becomes one of America's
wealthiest businesswomen.
1912: Astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt discovers the
period-luminosity relationship (later used to calculate the distances
between Earth and the stars).
1914: Barnstorming adrenaline junkie Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick makes
the first-ever free fall from a plane.
1916: In a tenement neighborhood in Brooklyn, Margaret Sanger opens
the doors of the country's first birth control clinic. Outside at least
150 women are waiting.
1916: Movie star Mary Pickford insists on becoming her own
producer. America's Sweetheart is no sucker.
1937: Amelia Earhart disappears on the ultimate adventure—her
attempt to fly around the globe. In a note to her husband, she explains:
"I want to do it because I want to do it."
1938: Anna Mary Robertson Moses sells her first paintings, at age
78. Known as "Grandma" Moses, she continues to paint for 23 years,
becoming one of the century's most renowned folk artists.
1941: Protofeminist superhero Wonder Woman first appears in a comic
book, fighting off Fascists in star-spangled hot pants.
1946: Super-geekette Dorothy Hodgkin cracks penicillin's chemical
makeup with an X-ray crystallographer. (Eighteen years later she'll earn
the Nobel Prize.)
1953: Jackie Cochran flies an F-86 Sabre jet through the sound
barrier. She learned to fly so she could travel around selling cosmetics,
but it turns out trashing speed records is a lot more fun.
1959: On the edge of the Serengeti Plain, Mary Leakey digs up and
pieces together a 1.7-million-year-old hominid skull, one of the most
important finds in the history of archeology.
1960: At the Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph (left)—once partially
paralyzed by polio—earns three gold medals in track-and-field, the first
American woman to do so.
1963: Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first female
to fly a spacecraft around the globe.
1967: Kathrine Switzer dares to run the all-male Boston Marathon,
while an irate race official chases her.
1981: Alexa Canady becomes the first black female neurosurgeon in the
United States.
1985: Just 175 miles from the Iditarod finish line, Libby Riddles
heads into a blizzard when other mushers opt to stay in camp; this gives her
a six-hour lead and, ultimately, the win.
1989: Performance artist Karen Finley smears her body with chocolate
to illustrate that women are treated like, you know, dirt. The National
Endowment for the Arts rescinds her funding, but she ultimately gets it
back.
2005: Roz Savage quits her corporate job, leaves her unraveling
marriage, and rows across the Atlantic by herself. Midlife crisis averted.
2008: Sandra Andersen, a barista at a Starbucks in Tacoma,
Washington, learns that one of her customers needs a kidney to live. So she
gives the woman hers.
2009: Navigator Ann Daniels leads the Catlin Arctic Survey, a 74-day
journey from the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole to measure the thickness of
sea ice.
******************* The Warmth of A Horse
When your day seems out balance...
and so many things go wrong ...
When people fight around you
and the clock drags on so long ...
When some folks act like children
and fill you with remorse ...
Go out into your pasture and wrap
your arms around your horse.
His gentle breath enfolds you as he
watches with those eyes ...
He may not have a PhD but he
is, oh so wise!
His head rests on your shoulder
you hug him good and tight ...
He puts your world in balance
and makes it seem all right.
Your tears will soon stop flowing,
the tension will be eased ...
The nonsense has been lifted.
You are quiet and at peace.
So when you need some balance
from the stresses in your day ...
The therapy you really need
Is out there eating hay!
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