This is a bit of a rant - with the rapidly approaching holidays, I am trying to stay positive. But...

I am tired. I am tired of always asking for money, tired of juggling expenses, tired of laying awake wondering where the money for the hay delivery is going to come from, tired of thinking of new and improved ways to ask for money  - I'm just plain tired.

 Horse Play has been operating at an over full status for almost 4 years - despite adoptions, and we've had a minimum of 5 horses on a "waiting list"  for 3 years. Today I had 3 inquiries  from people looking to place their horses in a safe place - 2 are 20yrs + and the third is actually a mare and foal. Mare and foal and one of the old timers were purchased/adopted from a rescue pulling horses from the kill pen and meat buyers - now these people can no longer care for them or no longer want to care for them and the rescues will not take them back.  I am in the process of putting up a page of horses in need from private owners but right now my focus is caring for the 25 we are personally responsible for. We are having an extremely hard time right now.  Horse Play doesn't go to the auction and rescue the horses in the kill pen (we don't have the funds for that although we do have 2 that inadvertently  made their way here after we helped bail them out and then the rescuers figured out they had nowhere to send them) - no, 99% of the horses come here INSTEAD of going to the auction - we are the intervention and the safe haven. 

Since 1999, we have helped over 210 horses with an incredibly modest budget and all volunteer staff. This fall has been the worst for us financially. Prices have risen, sponsors have moved away, a couple regular grant opps have dried up and attendance to our events has been less than stellar. We  strive to give back to our community and make donating kind of fun - calendars, ornaments, raffles etc . Did you know that all our lesson, camp and workshop fees go directly to the care of the horses here?  I also donate every penny of my income from trimming other people's horses.  We've tried tack sales, consignment and other things to involve more horse folks and we're working on some rides and other events  but most will probably have to wait until spring .  We have virtually no budget for advertising so we are dependent on the press/media to publicize our press releases if they choose and we also rely on friends and associates to forward and post flyers and other announcements - no freebies in printing either. I know no one said it would be easy.  But I rise at dawn and feed 19 horses every day then I check emails and run errands - mail, Feed, foster horses,  etc (2-3 times a week), work or play with a horse or two,  then I feed lunch and with the help of volunteers 3-4 days a week we also trim hooves, play/school horses and clean paddocks - this changes too with any horse with special needs - we have two at the moment. I also give lessons, and work on marketing/ads and event planning on the computer. Then it's evening feed and maybe another lesson or horse schooling session (we do have a lit roundpen) - then I make dinner for us humans, take a shower, do more "stuff" on the computer for an hour or so then back out for the final hay toss. Lately I have been coming back in and spending another hour or so job hunting for me - yes I am seriously considering another REAL job ( I was laid off from one 4 years ago) I AM NOT COMPLAINING JUST EXPLAINING - I do not regret or begrudge a minute of what I do - I just wish more folks understood . This isn't fun or romantic although it is gratifying - but lately it is extremely stressful - lately my thoughts are consumed with making ends meet. Those of you who have animals (especially horses) and have jobs and no financial worries, please be grateful - I am grateful for all I have accomplished, thankful for Garry, volunteers, friends and supporters and especially the horses - they truly are my life.  I'm not sure how we'll get through this but I know we will.

If any of you would like to help - consider our ornament swap or baked goods or a calendar or sponsor a horse  - if every one of my "friends" on Facebook donated $10 we'd have the vet bills paid and a pretty full hayloft. That's all I want for Christmas. Please don't hesitate to contact Horse Play if you'd like to help - horseplayri@msn.com -lots of options and possibilities. And if anyone is looking for a hard worker, I’m looking for a job - from office to restaurant to barn to yacht - resume and references available!