MAY - JUNE

Going back in time, to May in Fact, we must mention the fantastic acceptance we experienced during our course:-  “Basic Formation for Professionals in Horse Assisted Therapy”, organised by META together with the experts in Animal Assisted Therapy who make up Humanymal, specialists in Rescue, Recuperation and Rehabilitation of abused and abandoned animals.  These animals then help train people in a vulnerable situation to become themselves trainers and therapists working as a team with their animals.

A second course in this amazing field of work is set for the end of October with an Intermediate Level in November.

Anybody interested in receiving more information about these courses please contact Liz or Veronica at META 636 17 21 98 – meta@meta.nom.es

CUANDO Y PANCHO, TWO DOGS LOST AND ALONE ON THE MAIN ROAD

It was yet another incredible hot Friday evening at the end of May.  Veronica had set off for home and I was finishing the horses’ supper.  She hadn’t been gone 5 minutes when I had a call from her, not normal and of course I thought the worst.  Her voice sounded desperate.  She hadn’t had an accident but she was in a very dodgy situation in the middle of the main road to Librilla.  She had come across 2 dogs, obviously disorientated, sitting in the road and very reluctant to move.  I could hear over the phone the sound of big trucks passing, blowing their horns as they tend to do here, and not slowing down for anything.

It only needed Veronica to say:  ‘Mum come and help me.  This is really dangerous.’  And I was backing my car out of the drive.  I could hardly believe my eyes when I reached them, Veronica’s car parked right on the road, a beautiful, obviously pedigree, German Shepherd and a little Westie sitting together in the path of the huge trucks on their way home from work at the quarry.

Between us we managed to get the dogs into the back of my car and we drove straight back to META where we then had to sort out separate space for our 4 dogs and 3 cats.  We found a safe place for all of them for that night and the next morning, Saturday, we took our strays to the vet to check for microchips.  The German Shepherd had a chip – registered in Valencia – but the Westie didn’t. There was no way to locate the owner ourselves so Veronica got on to the Local Police and explained what had happened.  The Police said they would trace the owner of the dogs but in the meantime Veronica and Ruben put up posters around the area.

We had Cuando and Pancho with us until the next Tuesday.  By that time we were already looking for adoptive homes for the dogs.  However, the did actually locate the owner who I believe was fined for letting the dogs stray onto the road and for not having the microchips up to date mainly because he was not a bit happy to see the dogs when he turned up at META Riding Centre.  The dogs weren’t particularly happy to see him either for that matter.

In the end I felt that it was a shame we had found the owner because I’m sure we could have given them a better home elsewhere.  Still the good part of the story is that they are safe and together – they are really good friends – and the owner will be more careful with them in future.

 Friday 15th June:   NOURA’S SURPRISE VISIT

It was an extremely hot evening mid June and I was working in the stables, getting supper ready just before bringing up the horses.  I was a bit absorbed in my own thoughts and certainly not expecting anyone calling at that time.

But I heard a voice outside the window so I peeped out not really wanting to open the door.  To my utmost surprise I saw a young girl, brown as a berry, with 2 rather large horses packed up to the hilt with equipment.  So curiosity got the better of me and I went out to see what I could do for her.

“Please”, she said.  “I need somewhere to stay the night.  I’ve called at 2 horse centres and they have both sent me here.  I’ve come down from the Alpujarras (mountains between Granada and Almería) and we’re very tired.”

What could I do but let the poor girl and those hot, tired horses in – at least for some water and a bit of shade.

She is Noura, a German girl who travels with her horses.  She had bought these two horses in Granada and was taking them home to Germany – walking!  A striking grey Spanish gelding and a beautiful dun mare – must have had some Portuguese blood in her.

Our place is small, 10 boxes and 9 horses, small loose pens for the horses to take the air and the school.  We told her she could leave the horses overnight in the loose pens and she could sleep on a mattress in the multiutility room, gym-cum-dormitory-cum-conference room.

A bed – What a luxury!  A shower – she couldn’t believe it!  And a safe place for the night for her horses – amazing!

If I’d said ‘No!’ at the door she would have put up her tent near the disused petrol station on the Mu-603 just outside Los Ventorrillos.

After showering and feeding her horses, she did the same and was in bed by 10.30 planning an early morning march.

At about 7.30 the next morning she was about to leave.  Another German lady had come from Mojacar, brought by her husband to join Noura on her venture.  They were soon off up the Guadalentin Valley on the next leg of Noura’s 3-month trip to Germany.

To read about Noura’s travels see her Blog.  It’s in German of course!

www.mitzweipsdurcheuropa.de

 META- AMTE ANNIVERSARY

Meanwhile,  on June 17th, META joined forces with the Murcia Association for Riding for the Disabled to put on a show in which pupils from META Riding School demonstrated their riding skills alongside patients who have been coming to RDA sessions this past year.  Riding teachers and RDA Monitors alike were proud to see their pupils working together without differences or prejudice.

Everybody had a great day and people were particularly generous when bidding for articles in the Auction which raised 350 euros to be used by children with rare diseases from the D’ Genes Association in Totana for them to come and ride and enjoy time spent with META horses.

The President of FEDER, the Spanish Federation for Rare Diseases, Mr. Juan Carrión, was very proud and grateful for the generosity shown by META clients and RDA friends.

A note of special interest:-  Dr. Javier Hidalgo Tallón of Clinalgia Clinic, Murcia, donated 3 one-month treatments (each one of 20 sessions) of Ozone therapy to the value of more than 3.000 euros.  These treatments are to be used to benefit children who are suffering from rare diseases and are in a degenerative condition, those whose parents are prepared to take them to Murcia every day for their sessions.  He says that this Ozone treatment will greatly ease their condition and children and parents alike will see a huge improvement.

The Protocols were presented to the Representative of D’ Genes who in turn was thrilled to receive this wonderful donation.

 META- HUMANYMAL GET-TOGETHER

June 24th saw a special get-together day.  Humanymal Specialists and Volunteers came to META to enjoy a day in the Centre.  Lunch was great fun.  Each one brought a dish – the one we all most enjoyed was the 3-layer chocolate cake – delish, so yummy! – sent by Vanessa.

After lunch and a long laze by the pool, more in the water than out because that Sunday it was extra-super hot!!, at about 6.00 pm we could just about manage to get the horses out and we spent a couple of hours ambling through the lemon orchards.  Everybody helped with the horses’ supper and some did a bit of skipping out but it soon got round to 10 pm and time to head home to Alicante and Valencia, Humanymal base.

 Well that brings us up to date with our Blog news and it’s Summer Camp time.  Our first META Summer Camp 2012 starts on Sunday 8th July.

JULY-A DONKEY CALLED SALVADOR

These dreadful hooves belong to Salvador, a poor little donkey who has lived with cruelty, neglect and pain for a long time. Salvador was just one of several donkeys belonging to a Spanish man in Lorca.  However he was the lucky one.  He was seen by a lady who cared enough to take a photo of him and then contact Andrea, who specialises in rescuing donkeys (Andreas Animal Rescue and the Henrietta Foundation for Donkeys).

Salvador’s owner demanded 500 euros for the priviledge of rescuing the poor animal, wouldn’t take less, even got threatening when the cruelty and the police were mentioned but wouldn’t drop his price.  It took Andrea all night on Facebook to raise the money through donations.

Then I got the call, Andrea in tears, ‘Liz, I desperately need a trailer to rescue a donkey’.  She told me all about it and of course offered her the use of our META trailer.  But she didn’t know what to do because Salvador couldn’t walk and she wanted to take him straight to the vet.  I suggested the veterinary hospital where she would get a diagnosis and an official report, useful if she wanted to make a case against Salvador’s owner.

Meanwhile Salvador’s owner cut back his hooves.  When Andrea arrived with the Vet Salvador had had his hooves trimmed and the Vet commented that his feet didn’t look too bad! 

By that time Salvador was in agony.  He had to be literally carried into the trailer.  He managed the trip to his new home where he is bedded on shavings and straw.  As of yesterday he still hadn’t been able to walk out into his paddock.

Luckily Salvador is now in a place where he will be well cared for and time will help to heal his sore feet.  But for the donkeys that were left behind, who knows if they will be so lucky.  (If I know Andrea she will be planning a way to rescue them too).

Coming up soon will be a new series of Gallop Exams.

For those interested in either the camps or the Gallop Exams please contact Veronica on 636 17 21 98 or email veronica.cknowles@gmail.com

Anybody who would like to offer summer help in exchange for board and riding, please send us your CV or contact Veronica email meta@meta.nom.es  or veronica.cknowles@gmail.com.