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Post by schwung on Sept 1, 2009 10:32:51 GMT -5
Hi everyone! Well we have had a wonderful summer and I am very pleased with how well all the SAFE horses are doing. We are making progress with our ridable horses, getting new pictures and updates regularly, and our young ones are getting handled more regularly and their manners have greatly improved. But...I am getting increasingly anxious about the coming winter. So much so that I am having trouble sleeping at night. Right now, our rescue has a total of 20 horses in our care - which is our absolute max capacity. However, previously when we have had this many we have had them spread out in various foster homes, which has its advantages and disadvantages. Foster homes can be hard to manage and tend not to last a long time which means we cannot count on them and always be prepared to take them back home at any time. This happened several times this summer so as of right now, 14 of the 20 are on my property, and with my 2 horses that makes 16. Additionally, I need to plan for Amber and Wishes to come back from training around mid-to-late September. That would make 18. Finally, one of my horses that has been out on lease for the past several years is coming back in October to retire. That's 19. And finally, Summer may need a new foster home soon. If we have no place to put her, she would need to come here also, bringing the total to 20. However, the reality is, we are NOT set up for that many horses for the winter!!! Currently we have 3 stalls, 4 12x12 run ins and one 12x24 run in sheds with winter paddocks. Even if we doubled up in the run-ins which I really don't like to do but can be done with two horses that get along well, our very max capacity would be 14. We have one more shelter/paddock to put up this year and are discussing purchasing another. Look for an invite for a work party to help build these coming soon. But that is looking like it may not be enough. Things YOU can do to help!- Foster a horse for SAFE for the winter! Preferably if you are not too far from SAFE if you are going to need transportation. And please, be able to commit to at least the entire winter.
- If you can't commit to the entire winter but are very experienced and can offer a month or two to put trail miles or training on one of our ridable horses, like Kathleen, Kristi and Juliane have done for us, this has been a HUGE help in getting these horses placed.
- Help get the word out!! We have some really nice, quality, sound, ridable horses here that I am amazed we still have. We have a couple that would be great 4H projects, hunter/jumper/dressage horses, trail horses, kids horses.
- Are you an experienced rider and don't mind riding green horses? Volunteer your time to come and work with the horses at the Monroe facility. We are still short on experienced riders that can work with the horses regularly. Please note that MOST of our horses are English horses so be prepared to ride English/dressage.
- Donations are still needed! Our expenses have been running VERY high with all the training costs we've had and we are going to have to spend a lot more to prepare for the winter. Also consider donating tangible items. Here is a list of things we use huge quantities of on a regular basis (those with stars are the most immediate need):
- Hay (Orchard, Timothy, or an alfalfa/grass mix are good). - Low-Carb grain - **Allegra Cadence - Senior feed - **LMF Development G - **LMF Super Supplement - Beet pulp - **Rice bran pellets - **Vegetable oil - big jugs can be purchased at Costco for around $5-$6 - **Cool Calories - **Joint Supplements (Cosequin, Corta-Flx, Next Level, etc.) - **MSM - **Biotin supplements - **Orchard Grass Pellets
I know we would all like to see SAFE have some room to bring in some new rescues this winter, but at this point, its not looking like that's going to be an option for us any time soon. I have had some interest in several of the horses and have had a lot of applications and a lot of appointments to see horses, but for one reason or another they don't work out. It's been very frustrating. Thanks for your support!!!
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tls
New BB Member
Posts: 7
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Post by tls on Sept 1, 2009 13:04:57 GMT -5
I am amazed at all the training and the show experience your rescues are getting. You, the rest of the board, and all the volunteers really deserve kudos for all the hard work that's been going into these horses.
While I've been hoping that I could either adopt or foster, my husband and I are still jumping through the hoops with our county to get our barn plans approved. Unfortunately, until I can get a facility built all I've got is lip service. I will put my money where my mouth is and send in a donation though!
SAFE has received a donation in the amount of $100.00 from tls of Bremerton WA
Donation received 9/3/09 Thank you so much for your contribution, and welcome to SAFE![/b]
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Post by schwung on Sept 1, 2009 14:13:15 GMT -5
Thanks TLS and welcome to the board!!! I also want to add, when talking to people about adopting a horse from SAFE, remind them of the advantages of adopting a rescue, which include: - Horses have already been rehabilitated and trained
- Each horse has been evaluated and its skills/issues/health concerns are known and fully disclosed, including vet records
- Each horse is fully up to date on dental, farrier, worming, shots
- We take the time to make sure that we match horses and adopters appropriately
- If the adoption doesn't work out for ANY reason, we will take the horse back
- When you adopt a horse from SAFE, you create much-needed space for another desperate rescue horse in need to come in
I want to remind people of this because again and again I run into stereotypes that rescue horses have "issues" or will certainly suffer some type of long-term damage from their previous neglect or abuse. Additionally, I cannot tell you how many times I have really GOOD adopters contact me that really do want to "rescue" a horse, but before they get a chance to come out and look at what we have they decide to rescue some free horse off Craigslist or a sorry case at an auction or feedlot instead because the horse is "more in need of a home". While I think it is commendable when people do this, I think most people that take on a horse like this act on emotion and have little idea of what is involved in rehabilitating and training the horse to turn it into the type of horse they wanted in the first place. It is expensive, it takes months or years, and it so often ends in heartbreak when the horse ends up having some issue that cannot be resolved or ends up being a poor match for the owner. Now they are stuck with the horse, they cannot return it obviously, and I also can't tell you how many emails I get from people who have done just this and now want us to take the horse from them. So please, talk to your horse friends, even if they have no interest in adopting! Start changing the mindset of what a rescue horse is and the benefits of adopting! Change their mindset and then maybe they will talk to their other horse friends who ARE looking for a horse!
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Sept 1, 2009 16:05:47 GMT -5
If I called the Front Porch Farm and Feed (is that their name??) in Sultan and bought Orchard Grass pellets over the phone you could just go pick them up, right? What brand do you prefer? That is what Buckie is eating, isn't it?
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Post by hooti4me on Sept 1, 2009 16:11:18 GMT -5
Yes, that was my thinking too, as I posted in the donation forum.. could you post the name/numbers of feed stores you buy from, and if you have an account, folks could call in, and buy something for SAFE over the phone.
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Post by schwung on Sept 1, 2009 16:24:35 GMT -5
Great idea guys! Yes, you can buy directly from the feedstore and they should be willing to hold for me to pick up. Front Porch has all of the grains I mentioned above and their number is (360) 793-2372. Del's in Monroe doesn't carry the LMF brand but has all the other stuff: 360-794-0400. I forgot to add to the list, I need to order Bucky (and probably Summer too) some Quiessence (its a supplement for IR/Cushings horses). They don't have it at the local feedstores so this has to be ordered. Del's and Front Porch only carry one brand of Rice bran pellets, orchard grass pellets, beet pulp. It's Stanley's I believe.
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trailsnail
Junior BB Member
SAFE Foster Mom
Posts: 70
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Post by trailsnail on Sept 1, 2009 18:22:06 GMT -5
Dayville carries Quiessence.
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Post by Whitewolf821 on Sept 2, 2009 0:14:33 GMT -5
I'll get an order put in for some stuff through Dover and probably put in an order with Front Porch towards the end of the week. I'll let you know when I get that done!
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Post by coconut on Sept 2, 2009 1:03:55 GMT -5
Thank you for that update and reminder Jaime! It does put things in perspective and gives us a focus regarding the goals of SAFE as a rescue and our ability to achieve them.
I've been pondering the points all afternoon and one thing really struck home for me...
Having now helped rescue 3 horses, personally or as a partnership, it does appear that an actual rescue organization could have done what we did for a lot less money than we spent on things like gelding, teeth floating, vaccinations, etc... simply because of the resources. They probably could have problem solved must faster as well given the knowledge and talent available within the organization and it's support network.
In my case, I'm paying for full-care board (at a very reasonable rate, thankfully) on two rescued horses plus all of their vet care and other needs. The rescue probably could have done it with half of what I've spent, even after my vet gave me a discount. I will point out that one is and always has been intended as my permanent companion!
On one hand, I see that I kept horses out of the rescue system and there are many amazing folks here on this very message board who also generously help horses in need. If the horses who've been through the program had moved on, it's likely that the organization may have been able to help some of these horses we've taken on personally.
While we're all stepping up and doing whatever it takes to help in situations we see that need it, after thinking about what Jaime said, I can totally see how much further the hundreds of dollars I spend each month on caring for a rescued horse (that I'm not sure I'm going to keep) could have stretched.
Here's another couple of points to ponder...
* Instead of money just going OUT it could be donated with a tax deduction to provide the same, if not better care...for possibly even more horses
* What a tremendous bargain a rehabilitated, UTD on care needs, evaluated horse with a visual history is compared to the unknown world of sale horses and the chances you take.
I'm not saying that any of us who have rescued horses has done a bad thing...in fact I'd say we've done exactly what our hearts told us to ... but what if.... ...the rescues had room for more? ...had income from our donations? ...had more foster homes?
...or the ultimate "what if".... ... there were no more horses that needed rescuing??? ahhh, to dream!
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Post by Whitewolf821 on Sept 2, 2009 1:41:55 GMT -5
OK, it isn't much but hopefully it helps. I have 4 pounds (2 containers) of MSM on its way along with 2.5 pounds (1 container) of a Biotin supplement and 10 tubes of Ivermectin. Ivermectin wasn't on your list, but I'm assuming you can use it one way or the other (even if it's for community outreach), and Dover had a pretty good sale on it.
I'll try to get an order in at Front Porch for some feed the end of this week hopefully. I'll let you know when I do, Jaime, so you can go pick it up.
FYI to all those out there interested in doing this. I have ordered through Front Porch before and paid over the phone with my card. They are very helpful, very nice people. Just tell them it's an order for SAFE, and they know who you're talking about!
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Post by schwung on Sept 2, 2009 10:49:10 GMT -5
Thank you Crystal! And yes, wormers are good too! I didn't put them on the list only because SAFE bought a bunch earlier this summer, but we go through them quickly so we will definitely use them!!!
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Post by Sara on Sept 2, 2009 18:16:57 GMT -5
When people ask me why I support SAFE even though it's an hour away and there are rescues closer to me this is what I tell them:
*SAFE provides handling, training and rehab for their horses. There is no "warehousing" here
*SAFE honestly assesses each horse/potential adopter for a match. SAFE does have horses returned to them but very rarely (never??) because they ended up being "too much horse" or having undisclosed "issues". (this is HUGE IMO!!!!)
*SAFE sets a standard and sticks to it. They don't bend the rules just to adopt out horses. The rules/standards of care are there for a reason.
*SAFE learns from mistakes and puts policies/procedures in place to try to prevent future re-occurences. As someone who assesses and manages risk for a living- I can tell you that THIS is a *huge* indicator of management quality.
*SAFE fund-raises consistently and with the highest professionalism. There is no "we need emergency funds to get hooves trimmed" at this shop!
* SAFE is 100% transparent about financials. I have never questioned whether any donated item or money will get used properly or efficiently. Also, SAFE BOD does not realize financial gain from donations.
*This will seem obvious but it has not always been my experience with rescues: I have never once been to jaime's and worried that there wasn't enough food. I have never seen a horse with long hooves (except a brand-new rescue) or worried that a horse wasn't getting needed basic care, vet attention, teeth floated, shots, wormers, fly spray/masks, etc. The fields are picked or dragged, buckets are scrubbed, blankets are used... and so on. Horses get the day to day care they need and deserve.
I talk up SAFE and send pictures of safe horses to all my horsey friends all the time. Though no one has adopted yet, I figure every bit helps.
I wish I were closer so I could do more. THANK YOU to Jaime for all that you do.
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Post by Whitewolf821 on Sept 2, 2009 21:19:20 GMT -5
I have to put a second on here for everything Sara said. I am asked ALL THE TIME about why I volunteer for a group that is as far away as SAFE is from me. I'm not sure how many here realize this, but I am about 5 hours away from SAFE, and I'd give anything to be able to volunteer on a more consistent basis. I think you guys are all so lucky for being the ones who get to handle the horses consistently and see their progress. I rely on this website!
When I have extra money, I do NOT see it as a waste to donate it to this organization. I honestly wish that SAFE did adopt out of state as I am finally getting to a point that I can afford board and still live comfortably. I'll have to settle for a private sale, but I haven't found one yet that I trust enough to be what I'm looking for. I'm envious of everyone here who can adopt from SAFE because SAFE is so transparent with the horses.
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Post by hooti4me on Sept 2, 2009 22:50:44 GMT -5
I also want to second every single word Sara said.. WELL SAID, BTW!!
I've been following SAFE, every since they started pooling money on COTH, and I was donating alittle bit. I totally trust SAFE, and everyone involved! You all, are just incredible in what you do, on a day to day basis. I truely love being a part of this group, (even though I am not 'hands on'), but I still feel part of the group. I feel like whitewolf does, you all are so lucky to be able to handle the horses, and see them in person, we have to rely on the board and pictures.
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Sept 3, 2009 14:27:05 GMT -5
Just ordered a bag of Cadence, Development G and Orchard Grass pellets for pick up at Front Porch. They are so nice there!
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