Views on this please - Newspaper article and subsequent letter

Is standerd table salt good for horses

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I voted "fine" but wouldnt go on the ride. She must be pretty desperate if she has to go through the hassle of setting up a ride etc. I doubt if she will make much out of it. Hope her ned gets better though
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. Mairi.
 
I voted yes and no.

I wouldn't rule out fundraising in principle under some circumstances but I wouldn't go on this ride because I don't think this woman is right to do it in her case.
 
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

In light of recent criticisms about the method I used to raise money for my horse Moses’ operation, I would like to put the facts straight and bring an end to this upsetting situation.

I can assure you that Moses’ condition was life-threatening and the full facts about his situation are on my site

I invite you to read this information and base your opinions on the actual facts, rather than someone’s misinterpretation of what they think are the facts.

The full facts were not printed in the original newspaper article either - which, in turn, prompted the rather negative letter in response. I have requested a written apology from the paper concerned, but do not blame anyone for jumping to conclusions – given the circumstances, I might have too.

I have no problem with anyone questioning my actions directly to my face. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and not everyone agrees on when is the right time to put a horse down or invest in treatment.

However, I am extremely surprised and disappointed that a so-called ‘friend’ found it necessary to go behind my back and invite public discussion online, rather than contacting me in person or visiting my website to get the facts first.

This person has told me that she has been banned from various forums in the past and I would ask you to think carefully before commenting further, as Horse and Hound rules state that “defamatory posts are not acceptable under the forum terms and conditions” and I cannot be held responsible for action they may take against certain post authors who are found to be in breach of the terms.

My workplace has also been contacted and implicated, without any grounds – therefore, I may be forced to seek legal advice and take civil action against the person or persons concerned.

The people who took part in the ride knew the full situation and made the decision to participate. The event was approved in writing by the Institute of Fundraising and a disclaimer was signed by each rider, which negated the need for insurance. I rode Moses, because I was told by the vet that mild exercise would be beneficial to help clear his sinuses and help him breathe.

However, if anyone who took part is unhappy with any of this and would like a refund, they are welcome to contact me directly.

Finally, a huge thank you to all the kind people who have supported Moses and kept in touch to see how he is. Your generosity and support for him have meant so much to me and he’s recovering well.
 
Mandy T is obviously upset by some of the posts placed here, which is her right. However instead of printing veiled threats perhaps she should consider why people have responded as they have.

The term, 'life threatening condition' is very emotive and to most people would imply imminent danger of death which doesn't really equate with 'mild exercise'.

Perhaps Mandy T should ask herself why her 'friend' felt it necessary to post this rather than talking to her? Also given the reactions in the newspaper and on here perhaps she should question why her actions had these consequences?
 
[ QUOTE ]
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
In light of recent criticisms about the method I used to raise money for my horse Moses’ operation, I would like to put the facts straight and bring an end to this upsetting situation.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was not a critcism, it was asking for views! Just because I feel it was wrong does not mean every one on the planet does!

Shall I redirect people to this case study, which adds some more facts?

Winergy - feeding the older horse

I believe the words happy and healthy were mentioned?

[ QUOTE ]

I invite you to read this information and base your opinions on the actual facts, rather than someone’s misinterpretation of what they think are the facts.

[/ QUOTE ]

These being facts as presented by yourself? How can people misinterpretate what has been printed in a newspaper?

[ QUOTE ]

The full facts were not printed in the original newspaper article either - which, in turn, prompted the rather negative letter in response. I have requested a written apology from the paper concerned, but do not blame anyone for jumping to conclusions – given the circumstances, I might have too.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you will find before this even hit the newspaper, the views aired here were very similar to what was being said in the locality!

[ QUOTE ]
I have no problem with anyone questioning my actions directly to my face. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and not everyone agrees on when is the right time to put a horse down or invest in treatment.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for agreeing that everyone is entitled to their opinion, mine of which has already been stated!

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However, I am extremely surprised and disappointed that a so-called ‘friend’ found it necessary to go behind my back and invite public discussion online, rather than contacting me in person or visiting my website to get the facts first.

[/ QUOTE ]

Didn't realise it was a private matter? After all its been published in a newspaper obviously with your permission! Do you not think people are going to discuss such matters?

[ QUOTE ]
This person has told me that she has been banned from various forums in the past and I would ask you to think carefully before commenting further, as Horse and Hound rules state that “defamatory posts are not acceptable under the forum terms and conditions” and I cannot be held responsible for action they may take against certain post authors who are found to be in breach of the terms.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yes I admit being banned from "one" forum so various is a bit far fetched! (then again most things seem to be far fetched at the moment!)
I have merely expressed my opinion and view, nothing defamatory there!

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My workplace has also been contacted and implicated, without any grounds – therefore, I may be forced to seek legal advice and take civil action against the person or persons concerned.

[/ QUOTE ]

Implicated by information given by you to a newspaper!

[ QUOTE ]
The people who took part in the ride knew the full situation and made the decision to participate. The event was approved in writing by the Institute of Fundraising and a disclaimer was signed by each rider, which negated the need for insurance. I rode Moses, because I was told by the vet that mild exercise would be beneficial to help clear his sinuses and help him breathe.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would this be a new treatment for getting rid of a growth then? Beneficial to clear the sinuses?

I am glad to hear he is recovering well, however as I have said to people face to face, I still think the principle of it is wrong.... but thats just my opinion of which I am perfectly entitled to!
 
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I voted yes for both, however reading the truth I would have to say no to the first vote.

Im going to stick my neck out now and change the circumstances some what ...

Two years ago I had a new livery come to the yard who had just bought a gorgeous 16.3hh liver ch. Warmblood from an advert in H&H. She only paid £2k for him as a 6 year old and unfortunately, didnt have him vetted. He felt completely sound when she tried him. She insured him immediately. The second time she tacked him up to work him in the school he was obviously lame on his n/s hind and the inside of his hock had swollen up to the size of a grapefruit. I took him for x-rays to find that he had 3 small pieces of bone floating and spavin. To cut a long story short, he needed an operation to correct this and could lead a relatively normal ridden life, i.e. beach rides, low level dressage, RC activities etc.

Her insurance company would not help as this was discovered within the first 14 days of her policy, and the injury was found to be pre existing. The operation at Willersley would cost around £2,300.

I took it upon myself to raise funds to send him there, even though a number of people were telling me to have him shot! We organised a Christmas party in our indoor school, had a huge raffle (first prize was tickets to the Millenium Centre to see Wales v Italy), an Auction of Promise with 50 odd lots. We put on hot food, a disco, licenced bar and charged people £5 all inclusive. It was a fabulous night with over 100 people from the local community who all had the opportunity to meet the horse. It is still the talk of the village
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We raised £2,500 on the night which paid for transport and the operation by Sven Colt which was a huge success. The horse has competed novice dressage and hacks without a problem at all. In this scenario, everyone was happy, however a number of people from the RC which I was a committee member refused to support us as they felt that we all had vets bills to pay and that the owner should have had him vetted.

I also arranged another fund raiser in April last year when we lost little Magic foaly which was in house, with a yard gymkhana, bbq etc.

If people know the full story and are prepared to give, that is their decision. So much good can come out of helping in these situations, however I personally feel that it has to be a desperate situation to warrant my own personal involvement.

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*hides* I voted Yes and Yes, then read the story and would have voted No and No.

However, I am suchhhhhh a softy and agree with this above, if I thought someone was in dire straits and had no choice but to seek help I would do everything I could if the prognosis was good and the horse would have good quality of life. I adore and worship my horses and have lost 2 over the past 2 years (one nearly 30 and one 33) and as much as I loved them (and we'd had them forever) I spent a small fortune making them comfortable and tried to get them better but in the end their quality of life was not improving and there was no more we could do.

So I guess it's all about circumstances, at first I thought 'this all seems a bit harsh' BUT you have all followed it up with such good genuine points and have made me reconsider considerably.
 
TBH regardless of any dispute between you and the OP, I still find it distasteful that you feel the need to raise money in this way. If you cant afford to pay the vets bill then get rid of your horse.
I have 3 horses, 2 of which are exracehorses, they are not insured because they really have no great monetary value and faced with a major situation I would way up the pros and cons, but I certainly would not go begging for money to pay for treatment.
I can only assume that Joules will pursue the matter of you/the newspaper naming them in print, and surely their reaction speaks volumes, if they thought this was a genuine hardship case they could gain a huge PR coup by supporting your cause, the fact they are unhappy, well.....
But I am glad that your horse is not suffering further.
 
I meant to add ....

was this person in dire straits. If so I can understand fully.
was the horse in a life or death situation. If so I can fully understand too, the desperation part. I would take on a million jobs if need be to pay for it. I'd work round the clock and bar doing anything illegal may do something I wouldn't be proud of (LOL) but the point is I would do whatever it took (like I said without breaking the law but maybe with consequences!) again LOL.

Is it possible it was a combination of these two things???
Finally if people want to contribute I suppose that's there perogative, the only thing we have to accept I suppose.

I sincerely hope he's recovering well when all said and done. Good luck Moses!

Ps Petplan have extended their veteran plan to 25 and it covers illness too now. I think you may have had to have already been with them so that would have to be confirmed.
 
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