Hello everyone,

I can't believe it but just when I thought winter was over, everything is white outside with a couple of inches of snow. The driveway was finally free of snow and parts of the field were showing dirt. We are hoping to be able to start riding at the beginning of April but one never knows Weather is so unpredictable.

Everyone wintered very well, myself included as my weight always takes on a new high each winter. The thoroughbred paddock (in the summer it is the pony field) has 6 horses who have been eating 24/7 all winter and some of them actually look fat. People always say that horses are grazers and should have access to food all the time but I think they should be moving around to get their food and not just standing by the hay feeder.

The new kittens are doing great and I love them to death. They are the most friendly, loving cats I have ever had. I have been trying to keep them in the barn but seem they spend a lot of time in the house. We do put them in the barn in the evening as they are here to keep the mouse population down.

Wilma and Timmy have also wintered well. Wilma has not lost any weight as all she does is sleep in her house under the heat lamp and waddle up once a day for food. A few weeks ago when we had the big dump of snow, she actually got high centered in the snow. I kept waiting for her to come to the barn and finally went to check and there she was not able to move. Her short legs and low belly are quite a problem in the snow. Timmy really hates bad weather of any kind especially rain or snow. He just stands in the shelter and bleats nonstop. His winter place is under the feeder in the donkey shelter.

Speaking of donkeys, I have some bad news. We lost Tamale. Not sure what happened to her but about a month ago I found her lying in her paddock unable to get up and in a lot of pain. The vet suggested we put her down as there was not a lot her could do for her. That was the start of a bad week. I had been trying to nurse Tamin from her severe case of Cushing’s disease. The vet had suggested for quite some time there is not much can be done for this but I was determined to give it the all. I researched the internet and purchased a lot of different herbs and supplements hoping to get her over this. She was eating nonstop but was so thin that you could see her ribs under her massive coat. Unfortunately there was no turning this disease around and she finally stopped eating and a day later we found we had the do the right thing for her pain and discomfort and have her euthanized. Shahon also had to be euthanized as once again I had him on all sorts of supplements but he was just not responding and was still unable to walk so after 7 months of daily care I had to make the horrible decision and also have him put down. I always feel a little better when I realize that I have done all I can for the horses. As we have a lot of older horses and have to do this often, it still is never easy. Our horses become part of the family and we love them all.

Our summer camp program is filling up rapidly. We are now approximately 70% filled so if you have not yet booked your session; we recommend you do so soon to ensure a space.

I have left the real news until the end. After a great deal of thought I have decided to put Aspengrove up for sale and retire. This is my 18th year running the camps and I think the time has come. It has been a hard decision as this has been my life. I have resided here since 1986 and have met many wonderful people and enjoyed this business immensely. I was hoping to put up a wall of fame on the web site as there have been so many campers that I remember started their riding here and now I read about them in the horse publications. I have received so many letters from students from long ago telling me about the fond memories about Aspengrove camps. My life has certainly been rewarding. I have not yet listed the farm as we are going to do some renovations to the house. It seems the house is always the last to see improvements. We are hoping to have it on the market by late spring, early summer, so if you know of anyone who would like to live in a wonderful location and have and operate a great business, let them know. I would be willing to help out wherever needed. We are planning to build on a 22 acre parcel on the same property. I am hoping that whoever buys the place will continue to operate the camps and take over the horses, tack and everything that goes along with the business and look after and run the place like I have. I will be very selective about who is going to take over the business. At this time I am planning to continue to operate the camps until Aspengrove is sold, so it is not over yet.

We are searching for some new horses and I just want to put the word out there. If you have or know of any horses or ponies that would work for our program, let me know. We also do leases which work out very well. Sometimes peoples lives change and they are not riding at the moment but are not ready to sell.

I have been getting many evaluations, but there are no names attached. We would like to put up more testimonials but would like to include names, so when you do the evaluations, please put your names on them. We also get some input on things that campers and parents would like to see changed and are not able to discuss these things if there are no names. So, add your name!!

I will be selecting the 2008 staff within the next few weeks and will update once I secure everyone.

Keep your letters coming and will try to write again soon.

Hilda