Dec/090
Happy Holidays Everyone!
We are so grateful to each and every one of you that makes our mission successful each day. Thanks for donations of time, tack and financial support. This is the time of the year when the weather becomes cold and nasty and the holidays roll around that we see less volunteers and donations. For those of you who never forget us, thank you!
We’ve Come So Far…In One Year
Looking back over our inaugural year I am amazed at how far we have come. Mid America Horse Rescue started six months prior to our intended opening date due to the Fairmount Park Paddock Sale held earlier than planned. We went into a reactive rather than a proactive state.
Our goal was to complete our lease/purchase at our facility, conduct fundraisers, then open by spring of this year. When I received the phone call regarding the Paddock Sale, I was informed there would be no representation for these incredible Thoroughbreds. We had no choice but to move swiftly into action.
We had a small, but mighty group on that hot August day we attended the sale. We brought home 13 horses, and assisted in transitioning a good amount of the balance of 80 that went through the sale that day. Our numbers of horses, as well as their needs, have grown over the year, but even in the most daunting of economic times we have forged ahead and made it.
After the sale we had more trainers and more horses come in. We have had 3 foals born successfully this year, turned around 3 starvation cases (you go Ferrari!!), dealt with 2 founder cases, and saw our highest risk girl, Princess, through a successful temporary tracheotomy (as well as foaling).
We also started growing our 2-legged family, as folks found out about our efforts and wanted to become part of the mission and our journey. With the assistance of our incredible volunteer group and communication through equine sites, we assisted at a dispersal sale last December, ensuring all horses were sold to, or transitioned into, great and safe situations. I am always amazed at the big hearts of our equine friends and family.
During this first year of our formation, Mid America Horse Rescue has sheltered, rehabilitated, retrained, adopted, fostered and transitioned over 200 horses.
With the continued support of our volunteering friends, colleagues, fellow equine enthusiasts, and strategic partners, we endeavor to move to Phase II of our goals to continue to build America’s premier Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation facility. We welcome you to participate in our fundraising efforts, and encourage you to follow us on twitter and our website for the latest information, monthly schedule, and announcements of our 2010 Corporate Sponsors!
Please check out our "Sponsor a Horse for the Holidays" site, and join us in our efforts to support a horse with their daily care. Remember, this is good not only for the holidays, but a special gift for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, retirement, memorial tribute, etc.
The gift of your time is always appreciated by the horses; they look to you to help make their second chance in life possible.
Come join us, as we look forward to seeing you in 2010!
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours,
Margo Sutter
Dec/090
2nd Annual Mid America Horse Rescue CrAzY Bowl
Pack Up the Family - It's Almost Time for Crazy Bowl!
Thanks to you, our generous supporters, Crazy Bowl was one of our most successful fundraisers in 2009. So, back by popular demand - we're hosting our 2nd Annual Mid America Horse Rescue CrAzY Bowl in 2010.
Dust off your bowling shoes and bring the whole family - crazy bowl is a day for family fun! All ages and skill levels are encouraged to play!!! RSVP early, space is limited!
When: Sunday, January 17, 2010
Registration: 12:30 pm
CrAzY Bowl: 1:00 pm to 5 pm
Where:West Park Bowl, 1101 Valmeyer Rd., Columbia, IL
(Click here for map and directions.)
Cost: $16 per bowler, includes 3 games; shoe rental $4 (all ages)
RSVP by January 10, 2009. Registration is required to play.
Please contact Cecelia at (618) 420-1055 or gastfarm@htc.net to RSVP or for more information. Click here to download a CrAzY Bowl flyer.
Food and beverage available for purchase - take a chance in the 50/50 drawing!
Half of all admission proceeds from this event go directly to Mid America Horse Rescue - tell your friends and join us for an afternoon of fun and games!
Dec/091
Babies’ First Christmas
Mid America Horse Rescue took in three pregnant mares from the Fairmount Park Paddock sale in August, 2008. All three babies were born successfully between January and May, 2009. Could you help make their first Christmas special?
PEA
Born in January was The Pea, daughter of Princess. Princess was a 3 year old daughter of Slew City Slew who came to us in August, 2008. She was born with a deviated septum and was starting to suffocate as her pregnancy progressed. After consulting with our vet, Dr. Mueller, we transported Princess to Mid Rivers Equine Center outside of St. Louis, Missouri where they scoped her, found out what her condition was and created a temporary tracheotomy for Princess so she could for the first time in her life, breathe! Princess' pregnancy was high risk, especially during her delivery. She delivered Miss Pea beautifully and has been the most incredible mom ever! Pea is now weaned and hanging out with her buddies, Flare, Troubadour and Belle. Her mama will be looking at a permanent surgery for 2010 as we raise the funds for her permanent tracheotomy surgery. Your donations to help raise Pea will include her daily care, vet care, farrier care, etc. Your donations toward her mama, Princess, will be put back toward surgery that may include laser surgery to create and open her septum or if that is impossible then to create a permanent tracheotomy. We love these girls and they both deserve that holiday spirit and love!
BELLE
Belle was our next baby born. She arrived on May 12th and was born with a septic condition in her joints. Fortunately the infection had not invaded her growth plates. We rushed Belle and her mama Sweet Home (aka "Sweetie") to Mid Rivers Equine Hospital where she entered ICU (isolation) for 10 days while they fought the battle to rid her of the infection and save her life. She came home after the 10 days where the dedicated staff of Mid America Horse Rescue cared for her around the clock with meds, shots, etc. Belle finally turned the corner at the end of the month. She will continue to be high risk as we watch her growth over this next year! She is a lovely daughter of Western Playboy and has the sweet and intelligent disposition of her mama. Belle's costs to Mid America Horse Rescue were around $7,000 to save her. Any and all donations will continue to assist with her medical care, feed, etc. as she grows up at our facility.
TROUBADOUR
Troubadour was our only boy, born on May 19th to Rapid Presence (aka Rae Anne). Troubie is a total little boy who is learning very nice ground manners as he grows. He was the first baby I (Margo, President of MAHR) ever helped foal out. What a life changing experience!! Troubie will be with us as he grows up to be a beautiful riding horse for some lucky family in the future. Your holiday donations will assist with a blanket for weanlings, food, farrier and medical care! Will you help make his first Christmas memorable?
AUGGIE
Auggie is a very tough founder case we currently are trying to save. He is the kindest, most courageous guy we have ever met. Auggie is 6 years old and came to us this fall from Fairmount Park. He was brought in by a trainer who hoped with rest Auggie could return to his racing career. Auggie was so broken down already that we convinced the trainer to leave him with us. We started body work on this guy and had the farrier pull his shoes to let his feet grow in naturally. Shortly after the shoes were pulled we noticed right away he was lame in the front end. We contacted the vet who came out to x-ray Auggie and found that he had dropped down to the soles but had no rotation, an old founder case from that track that was left untreated. Auggie continued to race in this condition until he came to us. We are working with a farrier who specializes in founder cases to try to save Auggie. Your dollars will help us with the extra care Auggie has required. Thank you for considering making Auggie's Christmas special.
MARY ANNE
Mary Anne is another founder case (not as bad as Auggie) whose vet and farrier bills have escalated our monthly expenses. She was doing beautifully in her training program doing ground work when we found her to be sore on the front end. The vet came and we found that she had an old founder case that had been aggravated. She has been working with the vet and farrier now for the past 4 months and is coming along quite well. Again, your kind donations will go toward her daily care and cost of care for her feet.
SPONSOR A HORSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The horses listed above are just part of the 52 horses that live at our facility, Mid America Horse Rescue. Currently we have six ready for adoption; all medical care is complete, good feet, great ground work and ready to learn a new riding discipline. Please contact Margo Sutter at 314-302-2216 for more information or print off the adoption application.
Can't adopt a horse but would love to help? Join our Sponsor a Horse for the Holidays program. Your gift from $25 up to the sky is the limit will make a huge difference in the daily care and training of these ex-athletes as they ready themselves for their new families and careers. Our horses range in age from weanlings up to 23 years old. Each one has an incredible story and each one trusted a human to take care of them for the rest of their lives, to guarantee them love and safety. We aim to uphold that promise. Please mail your donations to Mid America Horse Rescue Att: Margo Sutter 3823 Stringtown Road Fults, IL 62244 to participate or click on Pay Pal to make your donation. We also have corporate or annual programs to acknowledge larger gifts and support. We are a 501(c)3 not for profit and can offer all donations a tax deductible acknowledgement. Also, remember this program runs 12 months a year and the gift may also be given to recognize a birthday, anniversary, memorial tribute, etc. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Come visit us anytime! Happiest of Holidays to you and yours from our 4 legged and 2 legged family at Mid America Horse Rescue.
Margo Sutter, President
Mid America Horse Rescue
Mailing address: 3823 Stringtown Road Fults, IL 62244
e-mail: msutter@htc.net
cell phone: 314-302-2216