Six Horses Saved From Slaughter in Maine

Priscilla hands out treats to Sunny and Merlin in Virginia 

'From Slaughter to Graceland' on WABI TV      21 July 2009 

For the news story and video, to go:

http://www.wabi.tv/news/6759/from-slaughter-to-graceland

 This news story celebrates the two-year anniversary of the Six Saved from slaughter.   Story details:   Max as the newest tour attraction at Graceland.  The Graceland StablesTour is newly opened this summer, and includes a display of Elvis' saddles, riding attire and vintage video footage of the King riding his horses around the grounds. The Stables Tour also includes video footage of Max unloading from the trailer with Carole-Terese after his 1500 mile trip from Maine.

Carole-Terese greets Max 1-1/2 years after entrusting him to Graceland. 

Ms. Presley, in a phone conversation with me on July 20th, noted that Max has star quality, a presence.  He seems to understand his fame and his role, which is why he is so loved by all.  The fact that he is strikingly handsome is also to his benefit, of course. 

Carole-Terese with little Bandit (center) and our Max on 18 April 2009 at Graceland.  

Ms. Presley spoke at length about how much Max is loved by all, and also about his daily routine:  Stable Tours open at 9 am and Max greets visitors all morning long.  Then he takes a nap, going on his own to the barn and into his stall, where he lays down for a 2-hour nap.  After lunch Max greets more visitors and after the last tour at 3 pm, he has his favorite meal, alfalfa soup.   Then it's time to rest again, the end of just another day in the life of a Graceland superstar, equine-style.

Priscilla also said that Max is the most photographed horse ever stabled at Graceland. He has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide, including USA Today, Horse Illustrated, The Daily Racing Form, The Equine Journal, and various newspapers across the country. He has also been filmed for the Travel Channel, and a CMT show starring Trisha Yearwood.  His photo graces the pages of every Elvis Fan Club web site worldwide. 

How's the rest of the Family?

Carole-Terese and Louden in Virginia, April 2009.  

Sunny, Louden, and Merlin are thriving in Virginia.   Carole-Terese and Priscilla Presley visited his family in Virginia, and then on to Memphis to see Max.

Priscilla and Carole-Terese with horses in Virgina, and then at Graceland.

Sunny (Dad), Louden and Merlin live in a pastoral paradise.  They have their own 12 acre pasture and shelter, and they live in peace, munching on grass in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. They are surrounded by many other horses on a gracious, old style Southern estate, located in the Shenandoah Valley where much of the Civil War was fought.  The horses received many treats and pats during the visit, and both Ms. Presley and Carole-Terese were pleased to see how well they appeared.  A good visit was enjoyed by all. 

 Prancer (Mom), Vixen and little Monroe (named by Ms. Presley) still live in Palermo, Maine at Carole-Terese Naser's Adagio Farm.  Prancer gave birth to little Monroe last year, as Prancer had become pregnant before Merlin, rescued as a stallion, could be gelded. 

 All three girls are doing splendidly.  Prancer and Vixen remain are close as mother and daughter could be.  Monroe is simply growing up, and she is enjoying a summer of romping and play with Hallie, the grey Arabian companion who has become her "uncle."

 We Must End Horse Slaughter

The WABI news story also focused on the issue of horse slaughter, and how dealers in Maine are involved in the transport of horses from and through our state into Canada for purpose of slaughter. The main thrust of the story is an appeal to end horse slaughter, to let Mainers and the rest of the general public know the terrible circumstances that slaughter creates for horses. We must end horse slaughter.    

 - END -

 Ms. Presley and Carole-Terese Visit the Six Saved, Graceland 

16 April 2009      

In April, Priscilla and I took a long-awaited 4-day vacation trip to Virginia and Memphis. In Virginia, we visited with Merlin, Sunny and Louden.  They appear in fine fettle, having acclimated to the warm climate easily.  Here's Merlin, walking along the fence in his wonderland sanctuary home.  

We also flew to Memphis and visited Max at Graceland.   I found him very dappled and healthy.

Max greets me 16 months after I left him at Graceland in January 2008.  He didn't truly remember me until I whistled to him (no one evers forgets a dinner whistle). Then, he seemed to remember and was very happy to hang out with me.  Max has transitioned into the herd leader at Graceland Stables and is very popular.

 Max has a young buddy, Bandit, also a rescue horse.  While Max was rescued from the fate of slaughter, Bandit was rescued from an egregious case of neglect.  Here, Max watches over Bandit zealously, is a very good big brother and knows his job well, having been taught to watch over the younger family members by father Sunny, who is a wonderful and benevolent sire. 

 Carole-Terese plays with Max, 18 April 2009, Graceland.

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Max photo and story in Horse Illustrated.                  April 2009

The April 2009 issue of Horse Illustrated highlights the Graceland Stables.  Max and Bandit are pictured in front of the mansion grazing.  The article describes their respective stories and Elvis Presley's love of horses. 

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Max at Graceland,  winter and spring 2009     Photos courtesy of Graceland, by Robert Blye, Copyright 2009 

Max and Bandit cavorting at Graceland in a wonderland of snow.  Rescued. Alive.  Free.  

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Max Meets Trisha Yearwood                                                    March 2009

Here is Max, hobnobbing with Trisha Yearwood.  She filmed a CTM show, which aired in March 2009.  Max became part of the show, of course.  Max was also featured with Graceland on the Travel Channel, in February 2009.

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Priscilla Presley Highlights Max on Larry King Live      8 January 2009

As part of the Elvis Presley birthday celebration, Max was introduced to Elvis fans:

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/priscilla_presley_elvis_74th_birthday.shtml 

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Prancer's Young Daughter Monroe         March 2009

Prancer's daughter Monroe is a wonderfully confident little girl.   She has her father's (Merlin) forward personality and she is in the process of being weaned at present.  She is perfectly healthy and  looks exactly like Merlin.  She is, indeed, a chip off the old block.  Photos courtesy of Deborah Plengey, copyright 2008. 

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Vixen Bonds with Hallie - Fast Friends           December 2008

We separated Vixen from mom Prancer in October 2008.  Vixen has now bonded with Hallie, a striking grey Arab, and they are fast frends, stable mates and pasture buddies.  Vixen has also filled out  nicely.  He legs are still quite crooked, but she is still growing.  She will be taller than either of her parents, it appears. 

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The Boys Overwinter in Virginia    15 October 2008

Sunny, Merlin and Louden shipped down to Virgina for the winter.  They handled the 15 hour ride beautifully.  I rode with them to ensure close attention to their every need.  Their winter home is an estate in the heart of horse country.  They have their own run-in shed and their personal 12 acres pasture, replete with wooded areas.  They love this setting, with horses in adjacent pastures.   They receive lots of attention, as their pasture runs along the driveway and so receive visitors on a regular basis.  They are healthy, with good weight, and enjoying the mild temperatures.

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MAX A BIG HIT AT GRACELAND DURING ELVIS WEEK  22 Aug 2008

Ms. Presley called this week to let us know that Max was a HUGE HIT at Graceland during Elvis Week (week of Aug 16th, anniversary of Elvis Presley's death).  She was very pleased, as were we all.  For the first time, the Graceland Stables barn was open for tours.  People came and asked for Max by name, as his reputation as the new Graceland horse precedes him.  He stepped up to the challenge and greeted the 85 or so special visitors allowed to tour the barn area.  He was interested, engaging, and apparently put on quite a show for his guests.  Needless to say, we were all very pleased with his ability to handle the crowds.  Max has indeed found his calling, a job he loves and people who love him dearly.  Go, Max!         In the photo below, Max is kissed by an admirer.   

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MERLIN RECOVERED                                                       20 SEPT 2008

 Merlin has completely recovered from an infection, left over from castration surgery in June.  He is doing very well now.  Perky, silly, and just a lovely boy to work with.  He is simply so smart that he needs more than the others.  In fact, he demands it!  Thank you, Merlin supporters, for helping him through this summer.

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DR. LIECHTY VISITS MAX:  MAX LOOKS GREAT!!      July 2008

Dr. Liechty, our veterinarian advisor to the Six, visited Graceland recently to see how Max was settling in.  He reports that Max looked terrific, his feet looked great, his coat looked great and he was in good emotional spirits.  In essence, Max is one happy Gracelander.

 Dr. Liechty spent some time with Graceland stable supervisor Alene Alexander, who updated him on Max's daily care, nutrition, and overall management. Dr. Liechty was also given a personal tour of the mansion after his visit to the stables and thoroughly enjoyed his visit.  Many thanks to Ms. Presley, the Graceland staff, especially Alene Alexander and GM Regina Gambill for this special visit.   

AND:  Endless thanks to Dr. Liechty for his concern and caring for the Six Saved.  He has been with us through many discussions and a few emergency calls over the past year, helping to make informed and intelligent decisions on the future of each horse.    

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