Operation Rescue!
 Merlin is safe! 
This is what happened: Merlin has been boarded in the Okanagan while I moved to work near Vancouver. I kept visiting him him every 3-4 weeks as time and money allowed and received regular reports as to his welfare. In May last year, Merlin had an episode of founder: an acute inflammatory condition of his front hooves. The cause has not really been determined but it was said by the then barn owner/manager that he was a Cushing's horse with a poor prognosis.(older horses sometimes have trouble with the pituitary gland, just like humans.) 
This is Merlin in October 2007 when the barn manager increased the intensity of her campaign! The manager began a campaign, at first by insinuation and then by overt comment that my only option was to have him put down.  The Vet disagreed at the time, running a blood panel which showed no significant problems. He assured me that he could live for years as his basic health and condition were good. One month later, he said that the barn manager also had a say in whether a hourse should be put to sleep. I was shocked! 
The manager continued her campaign which made it very unpleasant for me at the barn and probably stressful for Merlin as well. Her treatment of him was not great, but she let it be known to all the boarders that he was on her list of "horses I have to put down this fall". I had no idea until a friend warned me. Meantime, I couldn't act at the time, being in the middle of a job search and not knowing where I'd end up. I maintained a schedule of visits and decided to have a second opinion. I couldn't see what she was telling me: poor condition, lethargic, in constant pain etc etc. Neither could my friend. The manager insisted on giving him daily Bute contrary to the advice of the vet. She is extremely vindictive and I was afraid to trigger her anger against me and also Merlin as he might be hurt.  I was extremely worried but I knew I would act when I had a exit strategy. Meantime, I got him some homeopathic remedies and convinced the manager to include them in his daily routine. and I think this helped him withstand the Bute. Finally after I had my new job confirmed, I felt able to act. There were not a lot of boarding options that I knew about.
The new vet saw him on Valentine's day when I was up in the hills house hunting and pronounced him in good condition for his age. He was very encouraging and took him off the Bute.  He was fine. but this sent the manager into a spin. She insisted that he was in severe pain and was very lame. I couldn't see it nor could anyone else.
Last week I had arranged transport for him to a barn near me to which the new vet goes regularly. When the driver came to pcik him up, the barn manager convinced him that Merlin was in terrible shape and wouldn't make the trip which took an hour: also that he would die in a few weeks! The driver refused to take him! I called to find out what was going on and was greetd by this woman screaming in my ear that everyone but me could see that Merlin was dying!!!:twisted:
My fear was that she would call the other vet on some pretext to put him to sleep and then call me, or call me with some story to try to get my permission.
I was so upset. Here I am in a new job, with responsibilities and this woman is going berserk. To make a long story short, My friends , including the vet and his assistant came to the rescue. Willoughby and I headed into the valley on Saturday morning. I met a friend with her big trailer and we went in: I got Merlin from his paddock and led him to it. Luckily the woman's husband is reasonable and he helped load my tack and wished us well. Then the woman raced out of the house, handed me a bill and marched over to my driver, saying" this horse should be put down...etc etc.etc." During all this, Willoughby was very brave, sitting in the back seat as the lookout. 
We drove out of there very carefully (rough roads becasue of the snow melting) and got to the new barn. It is owned by a lovely woman who works with the new Vet and takes in rescued horses and horses who need rehab. Merlin was treated like royalty,put into a paddock with a run-in shelter full of shavings: maybe 5" deep to snuggle in. He settled in and was very happy to find two little fillies in the paddock behind him who ran up and down, flirting with him! After ensuring that he was settled, and all his feed etc had been discussed,I went to stay with my friend as I was wiped out by this time. We took our driver to dinner and drank a champagne toast to his narrow escape. 
On Sunday, I spent 2 hours grooming him, he had all his blankets washed and the new manager, Lorna helped me wash the creosote off his face. He's been covered in it after the other manager moved him into a shelter that was drenched in creosote and wouldn't move him out when I complained. I will post picutres of a happy horse in his new place and Willoughby at his post as lookout. Last night, for the first time in 8 months, I didn't worry about how Merlin was. We'll go visit again next weekend and all is well. |
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| yay! You said in chat you had a big adventure coming up, but I had NO idea! I'm so glad everything worked out for you!!!! |
| Lynda,
I am so happy to hear that the rescue went well. YAY for Merlin and his new home.... without the crazy barn lady.  
I hope he enjoys the new place. Sounds like he is already enjoying it. |
| Don't pay the bill.
When she calls, tell her that you will pay the bill the day after Merlin passes. When she gets upset remind her that she expected him to pass in the next couple of weeks. |
| I am so glad you were able to get him out of there. I really don't understand some people. I am glad he is in a new place with kind people who care about him. Glad you made it out unscathed as well. |
| OMG! What an adventure! Glad he's doing so well in his happy home. |
| Good grief, what an awful situation! The woman doesn't sound like she has any compassion. Glad to hear that Merlin is in a much better place. |
| Holy Crow! That barn manager sounds like the nurses that take it on themselves to be the "angel of mercy" in hospitals and nursing homes.
I'm so glad you were able to stage a successful removal of Merlin before that wack job manager got her way. |
| Oh Lynda, that is horrible!!!
I am so glad you got Merlin out of there. How stressful. Thank goodness you had resources and friends to help you out. |
| thankfully you were able to move Merlin to a safe place, but if Merlin is your horse how does the barn manager have the authority to have him put down ? |
| Hi Lynda,
I'm glad you were able to get Merlin away from  shelter manager. I knew you had to walk softly and bite your tongue as you were on the coast and Merlin was up there. So glad you were able to carry out Operation Merlin rescue!! Good for you! However sorry it put so much stress on you.
I'm so happy that ole guy is now going to enjoy his retirement years with you close by. I'm glad I had a chance to meet him that one time - what a wonderful boy he is! (Remember it was when I "accidently touched that high voltage fence) nyuck nyuck. Hope his rescue and now safekeeping has helped place a smile on your face. Lots of love to the furkids from me. PS. I think Ron's advice is great! 
Marianne |
| So glad that's over!
Thank goodness you were able to get him out of there and into a facility where he is safe and well cared for and you can keep a closer eye on him.  |
| You should pay the bill ONLY if it's for expenses that were truly incurred. Otherwise, burn it.
It's all behind you now, so you can feel secure knowing that Merlin is safe in his new, wonderful home. I hope you get to spend lots of time with him now that he is closer. I know the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach from worrying about horses. And I hope you never have to go through it again. Yeah for Merlin, and Willoughby, guard dog extraordinaire! |
| It is good that you are such a good friend to Merlin. I am glad it is turning out well. |
| Holy Crap!! What a story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so glad that you were able to get Merlin away from that awful women!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Congratulations, Lynda, on being able to get Merlin out safely.  That woman sounds AWFUL!! Thank God her husband was understanding and helping you. Can you imagine what life is like in that house?? |
Many, many thanks!  The funny thing is that we'd been at that barn nearly 5 years and I'd seen her "go after" others including a trainer whom she nearly destroyed. We just drew her fire recently after Merlin foundered. At any rate, I'm so happy that he's safe. I have pictures of the new place which I will put in my photo gallery and upload tomorrow. I'm going back to visit him next weekend and hope the sun is out so the photos are better. |
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