Easy Horse Care through the eyes of Nelson, Magic and Charlie
Latest instalment of an alternative view of life at the pioneering equine rescue centre
"WELL, it's been a very strange old week," neighed Nelson the one-eyed pony to Magic, the other one-eyed pony, both of whom reside at Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Rojales.
As a result of the fantastic news from the vets, passing the centre for its farm licence, the centre now has to passport all the equines into the centre's foundation name.
This is going to cost in the region of €3,000! So the centre has invited members and anyone else who would like to sponsor a passport for their favourite horse, pony or donkey.
Nelson was getting very excited and neighed to Magic: "When I get mine I might just book myself a holiday to Jamaica… do they have grass there Charlie?" Charlie the Fink neighed: "Not the sort you're thinking about." Magic gave out a little giggle.
Nelson neighed: "Right boys we need more of those key thingys and phone thingys from the tourists' handbags today, hide 'em well behind the water troughs, fence ‘em Charlie, boys we need the dosh for our holidays."
Meanwhile, one of the hard working Easy Horse Care volunteers, Sue Edwards, known to the boys as ‘Slick Sue’, sponsored her favourite horse ‘Chance’ and bought his passport. Nelson neighed to Magic: "New business here son flogging holidays… we'll be millionaires for sure by this time next year." Nelson sent Charlie to find out where Chance was going to go for his ‘Hollibobs’. Chance replied: “Somewhere where there's green grass.” The boys all started singing ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home' with great aplomb to the other residents.
Sadly, last Tuesday night Charlie the Fink was awoken by blue flashing lights and klaxons... he neighed: "Nelson you've been caught, the fuzz are here." It was not the police actually, it was an ambulance arriving because Super Rod, cofounder of Easy Horse Care, had collapsed and had to be rushed to hospital, where he is still receiving treatment. He had been working flat out for a number of months, building shelters for the farm licence and it had sadly taken its toll. Everyone at the centre wishes Super Rod a speedy recovery.
The boys were taken aback: "What's going to happen to us now?" But the girl Sue, she who must be obeyed, put operation Super Rod into action, and it was all hands on deck. The centre is very short of volunteers but everyone pulled out the stops.
Easy Horse Care would like to thank Legends Charity Fiesta, which was held at Alannia Costa Blanca camping in Crevillente this past April, for its donation of €1,325 to the centre. The centre would like to thank all the tribute bands that took part, generous members of the public who attended, and the fantastic organisers Heather Baggeley and Alannia group director Enrique Folgado.
This past two weeks have also been very sad, because we
have lost three horses who succumbed to illnesses brought on by their abandonment and neglect – Morgana, Bronte and Benny. Benny was found hopping along the main street in Benidorm having had his front legs tied together and was in an emaciated condition. All had resided at the centre for a number of years, having had the loving care they deserved.
The centre has managed to find a supply of hay that will last 90 days, but it has cost just short of €10,000 euros - a mighty hit on the centre's funds. Hay is in very short supply due to the massive increase in the cost of the fertilisers which are needed to grow hay in this area. This is a result of the war in the Ukraine, where the fertilisers normally come from.
Storing the hay and keeping it dry has also been a strain on the volunteer manpower, along with all the other duties they have to do.
If anyone would like to donate, take a tour, or volunteer, please, in the first instance telephone Sue Weeding on 652 021 980. If anyone would like to get involved in the centre's fundraising events, which are detailed on the Facebook group Friends of Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, telephone Chippy on 678 191 959.
Nelson the Dipper, Magic the Mugger and Charlie the Fink went off to sleep after a hard day mugging the tourists, dreaming of the passports and holidays to come - the three amigos singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home'. Nelson neighed: "Please get well soon Super Rod, its goodnight from me and goodnight from them."