UPDATE - March 24, 2007- Merlin has finally turned a corner and is showing positive signs that he will pull through his terrible ordeal and will be successfully rehabilitated. A typical example of what tender loving care and good nutrition can do. He still needs to put on a lot more weight and has to build up his muscles, but I am much more confident now that he will completely recover. He is a very sweet boy and such a pleasure to have around. I want to thank Jennifer Hack and Jennifer Malpass for their help and advice with Merlin. They have both been a great help. We are so very blessed to have them as part of the USERL.

(January 23, 2007)--USERL Investigations Department was contacted on January 23, 2007 by the Jones County Sheriff’s Department concerning a case of neglected horses.  The Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene for a horse running loose.  When they arrived on scene, they found a gelding that was emaciated and weak and three other horses in questionable condition.  They requested the assistance of USERL.  Within forty-five minutes of the first call, two USERL investigators were in route to assist the Detective on scene.  When they arrived, they found a gelding at a body score of 1.5, a mare body score of 2.5, both of whom were in need of medical care and two other horses, body score of 4.  The Sheriff’s department had contacted the owner, who initially refused to cooperate with authorities.  A USERL investigator tried to reason with the owner and explained the situation to her, after which she agreed to surrender the worst two to USERL and place the healthier two into the care of a family friend until suitable homes could be found for them.  She further agreed to no longer own, care for or board any equine for a period of 5 years.  The Detective will be monitoring the property to ensure that she does not aquire an equine during that time.

“I am very proud with the dedication and professionalism demonstrated yesterday by the volunteers of USERL.  Thanks to these selfless people, there are now two more horses that will no longer have to worry where their next meal is coming from – two more horses that will know what it means to be loved,” stated Jennifer Hack, Director.  "USERL investigators will continue to follow up with the care of the other two horses to ensure their well-being. I can not say enough of how proud I am of the people who put their personal lives aside yesterday to help these horses, as well as all of our USERL volunteers who work everyday to help make this organization what it is – I am humbled by you all.”

This photo is of Merlin laying down, the day after he was surrendered. USERL reports he is getting stronger and seems to have a much brighter attitude. He still has a very long way to go with his rehab because he is so emaciated, and his age makes rehabilitation a more time consuming process. He is a very sweet horse and USERL has confidence that he will eventually be a normal, healthy horse again.