For those of you who made special arrangements- please you are more than welcome to still come to the farm. I just cannot have all the hroses ready and the farm ready to put on an auction- not in the manner and fashion that we do it here at LKF. I have posted my letter below for those of you who did not receive it. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions. The horses are still for sale and we intend on selling all of the auction horses and more within the next few weeks. Thank you for your understanding- Robin-LKF
Dear Clients and Friends,
This year has been the most stressful, trying and traumatic year of my life.
I lost my father on September 10th leaving a gaping crater in every aspect
of my every day life. He was not just my father, but he was a provider for
my family. See, he owned a medical office and worked daily as the President
and Physician. His income from that office supported 6 ladies. We had 4
nurses and managers that worked daily next to him, I managed all the
marketing for the clinic and my mother was on the Board. Without Dad, the
medical office cannot legally exist and has been closed since, in turn
laying off everyone, leaving them with little to no source of income. So-
that has been one of my main priorities since the passing of my father. He
would never ever want to leave his employees like this, nor all of his
patients. So we have been in search of a doctor with specialty training to
fill my father's shoes not just for the day to day procedures, but also for
management/president responsibilities. Needless to say- all the contracts,
interviews, legalities and emotional drain has added to the agonizing loss
of my father.
On top of the medical business- we lost our family physician. He was the
doctor for all of his children, grandchildren and wife. Since his passing-
we again have had to go on a search in what have been desperate times for
someone who can prescribe our blood pressure meds, acid reflux, and
antibiotics for not just ourselves, but the horses too. He was our "vet" on
hand and showed me what to do and how to do it whenever we had a sick horse
that needed IV fluids or meds, stitches, colic or even surgery. He ordered
all our supplies and made sure we were up to speed on the newest treatments.
So yet again I have felt another loss from my daily life.
My father- he was also the tax man, receipt keeper, bill payer, investor,
builder and dollar general errand runner. All the things that now have to be
done by someone else. It doesn't sound like much and most would say "so what
that's no big deal", but if you knew my father and how he did things- then
you understand. For those of you who are close are also aware of what all
Dad did and understand how significant this loss is for us.
Then to the farm- 400 horses are here. This is what Mom and I are
responsible for managing. We do everything from ultrasounding, breeding and
foaling, accounts payable to receivables, horse sales and marketing, picture
taking, DNA hair pulling and paperwork, record keeping, trimming and
clipping, phone answering, advice giving and you name it we've done- feeding
and stall cleaning (Thank goodness we have had help from our great employees
with that the last few weeks). And yes - I know every single horse's name,
owner, pedigree, age, produce record and who they are bred to. You all know
it is a 24-7 day job- no questions asked.
You have received this letter because Mom and I have come to a point in time
where we can do no more. The Oktoberfest was scheduled for October 23rd here
at the farm. We are forced to cancel the sale at this time. We are so sorry
for those that have made special arrangements to attend and planned on a
great time, but honestly- I could not have fulfilled your expectations. We
usually have 80+ horses clipped, bathed and ready for the auction. We have
all the breeding stallions in and ready to be viewed on stallion row. The
catalog with every horse listed, the registrations, the guarantees and all
the office ready to help you. We have a party and farm tours in the fall
leaves. We just can't do all that needs to be done in the 2 weeks left in
order to offer you what I promised. There comes a time when priorities
change and for the first time the horses are not first. Ask my husband- he
will tell you- the farm and horses always comes first in my book. I have 2
small boys who need me right now. I have a mother who needs more than I can
ever provide for her. I also now have a business with loyal and devoted
employees that want to go back to work that need my help and attention.
I will have the list of sale horses online with pictures. We will accept
offers on them all. We must sell them. I plan on having that up and ready by
October 23rd. We will also plan to have an auction in the spring- hopefully
during the same time as our spring foaling/breeding seminar. Our plan is to
have a herd reduction along with a dispersal of the COH herd of horses that
are here.
So many things happen for a reason. I have no clue why this is happening now
to me and my family, but it is what it is. At least that has been the only
excuse I can give it. Losing my Dad who played such an integral part in
everything I do, has forced me to look at things in a different light and
perspective. Emotionally I am exhausted and mentally I am struggling to keep
up with all that needs to be done. My priorities must change. Dad always
said- Never change a winning game - but always change a losing one. So after
losing Dad it is obvious it is time for a change.
Again- I apologize for cancelling the sale at such short notice, but I have
to take into consideration what is best for all involved. Please let me know
if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Robin Mingione
Little King Farm
