[stina3246]

Rosalie I know you are trying to do what is right and noble for these people and their animals and it may be that THESE people you are talking about are doing their very best but through no fault of their own still need some help. I think the problem here is everyone is tired of hearing about the Katrina victims. When people loot their own neighborhoods and SHOOT at the people who are trying to help we tend to lose some of the sympathy we felt. We are tired of hearing them point fingers at everyone as to whose fault it was. I myself was berated, called names and yelled at by someone calling themselves a Katrina victim. They were mad at me because I wouldn't give them a discount at a major theme park here in Orlando because they were victims. My point is.......I think we are waiting to see these victims try to help themselves before we dole out more of ANYTHING. I know there were lots of tragedies. Sadly, it's the few idiots who hurt the whole society.

[Blistering Winds]

My point is.......I think we are waiting to see these victims try to help themselves before we dole out more of ANYTHING. I know there were lots of tragedies. Sadly, it's the few idiots who hurt the whole society.

That may be why many of us are so irritated in this area.

Many of the katrina victoms that were sent here, REMAINED here. Some plan on going back, but when they themselves can do it.

I respect those that have gotten off their bums and done something. They looked to the help as a stepping stone, not as a life-line forever.

Last I heard, all of the victoms that were relocated here that remained have jobs, a new home, and have already left govt assistance. Shoot, we gave them 3-4 months FREE RENT in this area. A few boarding facilities have been carrying their equine bills for the same length, feed and hay and care. The people have already taken over their own bills, responsibilities, and no longer depending on others for help.

Those people here I respect GREATLY and would gladly bend over backwards to dole out a bale of hay here and there if needed.


Thsoe that still are trying to make it in an area that CLEARLY is not suitable for HUMANS let alone animals, and those that have yet to realize, HEY, there are no JOBS here. Time to move on.....time to sell out.....

I understand trying to grasp that straw till the last minute. I truely do. But 6 months.....the straw is gone.

If those that want to continue to help them, by all means, help them.

But don't forget the little guy right down the road from you that is doing the same thing. Struggling to keep up when tragedy has hit them too.


It saddens me a lot, that people will help those that have "TV" time more than they will help their neighbor who has fallen on tough times. Especially for similar reasons. "Weather".

It just frustrates me.


I'm sorry if I'm a "Downer" on victoms, but there are victoms all across the nation.


When is it time to tell them, enough is enough, time for you to make a choice.

it is hard to sell out. But you know what? You can always buy back in.

[Blistering Winds]

BW, I'm sorry to hear the rescues and such aren't coming to your aid. Is there anything I can do for you?

We will make it through. Tax Return has seen to that.

That and a very wonderful feed store guy who's got a brother trucking hay from up north that will arrive next week. I've got 2 bales already paid for and reserved that should last us the next 2 months...as long as we don't get a nasty cold snap.

I've also got one for a dear friend too paid for. My contribution while I have the funds.

[Aztecnitemare]

Blister
Where are you getting it? I really need some hay. I've gone to a complete feed, but I still don't feel comfortable with just feeding it. I really need some alfalfa and it seems silly I'm paying 10.25 for a small bale thats not REAL good quality. My feed store says they'll be running out soon.
Right now you can't sell a horse for whats its worth, and to be honest a couple of mine wouldn't have a home if it wasn't for me (not trying to toot my own horn, just the truth, they're "troubled").

[Blistering Winds]

I'll ask when I go in today.

We are paying over 100 a bale though (round bales).

But hey, Hay is hay.





My husband brought up a good point.

rescues cannot handle the influx of horses currently from the hurricain. What are they going to do if they shut the slaughter houses down right now?

[3WishesDun]

I do not think it was the original posters intention to say that the plight of the horses talked about was anymore important or worthy than other people who may be in need, crisis, or having a difficult time. She simply asked if people would be willing to send in coupons they might not be using. If we as horse owners/lovers are unable due to our own troubles or issues with the Katrina situation as a whole...then we can simply decline to do so. I would hate to think that a brand new member to this board would get the wrong impression of HGS. I have seen the incredible generousity, empathy, and concern people people bestow on their fellow HGS'ers from all parts of the world. Sometimes due to our own hardships we cannot or are unable to help out...but we usually offer our heartfelt concern and best wishes that things will get better. So before anyone is quick to judge the circumstances of the people the OP spoke of...perhaps it would be better to simply refrain from sending the coupons she asked for rather than offering up a litany of things they should be doing instead. And if there are other HGS members who are in need...please reach out to the caring people on this board if you need to....I for one...will do whatever I can to try to help my fellow horselovers and friends. This forum is dear to my heart...as are the many people who offer so much of their experience and expertise. In the end...it is the love and passion we all share for horses that bonds us and makes HGS second to none.

[mslwpk]

I can understand that they had a pretty bad tragedy but there has been enough time passed that they could do something to help support there animals or make the tough decision to sale them for the better of the animal. There is always a Mcdonalds or a Walmart that needs help. Us here in Texas are going through a problem were we cant find hay and when we do they want close to 100.00 a round bail wich isnt the best of quality.I am all for helping people out in a time of need but like i said there has been ample amount for them to find other resources for these animals.. I am in a situation were we are probaly going to have to load the truck and head off to another state just to get my horse some hay. I dont see anyone comming in here to help transport some cheeper hay for us. Sorry to sound so bitter but what happened to them is bad but it has been a wile and what is happening to us in Texas is Now and nobody is helping us. Not to say 2 wrong make a wright but i see nobody trying to help us. We are doing what we need to do to feed our animals and if that means filling up our Diesal at almost 3.00 a gal and go to Oklahoma then that is what we will do because we took the responsibility for these animals who rely on us to bring them food..

[Fox Glove]

Amen April!
I hope my milk of human kindness never runs dry
for ANYone in need whom I can help,
In ANY small way.
It is never easy to ask for help
Desperate times, mean dresperate measures..
Rosalie, Bless you for reaching out,
to help any person or animal in circumstansces
beyond their control.
This entire Country has been affected by
these disasters, and we all need to do what we can.
If that is saving your own animals , or saving the
others that can be saved.
Good on ya Rosalie!
and best of luck to you .
Paula

[pocahontas]

For those who spoke of being tired of victims of Katrina crying for help, I can understand. I often wonder where all the tourism money went that came into New Orleans. Not back to the people obviously, hence all the poverty.
BUT

Them animals and children are at the hands of the adults. They cannot do for themselves like people have said that the victims need to do.

Me as a person would and never will turn a back on a child or animal that has been affected from this.

The animals have no control that their owners decided to keep them there in horrific conditions.

Thank you Rosina for the coupon information.

I try to leave politics out of feeding a hungary mouth.

[Rosalie]

Like I said before, it is easy for me to make an easy request, but there is a lot going on here.

I hope it is understood that the farmers for whom the coupons were requested are not living in anyone else's house or apartment for free. They have either begun to repair what remains of their houses, stayed in a tent until they get their trailers (still on the way, in some cases), or have started to build inland on their families' land. There are some land swaps in the works, where inland properties will be swapped for houses, and the lowlands will be given over for pasture-only. They are putting together evacuation plans for the next hurricane season, which will start again in June...

They are doing, or have done, all of the things you have said they should do - they have lost valuable beefmaster cattle to the sea, or dead in trees, and what they have left is their livelihood. They will have calves in the spring. The equine rescues had committed to helping them last through the winter, until the grasses start to grow. This is just starting to happen, and the hay convoys will soon end. There are still locations where hay awaits transport - some donated hay in small amount, some at low cost. Many times, there will be a distribution where each family gets 2 or 10 bales. That's not carrying them by any means.

One thing that some rescue workers have done that might help you is to form a Yahoo group, search for hay sources, and coop the transport costs. This has gotten some better quality hay down to where it is needed, for the livestock that was stressed from the lack of good feed and having eaten that which was polluted.

Farm people are generally good to each other, and if a group got together and spoke to the hay suppliers a little farther away, you might be able to get something better for a reasonable price. It has worked well for them - I hope it would work for you, too.

As for the horror stories - I don't deal with those who don't help themselves, either. They can sit in a FEMA motel room and eat twinkies until the FEMA checks run out. And then what. It was a horrible thing, but there will always be those types.

They were never the ones I was writing for.

I wish you more, and better, hay, and some rain, but not a flood.