My name is Jamie Lawler and I am setting this up to help one of my closest friends in her time of need..

Mel Merchant has touched so many lives and is always there to lend a hand. Unfortunately, now she needs our help.. I am going to paste what she had posted about the accident..

I understand that money is tight for many people right now but I wanted to at least have this option out there for people. Please consider helping this amazing woman, take a part of this huge weight off her shoulders and allow her to focus all of her attention on Winnie.. Thank you!

"Yesterday (6/9/24) I experienced one of the most horrific experiences in my life. We were packing up and stripping stalls after the weekend at Pull Turn and Burn when in an instant everything went from perfectly fine to real bad real fast. The girls were both standing happily eating hay tied to the outside of their stalls when all of a sudden Winnie got spooked by something and took off, panels and Belle attached. The absolute carnage and devastation that followed was horrible. I have never been so panicked and felt so helpless in my life. I don't feel the need to go into details of the entire scene, but as you can imagine 2-1000 pound flight animals tied to corral panels that were chasing them, it wasn't pretty. Again, I am thankful for each and everyone that was there, helped with the horses, helped keep me from completely losing it, and got the girls ready to transport to the hospital. 

Horse update:

Belle had a laceration to the inside of her left knee that was sutured closed and she is at home on antibiotics. Tonight we handwalked, and by another miracle she is sound! Unfortunately, Winnie did not share the same fate. She was ultrasounded today. The laceration to the back of her right front pastern was of the biggest concern from the beginning. She lacerated the superficial digital flexor tendon as well as tore it. The deep digital flexor tendon is severed, hanging on by a string or less. She also lacerated the tendon sheath. The tendon sheath was tapped and lavaged extensively, and was injected with HA and antibiotics. It was then sutured closed. A thick wrap was put on the leg, and she is now in a Kimsey boot to immobilize the lower leg, and try to keep things in place at the correct angles so they can heal. There is every possibility this is a career ending injury, before she ever really got a chance to start. I am beyond devastated. This little girl was destined for big things, and in the blink of an eye she was robbed of the chance. My heart hurts more than any pain I have ever felt. Thankfully, Winnie is strong, she is super smart, and she is a fighter…somehow, some way, I will get her rehabbed through this. 

Thank you to everyone who has reached out, I cannot begin to keep up with the messages, but please know I am beyond grateful for each and every one of you! If everyone reading this could please pray, pray so hard with everything in you that somehow she will make a comeback, and that I can find the strength to be there for her, we would all greatly appreciate it! I will try to pass along updates as I have them. For now, go hug your horses a little tighter tonight. Life is so short, make it count!!! Incredibly grateful my girls are both still here with me.

💜💛🦄💛💜"

Winnie is doing well with her rehab thus far, and will remain at the clinic for a few weeks. If you would like to contribute to the vet bill directly please call 207-933-6424 and ask to put money towards Mel Merchant's vet bill. If you wish to remain anonymous you can let them know as well!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💛