Six Horses Saved From Slaughter in Maine

Mom, Dad and 4 kids rescued July 2007

FROM SLAUGHTER TO GRACELAND:                  The Story of Max

   

Max Meets Priscilla Presley, his adoptive mom, February 2008.  Copyright 2008, Priscilla Presley.  Not for use without permission.

SHORTLY AFTER we rescued the Six Horses in July of 2007, I had T-shirts created with the a photo of the Six Horses included. As part of this 'Celebrity T-shirt' fundraising initiave, we sent Six Horses T-shirts to a number of celebrities for autographs to help pay for hay and veterinary care.  Shirts were returned by Bob Barker, Bob Newhart, Tom Selleck, Ty Pennington, Sally Field and Priscilla Presley, among others.   

Priscilla     Much to everyone's astonishment, Priscilla Presley called from California after she received the T shirt. She had read the story and noted the web site listed on the back of the shirt and had visited our web site. Priscilla not only signed the T shirt, she wanted to help. And this is where the Six Horses story takes a truly magical turn.  

Conversations ensued. Ultimately, Ms. Presley offered a lifetime home to two of our horses.  Priscilla explained that she and Elvis had always kept horses at Graceland. Elvis loved animals. As horses were an integral part of Presley life at Graceland, Priscilla has made a commitment that horses will always have a home there as a vital aspect of the Elvis Presley legacy and Graceland experience. 

Priscilla promised that newly-adopted horses would be cared for with love and have their every need attended for the rest of their lives.  Indeed, we could not imagine a better guarantee for any members of the Six.

 Max and Merlin were natural choices for this unprecedented opportunity, as they both in recent weeks had exhibited significant herd separation behavior, a natural progression for young male horses in a family herd situation.  The two young brothers, ages 3 and 2 respectively, were brought to Adagio Farm in Palermo in November, where both horses began groundwork training. 

Max was a brilliant student and came along quickly (at right, Max in groundwork training with Carole-Terese).  Within a few short weeks he was leading without a lead rope, working on a lunge line, standing for trims, and loading onto a trailer with ease. Max was "push-button"...an A student and a real pleasure to train.

    

Merlin (left) was a wonderful early student, yet we needed more time to gain his trust. The stormy month of December 2007 was filled with snowstorm after snowstorm, which made outdoor training nearly impossible due to dangerous footing conditions.  We decided to hold off on sending Merlin until spring.  (Eventually we decided that a Graceland lifestyle was not Merlin's cup of tea...despite his striking Hollywood, "Black Stallion" appearance. For More on Merlin, see Updates.)

 

On the other hand, Max would easily be ready for the trip south in mid- December. Yet the window of opportunity to transport Max to Graceland narrowed with each passing day of a long winter in Maine. We held our breath, kept training in the cold, and we finally saw two days of clear weather in early January 2008 and the 1500 mile journey was undertaken.

  

 Max arrived at Graceland on January 10th, 2008 to considerable fanfare, including Graceland CEO Jack Souden, GM Regina Gambill, Stable Manager Alene Alexander, and many curious employees.   A veterinarian and farrier were both on hand, along with the stable management team.  Max met his two stablemates, Candy and Sun (below). 

 

Once introduced, all three horses settled down to graze together.  That night, Max was brought into his new stall, his name plate already in place.  Candy was stalled directly across from Max to help to put him at ease. The barn was decorated with Christmas decor, including a Christmas stocking for Max.  And wherever we went, Graceland, employees seemed to know about Max and were excited about his arrival. 

 

 Priscilla has kept us updated on Max's new life:  Max is now a bit of a show-stopper in his own right (with all due respect to Mr. Elvis Presley). Graceland visitors can observe  and enjoy his lunge line training sessions and Max apparently receives a round of applause for his coltish efforts afterwards. He is settled in, romping about and enjoying his celebrity status. At right, Max checks out the view from his stall during his first weekend at Graceland.

 I love Max.  We all love him.  He has always been special.  Wise beyond his years and with the kindest of hearts.

 He will always be Max of Maine, one of the Six Horses Saved from slaughter to us here in New England. Yet he is now a part of cultural history, having been embraced by the worldwide legacy of Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley and his legendary home - Graceland.   

  

SPECIAL NOTE ADDED REGARDING THE CONDITION OF MAX   In response to many inquiries about the media stories stating that Max was in poor shape when he arrived at Graceland:  When Max arrived at Graceland, he was not in poor condition as has been reported incorrectly by the press.  Max was rescued from slaughter - not neglect per se.  He was malnourished and had intestinal parasite, but was not thin.  Immediately after rescue, the entire herd was put under veterinary care and a nutrition program was initiated.  By 11/07,.Max was parasite-free, his hooves were properly trimmed,and he'd been on free-choice high quality timothy hay, good pasture, and appropriate nutritional supplements for 3 months.  As well, Max had been fully schooled in groundwork, loaded easily onto a trailer, would stand politely for trims, and was gentle, kind and willing.  As his transport health certificate of December 2007 indicates, Max was of perfect weight for his age. His physicial condition can be seen here in the Max in Kindergarten Video, taken in November 2007.  - Carole-Terese Naser, January 2009, on behalf of all who helped in this rescue.