A little bit of history for you all ....... it seems like yesterday. ( I have blanked out some personal details )
Messages posted to thread : Merlin...urgent update. PLEASE READ!!!!!!
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Subject : Merlin...urgent update. PLEASE READ!!!!!!
From : Pauhla
Date : 6/24/2002 3:35:00 PM
This is to update you all on Merlin. You may remember Laura,the horse in the Spanish riding school who Sandra managed to rescue and re-home in Belguim? Merlin was the other one that had to stay behind. He is very nervous and is being worked in draw reins to disguise his foreleg lameness and is currently stabled with 3 other horses. They are all tethered to the wall by a length of chain in temperatures of approaching 40 degrees in an atmosphere that is so full of ammonia that it literally made my eyes water.
While Olga and I were staying with Sandra last week, we met Merlin and I was lucky enough to be able to go into the stable with him and he finally allowed me to get close enough to touch him and offer him some food from my hand. He not only took this, but at the point where I didn't think I could bear to leave him, he reached out and touched my face with his muzzle, and that was the point where I decided that it was time to reasurrect the Merlin campaign with the full support of Sandra without who we would not be aware of the conditions these animals are kept and worked under.
Sandra has managed to persuade the owner to sell him (to the English girl as a pet :0))))))))) and eventually beat him down to 1200 Euros which is about £805. . All in all, we need to raise about £1500 to cover the cost of transportation and veterinary care, but more would be good as I have seen first hand the ammount of work that will be needed to regain this wonderful little horses trust.
Lorraine has agreed to act as treasurer and so what we are really hoping is that all those who pledged money before are still prepared to donate and that others may also join in and donate or offer to raise funds.
Part of me, and I know Snadra and Olga too, are torn as we know that getting Merlin out is only the tip of the iceberg and he will probaby only be replaced. The way Spanish horses are kept is part of a whole culture and a way of life and I do not begin to understand it but all I know is that I remember standing in that stable in temperatures approaching 40 degrees with the smell of ammonia making my eyes water and seeing those 3 horses tethered by chains to the wall all day except for when they were giving riding lesson. Yes, this is an emotional response, but as Sandra said to me,if we can physically help one or two and perhaps sow the seeds in peoples minds that there is a better way, then it is better than sitting on the sidelines, talking about how terrible it is, and doing absolutly nothing!
I am hoping to be back to normal routine after my Mother in Laws memorial service tomorrow so this is just an advance note to you all to get the ball rolling.If you can help in any way, please pledge your support and then we can take it from there.
On behalf of all of us and most importantly Merlin, thank you!
From : Fizz
Date : 6/24/2002 3:41:00 PM
Count me in please! I can't afford to donate as much as I would like, but will donate what I can.
I wonder if there is some kind of publicity other than on here that we could do? Or something sponsored? Or approach the organisers of current sponsored rides etc to see if they would donate a percentage to help Merlin?
Fizz x
From : Bridge
Date : 6/24/2002 3:42:00 PM
Can we have details of where to send cheques or bank account details to pay it in directly.
I don't know if you remember me saying before, but one of the guys my son races with lost everything (racing wise) in a fire. His bike (worth a fortune), tools, generator, leathers, boots, helmet etc. He said that he would have to give up racing BUT someone put a message on their website asking everyone to send in just £5 (an amount most people can manage). He is now back on the track and has replaced nearly ALL of his equipment thanks to other racers (who, incidently are in competition). If we were all to do the same, i.e just £5, I'm sure it would go a long way.
Where do we send cheques?
From : Ally S
Date : 6/24/2002 3:44:00 PM
Yep - it's an emotional response alright, but thank God for emotion! Count me in for a donation. We can surely raise enough to get him out. I so wish we could do more to stop cruelty and suffering, and this is the tip of the iceberg, but at least we can help this poor little chap. Tell me where you want my cheque to go and it'll be posted. Ally S X
From : Pauhla
Date : 6/24/2002 3:47:00 PM
If you can just pledge then as soon as Lorraine (poor noble soul !!) has realised what she's taken on then we will give details of where/how to donate.
There is always a chance that we may not pull this off, although the fact that Sandra got Laura out makes it more likely that the owner won't back out of the deal but if so then the money will be split between Greenloaning Equine Care centre and OFAH (The rescue centre Dawn is involved with) as agreed before.
From : Rosie
Date : 6/24/2002 3:54:00 PM
What a wonderful thing to do. I am fairly new to the DG, so I don't know about the other horse that you rescued, but I think that it is fantastic that even one has been saved from such an existance.
I will send some money, it may not be a King's ransom, but I will send what I can.
All the very best of luck to you.
Kind regards
Rosie
From : layla
Date : 6/24/2002 4:08:00 PM
I can pledge £5.00. Like Bridge says if everyone donates £5 we will have enough.
L x xxxxx. Maybe use this message as a pledge and email site and then at the end someone can collate the emails and send out information to check people do send the money? I dont mind doing that.
From : Sandra
Date : 6/24/2002 4:09:00 PM
I'm sitting here, reading this with tears in my eyes (why are my colleagues looking at me strangely?). It's wonderful to hear and see the support and the real love and care all of us have for animals.
Pauhla contacted with Merlin like nobody has ever given him the chance before. The owner, Daniel, says he's got bad blood in him because he's so DEAD scared of people. He is worked many hours a day with draw reins and jumped as well (that's how Daniel was trying to push the price up - look, he can jump that (1.10m) easily...) and afterwards, quickly stuffed back into his crammed stable.
Daniel won't lower the price anymore but if we, the IHDG can collect the money to get him out of there, it'll be an example of how horses are treated in Spain. Laura was another riding school horse that because she was spirited, was fed so little that she was completely emaciated and still had to work many hours a day, dragging her body around the school. She's now in Belgium with friends of mine who will give her TLC the rest of her life.
I'm going to start fund raising here in Spain too, although I know most will say, What, for a horse?
Thank you everybody for your support and I really hope we can raise the GBP 1500!!! Fingers and EVERYTHING crossed!!! Sandra xxxxxxxxxx
From : layla
Date : 6/24/2002 4:13:00 PM
would anyone mind me trying to get a little publicity for you. Can u take piccies of him so we can send in a story??
let me know. L :0)
From : Ally S
Date : 6/24/2002 4:15:00 PM
Sandra, we will do it! And it's down to you that laura and maybe Merlin have this chance. Just a suggestion - when Merlin is rescued and fit and fat, you should send photo's of him and Laura to daniel, with a petition from all of us. It's unlikely to do anything at all, but maybe worth a try if he can see before and after photo's and realise how passionately so many people feel about this. There must be a little scrap of humanity somewhere in the man!
From : Louise C
Date : 6/24/2002 4:26:00 PM
Makes you think, dosen't it, will quite happily give £5 for the cause.
Louise
From : Roz with Libby
Date : 6/24/2002 4:32:00 PM
I'm so pleased that you're back on Merlin's case, I was worried when the DG went down as I couldn't follow what was happening. Please put me down for £5 (more if needed).
From : Sandra
Date : 6/24/2002 4:33:00 PM
Hi Layla,
I think all and any publicity would be wonderful, all your support and help is welcome in whatever way you can help, so yes pleeeease!! If you send me your e-mail addy, I'll send you some pictures. That goes for anybody who wants to see pictures of him, xxxxxxxxx
From : Harriet
Date : 6/24/2002 4:47:00 PM
I'll definitely chip in - it won't be much I'm afraid but I think we'll all do what we can. The mere thought of it has sent shivers down my spine.
Do you, or the rehoming charity, need any equipment at all? I'm sure we've all got spare bits and bobs we never use any more that we'd be happy to donate if they're of any use.
And, I'm not sure what anyone else feels about this, but since he's in Spain, could we try to get a donation from someone involved with the country? I'm just thinking aloud, really, but there's the Spanish embassy, Classical Riding Club (and Lady Loch did rescue several of her horses from dreadful conditions), and there must be loads of others. If we had some pictures as well, we could draft a nice letter, just asking for help? Shoot me down in flames if you think it's a cr*p idea!
From : Marie
Date : 6/24/2002 4:52:00 PM
I will definately donate something, won't be much but will try to do my bit.
Harriet, wonderful idea about CRC - may be able to get it in the newsletter or on the website.
I'm willing to get more donations if you can send some pictures to my email address xxxxxxxxxxx
Le me know if you need any other help with this.
From : Catherine
Date : 6/24/2002 5:35:00 PM
This site never fails to amaze me with the extent of people's generosity and spirit. Please put me down for a £5 and let em know if I can help any other way as well. I will talk to my friends and see what I can raise.
If you can get some photos to xxxxxxxxxx then I will try and put something up around Nortel where I work, that should also raise some attention.
Catherine
x
From : Yvonne
Date : 6/24/2002 5:57:00 PM
Hi Pauhla and Sandra,
I'm happy to donate £10 to Merlin's cause. No ned of my own at the moment so bit more cash to spare! My first pony was called Merlin, so really strikes a chord! Good luck, all fingers crossed, Love Yvonne. xxxxxxxxx
From : Pauhla
Date : 6/24/2002 5:58:00 PM
What about if I auction some natural horsecare products and books etc on e-bay and donate 50% of the profits to the fund and put some info on Merlin in the auction description ? It will be things like Tea Tree gel, lavender gel, arnica gel, calendula , comfrey and chamomile creams etc.Any good? If so, I'll let you know when it's set up and give you the url of the auction page so you can spread the word to anyone who may be intrested. The products are for humans as well so don't just limit it to horsey friends.
From : Bernadette
Date : 6/24/2002 6:05:00 PM
Put me down for £10.00 as well, I'd send more but this is the best I can do at the moment.
xxxxxxxxx
From : whisper
Date : 6/24/2002 6:58:00 PM
£5 from me.
Had a dreadful nightmare last involving a badly neglected horse that a gypsy was selling. Bought it in my dream (thank god, made me happier all day)
Would love to see pix of him, have emailed you about seeing them.
thanks
whisper
From : Ann
Date : 6/24/2002 7:32:00 PM
Put me down for £5 too. Best of luck.
From : Angela
Date : 6/24/2002 7:39:00 PM
Please count me in. Like most of you I can only afford a small amount but hopefully it will help.
Angela
x
From : Jennie
Date : 6/24/2002 7:43:00 PM
I had a Merlin once too. Put me down for £5. (e-mail xxxxxxxx Best of luck with getting him home a.s.a.p. - poor little lad. No horse should be kept in such disgusting conditions - no animal either, come to that.
From : GJ
Date : 6/24/2002 7:44:00 PM
OK count me in too but then I am an emotional old tart! Couple of ideas for publicity -
1) contacting the horsey publications over here to see if they would be interested in covering the story?
2)Would Kelly et al provide information about this to their audiences at their demos?
3)What about the equine insurance companies such as Pet Plan or NFU as this would be good PR for them, or other horsey organisations?
Let me know what you think, I work in marketing so am happy to track down the right people.
From : Dawn
Date : 6/24/2002 8:33:00 PM
Hi All
Sorry not been on for a while so only just catching up. I'm due to be judgeing at a show on 3rd July then I have a workshop type thing on 22nd, the £30 I get for judgeing is yours, and whatever money I raise from the workshop I will also donate, but cant say what that will be just yet. P or Lorraine, drop me a line let me know where to send cheques to and whom to make them payable too. You mention about splitting the difference between greenloaning and OFAH, can I ask you to split the OFAH bit assuming there is anything left over to SHY LOWEN (Bernadettes sanctuary) which is the little sanctuary where Merlyn (spotty hoss) came from as they're too in dire need of funding and I think OFAH has done very very well out of you all, so I think its only fair to let someone else have a look in... hope you all think this is fair and well done for not turning away, many would have xx
From : Lorraine L
Date : 6/24/2002 8:54:00 PM
Way to go Girls......... sorry Sandra and Pauhla but I have only just read all of your e-mails - I am a bit slow, I know !!!!!!!!
To everyone who has offered their wonderful support above, THANK YOU... you really are a wonderful bunch.
I have posted details of Merlins Bank Account ( Its at the BLACK HORSE - haha ) and please believe me - no amount of money is too small. Every penny will make the difference to getting this wonderful horse out of that situation so, if you want to do a bank transfer, the account details are there. If not, with Diane's help, we could probably get an address for people to send cheques to, so let me know which is easier for each of you individually,
Thanks Everyone.........wouldn't it be lovely if Merlin knew just what was going on here for him
xxx
From : Adrian
Date : 6/24/2002 9:23:00 PM
Well done, I am sure you are going to make it!!
I have just sent some money across to Merlin's bank account as I promised beforehand. This was via the internet so should arrive in the next few days, you know what banks are like !!
Please keep us posted.
From : Rh
Date : 6/24/2002 9:41:00 PM
Count me in.Will do it tomorrow.
Rach
From : Veronica F
Date : 6/24/2002 10:17:00 PM
Hi Guys, count me in will be sending £5,with lots of love sent with it too, this is fantastic what your all doing, well done love V xxx
From : Pauhla
Date : 6/24/2002 10:38:00 PM
I've started an auction on e-bay in aid of Merlin and will donate 50% of the proceeds to the fund. The item is a pack of 5 natural horse and handler products,including lavender gel, tea tree gel, arnica gel, calendula cream and hypericum cream, which are all essentials for the grooming/first aid kit. The link below will get your straight to the auction which is in the Sports:Sporting Goods:Equestrian Equipment:Care & Grooming section.Starting price is £14.50 and the auction ends in 10 days time. Please have a look and bid if you can and pass on the details to anyone else you think may be interested. Thanks...Pauhla.
From : Sam-with-Chance
Date : 6/24/2002 10:47:00 PM
Definitely count me in for this. Will donate at least £5, and more if I can mangage it.
Maybe someone (Lorraine?Pauhla?Sandra?)could draft some kind of poster including some pictures of Merlin which could be sent as an e-mail attachment? Then we could download it and print it off and display it at our yards, etc. Just a thought - I'm sure if I put one up where I keep Chance and Mali I'd get a few donations. It's a riding school so lots of people would see it. Good work everyone, will try and come up with some fundraising ideas.
From : Sandra
Date : 6/25/2002 7:46:00 AM
The spirit of this DG doesn't stop to amaze me - you are really too true to be true!!! I just heard from Lorraine that we already have GBP 175 pledged!!!!! And that is within 24 hrs. All publicity campaigns or any ideas that you have, all are very welcome. Anything to get Merlin's story known to the world and raise every penny to get him home where he can live the rest of his life with lots of TLC, out 24/7, no shoes and be happy at last.
I was unfortunately a bit stupid and deleted the pictures I had of him. I will make some more and send them to the people who have asked to see them and to use for the publicity campaign.
Thank you all again
From : Dawn
Date : 6/25/2002 7:56:00 AM
Hope its ok but I've copied the original message over to a couple of other sites to try and get more money in. I'll also speak to Susan Mcbane today and ask if she can push the issue with the Equine behaviour forum and classical riding club as she also teaches classical - everything helps I guess!
From : Sutton
Date : 6/25/2002 8:13:00 AM
Include me for £5 as well please. Yes it's an emotional response and I hope that Daniel doesn't see it as a lucrative form of income! Don't know how much horses cost over in Spain but know that they are expensive in Portugal! Is the bank account on another thread? Can you post details of it on here as well please. Ta Sutton
From : Sara (Belgium)
Date : 6/25/2002 8:47:00 AM
I'll be calling up my phone banking later and it's also LLoyds-TSB so the money should be there soon.
I think you should try and sell the story (everything the state he's in, the DG getting together to save him then his journey to the UK and rehoming etc) to a national newspaper plus a television documentary company. This is what we call the "silly season" in journalism because news is thin on the ground so this would make a lovely story for the summer to fill newspapers. Readers are likely to donate too. Was it The Sun that already saved a donkey from Spain a few years ago? I'm a journalist but do very technical stuff so my story selling skills to nationals are very rusty - but of course if I'm the only one then I'll do it. But I seem to remember that Rachel and Kya are journalists and perhaps could advise. Kelly might be able to advise about getting a television company interested - what about the company that did the Namibia documentary?
From : Pauhla
Date : 6/25/2002 9:18:00 AM
Just got 2 e-mails from people asking for details of how to make a donation or offer help who saw the auction I put on e-bay in aid of Merlin. Can you believe how kind people are!
From : Bridge
Date : 6/25/2002 9:52:00 AM
Bank details are:
Sort Code: xxxxx
Account No. : xxxx
Name of: xxxxx
Lorraine has posted the account number without the 0 at the front, but then suggests that it might have a 0 in front, so I have added it. Hope it's right?!
From : Donnaburger
Date : 6/25/2002 9:57:00 AM
Thank God Daniel has said he will sell him!
You guys are wonderful! ((((xxxx)))
From : Catherine
Date : 6/25/2002 10:07:00 AM
I placed some money into the account today, you should see it in a few days!
From : RachelT
Date : 6/25/2002 11:16:00 AM
Count me in for at least a fiver too. I'll start with that and if we need anymore, I'll up it a bit. (Bit poor at the mo, as everything going towards buying first hoss!)
Rachel
From : RachelT
Date : 6/25/2002 11:19:00 AM
Sorry, just to add - do we have an address for cheques yet? That's probably going to be the easiest option for some of us...
x
From : Jo & Ralph
Date : 6/25/2002 11:50:00 AM
Just sent £5.00 for now…
If I can get some photos I'll do some fundraising in my area.
Maybe we can raise enough money to help another horse - Are there other charities which rescue horse from Spain?
If not maybe we could set something up (I know I'd give my time for nothing) and maybe get a lottery grant or something...?
Although the only way we can stop this horror happening is to buy out the establishment or get authorities involved to prevent these people from owning horses…:-(
We have enough heads here to come up with some brilliant ideas, even though we are not the ones who are directly involved, by reading this thread you become involved and should take responsibility to try and change things on a more permanent basis…
My e-mail is xxxxxxxx - any photos or literature on Laura and Merlin would be appreciated – I see no reason why we can’t all raise at least £100 each and make a difference to the lives of these animals…
From : Nicky
Date : 6/25/2002 2:07:00 PM
I am going to the bank this afternoon and will donate £20.00. I know it's not as much as I pledged before, but I have left my job and am horribly skint at the moment and desperately looking for a new job! Still everything helps. Well done to you all, here's hoping we can give Merlin the decent life he deserves.
Nicky
From : Lorraine L
Date : 6/25/2002 2:14:00 PM
To NICKY,
Thanks so much for doing that. All of these pledges are really adding up and they are going to make such a difference.
xxx
From : Sandra
Date : 6/25/2002 2:36:00 PM
Dawn, that is lovely, thank you very much!! And thank you for copying it onto other sites!! And I hope Susan will also spread the word. And Nicky thank you too - that's a lot of money!! Thank you so much!!
Hey Jo, that's big thinking. Lorraine has already tried all the official routes and we've had "officials" out here but as Merlin and the others were not emaciated nor covered in wounds they could do nothing. But carry on thinking like that - it's good!!
Pauhla, you sweet clever thing, the auction idea is brilliant. Everybody, I can vouch for Pauhla's products: bought them, used them, loved them!!!
Sara (onze Belg), that's a very good idea - if one of "our" journalists will write a piece, that would be wonderful. I already have a story I wrote (very rusty and bad) about Laura - if you want that, send me an e-mail on xxxxxxxxx Does anybody have any connections with (horse) magazines or newspapers???
Sam, I'll try and draft a poster with picture of Merlin x and send them to anybody who wants to hang them in their yard or so. If you want a copy please e-mail me at xxxxxxxxx
((((((((((((((((((IHDG)))))))))))))))))
From : Felicity
Date : 6/25/2002 3:00:00 PM
Count me in for £15, and I really hope this works out. It's just so sad...
I'd like to send a cheque, so an address to send to would be great.
Felicity.
From : RachelT
Date : 6/25/2002 4:07:00 PM
About the horsey magazines - if you have a look in the inside of the front cover, most publish e-mail addresses. I've met the editor of Horse magazine and the editor of Your Horse - both are very approachable so I'd say go for it! Don't know as much about the team behind H&R, but I'm sure they'd be the same. The worst thing they can all say is no, after all... I would also suggest contacting the ILPH, as they publish news on their web site. I'm also a journalist, but am unfortunately involved more in business stuff so no real horsey journalism ties - but if I can be of any use in putting anything into words, again, let me know!
Rachel
From : JoMc
Date : 6/25/2002 4:07:00 PM
I will send £5, somewhat broke at present, sorry it can't be more. Will send a cheque if can have a name to make it out to and where to send
Jo
From : Bernadette
Date : 6/25/2002 6:18:00 PM
just putting him back to the top where he belongs
From : Pauhla
Date : 6/25/2002 6:47:00 PM
You are not going to believe this but some wonderful people have bid on Merlins auction and it has gone from it's starting price of £14.50 to £25 already.I have also had a further couple of e-mails from people who have seen it on e-bay and want the URL of this site so they can keep up to date and support us. I'm a bit overwhelmed!