Refuge Farms (www.refugefarms.org)

I'm practicing! Diligently. And every evening. Left. Then right. Then left. Then right. I need to focus and practice more!

Really, it's just about the day of our 2nd Annual Walk for Refuge and I'm excited! Can you tell?

We have walkers and maybe even a few runners planning to join us this year! We have a few of us "wise" members of society and some of our youngsters coming to walk the route! A few people are bringing their canine companions. There will be families and friends. What a glorious way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the early spring of Wisconsin!

And to nourish everyone, we have hot turkey drumsticks and gooey brownies awaiting them the minute their toes cross the finish line! A Friend of THE FARM donated the drumsticks and I truly can't think of a better way to use them, can you?

There will undoubtedly be laughter and singing and even a few stories, I'm sure. We will meet new friends and rekindle old friendships after the passing of this past winter. This Annual Walk is truly turning in to the "Celebration of Spring"! It's almost like a kick-off to another season of anticipation and healing! We seem to use this event to rejuvenate ourselves - to fire up! The summer season is upon us and we're off to a fast start already!

But this event also has a most serious side to it. The pledges raised by the walkers will be used to maintain the feet of the herd, treat them for worms, and to give annual vaccinations to everyone. Seems simple, doesn't it? Of course, I must use this opportunity to fill you in on the details....

The feet of the Refuge Farms herd are not typical, by a long shot! Our farrier charges by the horse depending upon the work involved. The most simple and "normal" trim is $50 per horse. On the other end of the spectrum is our dear Bonita, who's deformed feet require expert trimming and large, thick draft shoes on her front feet to keep her up off the ground. A typical trim for Bonita is $85.

You can do the math. There are currently 16 horses on THE FARM. April is in a reconstructive effort, and so her trimmings are now scheduled every 3 weeks until July or August this summer. We are attempting to help her recover from a nasty winter episode of founder and/or laminitis. April is moving much, much better now. This is, in part, due to the softer ground of spring but largely due to the extra care of a talented farrier.

The herd of Refuge Farms needs to have their feet trimmed every 90 days. We can afford every 120 days. And so we do what we can and strive for the best result. The goal is, of course, every 90 days all around. But right now, we do the worst feet as needed and the full herd every 120 days.

The second endeavor of our 2nd Annual Walk for Refuge is supplying annual vaccinations for the herd. The entire herd will require the initial 4-Way shots this month plus another shot for West Nile prevention. Then again in late summer, we will vaccinate the entire herd again for West Nile. Big Guy and little Gracie will require boosters since they are both new residents of THE FARM. In all, the vaccinations for all 16 will run close to $1,000. And that is not utilizing a veterinarian for administration. You're talking to the administrator.

Then, finally, while the horse is getting treated we will do the spring treatment for worms. I rotate the wormer medicines to be the most effective but each horse gets wormed at least every 90 days. Cole, our advanced senior, is wormed monthly. And this, I believe, is one of the reasons he's still chasing his girlfriend at the ripe old age of 36! Wormer runs anywhere from $9 to $13 per tube with the full herd needing just shy of 30 tubes for a full round. (Remember, some of our larger horses use a full 2 tubes every time!) Once again, you can do the math.

So, yes, we are definitely walking for the pure enjoyment of the friendships! The sun on our faces! The good food! And the laughter! And don't forget the hugs! But know that my heart will be bursting because these people see the need and get pledges from anyone who will listen. These people keep the diligence! And with their diligence, they each support the need to care for the herd and their feet and their shots and their meds for dewormings.

Bless each and every one of them! And to each of them, I say "thank you" from me and all 16 of the creatures who so depend on them!

Enjoy the journey of each and every day,
Sandy and The Herd