Week 3

2.03.09

To Sue Weststeyn from Scotland, thank you so much for your lovely email, and best of luck with your fundraiser! Just heart-warming to know that horse people from so far away are getting behind the horse community of Victoria. We'd love some photos of you all!

28.02.09

Good news! Why am I not surprised...once again the T.R.E.W family of members and forum members have stepped up to the mark.

Meet Baloo, who is a 9yr old gelding who has been ridden for some time by a 4 & a 6 yr old at Pony Club. He is very 'kid friendly' and a handsome little fella into the bargain. Thank you so much to Cato for your very kind offer of Baloo.

To give you an idea of the kindness we are finding amongst our members, here is something of what Cato said:
"Please let Virginia know that they could keep him for as long as they needed. He is not being ridden at the moment and just keeps us company. If he could bring some joy back into these girls lives both he and I would be happy. Am happy to send him off with his bridle and the pony pad that we have (might not be big enough). I would also set him up with rugs etc. He just had his feet done and was wormed so that would be sorted for the next few months. Would be happy to keep paying for his upkeep if on their property if they needed as well."

We think we have also found the perfect pony for the older daughter.

Winnie is a beautiful red bay mare, 13hh, with a lovely nature. She is reg Arabian Pony (75%) and B Group Australian Stud Saddle Pony. Winnie has many Champion & Reserve Champions to her name, to Royal level. Since her showing days she has had a foal, taught several children to ride, and given them a great time at Pony Club. Winnie has also been a games pony, done dressage, show jumping, and cross country at a Pony Club level.

Our sincerest appreciation to Winnie's owner, Connie, for being prepared to part with a Pony that she has loved and campaigned for 12 years.

The plan is to take both of the Ponies to TREW's member Sammi at Whittlesea, who has volunteered to give both of them a bath, a big tidy up, and turn them out as if they are off to a show. Sammi will then deliver both of the Ponies to the little girls, along with their gear.

Great outcome and team effort....thanks all and well done!!

26.02.09

Big thank you to Marc Langeweg of DakenAg who has provided some much needed fencing gear for distribution from our Whittlesea drop/collection point. Marc has even volunteered his services as being able to help out on weekends! Thank you Marc, and of course to DakenAg, for your support in our efforts, sincerely appreciated by many.

25.02.09

Thank you to the South Australians!

Hello Everyone,

The result of everyone's efforts here in S.Aust have been fantastic. I took the last load of our fodder over last Saturday and met many horse people who have been decimated by the fires.

Celia and Stewart were just one couple who survived, but in the rush, had to leave their two horses behind. A neighbor next day found Wishbone and Wombat still alive. In all the wreckage the only other thing to survive was the float. How handy was that? Thankfully she was able to get the horses down to a safe area being run by another horse girl named Sammi.

I would love to know how those horses survived. There wasn't a dam tree or fence post etc. left unscathed on their whole property. The photos don't show the wire wounds or the lung smoke pain these two horses are suffering.

And I can’t show you the emotional pain this couple are going through.

Everyone said to pass on their heartfelt Thank You’s for everything us fellow horse people have done for our Vic counterparts.

They thank us with all their hearts. Wishbone and Wombat should survive thanks to you.

All the best.
Paul Scragg

25.02.09

The flare up of fires around the Daylesford area has seen T.R.E.W's role in the coordination of the movement of horses increase yet again. Exact figures will be known once members have the time to hold a debriefing meeting, but a conservative estimate to date would be that, between various members who have manned the phones since 'Black Saturday', we have arranged the relocation of approximately 120 Equines, (plus a few head of cattle and a couple of pigs!).

This would not have been possible of course without the incredible generosity and willingness to help demonstrated by many volunteers, so THANK YOU to all who have assisted to date. Your availability has in some cases saved the lives of horses/ponies, and in all cases, meant great relief on the part of often distraught owners.

Fire Relief