Tragedy in Spain - starvation of Trakehner horses

UPDATE: August 20th 2008

With the help of Trakehner expert Erhard Schulte from Germany, we are now able to publish the list of all Trakehner horses in this herd (98% accuracy so far), names in red are horses that have been identified as passed. The pedigrees give some indication of the quality of horses wasted here - and personally, we're heartbroken about the loss of SPS+PS Ebony, who was one of the most impressive mares we've ever met. She was an auction highlight in NMS 2000.

HG Laluna by HG Solomon – HG Liebe by Istanbul; Luciano, 02 by HG Prokofiev – HG Laluna; Lajana, 03 by Arentino – HG Laluna; Lujano, 04 by Arentino – HG Laluna; Polarfee, 95 by EH Van Deyk - Polaried by Insterruf; Polarstern, 02 by EH Latimer – Polarfee by EH Van Deyk; Polarprincess, 06 by Freudenfest – Polarfee by EH Van Deyk; Grandezzo, 06 by Arentino – HG Gineta by HG Solomon; SPS+PS Ebony, 97 by Enim Pascha – Ebenmass by Polarjäger; El Bonito, 03 by Key West - Ebony by Enim Pascha; El Capitan, 05 by Arentino - Ebony by Enim Pascha; HG Serene, 93 by HG Solomon - HG Schakara by Holunder; Segina, 02 by Kir Royal – HP Serene by HG Solomon; Holly, 01 by HG Prokofiev – HG Hawai by Pascal; Hamlet, 02 by EH Hohenstein – HG Hawai by Pascal; Vectra, 01 by Prokofiev – HP Vincenza by HG Solomon; Valcour, 02 by Sir Graditz – HP Vincenza by HG Solomon; Lugiano, 03 by Arentino – Luana by EH Michelangelo; Ulzana, 04 by Tanzmeister II – Ullalla by Schneekönig; Ullanda, 03 by Arentino – Unica by Honeur; Hercules, 02 by EH Latimer – Henny by Induc; Herbsttanz, 05 by Arentino – Herbstwolke by Donauwalzer; Monique, 02 by HP Krug – HG Madonna by Pascal; Inaara, 98 by EH Friedensfürst – Königspark xx; Impressario, 06 by Krönungswalzer – Inaara by EH Friedensfürst; HP Suleika, 00 by HP Krug - Schakara by Holunder; HG Dior, 00 by HP Krug - Donauwoge by Fabian; Hightec, 98 by Peron junior - Helena by Kontakt; HP Veuve, 00 y HP Krug - HP Velvet by HG Solomon; HG Galaxy, 94 by HG Istanbul - HG Genesis by Camelot; Grace, 01 by Herzkristall - HG Galaxy by HG Istanbul; Golaxzar, 03 by Arentino - HG Galaxy by HG Istanbul; Galaxy Quest, 04 by Arentino - HG Galaxy by HG Istanbul; Dolchessa, 02 by EH Sixtus - Dokaried by Matador

August 19th 2008:

Very disturbing news reached us regarding a herd of Trakehner brood mares in Spain. In a herd of approximately 50 horses, several were found dead, obviously starved to death, in Andalusia. These animals originally came from Great Britain, and two of Britain's most famous Trakehner Stud Farms: Holme Grove and Singing Stud. We are quoting Susan Attew of Holme Grove with this:

Some very distressing news was brought to our attention this week about the death of at least 16 horses in Spain owned by a British woman called Sue Jenkins. These horses have been kept on scrubland and it is reported that they have died of starvation. The links below give more information about this very disturbing matter and some even more distressing photographs.

We sold several horses some years ago to The Singing Stud for their breeding herd and they have onward sold a number of our "babies" in a large batch of horses to Sue Jenkins who at the time lived in Gloucestershire. She subsequently moved all the horses to Spain where this dreadful neglect has happened. We have been in tears about this dreadful suffering and are trying to make contact to see if we can bring any surviving Holme Trakehners in the group back to UK and nurse them back to health.

I am informed by Marleen (Singing Stud) that the Spanish authorities will not release any of the horses to return to UK. The ILPH and RSPCA are involved and the biggest thing they need to secure is that the Spanish authorities will allow the surviving horses to live as the normal procedure in cases like this is to put all the horses to sleep! When I get more news I will let you know.

The Andalusian Animal Welfare Organisation CACMA published the following poster to raise awareness for their cause. Clearly, CACMA and its president, Mr. Antonio Moreno, who is the man responsible to rescuing these animals for now, need help. The former British owners of these horses are involved in a tremendous rescue effort, but do to the fact that Spanish Law usually results in the euthanasia of animals in such bad shape, time is running out. CACMA is not allowed on the property of Mrs. Jenkins, but continue to buy hay and water and bring it to the fencelines every day.

If you are interested and willing to contribute financially and ensure that CACMA can deliver food and water at least as long as the Spanis authorities are still undecided, please use the below information to send money. We will try to find an email address for CACMA that could also handle Paypal payments.

Bank info:

German Bank Málaga/Deutsche Bank Málaga
Bank account No 0019 0090 15 4010048056
IBAN ES35 0019 0090 15 4010048056
SWIFT (BIC) DEUTESBB 0019 0090 15 4010048056
Postal adress:
Deutsche Bank Málaga
Avd. Andalucía 7
29002 Málaga
Telf. 952356011

For more information on the development of this case, please use the below links. We would like to express our deep sorrow and condolences to Susan Attew and Marlene Smith for the loss of their former horses, and will try to help in any way we can. Please spread the word of this tragedy wherever you can.

Article in the British "Daily Mail"

An interview with Antonio Moreno of CACMA in the Andalusian "The Olive Press"

British Newspaper Article

German Website with photos of the scene (please use caution - very disturbing images displayed!)