I have a lot of things to write about, a whole slew of impacted stories to bring you, but this morning I need to try and finish a fundraising presentation for SAFE instead.

They need to seriously plan for the future, create a permanent facility and cover the care and training of the horses already in their custody. There's a meeting tonight to brainstorm for ideas.

Then there's Dr. Hannah Evergreen's plan for a rehab center that would be an educational center. That's just in the planning stages, and her estimate of the budget started at around one, maybe two million as we were leaving Monroe, and after we talked for a while, was up to five million to really do it right, with housing for veterinary students and outreach programs for the community.

All rescues need to reach out and touch people outside the equestrian communities right now, many who have no idea that horses are neglected or starved to death. If last winter was bad, this winter is likely to be worse. So if you have any brilliant ideas and fundraising experience, email me.

In the meantime, read this story from Jerry Finch of Habitat for Horses in Texas. There are lots of other stories on his site too, but as we worry about little Lily, and whether her chance at life may be cut short because of an uncaring owner, it is important to find ways not to be angry.

Jerry Finch has been running his rescue for nine years, and I like his message on the longevity of organizations, because I think that is SAFE's strength:

"The philosophy that forms the basic concepts of horse rescue is important, not the individuals themselves. This organization should never be identified with one individual, because that individual could have never succeed by himself. It's taken the effort of countless individuals to create, organize and finance both the local and national programs. If the concept depends on one individual, it will eventually pass away when that person in no longer with us. To be truly successful, an organization needs to take on a life of its own, based on a philosophy held closely by all its members.

It isn't about the people, it's about the horses."