The Lucy Irvine Foundation Europe (LIFE) held a meeting last Monday with Roma owners of horses we want to help.
Most local horses are seen first and foremost as transport. They haul wood and water for their owner's family and whatever roots or herbs a buyer will take for onward sale. The horse is vital to the family because it enables them to earn. But for many, the horse is disposable because it can be replaced easily; far more easily and cheaply than a tractor or car. LIFE, at the same time as treating horses for parasites and tending their wounds, aims to teach that horses feel pain, loneliness and joy just like us. Meetings like the one held on Monday give us the opportunity to do this.
The meeting was only able to take place because 3 amazing individuals dedicated their time, skills and energy to making it happen. Suze Crane, a regular volunteer at LIFE, provided most of the materials needed to set up a stall on which we displayed lucky dip prizes. She concentrated on treating dogs children brought to the meeting, simultaneously fielding demands for lucky dip tickets and handing out the prizes ranging from small packets of Turkish Delight and bags of flour to coveted items such as long reins for cart driving and brand new halters.
Sarah Watson gave up an entire week of her holiday allowance from office work on the coast to help out generally at LIFE and to assist at the Monday meeting.
Her special role on the day was to swap bad bits seen in horses mouths for better ones kindly donated to LIFE. She also played a key role in showing local owners how a little kindness, patience and attention to a horse can be rewarding, and she brought her riding and grooming skills to work she did with LIFE s rescued horses during her week with us.
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| Sara - a kind and gentle energy with the horses |
Rowena Auld, formerly a successful British eventer and trainer, has opened a Yoga retreat in Bulgaria but gave LIFE two days of her time to both help at the meeting and with our rescued horses. She impressed Roma owners who brought their horses on Monday with her naturally authoritative manner and fearlessness as she expertly lifted hooves of horses they shied away from and opened horses' mouths to show where the bit should sit.
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| Rowena sharing her expertise at the event |
What did our "customers" think of the free service we offered to help them protect their horses and dogs from the parasites that plague them every summer ? I was pleasantly surprised to notice unabashed pride among the reactions. Clearly a treated horse ( and its owner) attracted respect. It was seen as a good thing to attend the meeting and afterwards, when Ilia and I were out and about in the LIFE car again, cheery yells greeted us from carts we passed. One man delivering hay for us stacked it for free because we'd helped his horse and his mother thanked us, too.
Other highlights of the week included the happy rehoming of a third rescued donkey and the transformation of a very scruffy poodle into a sweet little model. LIFE's miracle rescued calf, Bernie, born with a deformed mouth, also moved to new pastures and is settling in beautifully. Not every calf is brushed daily and fitted with a fly sheet!
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| At Suze's Salon! |
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| Bernie the Calf |
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| The third donkey LIFE has rehomed |
Despite our successful meeting and reaffirmed positive relationship with local animal owners - essential if we're to improve animal welfare here - LIFE is still struggling for funds. If you can help us even just a little,
click to donate. To follow daily life at LIFE see my
Facebook page and do visit our
album of dogs available for adoption. With best wishes and thanks for reading,
Lucy
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