Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Where I Am on My own Project

Wild Mustang rescued by Amy Flood,
of North Carolina. Featured in the
Mustang A Day Challenge
Wild Horse Support in the Mid-Atlantic States
I wanted to update everyone on where my project is right now. As some of you know Ive been trying to adjust my life to some chronic health issues for the last few months. And it has limited my ability to get out into the public and do some of the PR I had hoped to do as well as exhibits of my art. I am adapting of course. Ive slowed down my project and I'm trying to focus on building my business and fund raising. In this way I can hire the people I need to do the work I am unable to physically do. I admit its a little frustrating. But not altogether a bad thing.

Slowing down the project is giving me time to think it through a bit and see the difference between my grandiose ideas and what is really needed where I live.

My dream is to have a living museum and educational center as a tourist center.

However, the practical application, I have discovered over the last 8 months while doing research that there is a great need here in the Mid-Atlantic states.
After working on several fund raisers for rescued Mustangs here in the region, I have discovered that we are in great need of wild horse specific facilities to take layovers for horses in transit, with special facilities form horses that for one reason or another  were not in good adoptive homes and/or have had no training after they were titled.

In addition to this needs to be a place where short term rehab or a sort of rest stop/ adoption center could be set up to accommodate wild horses unique travel/ rest requirements.

Ive already talked to the BLM to understand what their requirements are for this type of facility. It wouldn't take very much land to do it but it will take a considerable amount of money and would provide employment for up to 10 people at maximum use. Right now to purchase property and upgrade it to wild horse appropriate facility would take about $2-3 Million spread over 2 years.

This facility could house temporarily up to 100 horses at a time, provide quarantine for rescued animals, house a small mustang specific clinic for hoof trimming and vet care and could also be used as an adoption location. Depending on the size of the land available.. around here that is between 12 and 38 acres There could be a permanent sanctuary for 6 to 15 mustangs in retirement in the remaining acreage not used for the facility. A minimum of 5 to 12 acres would be needed for the layover/adoption facility if we bought hay instead of growing it.

So right now that's where I am (in stages):
Stage1.What I would like to do is develop a net work of volunteers to help get the word out about the products I'm designing, the sale of which could help with a large portion of the development. This could be done first through social media and later though events through out the region.

Stage 2.Form a core group from which a non-profit could be formed

Stage 3.Actively seek out donations of property and equipment


Stage 4.Develop a group of volunteers of all ages to help with the projects  and care of the horses and educating of the general public about wild horses and issues surrounding them in a practical way that others can be involved in..

Stage 5. Develop giving programs and outreach to help with on going funding of projects.

You can get in on the ground floor of this project now!

If you are from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Pennsylvania or West Virginia and would be interested in helping to build this project with me, please contact me at info@llmartin.com
Be sure you tell me something about what you have to offer and how you can help. At this time I'm beginning Stage #1 which will require volunteers able to net work on social media.

If you are from anywhere else in the world you are welcome to contribute and help us in this venture as well. Again you can contact me through info@llmartin.com

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