tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12075076893031959722024-03-19T00:30:29.655-07:00Fugly Horse of the Dayfuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comBlogger908125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-45053541491512838572010-03-27T08:24:00.000-07:002010-03-27T09:29:41.236-07:00Update on the Morgan story<font face="trebuchet ms">Regular blog reappeared - so back we go to <a href="http://www.fuglyblog.com/">Fuglyblog.com</a>. We are in the process of transferring to a new web host so more downtime MAY happen - don't worry, it will be done soon!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Turns out it is not just cleanliness issues and many are significantly underweight, too. <br />
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<a href="http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=75410&catid=37"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Update on Beth Lynn Hoskins Story</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Read the comments - they're pretty interesting too. Apparently Beth had a lot of time to play on Facebook when she should have been out in the barn taking care of her actual horses. <br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">To which I just have to say:<br />
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<a href="http://verydemotivational.com/2010/03/03/demotivational-posters-farmville/"><img alt="demotivational posters" src="http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/129110818299739497.jpg" title="demotivational posters FARMVILLE" /></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It actually brings up a good issue - who else do you know whose Internet addiction is interfering with their ability to care for their animals? Most of us love our 'net but our animal care still comes first - others can't draw that line. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/AvailableHorse-Greta.html"><img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j174/catknsn/greta.jpg" /></a>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-38245785768771294122010-03-26T09:19:00.001-07:002010-03-26T09:19:54.930-07:00On and off again!I sincerely apologize for the blog being on and off like a light switch at fuglyblog.com! We are taking steps to resolve the unreliability and it should be much better next week.<br />
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Last Chance Corral has alleged to me that there is some sort of federal investigation having to do with Twice Out East but has provided no actual proof of any such investigation. Obviously, I would edit or remove any blog entry if asked to do so in writing by any law enforcement agency, but if I let the Presidents of rescues tell me to take down posts, plenty of you might still be getting scammed by some of the faux rescues we have exposed in the past. So it's my policy to ignore such requests unless they come from an official source, and in three years of the blog, I've never had a single request of that type. <br />
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At any rate - Happy Friday if you're here looking for the Fugly Blog! I hope we'll be back up soon at our regular location, but in the meantime, tell me what YOU are most looking forward to (horse-related) this summer!fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-35274038285551811742010-03-17T05:01:00.001-07:002010-03-17T05:01:59.717-07:00Back to normal...I hope!<center></center>Back to <a href="http://fuglyblog.com/">Fuglyblog.com</a> -- comments are working again!fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-61338920649632661532010-03-16T12:46:00.000-07:002010-03-16T12:51:21.979-07:00Oh the drama!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, some silly little man has apparently pulled out a lot of stops to mess up my blog for a while, but as you all know by now - NOTHING stops the Fugly blog! So we're just back over here for a day or two until this is resolved or I switch web hosts. Bear with me, and I'm sorry about all the confusion!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's what I want to do today. Let's celebrate silly question day! If you have been thinking about trying a different show class or going to a certain kind of event for the first time, but you are afraid of looking silly and think you might have a silly question, post it here and get it answered with no shame! Whether you're wondering what kind of saddle you need for AQHA competition, whether a bit is legal for training level dressage, or what you'll need to know before going to your first team penning, let's post those questions here and help each other out!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Then, tomorrow, we'll track the silly little man down and eat his liver for lunch...kidding...really. ;) <br /><br /></span></span></span>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-42535943067719588612009-08-23T16:31:00.001-07:002009-08-24T11:58:15.714-07:00Ten Questions<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was</span> ju<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">st having this discussion with someone this weekend and I'm going to share it here. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is the unusual horseperson who never considers breeding a horse of their own. Most of us, at some point, will own a mare that we think is just awesome, one that we would like to make more of. Or we will fall in love with a particular stallion and want a foal by him - but nothing that we see for sale out of his offspring fits the bill. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm never going to turn into a 100% anti-breeding radical. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Someone</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> does have to breed so that we continue to have and enjoy horses, and it helps </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >nothing </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">if all the responsible, knowledgeable people stop breeding and the bottom feeders with barbed wire paddocks behind their trailers keep popping out a dozen fugly grade foals a year. I've heard so much crap in the small animal world about how, if you breed, you're taking a home away from a shelter pet. In most cases, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >nonsense.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> The person who is dead set on having a high quality Viszla, for example, is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >not </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">going to truck<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> down to the shelter and adopt a Chow-Shar Pei-Lab-Pit mix instead. The truth is, there's </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >always</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a market for a high quality, well bred, well conformed animal of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >any</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> breed. The market that's dead is the market for the Chow-Shar Pei-Lab-Pit puppies and the fugly ewe-necked, calf kneed, long backed Quarter Horses (even if they are gold! Really!) and the black kittens your barn cat had. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >There are almost no homes for these animals. Your chances of winning the lottery might be better.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />So the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >first question</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">: Is what you are planning to produce selling? REALLY? Are you SURE you have not seen it at your local auction? You can't take your Uncle George's word on this. You have to conduct your own serious market research, based upon the show records and pedigrees involved. Even if resale is not your goal, remember that life is unpredictable and it doesn't make sense to bring a horse into the world that no one else will want. If I meet one more person who thinks a foal is marketable because it goes back to Man O'War, my head will explode. Plenty of descendants of Man O'War, Seattle Slew, Leo, Poco Bueno, Doc Bar, King, *Bask, Morafic, etc. go to kill </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >every year</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. If you don't have big name breeding </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >close up</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, it's pretty much irrelevant. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Second question</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">: Are foals from the stallion you are considering </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >currently </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">winning in some kind of competitive discipline? I don't care what it is - dressage, barrel racing, endurance, park horse, whatever - but are they? If you are considering a young, unproven stallion, is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >he </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">currently winning in some kind of competitive discipline? There are plenty of opportunities to get the breeding you want at a reasonable price - check out stallion service auctions, for example. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Third question</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">: Have you met the stallion in person? Does he look like his pics? Lots of people retouch! Does he have a nice disposition? "Because he's a stallion," is never an excuse for a snarly, nippy attitude. If you are in a high performance discipline like racing and are willing to put up with that attitude to get the performance (cough cough </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Storm Cat </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cough cough</span>), <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">well okay, but I'd still </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >prefer</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that nasty mind didn't breed on because it sabotages their chances of a good home and a second career after the track if they <span style="font-style: italic;">can't</span> run. Is there another stallion who is equally talented with a better mind that you can choose? And is the stallion sound? If not, why? Unsound after winning $600K on the track or an eventing career - well, fair enough. Unsound because he's 1300 lbs. on size 00 feet? That should give you pause. Of course, <span style="font-style: italic;">totally sound </span>after winning $600K on the track would be <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> first choice, but I don't always hold these things against the horse because it has so much to do with management, how good the trainer and his staff were about care, etc. Bad management can F up the legs of the best conformed horse on earth. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Fourth question</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">: What about your mare? If you are making the decision to breed because she is the most awesome show/barrel/endurance horse you've ever had and she wins everything, kudos! That is the kind of mare we </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >want</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to make more of. If your decision is being motivated by any of the following, don't do it:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Mare is lame and I don't want her just sitting around (Particularly if mare is lame from something related to conformation like navicular - I have no issue with a mildly injured show mare being bred when she needs time off anyway. That makes sense.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Mare is too crazy to ride. (Please hit yourself in the head for me if you want to breed her to settle her down or because you can't do anything else with her because she is a wack job. <a href="http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productclassid=656&cm_mmc=Google-_-supplements-_-Pharmaceuticals-_-regumateiq_id=8142917">REGUMATE</a>!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. I want a BABY, they're so KYOOT! (Please go to your local auction and take one off the killers' hands for $25. Assuming you realize they're not a stuffed animal and know that weanlings typically do naughty things 8.426 times per hour on average, including striking at you, kicking you, nipping you, etc. If you cannot discipline because it's KYOOT, you will wind up like the people on It's Me Or The Dog, except that what is running you over will be 1,000 lbs.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. I want my kid to have a horse she can grow up with! (I'd </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >love</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to say I don't still hear this incredibly moronic comment, but I still do. If you think this makes sense, I hope you know your way to the Emergency Room, because your kid is about to become a Frequent Flyer! Young horses and young kids are a terrible combination. You're going to wind up with a hurt kid and a spoiled horse that you will then run to the auction because you don't know how to fix it.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Fifth question:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> What are your mare's conformational flaws? Are you selecting a stallion who is strong in those areas? Is your mare free of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >serious </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">conformational defects that interfere with soundness and use? A long back can easily be shortened by the right stallion. Pigeon toes or an upright shoulder, not so much. And the long-backed mare is not so bad if your goal is to produce a pleasure horse in any of the stock breed associations - but she shouldn't be considered if your goal is dressage. If you can't look critically at your mare because you love her too much, take her to a show (or a few shows) for halter class and ask the judge for their comments. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Sixth question</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">: Genetic defects. Know which ones your mare may carry and do the appropriate testing if it's not already done. Make sure you breed to a tested stallion. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It is never okay to roll the dice and possibly produce a HYPP positive foal, a HERDA foal, a lethal white or anything else that can be tested for and prevented. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not to mention that </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >you </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">do not want your first breeding experience to result in a foal that dies within days!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Seventh question: </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What do you </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >really </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">want? Do you want a foal out of your fantastic performance mare, and not care what sex or color you get? Awesome, because you can only predict so much. Sure, you can breed to a cremello (if you can find one that doesn't suck, good luck on that - I can maybe think of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >three</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> decent ones off hand) and get a certain color but that's about it for predictability. If it's important to you to have a buckskin filly...</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >buy one</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Eighth question:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Can you afford all the associated vet work? Ultrasounds are a must - you have to know if your mare is carrying twins or some other problem exists. Can you deal with it (emotionally AND financially) if the result of all of this is a dead or permanently damaged mare and/or a dead foal and/or a foal that is never going to be rideable? All of these things can and do happen. It is heartbreaking to see someone lose a mare they loved just because they were trying to reproduce her. If she is super, super special to you, you might want to consider doing an embryo transfer to take the risk of foaling out of the equation. Let some older broodmare who has had several successful, complication-free deliveries do the "work." And consider all the possibilities and have a plan in mind if things go bad - what </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >will</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> you do with a foal that is born with a disability or is injured before he reaches riding age? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Ninth question:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> If the object is resale and the baby does not sell as a baby, are you prepared for that? (a) Do you have safe and separate facilities for a weanling? Hot tape won't hold a weanling who is screaming for mom, and you all know what I think of barbed wire. (b) Do you have the knowledge to train appropriately during all stages of life, or the financial resources to pay for training? (c) What about feeding and nutrition? What do you know about how to feed a foal? It's not like feeding an adult horse. You can <span style="font-style: italic;">trash </span>their legs permanently if you don't know what you're doing. (d) Can you afford another horse if he </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >never </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sells?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Final question: </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Are foals like the one you contemplate </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >consistently </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">selling for at </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >least </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">$2000 - $2500 as weanlings? If you can find one out there for $500...don't do it. Please, don't do it. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We have so many of those</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. We cannot find homes for them. They are $500. Then they are $300. Then they are at the auction. Everybody who goes to the auction is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >so damn tired </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">of seeing your weanlings, yearlings, two year olds and unbroke adults selling for $175 to the kill buyer. And I know nobody </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >planned </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">for that outcome but it happens left and right. You are not immune from life's bad luck. You could lose your job. You could get divorced. You could get cancer. You could get hit by a drunk driver and never be able to work again. Bottom line, it is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >flat out irresponsible</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to produce foals that are not reasonably high in value. The only real protection a horse has in this world is a high value. Please, please, please don't create foals that don't even have that much of a safety net in life. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Your <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">comments</a>? I will keep them anonymous if you want to talk about both good and bad breeding experiences, or which worked out and which didn't. I'll only tag a screen name on to them if you put that at the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >end</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> of your comment.</span><br /><br /><hr /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVQjYL6i1wKCOfzONxFzwNwfMpilCRKgBkThtlQAkq0nBWxCmDSyXJpah1t8cpYptCOr0TksUd6MEIg7fqVkqik31wP5gu2UasVo2dlK1SBo4U05sp_VXKG60omLSFBgNYx8iwjKlpm3j/s1600-h/maggie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVQjYL6i1wKCOfzONxFzwNwfMpilCRKgBkThtlQAkq0nBWxCmDSyXJpah1t8cpYptCOr0TksUd6MEIg7fqVkqik31wP5gu2UasVo2dlK1SBo4U05sp_VXKG60omLSFBgNYx8iwjKlpm3j/s400/maggie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373309406002278546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The SAFE show was a huge success. I knew some of my former rescues were coming, but this one was a surprise. This is Maggie, who was </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/01/warning-completely-self-serving-use-of.html">featured on the blog</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> when she was up for adoption in January 2008, after we pulled her out of a place where hoof care and mucking did not take place anywhere near as often as they are supposed to. She had terrible teeth and ulcers in her mouth. After her rehab, she found her perfect home with a young rider whose name I did not catch (will edit when I get it) and this was their first horse show together! Too cool.<br /><br />Of course it was fun to see <a href="http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/05/eight-belles-is-dead-this-one-not-yet.html">Petersburg Knight</a> again, who went in the adult/significant other lead-line with his mom's 90 year old grandmother! He looks fabulous as always. Prince Caspian, the Arabian I rode at the show last year, was there with his new owner. Sugar, a Paint ex-broodmare who was abandoned at a boarding stable this year with her colt, was out showing with a kid and loving it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq7tTFT-cfJ1c1SZCugP9dL537zxQ6bOiMPBXxAQ3klDXBKjX4_E0izGxuDNv-eBgwgKEf62V_NTSw9ym2HF16eU9AHx29wT77d-t411acV7iQSgNpvYvsePLZQMopqha0MXW6YPfRoOL/s1600-h/cedar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq7tTFT-cfJ1c1SZCugP9dL537zxQ6bOiMPBXxAQ3klDXBKjX4_E0izGxuDNv-eBgwgKEf62V_NTSw9ym2HF16eU9AHx29wT77d-t411acV7iQSgNpvYvsePLZQMopqha0MXW6YPfRoOL/s400/cedar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373322629424265282" border="0" /></a>So many horses we'd originally seen as animal control seizures, with Henneke scores of 1 and 2, were out there looking ready for the big shows. One of the most amazing transformations is Cedar County Queen. This mare is huge (16.3), dark bay and super classy. Best of all, she's not spooky or silly, nor does she require an experienced rider. She would be a fantastic dressage prospect for an amateur or youth with a trainer to help bring her along and the sky is the limit for her. She flunked out of track training and wasn't ridden for 10 years, so at age 14, she has perfect legs and no issues.<br /><br />If you are interested in Cedar, contact <a href="http://www.safehorses.org/horses/cedar.html">SAFE</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zm7vh5lWdlspf033TSejqshpsmHaL8xIDLAToLqKempmTj75kV5j9AbWNJd-ciJmxFSCV6QmrSbUkeqVu-XPTug22jMAHF94-7XzjajQbpKhldVHcDRPKyU8AQJXfqYIGmgoeZ0vTS7n/s1600-h/cathysargehalter82209.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zm7vh5lWdlspf033TSejqshpsmHaL8xIDLAToLqKempmTj75kV5j9AbWNJd-ciJmxFSCV6QmrSbUkeqVu-XPTug22jMAHF94-7XzjajQbpKhldVHcDRPKyU8AQJXfqYIGmgoeZ0vTS7n/s400/cathysargehalter82209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373569529463107426" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And if you run a rescue, please consider having your own local rescue-friendly show! It is not only a great fundraiser, but it serves many other purposes. (a) You get to check on some of your formerly adopted horses in an informal way, (b) It provides a great "starter" show for an inexperienced horse/rider combo, (c) It shows the world how many high quality horses are rescued and (d) It shows the world how long a horse can live a useful and productive life and how a 37 year old <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> look! Among other things, I showed 37 year old Sarge in Rescue Halter and Bribe Your Horse (we got 2nd out of 20 in BYH!)...he has 2 teeth left but as you can see, looks great. It can be done and is not even hard. Pretty sure you<span style="font-style: italic;"> all</span> have a hose to make mush!<br /><hr /><br />Comments on Friday are coming - I received a lot! :-)<br /></span><br /><center><a href="http://www.sosequines.com/DEF-Horse.asp?hoID=217"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/rsz_jackson.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-62154729187394003772009-08-21T12:46:00.000-07:002009-08-21T14:29:21.679-07:00Bad show, good show!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shame in the Horseshow Ring beat me to </span><a href="http://shameinthehorseshowring.blogspot.com/2009/08/reichert-celebrationer-free-for-all.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">this story</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and I still can't believe it! Talk about not having any control over your horse. And the dude is a <em>trainer!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I know I shouldn't condone violence but I gotta say, I think it's pretty damn awesome that the filly's owner popped studmuffin's trainer </span><a href="http://www.tyhornickquarterhorses.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ty Hornick</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a good one. How the hell does something like this happen at the breed show level in a ring full of professionals? Did it never occur to you to work studmuffin around mares in heat? I <i>deliberately</i> rode my VLC with mares in heat tied in the arena during his first summer under saddle. I mean, duh, isn't that one of the <i>first</i> things you want to make sure you teach with a stallion - to ignore mares in the arena? </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don't know, I'm far more suspicious that Hornick <i>knew</i> studmuffin wasn't really all that under control, but studmuffin's owner wanted him shown and Hornick wanted the $$.<br /><br />I started googling Hornick and one of the first things I found was an interview on Cleve Wells' site. Birds of a feather! This quote baffled me:<br /><br />"As for folks who say the pleasure horse of old looked better, Ty takes a different view. “It’s kind of crazy to say that they’re not as good when you look back twenty years ago and they’re running around knocking their knees and their heads are straight--they don’t even look like a Quarter horse.” Ty’s advice: “Don’t criticize something you don’t know about.”"<br /><br />Uh, I <em>have</em> a western pleasure horse and I have no idea WTF you are talking about. Their knees were knocking together? I don't recall seeing that in the ring 20 years ago. Their heads were straight? Are you talking about their profile or their headset and what position would straight be? What the fuck are you talking about, because I can't figure it out at all. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I know at least one of my readers was actually there, so fill in the rest of us. Did you see it? Was the guy having trouble with the horse in the warm-up pen and still rode in the class? I think it's appalling that no one told the judges what had happened and Hornick still placed. What a joke. And proof positive that just because you can keep them slow and low does not mean you have control over their body the way you should. You know I tend to sneer at the overuse of the one-rein stop but you know, this is an instance where one should have been employed. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On a related note - is it just me or is the horse world getting better at covering things up? I can't <em>believe</em> this isn't being discussed on every message board, but this was the first I heard of it. I haven't even found the name of the out of control colt yet, have you?<br /></span><br /><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tell me what you think</span></a>!<br /><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now, for a GOOD horseshow...If you're in the PNW, head over to Graham's Frontier Park tomorrow to compete in or watch the </span><a href="http://www.safehorses.org/news/show.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Save A Forgotten Equine benefit horseshow</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. SAFE is one of the very few rescues I endorse without reservation. They get all the vet care done, they train their horses and now you can see the results at their horseshow. Most of their available horses will be showing, so if you'd like to adopt a sane, rideable rescue, this is a great place to find one. And if you need a schooling show, it's perfect - many of the horses will be at their first show, as will many of the riders, so you do not need to fear looking stupid. No show clothes required, just boots, and helmets for minors. Come on over and give showing a try</span>!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or if you're in the Midwest, check out the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue's </span><a href="http://www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/trainerschallenge2009/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Trainer's Challenge competition</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, also tomorrow. This is a competition where local trainers get a rescue horse and the chance to show what they can do with it. It's at the University of Minnesota - if you are local, definitely check it out. Should be a blast to watch!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.angelacreshorsehavenrescue.com/truffles.html"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/truffles.jpg" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-49172229119998660382009-08-20T23:45:00.001-07:002009-08-21T00:17:22.319-07:00Well, here are some feet for you...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhWeCWdoaswMEIlk6yiSG2hrkzkGad7hGAP8mSRYbcg3GER9-BVulmpwcf2J3RbntO1_jDU838jzvyKUY6uI0EH32GVxdGR8azZdqKrR2nDgo6Q8ZHy58zRM7d3DyYOBvh9e4BKIdcw1T/s1600-h/feeteek.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhWeCWdoaswMEIlk6yiSG2hrkzkGad7hGAP8mSRYbcg3GER9-BVulmpwcf2J3RbntO1_jDU838jzvyKUY6uI0EH32GVxdGR8azZdqKrR2nDgo6Q8ZHy58zRM7d3DyYOBvh9e4BKIdcw1T/s400/feeteek.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372304612262328066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">KarenV sent me these pics of her new rescue. He arrived tonight and promptly wrote "GET ME A FARRIER!" in the sand of her arena with his cute little Morab nose. Yeah, I'm kidding but hey, he should have. Actually he should have planted that sharp sticking-out part good and hard in the middle of his previous owner's butt!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NS0DbAhpPwlEyBMZhaWmacTotDvyrjiZNH8ynLvzrO_VQD8mZQX-vufpY0an6wN840CPDSCZ0oFnkGMrr2bgxJEEKkwzr-Q-sZi5_nvHu0NZEUpAky_QD3fCnHSCZIGqkW2wvjVJkec3/s1600-h/Beau+5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NS0DbAhpPwlEyBMZhaWmacTotDvyrjiZNH8ynLvzrO_VQD8mZQX-vufpY0an6wN840CPDSCZ0oFnkGMrr2bgxJEEKkwzr-Q-sZi5_nvHu0NZEUpAky_QD3fCnHSCZIGqkW2wvjVJkec3/s400/Beau+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372305755028406226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The rest of him doesn't look much better.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Karen says he is missing teeth, so he's going on a diet of soaked hay pellets to regain his weight. The nice thing is that Morgans and Arabians are both breeds that tend to regain lost pounds quickly so I'm sure we'll have some awesome "after" pics before winter hits, and this guy's hungry days are over.<br /><br />You can follow his progress on <a href="http://helpingjoy.blogspot.com/">Karen's blog</a>.<br /></span><br /><hr><br /><br /><center style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://shilohhorserescue.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=1280082"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/woody.jpg" border="0"></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-46921527035836973572009-08-19T14:37:00.000-07:002009-08-20T16:32:54.871-07:00I think your customers could figure this out without the visual!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzqOEXeYEKUYdC-UFgA5bg7NAyhfSmylERNC9UrlA2hvm0TENMEipggv4JcCF_NhXeOyYW6kn9_loy1oNMTW5Ryg_VWNfuwl-z6CdmmznMbuuhsnxlWbtbu4UEkYad4iS1iCZu-wCiEnf/s1600-h/SANY4098.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371792999068735394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzqOEXeYEKUYdC-UFgA5bg7NAyhfSmylERNC9UrlA2hvm0TENMEipggv4JcCF_NhXeOyYW6kn9_loy1oNMTW5Ryg_VWNfuwl-z6CdmmznMbuuhsnxlWbtbu4UEkYad4iS1iCZu-wCiEnf/s320/SANY4098.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We have a breeding farm! You know what takes place there? Breeding! Heh heh heh. Dude, <em>seriously</em>, like the stallion gets all excited and then he jumps on the mare. It's just like that time Bubba had too much beer and forgot we was still in the bar and not already home in our trailer. And the stallion, he really gets into it. It ain't easy holding the mare in place and keepin' from gettin' my toes stepped on in my flip-flops. Y'all ought to come down and watch the show. Bring some brats, we got plenty of beer, we can grill out! </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhiCLOkBFLCWznDxFPfKNtkPPL9ExxoTK8vl8hgT1n4LWVPw2eSjCaMImAthldjOYSTyfj_ILhRh5E7kAJMrDq1lWhu1P83jQtb3oVZjpXYg8uoJrqWpM3VVCiXA4ntV1Z3YuvEQzBF96/s1600-h/Lilley07312009%2520(8).jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371795982125320626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhiCLOkBFLCWznDxFPfKNtkPPL9ExxoTK8vl8hgT1n4LWVPw2eSjCaMImAthldjOYSTyfj_ILhRh5E7kAJMrDq1lWhu1P83jQtb3oVZjpXYg8uoJrqWpM3VVCiXA4ntV1Z3YuvEQzBF96/s320/Lilley07312009%2520(8).jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Look at my baby filly! Ain't she cute? I think we should try to get on one of them dancing reality shows. That'd be awesome. No, I'm not worried. When she gets older and bigger I'll just tell her not to do it anymore. She's so good I'm <em>sure</em> she'll listen!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />FHOTD in: The sad part is, they really don't have bad horses. The stallion, meh, but they have some nice mares and they all appear to be very well cared for. But when this is what you <em>choose</em> to put on your web site (and I didn't even post the baby sucking on the pacifier while riding numerous horses with no one holding him and no helmet), you look like <em>morons</em>. I know you're young but you're trying to be involved in this thing called a <em>business</em>. What you've got going here is the equivalent of a car dealership whose owner takes the cars for drunken joyrides around town and videos it for his web site.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So what's the most self-sabotaging thing/pic you've seen someone trying to be in the horse <em>business </em>post on their own web site? Something that just ruined it for them, even if they previously seemed pretty good to you? Send me your <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">comments</a>!</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">COMMENTS</span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"My first thought was “Really?? What idiots.” But the more I thought about it, it looks like a set-up. “Let’s post this and see if we can be featured on FHoTD!”<br /><br />Geez! People will do anything to be featured! “HEY! I’m famous! I was featured on a post on FHoTD! Yee ha!”<br /><br />*shakes head in disbelief* - KarenV"<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: It's kind of like reality TV. If you want to look like an idiot in front of tons of viewers, far be it from me to stop you!<br /></strong><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I think the stallion breeding pics/vids are supposed to show that he's doing his job, or proving that he's bred a certain mare? It's not like they have any other performance shots, Fugly! *snerk* Uploading those things to the public web will attract the sort of people you DON'T want looking at your stock. I uploaded an absolutely G-rated clip of horses from a TV show, and the demographics info from my YouTube acct showed that over 5% of my links were coming from a bestiality pic-swapping site. Squicky. There are people who don't let their kids put photos of themselves online; you really don't want owners of your foals down the road finding this silliness on your website. I might be weird, but I've been able to find the owners of horses in four generations of my horse's pedigree online, and thankfully most of them look like competent horse people."</span><br /><br />"Saw this site and thought it would be an amusing feature for your<br />blog. My only hesitation regarding emailing it to you was<br />embarrassment that I live in the same part of this country as this<br />woman! lol"<br /><br /><strong>(I changed a few details in the next comment so as to not identify the person writing it)</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Ok so I didn’t have too much respect for this one lady before BUT… the horse that I had been showing for the last year was advertised on her website in the 10,000 – 15,000 range. She is a sensitive mare who likes a similarly quiet, confident ride. I have a slight eye condition that prevents me from having depth perception, everyone at the barn, etc, knows about my eye ‘issues’ and they don’t affect my everyday life at all. Soooo, this lady thinks that a great selling point for the little mare is to advertise her as and I quote, “She has had many hunter championships in the past and is being shown by a student who is visually impaired." So we’ve been waiting for all the people whose children just happen to be blind or deaf, but can win championships with the seeing-eye horse! At least anyone who wants to see this mare has to through my trainer, and she will fully disclose all her habits, and will decide who should or should not try the horse out."<br /></span><br />"While certainly NOT on his website, the pictures of Slow Loping Scotch pretty much took my rose colored glasses off about Cleve Wells<br /><br />I am SO happy Horse and Rider stopped using him."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: VERY good point! And again, KUDOS to the woman who had the spine to "out" him (and for being an owner who CARED and not just a "gimme the trophy" owner.)</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I'm sorry, I've gotta comment on this one - the mare handler is wearing flip-flops - FLIP-FLOPS! SO not cool. In breeding sheds in KY, the crew (yes crew - at least 4 or 5 guys) wear hardhats and flak jackets." - 66 puppies</span><br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Broken toes hurt enough through boots or sneakers...can't imagine thinking of trying to hand breed in flip flops!</strong><br /><br />"There's a barn that a few somewhat horsey friends of mine go to. Their horses are undertrained, overjumped, and underfed. I had some respect for the "trainer" up until one of her students posted this </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAkmkb6lliY"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">video</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I lost what little respect I had for her because, at sixteen, I know that a colt can breed the moment their balls drop. I know that if a horse is getting skinnier and skinnier, there is a REASON behind it, and that I need to find out what it is. Leaving a horse out on grass and going "Oh shucks," is NOT AT ALL what should be done. I know that at SIXTEEN. Past her twenties, she doesn't know that, and it disgusts me.<br /><br />The other thing that's made me shake my head in total disbelief was when I was browsing their website a few weeks ago and found this statement, "We are seeing huge improvements in weight, energy, hair coat, etc.", on their boarding page. I all could think, and can only still think is "Well, no shit, a horse WILL look and act much better when you actually feed it."<br /><br />What makes it even more classic is that EVERY time I've seen the "trainer" out at horse shows - she's pregnant. It just makes her seem even more like a stereotypical Kentucky backwoods hick to me."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: In case they take the video down, it's of a filly that died at 2 days of colic and dehydration. The mare looks like death. The person posted the explanation:</strong><br /><br /><em>"no shes not a rescue...but they didnt know she was pregnat!! cause she was in a feild with a stallion they thought wasnt mutre but they moved him out to late but she was on fescue grass wich can mess up a baby since she didnt know that she was pregant and the baby took all her like energy and fat...thats y she looks bad but thank you for your concern!!!:))...and thankz:(("</em><br /><br /><strong>She didn't drop condition overnight. Had you called a VET some time in that ELEVEN MONTH PERIOD OF TIME, you might have discovered she was "pregnat." BTW OMG OMG OMG that filly's pasterns!</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Even if I was interested in breeding to their stallion, no way would I leave my mare on their farm for breeding. Just first impressions of the flip flop wearing yahoo would be enough to to send me stallion shopping elsewhere. It takes more than feeding horses (their horses do look well cared for) to attract my business. With so many good stallions on the market, one red flag would send me packing."</span><br /><br /><br /><strong>MORE COMMENTS ON PREVIOUS POSTS</strong><br /><br />"We saw an update on the story of the abuse/neglect case in Orange County, VA. Previous reports had only shown the pinto stallion who'd been kept in the horse trailer for a month +, but today's story showed the other horses - horrible. Body conditions of 1-2, rain rot, broken hooves; it was just awful."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I've been reading - and enjoying - your blog for quite a while now but never got around to comment since I lack first-hand experience with horses. I live in Bucharest, Romania; riding here is available only to those with high(ish) income. Riding clubs are generally only reachable by car (and my family doesn't own one). This means I don't really know how horses are looked after at riding clubs here, but what I read in the other comment by someone who's been here last year wouldn't surprise me much (riders bouncing on their horses, chasing the kids' ponies around and so on).<br /><br />When I was a kid - about 15 years ago, let's say - carriages drawn by horses were not a rare sight even in the capital. On my way to the park where I went daily, located in a comparatively central area of the town, by no means on the outskirts, I passed on a street with a string of building material retailers. They are still there to this day, but now they use trucks to haul the timber and bricks around. Back then, horses would pull the carts; about 5-6 of them were stationed there on a regular basis. Some were ribby, most were well looked after - they would have to be if they were expected to work well.<br /><br />Besides these horses, the Gypsies (or as now they're called, the Roma community) used horses as well. They were - and are - poor, and you could often see thin horses with scruffy coats and untended feet. Not all of them neglected their horses however. Arguably the best-looking horse I saw in Bucharest was owned by Gypsies. It wasn't tall, but it was nice and well-rounded; always well-groomed, with a shiny coat and a wavy mane and tail - very impressive :) I really think they fed the horse before they fed the rest of the family, since they didn't look wealthy at all. Since the access of carts was forbidden in Bucharest, all these horses disappeared however.<br /><br />There also are the horses owned by the state circus that I live close to. They are well-fed, but the turnout area could be much better - not much shade, and summer months can be very hot here (90-100F). The biggest problem however seems to be foot care, and I truly think the biggest problem in Romania is not feeding, but farrier care. There are very few good farriers, and I think even those that exist are not called in as they should be.<br /><br />I visited a state-owned stud in the south-west part of the country in the spring of 2008. It's one of the less renowned ones (unlike the one by the seaside where Arabians are bred - Mangalia stud - or the one in the Carpathians where Lipizzans are bred - Sambata de Jos - these have more money to work with and get more publicity). They breed mostly Furioso horses, though they still have a few Shagya Arabians (formerly the main breed they were involved with) and also a few Romanian Draft and Romanian Sport horses. It was early enough in the year to have little new grass available, and the hay stocks were running low due to the drought that had hit Romania the year before. Still, the horses were in good condition, even the mares in foal or that had just foaled - but the level of foot care was appalling. They have a vet, and a farrier - but apparently in vain. The caretakers seemed to care little about the horses; a lot of yelling was going on, and they seemed afraid of the mares. One of them seemed genuinely affectionate when dealing with one of the few Shagya mares - but he held the Furioso mares in very low regard. Only one caretaker was truly confident and had a nice way of dealing with horses, the others only worked there because they couldn't find other jobs. They get very low pay, needless to say.<br /><br />Also, in Transylvania horse care - and animal care generally speaking - tends to be better than in the southern / eastern part of the country. I remember to this day a trip to Hungary in 1998. We stopped in a small town close to the border while waiting for the next train. Horses were all very well-fed, and nicely groomed, as opposed to what I was used to in the Bucharest streets.<br /><br />On the whole, there is a huge lack of education in this country, not only related to horses, but also dogs. People just don't know what their needs are, even if they could afford good (better) care. This means horses (and dogs, and other animals) are looked after on a trial-and-error basis; if something seems to work, there is no effort made to improve it. If something goes wrong, excuses are found easily enough, but quite often only few steps are taken to find a solution.<br /><br />Things may be slowly starting to change, with more foreigners coming here and starting their own riding clubs, and there have been workshops held for farriers and saddlers, but there's a long way still to go. A huge mentality change is needed, and education must be made readily available.<br /><br />I now realize what a long mail this got to be... thanks for bearing with me and reading it :) and thanks for all the work you do for horses, on and off FHOTD :)"<br /><br /></span>"A village in Spain stones its oldest donkey to death each year."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: WHY? How the hell do people come up with this shit?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"My husband and I have travelled to Mexico a few times and wanted to ride on the beach there. I was hesitant to do so because of the condition of so many of the horses that you see been rented out for that purpose.<br /><br />We found an exception to that rule and want to pass it on to your readership.<br /><br />In Mazatlan there is a business called Ginger’s Bilingual Horses that is run by a woman from Bellingham Washington and her Mexican national husband.<br />Ginger has been in Mexico for 26 years and she runs a very nice business with healthy energetic horses.<br />My husband and I rode there a few years ago and we were well matched with good horses. I rode an energetic but well behaved gelding and my husband rode a very calm but responsive gelding.<br />The route was interesting with an English speaking guide that gave good info of the sights, we rode to the beach and were able to lope along the water’s edge, if we wanted to...I did.<br /><br />The guide was concerned for the welfare of the horses and asked that they not be loped in the soft sand but only in the firm sand near the water’s edge...<br /><br />Overall, a very good experience, nice horses and a good value for your $$."<br /><br /></span>"Thanks for that post! I've seen many ribby miserable looking horses<br />on my travels, and yet also many perfectly happy healthy ones too! I<br />would definitely mention </span><a href="http://www.thebrooke.org/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brooke Horse Hospital</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> though<br />I did apply for a job there a few years ago<br />but didn't get (went to work for the Red Cross instead!). Brooke work<br />with people in developing countries to educate them and provide<br />veterinary care and help them with their animals, usually working<br />animals. And encouraging healthy equine tourism too! See </span><a href="http://www.thebrooke.org/content.asp?id=8438&cachefixer=cf23823406537804"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">:the fat woman on the donkey, makes me shiver with rage!"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"(If you click on someone's name on Youtube, it will bring up their profile. That's where I found the Indian woman's age and favorite videos - assuming the info she gave them was accurate. She pm'd me back, saying the videos were a year old and the horse had been taken out on a one month trial, which didn't work out. So... she's educated enough to get a trial period on a sale horse...)"</span><br /><br />"Hey look at the new video. At 2 min's 40 secs you can see rolls under the saddle.. Perhaps to keep the saddle from sinking over his emaciated withers. Just a spot."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Chile is not a first world or third world country but really somewhere in between aka Second World. Where as the mounted police weren't the most exceptional forward seat rider's I ever saw, they were extremely nice, the horses well taken care of and friendly. The next two pictures are from Easter Island (don't know how much you know about EI but it is a small island, with few natural resources yes, very poor indeed), though most of the horses there were a) semi-feral and b) underconditioned, none of them (minus the extremely sick very few indeed) were not underweight. All the ones staked in front of houses looked happy, healthy and sleepy!<br /><br />My horse is a Chilean Thoroughbred. Shipped to the US he looked really good when we got him! And he wasn't even a good race horse, barely made 1.5k USD.<br /></span></span><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/lostsenshi/Equitation/DSC01207.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#333399;">pic</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#333399;"><br /><br />Anyways, I'm unsure about other South American countries but my family is from Chile and I was happy to see everywhere I went, government owned and most poverty stricken homes the horses were cared for."<br /></span><br /></span><br /><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/availablehorses_teddy.html"><img border="0" src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/teddy2.jpg" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-2153404252547110472009-08-17T18:55:00.000-07:002009-08-19T14:21:08.098-07:00Bad horse ownership - the global edition!<div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Americans are funny. If you mention skinny horses in any South American, Asian or African country, they are likely to shut you down with horrified cries:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"They can't even feed their <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">people</span> there! Of course their horses are skinny."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While it's true that poverty may be more prevalent in many places than in America, the land of the hand-out, it does </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >not </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">follow that everyone in a company like India, for example, is living in a box and eating whatever they could catch in the river that day, and there's no reason your country of residence should be an automatic get-out-of-jail-free card for riding a starving horse. Here we have a girl who clearly has no problem affording nice tack to dress up her emaciated, gimpy-as-hell horse, as well as the video camera and computer needed to post the appalling footage to Youtube for all to see. </span><br /><br /><a style="FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb-KJoj9Etk&feature=channel_page">Hideously emaciated, lame horse in India</a><br /><br /><a style="FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ84eWj2IR0&feature=channel_page">Let's make it run</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">! 'Cause the only thing worse than being this lame and thin is having 150 pounds slamming repeatedly on your kidneys while some dude chases you with a stick. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you watch her videos, she does not even take care of her own horse. A groom takes it from her and leads it away when she is done with it. This is an affluent person who is just as guilty of irresponsible ownership as she would be if she were in the U.S. or Ireland or anywhere that is not thought of as a poor country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What do you think? Have you studied abroad or lived in another country and ridden there? How did the horses look? What was the vet care like? If you saw a situation like this, would your response be the same as if you saw it in the U.S., or different and if different, why? Do you blame the culture for poor animal care, or a lack of education?</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Send me your <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">comments</a>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>COMMENTS</strong><br /><br />"Long time lurker...But apparently, she has another youtube account :<br /></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP3Ydjn4NSg&feature=channel_page"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New video</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />That video is of the horse on the other account, but then, the newer videos, even one in Aug '09, is of a different horse, but much better weight. More like how the original chestnut was back in Dec '08. I can only hope that the chestnut didn't die from malnutrition, and is getting vet care and recuperating. And I hope this one gets fed and better cared for."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I thought I'd comment on this since I just came back from Honduras and Belize (Sunday actually.) I was actually shocked at the condition of the horses that I saw. They looked pretty good! You couldn't see their ribs, and they didn't a lot of neck muscles, but they were by no means emaciated like some of the horses we see on your blog. I was expecting to see skinny, super sad looking animals. My favoriate horses were the ones who lived in stalls built below their owners house. I wish I could have grabbed my camera in time, it was hilarious.<br /><br />Understandably I was only in Belize city and Roatan Island, so I am sure that there are some horrible horses that I missed. I wasn't impressed with the way one of them was "tied out" he had on the equivalent of a dog collar and he was "tied out." I wanted to rescue him, but he wasn't super skinny (I know that being tied to a tree is just as abusive.)<br /><br />I think part of the reason that these horses looked pretty good is that they are needed to be healty to help "work" many of the families us them as daily transportation or to work their tiny farms."<br /><br /></span>"From the way she was riding, and the school bus in the background, I wonder if she is just uneducated about horses and participating in a school or after school program. There is another video of the same girl where, when the horse does not move forward, she wiggles the reins then gives up, leans over and hugs the horse. I think the blame may go to the person who is telling her this is animal is okay to ride. Particularly if all the horses look like this, she may not have an appropriate weight horse to compare with this horse's condition.<br /><br />When I was a kid, I visited a classmate on a school trip. We went into the barn and saw the thinnest fuzziest horse I have ever seen in my life. I can still picture it, and that was when I was about 10, so over 30 years ago. It was winter, but its hind end looked like a cow. I did not know how wrong this was, until years later. This young rider in India may not realize that this horse needs more food and rest, and less riding. I don't blame culture, just a lack of education. "<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"This could have been filmed at a riding school not far from us in Melbourne,<br />Australia, def a first-world affluent country.<br /><br />The riding school wasn't that poor, they were just pouring money into add<br />ons like a conference / reception centre, and not doing the basics.<br /><br />While I was still agonising as to how to make a complaint without the horses<br />being sent to the doggers as a result, the place closed down, doubtless with<br />a lot of the horses going to... The doggers.<br /><br />I have to say I'm not in favour of pointing the finger at this girl as an<br />"asian". The many posts you've put up over the years on this blog amply<br />demonstrate that horrible horse abuse and neglect is not confined to the<br />people in the third world, and with the greater access to education and<br />internet resources the US and Australia has, I do think we need to be<br />cleaning up our back yard and setting a better example. There is nothing to<br />be gained from criticising this girl on the basis of race - she's just<br />another in a long line of ignorant owners we see on this mostly US-based<br />site."<br /><br /></span><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Um, I didn't call her an Asian. She's clearly East Indian. I'm confused as to why you think any part of my post was about race? It was about neglectful ownership in other countries, and particularly the question of whether it is excusable just because a country is thought of as a poor one.</strong><br /><br />"I don't know if you've checked out her homepage for her youtube, but if you go all the way back, you see all these people commenting on how good of a rider she is and that she should whip her horse some more! They say, oh sexy Indian lady whip the horse more for being lazy and not obeying its mistress! OMG."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Well, she has trolls. I have to feel sorry for her there. Boy are there a lot of weird guys online...</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Well, heck… I can’t watch her videos. It makes me ill. She has an audience for some videos. Grrrrrrr…<br /><br />I’ve ridden twice outside the US . The first was during a trip to the British Virgin Islands and the second was in Mexico . No fatties like the brochure had pictured. All of the trail horses had a body score of 3 or less. I think it’s a combination of culture, finances, and lack of education. They are ignorant of nutrition and in training/behavior. I’ve heard it said that you can make a spunky horse tame by making him thinner. They can save a buck that way too. On both of my trips, I did say something but I couldn’t take a strong stand at the time. To be left behind wasn’t a safe option. So I rode. But I also did what any girl would do in my position. I got (faux) stomach cramps and skipped the “gallop on the beach”. I would pause (and not hit play) before booking any ride outside of the country again."</span><br /><br />"Fugs - I think that there are some pretty big assumptions being made about that situation. This horse is both emaciated and lame - there's no question about that. This is unacceptable -there's no question about that. Whomever owns the horse can clearly afford decent tack, so they ought to be able to afford decent care - there's no question about that.<br /><br />What I don't get is the assumption that the girl riding the horse owns it (which doesn't make it OK that it's being ridden in that condition), or that she knows the first damn thing about proper care and conditioning (which still doesn't make it OK that the horse is being ridden like that, but flaming the comments section of that video probably isn't helping to fix the problem).<br /><br />Here's what I see (and I'm also making some assumptions here): girl from wealthy family wants to learn to ride. Wealthy family doesn't own a horse or know the first damn thing about them, so they seek out a "good" riding stable. They are impressed by the one that they end up using because it has nice-looking accroutements, a charming owner/instructor who sounds very knowledgeable, and the horses appear to be in *slightly better* condition to their untrained eyes than the even more emaciated lame old horses that they see on the streets pulling overladen carts to market...probably because their tails are brushed out and they're standing in stalls and not covered with flies, and they're wearing nice tack - by comparison these horses appear to be better cared for on a superficial level if you don't know what you're looking for.<br /><br />The girl riding is clearly a novice. I'm chalking this up to a lack of education on her (and her parents') part. Whomever owns those horses ought to be ashamed of themselves...though you could make the argument that spending money on nice-looking tack rather than animal care is what keeps those students coming in - it is still not OK that the horses are being ridden under these conditions - I'm not excusing that - but as a business plan this may be working for the owner. It keeps similarly wealthy and un-horse-savvy people frequenting the stable.<br /><br />If any of the above is true (or even a possibility) calling the girl a c*nt in the comments section is really reprehensible. That's a teenage girl who doesn't know any better yet people. She's got an interest in horses and showed up at a barn and is being told that this is the proper way to do it. Hopefully, she'll learn that it isn't. But how many of us started out with horses under the tutelage of an asshole or an ignoramousor greedy troll of a "trainer" and didn't realize it until later? Telling her that the horse is too thin and lame would be a fine way to start building some awareness here, but hate speech is uncalled for. Would you walk up to an obvious novice at a show and tell her she's a fat little bitch and she should go to hell for riding the horse that her "trainer" put her on? Or would you suggest to her that her horse is very uncomfortable because he's thin and his feet hurt and point out how you can tell and make some suggestions on improving his care and finding a better trainer? Which is more likely to result in better care for her horse? Is that not the goal here?"<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: She says she owns him on other videos. I didn't think she was a teenager - where did you get that from? I thought she looked mid twenties. Who called her a c*nt in the comments section? Certainly wasn't me. I don't post to the youtube comments section. Do I have an impersonator again?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I have lived abroad. I spent September 2009 until just about last week in the UK on study abroad with my school's program in Kent. I saw a great deal of horses and riders on my many trips around England and Wales. The horses were always well cared for - sometimes better than the owners! It seems as though people in England understand the luxury of horses. They understand that they are very expensive and they tend to make more commitments to them, treat them less as pets, and expect to keep them in working order more than Americans. In Wales, I got to go on a trek in the mountains on a beautiful 13.2 hand welsh cob. He was a brilliant ride! Lots of spunk. The trail place had tons of horses - all who were well-cared for, not over ridden and had great coats - even in November when we were there! All were well-trained and custom fitted for each rider so no one got a horse they couldn't control.<br /><br />I was very impressed also in learning about the horse culture of my boyfriend's culture this year, too. He is from Iran and his father used to actually USE horses where he lived in the North of the country as a child. His father wants to buy me a pony if I ever come visit because he just wants someone to share his passion for horses with. Horses here are often still used in the North as a mainstay rather than cars and are treated very, very well. A lot of equestrians ride Turkoman horses - similar to Arabians but more sporthorse like. And while they are often in peak sport condition, they are not skinny. Many are used in local fairs as race horses or showjumpers. I have seen many pictures and while, yes, the breed is thinner and more agile than a hunter or stock horse would be, they are never to be ribby or skinny! I did ask what people would do to someone who kept their horse skinny and was told by my "father-in-law" that such a person would be treated very badly by the world around him. People assume that if you treat animals like that, you will treat people likewise. I would say that is a valid assumption!"</span><br /><br />"OMG! I just glimpsed a couple more of her videos! I feel for that horse with that fatass bouncing on his bones (riding on the road video) and I literally mean bones! That particular video really shows the horse's spine and lack of muscle. And that horse is being ridden like that on a concrete road????? I do not get it. And here I was concerned that myself, being a plus sized rider, was too heavy for my horse, who, by the way is well fed, vetted, trained (we do not chase the horse and rider with sticks, we know how to get forward motion) , and suitable for my type of riding (trail), is ALWAYS happy to take his momma out and I am responsible for for his after ride care and well being. Even when I boarded my horse, he wasn't just handed off to someone else when I was done riding like a car that needed to be put in the garage. Only once, and one time only, did someone else take over immediately after a ride. I was excited about winning my horse in a raffle and had not eaten or slept in 3 days and after my lesson, had taken a short trail ride on a very hot, humid October afternoon. I managed to get off my lesson horse bring him in the barn, tie him up and get his bridle off before passing out! I don't think it has anything to do with culture, social status, etc., some people really believe they are above the ranks of others and animals are no exception. If they get what they want who gives a shit what the animal's health status is. He lived through that day."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I took a chance once on an "equestrian center" in China that catered to the western expats living in Beijing. When we arrived after an hour's drive, we found a string of underweight, miserable horses tied in 100 F+ temperatures with no water. I asked for water for the horse and the people working there couldn't figure out why the hell the horse would need water. The idiots running the place were putting people who'd never ridden before on STALLIONS. Granted, the stallions were hundreds of pounds underweight and probably did not have the energy to act out. I selected a pregnant mare as my horse, figuring since it was already paid for, I might as well give the mare a break if I could. Her handler kept slapping her in the face for no reason. He kept a strip of old tire tied to the saddle to hit her with. I finally yelled in English, "will someone who speaks chinese please tell this asshole that if he hits this horse one more time in front of me, I will kill him with my bare hands!" Someone translated something to him and he let go. I took the mare off to hand graze, loosened her girth and threw away the whip.<br /><br />The worst of the story is, there were a number of Americans there to ride. NONE of them, NOT ONE IN 20, thought there was anything wrong with the horses. Even though on the way out, there was a dead horse tied to a post in plain view. NO ONE NOTICED.<br /><br />There are a lot of factors at play. One is education. People, including westerners, have NO idea what a healthy horse should look like. People in developing countries see skinny animals all the time. They often know nothing about worms and certainly don't have any idea about floating teeth or that a properly cared for horse could work well into its 20s. I'd venture to guess that this is where the Indian woman falls. Another factor is just where animals stand in their society. We have asshats like Michael Vick who have zero respect or empathy for animals. In other countries, it is just accepted that man is man and beast is beneath him. And finally, in many areas it comes down to just plain lack of money and access to quality food and vet care.<br /><br />Check out this vet student who spent some time working in a free clinic in Morocco: <a href="http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=9681">http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=9681</a><br /><br />Keep in mind that there are good people who care greatly about their working animals in developing countries that would look at the way our precious show horses are kept and treated and have plenty to tsk tsk at us about."<br /><br /></span>"I've been a long time "lurker" on your blog, and it has helped me immensely during my "stoopid noob" horse phase. However, if there is anything I hate, it is the way your audience attacks people. For instance, the girl in India did not need to be called a "stupid bitch," that is just rude and not productive. Please tell your readers to be kind and supportive in their comments, telling someone they are stupid, that you hope "the horse falls and you die" is not productive at all, and it saddens me that FHOTD readers are getting a horrible reputation because most of your readers and followers are nice responsible people who truly want to help (or, at least I hope so).<br /><br />Anyway, there is a non-profit organization in Philadelphia that teaches inner-city kids how to play polo, take care of horses, and offers educational opportunities (like tutoring and college!). This is an amazing program, and has helped countless youths in Philly stay out of trouble, and get their act together. Unfortunately, due to the economy they are having a lot of financial problems, and if donations don't come in soon, they will have to shut down because they can no longer afford food for the horses. I currently board my horse here, and I can tell you first hand, this is an amazing place, the kids are the most respectful, helpful, kind, and truly hard working kids you will ever find. So, if instead of a "Friday Feature Rescue," can you feature this program? Also, most of the horses are rescued OTTBs, and the kids train the horses themselves! (with proper instruction of course)<br /><br />The website is </span><a href="http://www.worktoride.net/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and if any of your readers in Philly want a tour of the place, I will gladly show them around."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: I agree. I don't think it's necessary to attack people the way some do, but then again, we all have freedom of speech and are responsible for our own comments. I cannot control how people choose to express themselves, and when you put things on the 'net, you are going to hear the whole range. I certainly do!</strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDt9RkvVMoLADj_Vn9CsbCsf4-pMvN28OgGMDQZO7GMf2akxRh2xpRewEoO58qBMkGKTaDhV6CuyRV_puTuZpdACINZIN-_sEJgUAKFVygDSfBcKkWgh2A4SYW0LRwg38Qsh-gj_8RzIU/s1600-h/P1010265.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#333399;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371775776978561442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDt9RkvVMoLADj_Vn9CsbCsf4-pMvN28OgGMDQZO7GMf2akxRh2xpRewEoO58qBMkGKTaDhV6CuyRV_puTuZpdACINZIN-_sEJgUAKFVygDSfBcKkWgh2A4SYW0LRwg38Qsh-gj_8RzIU/s320/P1010265.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#333399;">"Long time reader, first time poster! I actually thought of you when I was riding in Thailand last week. And this post turned up!<br /><br />Thailand is a poverty stricken country, and your heart still goes out to the horses, but it can be a case of the either humans or horses eating. I went to a stable to do a beach ride. The guy has 12 horses/ponies and while they were well taken care of within their means (well groomed, proper shelter, decent enough feet), boy, some of them were FUGLY, and some were ribby and one of the ponies looked wormy. It was a great ride and at the end the barn owner offered to take us on a sightseeing tour the next day in exchange for a small fee so that he could "buy food for the horses". Scam right? No. We took him up on his offer and we had a great day touring the local sights. At the end, he went via the feed store and I watched him hand over ALL the money we gave him and buy five sacks of feed.<br /><br />Yes, the horses were not in ideal condition. Yes, some looked like they had old injuries that didn't get proper vet care (I imagine it would be horribly and prohibitively expensive in that region). Yes, some were ribby, But they all looked happy and I knew that he does his best within his means to care for them. And this guy was providing employment for half a dozen people when there is little employment for the poor in the tourism industry other than prostitution, touting and Mafia controlled tourism services.<br /><br />With expectations of Western standards, one might have been shocked, but it was certainly a case of the best case scenario within a worst case context. In terms of care/condition of the horses would "blame" lack of awareness and resources that results from poverty, not a lack of duty of care or integrity. In terms of the Fugliness of the horses I would "blame" the very bad conformation of the Thai Pony "breed" (I use the term breed lightly), lack of good genetic stock, and poverty preventing the attainment of decent stock.<br /><br />On a side note, later this year, he has organised an exchange with a woman from Australia - He has built her a cottage and will provide free board and food for 6 months in exchange for her help with working with the Tourists (his english isn't the greatest) and training/care of the horses. Apparently she works in the horse industry here in Australia and I'm hoping that she plays a big role in educating him on western standards of care. While poverty will still be an issue, she may help him improve his standard of care as is within his means.<br /><br />Below is a picture of Me and Magnum."<br /><br /></span>" watched the second video, and I'm starting to think that it's not her horse. But a lesson string perhaps? If you notice there's a second horse in the background in a similiar condition. She looks new to riding, and so possibly she was taking some kind of lesson? There is no excuse but have you seen that movie "Slum Dogs"? I have heard from coworkers that are actually from India that it is like that there. She's obviously from a well off family, who can actually afford those lessons for her. I actually doubt that horse is hers. They don't even protect the children and women over there from abuse worse than what that horse recieves. In fact I would dare to say that the horse is better off then some of the people there! I doubt there is any animal protective rights there, other than for cows because of religious reasons. I watched a video of a cow in the streets of India... starving -- emanciated. He ate a duck! For a cow to eat meat in that manner... was almost horrifying. I know that it's animal rights in your blog and as an educated individual I agree that this horse is in a horrible situation. But for me in this case, it's really hard for me to point a finger at that young girl. We don't know if she is like many other girls and dreams of horses and begged for horseback riding lessons. She just may lack the knowledge and education to know what she's looking at. And even if she does, what could she possibly do about it? In a place where women and children are unheard. I won't throw stones at her."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: But see, that's my point. You're assuming she's ignorant and gets a get-out-of-jail-free card on the lack of horse care mostly because she's in a poor country, but the presence of a groom and expensive tack shows she is not poverty-stricken. So my question is, why does she get a pass? She has the Internet. Why is she not expected to read about horse care and educate herself, as we expect from people in the U.S. and Canada and England?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"When I was in Antigua last year almost all of the animals I saw were VERY underweight. Yes, it is VERY difficult to get hay here since it is a very small island and most fields are dedicated to crops like banana's and such. Every time we would drive somewhere, we would drive past numerous farms with 6 or 7 horses on it. My question is if they have 6 or 7 out there that are that skinny, would it not make more sense to have 2 or 3 well fed horses?? The other thing that struck me as odd was the fact that there is almost ZERO fencing there. There are always goats, donkeys, ox and what-not just hanging out everywhere, often in the middle of the road. The only animals I noticed that were "contained" somehow were the horses. All the horses had a rope around their neck (no halter, not even a makeshift halter out of all that rope) which was staked to the ground. They had about a 10-15ft radius to move around. We went for a trail ride there, and the lady that ran the place (she was from england) said that even though the grazing looks good, it really doesn't contain much. Every horse I saw was standing in grass at least a foot tall and also all the free range animals I mentioned were also very skinny, so I beleive her. Although I do have to say that I saw VERY few fat people, and none of the fat people I saw owned any animals.<br /><br />This trail place seemed ok. The horses were a little on the skinny side, but not bad. All the horses had grass paddocks and stalls, and the place always closed at noon since if it wasn't raining it was way too hot for the horses to be ridden. She also mentioned something about paying $35.00 a bale for mediocre quality hay she had to get brought in from the states. It wasn't the greatest place I'd ever seen, but definately FAR better horse care than the rest of the island. I managed to take a peek at their schedule, and the horses seemed to be working about 1-2 hours a day 4-5 days a week. All the horses had their feet done, they didn't have shoes on but they were all kept up on trimming. I only saw one lame horse, and that horse was being cared for at the time I was there. It had thrush. Apparently trush is a HUGE problem there. It's very easy for them to get it and when they do its VERY difficult to control and get rid of. She says this is because of the insane humidity there and it is impossible to get coppertox on the island, or even bring it from the states. All they can do for it is get the farrier to cut it out, try to keep it dry (really not easy there) and put Aloe Vera on it. I can't really form a proper opinion of them since I really have no idea what they're dealing with there. However if these people can do what they're doing for their horses, there's no excuse for the condition of the other horses and livestock on the island. If you don't have the money to feed them you shouldn't own them."<br /></span><br />"When I was 12 back in 1959 (don't do the math!) I was in India and Pakistan<br />with my father on a business trip, and all I wanted to do was ride. My<br />father, a non-horsey fellow who supported my horse habit back in the USA,<br />went to several stables/academies and declared he would not pay good money<br />to have me ride such skinny unkempt horses. My beloved dad knew little<br />about horses, but he'd watched my lessons back home on plump, shiny horses<br />(God bless Peanuts, Tippy, & Lucky Sam!!) and knew the Indian horses weren't<br />right, and could not condone my riding them. I recall sulking until it got<br />through my thick head that these horses weren't cared for by our standards,<br />and I had a new appreciation for my lesson horses once we got back home."<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Good for your dad.</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I dont care what country you are in, no horse deserves to look like that. If they just cant afford it, than its time they dont have horses. Stop breeding them. Sell them. Whatever it takes, horses shouldnt be that thin.<br /><br />She sure doesnt look very malnourished, in fact she is quite well off, and can obviously afford to feed herself and buy expensive tack. But she cant afford to feed the horse? Wow. Thats just not right. When you come into "ownership" of an animal, they are your responsibility to take care of. They DEPEND on you. If you cant handle it, you shouldnt have any animals.<br /><br />I must say I applaud the horse for his good heart, despite being so skinny and lame. He has a lot more patience and kindness than I do, if it were me under that saddle her ass would be on the GROUND."<br /></span><br />"I lived in India from 1959-1963, 9years - 13 years for me. We had our own<br />horse, rented horses from a lake resort for 4 months in the winter, and<br />saw many horses.<br /><br />This video looks like a little rich girl with the usual disregard<br />for animals prevalent in the country. This can be forgiven somewhat when<br />they are pulling the tongas for tourists in New Delhi, or carrying loads<br />of bricks for construction. The animals are kept alive because they are<br />needed for the owner's livelihood. People are very poor; there are many<br />many people. It is hard to see animals thrown into the mix. Education, or<br />just caring, is lacking. Looking back at our photos, some amazing poor<br />looking horses.<br /><br />I lived in Nigeria from 1963- 1969, 13 years to 19 for me, absent<br />for the school year the last 3 years. Very bizarre, in retrospect,<br />horsekeeping. We rented third string polo ponies for trail riding, all<br />stallions. The mare were kept at another barn, no geldings. Lots of<br />variety, from mean-spirited to docile to wild to sweet. Learned a lot.<br />Looking back at the photos, there were some odd looking horses, but on<br />the whole, in better condition than the Indian ones. Not sure why, but<br />very few used in daily living.<br /><br />I lived in Tunisia for the 4 years after that, absent during the<br />school year for college. Beautiful horses everywhere, doing the most<br />mundane chores. I guess they were Barb/Arabian blood, but most were<br />beauties, often with a mule colt by their side. Lots of donkeys around.<br />Much better condition than the Indian ones, more pride.<br /><br />I hope some comments are left for the Indian girl, maybe she can<br />learn."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Ugg. She needs more lessons on a horse with more meat on their bones. I bet that horse has some sores. Bad posting wrong diagnol. She should be working on that and her seat before trying a gallop. She had a video of a "gallop" It wasnt even a hand gallop. That horse doesnt have energy. Just imagine how he must feel after being ridden."</span><br /><br />"As someone who has traveled to India several times, I must say that this surprises me somewhat. But maybe not for the reason you think.<br /><br />For most Westerners, the sight of animals in India almost always induces horror. Stray dogs are everywhere, and they're almost always feral, skinny, flea-ridden and often nursing; donkeys, water buffaloes and cows are typically racks of bones and either wandering freely or hitched up to carts they have no business pulling-- usually in the middle of the city, down crowded streets next to cars, buses, motorcycles, rickshaws and big trucks. Goats seemed to suffer the least but I suspect that has more to do with their proclivity to eat anything and everything than the care they receive from their owners.<br /><br />A couple of times I was offered the use of horse or camel-drawn carts and refused based on the condition of the animals; in each case I calmly told the person offering that I would not give them my business because of the starved condition of the animals. (This was usually followed by a look of utter confusion, and when pressed further, said person would frequently "forget" their English, which prior to my comments had been perfect.) And FORGET about hoof care-- it doesn't exist for the common person. Almost all of the horses one comes across in daily travels look like that poor beast in the video: starved to the point of their spines sticking straight up, no neck, gimpy as all hell, etc.<br /><br />But what's surprising to me about that video is that I did come across some upscale "riding academies" where the horses looked pretty well taken care of (if not terribly well-bred), and in those cases the riders/owners/barn managers seemed to have more of a clue about horse care. Interestingly, even the hardy little ponies way out in the mountains in Kashmir-- owned by gypsy herders who are extremely poor-- were clearly MUCH more cared for than the sad creatures in the rest of the country.<br /><br />I do believe that things will start changing for the better as it becomes more mainstream for Indian people to keep animals as pets. The veterinary industry, which was EXTREMELY rare as little as 10 years ago, is becoming much more prevalent which is a good sign."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I had the good fortune to take a riding lesson when I was studying abroad in Spain. We were in a teeny, tiny little town outside of Madrid, and the instructor was clearly an old country man and spoke heavily accented and (to me) utterly incomprehensible Spanish. Other than breaking off a small tree branch for me to carry as a crop (!), the facilities and instruction were what you would expect to find at a nice farm in the United States. The lesson horses were in good weight and well trained, and the instructor seemed very knowledgeable. He kept yelling at me what I eventually realized was "more impulsion!" and then my little lesson pony rounded up quite nicely and was very soft and obedient. Also, they insisted I ride with a helmet (I quite happily obliged). I would have been very happy to take lessons at that place if it were in the United States. Our instructor even had us doing trot poles and no-stirrup work!"</span><br /><br />"This could very likely be a horse crazy girl taking riding lessons while her father videotapes the lesson. Ignorance on hers and her parents part may be forgivable but not to the owner/instructor who is chasing the horse to canter because the girl can't get the horse to do it herself. We know why the poor horse doesn't want to canter but maybe not the student. If this is the way "working horses" in parts of India look, you might understand the ignorance because it might be normal.<br />Everyone who is blazing this girl on youtube may have it wrong believing it's her horse. We just don't know. I feel she posted this because she was proud that she was riding a horse!"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"This response is coming to you from Turkey where I am currently doing fieldwork. As a researcher who frequently travels to out-of-the way places I have become accustomed to the often drastic difference between the acceptable level of care given to livestock in the US/Canada/Western Europe and the beasts of burden in places like rural parts of the Levant and SE Asia, Eastern Europe, or Central Asia. On the one hand, it is interesting to observe traditional, and in some ways better methods of livestock management. For example, the herding of goats and sheep over the landscape and free-range throughout the villages of flocks of geese and chickens as opposed to the feedlot/battery cage lives of animals raised for milk or consumption in the US. On the other hand, it is difficult to see a donkey struggling to pull an overloaded cart complete with flat tires while a crowd of young boys beats it with sticks.<br /><br />In many parts of the world, children are employed as shepherds or care for the family animals, and children can be very kind or very cruel.<br /><br />In the southern parts of Turkey, donkeys are used to collect and carry massive amounts of bay leaves that grow in the coastal mountains and are used to make soap. When fully loaded, they resemble giant, walking tree tops on four tiny little legs. We live in a country where people post on internet message boards wondering if they are too fat to ride, while in reality, donkeys and study ponies worldwide carry incredible loads of pack weight or large people and their possessions on a daily basis. We hire saddle fitters to reflock our French-made leather saddles, while in many places, wooden saddles over thick wool pads are the only option. Most people in the US have never even seen a set of hobbles, let alone used them.<br /><br />I do think that there is a difference in acceptable level of care depending on poverty and access to suitable veterinary expertise. I worked in a very rural part of Central Asia, where children stop growing once they reached the age of nine or ten (there is no iodine in the salt). I camped on the village communal horse farm and was able to observe traditional horse care practices, including milking of the mares for the production of fermented mares' milk. Twice each day, the herd was galloped straight up or straight down the mountain slope to the grazing areas. It was shocking to witness, although in general, the horses seemed ok and certainly got plenty to eat. Hooves were not trimmed (that I could tell) but were again, ok. The breed, I later determined, was the Karabair - a mountain-adapted Central Asian horse. One mare was most certainly not going to make it through the summer. She had torn open her hind left leg such that tendons and ligaments were exposed and visibly severed. There was no treatment other than flushing of the wound. Presumably, the villagers were waiting to wean the foal, after which, I expect, they ate the mare, although I left before it happened. In this case, there really is a different standard.<br /><br />As an aside, there was actually a veterinarian in a nearby village, although I do not think that he would have traveled to the farm, as there was a border-region military checkpoint in the way. Our cook was pregnant and was getting quite big. She didn't know her due date (or month?) and since there was no doctor in the region, our director took her to visit the veterinarian. He examined her and declared that she would deliver in a week. She actually delivered six weeks later, so I have doubts as to whether the veterinarian was worth anything. But then again, he is a veterinarian, not a midwife!"<br /><br /></span><strong>FHOTD in: These are GREAT comments. Thank you. I don't have the perspective of living in any other country (other than Canada, which is similar to the U.S. in horse care) so it's extremely interesting to read from those of you who have.</strong><br /><br />"I felt kind of bad for this gal - she's 37 and learning to ride! Maybe it's the best barn in the area? What if it's just a lesson horse where she rides? - before I saw her favorites list. Bad riding, the people who jack off to horse abuse, and this poor red horse used to teach polo and trotted on asphalt roads. Damn. The horses in the background don't even look as bad off as hers.<br /><br />There are horsemanship orgs in India - like here, here, and here, and that's not even Googling in Hindi - so it's not like the middle class would be devoid of horse care to look up to. They even have a national research center and Olympic committee! "<br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Did you find that she's 37? See, everybody think she's a teen but I don't think she looks like one at all. I was saying mid 20s. That's an adult woman's body.</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I have gone on riding holidays in Ireland, Portugal, Hungary, Australia, and Canada and everyone of the horses was well fed, well muscled, in great condition, etc If I had ever come across one that was too thin or in bad shape, I would refuse to ride it.<br />I am guilty of going on a beach ride in Acapulco on a very thin horse and after about 10 minutes, I dismounted and led the horse as I just didn't feel right riding him. The guide got upset with me, and I didn't ask for my money back, but I told him he needed to feed the horses more, etc my Spanish isn't great, so I doubt he understood much of it.<br />In Madrid, I noticed the Mounted Police horses were fabulous Andalusians that could have graced any show ring as they were fabulous looking horses and you could tell the officers were very proud of their horses.<br />In Quebec City and Montreal they had tons of carriage horses and the majority of them were in great shape and the owners let me feed them apples.<br />I also rode in the Dominican Republic and while the horses could have used a few more pounds, they weren't bad and had plenty of grassy turnout.<br />I've seen a lot more thin horses here in the US than in my travels for the most part."<br /><br />"I studied abroad in the Czech Republic (not exactly a wealthy country, especially after Communism) and, no, their horses looked nothing like the walking skeleton in that girl's video. There are many carriage horses throughout the city of Prague, and they look as well-cared for as top show horses in the US. I also visited a farm out in the country, and while they did things a little differently than what I have seen here (such as tie-stalls), the horses were all healthy, happy, and gorgeous."<br /></span><br />"According to "thehorse.com" there is a movement of veterinarians in this country willing/able to travel abroad to assist. For decades there has also been a sort of "vets without borders" who assist especially work animals (mostly donkeys, oxen and camels) upon whose continued health the lives of an entire family may depend. Must admit, this goes a long way toward improving the recently sad downward spiral of public opinion about veterinarians due to the abusive greed factor." -Sunvalleysally<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"There are times when cultural differences play a part…but this is not the case…a starving horse is a starving horse is a starving horse.. This situation obviously shows a girl who lives a comfortable life, and just as certain cultures condone practices that we cannot support no matter what the “culture” is (think human rights, child labor, etc) riding a starved, lame horse is cruel by any standard regardless of the culture and should be fought..<br /><br />If this were a case of a family living in horrendous conditions and real poverty, then the condition of the horse would be, at least, understandable."<br /></span><br />"What disturbs me is that the horse, in the cantering video, was posted 8 months ago. The other post was 6 months ago and the horse is thinner and also lame. Therefore, one can conclude the horse was purchased in better condition and deterioriating in this girl's thoughtless care."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I went to Cuba with my parents when I was 15 yrs. old.<br />I was thrilled that the resort we were going to offered horseback riding on the beach.<br />The first day that I ran down to the beach to see the horses I was horrified. There were four of them. A chestnut, black, bay and sorrel. They were tied to a hitching post with a tiny bit of an overhang for shade. The shade only covered as much as their necks. If they were lucky.<br />Two were thin. Rail thin. No water or hay was in sight.<br />They had horrid curb bits and chains and two of the horses chains were embedded into the flesh under their chins. The skin was actually trying to grow over the chain. They had bad saddle sores and galls. I do believe their tack never came off. They were ridden down to the beach by the Cuban workers from the farm each morning and then ridden by tourists for $1/hour. Then ridden back up to the ranch.<br />The tourists had no idea how to ride and the poor horses had these curb chains dug into their chins from hard, inexperienced hands. Many of the tourists galloped them hard and brought them in still huffing, only to be be turned back around with yet another tourist on their back.<br />There was one weak, pregnant, emaciated mare I felt really bad for. She was miserable and it showed.<br />I asked when she was due and was told 'any day now'. Only to see tourists riding her hard before she finally bucked them off. She suddenly stopped coming down in the morning one day with the others and I am hoping that foal turned out ok.<br />To do my part, I did what I could at 15 yrs. old. I brought them water several times a day. There was one leaky spout on one of the beach huts and I filled the only thing I had, a discarded beer bottle. To say the horses were appreciative is an understatement. I had no access to hay so could not offer them anything to eat.<br />One morning I told a worker that a shoe was dangling by one nail on one horse's hind hoof, he did nothing and instead sent the poor horse off galloping with a tourist on board, the shoe flopping from his hoof. I was wincing the whole time.<br />When he came back, my dad and I pulled the shoe off. The worker just watched us, amused.<br />No one else gave a damn about the poor horses.<br />I have no idea if this is still happening but I certainly hope something has changed there."<br /><br /></span>"There is a comment on the video suggesting that the reason for all the nasty comments relating to the video is due to Fugly and the "mob mentality" of its readers. Too bad the person who is sooo worried about the feelings of the fat ass on the skinny horse isn't more worried about the skinny horse. In this case, sorry, but the nasty comments were well earned."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I had a look at the videos and I think that the girl doesn't own the horse. I bet that the building in the background is a school, a private one, that wealthy families send their kids too, and that they offer a riding program. It also looks like it is in an urban area and those horses have little to no pasture. Hay isn't something that is a big crop in rural India. Farmers have year round pasture. It wouldn't be readily available like it is here. This girl has minimal English skills so for all of you leaving nasty messages on her youtube videos... she probably isn't getting it and she probably has no control over how the horses are treated! Well maybe I am wrong there, I suppose her parents and her friends parents could pull their kids."</span><br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Again, I believe her to be an adult and someone else found that she is 37.<br /></strong><br />"Anyone else notice that if you look at the dates of the videos the<br />horse is clearly going downhill? You can see he's just continuing to<br />lose weight - makes me wonder if she A) purposely doesn't feed so the<br />horse won't dump her and she can feel like a good rider and B) will<br />just ride him until he dies then go out and get another poor horse to<br />do this to."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I have to say, I have to disagree with you on the topic of emaciated horses in other countries.<br /><br />Having been to some of these other countries (the main one being Cuba), I can tell you that without these horses, the people would DIE. As sad as it sounds, horses are not these people's friends in most cases, but rather the only way they can survive. And in all honesty, a country like Cuba can't help that their horses are starving because they are communist. There's no way to have extra income and their climate doesn't exactly have great vegetation for the horses to eat.<br /><br />However, as before mentioned, these people need horses to live. In their country, horses are beasts of burden. In Cuba, because they have no trade with America, all of their cars are very outdated and they don't have many in the country. It's not like here, you can't go out and buy a car, you have to apply for one through the government. Their main mode of transportation is by horse and wagon.<br /><br />They need the horses to work their fields so their family can eat and they can do that duty for their country. They need the horses to get to their assigned jobs. If they don't get to the jobs, their allotted food supply gets cut off, the family dies.<br /><br />They aren't even allowed to keep the entirety of the tips they make through tourism, should their job involve it. They have to give something crazy like 50% of a tip back to the country.<br /><br />I'm not saying I LIKE these facts. I'm just saying, they have literally NO OTHER CHOICE. They do this, or they die. And it's not just a small percentage, especially in a place like Cuba. If the horses in Cuba got taken away, the majority of the population would die.<br /><br />It pains me to the core that these animals have to suffer, but what pains me more is the knowledge that nothing can be done about it without seriously harming a large chunk of people. And I'm no humanitarian. Were it a situation where they had ample opportunity to treat their animals like family, I would say off with their heads in a heartbeat. But it's not. The way they live can't be helped; they themselves are struggling to survive. They don't have other methods AVAILABLE to them. As in, it's impossible for them to better the horse's treatment.<br /><br />I had the rare opportunity to go across this country and interact with the people and more than once the condition of the animals brought me to tears and I wished that I could take them all home with me and fatten them up and give them the retirement they need, but to do so would have been the death of their owners.<br /><br />If you wanted to see pictures that I took (I'd rather that they not leave my blog, please) I posted some </span></span><a href="http://thehorseresource.blogspot.com/2009/03/it-makes-you-appreciate-things.html"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#333399;">Thanks for the read."</a><br /><br /></span>"I'm sorry, but with all the information that is so readily accessible to anyone with a PHONE, there is no reason, NONE, for people to keep any animal in such a terrible condition.<br /><br />Neighbors watching neighbors! Even war torn countries have the ability to get information out to the masses on what is truly happening.<br /><br />There are no excuses acceptable anymore! If you can't feed them, don't own them!"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Unfortunately this is culture, but not in a good way. Many wealthy Indians, like their American counterparts, are very status conscious and enjoy flaunting what they have to the have-nots. India is the home of the caste system by which individuals were seggregated according to their social status. This poor horse is just a four-legged version of a Gucci bag that will be tossed aside when daddy buys her a new toy.<br />Regarding other countries, I've done some riding in Eastern Europe at public stables and was impressed with the quality and condition of the horses. Abuse and neglect is the result of ignorance and lack of empathy. Culture has nothing to do with it."</span><br /><br />"I think you are out of touch with reality on this one. First of all,<br />the "land of hand-outs" comment was typical of right-leaning, "somebody<br />is getting something free" complainers. Do you mean hand-outs like<br />unemployment compensation? Tax allowances for mortgage interest? Health<br />insurance (partially) paid by your employer? I think you get my drift.<br />The US controls 3/4 of the world's wealth; we should be doing a much<br />better job of taking care of both our people and our animals, among<br />other things.<br /><br />That said, yes I've lived in places where animals were not valued or<br />cared for. Try the Caribbean. Dogs are kept chained up to the "house"<br />they are supposed to be guarding and fed minimally. Cats are expected to<br />fend for themselves. Livestock is somewhat better cared for, but that's<br />only because they're ultimately intended for somebody's dinner. Nobody<br />makes any attempt to avoid hitting domestic animals in the roadway. I<br />once witnessed someone deliberately run into a herd of sheep as they<br />were crossing the road. TBs are imported from the states, typically<br />after they've already been deemed unfit for racing, and they are raced<br />at the local tracks until they are really, really unfit for racing, or<br />much else. Then they are simply let loose. I acquired a TB gelding<br />when I saw it standing in the same general location on the side of the<br />road for several days. I put a halter on him and led him home. He had<br />a bad knee that had mostly fused, but which did not bother him and he<br />was the sweetest horse I ever owned. I eventually tracked down his<br />"owner", a Senator from St. Croix, and paid him $200 for legal<br />ownership, although I'm quite sure he never would have come after the<br />horse.<br /><br />It is true that in the Caribbean, the native population is very poor;<br />the only people with money are the white folks who go there to build<br />fancy vacation homes. The natives are barely scratching out a living to<br />support their families and the animals come second, both for economic<br />and cultural reasons. I can imagine that India is the same way. You<br />may think that the girls is from a wealthy family, but it's all<br />relative. My company outsources lots of work to India, and I can tell<br />you that the pay rate for someone in India doing the same work I do<br />would be roughly a twelfth to a tenth of what I make. And again, the<br />cultural attitudes towards animals are very different. But, the US<br />hasn't always been so "enlightened" either. Regard for animals comes<br />with education and a higher standard of living. Don't expect to find it<br />in third world countries."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Just wanted to comment on today's post:<br /><br />I lived in Romania the past year, and the horse world there is something else... Outside of major cities horses are still the major source of transportation, and you see wagons like the photo attached EVERYWHERE. I was impressed by the stoicism of these horses, who stood quietly when halted, never flinched when cars race by them and passed inches away, and worked in two stallion or stallion and mare pairs (usually with a foal at their side) with no fuss, ever. However, part of it is they are just worked so much, they have no energy to act up. Though so many peasants use horses exclusively on a daily basis, the horse culture is dead. During the Communist facist Ceasescu regime, equitation was considered bourgeois, while using horses to plow and transport was considered too primitive. Hundreds and thousands of horses were slaughtered or abandoned so tractors could be implemented on all the collective farms. Post 1989, no one can afford tractors anymore, and now it's back to horses, with an entire generation of people who have never been taught to properly treat their horses. Horses are shod with shoes that have 'lifts' under the heel, while any hoof shaping technique is ignored. They have strange superstitions about water 'killing' horses (probably some peasant legend about one guy who gave his huffing and puffing dehydrated horses free access to icy cold creek water in the winter and....), and they are usually offered water only once a day. They work outdoors all day, and are pastured via a tether to the ground OR, for stallions, by tying the stallion's front hoof to his halter with a foot long rope so he awkwardly prances around. At night, they are stabled in rough little cow sheds with the pigs. Breeding is done pretty haphazardly. The Hutul/Huzul/Hucul horse is a smallish native pony related to some of the oldest horse breeds in the world (somewhat like Icelandics, in a way) that used to be bred for speed and to be the mounts of noblemen. However, now breeding is done carelessly, and you see a lot of fugly horses around. The rough treatment of the peasants, however, is NOTHING compared to the immature vanity of the new rich classes that fancy riding as some flashy way to have a good time. Men love to pretend they're cowboys and gallop their horses while they bounce along, and they chase their child's pony around in the round pen so it will give their kid a fun ride. They are totally unwilling to learn and have no respect. They underfeed their horses, they never keep up with worming and shoeing even though they could afford to, and they often tire of their horses after a few months and leave them to wither away under the care of an indifferent, underpaid peasant. It's hard to see- some riding holiday centers owned by foreigners manage their horses well, but it's always against the tide, as the local workers don't find it necessary to treat horses kindly."</span><br /><br />"As bad off as this horse appears to have it, believe me, it has it good in comparison to the rest of his country mates. Do a search on the India horse markets. Horrid. I am not quite sure its "her" horse. It appears to be more of a roadside (close to a school) stand for "riding lessons". The same two chestnuts are always present and tack varies by video. In one of the vids, the other chestnut is off grazing, tack and all by itself. I also see no stable present, so I can't help but wonder if they are led there for a day of work from somewhere else.<br /><br />I know the following link is for Egypt and its not quite fair to compare, but the mindset is the same. Be sure to view their </span><a href="http://www.ace-egypt.org.uk/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">blog link</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to get the full scope."<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7mTAeY1Nh1dreFcemwVd7cnrrDwcp_iujcGZrcJ4BHJEcinQlEMZScRLyUQqY3EiftyYI-mR0H1l-4xGcjouL17o4NSsEIF5NBTIMFQHK8qzPrlg4GQZDNGXyacbymkAerjoz09rgU7t/s1600-h/29+Sept+Horses+and+Veronique+003.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371780124638814802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7mTAeY1Nh1dreFcemwVd7cnrrDwcp_iujcGZrcJ4BHJEcinQlEMZScRLyUQqY3EiftyYI-mR0H1l-4xGcjouL17o4NSsEIF5NBTIMFQHK8qzPrlg4GQZDNGXyacbymkAerjoz09rgU7t/s320/29+Sept+Horses+and+Veronique+003.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#333399;">"I lived overseas twice…once in Italy , once in Mauritius . I wasn’t able to ride when I lived in Italy , but I did crave horses and thus jogged past one horse farm daily. They were drafts used for farming and they were in good shape. I don’t have photos of them.<br /><br />When I lived in Mauritius (see attached photos), I did have the opportunity to ride at the horse club. Being an island 600 miles east off the coast of S. Africa , most horses are imported first for racing. The majority are Arabs. Much like a TB’s career here in the US , these horses come off the track and go to private citizens. Because the island is small and the majority of the population is quite poor and living in compact spaces, few private citizens tend to have horses. Those that do are typically quite wealthy. Anyone else who wants to ride joins the horse club (there is only one) and rides there. I paid about 60 dollars per ride as a non-member.<br /><br />They don’t grow hay on the island, it has to be imported and hay cubes are more common. Sugar cane takes up the majority of fields. Horses are in good health, good weight, feet are maintained, etc. Their barns are fairly open air for circulation and horses spend the majority of their time in a stall when they’re not being ridden.<br /><br />The only thing that bothered me about these horses? Flies. They really didn’t fly spray anyone.<br /><br /><br />Other places that I’ve visited such as Mexico , Jamaica , Virgin Islands , etc? I’ve seen horses in pretty poor condition being used in tourist trail ride strings. I refuse to participate in that. I’ve never seen anything that screamed ABUSE to me, but was certainly below the standard of care *I’d* consider minimum for my own. Therefore, when I go on a cruise or take a vacation, I steer clear of the beach rides and such."<br /><br /></span>"I don't think she owns that horse. I think that dinky little round pen area is where she goes for her weekly "lesson". Just hypothesizing, of course, but she doesn't know what a gallop is (she's cantering) and seems to be pretty self absorbed in what she can…er…tries to do. Of course she isn't in America, but it seems like most self-indulgent horse owners want to show how amazing the horse is and what stupid tricks they've taught it. This woman is a beginner and content with showing us her super-dee-duper dismount.<br /><br />That doesn't make it better, just saying, I think she's a rank beginner who needs to start with a good, thick book on horse husbandry, not getting herself in a saddle.<br /><br />Of course the horse is too skinny and lame, but I think the main issue should be educating her, or she'll turn to the dark side for good."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I just got back from a 6 week vacation in Germany, and while I was there I was fortunate enough to take some lessons from at a riding stable. All the horses appeared very fat and healthy, and under very good care. I spent a lot of time traveling in a car while on vacation and noticed that many of the horses pastures (and even other livestock) mostly was surrounded by electric fencing (I was so happy!). I only recall seeing one horse in a pasture with barbed wire. Though the pastures were small, all the horses appeared in good weight when the economy over there is just as bad if not worse than our own."<br /><br /></span>"I guess that gal is convinced that she is truly learning to ride and has good equitation. I’d HATE to see what would happen if she got on a horse that was properly fed, that felt good and was fit. I’m quite sure that she would have a rude awakening and more than likely get hurt. So sad for those pour animals L<br /><br />Also, it is too bad the FHOTD bog has the, and I quote “mob mentality” as stated on the YouTube response for this video. I tried to PM the person that made this statement to tell her that ‘NO, not everybody that reads the blog is like this’, but I don’t have a YouTube account L<br /><br />Even the on the sweetest forums, there are those that get the mob mentality, I have personally seen/read it! Apparently there are a whole lot of people out there that just have anger management issues…"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"In response to your blog today, I felt that I needed to comment.<br /><br />I've spent a fair amount of time in central and south america, especially in costa rica doing surveys for Crocodiles. I had the opportunity to pack into the jungle with criollo pack horses, and borrow criollo ranch horses for long tail rides and beach rides. Although I frequently saw horses that showed a shadow of rib, they never looked ill or hungry. I was not borrowing tourist horses, I was borrowing working animals owned by locals that made their living hauling fallen mahogany logs out of the forest, panning for gold, and doing odd jobs around the community. They were not affluent people. Their horses were ALWAYS cared for and fed. The only time I ever saw skinny horses was on the beach, carting tourists around for a wealthy lodge owner. My experience and 2 cents."<br /><br /></span>"I was in Argentina this week (Yay for pass travel!) and saw a lot of poverty that would be incredulous to see here in the US, but while I saw a few shaggy thinner beasties, most of them were well fed with good feet, especially the cart and carriage horses. You could often see them grazing on the greenbelts next to the shanty houses. - Breezy."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I have a professor that came from India only a few short years ago. When he found out I owned a horse he looked astounded and exclaimed that only royalty in India own horses. Everyone except a teeny, tiny percent could never dream of ever owning or riding a horse. Horses are only for royalty.<br /><br />This girl (and those with any affiliation to this horse) need a royal kick in the ass."<br /></span><br />"Years ago I went on an Equitour trekking trip in England, geared towards advanced riders. Amazing well-cared-for horses, concerned guides and owner of the stable, no complaints about animal welfare. But I was shocked that they had no qualms about trotting for miles on paved roads. I told the guide that in the US we "never" trot fast for distance on paved roads, and now she was the shocked one!<br /><br />The horses weren't lame and it was obvious they trotted on pavement all the time. 2 of the riders in our group (from Australia I think) were very upset and complained to the tour owner and said they would write to Equitour. Since the horses looked healthy, I figured it was just a "culture" difference and didn't comment. Was that okay?"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Chubby girl, who can't ride, pounding the back of a skinny, lame horse is SICK and WRONG in any country. I could see it if the owner's are scraping by, but obviously this girl is well fed and well dressed. There is no excuse for THAT!"</span><br /><br />"One of my most vivid memories from the two-week foreign exchange trip to Spain I took as a schoolkid (some two decades ago, now) was on the bus, which had stopped in a tiny village between Historical Point of Interest A and Historical Point of Interest B for fuel.<br /><br />We didn't get off the bus, but as I sat there looking out the window at the tiny huts and the dry, dusty ground broken only by little desert shrubs as far as the eye could see, two plainly dressed men rode into my field of view on the most beautiful horses I had ever seen in the flesh. They were perfectly matched young, dapple gray Andalusian stallions, perhaps four or five years of age, meticulously groomed, glossy and rippling with muscle.<br /><br />The men were in work clothes, riding with rough, but serviceable and well-fitted tack; the horses calmly on the bit as they walked past this giant, diesel-belching bus invading their village without snorting or rolling an eye.<br /><br />These horses would have easily sold in the US for $25,000 a piece, or more. It was obvious that in this village, the horses WERE their wealth... and I'd bet that out of sight somewhere, there were some fighting bulls and cattle that were just as magnificent, and were treated just as carefully as others might treat their gold or their prized artwork.<br /><br />What were they feeding these animals? I have no idea. It was a desert; it was late winter. There was no green to be seen anywhere, beyond the sparse, scrubby brush. But they obviously had it figured out.<br /><br />I have never forgotten those horses, and never will.<br /><br />Deer Run Stables"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I went to Cancun with my senior class ( 6 people-we home schooled). Somewhere outside of Cancun, at a resort/park they had horse back riding on the beach. I don't remember the name of the place. You could see the parrots and flamingos, swim with the dolphins and do other things there. My friends wanted to go riding. I refused to go because the horses looked worse then that girls horse! My classmates were not horsey people at all, and still went riding. They didn't understand why I freaked out. I do have a picture of them somewhere...I will have to see if I can find it. I tried saying something to the grooms, but they didn't understand me - or just pretended they couldn't hear me."<br /></span><br />"The video appears to be of a riding lesson to me. The rider is very much a beginner, holding desperately to the saddle and instantly losing her stirrups at the canter. I believe you, Fugly, told the tale of the first place YOU learned to ride, when you were a horse-crazy kid and the instructor Knew All, so whatever horse you were mounted on was just fine. J<br /><br />Which doesn’t obviate your point; only transfers the blame to the guy with the stick, aka the “instructor”. :P This is where the attitude that if the horse can stand up, it can work comes from – it’s taught to horse-crazy kids."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Yes, 30+ years ago I lived in Turkey. My feelings to this day, is no one in any of the Mid-east countries should own any living thing. There are days when I feel the whole area should be turned into one giant glass parking lot.<br /><br />I was in the military, stationed there. There was nothing I could do. I was an outsider and a female outsider. The average life span for a horse, then, was 5 years. I'm sure it has not improved much. I saw emaciated horse pulling loads no living creature should pull. I saw horses with broken legs pulling carts. And of course, their human always had a whip in hand. Some horses never had their harnesses removed. The sores on their bodies were enough to make you sick and no treatment. I saw horses with their heads in dumpsters looking for food. Straw was a delicacy. A stallion could stand next to a mare and not even look at her. And the Mid-easterners don't believe in castration.<br /><br />The only creature who mattered then, and still does, is the male human. He eats first, gets medical treatment first, etc. A woman's role was to reproduce.<br /><br />A dog is vermine and is to be treated as such. Cats are still considered sacred, but are not cared for. Disease is rampant in all animals. The lucky ones die at birth.<br /><br />The only animals that are semi-properly cared for are the goats and sheep. Both are a main staple of the mid east diet. In the year that I spent in Turkey, I don't think I ever saw a sign for a veterinarian other than on base and non of the locals used them."</span><br /><br />"Doesn't seem to care to much about the horse, but likes to show off her "Skill" she shouldn't even be riding faster than a walk if she has to hold on to the saddle to stay on. I was in India for a year and a half with my ex and sorry to say this is the main attitude for most of the people I was around with horses. I was leasing a horse for the time I was there and increased his feed since I considered him underweight, and was told that it was "unhealthy" for him and the owner was taking the feed away. So I fed him three times a day and stayed with him till he was done. He was in good weight when I left, but got a picture of him from friend three months after I left and he was back the way he was when I found him. He died I am told two months later. Worse was the people I was dealing with were very set in their ways and said that Americans didn't understand that horses are work animals that is what they are for."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Im upset to say the least.<br />I personally have no respect for people that:<br />1. Dont feed their horses adequately<br />2. Dont feed vitamins and minerals to their horse. In NZ there is little selenuim i the soil so it needs to be added to feed -i seem to be one of the limited people that know this? What minerals does your soil lack?<br />3. Dont take correct care of the horses feet. If you cant afford to have the horses feet trimmed every 5-6 weeks, you have a problem. This also includes dentistry, vets and chiropractors or some type of biomechanical check-up for the soundness of the body.<br />4. Dont Groom the horses ATLEAST weekly<br />5. Dont See the horses daily, or have someone to go out to see them -physically view the legs and interact with them.<br />6. Dont Take covers with a glimpse of sun or choose an apropriate cover<br />7. Dont If you chose to clip your horse, you chose to up your standards of care. Horses standing uncovered doing nothing is not OK. Rug it, or move it.<br />8. You shold know all the major illnesses and how to attend to wounds for first aid.<br />9. You should know how to fit ALL of your tack and have adequate knowlege of the horses gear. What it is, and why you use it?<br />10. Dont Have knowlege of horses gaits and irregularities in their gait.<br />11. Dont Be able to asses if your horse had a sore back.<br />12. Dont Fitten the horse up BEFORE you get on.<br />13. Dont Fitten yourself up before you get on.<br />14. Dont give the horse time to make the right decision, and guide the horse if they make the choice you didnt wish.<br />15. People that dont take regular lessons to be able to sit in harmony with the horse. Lameness of the horse (especially in the back) is usually caused by an uneven rider. It happens so often. Get lessons and give your horse a longer life.<br />16. People that ride horses (AND PONIES) before 2 years old, and people that are jumping horses (any height) before 4 years old.<br />17. People that breed because its broken/unruly/has no other job/humans pregnant or because it has functioning gonads<br />18. People that dont handle their foals regularily and from day one.<br />19. People neglect broodmares, youngsters and stallions and simply "turn them out." Every day their left with little to no handling, is a day closer to a very average life in a tin. Horses get extremely bored also, they need entertainment. Hack your broodmares if you can, or hand walk then to some grass and spend time with her. Get your youngster in and take him for a walk around the block. Exposure when young means a more handlable horse.<br />20. People that have more horses than they can responsibly handle. Im not sure about others but my 2 horses are 5mins drive away. They are seen twice a day and i spend 2 and a half hours simply to do the basic chores. My maximum would be 6, and thats as a full time job. What about you?<br /><br />The list goes on (seriously, but i need to go to uni in the morning and i already have my own list of people that dont tick all that off my list and want to kill me because they know theor doing wrong and its easier to get angry towards others that to fix themselves)<br /><br />Is it too hard to have harmony between horse people, and minimal standards?<br /><br />It seems minimal standards also differ between races of people and circles. It makes me sad."<br /><br /></span>"I’m replying to today’s post.<br /><br />I lived in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on and off from 1990-1993. This is a lot like living in the cowboy era in the American West. I had several horses there, and crossed most of Costa Rica with two of them in 1993.<br /><br />In general, Costa Ricans are big horse lovers, and their horses are usually in good condition. (Far better than horses in the surrounding countries). Even less educated cowboys use fly spray, worm medicine, have a farrier, etc. The horses are well trained, responsive, and bomb-proof.<br /><br />However, the cowboys in my area never did any daily grooming or hoof picking other than an occasional hose-down after a ride. The horses are on grass pasture their entire lives, and get quite thin during the dry season, though nothing like the ones in the Indian videos. Grain is available, but not used by cowboy types. Also, they broke horses (the old, cruel way) at 2 years old. And gelded horses with a sharp knife and no anesthesia. One of my horses that crossed Costa Rica was 7 years old, and people that knew his age thought he should be put down as “too old.”<br /><br />I also lived in England from 1999-2001. I took dressage lessons every week at two different schools. (Big/public, and small/private). The horses in England are SUPER well cared for except for virtually never being out at pasture. The lesson horses work 4 hours a day giving lessons and going out on the road. They have all kinds of safety gear (boots, reflectors, etc.) Safety is a big issue. Helmets were required even to walk onto the property, even if you didn’t plan to touch a horse or ride that day. Students weren’t allowed to touch the horses outside the arena. The instructors groomed and tacked up the horses and led them away after class. They said it was a “liability issue” to allow students into the barn area. I learned a lot about dressage, but didn’t even know how to put on English tack after 2 years of lessons!<br /><br />Finally, I lived in Columbia, MO until recently, and took summer Saddlebred riding classes at Stevens College. These are cheap lessons because you have to groom, clean tack, put on tack, etc. Helmets were required, which I haven’t seen at many other American facilities. The lesson lasts 3 hours to give time for grooming and cleanup. However, I learned much more about horse care that way. The horses were all donated show horses, and were still shown by students in the equestrian program during the school year. So the horses were in great shape, never lame, always had daily turnout, etc.<br /><br />There’s my 3-countries-worth!"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I watched a painful number of these videos trying to make sense of what appeared to be a riding instructor, an assistant, a second horse and rider. To me, it appears that this young woman is taking riding lessons, and is obviously a beginner. In one video, the person who seems to be her instructor rides the horse, using the whip repeatedly to make the horse move. Of the two horses, one is by far much more thin than the other, but both are emaciated. One is frequently lame, and has what looks to be rub marks of white hair from sores near the stifle area. Apparently these horses aren't getting much bedding either. Sadly, these horses act like lesson horses, as well. Same pattern, different rider, totally exausted. They are used to the whips and spurs. The young woman who is riding may have money, but I think she is paying for lessons on horses not fit for any riding activity. *Perhaps* she does not know better, maybe she was told it was the horse's age. Whatever the reason, its sick and sad, and, for at least 6 mths, people have been commenting (in English) on feeding the horses and getting a vet for the lame one. Someone is just running these horses as lesson horses till they fail, and will probably just grab another malnourished horse and continue to make money while the bodies of the dead ones rot. Truly sickening actions that have nothing to do with helping a poverty-stricken people survive, but for pure greed and lack of empathy for the animal. The Human Plague. - Marzbarz"<br /><br /></span>"I am just disgusted by these videos. She looks like a stupid “Indian-Rich-Guy’s”- wife, and I just wan’t to bitchslap this woman until she is feeding that horse the lunch she certainly doesn’t seem to need.<br /><br />I’ve lived in Pakistan and Iraq… and sadly this is how horses tend too look over there… and this isn’t even the worst Ive seen.<br /><br />What is really amazing is the perfect closing on that I-passion-writing-bad-english-titles-woman, and even the horse (what is left of him anyway) also seems to have expenise saddles and equipment….but…”nooo…we do not have the money to feed the horses”…."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Last year in Egypt I saw an enlightening contrast. In Aswan the caleche horses were predominantly emaciated, scarred, lamed and hard-used in 40C heat. In Luxor, although there were definatly thin horses and the shoeing was mostly the pits, overall the horses and donkeys were much better off. I asked our guide, telling him how heartsick we had been in Aswan, and he explained that in Luxor the Brooke's animal hospital was headquartered. For those who haven't heard of this organization, it was set up after the first war when thousands of military horses were left behind in Africa where their living conditions were appalling, mostly because the native population simply didn't understand animal husbandry. Brooke's is all over the world now and their mission is to provide basic health care and teach the owners proper care. In most cases people are anxious to have their animals healthy - one donkey or horse can support an entire family. I highly recommend anyone wanting to improve the plight of hoofed animals world-wide consider supporting this group BROOKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL. You can 'Google' them under that name."<br /><br /></span>"Well, this isn't my own story, but at the moment as research for a book I'm reading lots of nineteenth century riding manuals for women. One, The Horsewoman, by Mrs Alice Hayes, published in 1894, includes quite a lot on the colonial life, as Mrs Hayes travelled the world breaking horses and doing demonstrations with her husband. There are tales of women winning "paperchases" (a particularly dangerous sounding type of steeplechase) in India, leaping coffins in the fields in China (yes, I know), and details of ladies riding astride in enormous divided skirts in Berlin.<br />She raves about Indian grooms or "syces" though – she had an Arabian called Freddie whose groom slept in his stable, the horse being careful not to tread on him. Only Russian cab drivers get the same credit from her for looking after their charges well.<br /><br />Anyway, here she is </span><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/26318/26318-h/26318-h.htm#fig146"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">riding a zebra</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.<br /><br />I've gotten rather fond of her in reading her books, even though she's an utter snob, but she would clearly ride anything and was both fearless and a considerate rider. Sad to see she died only a year after this edition. I wonder what happened?<br /><br />Incidentally, just to hammer home the whole "feeding and training your horse adds to its value" I can dig out for you the first ever horsecare manual (long before Xenophon) which states just that. It's somewhere here in all this reasearch...<br /><br />Keep up the good work!"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Wow. You know, what struck me is this: what the HELL is the riding instructor thinking? Doesn't it look like she's getting lessons in those videos? So you would think the horse professional would know better than to put 150 lbs on top of the horse without putting several hundred on the horse's frame. Gee, what a lazy horse, I guess I'll chase it whacking it with a stick to make it run. I do not understand how anyone can look at that horse and think "animal fit to work".<br /><br />Do I blame her . . . well, I feel it's a bit more complicated. I'm not saying that ignorance is a defence, however if a rider has only ever had one trainer and the trainer has a good reputation, while she's not exactly innocent, it is important to trust your trainer, so if your trainer says that the horse is fit to work . . . but you would think that common sense would be screaming "your horse is too skinny!". I have the same question as you: is that somehow the norm, or at least considered healthy? Yikes. People that walk around that skinny are considered ABOUT TO DIE." </span><br /><br />"I absolutely agree that anyone in India who can afford to not only have horses but have their own personal groom as well is a very affluent member of society (and should have the knowledge and resources to take better care of their animals). The worst part-as the videos become more recent the horse's body condition worsens, as does his degree of lameness. Veterinary medical education in other countries varies dramatically, from very comparable (Canada) to archaic (Kazakhstan). I understand this person may not have access to all of the modern veterinary medicine we do here in the states. Bottom line is, it doesn't take state of the art technology to treat your animals right. Thanks for bringing this up-good topic."<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Again, Fugly followers are posting very rude comments. Referring to the girl’s fat ass is not going to make listen."</span><br /><br />"If you look through the other videos posted of this girl, you see that it is a riding school. She is taking lessons. The morons that run the school are the ones that should be ridiculed, not her - she looks like a kid to me. They are teaching her that it is OK for a horse to look like that and, worse, that a bony horse is ridable! All the horses in the background look terrible too. All the postings are titled "I love to ride" or something. Bet she loves horses too and that as she gets older she'll learn what a healthy horse looks like.<br /><br />She's not that bad of a rider for someone who's just learning. I doubt there are very many riders who didn't bounce at least a little when they first tried to lope or trot...poor horses! A good teacher can help minimize this, but it still happens. I even have a friend who spent too many years riding the same horse with a super smooth lope and then started out looking like she had never loped before when she retired him and bought second horse. She had to hang on to the back of the saddle to get the feel of her new mare's lope.<br /><br />But no, I don't think living in a poor country gives you a "get out of taking care of your horse" pass. Especially since this is a business. "<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"I was shocked at how ignorant this person is to not realize how terribly emaciated and lame her horse is. Also, many of the comments posted sickened me. One's saying that they wish to be this person's horse, because she is a great rider. Others telling her to whip her horse even more. Some even telling her to teach to other women and calling her a "goddess." This woman cannot ride and cannot realize the poor condition that her horse is in. If she can afford the computer, the camera, the fancy tack, and the food she is packing into her own stomach, then surely she could feed the horse? In my opinion, she should skip a few meals and her horse instead."<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRty1QBAtPH90Ai1w31lMQqThHlzxJ4BXRm55lJw6G4pGxiOOzGytzdLpFMzShxWVFp6nV3micKRf_c3e0y-iLm5nwHWLZYB2oux9ucRT0mecGkZpsv8xVKeZ0J5x-6VJoNkUqr5QNMhcx/s1600-h/Polo+Ponies+On+Deck,+Salta+Argentina.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371783257723177938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRty1QBAtPH90Ai1w31lMQqThHlzxJ4BXRm55lJw6G4pGxiOOzGytzdLpFMzShxWVFp6nV3micKRf_c3e0y-iLm5nwHWLZYB2oux9ucRT0mecGkZpsv8xVKeZ0J5x-6VJoNkUqr5QNMhcx/s320/Polo+Ponies+On+Deck,+Salta+Argentina.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Most of the horses I saw at the polo clubs in Argentina we're in great shape, training condition lean, but well taken care of. The back of the house facilities, where only grooms go, left a lot to be desired. Front of the house facilities for owners and spectators were well-groomed. In the countryside, there were horses loose, grazing wherever, even a few running through town, but at least they were fed!"<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"This one really shows just how skinny that poor mare is and of course it's still lame so let's bounce down the road with her. I don't care what Country you're from there is absolutely NO EXCUSE to ride a horse like this or have one that looks like this unless you got it like that and are working on getting the weight back on it but you sure in the hell wouldn't be riding the poor lame beyond skinny mare. That girl needs to skip a couple of meals and give that mare a few more. Why is it that that asshats are always plump but their horses are skinny and look like crap!!!<br />wheelin126"</span><br /><br /><strong>FHOTD in: Well, and that's WHY people comment on rider weight. Be any size you want as long as your horse is as well fed as you are (and conformed/sound enough to carry you). But if your butt is well rounded and your horse is all hipbones, I don't think people remarking on that means they are fat-haters. That's not the point. The point is YOU ARE NOT POVERTY STRICKEN. You can feed yourself. Feed your horse FIRST!</strong><br /><br />"I took a dressage holiday in southern Spain a few years ago because I had recently been adopted by an Andalusian filly and wanted to learn more about this sensitive breed. The horses at the finca were very sweet and willing, but badly in need of dental care and also hoof care. They still had their wolf teeth. Everybody's favorite gelding there had a missing eye, due to abuse by children throwing stones that was left unattended until it was too late. The German girls I made friends with and I would dismount whenever the ground was stony, due to the bad condition of the feet. The people accommodations were good, but the horse's situation was sad. There was no respite from the Andalucian sun; they were out there in stony, rocky paddocks at all hours.<br /><br />Barnkitty"<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.soshorses.org/DEF-Horse.asp?hoID=107"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/rodeo.jpg" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-34810642552511065542009-08-16T16:02:00.000-07:002009-08-17T18:53:55.311-07:00Animal Rescue: Officially the most frustrating thing on earth!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlVk-RhW6OCohZA3OVTGGS8rYwul6NfBx2CWYpBnBQ_-AND4Ee8lMkcK28gehOLqTZJBop-ORZNYH3FEeUD-uecV3dkThX5RDkASFDYCvRJjs_TGuWhuMRKEYg-ZUXqVXj4mlAsj08eCq/s1600-h/mackallhorse.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlVk-RhW6OCohZA3OVTGGS8rYwul6NfBx2CWYpBnBQ_-AND4Ee8lMkcK28gehOLqTZJBop-ORZNYH3FEeUD-uecV3dkThX5RDkASFDYCvRJjs_TGuWhuMRKEYg-ZUXqVXj4mlAsj08eCq/s320/mackallhorse.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370722391003452498" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=10932504">Animals rescued from Orange County Farm</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's the part that flipped me out: I talked to this woman on the phone several times in 2007, because she launched a web site for the Polo Pony Retirement Foundation. (It was at polopony.org - It's gone now and not archived) Great, I thought. <span style="font-style: italic;">Finally</span>, someone is going to do something about all the old polo ponies, many of whom do go to slaughter which makes me </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >crazy </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">because there is no better little kid's mount than a twenty something polo pony. They have seen and done it all, are broke to death and are famous for packing teeny tinies around like four legged babysitters. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She was completely sane sounding and intelligent on the phone. We discussed everything from black tie fundraisers to horse care. This was not a person who was not knowledgeable about horses. I agreed to type up a bunch of materials for planning purposes and did so. When I got back to her, she did not respond, and she ignored voice mails. So I shrugged my shoulders and figured she had flaked, too bad but not exactly surprising. People want to start a new rescue about every six minutes and most of them will never go further than pipe dreams. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The news article says she blames it on health, as they usually do. But for heaven's sake, if you really have a health problem, ASK FOR HELP! Polo is a wealthy community and there are those that would have stepped up to take in her horses if she could no longer care for them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">From the news article comments:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I am a neighbor and had not heard from Ms. Mackall in over a year. She has 70 acres. You are unable to see her horses from the road and she keeps her gate locked and she has "no trespassing" signs posted. She was very much a recluse and it was impossible to know what went on at her farm. A neighbor was asked by her on a Wednesday to go water some of the horses. That is when animal control was contacted."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">THANK YOU to the person who finally reported her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And here is an idea: When you have 70 acres, SELL A COUPLE ACRES! Then you can buy hay AND hire help, no matter how poor your health may be.<br /><br />Ugh, this one makes me VERY angry. <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">Your comments</a> welcome. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">COMMENTS</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">First things first - this is from the scene:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Okay, so hubby is in charge of the ac guys as well as others. Knowing this, I knew the day would come when I would get 'the call'. It happened. And this was the case.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yup, she had 30 acres visible to me and was all electric taped off in sections. So she could have pastured the weaker ones together. And there was another 50 acres out back. None of it was visible from the road. And it's a busy road and loaded with responsible horse people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The lady called a neighbor and asked her to look after the horses as she was going in the hospital. The poor unsuspecting neighbors came to the property and promptly called AC. Thanks to Trish and her crew, we spent the next 14 hours with the vet and finding homes for these horses. One stupid horse wouldn't get in the trailer. Had to get the vet back out the next day. Thanks Keswick Equine! You rock too!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We took in 10 horses. 12 are still on the property and in great health.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A stallion was locked in an enclosed trailer for a month. She had a nice big aluminum stock trailer but chose not use that one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She had a yearling colt that finally let them put a halter on him. I could walk up to him, with my hands behind my back. Once I tried to move my hand up to him, he would run away. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The uncle who was her lawyer is taking 2 of the horses. The cops did make sure that he was going to keep them in a proper place. And actually he's keeping them at this wonderful outfit that took 4 already. And they will make sure the 2 horses don't leave.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">21 dead on the property. In August, in VA. The stink is still in my nose.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anyway, we took in a one eyed mare for a couple of days. I'm not set up for this sort of thing and especially a mare with 3 horny geldings. We sent her on to Traveller's Rest Equine Elders. THEY ROCK! And also need help."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.equineelders.org/">Equine Elders</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> if you want to donate!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"KNOW YOUR LIMITS! Jeese, how hard is that? I KNOW how many animals I can comfortably care for and afford and I won’t go over that number, period. I’m beginning to think “rescue” is synonymous with “hoarder” these days. Stories like this are all too common and they make me sick to my stomach. These stories are the reason my horses are “lifers” meaning that they will be with me until they die. I’m scared to death that they might eventually end up in a situation like this otherwise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">One other thing… you can bet your ass that if I’m too sick to care for my horses for even one day I’ll be asking for help.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">PRS"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"That is completely disgusting. I don't care how sick you are, there is no reason she couldn't organise help for these animals.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This bit is just unbelievable!</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"This horse was found in a stock trailer and it had been on that trailer for about a month. It was clearly evidence that it had not been taken off the trailer in that time period and that it had been standing in its own feces and urine for that period of time. He was covered in his own mess."</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">WTF is wrong with some people??? :O"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Sigh. I really do not get people. I'm being hit relatively hard by the economic downturn as a small business owner, but I can tell you my horse is happy, plump, on a 6 week shoeing schedule and running free with his buddies on a 20 acre pasture. When I've needed help in the past because of my health, I wasn't to proud to ask and had many great friends who stepped up willingly. I made a COMMITMENT to my animals and will go without so that they are happy, healthy and well-balanced. What do these people do with their children? I hope to God they don't breed. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">-FlechaRojo"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Whoa, hold on a minute. 20 horses on 70 acres. That’s almost 4 acres to a horse. I have a neighbor who has two older horses on 3 acres of pasture. The horses only get about ½ flake morning and evening each (less during summer) and are morbidly obese. They are on this pasture year round, and get proper dental and hoof care. My guess is, if the two horses were on 7 acres, they would be even fatter than they are now; regardless of how much hay they got. So even with zero hoof and dental care (i.e. complete neglect except watering them) I don’t see how there is any way that these horses got to be so thin. The condition of these horses is simply inexcusable."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Regarding my comment on selling a few acres:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"It may not be so easy... I don't know if it's different in the states, but in Ontario (especially southern) it's getting harder to win a severance in the last 20 years or so. There are many little two acre plots with bungalows built pre-1980, when any farmer could sever off a big lot and build his retirement home. All it took was a few city people buying those homes and complaining about the smell and boom- no severances anymore.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">For the most part, that's a good thing... farmland has to be protected. BUT I see your point. She could have found some way to use that land to make ends meet and care for her horses.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Personally I think the biggest problem is pride. She hated to ask for help. I know how that feels. But you know what? Sometimes you simply must ask for help.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Heidi</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">(aka Heidi the Hick)"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">and another comment on the land division idea:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"In my county in So. California, there is a $30,000 fee to subdivide a parcel. I am sure that Orange Co., just over the mountains, also has something similiar. So if her 70 acres was one parcel, she would need a large up front fee to be able to subdivide and sell off some of it. Also, would have to hire someone to draw up approved plans for the county, perhaps build a road to the new parcel, and who knows what else the county would require. The days of simply selling off a few acres are long gone in California as counties want as much money as they can get."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Good point. But you're right - there are also ways to use land to generate income. If you can't sell, you can rent to a farmer. If you have trees, you can sell them to a lumber company. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"70 acres in Orange County California? I did not know anyone owned that much land anymore in Orange County . I am from Costa Mesa and I grew up in a little corner called Santa Ana Heights where we all had horses and would go riding at the Back Bay . Property is worth so much even in this economic times. I wonder how old this lady is – dementia? I have no idea how someone can let a horse get to this condition. I just brought home my baby mini mule. We decided to bring the mother with her so that weaning would be less traumatic. When they led the mother off the trailer, I was shocked to see how thin they had let the mother get. Not much more weight than the one pictured. The baby looks great and her excuse was that the baby dragged her down. No way would nursing a baby with proper food cause a mare to look that way. I called my breeder friends and am now on a mission to get the mother to where she should be. I just do not understand people, how they can allow a horse to get so thin."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Orange County, VA actually. Which is worse - they have grass there! I can't figure out WHY these horses were starving. And no, nursing doesn't "drag mares down" if they are fed properly. Their caloric requirements DO increase so you have to account for that!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"We saw this on the news this morning - we are one county over from Orange County. Not only is Orange Co. full of polo players, it's an extremely wealthy part of the state but you can have crazy anywhere. As bad as the horses were, the dogs looked even worse and they let her keep one of them!! Unbelievable."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Figures. They usually hoard/neglect more than one kind of animal. :-(</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I know that I am not "wired" to do the rescue thing. I would go to the auction and bring them ALL home. That is not a good thing.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">To run an effective rescue, one has to possess the "hardness of heart" to make tough decisions, leaving some horses behind because there is only so much room, so much time, and often very limited income/resources to rescue effectively. I would rather donate "time and treasure" to an existing rescue with a track record of doing good works for horses.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">An effectively run rescue has a BUSINESS PLAN that includes funding and personnel for rehabilitation and retraining so rescues can be offered for sale at a reasonable price. New Vocations in OH, Tranquility Farm and TBFriends in CA and countless others are doing exactly that, putting money into the rescues to heal, train, and market horses to the public.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Other facets that some rescues do not take into consideration are the practical aspects of zoning, adequate pens and shelters, veterinary expenses, ongoing fundraising for the day-to-day operation--and the staff to handle all of that. If one person tries to do it all, it quickly becomes an overwhelming task.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">It sickens me when I see a rescue that starts out with the best of intentions and then becomes a catch-all for anything equine, especially a number of horses that will never be adoptable. If there is acreage and resources for those that will never leave the rescue, fine. But many rescues do not start out with much more than the dream, and then it goes downhill, often rather quickly, from there. If the rescue operator gets overwhelmed or if his/her health fails or circumstances change, the dynamic shifts and then you have the Orange County mess--and countless others like it.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">No easy answer, no easy way out. Sad.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">TBDancer"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: That part about the BUSINESS PLAN is something every rescue should take to heart. It is a BUSINESS and money will no more fall from the sky than it does in any other business. But that's where I am confused again. Nancy and I talked about doing major fundraising events in New York and L.A. She KNEW the kind of funding that would be needed and how to get it. What went wrong? Doubt I will ever know.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/mattiesfund"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/mattie.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-60868885929591202272009-08-14T14:30:00.000-07:002009-08-16T16:01:14.206-07:00A very serious subject<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was very pleased to see this news article in my in-box:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090809/LOCAL07/308099915/-1/local11">Tough Abuse Law Makes Detectives of Animal Officers</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"The initial impetus for the training came in 2007 when the legislature created the crime of domestic violence animal cruelty. Because of that law, killing a pet or other animal to intimidate or terrorize a family member or partner became a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison.</span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms">“One of the best ways to control people is to control the things they love,” Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards said."</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.barryyeoman.com/articles/animalabuse.html">The Case of the Battered Pet</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - excellent article about this widespread problem.</span><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am a fan of true crime novels and one of the things that always freaks me out are descriptions of how an abusive spouse threatened or killed a woman's pet, or attempted to do so. I just read one in which a man dumped an ancient, indoor-only kitty on the street to get back at a woman for leaving him. (The kitty was recovered safely - the woman was not so lucky and was eventually murdered by this man) I know this is a <span style="font-style: italic;">very </span>common pattern, and a refusal to leave pets often keeps women in dangerous situations far too long.</p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Horses are a particular problem. Let's say your husband or significant other has control of all of the finances. You don't have access to a thing, and you've been a stay at home mom, or just stay at home because he said he was "old fashioned" and preferred you stay home (translation: god forbid you leave the house and talk to other men or independent women). Now it's not just about you trying to come up with enough money to make a fresh start for yourself (rent and deposit, maybe a vehicle if you don't own one so that you can look for work), but now you're looking at horses that need a place to live and care that will be three times the cost if you can't keep them at home. Coming up with the couple of thousand dollars, minimum, necessary to move yourself and horses is no picnic for a woman in this situation. And implementing such a move isn't so easy either. Arranging to have horses and all your equipment loaded and moved isn't as easy as you and the kids turning the other direction and not coming home from the grocery store one day.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So what kind of help is out there for a woman in this situation? Some municipalities are on top of this problem! Check out the Annapolis, Maryland Animal Control's <a href="http://www.aacounty.org/AnimalControl/domesticViolence.cfm">page</a> about foster care for pets and livestock. The <a href="http://blogs.inlandsocal.com/pets/2009/05/american-humane-societys-paws.html">American Humane Society offers guidelines</a> for starting a PAWS program to shelter pets in connection with domestic violence shelters in your area. Here is some information about <a href="http://www.animallawcoalition.com/animal-cruelty/article/589">which states allow animals to be included in restraining orders</a>. If your state isn't one of them, start writing your legislators!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What if you want to help? One <a href="http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/06/animal-cruelty-and-domestic-violence-making-the-connection-to-protect-animals-and-people/">page</a> I found makes these recommendations (warning: many horrible stories you may wish you hadn't read if you follow that link):</span></p> <ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>Encourage victims you may know to contact victim advocates or a domestic violence hotline to learn of resources in their community for themselves, their family and their pets.</li><li>Work with legislators to insure that pets can be included in orders of protection and help educate judges about the necessity to do so.</li><li>Work with your local humane organizations or animal control to support the establishment of programs for the emergency housing of pets coming from homes experiencing violence.</li><li>Victim advocates can work with victims to be sure they include pets in their safety planning and include questions about any threats or injuries to pets on intake questionnaires.</li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'd note that this is a great thing to get involved with if you want to do something that helps horses </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >and </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">people.<br /><br />What if you're the one in this situation? The first thing I want to say is that no one should feel ashamed. Pretty much <span style="font-style: italic;">everybody</span> has been with the Wrong Person, just different varieties of Wrong. Just about <span style="font-style: italic;">nobody</span> leaves when they <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span>. It's just a fact. The process of breaking free from the Wrong Person takes time and I think I've read that most women leave a physically abusive partner seven times before they make it stick. OK, but you know what? The <span style="font-style: italic;">first </span>time, get the animals out. If there's any way in the world to do it, get the animals out and keep them out and don't let him know where they are. Tell your close friends the truth - I'll bet one of them will help you with the animals. If he's already isolated you so you don't have close friends, call your local domestic violence shelter and ask them for guidance. Remember, they talk to women in this situation all day - they are not going to judge you. You don't even have to give your real name to get information. And information is all over the Internet (use library computers - your home one may have a <a href="http://www.actualspy.com/">keylogger</a> already installed if your SO is jealous and controlling). You won't know - it doesn't show up in your installed programs, so <span style="font-style: italic;">be careful</span>.<br /><br />It's really pretty simple - even if <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>want to give him another chance, ask yourself if your animal would make that same choice, or if he/she could speak, would they ask to get the hell out of there? I hope you go with them, but if you just can't yet, get them out - they're innocent and it is <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> duty to protect them.<br /><br />The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. You can <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> call them!<br /><br />So today I want to hear from both sides. <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">E-mail me</a>. Have you helped someone in a domestic violence situation get their pets to safety? Have you yourself escaped from such a situation with your animals? How did you do it? What tips would you give others? Are you in a bad situation or a deteriorating situation now, and need help or advice? Unless you sign a screen name to the end of the content in your e-mail, you are 100% anonymous here so feel free to speak freely, and if you need help, I'll do my best to find someone in your area who can lend a hand.<br /><hr /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAAxP4sxwwdcnyHF1sdo45vvotZNwLZCmNUIWfF51cFrpDpda6T4ygKdu3JxGgiNw384e_rE40xCGhjWLVVJEuFlx-8NwVZQW393B37ycaQUNGRsKnkY16GSOBfC4Om7VXUH2ynU8R_n9/s1600-h/javie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAAxP4sxwwdcnyHF1sdo45vvotZNwLZCmNUIWfF51cFrpDpda6T4ygKdu3JxGgiNw384e_rE40xCGhjWLVVJEuFlx-8NwVZQW393B37ycaQUNGRsKnkY16GSOBfC4Om7VXUH2ynU8R_n9/s320/javie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369946700062135570" border="0" /></a><br /></span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Today's Friday Featured Rescue is a beautiful six year old Thoroughbred mare who almost lost her life to an irresponsible owner. She was down to a 1 on the Henneke Scale when she was seized by Animal Control and brought to Days End Horse Rescue in Woodbine, Maryland.<br /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As you see, she has fully recovered! Javie is riding very well and has been out on the trails. You can learn more about her and see video on </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.defhrhorses.org/">this page</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(And check out their </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.defhrhorses.org/beforeafter.htm">before & after pics</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for some amazing transformations - HUGE KUDOS!) </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a great weekend everybody and hey, I got all of the comments up (at least as of this morning!)</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">COMMENTS</p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"In the case of Julie Ramage's murder by her husband in Australia, witnesses</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">said that Julie had more than once expressed fear that her husband would</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">hurt her horses as part of his controlling behaviour.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Their daughter Samantha, now 17, told the Supreme Court: "She was worried he</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">might be angry. That he would do something to try to hurt her, like kill</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">(her) horses or steal the horse float or control the money... or maybe be</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">violent towards myself or her."</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/28/1098667909423.html?from=storylh">News Article</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"This just happened not even a week ago here. And the guy did exactly what was described in those articles you posted, threatening to kill or injure her horses, murder her, everyone around her. He got arrested multiple times, nothing came of it. He broke the restraining order several times and was never penalized. Now two women are dead. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);" href="http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x538993825/Murder-victim-fought-to-keep-husband-away">News Article</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I'm so glad the connection between animal abuse and violence against people is being recognized in domestic violence cases. It is so sad this exists, but hopefully this legislation will make it possible for women to get needed help, and get away from abusive partners. Locking those &%@# up is a good start...</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So many people have no idea how prevalent abuse against women is. Back when I had a desk job (about 14 years ago?), I had a standing lunch date with about a dozen female co-workers. During one of our lunches the topic of spousal abuse came up, I think because one of the women had gotten out of an abusive relationship and had finally recovered to the point she could talk about it over Crab Legs. She went to the battered womens shelter after she got beaten so badly she ended up in the hospital, but her motivation for leaving seemed to be more to protect her newborn baby than herself. Enough time had passed that she could talk about it. I found the whole thing baffling, and said so. I mean, what sane, self-respecting woman, would let herself get into an abusive relationship.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Then one of the ladies at the table got a funny smile on her face and asked for a show of hands of how many of the women at the table had been the victim of an abusive partner. EIGHT HANDS WENT UP! Out of a dozen women. That is 66%!! These were all intelligent, educated, attractive, competent professional women. I was astounded. For some reason I had thought battered women were ugly, or stupid, or high-school dropouts, or druggies, or on the fringes of society. I was shocked to discover that is not the case, that these women I knew and counted as friends had been through that horror.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I think we women tend to sell ourselves short. We want a relationship long before the men our age are ready for one. We see their evasion as a rejection, or a sign we are inferior. Guess what: we're great, but they're not deserving. At least not yet. And they know it. Those with sense avoid committed relationships when they are not yet ready to settle down and support a family. The ones without sense get into relationships, but they know they're not deserving, so they try to hide that fact through manipulation and abuse. OK, just a theory, and possibly way off. When I say "young" and "undeserving" keep in mind that some men never mature emotionally, and some never accomplish enough useful work to justify the oxygen they are consuming, so this is not necessarily a function of age. I think we all know men like this, and they've all managed somehow to get some poor woman to have a relationship with them.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Too many women also tend to have few or no goals beyond getting married and having babies. How to protect yourself? Plan to do the marriage and babies thing after you pass age 25, by which time you will have a 4-year degree and an established career of some kind. Make education and self-reliance your goal; once that is established, go shopping for a husband (if a marriage and family are something you want to do). But first, make a list of requirement to compare any prospect partner to. If he isn't qualified, you'll save yourself the hassle of getting involved with someone who isn't suitable, and then having to break up with him, and all the stuff that happens in the middle. And you'll be available when the right one does show up.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Too many women will get connected with any guy who shows interest. They'll jump into bed with someone they barely know, then try to hold onto the "relationship". Except it really isn't a relationship, it's a guy who's getting the milk for free, and may get nasty if you try to make him pay for it, or if you take it away.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">How to stay out of abusive relationships: Make a list of requirements, and figure out whether a guy is qualified on the first date, which is an interview, right? One of the requirements should be "good with children and pets". You can learn a lot about this in conversation, or observing him at family gatherings or with animals. His responses when you talk about family, children, and animals can be very revealing. It really doesn't matter if you don't plan to have children or pets, the point is that if he is weird or abusive with animals or kids (or talk about kids or animals in a way that indicates a lack of affection or empathy) that is a sign he will get weird or abusive with you if you get involved with him. At the first sign of weirdness or abuse, dump him. </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Pretty much all of the abused women I've known made excuses for their partner's weird and abusive behavior, and refused to acknowledge the danger they were in. In pretty much every case they didn't leave until someone else figured out what was going on and led them through the process of leaving. I suppose it is hard to admit you made a huge mistake, and leaving is seen as an admission of failure. And of course the abusive partner has been working on the poor woman, gradually conditioning her to accept and tolerate increasingly more violent and abusive behavior.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I suppose the message here is to watch your friends for signs of abuse and help them get out if they are in an abusive situation. They won't be able to do it on their own, but with your help they can do it, and they can recover their sense of self-worth.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">AME"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: I also think a lot of these guys are great actors. You will not see the warning signs - they can hide it all until you're married to or living with them. At the very least, checking for a criminal history of violence on a new guy can help you avoid a very bad situation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Please remember all state laws are not created equal,check the animal welfare statutes for your particular state and,by all means if you wish to assist,go to your county sheriffs office or govt. center and speak to the good people with Victim Services. This is a good place to start,and can create wonderful working relationships between rescues and advocacy groups. MHARF did this 12 years ago with excellent results. THE LINK (the link between human violence and animal cruelty) is taught as a part of all Animal control/Humane investigator trainings that offer law enforcement credits. For more info check with your states Animal Control Assn. or the National Animal Control Assn..If you know the resources available in your area you are on your way to gaining control of your own situation or being able to help someone gain control of theirs. - Drew"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"This happened to a friend of mine. Her Fucking scum husband took control of her foal and intentionally overfed it so that when she dumped him she had to deal with correcting a flexural deformity Thank God it was one that Oxytet could resolve. Unbelievable. The best news is the foal is fine and sold to a show home and doing well and my friend divorced and now has a very supportive new spouse who loves her and her horses (despite being a non-rider), and he has become a major show grounds manager that is very sought after in the process (follows the circuit, winters in FL, etc).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ok sigh - I love a happy ending, even if vicarious."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: To your friend: YOU GO, GIRL! :-)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Actually my mom was a victim if this situation in late April. She was employed at a business owned by the terrible man himself, so after leaving she had no job. We had later found out that he also didn't register her as an "employee" at the business, so records show she was unemployed for 24 years. So after leaving getting a job (especially in this economy) was darn near impossible for her.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> How did we do it? We had to plan EVERYTHING out ahead of time. The day before we left we had all the clothes we wanted to keep in trash bags in our closets, hiding under some blankets. We had called a local stable to help us trailer our horses away, called people to help us move our furniture quickly, everything had to be planned out in an inconspicuous manner. Every Thursday the "Wrong person" would go to Tennessee in pursuit of his song writing career (which was making us go GREATLY in debt, but he was doing all sorts of nasty schemes to get more money).. He would be gone for a good 5 or 6 hours. So one so one Thursday we just up and left. My mustang, which I had just bought maybe two weeks prior (we didn't know we were going to be leaving otherwise I probably wouldn't have made the purchase, an event in those two weeks happened that was the "last straw") was NOT ready to be trailered. So he really wasted a lot of time. So that's another thing, make SURE that all your horses are easy to trailer, tie, and have respectful ground manners!</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">A stable gave us a discount for the situation (their regular boarding fee was $200 a month per horse on minimum pasture care). They gave us a field for $100 a horse. That was nice of them, but with four horses we were still in a VERY tight pinch. (especially since no where would hire my mom). We looked and looked and finally we found a nice, 4-H parent that had an extra barn on a property they weren't using. It had a poor pasture and a barn filled with garbage, but if we agreed to fix it up and clean it out ourselves we could use it for just $50 a month. (for all the horses, not per horse). We gladly took the offer!</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The dogs are staying with various people that go to our church until we can afford a place that allows dogs. Our dogs weren't near as much trouble when we left as the horses were.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">So the main things I can stress is 1) Prep your horses! Trailer loading, ground manners, everything!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">2) Prep your stuff (without being obvious!). Saddles in their bags, horse food in storage containers, ready to go!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">3) Plan this out thoroughly in advanced. When is a time that he WILL NOT be home for a good amount of time? Who is doing the trailering? Where are you going? (we stayed at a local domestic violence shelter). call them and plan everything! Use your cell for these calls (you don't want them to call back on the home phone), and erase all the records of calls and text messages.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I think having the ability to put the pets in the restraining order is a BRILLIANT idea. There have been a few instances my dad has shot at our horses with a BB gun. Shot and killed our chickens. Kicked the tar out of our dogs. Did they do anything to deserve it? Of course not. It was displaced feelings onto things we loved.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Thanks for doing this post. I really like reading it, and I think that it is very correct. Good luck to all who are planning to leave the "wrong guy". Don't let any of these difficulties hold you back. Its more important to get OUT."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: This is a GREAT post about how to plan an exit as safely as possible, from someone who has recently been there. I hope it helps someone else. Thank you for sharing! I hope that you are all fortunate enough to NEVER see him again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"GOD BLESS YOU for this wonderful, heartfelt blog. I am sure that you saved the lives of many women and their pets.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the wonderful post, fugly! I've</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">lectured and researched about the connection between domestic violence</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">and animal abuse FOR YEARS and it only seems like recently that the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">legislators are starting to tune in. I agree with everything you've</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">posted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I'm not a horse owner, but I am an animal lover. I love your site.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please keep up the good work!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Just a quick comment, having been there and done that. I was in an abusive relationship with my first husband – no contact with family, his or mine, not allowed to have friends, only allowed to go certain places with him, etc… When we met, I was in college for horses. After graduation, we married and suddenly I was not allowed to have anything to do with horses. Since we lived in the city, I assumed the ultimatum had something to do with having no space for one. We had a dog (I still have him 10 years later), and one hot summer day I was in the back of the house cleaning when the dog came into the room I was in with his mouth duct taped shut. I asked hubby why, and he said “the dog was panting too loud”. Verbal abuse escalated quickly and physical violence came soon after, and I left. I called my family – who I had not contacted in over a year – and a lawyer and got out 9 days later. My parents drove into town and got a U-haul, spent the night at a motel, and as soon as he left for work, they pulled in the drive, we threw everything in boxes, loaded the dog and myself in the car and got out of town. He called and emailed my family, threatening to kill us all and demanding the dog back. Needless to say, the judge didn’t find that in good favor and granted the divorce with restraining orders. 10 years later, I have a new hubby, two horses, a horse job, kids and daily contact with family and friends – everything hubby #1 never let me have. Point being…. It is VERY hard to do, because they make you think you are worthless and that they will hurt the only important thing to you, but if that thing, be it a child or animal, is truly important to you, then it is your responsibility to remove it and yourself from such a horrible situation before they or you get hurt. I wish anyone in such a situation much luck and strength."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Again, thanks for sharing your story! I know it is so helpful for women to read success stories like yours. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Because I feel this needs to be brought up, and it seldom is.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Not all victims of domestic violence are women. Domestic violence between gay men is not uncommon and I have personally known two straight men who were victims of spousal abuse (It's rare...women are more likely to abuse their partners emotionally and verbally rather than physically, but it does happen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">It is particularly difficult for a heterosexual male to seek assistance and get out of the relationship, because who wants to admit his wife or girlfriend is beating him up?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">And it is not that easy to leave.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I personally knew somebody who tried and failed. I doubt I need to say more.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Kudos for bringing up the fact that pets, as well as children, can be caught in the middle of this crap."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Good point. A man may feel even more embarrassed about coming forward, and you're right - leaving is hard no matter what. Even if the person is not so controlling that you can hardly pack a suitcase, many people in these relationships are also dealing with family pressure to "keep the family together" and "stay for the kids" and other nonsense. There are a lot of reasons it is hard to leave.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I have been in this position myself. I was involved in a very abusive marriage and he was the controlling type. I was not allowed to have a job nor was I allowed to touch any of the money that he made. He did allow me to have 1 horse. Well I finally got sick of it and decided that it was time to get out of there. The only thing that I had in my favor was that I was boarding my horse. But I also had a dog and a cat that I loved as much as my kids. I talked to my BO who was very understanding and let me keep my horse at her place for free for a few months. She also took in my dog and my cat for me. I went to a womens shelter in the Akron, Ohio area while I went thru the divorce proceedings and got a restraining order. When I went to court to get the restraining order they included that he was not permitted to be at the barn that my horse was in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Then I got myself on my feet graduated college, while raising 3 kids, got myself a good job. The kids have not heard from him in well over 10 years and to be honest I could care less.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I know that if I know of someone that is in the same position that i was in around me I know that I will be more than willing to take the horses and keep them at my house (as soon as we get moved in our new house it has enough land), cause if it wasn't for someone doing that for me Lord know where I would be today."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: I'm really glad to hear so many success stories today! Thank you for sharing yours.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"One of the best topics yet. I bet that this post really hits home for some women and thank you for putting out the info on the keylogging. I was (am) the "trusted friend" of someone in a domestic violence situation. Its very hard because you have to maintain boundaries for yourself for your own protection and also because you don't want to do everything for the woman. It sounds mean but if she doesn't do most of the work herself (filing reports, talking to the DV counselor, etc), or on her own initiative, then you are really not any more helpful than the controlling "other" she is leaving. (Believe me I wanted nothing more than to drag her by the scruff to the local ER so they could document her nearly-crushed trachea) But you also have to be a rock because her whole world is falling apart and she has been isolated from all her supports (family and friends) for a very long time. She doesn't remember how to think independently or make decisions, and also she is starting to accept that she could die violently, which is mind numbing especially when its by someone you thought was your best friend. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Anyway my friend was keylogged and the day she decided to leave him he was waiting in the house when he said he was at work. He had already strangled her several times and he was going to kill her that day, I have no doubt. As part of my boundaries, I had said I will help you move out as long as there is a police presence when we are at your house. And she agreed! We met the police (2 big burly motherfuckers, how refreshing) at the grocery store parking lot and then drove to her house where her husband was waiting. He was absolutely floored that there were cops (that part we had not discussed in email). We had about an hour of frantically cramming all we could find that belonged to her into garbage bags before he became so argumentative that the cops suggested we leave. They had 4 dogs at the house, and he wouldn't "let" her take any of them. Then, as we were getting in our cars, he decided to "give her" the special needs dog. The police said they could not help split up the dogs or remove all the pets and she could only take what he didn't contest. It doesn't seem fair that the criminals have the rights but...well they do. He eventually "let" her have the other dog, but he strung it out for awhile trying to use the dog as a way to control her. This all happened in November. She has not gone back (and finally I am confident that she won't), the restraining order is still in effect, she's trying to get divorced but of course he drags his feet at every opportunity so its taking forever. She used the dogs as an excuse to stay for a very long time. He was mean to the dogs to get to her too, sometimes picking them up by the neck like he did with her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">As a side note, one of the first things we did was take a Rape Aggression Defense class offered through a local university. It's free, empowering, and for women only. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);" href="http://www.rad-systems.com/index.html">Link</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">She already feels better because she got to practice getting out of a strangle-hold and now she's considering getting trained in firearms. It's like there were holes in her brain and now they are filling back in with normal human thoughts. Well...almost normal anyway. I went to a DV support group with her, it blew my mind what some women will go back to; I know the cycle and the 'reasons' but ...jesus. Some women are set on fire and still go back. Set on fire!! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Thank you again for this topic. It will help someone, I'm sure of that. Feel free to post any of this except for my email, of course. And keep up the amazing blog! lol I hope you run for president. :)"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Great post...wow, set on fire. I can't imagine anything more horrible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"One difficulty with some of the laws is that they pertain to "pets". Horses may be considered "livestock" and "valuable assets". It is not enough to have a law that protects pets - it must also include horses!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Agreed! Really, it should include livestock. I know plenty of women who could be manipulated by someone threatening their goat or chickens or whatever.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Hi Cathy, Great post. This one hits very close to home for me. Several years ago I was in a failing marriage to a total control freak (he would get very angry over things like vacuuming in the "wrong" direction, making peanut butter cookies instead of chocolate chip or folding the laundry wrong). There were so many huge red flags, I should've left a thousand times. I tried to one night but he caught up with me (I was on foot, didn't have a car, isolated from friends... the whole lot) and that was the first time it ever got physical. I won't go into too much more detail but by the time I was out of there I had a broken foot and he had killed our pet skunk. Her name was Squirt and she was just a few months old. I found her abandoned and bottle raised her, she was the brightest part of my life while I was with him. My advice is if you have even the slightest hint of a thought to leave... GET OUT NOW. If it turns out that you were wrong about him, nothing is truly lost but time, but what if that little voice in your head is right??? There are plenty of fish in the sea and even if you never catch another, it sure as hell beats the alternative...</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">-Ktibb</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">PS- I would be happy to talk to anyone wanting advice or in need of an ear of someone who has been there."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">FHOTD in: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">E-mail me</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> with KT in the subject line if you want your e-mail forwarded to her. And KT, thanks for the offer. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><center><a href="http://shilohhorserescue.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=393013"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/broadway.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-90396461983601680542009-08-13T16:41:00.001-07:002009-08-14T11:06:37.501-07:00I told you I didn't WANT any advice, dammit!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When people make these announcements, I ask myself, <span style="font-style: italic;">whyever</span> did you not keep your video to yourself? If you put it out there, you will receive advice and opinions. It does not mean you have to follow the advice, or that the advice is always good. I have had numerous people advise me that AQHA horses need to show at two in order to "ever make anything of themselves." I have discerned this advice is a bunch of <span style="font-style: italic;">hooey</span> and chosen to ignore it. :-) However, in the case I'm about to post, there's a very good reason people are giving this girl advice she doesn't care to hear - and I'm guessing most of the advice is far more accurate than her own training theories!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxPXc1Cmf88">Video</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"NO RUDE COMMENTS/ADVICE. Diamond is only 2yrs old so cut some slack. Diamond has already gone thru abuse and very hard training. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yes its true you should nto ride a horse at 2yrs. but he has already been out for so long tat it would be cruel to just stop riding him altogethr and wait a few yrs. </span>The vet has done a thuro checkup on him and passed him to even jump up to 3ft. This poor horses training was rushed but we have a clear 2 ride him. His owner is gone on a trip and im taking care of him. And for all those idiots out there tat are gonna leave rude comments just shutup and get a life already.Enjoy."<br /><br />So we <span style="font-style: italic;">admit </span>that we know riding a 2 year old is wrong, but instead of ceasing to commit the bad behavior that we <span style="font-style: italic;">know </span>is wrong, we <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jce8keYXGc&feature=channel_page">start him over fences instead</a>!<br /><br />Of course, she's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du6t4PtQTVc&feature=channel_page">taught her <span style="font-style: italic;">other </span>horse to rear</a>. Darwin.<br /><br />Trust me, no horse ever thought it was cruel that someone gave him time off to grow up and didn't jump him as a two year old. Far more are shifting around on painful, painful legs when they are only in their teens, getting stuffed full of stomach-destroying bute until the decision is made to euthanize them (if they are lucky) or send them to the auction (if they are not so lucky). There are million things you can do with a two year old to prepare him for riding that won't ruin his legs. Pony him. Longline/ground drive him. Teach him to wear tack. Hand walk him on trails. Take him to horseshows and show him in halter and showmanship and in-hand trail. But no - that isn't <span style="font-style: italic;">fun </span>enough for you, is it? You just <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to bomb around <span style="font-style: italic;">over fences</span> on your<span style="font-style: italic;"> two year old</span>. You suck and if I can't say it on Youtube, I sure as hell can say it here. And if your vet really did okay a two year old to jump, <span style="font-style: italic;">he/she sucks TOO!</span> And is probably salivating at the thought of all the joint injections you'll be purchasing thanks to that wonderful advice. Get out the checkbook!<br /><br />I have a life, honey. Too bad that poor 2 year old is going to be robbed of much of <span style="font-style: italic;">his </span>life by the poor decisions you and his owner are making now. He's really freakin' cute and it's a crying shame. I swear I'm gonna make a video gallery for this site with clips of 15 year old horses who were shown under saddle/ridden hard/raced at two (or earlier) hobbling around their paddocks. Maybe that will get the message across.<br /></span><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >COMMENTS</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />"In response to the video you posted, THANK YOU!!!!!! Haveing seen this horse work in person, we trained at the same barn up until a month ago, I wholeheartedly agree with you!<br /><br />Not only is the horse's history misrepresented here, (if by hard training they are refering to her trainer advising that the horse only be worked on a lunge line with some light flat work) but any and all training advice given to the owner regarding the horse's age and workload by a USDF Gold Medal Certified (I realize everyone has their own idea of what makes a good trainer but the stats were to give you an idea of where input was coming from) Dressage trainer at the time was disregareded as well. When asked to not jump the horse by the barn for safety reasons (lack of a helmet!) she took the advice of the young girl on the horse in the video, who fancies herself a trainer, over the barn and certified trainer and continued to jump. For this reason, and lack of board payment, both are no longer stabled at my barn. And speaking of abuse when the stall was locked for lack of payment these people walk the horse through a tack locker to disappear in the middle of the night and avoid payment!<br /><br />The girl on the horse is a whole different hot mess! She has been asked to leave (kicked out of) training programs for lack of ability to listen to and follow the trainer's instruction. As I said this is a case of a young girl thinking she has all the answers and doesn't need a trainer! We are all happy to see both of them go! The riders parents treat the barn as a daycare leaving here to do as she will with her own poor horse, who is beyond help due to the girls lack of instruction, for hours. As you pointed out she has not only taught the horse to rear up but also strike out on command.<br /><br />I wanted to thank you for posting about this video! I think it not only highlights lack of responsibility when it comes to horses training but also lack thereof when it comes to riders' training! Neither of these girls is working with any kind of trainer or have any kind of knowledge base or care to gain one from which to draw in "training" these horses, these horses are toys to them!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Thus answering my first question "WTF is wrong with her TRAINER?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"It's quite unfortunate that if a veterinarian actually examined this horse (which is doubtful) he/she didn't use better professional judgment in communicating his/her findings. Although no limitations were found that would preclude eventual use as a jumper, that does not mean that jumping 3" courses is appropriate use of the horse at 2 years of age. It is obvious from the post that the owner needs a better education in horsemanship, and savvy vets pick up on lunatics like this. Although (devil's advocate) lunatics often hear only what they want!"</span><br /><br />"I get frustrated to no end when people say “but the vet TOLD me it was ok to ride my long yearling”. Vets in North America DO NOT take a course on the long term effects of starting horses at a young age, and the vast majority of what they do learn is based on the racing industry, where riding long yearlings is common place. Most vets support themselves by servicing show barns and race barns, where they likely learn to “go with the flow” of starting horses early…and for the less scrupulous ones, it is a good way to guarantee future business!"<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Did you notice the two little girls on the ground at/under the fence right next to the rearing horse?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Unfortunately that young lady is too full of herself to take good advice, and the poor horses will pay the price."</span><br /><br />"FYI - The APHA only offers In-hand Trail classes for yearlings.... Yes, it is a shame! I think all of the major breed associations should offer Longe Line and In-Hand Trail for two year olds too. I'm currently showing a yealring in those classes, and the trail patterns are far hard enough to consider them for two year olds! Hell, at our last show one of the patterns had SIX FREAKING OBSTACLES for the yearlings!!!! It was a TOUGH pattern! So why not welcome two year olds?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: I AGREE! We need to start offering OPTIONS for people who choose not to ride their 2 year olds. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Couldn’t have appreciated your postings more. Just this week, a popular trainer in our area posted pictures of her getting on her ½ Arab filly who just turned 2 on August 1. Some of us who aren’t big fans of this trainer were horrified, but her followers have posted on her site how nice it is to see her getting on her filly. Makes me wonder what people are thinking.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I’m sure you will probably get a thousand emails about this, but just wanted to thank you for posting your thoughts. I know a lot of her followers read your blog, so maybe they will see the light, and realize that this trainer is not the Goddess they keep making her out to be."</span><br /><br />"I disagree w/you on one point: these kind of people will never invest in joint injections to spare a horse some agony. They just use them up and throw 'em away, move on to the next poor nag."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Well, depends on the value. If they can shoot 'em up and sell their snap, crackle & pop horses to an unsuspecting beginner, they sure will!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I don't disagree with riding two year olds lightly. Notice I said LIGHTLY. Like basic walk-trot-canter, leg cues, bending. The bare basics, even if you just put 30-60 days on them as a mid to late 2 year old and stick them back out in a field to grow up. I see nothing wrong with that, but jumping is a no no. There is plenty to do with a 2 year old, besides teaching basic manners, feet handling, tying etc, if you get bored, teach them halter/ showmanship or teach them tricks like bowing. If you feel they need real work as a two year old, ground driving and long lining is always an option too. You can NEVER do too much ground work and basics with a baby. If you feel they need some stamina or a change of scenery, pony them. There is way too much to do with a two year old to justify jumping at that young of an age."</span><br /><br />"Just wanted to point out the irony of her rearing vid ending with 'do you have what it takes to be a rider?' as clearly she does NOT. What an idiot."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7QhWi3ccPfy2aL4u26Y8i4yRkKEBEp7o2sjpEltwv6m-0VWSEdxNBG9cB44bk6tGGrBCHsTs7gu7aJLe_1njVP1E53cXcR5HVGSZrQqJP05iEzTbhhSCTtrzJs05plFeS98dpqydfeQ2/s1600-h/WorldShowWin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7QhWi3ccPfy2aL4u26Y8i4yRkKEBEp7o2sjpEltwv6m-0VWSEdxNBG9cB44bk6tGGrBCHsTs7gu7aJLe_1njVP1E53cXcR5HVGSZrQqJP05iEzTbhhSCTtrzJs05plFeS98dpqydfeQ2/s400/WorldShowWin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369874550027552978" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"My 3 and 4 year olds Half Arabians go to shows, but only in halter. The 3 year old has not been started yet, other than lots of ground work, and the 4 year old is just now starting lightly under saddle.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I've shown for 44 years and to date - not one lameness ( other than a stone bruise now and then), no injections, no medications, no special shoes, no special anything on any one of my horses started this way and they have a total of 27 world and reserve world championships. My oldest horse is now 19, after showing under saddle most of his adult life, and still sound, still going strong, and doesn't have a mark on him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Thankfully not everyone in the show world believes you have to show them under saddle as two year olds, even three or four year olds!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Your horses are beautiful and your track record speaks for itself. The </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">only</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> way we can show the world that it is not necessary to ride too early/otherwise abuse is to go out there and win, doing things humanely. Thank you for doing that.</span><br /><br />"I just have one question for ILoveMyHorseBanjo after watching her overblown, overdone, "pay-attention-to-how-I-timed-each cut-with-the-music-and-not-how-I-painfully-bounce-in-the-saddle-at-a-gallop" opening to her "rearing" video:<br /><br />Do you have what it takes to be an idiot?<br /><br />Yes. Yes you do.<br /><br />What bugs me about ALL these "horse-and-her-girl" videos is NOT that young riders and horseowners make mistakes; as Miley Cyrus, the voice of so many of these "gifted" horsey youths has eloquently put it in an annoying tune that never fails to blast through the stable doors during evening lessons, "Everybody makes mistakes." What bugs me is that these young riders--especially the ones who edit their videos to make themselves feel like they're the chick in Flicka, National Velvet, or Heartland--absolutely believe that they don't need to learn ANYTHING. Unlike other members of the horse-loving world who understand that horses, like any specialized field, truly offer a lifetime of learning, these girls delude themselves into thinking that they are above such trifles. Shame on them. And shame on me for quoting Miley Cyrus.<br /><br />Thanks Fugly, for an entertaining blog!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />N.N.<br /><br />P.S. I secretly love Miley Cyrus."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Oh hell. That girl is a marketing genius. And go figure, we all thought Billy Ray was going to be a one-hit wonder and wanted to beat him to death with that first single of his. ;-)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"If you want a video of aged horses that are now crippled due to being worked at a young age, I have two that would be perfect.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The first is an ex-racehorse. He started at the age of two and raced for five years. At eleven years old, this horse has arthritis in his hocks, stifles, knees, and fetlocks. He had a hairline fracture in the first cervical vertebrae, right at the poll. The vet's guess is that this injury was sustained during transport, possibly whilst riding in a double decker. He missed the ride to Canada narrowly, to say the least. He also broke both front inside seasamoid bones while racing, and both fractures are of the most severe kind: vertical fractures. These fractures occur by placing too much stress on the front legs. He is learning basic dressage, but cannot progress beyond intro level because his canter is weak left and non-existent to the right. In addition, he has little control over his hind legs, due to joint weakness, and must wear bell boots and splint boots on all four legs when out of his stall, even for a simple walk around the yard. Without them, he will strike, interfere, and forge like crazy, often slicing his cornonet bands and taking a chunk out of his heels. I trailered him to a vet that specializes in racehorses, who recommended that the horse stay in light work to ease his arthritis, but we will likely have to resort to joint injections and topical applications in the near future to keep him comfortable. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The second is a former Amish-owned Standardbred. She was hitched to the buggy as a yearling. She was also malnourished, stunting her growth. Standardbreds are typically around 16 hands, but she stands at a mere 14.2. When we first picked her up, she had open sores from wearing a harness collar meant for an adult horse. Worse still, her hind legs couldn't stand up to the work (by then, she'd been pulling the buggy for a year on hard pavement) and were severely bowed. She cannot walk without twisting her legs from side to side and is on a daily regimen of Devil's Claw to ease the pain of her worsening arthritis. I retired her, at the age of eight, with a friend of mine that takes in old police horses. She made room for the Standardbred mare, and the mare happily enjoys her life as a pasture ornament. However, the mare is starting to have difficulty getting back up after a nap or rolling. Reality has kicked in, and now I know that it isn't a question of "if" anymore, it's a question of "when." I've talked to the vet, and I'm ready to have her put down WHEN (not IF) the vet declares life too painful to live. The way things are currently progressing, that reality isn't too far away. I'm crying as I type this.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I wish people would wake up. With proper care and maintenance, a horse can have a working life of twenty or more years. The poor horses that are started at such a young age don't have a shot at a long, enjoyable life, but instead get years of pain. I love my OTTB, but it breaks my heart to know he's smart, talented, and truly does try to do what I ask, but simply cannot perform even the simplest movements on bad days. It kills me to see the Standardbred mare grunt in pain when she attempts to trot and play with her herdmates. Both of these horses could have lived long productive lives, but that chance was stolen from them. Now, they are condemmed to a sad fate, but I know others won't get a quick, painless end like mine from the needle, but instead will get years upon years of continued abuse or go through the gruesome process of being hauled out to slaughter. What the hell is wrong with these people?"</span><br /><br />"I have a 3 year old that I am reluctant to push too far because of the exact reason you state here, I like her legs the way they are, I am happy to do the “boring” stuff and wait until she is fully grown. I can wait a few extra years at this end of her life if it means a few extra SOUND years at the other end of her life.<br /><br />I get told all the time that I should put her into some hard training then spell her for a year, just to keep her manners in tact, but you know what? She doesn’t have manner problems around me, funny that? She still gets to do all the fun stuff and come on trail rides she just doesn’t have someone on her back.<br /><br />Patience is the best reward you can give a young horse. She still gets to come one trail rides, I will either lead her and walk myself or pony her off our old TB, and neither of us seem to get bored."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Hard work is hardly needed to maintain manners. Regular HANDLING is, and that's what you're giving her!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I wonder if the Cute Young Chick "Rider" is aware that many horses that are docile and willing at three go through some kind of 'teenager' thing at four and five? Won't she have a blast when Diamond starts to test her -- or to protest about his discomfort and her ignorance! Unfortunately, once again it is the poor horse who will end up suffering. - Ocala"</span><br /><br />"I have a twelve year old QH/TB who has been sore since I bought her at 8. She was started in polocrosse at three. She has the worst knee arthritis my vet had seen in so young a horse. She also has loose stifles, and I think kissing spines as well. She is a crock who has been a paddock ornament pretty much since the day I bought her, and that comment you made about "shifting around on painful, painful legs" really got to me because she does. I bet she wishes she was left to grow up for a couple more years. I am going to have to make a tough decision soon and this mare is so sweet, it breaks my heart."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"yes its true you should nto try 2 rite things n post tem on te intrnet until youv had a thuro eja cashon at least passt 3rd grad, either, but hoo am I 2 juj?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: LOL! Yes, some of these folks need to spend a little more time hitting the books or they are not going to be able to afford horses. </span><br /><br />"While I didn't have any personal experience with a horse broken down from early riding until recently, it certainly has made an impression. The boarding barn I board at has just gotten in a 12 YEAR OLD paint mare, pretty, well put together, but her joints are utterly destroyed with arthritis, at 12.<br /><br />It makes an impression on me because my own horse is 12, and he's in perfect shape. Apparently when this mare was 2, she was broke and used for eventing, and as a result this mare is ruined except to be ridden by very small children, maybe, eventually, if this new (and very expensive) injection works. Unable to be ridden, and some days she can't even walk, at 12 years old."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUp8Yl5GrkV4-AYIjDHDoaPeiFUbA4vUWSKbODN0FYX2kDwL_vxNfZ-sQLiSV61-mvETC71nnEwo7F4ptkGekanTiLyEkKBf-7bXo6b1zHAK5PmW3RCew-1k_H7mUMRVsQ8CpnUiIY1Ji/s1600-h/candygoodclose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUp8Yl5GrkV4-AYIjDHDoaPeiFUbA4vUWSKbODN0FYX2kDwL_vxNfZ-sQLiSV61-mvETC71nnEwo7F4ptkGekanTiLyEkKBf-7bXo6b1zHAK5PmW3RCew-1k_H7mUMRVsQ8CpnUiIY1Ji/s400/candygoodclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369879340990690210" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"It makes me cry! She's a beautiful girl, bred to the MAX. and I've maybe ridden her twenty times and never will again.Her trainer said she would lope that mare for days if she could, it was one of the best. I took an underdeveloped 3 year old TB off the track and turned her out for 6 months. There was NO WAY I was going to do an ounce more damage than had already been done. Now at 4 she is almost level but still looks like a long 2 year old. She is continuing her turnout and then will be a trail horse once she finishes developing and not until then. Thankfully she only raced 8 times and never so much as broke a hand gallop from the sound of it. I have had people say, Well what are you DOING with her? Why aren't you riding her? Because I'd rather wait a little longer NOW and have ten to fifteen MORE good years with her because I was patient! Thats WHY.</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Use them up throw them out, thats how they make money. It will never stop until not one dime can be made from an equine. Since that will never happen...the world can sleep a little easier at night knowing that people like us exist who have hearts and take in creatures others are greedy and selfish enough to throw away. One interesting tidbit to add to Candy's story. My trainer and I were talking one day, she knew someone who knew the people...you know how that goes...It appears at one time, my poor sweet Candy was sold with a price tag of 75K. Used up and then discarded so her owners could go out and buy the next big prospect. Which I am sure the trainer was happy to sell them! So then he goes and buys another young one from the breeder, who boasts about how well their babies sell, who then goes out and breeds her mares to a stallion whose owner boasts about how much money they are collecting in stud fees, which gives other people the great idea that they can do it too! and there we go.....ain't it grand? My girl will only have about another three good years left before I need to put her down. Thats just not right."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: No, it's not. It totally sucks. She's had years of her life stolen from her.</span><br /><br />"I would bet big money that the vet never cleared this horse to ride or be jumped. That's something sassy ass little teenage girls make up to defend their barbaric actions. And horses aside for a moment....if my daughter ever grew up to be even one half as rude and disrespectful as this girl is, I would feel like I totally failed as a parent.<br /><br />Poor, poor horse! And what purpose does training a horse to rear ever serve? I just don't get it!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: Well, you could argue the purpose is natural selection. It's certainly a good way to wind up in the emergency room. If it's not a trick horse, it doesn't need to EVER learn how to rear. What's next, teaching it to buck? (I have seen kids do that, too!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Oh yes, how many ads have we seen from horse rescues with horses under 10 years old with arthritis which is just another word for joint damage caused by forcing a baby to do the work of a mature horse? There are lots of idiots out there. I field questions all day long… “How soon can I jump my 3 year old?” or “I have a yearling and want to get him used to the saddle, which bit should I use?” I wish all vets would get with the program and realize that big does not equal mature in horses. I again and again point to Deb Bennet’s study on equine skeletal development: http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf This paper is the singular most eye opening piece on equine development I have ever read. Maybe repeating and offering links to the paper over and over will save some babies from further abuse. And YES, in my book, it is abuse to ride a 2 year old or jump a 3 year old. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">My daughter’s first horse was a very nice 16 year old gelding. I didn’t own him long before I realized he had arthritis in both rear hocks and pastern joints. He was trained as a reining horse when he was a baby, just in time for AQHA futurities. I laid the poor old guy to rest when he was 21 years old, the entire time I had him he was never completely pain free. On the flip side I own a 26 year old Arab/QH mare that is perfectly sound and has never taken a lame step. She was started at 4 and shown in flat English classes. She was jumped lightly as a young adult horse and then used on trails mostly. I purchased her when she was 13 years old and she has been a joy to own. She is on senior feed now because of her teeth but has zero joint issues. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">PRS"</span><br /><br />"OK is it just me or can you see a hint of lameness in the front on diamond? He is also fighting the bit and when she see sawed his face he gave and she kept sawing on him…..I give him about three years before he is dead lame or neurotic. I hope his owner reads your blog and stops the madness!! She is too dumb to be allowed to “train” him. Also in the banjo rearing video do you see the two little girls sitting right outside of the fence? What if Banjo popped his leg over the rail and freaked then went over? Its fine if she wants to hurt herself but if she hurts some one else being retarded who will get blamed…I bet its dear old banjo!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><center><a href="http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/available_horses_julie.html"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/julie.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-3589932053173892612009-08-11T18:58:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:18:41.466-07:00I have to agree with the person who sent this to me...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What IS the world coming to? What the hell is wrong with people?<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2009/August/09/Drilling-for-Oil-abducted-slaughtered-by-thieves-in-Peru.aspx"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Drilling for Oil slaughtered in South America<br /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I guess this comes down to security again. I am starting to get positively paranoid about security. I want to put a GPS in each of my horses with some kind of alarm that alerts me if they are removed from the property! Between this and </span><a href="http://www.newser.com/article/d99pcd0o0/17-horses-slaughtered-this-year-in-miami-area-owners-investigators-seek-answers.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">what is going on in Miami</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, I am getting a little freaked out. Am I the only one?<br /><br />We talked about event security not long ago. How secure is your home farm? Do you have surveillance cameras? A locked/coded gate? Dogs the size of Shetlands? Are you one hell of a shot? Are there always people around, like barn help that sleep above the barn? If you don't have anything in place, are you thinking about it given recent events? Comments </span><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.<br /><br />And yes, regular comments will be back very soon and I will update the previous posts tomorrow and Thursday. I've had 2 really busy days. I have just about mastered WordPress and there's just one glitch left to be fixed. Think happy thoughts that my glitch-fixer's baby will decide to sleep tonight so she can figure out my header image problem. :-)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >COMMENTS</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Saw a clip on AOL where horses in Florida are being slaughtered in their own pastures and sold for meat. Yee Gads, what next?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I used to think my horses were *safe* due to being grey Arabians of which there are an abundance here in SE Texas. Still, as soon as it was legal to do so, I got my concealed handgun carry license and I will shoot first and ask questions later if someone is messing with my horses. I currently board at a facility where there is some measure of security: cameras, onsite staff that lives there, and over 100 horses from which to choose. My horses are in the most secure barn location of the two barns on the property. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Even as I feel that we are relatively more visible than most thieves might wish to risk, we have had tack stolen from lockers (more like closets - they are huge) - and these may be *inside* jobs because the thieves knew which lockers to hit to find the very high dollar tack (top of the line reining and show saddles and tack). In the nearly 10 yrs in which I've boarded at this facility, no horse has been stolen (knock wood), but it happens all around us. Many of the horses, including my mare, are top-competitors, and I'm downright paranoid of going to ANY horse show these days without going along with a "big" farm who would have people sleeping and doing rounds with the horses 24/7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">It just seems that showing horses is not worth the risk with recent events! Its bad enough to deal with horse injuries and illness, but the very thought of my horse ending up in someone else's "care" (or lack thereof) scares me more than my gelding's current severe laminitis! He's 3-legged lame and hospitalized, but in a secure location. I don't trust anyone to truly do best by my horses as I would do, and the thought that they would ever be in the hands of a butcher or a thief bent on a quick sale makes me physically ill!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">So how DO we show our horses and build up their credentials toward being breed-worthy? There are lots of "spy-cams" in all shapes and sizes - many are wireless with the ability to view them from any distance. I'm considering such investments just to be able to watch my horses when at home, but at shows it would seem such measures are now essential.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Indeed, what is this world coming to?" - Marzbarz</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I bet this was about something else, related to organized crime or something. Sounds like a scene from The Godfather!"</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">FHOTD in: I got the same "feel" when reading it. </b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I live in an area of hunters, so I worry about that. Orange mane and tail streamers are a must on my two horses, I don't know how someone could mistake two Appaloosas for deer but there are yahoos that shoot at anything that moves. A car slid off the road ( driving extremely fast around a curve on a gravel road) and just clipped the pasture fence but all the commotion in the dead of night freaked out my otherwise calm horse. Planted trees only to have the city tell us to move them because if a car went off the road and hit the tree someone could get hurt. DUH! We live along an interstate with missing roadside fencing, anyone could take my horses and be gone likity- split. Motion detectors, I thought, would help until they took the trolling motor from the boat. Oh, and I have two very vocal Dobermans and a Jack Russell that will rip your throat out. My point is, no matter what YOU work for, try to protect and enjoy, come the dead of night the creeps come out to take or destroy because they having nothing to value, least of all themselves. And any outside animals seem to be fair game. Cows, horses, sheep, cats and dogs seem to be the target of choice. I do not have a barn, only a run-in (not much$$$) so I do what I can at night. I keep a window open, even when the A/C is on so even if I don't hear it first, my dogs will and their warning barks are so much different from from daytime, they scare me."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"While I do feel bad for the slaughtered horse and its owners, crime in Peru really cannot be compared to horse crimes in the U.S. Your average Peruvian makes a few hundred dollars a month, which usually goes to support a family of at least 5 adults plus some children. These "average Peruvians" have enormous resentment against the wealthy, foreigners, and "the sport of Kings". Crimes similar to this happen every day in Peru, all over the country. Peruvians commit crimes to each other and to foreigners; it is accepted and viewed as the way of life there. While it would be a travesty here in our culture, it wouldn't be viewed as savage or unthinkable in Peru. A crime like this in South America doesn't have any relationship to horse crimes in our neck of the woods."</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- La Mexicana</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">FHOTD in: I do appreciate the different comments from some of you who have lived there. I haven't so it's always good to hear that POV. And hearing it, yet more reason to keep American racehorses in America!</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“One can only hope that the perpetrators decide to hit up someone stable where the owner has a nice sawed off shotgun with a couple bullets with their name on it. Sometimes violence isn't the answer, but it would be a nice solid message to people even contemplating doing these horrendous crimes."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I am freaked out too! I don't live in Florida, but I don't want to take the risk! What if we all put "house arrest" anklets around our horses pasterns? Works for probation! </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ha, needing tracking for our horses in the event of theft. You are right, what IS this world coming to? This is simply ridiculous."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);" href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/08/11/funny-pictures-home-security-2/">This</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> could be the solution to the home security problem mentioned on your blog.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I definately think it would be more useful than having my cowardly, fat, bed loving Jack Russell on the yard!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"YES I AM TERRIFIED and with good reason. I have very VERY bad neighbors including a whole extended nest of other country's nationals in this country illegally. Engaged in dogfighting and cockfighting. They keep their horses out 24/7, chase their pony for sport with their John Deere Gator, leave their horses out in 90 degree plus heat with no shade and NO WATER and when they do bring water it is just squirting them with the hose as they gather round the trough desperate for water - to make them run or stay away. Lately they have let their backyard paint stud (very rank) run loose in the pasture right next to my own horses in my pasture. Because of the way the two properties are laid out, that effectively prevents me from using any of my turnout. The first day they did this the rank paint stud tried to fight his way through/over the fence to get at my minis and almost made it. Can you visualize a 1000 lb rank stud going after a 300 pound mini? Well, I sure can! And they have informed us they intend to keep turning out the paint stud in this area any damn time they feel like it. Upshot is: my horses are living in my barn 24/7 with supervised turnout in the only (tiny) paddock that is nowhere near that stud although the way he treats fences even that may not be safe. These people's threatening behavior has now also extended to us. For what I can see of their extremely hostile aggressive behavior, the next thing they'll do is most likely try to torch my barn with everyone in it. Can I get law enforcement involved? Nope. They aren't interested in interfering where there are "cultural issues" because that is a political hot potato in this county! Can I add more fences, surveillance equipment other than completely portable, lock everything? Nope. Landlord says no, telling me that I must "learn to get along with the neighbors." Can I afford to hire a 24/7 security guard? Nope. Not on my salary. Can I afford to board out 7 horses? at $375 per month per horse in this area? Not on my salary! Can I place them immediately with a rescue? Not in this area - the rescues are overwhelmed. Can I find a place to move? Hopefully right away but so far with superhuman efforts to find anything affordable within even an hour's commute to my employment, but I am spending every spare minute that I'm not either working or caring for horses looking, looking, looking.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is a country where the criminals always win. If you haven't figured that out yet, you aren't paying attention. BTW that is an "editorial 'you'" not an insult to any individual, especially you, Fugly. Thanks for the GREAT work you do and the COURAGE to speak out. We seem to have become a society with a majority of decent people who nonetheless are living under siege of both foreign AND DOMESTIC terrorism of the minority of protected psycho- and sociopaths, who are seemingly supported by our own government.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sun Valley Sally"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Unlike you and the vast majority of your readers, I am a advocate for horse slaughter. Having visited many different countries where it was available, obviously there is a calling for it. I see no reason an unwanted horse can not go on to feed either people or zoo animals. Can the transport/care be more humane then it was in the past, yes. Do I want my horses to go there? No, and I will always take one of my own back. However that is not feasible, nor likely for most.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">That much said, I live in SW FL, straight across the state from where this is happening. What I don't understand is why these people are *stealing* horses when there is an abundance on CL for free and many being turned loose in the Everglades and rural Hendry county. BLM just had an adoption over there and the fee was reduced to $25 and no application/check (so I was told, not sure if true).</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I think it is safe to say that it is a different culture then those of us raised here that is doing this. The area is heavily Hispanic from many different regions. We will never see eye-to-eye. But be that as it may, while here do as we do and we don't eat horsemeat (though, personally I see nothing wrong with it). However stealing someones horse, is dead wrong beyond measure. They could purchase a horse, butcher it in their backyard and at $20 a lb, still make a profit and no one the wiser. </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Something tells me these perps, </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">1. Don't read/speak English</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">2. Don't know of, know how or have access to a computer</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">3. This was how it was done in their homeland</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">4. Poor, stupid and starving they are not. The have access to a vehicle not only for the act but recon as well. The ability to plan and carry the act out.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">As for my place, in my barn area I have motion lights, dogs and am landlocked (surrounded by other places) in the back and sides. Gate closed and locked almost 24/7. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Handy gun. Thank God, Florida has the "Castle" law."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"yes, I have nightmares about my horses being stolen and butchered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">my only comfort is first, you'd have to find them, on 200 acres and second</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">there are no roads nearby. It's just a big brushy mesquite thickety pasture</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">that they share with half-feral cattle who are also aggressive.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I realize I'm incredibly lucky having access to a relatively safe area.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">my only suggestion is a horrible one.......load your horse up with meds that</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">are toxic to humans.............you might find the @#$%^&*(*&^%$ that are</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">stealing and butchering pets, that way.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">almost every box of wormer or vaccination has on it, "do not feed to animals</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">intended for human consumption".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">other than that, move your animals closer to the house....maybe into the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">garage or carport.....or move yourself into the barn"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I currently board my horses (in TX) - they are kept in paddocks that have stalls, only gate is on the paddock. I keep the paddock locked (chain and key lock). I have one of the real estate type combo lock boxes with an extra set of key attached just outside the gate, the barn manager has the combo for the lock box and my emergency contact information is posted also. I have also secured the gate so that it can not be lifted off of its hinges. I would have never considered doing this where I boarded in CA, but I was told when I got here that other people's horses had been removed from the paddocks w/o permission (ridden or just turned loose). I know it sounds crazy, but since I have been in TX (about 3 months) there has been at least two horses found loose in the morning and one of those had sweat marks from a western saddle (horse is ridden english).</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">If I lived in southern FL right now I think I would buy one of the alarms that you can put on your room door at night (safety when traveling) - alarm goes off when the door is opened. It would make a lot of noise, probably scare the horse(s) and wake some people up, but it would be worth it to ensure your horse would be in their pen and be safe. Also, a simple thing to do - motion lights. Install the sensor(s) at the entry way (driveway, barn isles, etc.); locked gate and noisy dogs are always good too.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I just hope and pray that this nightmare does not spread to other parts of the US."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Holy crap! If the people buying these murdered horses want horse meat THAT BAD they need to return to their land of origin, and quick!!! It's pretty universally accepted here (except for some wackos over in Dreamhorse!) that we don't eat our horses, it's a lot like eating your pekingese! Not here, not ever."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"This is not all that uncommon in Peru. We bought a really nice Peruvian Paso mare in Peru several years ago. The ranch was left unattended for the evening and bandits came in and killed several horses. Our mare was one. A major ranch had most of their top stock killed years ago due to the bandits. The people are hungry and will kill horses down there."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"We have a coded gate and a second gate for which you need to find the switch or have a remote. We have someone at the house almost, 24/7. You cannot see the barn or the house from the road and we live at a dead end, private road. Strangers are and this area is watched by neighbors, too. Plus, we have 3 noisy dogs and noisy horses. If someone comes to take another away, then I have no doubt that our horses will carry on something fierce! So, good luck to someone who comes to hurt, steal or harm our horses. By the way, I AM a great shot!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"What the hell is wrong with people?--absolutely. It’s beyond sickening—the cruelty incomprehensible; the action by those doing it perhaps not unlike poaching rhinos in a game park. But let’s take it a step further. What about a beloved animal you can no longer afford to keep and would only sell (cheap like borscht) to “a good home only”? Have you checked on them with your own eyes after they’ve left your property? Think about it. Between the “some people [are] still willing to pay $7 to $20 a pound (half-kilogram)” statement, and that mare found “with about 200 pounds (90 kilograms) of meat removed”… well, that’s an awful lot of incentive to some folks ($4,000 worth of incentive at the high end), and even more incentive for those same folks to buy several super-cheap horses rather than running the risk of being caught or shot for one. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I know it’s scary. Just made myself deathly ill, too. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Am I thinking more about security given recent events, even though I live in Canada? Oh, you betcha. Horrible things can happen here, too. So, I’m thinking more dogs, locked/coded gates, electric perimeter fencing, topping perimeter fence posts with solar-powered lights, security cameras, detectors on all doors, more yard lights, taking out trees and bushes that interfere with view, getting a gun permit and taking a lot of lessons… Heck, if some company ever does make a safe GPS for horses, I’ll be all over it. Very sad, though, that we have to turn our farms, barns and stables into Fort Knox/Las Vegas/a horse version of the movie The Body Guard, but that’s the way it is. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">~Hawke"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Yes we have surveillance cameras, </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No gate, but house and barn are 50' apart and share same driveway and I work from home so 90% of the time someone would have to drive by me to get to horses. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We do have security system for house but with boarders that come at odd irregular hours can't feasibly alarm barn.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Small dogs but they bark loud and don't quit till I come out. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yup I can shoot.... anyone want to try and find out how well??? lol</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Purchased security cameras after going on extended business and leaving someone in charge to do daily cleaning and feeding, (well paid for their time and seemingly knowledgeable ie: talked the talk). Kept in touch via phone several times per week and was assured that all was great. Returned to manure knee deep in alley way of barn which had been turned into use as run in shelter by leaving doors to stalls open (or taken off hinges) this was a brand new barn less than 6 months old and barn open for horses to come and go as they pleased (winter so of course they chose indoors) but with no one cleaning, manure piled up very quickly with 6 horses. Senior mare who was supposed to be fed separately twice daily and we were assured that she was doing fine, actually went from about a 6-7 down to a 2 bad enough that SPCA was called about her, turns out her feed was just dumped on the ground where "she" could get it, problem was so could the other 5 younger horses so guess who did not get her feed. Not a good experience but we trusted these now ex-friends.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Now using inexpensive wireless "spy cameras" and a capture card purchased off Ebay we have cameras in the barn that can be watched on Yawcam for free any time I'm away or even when I'm home just to check on things in the barn without having to physically go out, just a matter of turning cams on and connecting to internet (means having computer online at home and then I can check on my laptop or any public internet access and see for my self how things really are. Cost about $150 for 2 cameras and the capture card, Value... Priceless for peace of mind. "</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Actually I do have a dog the size of a large mini (great dane) that spends the night in the pasture with my horses and she barks her head off if there is someone that she does not know approaching the pasture. I also have a lock on the main gate that leads from the pasture."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"It is tough trying to find the balance to making sure all the horses stay safe and secure and being too secure that emergency crews can not get in during an emergency. We do not lock gates or barn doors. But we implement security cameras, and motion sensing lights and devices that alert us if there is movement where there shouldn’t be on the farm. We live over the barn and can hear so much as a horse pushing a bucket; a main door or a stall door would have me up and armed immediately. We also have a big 150lb schutzhund trained male Rottweiler as our dog/pony who is usually so dirty from thinking that he really is a pony and rolling in the mud, that he is stuck sleeping in the barn and not allowed into the house… while he is actually a big mush, if someone he doesn’t know shows up at night he will protect the house and his herd mates and make sure I am wide awake to back him up… During the day everyone is welcomed to Rotty kisses and begging for Frisbee time, but night is another story and I am quite ok with that. I’d almost feel bad for anyone showing up here to snag a horse in the middle of the night… ok… not really…they’d deserve what was coming to them. "</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">We live in Indiana and although nothing even close or similar has happened in our area, it's a real concern for us. We're the proud owners of a very unfriendly dog that rarely makes nice even with frequent boarders in our barn. This dog is doing her job and I hope she takes a bite out of crime if anybody even thinks about hurting a hair on my horses' pretty heads. In any event she'll make enough noise to alert me to grab the shotgun. Mr. T said it best - "I pity the fool......""</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"You said it! Some things just boggle the mind. I've heard criminals are stupid, but this goes so far beyond, I can't even find the words for it. Except to sympathize with those who have been the victims of this stupidity. And to encourage everyone to get whatever security they can. Several big dogs that make lots of noise and motion activated lights are both very effective, inexpensive, and easy to install and maintain. </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Surveillance cameras are good, but they only cover what they cover; if the cameras are in the barn, horses in the field won't be protected by them. And you have to watch the image quality. A system that gives a clear enough image so you can actually see a person's face clearly enough to identify them is pretty expensive. </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On the other hand, cameras in evidence and a sign asking people to smile for the camera as they come through your gate might deter unwanted people from entering your property. There are dummy cameras you can put in that look real and cost a lot less than real ones. If you want to go this route, real cameras covering the entrance and main corridors, combined with a few dummies scattered around, might be very effective. A friend of mine at a high security facility said the most effective placement for getting a positive ID is a pair of cameras at the exit, one to get the license plate, and one to get their face. Both have to be high resolution. Of course this is in combination with strategically placed cameras to record anything that goes on that ought not to. Such a system is not cheap. And you need to have a really good fence with only 1 way in or out.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We can only hope they find these people and administer some justice.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">AME"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"OH MY GOD!!!! I seriously cannot think of any words to describe these truly sick people. The article about the cases in Miami just disgusts me. Where they slash tendons, and butcher the horse alive…. How primitive do you have to be to just take a knife and cut and slash? And jeez, these aren’t wild mustangs…. They’re PETS!!! Chances are, they walked over with ears pricked and then were immobilized and had their muscles stripped from their body. Also, the article said something about $7 per pound and 200 pounds of meat per horse. If they’re willing to do this vile act for $1400, I don’t want to know what they’d do for even $10,000. In my opinion, whoever did this to these horses, deserves to have the same done to them! Sure, it’s brutal and clearly a violation of human rights, but when they do something so atrocious as slaughtering live pets, they’re more of an animal than the horse they killed. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">--Jazz--"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"We recently bought a horse farm. We're in a very small town on a fairly busy road. Everyone notices EVERYTHING. Its good and bad. My fiance's horse had been out here by himself for two weeks before we got mine up here. Within 5 minutes of the trailer pulling in the driveway we had half the town stopping by to see the second horse. Half of them said they had seen the trailer and just wanted to see what was going on. I think about 90% of the town carries guns. So yeah, not too terribly worried about our horses getting stolen. That said, the barn is kept locked and the two gates that lead off the farm are kept locked."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Hi, saw your blog about the tragic loss of a horse. Have you considered a combination of “active” RFID tags (like they use in library books and shoe boxes) and scanning points? Active RFID tags can be very small (and thus unobtrusive to the horse) and put out a signal all the time, so you could set up a scan for them whenever you like (unlike a passive system, which only works when you point an RFID reader at them.) The only down sides:</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The batteries don’t last forever, but they do last for months or years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Someone else with an RFID reader would know exactly where a horse is…though they could also tell that by the fact that there’s a horse-shaped horse nearby.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">They’re not cheap, but they’re getting cheaper.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I don’t know if anyone actually does this."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD: I don't know either but if someone can show me a device that would allow me to pinpoint the exact location of my horses at any time, I'd buy it and I'd promote it for free on this blog. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I've heard recently from several people in my area (Humboldt County)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">about folks taking "free" horses as "pets" and later slaughtering</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">them. And I'm not talking the usual "meat buyer pretends to be</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">upstanding citizen, ships horse to slaughter" story, I'm talking</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">people hanging a horse in a tree in their backyard and butchering it</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">by hand. I have yet to see evidence directly -- though not being a</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">native of the area, I don't know most of the more sketchy people</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">around the area -- so I'm taking it with a grain of salt, but it kind</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">of makes me want to weep, regardless.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Having my horse at a boarding barn is nice in a lot of respects</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">because there are other people coming and going and dogs and whatnot,</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">but it is scary to think how easy it would be for somebody to walk in</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">there, take the horse, and leave. I can't exactly afford the kind of</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">boarding stable with electronic security gates and things, even if</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">there were some here."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"We keep our three horses in a small stable in Yorba Linda, CA. There are a total of nine horses. We have had some strange things happen....such as horses being let out of their stalls at night and then the stalls re-locked. We found one of the horses almost two miles away one morning. After this we have locked the pipe stalls at night and put in a motion sensitive light system but we caught two local neighborhood girls in the barn a week ago late at night petting the four horses in the stalls in the barn. These stalls are not locked because of the fear of fire but we think that the neighborhood kids are coming there at night and riding the horses and every once in a while they get away from them and they just leave them out. </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">We are concerned because we do not have anybody staying on the property overnight and you know how teens are, especially in Southern California."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Our barn is right next to the house, and right now we are not taking any drastic measures regarding security, other than a motion detector spotlight on the barn. My main worry was a field across the street from our house. We sometimes keep horses out at night in the field. What we have done since all of the thiefs and slaughtering, is to hang metal pipe gate and keep it locked. Also, we never leave halters on the horses, or have leadropes readily available. I also try to educate other horse owners of the current situation regarding the thief of horses."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I have read your blog for quite some time, first time to comment. I have a great security system. I own three BIG male doberman's{fixed} of course and they run the property. I had alot of problems from neighbor's being nosy and dogs running my horses. I came up with this. I put step in posts all around my place with two lines of high visible wire and attached it to my fence charger. I have a line across my driveway that I drop to come or go. This keeps my dogs in and neighbors and dog's out. I also have 22 free range guinea's which alarm when ever something or someone unfamiliar comes within their territory. I think the best about this system is those pesky stop bye pamphlet givers no longer stop."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"You started the post with the line</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“What IS the world coming to? What the hell is wrong with people?” </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Well, lets look at this another way</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">You take a country where a significant portion of the population struggles to find enough calories to eat every day</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Where meat is a luxury</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Where beef is raised on ranches by impoverished workers then sent abroad to be eaten</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Where horses are work animals...</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And then spend more on housing a horse than is spent on health care for the whole country....</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Just some things to think about...."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: I would think it would be far more likely that a more accessible, easy to handle animal than a TB stallion inside a barn would be stolen if hunger truly was the motivation. I mean, surely there are donkeys, goats, etc. in fields that would be an easier target. I tend to think this was some kind of revenge motivated thing, an angry ex-employee or personal grudge. Doesn't that make sense?</span><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.soshorses.org/DEF-Horse.asp?hoID=107"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/rodeo.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-52975011330007375442009-08-10T09:00:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:26:23.348-07:00Is your horse truly healthy?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0rdHVpTsbU7znENhyN03TH8eDRfEIypJU6cJZn_hGu4lCOVRdIB11jOABVpYP4uw1in0L2R6ZSoS8B5atQ7EB2qF5SWu7TGQHnuguh85raZ-HaELwZjMxWesiYTrQxsghDGL_UXLa5c7/s1600-h/nothealth3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 300px; float: left; height: 225px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368366476269925570" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0rdHVpTsbU7znENhyN03TH8eDRfEIypJU6cJZn_hGu4lCOVRdIB11jOABVpYP4uw1in0L2R6ZSoS8B5atQ7EB2qF5SWu7TGQHnuguh85raZ-HaELwZjMxWesiYTrQxsghDGL_UXLa5c7/s400/nothealth3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Someone sent me this ad and, as with many things on CL, it's a real head-shaker.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"We have for sale 3 Beautifull horses. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Abby is a 18 month old Appaloosa/Quarter Horse filly. She is rope and halter broke and ready to start ground work and is very eagar to learn. She is $100. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBFs2eug3xhJ1KvA3g0Uy96bq75TLDCnj8y1U8ha2nK5awZKhma7EvCv8Keh6i3uCYKzzm7aETFewEJTfCMbHaRbSqt05eCSV5VN-fj4Vq-HrVu4LM4R4EGzJDnp40BB3Zu24vBCo4V8D/s1600-h/nothealth1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 300px; float: left; height: 225px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368366465804633506" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBFs2eug3xhJ1KvA3g0Uy96bq75TLDCnj8y1U8ha2nK5awZKhma7EvCv8Keh6i3uCYKzzm7aETFewEJTfCMbHaRbSqt05eCSV5VN-fj4Vq-HrVu4LM4R4EGzJDnp40BB3Zu24vBCo4V8D/s400/nothealth1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Roana is a 3 year old Appaloosa/Morgan/Arab Horse filly. She is rope and halter broke and ready to start ground work and very sensible. She is $150. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Morgan is a 12 year old Morgan Horse mare. She is rope and halter broke, saddle broke, stands for ferrier, loads and unloads and is very sensible. She is $350 All horses are 100% sound and in good health. "<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-OF_VElJLDakfilkMTo3K33bIl7fgph5aVeW_yjT4W9pO5CJzjuNj2Ycjho_boXTbf0_7mWLt2uW4UaC13iXAeRhR6ZiPHYcDR_j1Q57GVgCMBvhbH8NM1WBBE871wRcnNx2gegDATcQ/s1600-h/nothealth2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 300px; float: left; height: 225px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368366471941949842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-OF_VElJLDakfilkMTo3K33bIl7fgph5aVeW_yjT4W9pO5CJzjuNj2Ycjho_boXTbf0_7mWLt2uW4UaC13iXAeRhR6ZiPHYcDR_j1Q57GVgCMBvhbH8NM1WBBE871wRcnNx2gegDATcQ/s400/nothealth2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">OK, everything in the world is wrong with this. I'm guessing both fillies are out of this sad, emaciated bay Morgan mare. Mr. Tobacco Executive's Dream there thought he was going to make money breeding grade horses. Nice round bale for effect - uh, looking at those horses and the grazed-bare pasture, we know that's not a usual part of the scenery. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But the part that really got me was the last line about how the horses are in <strong>good health</strong>! Hey, Billy Beer Gut, ever notice the horses don't have the same curves that <em>you </em>do? I'm not sure what he means by good health but clearly his idea of it is much different than the rest of the world's. (As usual, <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">e-mail me </a>if you want the ad...they're in North Carolina)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It does bring up a good question, though. What does it mean for a horse to be in truly good health? I know a lot of people who are happy as soon as a horse is fat, but a round butt alone doesn't mean perfect health (any more than it does in humans!) There are a few obvious things you can look at to help determine if your horse is truly in tip-top condition and you are doing all you can to keep him happy and healthy for life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpFv2yoBXxQYKmsqdkRFYJIpumCijYy-izl7vgKU0v92buUa-LBbHi5VlTf4Vo3HtS1Xo0wjl58r-4sEBY8Uf1njnx5FgxvNzVrXVlNtOiSGRVfNMBDg4sgUuEuo7XjbBvYhW04U7vker/s1600-h/IMG_0899.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 371px; float: left; height: 337px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368391719298275634" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpFv2yoBXxQYKmsqdkRFYJIpumCijYy-izl7vgKU0v92buUa-LBbHi5VlTf4Vo3HtS1Xo0wjl58r-4sEBY8Uf1njnx5FgxvNzVrXVlNtOiSGRVfNMBDg4sgUuEuo7XjbBvYhW04U7vker/s400/IMG_0899.JPG" border="0" /></a>Hooves can be a flashing neon sign about what is going on with a horse. Like our fingernails, they should be smooth and strong. A healthy hoof has a straight line diagonal profile down the front when viewed from the side - it's not concave or dishy in appearance. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These hooves, while seriously overgrown and neglected, are not unhealthy. The kind of chipping you see at the bottom of the is normal chipping that goes on when feet are not cared for. This mare received good farrier care and was back to normal pretty quickly!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.andalusians-for-you.com/images/wld2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 246px; float: left; height: 189px;" alt="" src="http://www.andalusians-for-you.com/images/wld2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In contrast, this is the kind of chipping that reveals a case of White Line Disease, a very serious hoof condition. Basically, what happens is the hoof wall starts to separate from the laminae. If untreated, the horse can lose large portions of hoof and eventually may have to be put to sleep. Your horse might be hog fat and shiny, but if his feet look like this, he's not healthy. The old saying "no hoof, no horse" always applies!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you have a good farrier, he/she should pick up on the first signs that the horse's feet aren't healthy, but as with everything, it is always a good idea to educate yourself. The more knowledgeable people a horse has watching over him, the more likely any problem will be detected early when it is simple (and cheaper!) to fix!<br /></span><p><br /><a href="http://jjhorserescue.net/images/RIP/mistie_320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; float: left; height: 240px;" alt="" src="http://jjhorserescue.net/images/RIP/mistie_320.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another case where good weight doesn't necessarily mean healthy is in the case of the Cushing's/insulin resistant horse. The first sign most people pick up with Cushing's is hair coat - the horse that simply does not shed. Even in summer, he has a long, often curly-appearing coat and it's usually dull in appearance. I've met so many beginner horseowners that totally miss this and it's so sad because they are missing their opportunity to treat it and buy their horse years of life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A long coat, particularly one that is shedding unevenly in patches, can also be a sign of serious parasite infestation. These days most vets can do a fecal test for you at a pretty reasonable price to tell you what is really going on inside your horse. It's a great idea if your horse's coat doesn't look good or if he is having issues gaining weight despite excellent feed - just another tool you can use as a responsible horse owner to make sure your horse truly is in good health!<br /></span><br /><hr /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/jtaft1221/Rhythm/DSC05142.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 386px; float: left; height: 391px;" alt="" src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/jtaft1221/Rhythm/DSC05142.jpg" border="0" /></a>I know everybody likes updates. Do you remember the <a href="http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/04/todays-episode-of-barbed-wire-is-not.html">half Saddlebred colt with the bad wire cut</a> from the blog last year? Well, check him out today! He's green broke and good on trails and available for adoption from <a href="http://www.safehorses.org/horses/rhythm.html">Save a Forgotten Equine</a> in the Seattle area.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />COMMENTS<br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“The horses are in good health because they have never had to see the vet. Ever. Not for injuries or illness, and certainly not for shots, worming, or dental.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">TBDancer”</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />“Ah, but here in the south, "in good health" means that they are capable of surviving the miserable conditions they are currently living under. Just like "broke to ride" means you can sit on the horses back and he won't turn bronc on you.”</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />"One thing that drives me batty is someone who thinks a fat horse is healthy.. not always so. I ride endurance and competitive trail, and my primary horse is thin compared to many of the show horses I see. People immediately assume that means he is unhealthy, not so. He is just very very fit. I think that an obese horse has just as many health risks as a horse that is too thin, maybe more. Everything comes down to management, grooming the horse on a regular basis (can't really see condition, sometimes you have to feel it) and adjusting feed accordingly. If you have a horse that is too fat you need to cut back, whether to put it on a dry lot or reduce grain/calories etc. The thing is that many people will speak up about a horse that is too thin, but most people will not say anything to an owner that has a horse that is too fat."</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />“Long time reader, rare writer....</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Just wanted to comment on your recent post about horses and health.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >You mention a piece about Cushing's/insulin resistant horse. "The first sign most people pick up with Cushing's is hair coat - the horse that simply does not shed. Even in summer, he has a long, often curly-appearing coat...."</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Just a headsup - and I'm sure you're aware, but the Curly horse has that type of coat almost all the time (see pics attached). Even in summer, they keep a marcel curl/wave that can sometimes be misinterpreted as cushings. I hear about it all the time and just want people to know that SOME curl can be absolutely normal (and gorgeous!).</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Thanks and keep up the great blogging.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >FHOTD in: Absolutely true! A Curly horse does look like a Cushing's horse. However, this breed is fairly rare, so when someone tells you their registered Arabian just has a curly hair coat...um, no. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />“To me “healthy” means the horse should have a certain glow. He will exhibit a healthy, shiny looking coat, have healthy looking hooves and a certain sparkle in his eye and a spring in his step. These poor sad looking horses only look hungry and tired. There are so many horses that are victims of ignorant people it makes me want to cry. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Seeing the black colt/gelding looking so shiny and healthy and OMG sound is a testament to quality care and the recuperative powers of the horse. I’ve seen some pretty nasty injuries come out fine like this one and then I’ve seen what appeared to be a minor injury on a young foal result in the loss of the entire hoof – it just fell off! It was a minor appearing scratch where the horse had got into a fence but the end of a protruding wire had penetrated to the bone and caused a bone infection. The experienced owner had been doctoring on it and giving antibiotic shots (as per the vet) and the entire foot just fell off! The poor thing actually seemed to feel better afterwards but was euthanized. Just shows you never know but the chances of a good outcome increase with quality feed, care and facilities. - PRS”</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />"Those poor little fillies! Little mom mare doesn’t look too bad ,but I would put some food in her ASAP & get her looking like a horse rather that a run way size 0 model...good thing I'm nowhere near where they are! Thanks Willowshome2...."<br /><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJPJJAXNvA8AwAGYnxhN5CIe609Y4SqzG6P5e74JJjL9M-pZBnwHgt5QthBEZmo0palAwmDGy1efTeoYHEH059C_jOAMklhT4_a2124dldGaMKM3j3RRvKeQn2w2f9PwPf2h5QvtMPjNY/s1600-h/GEDC0033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJPJJAXNvA8AwAGYnxhN5CIe609Y4SqzG6P5e74JJjL9M-pZBnwHgt5QthBEZmo0palAwmDGy1efTeoYHEH059C_jOAMklhT4_a2124dldGaMKM3j3RRvKeQn2w2f9PwPf2h5QvtMPjNY/s400/GEDC0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369856221191100658" border="0" /></a>"The first picture really reminded me of a yearling filly we rescued - and that's how she looked when we rescued her....(at left)NOT how she looked when she was healthy and ready to be rehomed. Pics attached....tell me the first picture doesn't remind you of the horse in the ad(it was taken day 3 after we got her)....second picture...less than a month later...and though she is still thin, she looks much "healthier"...wormy tummy gone, eyes brighter....and last...this is what she looked like just before we rehomed her...yeah she's muddy, but she now looks like the foundation QH she was supposed to be! I always wonder if you show the folks pictures of horses that are healthy, if they are able to notice the difference. I am continually amazed at what some people think is healthy too. The other similarity in the filly we rescued and your ad - the round bale. When we went to pick them up, there was a round bale in the pen with 20+ horses - weanling thru adult - around it, no fussing no fighting just EATING, gulping, inhaling. There was no manure in the paddock, which was dirt....we knew the round bale was for effect, and so we couldn't report them for no food. Which is how she was getting away with not getting these horses seized, I am sure. It was sad, and as I left with the 2 I rescued....I wished I could take more...."</span><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.angelacreshorsehavenrescue.com/truffles.html"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/truffles.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-42967078032765980282009-08-08T20:02:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:40:12.648-07:00Time for another post about those crazy horsepeople!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I spent most of the day with a colicky horse (not mine, and yes, she is okay - but just a nasty gas colic, trying to roll, curling lip, "parking out" when she stood still - very, very uncomfortable) so this will be a short one, but I saw a new kind of crazy today and thought I'd post about it and see who has a similar story!<br /><br />Person A traded horse A to person B for horse B. Upon further examination, horse B had a serious defect that was going to prevent his intended use. After much discussion, some threats and the usual drama, person B returned horse A to person A...<br /><br />With his tail cut off at the hocks and every other mane braid lopped off at the roots.<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />I mean, gee, I guess it's better than like, <i>slicing a tendon</i>, but WTF? Who does something like that? At this point the owner of horse A is just happy he's home and safe and has no plans to resell him.<br /><br />So tell me, what's <i>your</i> crazy story about a sale or a trade or a lease gone bad? </span><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">E-mail me</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and I'll post the comments.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">COMMENTS</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVHIHfHf9Lr2-nBeEd1fvuu9qmA_fvMU57Bv0c5oXxF2QUuBiHFlNp6BetxLWiWlxQd7KNRIkCMCnMRIM-ZZZBpaeEnGdsiaV2IfF9IDX94Gw4II5VT01MeiWtg7wlX252GYapQlp1zNp/s1600-h/Paula92209sideview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVHIHfHf9Lr2-nBeEd1fvuu9qmA_fvMU57Bv0c5oXxF2QUuBiHFlNp6BetxLWiWlxQd7KNRIkCMCnMRIM-ZZZBpaeEnGdsiaV2IfF9IDX94Gw4II5VT01MeiWtg7wlX252GYapQlp1zNp/s400/Paula92209sideview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369857432481282850" border="0" /></a>“At least she got him (the sold horse) back alive....<br /><br />I leased out my pregnant mare and her 2 year old daughter to a lady in Oklahoma (Cecilia "Sandy" Jarvis) who said she'd show the foal and agreed she wouldn't breed the 2 year old until she was 3--she said she might show her in the meantime but was so interested in breeding her she wanted to take her, so I agreed considering I was changing jobs at the time and had no where to keep them. Six months later I found out the foal had died, my mare had died and she didn't call to tell me--she said she died "a couple of weeks ago" and my filly was returned to me emaciated (pictures attached--gray filly). She claimed the foal was killed by dogs and my mare died "from old age," but after seeing my filly in this state it's not hard to figure out what happened to the other two horses. I still owned the mare that died yet she never contacted me to tell me she was having any problems or even that she had passed away. If she had nothing to hide, why didn't she call me right away when she died? She didn't tell me until I called HER!<br /><br />A few months later another gal had to go rescue her pregnant mare that was emaciated (and about to foal any day) from her as well (picture of palomino in the barn). We've documented everything, had the pally seen by a vet and document her condition, sent in everything to the proper authorities, but of course nothing is done. Gotta love a small town....<br /><br />This woman continues to ask for more horses to lease online and has excuses for everything of course (her excuse with the palomino was that she wasn't told she needed extra feed. Well duh, a 16.1H mare about to foal is going to need food). Not sure what it's going to take to stop her from taking other people's horses and doing this to them. (FHOTD in: Hopefully this blog)<br /><br />I share this nightmare only to help make other people aware of how bad it can really get. If I would have done more investigating, I would have found that she has been suspended from AQHA since Nov 2007 and apparently she's also suspended from APHA and recently even got her daughter suspended. I would have found with just a few inquiries that she was behind on her obligations and several other suspicious circumstances, but I didn't. I saw that she showed, she seemed to be very caring when she picked up my girls, and I made assumptions that I'll regret the rest of my life.<br /><br />Fortunately my girl is back to her healthy self, a bit stunted and I can no longer feed her with other horses because she's so overprotective of her feed, but she's with me now and will be the rest of her days. I'll never forgive myself for letting her dam go, though.<br /><br />It's sad, but apparently you can't trust anyone anymore. Even if you don't post my comment, please let your readers know to do their homework before ever letting their horses leave their hands.”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“Hi, I have a good one for you... i had this mare who i rescued and i wanted to keep her. my "friend" who also operated a "rescue" wanted her so badly. this mare needed lots of work she had to be sedated after kicking my farrier twice.so i sold her to my friend who promised a "forever home" and a agreement that i get first chance to buy her back if ever sold. well she paid me with a bad check then turned around and sold the mare who was not broke to a 11yr old kid as a kid safe broke horse and made quite a profit.i managed to hunt her down the girl got injured after being bucked off. her dad got injured after getting bucked off she kicked bucked etc. she had NO training. the lady told this girls family she was "kid safe" and never kicked anyone.then refused to take her back. i wasn't able to find her in time to save her she went to a dealer and got shipped. this made me sick i thought this lady was my friend and to do this to this poor horse. she was a good horse but needed time and training. i wish i could have found her in time...and on this Lady's website she is still on it advertised in the success area as "forever home""</span><br /><br />“I've had the same thing... mane and tail butchered... on a horse I'd had out on a "trial before buy." They then proceeded to say they should charge me for the "grooming".<br /><br />I also had a friend of a friend that used to come out to ride with us get REALLY attached to one of my geldings- to the point of forgetting he didn't belong to her. She did the "tail to the hocks" and roached his mane and tail one day without asking me while I was down at the house getting sodas. He's a paso fino, btw. Grrr. I really chewed her out and she cried. And this isn't a teenager- just some 30something woman. Sheesh!<br />-Chel”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“well, we had a pony that these people took on a short trail period to see if he would be suitable. They were friends of friends and aquaintences to us so we knew he'd be in no danger. We told them though he had been shown in kid's western classes several years previos he was mostly a trail horse. Turns out while they had him for a short two weeks they lopped his mane off (poorly), threw english gear on him and took him to a show and said he was their horse. Surprise, surprise, he didn't place (they even did jumping) and they promptly returned him to us after and told us he was no good. My mom was fit to be tied when they told her what they had done. They had never expressed and interest in showing either but what ticked my mom off was that they would actually cut the mane of a horse they had only on a two week trial. and that they would show the horse without consulting the owners... as their own horse. And our friends couldn't believe it either as it seemed so out of character. I guess you just never know! “</span><br /><br />“I traded my 13 yr old mini gelding (with cart/tack/etc) to my friend for a very sweet 4 yr old TWH mare that was green broke. About two weeks later my friend calls me up and explains she wants to give away my mare to a little girl. She had already talked to the girl and her parents to 'make sure it was ok' before she even thought about calling me! I was LIVID! My friend kept telling me that the little girl (an 8 yr old) wanted to learn how to train a horse and my mare was perfect for her.<br /><br />It was finally settled through much yelling and screaming, but everything worked out and now people know that the mare is MINE. The continuing barn drama is fun though. The little girl now thinks I 'stole her horse' even though the mare was mine from the get-go.”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“in response to your sale or lease gone bad.....</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> I had two beautiful, registered QH mares I had to sell because I was moving, but i had invested that spring to breed them to top dllar stallions as we were raising cutting horses. The mares were in TOP condition, even still loped daily, fat, shiny, slick, etc.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> I decided to lease the first mare, as in case I was able to find a horse property. I had clients I taught lessons to their little girl, (these people were teachers) . They were wanting to lease the first mare, then bring her back to me before or around the time the foal came. I agreed & they took the mare down 6 hours from me, to their new home, & things were going fine. Then they decided the daughter needed to own the mare, because she loved her so much. I agreed, as long as I got the colt, as they were friends I decided to give them a great deal on the mare. (she had won $60,000 in earnings, was sound, healthy, finished, safe for kids) So I told them $3000, if they did decide they wanted the foal, it would be $1000 extra, (the stud fee). They denied the foal, promised me the foal would be mine. Like a complete dumbass, I TRUSTED them & sent the papers on the mare.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> They never told me there was a baby. I bugged them. They finally stated it was dead. I found out several months later that it is very much alive, in fact they went behind my back & got the papers to register it from the stallion owner. They are taking me to court because I wont sign the papers as the owner of mare at time of foaling....Im out the colt. Thats what I get for trusting "Friends". And they are teachers, tell me how that is for their children to see that? Just taking a colt that is not theirs. No paperwork between us, as I was trying to do a good deed, & trust someone.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> Number 2 mare. She is dead broke & dog gentle, sweet as pie, too big for a cutter. A lady had some people come buy a horse from her that immediatly hurt their teenage daughter, after saying it was safe for kids. She didnt want to give the money back, but knew I had a good for kids mare. She had a horse trailer I was interested in, so offered to give me the trailer in trade I give the mare to those people. So, they came to see her, took her right away. I had to go to work, so she was supposed to bring the trailer by that evening & drop it off. Instead, when I got home, I had a big old mule headed bay gelding with the worst attitude I ever met sitting in my pen. I couldnt sell him. He was AWFUL, & I didnt want anyone to get hurt. I gave him away & heavily warned the owner of what I had learned about him in only a few days. I constantly had tried to contact this lady about our deal gone wrong. Nothing. I should of wated til the trailer was there to do the deal, of course, my stupidity..</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> On mare number 2, I trusted them the same way to give me back my foal. THEY DID, with no problems. I was very surprised, but relieved there are still decent people out there. They had felt bad for me losing her for free. But I was glad she was with a teenager who loved her, so I was okay with it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> When they brought her by to wean (they didnt know how, so I told them I would do it, & keep the mare for free) this is what the mare looked like. Starving to death. This is a 16 hand QH mare, that was so stout & beautiful. I educated them on proper feeding & health care, not just once, but many times, even in writing. They thought she looked fine. I was horrified. I would go by & check on her, take her feed, etc. I contacted the police & animal control. Nothing was done, they said she wasnt bad enough to be a neglect case. HOW??????</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> It has been a very tedious pain of getting anyone to notice her. FINALLY, someone has stepped in on the animal rescue team who has seen her recently, who has FINALLY done something. She is still with these owners, but only has a few more weeks til they are done giving them chances, too. I am just sick about it. We are in Texas, where it seems like it's ok for people to let their horses "rough it". It just goes to show that any horse, top bred or grade, can still come into these circumstances. These people seemed so great, so caring, they also had plenty of money to assure me that she would be well cared for. Maybe we should be scared to ever sell our beloved horses. We have no control once they are not ours anymore.”</span><br /><br />“Nineteen months ago, I traded my well trained, 14.3 hand, sport pony mare to a woman for a 16.2 hand, green as grass warmblood gelding. She had bought the WB for her 11 year old daughter who got tossed, dragged, stepped on, and scared to tears by the big goof. He is big and fashionable so no one tried him to see if he was trained. When I went to see the gelding, she said she was looking for a well trained, large pony (no bigger than 14.3h), preferably a mare and hopefully a bay to help her daughter regain her confidence. I had a 14.3h, bay mare that was training level 3 dressage. Her daughter tried her and loved her. She would call me up and tell me how much she loved the mare. I ended up feeling bad for the girl so I agreed to trade my mare for her gelding. Well for the first 17 months, the mare was the greatest horse ever. They invited me to their stable to introduce me to the coach as the breeder. (FYI, I stopped breeding five years ago but I like to keep track of my foals.) They invited me to watch the daughter's lessons so I could see how well they were doing. They called to brag about how much the daughter loved the pony. Then they moved.<br /><br />I got a phone call telling me that the mare is not working out and that they don't want her. According to the woman, the trainer at their new barn got on the mare the second day she was there and tried to make her jump a course. The mare refused and "the trainer made her do it" which resulted in the mare slipping and bowing her tendon. She went on to say that the mare is green because she doesn't jump a full course and she is too "dressage-y" to really compete in hunter. (Apparenty she didn't realize that a dressage bred and trained horse would be naturally inclined to do dressage rather than hunter. Who knew???) She complained that the mare is too short for her daughter (despite 14.3h being her previous maximum size). She complained that her new coach said that being half Arabian made the mare too hot to show (Her purebred sire and I competed in provincial level dressage, did the open and Arab circuit... but Arabs are too hot to show?) She complained that the mare was too responsive (I thought being responsive to the rider was a good thing???). She complained that the mare was holding her daughter back from being "a true hunter-ista". She complained about everything and anything concerning the mare.<br /><br />Her hints at trading back were instantly nixxed. It took me almost a year to undo a plethera of bad habits, but the WB is now going well and is not going back especially after seeing what my mare has become. She was sold without vices and perfectly sound mentally and physically. When I seen her a few days later, she freaked out on the cross ties, bit when being saddled, bounced around in the sand ring and refused to do what they asked. She is soured and spoiled, plus her leg is a mess. UGH!<br /><br />I am currently talking to my BO and trying to juggle a few horses around to make room for her. I am going to buy her back but I feel sorry for the next person who sells them a horse. The mother is so wrapped up in living through her daughter and keeping with the status quo that I'm sure the next horse will fall short and need trading in too.”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“The first horse I bought back in 1985 was a OTTB. I purchased him for 600.00 from a man in Great Falls, VA. He was boarded at another families place, who was allowed to use this horse for their daughter. They were very unhappy that I was buying "their daughters" horse. Ironically, the day I was to pick him up, he was hurt. The man who was boarding him called me and said that the horse was found bleeding in the pasture and that they had wrapped the leg. They said he must have cut it on the fence. I rushed out to find Tommy standing in a blood-soaked "dressing" with blood visibly leaking out onto the stall floor. No vet had been called!!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I called my vet who came out and upon examination, told me that the cut was clean, like it had been done purposely to the fetlock. The wound was not caused by the fence as we had found no evidence when walking the pasture. It was too old to sew up, so we dressed it. My vet told me that if the horse had lost any more blood he would have needed a transfusion. He healed with pretty intense care, but to this day, I know that the jealous barn manager had done this. :(</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Sheesh, you would have thought this experience 20+ years ago would have made me get out of the crazy, idiot-filled horse world!!! LOL”</span><br /><br />“One of my work colleagues went to a race horse sale. He bought this mare and told me the next morning how good her breeding was and blah blah blah. Well, I went around to have a look at her and the damn thing had not just one bowed tendon, but 2! He is an idiot. I went with him to the next sale and helped pick out a very nice little gelding that is actually sound. “<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"Years ago, I let a friend use my mare to breed and get a foal. The deal was, she breed my mare for a foal, in exchange for some training on my gelding. I really needed to sell the mare, but didn't want to part with her, so this was a good way for me to get some training on my gelding that I couldn't afford at the time, and still be able to hang on to my mare a little longer, maybe things would look better next year. Any way, she loved my mare so much, she said she'd like to buy her, but didn't have the money right now, but if I would wait until she had the foal, and she sold it, than she would pay me for the mare. I agreed, because I really liked my friend, and wanted the mare to go to a good home. She had the mare at her place, and was responsible for full care. Well during that year of waiting for a foal to come, she since bought another horse. I didn't say anything, because a deal was a deal, and I was sticking to it. Even though I could have used the money. When the foal finally came, I reminded her the mare was a hard keeper, she'll really need to pump the feed to her. She assured me she was. I get a call from her one day only to hear that she changed her mind on buying her, that if I wanted her I had to go to someone else's house to pick her up, because she took her there to be rebred after she weaned the baby. When I went to pick her up, Not only did I get a skinny malnourished horse back, Her feet were never trimmed in that year and a half, and on top of it I got a bill from the breeder! I can't believe they would breed a horse in that condition, they told me they hid her in the back barn because they didn't want anyone seeing a horse in that condition on their property. And they said they already put about 100 pounds back on her since she was there. Needless to say the friendship was immediately over when I called her on it. So I had months of rehabilitation on the horse and my conscience, along with a stud fee! I made everything right with the breeder, and the mare never left me again. And I learned a valuable lesson. Even if it's a close friend, always check on your horses! It sucked to learn the hard way, but at least I learned."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: I could not agree more. ALWAYS CHECK! ALWAYS CHECK! Even if it's your best friend from the 1st grade, ALWAYS CHECK!</span><br /><br />"I lost a best friend over a horse lease. I had a beautiful purebred horse with a foal at her side. My friend lived about 200 miles away wanted to borrow her for a specific use that was more suited to my horse's breed than her own horses. I agreed on the condition that she purchase equine insurance for the duration. She agreed. I delivered the pair because they had no trailer. In person she again assured me that insurance would be purchased the next business day. About a month into it I asked again and was assured "yes" insurance had been purchased. About 3 months into the deal, I get a call that the colt is dead. Lots of tearful conversations later, it turns out that insurance was NOT purchased, but they would pay an agreed upon sum for the dead foal who was never seen by a vet to determine cause of death (because a. they knew and b. because they didn't want to pay for a vet call). I sent a third party to pick up the mare because I was too upset. When my mare arrived home she was a walking skeleton. Hello? No wonder the colt died! They starved. Then after making one or two payments they quit because that's all the colt was worth, in their opinion.<br /><br />Never again!"<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“we took in a friends horse to sell after she died in an accident. I didn't know any better, and let the horse go out on a 2 week trial in New York. After poor communication on their part, the horse came back severely underweight, over worked, and some cat had pissed on his blankets so they had to be junked. He was than sold to a wonderful woman who wanted a tail horse, but broke his leg after spooking of a turkey the day before she was going to pick up and was pts. Guess his sale was never ment to be.. “</span><br /><br />“This is actually a "nice" crazy horse sale.<br /><br />10 year old PF/Appaloosa mare. Have had her for sale in the past, but never "approved" the potential buyer(s). Had her on CL with several others for $500 each. Lady called me to see if she would be suitable for her 11 year old daughter's first horse. Daughter has been taking lessons for a couple of years.<br /><br />I told her I didn't know. I had never put a child on the mare. I would have to see them together, riding, interfacing. They came over; daughter brought a buddy the same age who she explained, "has been riding since she was a kid."<br /><br />Buddy did super well with the mare; buying girl did okay. Had a little trouble getting her to move, but no problems. (This mare is very "brio" but sensible. She is not a spook and bolt horse, but a stop and study the situation horse. I agreed it might work. Mama told daughter to go get her cash box. Daughter went to the car and came back with a little wooden treasure chest. She has been working every little chore and job for friends, family, neighbors that she could do for the past year-and-a-half to save for her first horse. She gave me a $100 deposit of mostly one's rolled up in a rubber band; I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.<br /><br />Family also has two llamas who will share the pasture and barn. I told them we would deliver the mare because I wanted to be on the end of the lead when she saw those lamas for the first time. We did, and mare was absolutely terrified. We walked her up and down beside the pasture. She was trembling from head to tail, and sweating in terror. But she stood her ground--snorted and snorted and snorted. We put her in the pasture and told them to let her settle in for a few days before they tried to ride her. Three days later the mare was still hiding in a narrow alley beside the barn, only coming out when they would lead her.<br /><br />I told them I wanted to be the first one to ride her in her new environment, so last Monday we traipsed back over there. I saddled her in the pasture, climbed on, yelled, "Let's go get us some lamas!" and started after the astonished lamas, who of course gave way to the crazy lady and the horse trotting after them. (I have used this mare for turnback in cutting, so she understands moving cattle and buffalo). We spent about ten minutes moving the lamas around the pasture, then took her outside and rode her. Everything was cool. The next day, the mare was out in the pasture grazing and drinking with her new herd.<br /><br />Two days later, I get a frantic call. They had a "scare." The mare was laying flat on her side in the pasture. The father said they slept standing up, so they were ready to call the vet. Daughter called the mare's name and she jumped up. They thought she was probably having a heat stroke, so they watered her down. (Daughter has been spraying her down a couple of times a day in this heat; mare loves it.) So after I quit laughing, I explained that a horse that is very comfortable in its environment will lay down to sleep, and that was probably the first really good nap she had had since she got there!<br /><br />This is really a match made in heaven. Family (seven kids from 7 to 19; all adopted) dote on the mare, father even more so. They are learning, and we are staying in close touch with them. They are going to switch trainers to one we have used for a number of years, and will take lessons on the mare part of the time."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“Made a trade with this outfit: http://www.ctranchappaloosas.com/</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">What an eye opener. Filly listed as ApHC and ICAA registration pending - discovered even the sire wasn't registered! We were assured of a registered filly. Several months later came the news that they really didn't think she could be registered to begin with. After some serious discussions regarding the changing of 'facts', including the truths we discovered, we sent in pics, filled out all paperwork required, paid all postage, and verified delivery of all documents to have registration accomplished including registration fees. And we were one of the fortunate ones!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Thankfully our trade horses left that three stall facility (her husbands workshop and he hates horses in it) and have wonderful homes with plenty of food, vet care, and folks who love them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">During registration negotiations discovered this outfit put ApHC pending on everything. I groused around about it. Then they give made-up false numbers to the stock. Yep, I yapped about that. Now they just put 'registerable' (otherwise known as "Good Luck Sucker" to the horse world) on their foals/yearlings etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Considering how many they have burned - we are on a long list and I've talked to quite a few on that list - any wonder folks don't enjoy the real pleasure horses can give.”</span><br /><br />“As a balance for crazy swaps – this is my swap win-win story.<br /><br />I rescued a 12yo Shetland gelding from the local knackery (they called me knowing I wanted a pony and he was “too nice to dog”). He made an excellent companion to my 2yo WB Buckskin colt (registered with 4 breed societies, show winner). He also adores kids so I have given him to friends for their two little girls.<br />This left me with a rather lonely colt. I sat down and thought and considered and realised that I have not a lot of spare money and in my front paddock – 2 project TBs. I don’t have time for both.<br /><br />I put up an ad proposing a swap for a 15.2 8yo chestnut TB mare for a male (gelding or stallion as I was happy to get the vet out) pony, up to about 12hh.<br /><br />I received over 300 responses in 36 hours, some people couldn’t read and thought the mare was free – one man offered me a box trailer which actually I was interested in! I found a lovely girl, a vet nurse about 2 hours away who had a 5yo Mini stallion (plus papers!) she had decided to move on. We spoke for a week, exchanged photos, and she drove down with the pony: Ziggy. Ziggy was instantly pally with my colt, she was thrilled with the mare. We exchanged registration paperwork, rugs, and a page of the contact info and history for each horse.<br />After a month, I’m still happy, so’s she.”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“My dad works with a woman who has a pinto Saddlebred. While she was at her barn one day, a young girl came up to her asking about her horse being for sale. She declined, and the girl went on to ask the trainer about another pinto Saddlebred that was at the barn. They bought the second Saddlebred from the trainer, but then it started to show signs of lameness. The trainer took the horse back, and "took him to the vet." When the people finally got the horse "back", he was missing his tail, which had been sold to make a fake tail. Of course, the horse didn't even belong to the trainer in the first place. The rightfull owner of the horse found out and got the horse back, I believe, but, I'm not positive. The woman left the barn because of this incident, and now has her horse back at her place so that doesn't happen with her. We had money out at that barn too as I was taking an occasional Saddleseat lesson there, but, we too left after the woman told us this story.”</span><br /><br />“I just orchestrated a trade between two friends. A been there. done that, dead broke, mega flashy, older teen gelding for a slightly bitchy but very solid midteen cowhorse mare.<br /><br />You're scaring the stuffing out of me.....”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“Your story about the horse being returned with its mane and tail being cut made me think of something. At my barn there is a horse that has been virtually ignored by his owners since it turned out he had a back problem that prevented him from being ridden. Suddenly he doesn't matter to them anymore (which is really freaking sad, if you ask me, but I guess at least they're still paying his board).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Anyway, the neighbor's 12-year-old daughter asked the barn owner if she could brush the horse, and the BO okayed it with the horse's owners. Next thing we know, the kid's cut most of his mane down to about three inches long. It's a total hack job, but more importantly, it wasn't even her horse. I know she's only 12, but sheesh, even a 12-year-old ought to know that you don't do that to someone else's animal!”</span><br /><br />“Sold a "foal in utero" to a lady in PA. My contracts are cut and dried. No refund unless the foal has something wrong with it. Simple as that, we know there can be allot of debate on that subject, mine are outlined pretty clear-genetic, conformation, illness, failure to thrive...etc.<br /><br />So this filly was drop dead gorgeous when she was born, perfect in every way possible, comes from a proven cross and has champion sisters. This lady knew what she wanted, got referred to me by other clients that have purchased in utero foals from me. (I breed them FOR them custom, I've been doing this for 20+ years, gotten to the point that I know what I'm going to get 99% of the time)(although those days of breeding are all but over)<br /><br />At any rate, the filly was rejected by the purchaser because she had a snip on her nose. She had a little bit of pink skin. I'm telling you, just a TINY bit on her nose! Pink skin grossed her out so she refused to take the filly and demanded her money back!! I finally agreed to breed her another one, just to keep her happy. STUPID ME!! (mind you, this was in the day all babies sold quickly, these days it would be totally out of the question)<br /><br />Its been an ongoing hassle ever since. If I where rich, I probably would have just paid her back after the SECOND filly was born (NO WHITE ON THE FACE) and she came up with some excuse not to ship her too. (she had a sore shoulder so she didn't want her).<br /><br />This is the only woman EVER I have told to take a short trip off a short bridge. She didn't get a filly nor her money back.<br /><br />And I still feel a bit guilty, but legally she is in breach, and I have no obligation anymore. Thank god she didn't actually get a filly, lord knows how she would have cared for her she was such a flake.... “<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“I did one of those "owner A trades horse A with owner B for horse B" situations. I love my horse, but he is far from what they advertised. I did test ride him before I bought him, and he went well. A little sluggish, but they told me that it was a hot day out and he had been ridden already. Supposedly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Their reason for selling was that he was waay to much horse for them, and he was too fast. They told me that he would make an awesome jumper, and had once cleared a four foot fence. (That, I thought later, could have been a red flag for "houdini horse" escape artist, but it wasnt). They had him named "Jupitor" (spelled wrong LOL). I quickly renamed him Koda. They wanted a slow, lazy horse for their daughter, which was EXACTLY what my AQHA horse was.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">So I took him home in excited hopes for a great jumping carreer. After riding him several times, I realized it was not just a hot day. He was lazy. I had to work hard to even get him into a canter. So I have no idea why the considered him a hyper horse. I feel like they were probably just scared of him - he is a 16hh black horse with the "presence" of a percheron. Sort of intimidating for an inexperienced person. After months of jump training he still did the "stop before the jump and then step over it slowly" routine. He was in no shape or form a jumper. It took a whole year to finally get him to accept the fact that I refused to do anything other than jump. He is now doing DECENT at jumping, but he is no natural.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I later got complaint emails about my AQHA horse I traded, saying they "couldnt seem to find his gas pedal". Isnt that exactly what you asked for??? They wanted a slow lazy horse for their 10 year old daughter. I should have responded "Its probably hiding in the same place as "Jupitor's" gas pedal.."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Ah, well. Not necessarily what I wanted skill wise, but we have an amazing bond now and I am far from regretting the trade.”</span><br /><br />“Well, not so bad that I had to ‘buy back’ the horse. LOL<br /><br />Several years ago I was training and ‘hacking out’ sale horses for a man. I specialize in safe riding mounts for kids and timid adults. Anyway, we got in a mare, she was a small horse about 8 years old, and I could tell by the first ride that she would sell quickly. She was quite, gentle and really forgiving towards the rider; perfect for what we were selling!<br /><br />So I got several prospected buyers interested in coming over to try her and I lined up two in one day. Prospective buyer no. 1 was a ‘trainer’ from an Atlanta/Conyers area farm. I knew that she was strictly looking for an animal for a client of hers for resale/commission. She tried the mare, and seemed to be satisfied, but left without a commitment or deposit on the mare. That was okay, I had another client coming that day.<br /><br />Client no. 2 was a mother and her son that was looking for a nice, safe mount for pleasure riding. They both tried her, and were interested in buying her. I was really happy too because they seemed like the perfect fit! We went to turn out the mare, and then go back to talk it over… as we were turning her back out into the pasture, Prospective buyer no. 1 showed back up, and right in front of them declared that she had decided to buy the mare! The mother and pour little boy were very upset, and pretty dejected. I tried to smooth it out and assure that I would indeed have other animals appropriate for them in the near future, but I never heard back from them…<br /><br />Oh well, if I had of known what was to transpire I would have told no. 1 that no. 2 had already put down a deposit!<br /><br />For every horse or pony I sell, I tell the prospective new owner that the animals sells ‘as is’, and it is up to them to have the animal vetted out prior to the purchase. Sooooo, the same with this mare. The trainer declines to have her vetted, and puts down a holding deposit. All she got was an up to date coggins test and a receipt with the mare. Within the week she paid for the mare, loaded her up and off they went, into the sun set! LOL<br /><br />Now, no news is good news, and several weeks (6 or 7) go buy and I don’t hear a thing about how things are going with the mare. Then one day out of the blue I get a call from the ‘trainer’ and was informed that as the mare was perfect, doing everything the she is asked of, and the new owners are very satisfied with the mare… <wait for=""> there is one problem! The mare is ‘in foal’! Well... I stated out that I hadn’t a clue that the mare was bred, and that had she opted to have the mare vetted out that she would have known that before she bought the mare. Then I said that if the mare was such a good animal, that she should be excited that she was getting a ‘two for one’ deal! LOL The ‘trainer’ said that they really didn’t want to loose all the ‘ride time’ waiting for the foal, weaning etc., and really wanted to bring her back, and get a refund!<br /><br />Bring her back ?!?!? I told her that I would have to give it some thought and talk it over with my partner. My partner NEVER buys back a horse for what he sells it for, and he just laughed! So I ended up calling her back, offering her less than we bought her for. She in turn then talked to her clients, and called me back and said that they just wanted their money back. I said no way. I received several (harassing)calls for me to refund monies and take back the mare over the next several weeks. I was professional about it, and offered to try and fine another horse/pony for them. Finally I just had to say: “Listen.. this is NOT Wal-Mart or K=Mart, we don’t have a return for cash policy! So I am sorry, I cannot help you.” L And that was that!<br /><br />The calls ended then, thank goodness. Funny thing is, years later the ‘trainer’ ended up buying a Welsh pony mare that I had originally sold to another lady, and I actually started getting calls from her again. This time for ‘kids ponies ‘just like the Welsh mare she just bought! *I did inquire about what had happened to the o mare that was ‘in foal’ that I had originally sold her. She said: “oh well, she foaled, we sold the foal, and the mare is doing great with her owners!” Glad to hear that… The ‘trainer’ continued to call me at least twice a year asking to buy my pony Little Raskel, which is the son of the Welsh pony mare! LOL Good thing I kept it professional between us. I like having a ‘good name’ out there in the horse world!”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“In 2004 I had a yearling Arabian colt of exceptional pedigree. He broke his coffin bone and after we got him through the cast process and into a rim shoe, we just knew we didn't have the space to keep him confined to a stall for the prescribed 12 months of recovery. So we found a "supposed" Arabian breeder who lives in Meeker, OK to do a lease to purchase.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The lease to purchase was simple, after he came out of his rim shoe and went into a bar shoe with clips, about 8 months or so, they would purchase him. The contract was explicit that we did not guarantee that he was going to be able to breed anything at such a young age nor did we guarantee that he was going to be sound. Of course they gave us the story about how they would take their time, they didn't worry if he wasn't mature enough to breed at a two year old, they would just wait for him to grow up more, etc. He was exactly what they were looking for in pedigree, type, and conformation. She sent us video of her farm and personal references that checked out. She was able to provide him with a large foaling stall for the duration of his confinement. She even made alterations to the stall as per my wishes after seeing it on video tape.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">He was shipped to them and the following breeding season it all went to hell in a handbasket. They were turning him out in the round pen before it was time for him to do that, they called complaining that they had parked him behind the butt of a mare in heat for two hours and he wouldn't breed her. Then they started complaining about how he was cow hocked. I tried to explain to them that he's been in a stall, with no exercise for almost a year! Of course he's cowhocked! I then got a call from another breeder down the rode who had come to the farm to see the horses and saw the colt. She called me and told me that he was in terrible physical shape. I called and demanded photos and video. What they provided me brought tears to my eyes. He was filthy, in a filthy stall and NOT the stall they had showed me. They then called and said that they were "no longer going to be putting any money into him". I asked what they meant. They meant what they said, they were not going to feed him etc! I called my shipper and by the graces of GOD he was about 50 miles away. However, she pulled a fast one and said the wasn't going to allow anyone on her property to pick him up. I had to have the Sheriff talk to her. The shipper went straight to the farm to pick him up. When he called me, words cannot describe. He said that the colt was almost emaciated, his feet hadn't been done in over four months, and the shoe on his injured foot was not the prescribed shoe AND it was another horses shoe. We boarded him at another farm in the area until he had gained some weight and his health papers were in order and then we had him shipped home.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The good ending is that he did completely recover from his injury and to this day is 100% sound. We sold him to a woman in the area about 3 years ago, she adores him, stays in contact and sends photos, and it will hopefully be a home for life”</span><br /><br />“a very dear friend recently bought a black mare, she was well trained and of bloodlines that my friend wanted in her program. all went well and she bred the mare to her stallion. when she sent the dna to register the foal, turned out the mare was not the correct mare. it took quite a while to figure out the situation, breeder had no idea which or where original mare was or who the "imposter" was. turns out he has about 70 registered morgans, many of them black. finally figured out who was who, foal is now registered correctly, but not lineage my friend wanted to incorporate. seller is putting up a fight, said original mare "is lame now anyway", amongst other choice tidbits. our registration body (the AMERICAN MORGAN HORSE ASSOCIATION) says she should be happy that the mare she got is registered! seller is no longer taking calls and a little bit of sleuthing finds that is not the first time he has sent the wrong horse to a buyer. he also says "it's very hard to tell all these black horses apart." this is an on-going situation, so i won't use names, but i do want to send a special "thank you" to the AMERICAN MORGAN HORSE ASSOCIATION for helping it's members in good standing. nothing like knowing that you are paying dues and giving money to an organization that backs you up. Snark.”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“My goodness....what pettiness, what outright meanness.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Very saddening to hear this type of childish crap goes on.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I mean, c'mon, wtf!!!??”</span><br /><br />“I leased 5 acres of horse property that was about 3 miles away from where I actually lived. I would go there 2-3 times a day to feed and check water. The lady that lived next door, lived there full time. Ann Johnson was her name. If I wasnt there at 8am for whatever reason, I would get nasty phone calls about how my horses are starving and looking over the fence at her horses eating. Ok, what horse doesnt look at another horse over the fence when they're eating and it's not?! She would sometimes call me at work to tell me my horses are just standing there with tummy aches. If she could find a reason to call me to complain, she did. I had 5 horses there at the time. All were happy, healthy and well fed year round. We lived in a area where it snowed in the winter, she thought my horses needed blankets. I cant even tell you how many phone calls I got about my horses needing blankets because they were SO cold. She drove me CRAZY! I broke down and went out and bought blankets for ALL of my horses (even the mini) so she would shut the **** up! I spent like $1,000. I did everything she ever bitched about. I even left work more than once to get there and find NOTHING wrong! Well, one day, I had to work at 6am. Well, my work was an hour away from there. So, I fed at 4am. Obviously my horses were done eating when she woke up and fed her 2 horses. Well, when I didnt show up at 8 to feed, I got a phone call which I didnt answer. I had very bitter feelings towards her at that point. That night when I went out to feed around 4-5pm, I found ALL my horses out and eating on the 5 ton of hay I had. As I got the 1st horse in the gate and reached down to pick up the hotwire gate, I noticed it wasnt broke, it was placed more inside of the pasture then out and it was sitting so nicely out of the horses way. Hmmm. Horses dont open gates in, they open them out, nor do they know how to open a hot hotwire gate that consisted of 3 handles that needed to be opened. Plus open the hotwire around the hay. I was so pissed I called her and told her to stay off the property and to not ever call me again unless there is blood and guts or a dead horse. I called the owner of the property and told her what was going on and she backed me up 100% and made a phone call herself. But did Ann listen? Nope. It happened two more times then I actually called the kittitas county police to come out and chat with her. Did that work? Nope. One more time and I had had it. I called her up and angerly and immaturly called her every name in the book and every other word was a swear word and every two senteces I told her to F off. The back side of the property was right next to a major highway. What if my horses had decided to step out into 60mph traffic? I coudnt do it anymore. I put all my horses up for sale. I was asking almost nothing for them so I knew they would sell. I wanted out of there SO bad. I sold 4 horses in one week and moved the last one to a boarding facility. When the owners of the property moved her horses back in the summer, guess what Ann started doing again! The owners bought like 15 "No Trespassing" signs and put them all over the fence lines and got the police involved again. I never kept up, but thats the last I knew. So stay away from Ann Johnson of Teannaway valley in Cle elum WA. She's F***ING CRAZY!”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“The experience I had doesn't involve selling or trading but still makes me think "WTF were they thinking?!?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I boarded a horse I owned once, at a smaller "mom 'n pop" barn. The barn itself was nice, and the amenities were VERY good for the price. The man in charge was knowledgeable and we got along well. Well, I was done showing for the season, and allowed my horse to be outside all day, to just be a horse. He was put in another pasture with a horse of the same color, but different build. My horse was black, BS paint gelding, and this other horse was a black Morgan mare. So I come out to the barn one day, grab my halter to go catch my horse, and while I'm opening the gate to the small pasture he was out in, I notice that something looks HORRIBLY wrong. His tail, which nearly drug the ground was lopped off just above his hocks and his forelock that extended a good 3/4 of the way down his head was lopped off Stooges style, to around 5 inches long. I could not believe my eyes, and just as I was turning around to go find the man to tell him what I'd seen, he was walking out to talk with me. He told me that his teenage son usually feeds the horses, and had cut my horses tail and forelock to try and differentiate between my horse and THE MARE!!! because he couldn't tell my gelding from the mare in the pasture. Wow. The thing is, I'd moved about 2 months prior, due to some major drama at another barn, and while I suspected that his son might have known someone at the previous barn, I had no way to prove it. The man/father was EXTREMELY apologetic, and while I was livid at first, there was really nothing I could do. At least it wasn't during show season. Heh. “</span><br /><br />“Chapter One: Posted horse for sale because I was afraid to ride him. (Classic story of older lady returning to horses after 20 years and buying too much horse.) Stated the fear IN THE AD.<br /><br />When buyer came to look, he asked me to ride outside. I consented. While tacking up, the buyer hung a 2 foot x 3 foot piece of sheet metal on a wire in a tree, AND DID NOT TELL ME. He was smiling when he said, "well, I refrained from jumping out of the woods at least."<br /><br />So I ride out, go around the corner and there it is, flapping in the wind. We were fine, but I was literally shaking on the rest of the ride. Luckily I had a very good friend along on her horse and she talked me through it.<br /><br />He bought the horse, kept him at my barn for two weeks.<br /><br />Chapter Two: Windsucking had been disclosed IN THE AD and the buyer was okay with it and had signed forms stating that he was okay with it. Horse windsucked in front of the buyer for two weeks at my barn. He moves the horse to his home, then wants to return him 2 days later because of the windsucking. Seriously. Total d-bag buyer.”<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"We had a horse in race training with formidable speed which was evidenced with his first official timed works so that he could get a stall at the racetrack. The trainer had her own favorites so she "gave him a hair." This is something I'd never heard of before even with all the nasty stories about what trackies do to horses. Her groom told us later after he was pulled out of that barn for "lameness" that "giving a hair" means pulling a tail hair and using a needle pulling the hair between foreleg tendons and clipping off the ends so it doesn't show. It doesn't cripple the horse but it sure creates a lot of short term problems. Another instance at breed show some years back, we had a top halter mare who was just starting English performance and someone lopped off her beautiful long tail hairs completely, just below the tailbone, to totally spoil her looks for showing. Many in that breed at that time also had taken to having security guards hired to patrol their stalls after hours as administering prohibited drugs to the competition was a fav way of removing said competition - such as anthelmintic wormers which test as a "mask" for other drugs which is why it is prohibited. Won't kill a horse but sure got owners in deep do-do with the show associations."</span><br /><br />"I had a mare that was sent out on a leaseback foaling. I thought we had done our homework - the lady was recommended by friends in the business, came to our place and seemed to check out well. Our mare was to ship to OR from CA on her dime, get bred have a first foal for her then be rebred and returned to us after weaning once again shipped by her - sounds simple right?<br /><br />NOT our mare went to OR we received information every few months then pics of the new filly then nothing at all. No response to phone calls, letters, calls to her trainer, even calls to this ladies Mom who said she had no idea where this woman was. As some background this was a 50 something lady who was also a minister. Finally after a couple of months of frantic searching I find this lady in Sacramento, CA as a minister in a church and still could not get her to call or let me know if my mare was alive or not. Out of desperation I called the head minister explained the situation and his employees inability to let me know where my mare was and how she was. He ended up telling me where the mare was going to be and that I could come get her (we were 300 miles away). We went immediately and picked up the mare locked in a round pen with no shelter in 110 degree heat and pregnant - she had been dropped at a boarding stable with 1 week paid board. Gee what a minister huh??? The mare was thrilled as I have ever seen her to see us - I believe she has seen how the other half lives and is tickled to be home with us now.<br /><br />Needless to say I will never ever lease a horse out again between the anxiety and hours spent searching and imagining the worst there is nothing worth it there are too many kooks in the horse world."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">"I had a very nice shetland pony at one time. It was from himwe learned all about foundering and laminitis. We learned to manage his diet, weight and hoof care and he was a happy and healthy little guy. He taught my daughter many lessons and became a favorite at the dressage barn where she took dressage lessons on him! Too Cute!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Sadly, we outgrew him and he was sold, with full disclosure about his weight and feet requirements, to a woman [who was a marathon runner..[uh, oh...see where this is going?] who thought she could manage both the pony's weight and feet issue by taking him running with him...mainly down gravel roads.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Gee, what a suprise when her vet diagnosed him as chronically laminitic! She was actually mad at me when she returned the lame and very sore pony. The only bright spot: I got to keep the deposit to spend it on bute and a vet call."</span><br /><br />"Obnoxious older 4-H'er asks quiet younger 4-H'er if she can borrow her fast and beautiful palomino mare for kid's game night during county fair. Younger child's mother says "no." Later that day, when her young owner was tacking the mare up for gaming, she noticed that a big chunk of the mare's mane had been mysteriously hacked off . . . "<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“I had a schoolmaster QH gelding leased to a woman who was trying to breed palominos (and kept getting albino foals). She was also trying to learn to ride, which was why she leased my horse.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">She told me she was going to have to return the horse early because her husband HATED geldings. The lease couldn't be up fast enough for him, she said.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Husband hauled horse back to the stable where I was boarding. When the gelding got off the trailer, I didn't recognize him. He was peaky butted and ribby. Husband hated the horse so much, he didn't want to FEED him, either.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">She was upset that the horse sort of "fell" out of the trailer and skinned his shoulder. I said the shoulder scrape wasn't anything, compared to his overall condition.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I asked her if her husband hated geldings because he was jealous.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">She acted like she didn't hear me, but that pencil-dicked husband of hers sure did.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The second lease was better--a little girl in 4-H classes. The horse looked like a million dollars ;o)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">TBDancer”</span><br /><br />“Not a trade but we free leased a Mini to a "friend" for her daughter to show. We went over to drop off some paperwork for an upcoming show, and her youngest daughter took us back to see the Minis. I was appalled... ALL of the horses were thin and ribby. The Mini we sold them was so thin his hip bones stuck out, and our colt was almost as bad. Then her Mom came home and it was pretty obvious we weren't supposed to go back there. The daughter didn't seem to think there was anything wrong! We tried to talk to them about what they were feeding... She "said" she was feeding them, I have no idea what. Or when.<br /><br />Fortunately, we didn't live far, so we went home and hooked up the trailer and went back and took him away. I was in tears all the way home. His body score must have been a 2-3. He made a full recovery and is still at our farm. I felt bad for the others. I should have called animal control, but they are a farce down here.<br /><br />However, we did go over a month or so later and all had put weight on, so hopefully our talk worked. *sigh*”<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“I was caught up in one hell of a mess in January of this year. I found a horse on Dreamhorse.com that had some amazing bloodlines that we don’t often see up here in Montana . After requesting pictures, (and I was given plenty) talking to the owner over the phone, and through several emails, we struck a deal, I was to trade a nice halter/ trail mare of mine for this un -shown son of a world champion. I thought this was going to work out great; I was going to get a prospect with some real potential. So I made the arrangements to pick up this horse in South Western Idaho. I agreed to do the hauling. It was approximately 600 miles, and I had made the trip into a great reason to stop and spend time with friends on the way back.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The weather was awful, this I can’t even blame that on the miscreant, but a 9 hour drive turned into a 14 hour drive in terrible winter weather. I should have just turned around.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">When we finally reached our destination, I was sick! Almost literally. We pulled up to the address of a run down home, broken down cars, and the smell of animal urine coming from the home. In the yard, the owner gleefully greets us and presents the horse. A 16.1 hand stick figure. He is severely emaciated, like nothing I have seen in person, just seen in pictures. He has a body condition score of 2. I am dumbstruck. She had advertised this horse for $3200.00, before we decided on a trade. He was nearly dead when we showed up. I had asked her what kind of bit to bring along, when I test rode him, and she said an o-ring snaffle. She gave me the story that she has been working non stop, her no good husband was supposed to be caring for the horses, and had let this poor boy waste away. She hadn’t even seen the horse in 3 weeks. WTF??? That crazy bitch had me believing I was picking up a horse worth a good deal of money, one that I could ride on the spot. It was decided instantly by my husband and I that my mare was not staying, we did unload her to stretch her legs. When she showed us around, I could have died. She had at least 20 head of mares almost all with yearlings, and most were in foal back to a rangy little stud horse. They were all knee deep in a “muddy” dirt lot, with 2 moldy bales of hay there to feed them for 2 days, till her hay delivery showed up. When we said we were leaving, she virtually begged us to take the gelding, saying she would accept payments, no money down; he was healthy that he was just bullied by the mares, and then to top off the performance she broke down crying. She said she nearly told us not to come. I wish to god with every ounce of my body she had. I took him, with the final price to be paid in payments when I could of $700.00. I was afraid he would die long before I got him back to Montana . I got him home, and started scraping the shit/mud off of him. I found out he had “Scratches” on all 4 lower legs, one serious parasitic infestation, and when I weight taped him he weighed 750 lbs. I wouldn’t send her money until I found out what I was dealing with. After 3 months of hard work, and literally 700 lbs of senior feeds, power pac worming, treating scratches in blow zero temps, hoof care(finding out he had mildly foundered approximately 6-9 months ago), and lots of “what the hell did I get into” rhetorical questions, I got my first ride. I was so excited seeing what I had accomplished, 5 steps into it I found the horse was dead lame. I couldn’t pour anymore money into him. It could have been from a 1000 things, maybe it was nothing, buit enough was enough. I called her, told her what had happened, told her I wouldn’t pay for him, and if she wanted him back I needed $500 to help cover my costs,( I put about $300.00 more than that into him), and he had to be hauled out with in 2 weeks. I have never been so sick over a decision to get rid of a horse in my life, but I couldn’t do it anymore. Who knows what else would have surfaced. So I spoiled him rotten for a week till the shipper picked him up, prayed for him and sent him back. She paid more to get him back-$500.00 to me and another $450.00 for shipping, than she agreed to take for him!!!! That bitch only took him out of spite.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">So that’s my horror story. I have never had an experience this bad before, and I will damn sure never let happen again.”</span><br /><br /></wait></span><br /><center><a href="http://shilohhorserescue.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=1263259"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/bombay.jpg" border="0"></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-40292619203918503822009-08-07T10:39:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:44:04.759-07:00Marketing WIN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8H6_sQTYGenGugMhhZUBuAHMsmCj66y6MusDyEOKn4_GBYzihpOYsBQ1v-rRVG7I6I7YPRhmPz8JX_Tjfvm22p63WxgIWUCvPbidACkdvDvY_m1MhKXWglZTyy9EqcyCYYrYj5CrwGYI/s1600-h/leo.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px; float: left; height: 321px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367443154196200210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8H6_sQTYGenGugMhhZUBuAHMsmCj66y6MusDyEOKn4_GBYzihpOYsBQ1v-rRVG7I6I7YPRhmPz8JX_Tjfvm22p63WxgIWUCvPbidACkdvDvY_m1MhKXWglZTyy9EqcyCYYrYj5CrwGYI/s400/leo.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sometimes instead of criticizing, I like to show an example of a barn that is presenting itself in a positive light on the Web. I'm going to do that today. </span><a href="http://www.valleyviewranch.net/Horses.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This link</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> was sent to me and I have to agree - these folks have put some thought into looking like a reputable farm with quality horses that is honest and professional.<br /><br />Note the following:<br /><br />- Lots of information about each horse. Pictures, pedigrees, etc.<br /><br />- RIDING pictures and video. Horses are not merely standing in a field with the written assurance that they ride. You can watch them BEING ridden. If they go hunt and western, you can see both. You do not have to take anybody's word for anything, or waste your valuable time coming out to see a horse that, it turns out, has not been ridden in five years.<br /><br />- Videos also show ground manners! Very helpful. You know, it makes sense to cover all the bases. I bet they spend a lot less of their time with people who the horse isn't right for thanks to being so forthcoming in their videos.<br /><br />- Riders are appropriately attired. No one is shirtless, wearing a bikini top or in shorts. Youth riders are wearing helmets. I did not watch every video but what I did see had a helmet on every child and I am guessing that is their policy.<br /><br />- Background looks good - no junk, well maintained. Lovely arena, nice fence, no obvious accumulations of manure. Nothing broken, no trash, nothing unsafe.<br /><br />- The person jumping Larz rides well enough to jump! He is overjumping but she is giving him a big enough release and looks completely secure. I can look at the <i>horse</i>, not think OMG someone is about to die.<br /><br />- All sale horses look GOOD. There are no snarly manes, patches of rain rot or ribs showing. No saddles sitting on the withers, no bits on backwards. Someone actually picked up a grooming kit and gave a BATH before taking sale pictures. Amazing, huh?<br /><br />- </span><a href="http://www.valleyviewranch.net/new_owners.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Updates</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> on previously sold horses. I don't know about you, but I feel much better buying/adopting from someone who has recommendations like this from those who have previously done business with them. If you sell quality horses, you should have no problem at all adding a section like this to your website.<br /><br />No, this is not a perfect example. I did see a few times in the video I watched where little kids were closer than I'd allow to the horse's back legs while on the ground, and you all know I hate the tarp stuff and the standing up in the saddle stuff. I will say, it doesn't bother me so much when it's not the <i>only</i> skill the horse exhibits and the horse can, you know, <i>actually go to a horseshow and win, too</i>. And of course it also depends on discipline. Your buyers will gag at the sight of a tarp if you are selling sport horses - barrel racing and trail clients, not so much. Know your audience and take the time to think about what the things you show on your web site say about your business.<br /><br />So what have <i>you</i> learned about what is and isn't effective on your web site? We always talk about good pictures, for example, but what do your buyers tell you caught their attention and convinced them to call and make an appointment to see the horse in person? </span><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">E-mail me</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and tell me what has worked for you!<br /></span><br /><hr /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New Mexico folks - here's a </span><a href="http://www.dansboots.com/dansboots/dept.asp?dept_id=99111"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">fun show </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">with lots of classes for older equines and older equestrians! I LOVE shows like this.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For those of you in the PNW, don't forget the </span><a href="http://www.safehorses.org/news/show.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">SAFE show </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">is on August 22 in Graham, Washington. That also has classes for horses 15+ of age and rescue horses. </span><br /><br /><hr /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlkNcIFTMBybzPfjEsSyu1ISIv6hPrwbCQbOJA4pLkHFU64tpm66yc-2_DyNGHP-KRo3V-w6fwY_qsMK7P53mTVYaMw-6RhQin58utrErWXhf4BHAMzkjUD4n3O82AUH4OSalHCVihwSH/s1600-h/Felicia+head80509.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 311px; float: left; height: 273px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367278782952272562" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlkNcIFTMBybzPfjEsSyu1ISIv6hPrwbCQbOJA4pLkHFU64tpm66yc-2_DyNGHP-KRo3V-w6fwY_qsMK7P53mTVYaMw-6RhQin58utrErWXhf4BHAMzkjUD4n3O82AUH4OSalHCVihwSH/s400/Felicia+head80509.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I received this in e-mail and am happy to pass it along. This is a 1999 Appaloosa mare (may be registerable - pedigree is known and can be seen here). Her owner has terminal cancer and the mare needs a good home. She is not broke but is tame and sound. Pedigree </span><a href="http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/felicia100"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Free to a good home, in Ohio. </span><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">E-mail me </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">for contact information.</span><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">COMMENTS</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I'm familiar with Valley View Ranch. They are indeed a high-quality facility and well deserving of your positive attention. Just a question, though - what is your disagreement with the way Valley View is demonstrating their horses' level of desensitization with tarps? Also, I assume your comment about buyers of sport horses gagging at the sight of a tarp is geared toward these buyers on the West Coast. My experience with sport horse buyers in the Hunter/Jumper world in Texas - especially buyers looking for youth/junior mounts - appreciate demonstrations that a prospect has been "sacked out" and desensitized to "scary things that move and make noise" - things they'll see all too frequently at "A" shows."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">FHOTD in: It's my experience that tarps, standing on the back, etc. are associated by buyers with natural horsemanship aka non-competition-oriented training. So normally those tactics are not used by sellers of show horses. Texas may indeed be different. I know here on the West coast, you won't see a serious H/J or dressage barn waving tarps around. Desensitization would be geared more toward things like being worked in strange arenas, accustomed to loudspeakers and crowded warm-up rings and other similar things a show horse needs to learn. Also, many hunt/jump riders do not like a horse who has been desensitized too much as they feel it contributes to sloppiness over fences. There can be some truth to that. I had an old polo mare I jumped and she was great except that she did not really care if she hit things! I believe she was so desensitized to contact from bumping in polo that hitting a pole really didn't mean anything to her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“Just a comment on your "marketing WIN!" post to add that it's not just</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">breeders and sellers of horses who need to do this kind of successful</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">marketing. Horse RESCUES do, too. I know you work with a number of</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">rescues that are very well-organized and well-represented in this</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">respect, and I've seen some online that have absolutely outstanding</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">websites. I've also seen rescue organizations -- both truly massive</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">ones and small backyard operations -- that may be run impeccably, that</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">may have wonderful animals and robust education programs, absolutely</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">fly under the public radar because they aren't doing everything they</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">can to let people know that they're there, to let people know what</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">they're about and what they have on offer. The more information</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">organizations offer online -- and the more professionally they do it</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">-- the easier it is to draw adopter and donor interest. People feel</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">like their money is well-spent with you because you've at least in one</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">respect got your shit together, and having more detailed information</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">online gives them a way to connect to you even if you're not located</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">nearby, as well as allowing people to see that you are running your</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">facility with the seriousness and dedication it deserves. (Plus, you</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">can feel better as a donor that you've invested in a good organization</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">when they're routinely posting pictures and news about their horses</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">and you can see what condition the animals are in, that training</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">progress is being made with them, and that there are "success stories"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">-- that people are actually taking their adopted horses home and are</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">able to then DO things with them.) By necessity, rescues have to have</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">a budget for marketing, and a website should be part of that. These</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">days, it should be a HUGE part of that. And it doesn't have to cost a</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">lot of money; I've been a web designer and graphic artist for my</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">entire professional life, and I've often offered my services free for</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">rescues; when I was a horse rescue volunteer, I often had other</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">volunteers and visitors offer to redesign the site free, too. (If only</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">that had been my call to make... :D) Often rescues won't take me or</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">anybody else up on those offers because they don't see anything wrong</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">with how their crappy site already looks, or because they're afraid of</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">losing control of it or don't want to learn a new way of updating it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Unfortunately all they're doing is shooting themselves in the foot. We</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">all know a sleek website doesn't necessarily equal a well-kept</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">facility or well-run organization, but a well-run organization truly</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">can't thrive in this day and age without an equally well-run website.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">As you can tell, this is kind of a passion of mine. :D Anyway, in the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">spirit of putting my money where my mouth is, I'd like to make an</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">offer. I don't have time to take on creating full websites at the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">moment, but if there are any good rescues out there (or therapeutic</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">riding programs, youth riding programs, whatever) that need a website</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">overhaul, I'm willing to design a new look for their sites if they can</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">find someone to code it. Or if they need print materials, I'll do some</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">full-color or black & white brochures or advertisements. For FREE.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">(Though for the record, paying for good marketing materials, like</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">websites and brochures, shouldn't be something that rescues balk at</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">paying for.) Feel free to post this offer on your site or if you know</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">of some folks who could make use of this offer, just throw them my</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">way. Not sure how many I'll have time to do at the moment, but I will</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">certainly give it the old college try. ;) I have a portfolio at</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><a href="http://www.redroanstudios.com">www.redroanstudios.com</a> and folks can email me at</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><a href="mailto:info@redroanstudios.com">info@redroanstudios.com</a> “</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I have seen this site a few times before. She has about twenty horses at a time on Dreamhorse. She does market her horses well, but in my opinion over exaggerates their abilities and is really really proud on price. Though… she sells enough horses that if she’s getting what she’s asking, I suppose it’s not too high. For example though, a while back I saw a horse on her page advertized as a “reining horse,” but it spun slowly and sloppily - on its OUTSIDE hind leg, couldn’t lead change, and had sub-standard stops and rollbacks. IMO, it’s got about as much potential to win in the reining pen as my friend’s 25 YO trail mare. Still, I haven’t met her and she’s got so many satisfied customers that she’s gotta be doing something right, haha</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gotta say… that palomino Slick – if he had better feet and a sorrel coat, he’d be my horse’s twin. Conformationally, they are nearly identical! Granted, it’s not near perfect conformation, but I always think it’s cool when a horse looks so similar to mine.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">“I don't have a website or sell horses but this is one of my favorite ASB sites. <a href="http://www.winsdown.com">www.winsdown.com</a> They keep track of all their horses born at the farm or elsewhere. They always keep tabs at auctions, etc to make sure none of their horses end up in a bad situation. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Last month there was a gray ASB mare at a kill buyers, they made sure it wasn't one of their horses and the person that bought the horse (saved) they are helping to identify the horse; just great people.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I have met the Valley View Ranch people at horse shows and they are very nice, knowledgeable and easy to deal with. I wanted one of my students to check out one of their horses but said student went out and bought a horse with out me (I don't charge anything to find a horse for my students.) She was disappointed and I wish she had dealt with the barn you featured instead. Yes, they do some things that I'm not crazy about but I must say that at the show all the horses were well ridden and did all right. Not a clean sweep and it was a schooling show but a good turnout none the less.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">-Gunnerhorse”</span><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/availablehorses_teddy.html"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/teddy2.jpg" border="0" /></a></center></div>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-16636832043667415822009-08-06T16:46:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:46:52.539-07:00Beating to death = Not euthanasia!"<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is just </span><a href="http://www.mymonticellonews.net/articles/2009/08/06/news/local_news/doc4a79ef322c5df861753774.txt"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">one of those stories </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">that makes me want to beat some <em>people </em>with a baseball bat, and Peggy Trantham, I'd like to start with you! </span><a href="http://www.monticellolive.com/local-man-arrested-for-beating-birthday-party-pony-to-death-with-a-baseball-bat/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Second news story</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"The owner of the horse, Peggy Trantham, told Briney to “get rid of” the horse. When he returned, Trantham told authorities that Briney told her that he had killed it by beating it in the head with a baseball bat."</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who tells a 20 year old to put their pony to sleep without asking<em> how</em> this will be accomplished?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who the HELL puts a pony to sleep for having a torn ear and bites on its legs? Even if the ears had to be amputated (and that just screams neglect - sorry but I'm pretty damn sure someone neglected the original injury for it to get that serious), ponies don't NEED ears. I used to work a polo pony who'd come from Colorado and only had half-ears from frostbite and she was just fine.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And WTF Peggy, why did you just abandon the pony somewhere in the first place? You loaned it out for a birthday party and didn't bother to pick it up? </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now let's talk about the guy who did this. Benjamin Briney. It's ARKANSAS! How hard would it be to find a DAMN GUN? I could find a gun in Arkansas in 10 seconds at any service station or bar. I'm pretty sure you can ask any farmer how to shoot a large animal and he's gonna know how to get the job done. There was NO need for this to happen. This is such total and senseless cruelty. Hey, do you think the kids who rode the pony at the party will find out what happened to him? How do you think <em>they </em>are going to feel about your decision to "get rid of him?" </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yeah, it's just another story that makes me want a minimum IQ requirement to own animals. These people are just bottom-feeders and that poor pony lost the owner lottery in a big, big way. SICK. I hope both Briney and Trantham are prosecuted as they should be. Drew County doesn't have a lot of information online so I haven't figured out who the proper prosecuting attorney is to contact but I'll edit this entry when I do!</span>
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<br /><center><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">COMMENTS
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"WOW!!! I am disgusted once again with some human beings. Sadly this is the town I live in. I don't know the accused, but agree with him also getting the same treatment. There is no sentence long enough for people like this. </span>
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<br />I own 3 horses and have raised them all from babies. They are like my children. I read your site every day, you do an amazing
<br />job. We all love you for that." </span>
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<br />"That story made me sick to my stomach and after growing up on a farm, it takes a lot to do that. Why would you kill the
<br />horse in such a manner and for injuries that were not that severe?........CRUEL IDIOTS!" </span>
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<br />"This morning I had my vet put my favorite gelding and former national. halter champion to sleep. I can assure you no baseball bats were involved. He went quickly and quietly, his pain ended. I stayed with him until he was buried on our farm. I admit I am devastated over his loss and reading this post hit a few nerves. </span>
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<br />The actions of the owner and bat swinging killer involved with the pony's death were cruel and unnecessary. They deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law. As one reader commented, "An eye for an eye." That special place in hell has a couple more future occupants. - Halternhunters" </span>
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<br />"Holy shit, this is the town I just moved to for graduate school. I was a little worried about the cow-town aspect of the place, but I never expected to hear something like this two weeks after moving here... I sincerely hope that the owner gets slapped with something too, if only for negligence."
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<br />"</span><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } TD P { margin-bottom: 0in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --></style><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:inherit;" >I couldnt help but be saddened by your recent post on your blog. It reminded me unfortunately of an incident that took place recently in my small town of Anza, Ca. A man beat his horse to death with a sledge hammer or something then he decapitated it with a chainsaw and fed the head this dogs. I was hoping this was an isolated incident and that people really couldnt be that heartless and cruel. But unfortunately not all people are like us animal lovers and there is some really cruel worthless piece of shit poeple on this world! I hope they get what they deserve in hell. If you want to read up on the incident just type in Anza, horse and chainsaw. Im sure it will pop up. Its really sad and the mad i dont even think got a jail sentece because he was mentally unstable or something, well "duh"! No "sane person would do something like that! Thanks for reading this and have a good day! I love your blog!</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"></span>
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<br /><center><a href="http://www.soshorses.org/Index.asp"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/sosbanner.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-3372250190653842462009-08-05T09:55:00.000-07:002009-08-07T14:03:56.054-07:00Too old to geld = Absolute nonsense!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPqILkhDJyQC6_OP7CDvM3AGxnYs5mRhrfmoJd9NsIMp1MhQuOVrrhQKxf-sVYoxHPFezsu1nccCH680QA0Zx58YVhbMsIiMQn9Y0VsnY9EIsn00hp2T4dNpgeFgmE7a_EHD4KJ5d7DTX/s1600-h/mini.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366525543065304738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPqILkhDJyQC6_OP7CDvM3AGxnYs5mRhrfmoJd9NsIMp1MhQuOVrrhQKxf-sVYoxHPFezsu1nccCH680QA0Zx58YVhbMsIiMQn9Y0VsnY9EIsn00hp2T4dNpgeFgmE7a_EHD4KJ5d7DTX/s400/mini.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Hi, this little guy is a cutie but he keeps flirting with the mares and brings them into heat. He is 36 inches tall, about 9-10 years old, to old to be gelded! Would make nice back yard pet or a teaser stud. Its been 5 years since he has been riden, but then someone walked him. To aproved home only, utd on shots and worming, will need to pull a coggins as he never has left my property. I will also trim his hoofs before he leaves."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">('cause heaven forbid you trim his hooves just because he desperately needs them trimmed!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So let's talk about this common misconception that a horse can be too old to be gelded. First question, how <em>early </em>can you geld if you know you want to do it? That's easy - as soon as there are two testicles that have dropped. This could be by six months of age or it might not be until two years of age. Some people freak out if a yearling doesn't have two descended testicles and assume it is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptorchidism">cryptorchid</a> and that one will <em>never </em>drop and that expensive surgery is necessary, but I have seen real-life examples of colts who dropped at 24-26 months so my call would be to wait a little longer to see if nature takes its course. (Given, of course, the fact that you two year olds and sometimes even <em>yearlings </em>can impregnate a mare, so you'd better be able to keep your not-yet-gelded colt safe and secure with only other boys for company!) The other consideration is the time of year. Many vets do not like to geld in midsummer because of the flies that will cluster around the wound, but the cleanest place to do the procedure is usually out on the grass, so spring and fall are the preferred times of year. Aftercare is not terribly complicated - you want to keep the wound site clean and make sure that the horse walks around for exercise for the weeks following the procedure - turnout is best but if he is stall kept. handwalking several times a day or longeing at the walk will help him heal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What if you do encounter an older stallion who is not stallion quality or for whatever reason needs to become a gelding in order to find himself a good, new home? The idea that a horse can be "too old to geld" is pretty much a total old wives' tale. It is true that there may be more bleeding during the procedure and the vet has to be aware of that and keep the clamps on longer, but I have never seen any serious complications result. The benefits far outweigh the risks - yes, it does take a few months after gelding for all of the troublesome hormones to be gone, but once they are, you have a horse who can go out with the herd and who is much easier to sell/adopt out. It is true that some of them do remain kind of flirty with the mares but not to the same degree and I've seen geldings that were cut early that still were flirty and acted possessive with the ladies, so I think it's more of an individual personality thing than anything else. Most horses get gelded and a few months later - they're <em>geldings</em>, hanging out in a herd, no more screaming at the girls, and no more aggression if that was a problem before.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.serenitytraining.com/blogimages/Romeo10-2-06b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 404px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.serenitytraining.com/blogimages/Romeo10-2-06b.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have always liked this picture. These are two <a href="http://www.serenitytraining.com/">Serenity Training </a>rescues, both old CBER feedlot horses. The bay is Romeo and the sorrel is Ace. They were both teenaged ex-stallions, gelded only a few months earlier in this picture. As you can see, no ill effects and not only did they both adjust quickly to herd life with no issues, but they chose to buddy up with the other ex-stallion! They both have loving homes to this day, homes they could never have had as grade stallions.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Bottom line, unless your veterinarian has diagnosed a specific complication that will interfere with castration (and I'd always get a second opinion), there is no such thing as too old to geld. Now, owners who are too cheap to geld and would rather pass it along to be someone else's problem? <em>That's</em> an epidemic!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><center>COMMENTS</center></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I had my mini stallion gelded when he was 20 years old. I had stopped breeding a few years ago, and he was all alone in his own paddock, depressed. The vet went over the risks associated, and I opted to do it anyway. He came through with flying colors, no complications. Since then he's become an all around happier guy, with his own group of mares he hangs out with." </span></p><br /><p><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I bought a fourteen year old arab stallion, that they only kept a stallion so they could say we have an arabian stallion. I bought him then gelded him. He was the best gelding I ever had. After spending 14 years by himself, since they were afraid of him, after all he was a stallion. He wasn't even halter broke. I don't understand people sometimes. I think of all the time that little guy wasted when he would have been a really happy gelding at an earlier age. I didn't really want another horse at the time but I couldn't let me him sit there any longer. He is a great 4-h horse for a little girl now. People really need some brains sometimes." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Just thought I'd pass along this little tale proving the fact that a horse is never too old to geld: My aunt had a nice Appaloosa stallion. He was good stock, had done some shows, and she was standing him at stud. She retired him from breeding when he was 25. He didn't take retirement too well, and every breeding season he'd get so worked up he'd lose weight, stress all the other horses out with his pacing and screaming, and finally, he injured himself in a desperate attempt to get to the mares on the farm. So, at 29 years old, he was gelded. He bled and swelled just a bit more than a young gelding, but after about a week of care, he was fine. Until he died at 34, he lived with a couple of retired broodmares who kept him happy (and in line). Thanks! Enjoy your blog. :-)" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I read your blog sometimes. Occasionally I agree, sometimes I don't. I have had vets geld colts as young as 2 weeks old. I have had vets geld teenagers, like this years teenage stallions I gelded. One was an arabian Padrons Psyche son out of a daughter of *Aladdinn. Google those two names and you will see how difficult this decision was. However, I treat my herd naturally. Not neglected, just natural. The stallions (five of them) were gelded two at a time and turned out with the herd 24 hours after gelding. The stallions all ran together in a large arena sized pen with shelter prior to gelding. So, they were not real aggressive animals to begin with. I tied them up overnight after the procedure and gave them IV banamine that first day. Then I turned them out and just monitored them. I was done gelding them by the end of May. At the end of August they are staring to comingle with mixed groups and losing their stallion bahavior. They still pick favorites and "herd" the other horses away from their group. No one is injured, they are all settling into mixed herds and letting the geldings join them. The 9 year old Morgan stallion was the most "stallionlike" when first turned out. He is getting great to deal with. Just letting you know that you don't have to wait to geld stallions, you can geld them as very small babies and let their mommas exersise them." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Thank you thank you thank you thank you for FINALLY addressing this issue (I've written to you about it before)! There is a local lady with an Appaloosa stallion, whom she still advertises extensively for breedings despite her claims she's not covering mares anymore. When I asked her why she doesn't just geld him (since she claims she's not breeding him anymore and she's told me of many instances when he broke through his fences and "accidentally" bred boarders' mares), she has repeatedly claimed her vet told her that to geld him at 15 years old (she's been saying this for at least 5 years now) would... get this... drum roll please... make him more prone to testicular cancer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">WHAT?! HOW THE HELL WOULD HE GET TESTICULAR CANCER IF HIS TESTICALS WERE REMOVED?! DUH! What a bullshit excuse to keep a stallion." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>FHOTD in: That really IS a hoot!</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"My boy Pan was a herd stallion for two years, with about 30 mares all his own. When I first sent him to a trainer, he was ferocious to the point of attacking people with teeth and hooves. He was then gelded, trained, and less than a year later is Mr. Mellow."</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Too old to geld my ass! Cute little pony but he is far from being to old to geld , just a lazy excuse to be cheap! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have a ten year old stallion waiting for the ol' gelding knife this fall when the flies are less abundant. He has produced lovely correct foals , but I am tired of the separate fields and I want a gelding to enjoy and I want him to be able to enjoy his up coming old age with more company. We have gelded stallions at all ages , youngest being six months old , oldest being 20 , have not had an issue with any except one 5 year old TB who was still at the track at the time. He got a cord infection and it was hell getting him recovered but we did it. The vet who gelded him tied the ends of the cords , which I do not ever recommend . That was the cause of the infection and we had to go in and re-cut the ends,after that he healed very well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By the way Fugly , your friend scored a gorgeous mare from the auction! I live in south eastern Washington state and if a mare like that came across our auction yard I wouldn't care what my hubby said she would have come home with me!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Folks who bred and raised Appaloosas went out of business in the 1990's. Their aged stallion - in late 20's - was retired and then gelded for health reasons. He did quite well afterward allowing him a good healthy quality of life." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I used to breed and show top quality miniatures. When I retired, but still wanted to keep my favorite stallions as pets, I gelded one at 7, one at 10 and the other at 13 years old. All these horses were kept in private paddocks and stalls all their lives, used for breeding and show. Now all 3 live together in one paddock, share a fenceline with full sized mares, and are shown by 4-Hers at the county fairs. No complications, no issues at all! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On a different note, I adopted a 4 year old OTTB stallion last fall. He was never turned out with other horses and lived the racehorse life. I gelded him immediately after getting him, he bled terribly and had complications in healing. Now almost a year later, he is good with mares or geldings, but not mixed. He gets aggressive with geldings if there is a mare in his group. I think this is probably more of a social problem and may have always been there even if he were gelded at a normal age. With the mares, he is usually the one who gets picked on! Go girls!!!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"A gelding that has formerly been a breeding stallion may remain more than “kind of flirty” with the mares. Some can and will continue to mount mares. I assume that would be the exception. Care should be taken when turning a former breeding stallion out with mares, even if he has been O.K. with other mares in the past. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Year ago, I made arrangements to board my two pony mares on pasture with the pony mare of the stable owner’s granddaughter. In the summer, the owner brought her former breeding stallion, now riding gelding, out to the farm to be put on pasture with the ponies, as had been done in summers past. He had never bothered the granddaughter’s pony. When one of my ponies came into heat, he decided she was the love of his life. He separated her from the other two mares and mounted her repeatedly. He had to be removed from the pasture. " </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"OK, gelding. A subject dear to my heart. I have just dropped two off at the College to be done, one is a three month old foal, at foot of his mother. THIS is the best time to do them, no doubt whatsoever, they get cut, they go back and nurse and if they are feeling off that is all they do for a couple of days (of course I offer them their normal feeds and they usually eat just fine, but if they are feeling low, there is Mama). </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The two year old is well down, do not have a problem with colts descending, if they are not down AT BIRTH you are in REAL trouble, believe me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The problem is most people do not know that you have to get in there and rummage to be able to find them, colts do not usually, not at birth anyway, stick them in your face!! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, I was running the two year old on to see if he would make a stallion, now I have decided to sell him, so he is being gelded as ....drum roll, if you will.......THIS IS THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO!!! The fact that it is an expensive thing to do does not come into it as the colt is MY responsibility, I bred him. Yes, gelding wipes out any "profit" (HAH remember that word?) I would make on him....how does this affect him in any way?? How is this his "fault" or responsibility?? Answer is of course, it's not. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's MINE!!! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Geldings actually grow longer than colts, as testosterone closes the growth plates on a colts legs at around 18-20 months, whilst tests show that a gledings plates do not close until around 36 months, so a gelding will make slightly taller than an entire.They do NOT need testosterone in order to "mature", they mature just fine as geldings, believe me, and if you want proof you can come and look at my lot! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since no-one in their right mind would want a heavy cresty neck on a riding horse, there is nothing that testosterone can add that good conditioning and feed cannot.<br />If you have them as foals, GELD THEM AS FOALS. There is not one single breed in the world that would suffer from your excellent colt being turned into a world beating gelding.<br />- Kiri" </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"My old guy Harry's sire, Brusally al Azrak, was a sucessful breeding stallion into his mid twenties when he became sterile. He was gelded then and lived the rest of his years as a theraputic horse for children. No doubt Azzie's genes are why Harry (Zanhar) has always been such a sweetheart even though he was 4 when he was gelded - he is 33 now."</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Anyone remember "Diego" a CBER Arab stallion from about March 2006. Advertised as about 14, when the Vet arrived to do the deed, he says "oh-oh, more like 18-20"!!! Diego, now Taz, is now an English lesson horse for young girls......he's only about 13.3HH, but what a stunner, and SO well-behaved." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I agree, never too old to geld, but many times too old to remove the stallion behavior. This is especially true when a stallion has been bred, and even more so when a stallion has been kept in a herd dynamic with mares. This is very specific to the individual. I gelded an 8 year old stallion I bred for many seasons and he settled into a herd with another gelding and 2 mares just fine after about 8 months. I also gelded a 17 year old akhal-teke cross of some sort (got knows why he was a stud in the first place) at age 12. He was never bred, and he maintained extreme aggressive and possessive behaviors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So I think people should be aware that while gelding is a good thing to do to remove the possibility of accidental pregnancies and it will ultimately make any horse easier to handle, many times it cannot remove ingrained behaviors and not to expect that he will ever behave like a horse gelded at a younger age, although this can be true. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also I had a 2008 miniature colt gelded at less than 3 months of age, because he ran around in an "excitable" state much of the time and attempted to mount his mother and any of my other mares who would tolerate his antics. I couldn't believe this behavior in such a youngster. Both of his testicles were palpable so our veterinarian gelded him! His mother is a 38 inch mini and his sire appeared slightly shorter, but I didn't investigate him too closely, as when I purchased the mare and they told me she had been running with him for just a week or two, I figured chances were she wasn't bred. Of course chances were I was wrong, but at any rate he was not any bigger than the colts dam. The point is, at 18 months of age the colt is now a full 2 inches taller than his dam and probably his sire too and substantially thicker as well. I know that early gelding will cause a colt to grow taller and not develop secondary sex traits, but this little guy is on track to get substantially taller than either of his parents. Just an interesting aside. "</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I bought a Section A Welsh pony several years ago, that had gone through an auction as a 12 yr old gelding and was picked up by someone who knew the pony. They were surprised that he had been gelded as he had been a breeding stallion just shortly before the auction and the fellow was positive he was older than 12. He then sold the pony to me and said that he had checked with the owner that had used him as a stallion, and found out that the pony was really 16 yrs. old. I had bought him in November and had turned him out off and on with some of the mares on the farm but had no problem with him. He would get a little silly every now and then but he quickly learned that bad manners were not acceptable. I just figured that if he had been gelded recently, it might take a while for the behaviours to stop. The following April, a boarder in our barn and my husband happened to be standing outside the pony's stall door when my husband casually glanced at the pony and was rather shocked at what he saw. He confirmed what he was seeing with the boarder and it was decided that the pony would no longer get turned out with the mares!!! Both testicles were down and in plain sight! All winter long he had tucked them up into his abdominal cavity and for all the world looked like a gelding!! Now we are not novice horse owners, by no means, so not knowing what to look for was not the problem. One month later the little guy was gelded at the ripe old age of 17. We had no problem with the procedure and he recovered very well. Now I had a pony that would keep his mind on his job and not be distracted by every other equine that came into view. He was a true example of not being too old to geld."</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I have to say, not one but two of the best school horses I've ever ridden were former studs. Tango, a black and white Paint, was gelded at age 10 when he just wasn't producing offspring with the color the owner was looking for, and was sold to a Girl Scout camp. He was 14 when I met him, and the number 1 steadiest horse on the property - great on the trail or in the arena, and kind and willing with riders of all ages and abilities. I'd hazard a guess I'm not the only person who remembers him fondly. At the riding school where I learned to ride, Red, a super pretty chestnut Quarter Horse, was gelded in his mid to late teens and was probably pushing 20 when I met him. From what I'd heard he'd had a successful career showing and at stud but wherever he was at just didn't have a place for an older gentleman such as himself. Again, he was great with all ages and a perfect gentleman at all times. Both these horses' lives were extended by being gelded, and I and the other riders who had the good fortune to know these former stallions had the benefit of learning from some great experienced horses. Not every former stud is going to be like these fellows, who had the benefit of good training while they were young, but gelding did them no harm and certainly (particularly in Red's case) kept them out of the slaughterhouse." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"If they leave the poor neglected thing in that pasture, paddock, junk yard area...he may just geld himself. I love the "to an approved home only" line too.....will that be judged against his current abode? If so, it won't be hard to qualify. I watched dozens just like him, only gelded go for less than $50 at the last horse sale I attended. Maybe if we televised the horse sales, people would figure this out. What am I saying.....probably not." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I worry more about mud and the inability to properly exercise due to ice(not to mention laying them down) than flies,and have gelded in all seasons,just gotta adjust to the situation." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Just wanted to say that my friend bought a mini horse stallion about a year ago, and had him gelded a few weeks before she picked him up. He was 18 years old then and a tiny little guy, about 28" at the withers I think. Now he's a wonderful sweet little guy that loves children. =)<br />Here's </span><a href="http://ponyparadiserides.com/charlie_and_girls_800x571.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Charlie</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Here at </span><a href="http://www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">MHARF</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> we have had to geld many teenaged and even early twentys stallions.Our vet ALWAYS ligates the stumps,we usually have the older fellas done at the U of M or similar facility with a surgery suite so they can take a few days to recover (and be monitored by vets).The remainder of the recovery is at home and uneventful.Stallions kept in isolation prior to intake must be very carefully introduced to a companion as they are lacking in social skills.The testosterone levels drop rather quickly but learned behaviors can be long lasting.The myth that a stallion is infertile 2 weeks after castration should also be busted,new info says up to 2 months for mature animals.Youngsters here are typically gelded as early as 1 month after weaning ,or in the starvation cases,as soon as they are stable and have gained enough weight.Castration is done when the second tetanus shot is due.It is a wonderful thing to see an older stallion,incarcerated from an early age,learn what it is to have grass,freedom,and FRIENDS.I have never regretted a single castration." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"One thing I wanted to clarify... according to my vet, testosterone is made continually and the instant those testicles are gone testosterone is dropping. Within one day, it is *MOSTLY* gone. We are left with learned behaviors which can take awhile to lesson. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And, for what it's worth... I had a 5 year old, cryptorchid. The first vet wasn't able to get to the retained testicle. I then had to take him to a hospital and have it done laproscopically. It was pretty much a worst case scenario, but he was able to locate the retained one fairly quickly and my bill was right at $900. It was worth every penny and he's a great horse now - 5 weeks after surgery. Before that he was a screaming, rearing mess." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"That little stallion sure needs an upgrade in his living quarters! What a dump." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Our senior stallion was always kid and beginner safe; he was a true babysitter. He was the first ride for beginners of all ages, behaved perfectly on group rides of all sizes, carried handicapped and failing "last time" riders with care and concern. He even carried me safely--bareback and using only a halter and rope rein--around and through our wooded, mare filled pasture one moonlight night when I came home from a party where I had enjoyed a bit too much vino, and he had his work cut out for him just staying under me, let alone avoiding a couple of horny, upset mares. When his son came home from a year's training absence, conflict ensued. Decided to sell Papa--but of course, no one was interested in him as a stud. Gelded him at age 22. He was the oldest stud our vet had ever gelded. I still remember him saying, as he sawed through whatever (I heard it, I couldn't watch), "Wow, this is really tough . . ." No issues, no problems, and a few months later he went off to be a child's first horse." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I am the owner of the imported Sorraia stallion, Sovina . He is scheduled to be castrated on Sept 23rd of next mth. He is 10 yrs old and I do not believe any stallion that has bred mares and too old to be gelded. Alot has to do with how the stallion has been trained/handled, if disrespectful, the horse will be that way after castration. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am gelding Sovina because I am done with breeding and wish to retire him without the frustration of not being able to breed, and not only that I do not wish to breed more crosses even the best breeding with him was with a Lusitano mare, there are NO Sorraia mares in the USA and what is the point when the Sorraias are doing well in Portugal. I knew a QH stallion that was gelded at 14 yrs old, and he was well trained before castration, became a much mellow horse during breeding session." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"For the record, my sister-in-law has a horse that was gelded in his late teens after being used as a stud in his youth. He is the most laid-back, sweet-tempered horse I've ever seen, and has no more interest in the ladies than any other gelding -- in fact, he has less interest than many that were gelded as babies." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cathy, for a pony it probably would not be a problem to geld at age 10. You should discuss this issue in greater depth with some board certified equine reproduction specialists. However, once past ten (and some even earlier) there are corollary issues such as tolerance for general anesthesia, difficulties with aftercare (some extreme). It isn't the casual walk in the park of gelding a 6-12 month colt. Among the challenges for gelding the older stallion is the high prevalence of serous cord, abdominal adhesions, increased risk of infection, slow healing, etc. These are magnified with the "regular" size horse. And I know about this because I have been there and done that. It is NEVER easy, it is fraught with danger, and I would not suggest the average horse owner tackle the problem especially aftercare. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">FYI on the Pease problem, according to the Trot forum and the two Topics forums, the county in Kentucky that seized these horses are now adopting them out. Of course, there is no clear information anywhere on identities, ages, gender, handle-ability, health status, reproduction status, whether papers are available to transfer - not even the color of the horse. And no apparent screening of adopters. Whomever has $250 coming down the driveway at the right time, gets one. Unfrickin believable. Our tax dollars at work. I can only imagine how taken aback the caregivers must be knowing their hard work might go down the drain because some idjit byb takes home a for-cheap SB mare to breed god knows what off of. And it looks like the people who starved the horses in the first place are going to succeed in getting off completely or with just a "lunch money" fine. Big money and big lawyers succeed, the rest of us who really care about the horses, well, FAIL." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"My Mom had her 29 year old Arab stud gelded! She’d tried before (when the stallion was 22), but the surgery wasn’t completed due to anesthetic complications. When said stud tangled with a fence a few years ago, trying to get to a loose hussy filly, the vet came to tidy his (minor) wounds and told Mom the procedure could be done with the stallion standing and sedated. The horse is now 32, and still hanging out on the ranch. Losing his boys at a very advanced age was not a burden on his quality of life." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Had a cute little pony colt that was not so cute by the time he was eight months old. Called the vet and argued a bit but he came the next day. In two weeks I decided he could live and I would not have to resort to murdering him. Became a very cute pony gelding and went on to become a child's first pony and is there still as far as I know. " </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I had my connemara gelded when he was 4 months old and still on his dam- he was done under local, standing and had his dam there to look after him - totally unproblematic and easy. I would always do it this way if the testicles have dropped. I'm glad I did as he's quirky enough as a gelding, he'd be a nightmare as a colt/Stallion - plus he is NOT stallion quality.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The only thing that a later gelding might have achieved is to keep his height down, as he is now a few cm over the height limit." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"A friend of mine has a newly ex-stallion that is registered, 16 yrs old, and EXTREMELY well bred. He was an accomplished barrel horse, and produced several talented babies. She decided to geld him not because of his personality or because he was hard to handle, but because the size of his testicles (which were HUGE) interfered with the way he walked, and it interfered with how he was running on the barrel pattern. Many people a “pooh-poohed” her, saying that they suck up and out of the way during performance time. She started video taping him and noted that he was moving different in all gaits, and his times were starting to show the same thing. She gelded him in early March – most of the snow was gone, early spring grass just starting to show, no flies, cool weather. The horse is back to performing and clocking, and they are both happy. (Karen V)" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I just gelded my 21 year old stallion in May. Yesterday I turned him out on pasture across from an old gelding, his yearling daughter and two mules. He is loving it. I am hoping he and the old gelding will become pasture mates this Fall. I used a board-certifed surgeon at a wonderful hospital and they are all up to date on all the latest technology in gelding older studs. Cost me just over $600 (was more to have my dog's teeth cleaned and 4 pulled!) He barely bled, barely swelled, I exercised him twice a day for 10 days and he was in super condition afterwards. I just was done breeding (as in, we don't need any more foals out there) and I wanted him to have a life." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Ok, I was for your blog for a LONG time, that is until it became AR motivated. Why not just slap a PETA link on the f-in page? </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, I agree, people have made animals a Throw away commodity, but honestly this blog has gone WAY down hill.<br /><br />As for the pony stud, yah, his feet need a trim, but he is healthy looking overall, and honestly GIVE ME A BREAK…The horse can walk, can eat, and function…but…<br />HIS OWNERS ARE IGNORANT, is that all you have.<br /><br />Geld a six month old, ARE YOU PLAIN INSANE…sigh, no…sorry that is like spaying and neutering 7-8wk old puppies, not the best decision FOR THE ANIMAL…but just because SOME teenage x-studs were gelded that seems to be the ONLY decision that is right. Should grade horses be bred, no, but in the end why not go after the moronic people that breed these studs to EVERYTHING, not the pony that drives the mares nuts….but doesn’t get to breed the crap out of everything.<br /><br />Sad Sad Sad…don’t think I will frequent the blog anymore, it is nothing but propaganda anymore…Sad as it used to be the representative of responsible and ethical breeders and owners. Now you are the mouthpiece for the AR groups. A sad state all around." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>FHOTD in: There's nothing wrong in my opinion with spaying and neutering puppies and kittens early. It is absolutely easier on them than doing it later - recovery time is minimal and they can then be adopted out without having to worry that an "oops" breeding will result. Our opinions differ on this. I'm not quite sure what issue you are alleging my view is so extreme on as to align with PETA, but I also don't think everything PETA does is wrong, either. They just need to stop talking about sea kittens and pretending horses are better off in the wild, 'cause they're not, unless your idea of "better" is starving to death or being eaten by a cougar because nobody can treat your injuries.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I waited for the other “ball to drop” until Colty was 2 ½ years old. It didn’t so I scheduled the cryptorchid surgery for a crisp fall day. The vet sedated Colty for the pre-surgery exam and low and behold the second testicle dropped. He wasn’t a cryptorchid – he was just shy.<br /><br />Coltysheart" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>FHOTD in: What a well behaved horse for saving you money! :-)</strong> </span></p><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN0uvO9Br6wy5Qla40IwtYf8ejYDL0BojLT-TjXkioc5gLqU0o9QeyqeyslRpSbPU8WSz7qqlIuKPdQwunkgAqE29sSNHW5ciLhdtEevrzPXj7ALYg7j92x9a238zu4wqmGZOL3TVOCRo/s1600-h/100_6105.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367328894514101426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN0uvO9Br6wy5Qla40IwtYf8ejYDL0BojLT-TjXkioc5gLqU0o9QeyqeyslRpSbPU8WSz7qqlIuKPdQwunkgAqE29sSNHW5ciLhdtEevrzPXj7ALYg7j92x9a238zu4wqmGZOL3TVOCRo/s400/100_6105.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Attached is a picture of our ( one time ) Jr. Stallion, now gelding, PF Valjo. He was also featured on the Training blog " Have You Driven a Fjord....Lately ? " with his 1/2 brother PF Oslo, also our breeding. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Valjo sired 8 beautiful correct fillys before we gelded him at age 8. He was always an easy boy to handle, but I saw his future as a GREAT gelding, which he is turning out to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Trail ride yesterday with both boys, Valjo on the L, Oslo on your R.....thanks for a good topic! - Pedfjords" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Six months, heck! We have gelded at a few WEEKS with even less problems than a few months. A certain percentage of colts are actually born with two in the bag, and if there are two gelding is possible and desirable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">OTO, my vets have always recommended waiting until the colt is fully 36 months to decide that surgery for a wandering gonad is necessary, unless there is some reason to go after it sooner (such as evidence of discomfort, severe behavioral problems, etc.). - AlphaMare" </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"We have a 19 year old former world champion stallion who had a heavy breeding schedule in his early years. Now that his book has slowed down, and we have his swimmers on ice we thought about gelding him, let him have a normal life. We have had our regular vet say no, a large local clinic say no, and our state veterinary college say no. Because he was used heavily for breeding and due to his age they all say no." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>FHOTD in: Interesting. I don't know how/why that would affect the decision? We geld the rescues not knowing if they were ever bred or how much.</strong><br /><br /></p></span><p align="center"><a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/mattiesfund"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img border="0" src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/mattie.jpg" /></span></a></p>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-56372592959957661412009-08-03T19:04:00.001-07:002009-08-03T20:58:45.338-07:00Enumclaw Auction report...and the $125 Canadian Warmblood!<div align="left"><a href="http://hardluckhorses.com/media/photos/413_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://hardluckhorses.com/media/photos/413_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, it was time for another Enumclaw Auction, and while I didn't make it there myself, I had a friend reporting from the front lines who brought home quite an amazing find for $125. This is a registered Canadian Warmblood mare, around ten years old. Her registered name is Ellevet and she is, as you can see, sound. She was so mellow about being in a new home that I jumped on her for a little test drive bareback last night and she didn't put a foot wrong.<br /><br />She is a classic example of someone just failing miserably at selling a horse. I'm told she's been on Craigslist recently, listed for $800 or $900. But the story was none too straight. First she was a Dutch Warmblood, then she was a Canadian Warmblood, then she was a draft cross. They said she had been trail ridden and ridden on the road, but hadn't been ridden for a year. And of course the pictures were hideous - bad angles of her standing with a rope thrown over her neck.<br /><br />So, shocker, she didn't sell and they decided to take her to the auction. They arrived with the intention of no saling her if she didn't bring $500 and indeed that is what they did - the first time she ran through and only got up to $450.<br /><br />But hey, they didn't really want to drag this mare home. At the auction they told people she had not been ridden for <i>five</i> years and that she was "too much horse" for them. And then something else caught their eye - look, shiny! - and they bought it. Now they could not drag her back home again, so they decided to run her through again, last horse of the day. You know who was still around - Oly the kill buyer and, thank Heavens, my rescuer friend and her pals.<br /><br />Oly bid $100. My friend bid $125. Oly's a pretty decent guy and he doesn't make a habit of bidding up horses so that rescuers don't get them. The mare went home with my friend. She is a Canadian Warmblood, registered name Ellevet. I went out to see her last night and jumped on her bareback and walked her around - she's totally calm and well broke. The feet need work (shocker, LOL!) so we won't do any serious evaluation 'til the farrier comes out but that will happen this week.<br /><br />I'm still shaking my head at what you can buy for $125. I mean, clean legged, sound and sweet. What a crazy world. Again, I sure hope anybody who is still breeding is SURE they still have a market...I mean, when this goes for $125, it ought to scare everybody into a second look at their program.<br /><br />The auction report...please note that a palomino paint did not even get ONE bid, for those of you who still think loud color is enough!<br /><br />203 - $75 - 7yr Black/White APHA mare. Sound, good condition, but didn't handle well<br />208 - $500 - 7yr Chestnut/White APHA mare. Ron bred her, pricty, good condition, rode nice, 2 blue eyes<br />209 - $1250 NS - 5yr Chestnut AQHA mare. Pretty, sound, very good condition, nice<br />206 - $400 - 5yr Bay APHA mare. Solid with blad face and blue eyes. Nice, calm, good condition. 2mo white/bay APHA colt. blue eyes with liner. nice, calm<br />201 - $1000 NS - 14yr Bay/White APHA gelding. Good condition, scared, english, western, dressage, camp<br />204 - $300 KB - 7yr Chestnut AQHA gelding. Decent condition, calm, solid, shod<br />211 - $225 - 8yr Chestnut AQHA mare. Excellent condition, calm, seemed sweet<br />212 - $125 KB - 18yr Chestnut AQHA mare, good condition, worried but very docile, all-time halter<br />205 - $1400 NS - 10yr Brown AQHA gelding. well bred, rode nice, breakaway & heeling, heck of a nice horse<br />213 - $250 NS - 1yr Buckskin AQHA fill. Excellent condition, pretty, handled well<br />214 - $250 - 11yr Black registered Arab mare. Well bred, good weight, bad feet, rain rot<br />215 - $250 NS - 1yr Perlino AQHA colt. Nice condition, well mannered<br />216 - $325 - 7yr Black Bay Rocky Mt - Kentucky Mt gelding. Good condition, trail horse, 16+hh<br />217 - $550 - 11yr Dark Buckskin AQHA gelding. Trail horse, rode very nice, small hernia, exceptional horse<br />218 - $1100 NS - 5yr Bay AQHA gelding. Excellent condition, rode verey n ice, pretty<br />219 - $370 - 4yr Gray TB mare. Good condition, pretty, calm, 2 big bows on front<br />220 - $350 - 4yr Bay AQHA mare. Good condition, rode well, calm<br />221 - $150 - 2yr Bay Half-Arab stud. Tall, upright, pretty<br />222 - $550 NS - 10yr Chestnut/White APHA mare. Good condition, calm, rode nice, trail horse<br />223 - $300 NS - Chestnut TB mare. Good condition, very calm, seemed sweet<br />224 - $70 - 2yr Dark Buckskin APHA filly. Good condition, well mannered, very scared<br />301 - $80 - 4-5yr Dun/White stallion. Decent condition, solid, sturdy, pretty<br />303 - $300 - 5yr Bay gelding. Oly brought him in. Good condition, rode well, very calm & responsive<br />309 - $100 - 1.5yr Spotted Jack. Sweet, lead OK, nice animal but not good condition<br />??? - $125 KB - 13yr Grulla Paint mare. Very calm, good condition, rode well<br />306 - $400 KB - 25yr Chestnut/White Paint gelding. Big, stout, very gentle, rode nice<br />307 - $250 KB - 9yr Chestnut gelding. Very gentle, very broke, calm, good condition<br />308 - $50 KB - 4yr Bay Roan Appy gelding. Pretty, kicks<br />311 - $1000 - 11yr Palomino gelding. Big, gentle, calm, very broke, exceptional horse<br />312 - $350 - 15yr Chestnut Paint geldint. Good condition, UTD, calm, rides nice, trail horse<br />313 - $125 - 15yr Chestnut QH? mare. Good trail horse, "walks too fast"<br />31? - $400 - 3yr Bay TB mare. Good condition, calm, rides very well<br />31? - $50 KB - Bay TB gelding. Skinny, bandaged leg, calm, hurt<br />310 - $50 - Yearling? Bay/White pinto filly. Scared, nervous, bad handling, good condition<br />31? - $75 - Yearling? Palomino colt. Good condition, nice, sweet, handled well<br />318 - $75 KB - 12yr Chestnut/White pinto gelding. Good condtion, rode well, calm & responsive<br />317 - $275 - 7yr Gray TB gelding. Tall, excellent condition, calm<br />322 - $125 - 2yr Black/White pinto mare. Decent condition, sweet, calm, gentle<br />324 - $40 - White medicine hat pinto colt. Scared, nervous, handled bad<br />319 - $100 KB - Bay TB gelding. Calm, well mannered<br />325 - $450 NS - 10yr White Canadian Warmblood mare. Huge, sound, rode nice<br />331 - $260 - Bay TB gelding. Good condition, well mannered<br />326 - $0 NS - Yearling? black colt. Good condition, well mannered<br />327 - $100 KB - 18yr Bay/White gelding. Huge, been there - dont that, trail horse<br />??? - $100 KB - Dark Bay gelding. Good condition, well mannered<br />328 - $200 - 12yr Chestnut Roan Appy mare. Good condition, rode well<br />331 - $220 - Yearling White/Palomino miniature colt<br />330 - $300 NS - 5yr Chestnut with Flaxen mare. Good condition, 6mo training, rode well<br />329 - $100 KB - 7yr Chestnut paint gelding. Bald face, good condition, rode well, kids horse<br />330 - $75 KB - Ran through again. 5yr Chestnut with Flaxen mare. Good condition, 6mo training, rode well<br />334 - $200 - 9yr Near Leopard Appy gelding. Good, solid, broke, kids horse<br />333 - $150 NS - 2yr Palomino filly. Good condition, well mannered, very pretty<br />332 - $0 NS - 3yr Palomino paint gelding. Good, sweet, great manners, started<br />325 - $125 - Ran through again. 10yr White Canadian Warmblood mare. Huge, sound, didn't ride. No minimum.</span><br /><br /><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Send me</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> your comments - will update tomorrow. I am trying to figure out WordPress and then we'll have comments back. Anybody know a good easy to understand page explaining layers which is I guess what I have to do to get columns in WordPress?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://shilohhorserescue.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=393013"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/broadway.jpg" /></a></p>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-20580842050142066982009-08-02T15:46:00.001-07:002009-08-02T16:30:12.065-07:00So then I kicked her in the ribs...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How many of you are old enough to remember the Pre-Internet Era? Yes, those long gone by days when the only horse abuse you had to witness was by the token moron at your boarding barn (<em>every </em>barn had one, remember? I remember ours very well from when I was a child...a corpulent old fart named Tom May who whipped the living shit out of his poor old lame Saddlebred on a daily basis as she tried to make her way around the arena. I really hope he's cooking in his own special place in hell right now or that there's justice and he's chained to a rock while that mare poops on him for all eternity...) Anyway, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, now the latest Abusive Twit story can come straight to you on the message boards...as it does today.
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<br />"I was working a horse yesterday on some ground work and she just decided to lay down and not get up. for 5 minutes I tried to get the horse to her feet, from pulling the lead rope to smacking her with the lead rope....after that I had enough of the horses stupid little game and resulted to kicking her in the ribs ....it got her to her feet, but why did she act this way? it was about 5 minutes into working her, and it was a warm up. also what should I do next time IF she decides to do this?"
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<br />OK, first question: Has it ever occurred to you that when a horse lies down and won't get up, it may be sick? There is this condition you may <em>actually stumble upon one day </em>called colic and many times a horse will lie down because it is in pain and trying to relieve the pressure.
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<br />Second question: What exactly were you doing when this happened? What were you asking the horse to do? That would be very important information to help diagnose what triggered the horse's response.
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<br />Third question: Was it by any chance 100 degrees, hot, humid and itchy like it has been here this week? I had a mare lie down with me in the show ring and it wasn't any more complicated than that. She was hot. She itched. It wasn't her idea to have a horseshow on such a crappy day. While I was embarrassed, ultimately I had to laugh it off. She was being a horse and I should have been more awake and caught it before the knees were already crumpling!
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<br />Fourth question: Wow, a <em>whole five minutes </em>before you decided the best action was to kick the horse in the ribs? Gee, you have the patience of a saint, don't you?
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<br />(Note: I will indeed kick a horse myself - for <strong>one</strong> action. Kicking at me in obvious annoyance, clearly kicking <em>at</em> me as a resistance to something like cinching when there is no soreness or physical cause and not because there are flies. To me that's just pre-Parelli common sense - give the horse what another horse would give it for the same action. I don't kick as hard as another horse, and I don't have to. The horses invariably get the message that I'm just like another horse and kicking at me will result in the same response, so it probably is unwise. I would never apply this action in any other scenario.)
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<br />Anyway, it gets better. After numerous members of the forum point out that a physical cause is very likely the culprit, the OP comes back with "she dosn't appear to be sick at all. but I could call a friend who is basically a vet."
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<br />BASICALLY a vet. AWESOME. Yup. There you go. *eye roll*
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<br />Oh, it's not done. You didn't think it was done, did you?
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<br />"this horse is usually very lazy and disrespectful, so it really dosn't suprize me that she layed down."
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<br />Let's talk about disrespectful in a horse. It's a <em>horse</em>, not a teenager. To me there's only one kind of horse disrespect and that is the Buffalo Horse. The horse that drags you down the aisle, barges into you, dives into the middle of the circle and tries to come over the top of you while longeing, etc. That horse is disrespectful - he sees you as a lesser member of the herd and is more than happy to flatten you into a doormat if you're standing between where he is and where he wants to be. He is annoyed by your efforts to control him and believes his superior size and strength will prevail. Often, due to novice handlers or people who want to be <em>friends </em>with their horse and won't discipline them, it works great.
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<br />Buffalo Horses can be fixed about 99% of the time and yes, you often DO have to get into them with a whip to get them OFF of you. It usually doesn't take very long for them to figure out that when you are holding Mr. Whip, you bite and running over the top of you is nowhere <em>near </em>as effective and fun as it has been in the past.
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<br />But lying down as disrespect? Oh come on! Like I say, it's not a teenager who is lying on their bed playing video games and saying they'll clean their room <em>later</em>. A horse who is actively resisting what you want to do is very unlikely to lie down. Think this through. It's a prey animal. Why would it want to be off its feet and at a disadvantage if it believes it is engaging in a conflict with you? That makes no sense at all. The only exception I can think of is a horse who has learned that lying down will make the human get off - I can see that thought process in an smart old trail string horse, for example. But this filly wasn't even mounted when it happened.
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<br />To continue: Now the almost a vet person is the uncle!
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<br />"I WAS panicking when she layed down, my heart jumped out of my chest, I was so scared she was hurt......but soon found out it was nothing to be worried about, my uncle who has been with horses his whole life, told me she is going it to get out of working, no, he isn't a vet but I trusted him and after we looked her over we got her to her feet "
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<br />Yep, Uncle knows best. I wonder if OP kicked her, or Uncle Asshat?
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<br />And now - more support for my viewpoint that the whole NH/clinics/RFD-TV crap is <em>ruining</em> horsemanship all across the nation:
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<br />"all honesty, the reason why I resulted to kicking her is because I have seen trainers in my area do it....I am inexperienced when it comes to a horse laying down on you...heck, I've seen Clinton Anderson whip and kick a horse for laying down, and I use his methods...I was unaware that it isn't the way to go."
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<br />I saw Clinton Anderson do it so I did it!
<br />I heard Ozzy Osbourne sing about suicide so I killed myself!
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<br />No, I don't know if Clinton did what this person alleges but I'll tell you this: I don't see posts from people arguing that George Morris says it's ok to whip and kick a horse for laying down. You ever notice that? Name a BNT of your choice, in just about any discipline. Ever read some beginner on the 'net blaming them for teaching them a stupid horse training method? Bet you haven't! It's always Anderson, Parelli, Gingrich, whatever. I swear, RFD-TV is to equine education what Rock of Love Charm School is to etiquette.
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<br />(Guess they won't be giving <em>me </em>my own show anytime soon, huh? Oh well...)
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<br />While the original post is upsetting to read, I have to say that most of the responses were good. Most of the major horse message boards seem to have gotten away from the sunshine & butterflies, it's all good nonsense and now allow their users to speak their minds within reason which is a very good thing. Hopefully the OP will learn from the more experienced people on the board, stop listening to his/her uncle and the horse will have a happy ending. </span>
<br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now turn off the RFD-TV and take some lessons!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">E-mail</a> your comments!</p><hr />
<br />Still curious about the Les Pease horses. Why can't I find out who has them? Why is this being hushed up so much? One of you knows. </span><a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">E-mail me</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span>
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<br /></span><center><a href="http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/available_horses_julie.html"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/julie.jpg" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-11508195361309173072009-08-01T15:11:00.000-07:002009-08-02T16:38:26.365-07:00Another day, another psycho<a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-18953-San-Diego-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m7d31-Horses-poisoned-at-stables-in-Rancho-Santa-Fe"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Horses Poisoned at Stables</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Please read the story, especially if you are local to Rancho Santa Fe, California, or may have any idea who had a grudge against the Tomlins. 23 horses were very deliberately poisoned - oleander leaves were mixed with tasty apples and carrots and hand fed to them.<br /><br />Wow. Just when I think I've seen the worst, somebody comes up with a more extreme case to show me how truly evil people can be. What I think is most upsetting about this case is that you know it wasn't about the horses at all. This will turn out to be some fired stall cleaner or someone who had a business or personal dispute with one of the Tomlins. Maybe one of them has an angry ex. It's hard to imagine it's a horseperson but it might very well be - it took some knowledge to know how toxic oleander is to horses. Of course, maybe it is just some nut who enjoys watching animals suffer, but I kind of doubt it because they didn't get to watch here. That kind of person steals the animal first, like that <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-9534-Miami-Cat-Care-Examiner~y2009m7d30-Update-Miami-area-cat-killer-suspect-wanted-a-deal-prior-to-arrest">horrible boy in Florida who was killing cats</a>.<br /><br />These horses are fortunate in that the Tomlins were able to afford immediate and excellent vet care. At this point it looks like all will survive.<br /><br />It scares me that someone who could do something like this is involved in horses, just as it scares me every time one of the scandals where horses are killed for insurance breaks. I cannot fathom being involved with horses and not loving them...not wanting to protect them and care for them but instead maliciously ending (or attempting to end) their lives for personal gain or maybe even just for revenge. I just don't even get how people like that wind up being involved with horses. I like to assume we're all, as <a href="http://mugwumpchronicles.blogspot.com/">Mugwump</a> calls us, members of the horsaii...pretty much born with a love of horses and the desire to always have them in our lives.<br /><br />Anyway, it's a short post today but I just had to put it up and ask you all to read it. If you know anything about this case, <em>please</em> call the police. It is very disturbing to me that the criminal here may not get identified and punished.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>UPDATE: There is a $10,000 reward to find the person who did this. So if you know, there's darn good money in coming forward - do the right thing!</strong><br /><br /><strong><center>COMMENTS</center></strong><br /><br />"I had to write about this since I'm familiar with Rancho Santa Fe, though I am not familiar with this particular farm. That whole area is filled with large horse properties.<br /><br />First, I'm glad they acted quickly, it looks like those horses will be OK. Rockridge appears to be a boarding and/or training facility for Saddlebred show horses.<br /><br />It could be intentional poisoning, but it could have been someone who wanted to give the pretty horsies a snack and grabbed leaves from a conveniently at-hand bush, which in that neighbord probably was an Oleander.<br /><br />Oleander is planted everywhere here because it needs little or no water when established. It is used almost exclusively as a hedge plant in Rancho Santa Fe because the properties are huge and in drought times water is strictly rationed, so if you want a privacy hedge it has to be something that will live if you don't water it. I think Oleander is the only plant that meets the criteria. Many streets in that area are literally walled with the stuff.<br /><br />Accidental poisoning is not uncommon because oleander is everywhere and many people haven't got a clue that oleander is poisonous.<br /><br />Conscientious horse owners will identify the plants on their property and remove any poisonous ones from areas their horses will be in or near. On horse properties oleanders usually are limited to the road-side hedge, with a gap wide enough to drive a truck through between the hedge and the pasture fence. They remove it from areas where the horses might be able to get to it. I've seen Oleander and other poisonous plants in stable yards, I think this is really dangerous. Some horses will snatch a bite out of any plant they can reach.<br /><br />It could be intentional poisoning. If their intent was to kill the horses, there are much more effective methods than oleander leaves. It takes quite a few leaves to kill a horse, and they don't really like the taste of oleander much, so many horses won't eat the stuff. Fortunately.<br /><br />The other possibility is that someone snuck in to give treats to the pretty horsies. Usually when people do this they bring apples or carrots, but I've caught well-meaning people trying to feed all sorts of inappropriate things to my horses. I had to make a "carrots only" rule for lovely people who have a reason to be at the barn and feel compelled to give my horses treats. I figure carrots are safe, I know someone who gave their horse a 5 gallon bucket of carrots every day and the horse was fine.<br /><br />If somebody wanted to make a tasty salad for horsies, apples and carrots and leaves might seem a good recipe, and if you're looking for leaves, oleander bushes are available. This could have been the act of a misguided but well-meaning person. This does lead us back to the rule that nobody should be feeding anything to anyone else's horses without permission. But I know from experience that a lot of people seem to be unware of this rule, or perhaps they prefer to ignore it. You either have to remove them from your property, or firmly enforce the "carrots only" rule.<br /><br />It could have been some kids pulling a prank? If it was someone who wanted revenge, they wouldn't have given the stuff to all the horses, since they're owned by a bunch of different people; and they would have used something more effective.<br /><br />I'm glad they're putting in surveillance. I have no idea who did this, or why, but hopefully increased security will prevent it from happening again. With what is going on, everyone should have security.<br /><br />AME"<br /><br />"Thank you so much for posting the story. With such a large reward somebody is bound to come forward. I know there were three horses hospitalized (one of which was an older horse) but I haven't heard anything else regarding them... hopefully no news is good news. Totally agree with hanging whoever is responsible, but not before we stuff 'em full of oleander!"<br /><br />"Anyone who lives in California--horse person or not--should be very aware of how poisonous oleander is to a whole lot of species, not just horses. The plant used to be the "divider" between lanes of Highway 99, California's version of an Interstate. It THRIVES on car and truck exhaust and there were thousands of closely planted oleanders at least 10 feet high that went for MILES up the central valleys of the state.<br /><br />When it is pruned or removed, the instructions are very clear: Wear gloves. Do NOT touch your face at any time during the pruning or removal of oleander.<br /><br />Wear long sleeves.<br /><br />THROW AWAY the gloves and thoroughly clean ALL the tools and clothing, shoes, everything. In fact, throw away everything you can, rather than clean it. The best removal method is using a tractor with a chain. Pull the plant out by the roots.<br /><br />And when you're burning the brush, DO NOT BREATHE THE SMOKE.<br /><br />Oleander is nasty stuff but as I said it is very hardy and the "bush of choice" for those who want a privacy hedge with a bit of color.<br /><br />My neighbor across the street has two small grandsons living with her and she had planted oleander in her back yard long before she realized her<br />home would become "extended family central." She has hired a kid (her word) to take out the brush and I told her to tell him to be extra careful AND make sure he gets all the leaves, stems, buds, everything.<br /><br />The good thing about oleander versus horses is, the leaves are very bitter, so most horses won't eat it. The juice is deadly, too, so if a horse bites into the leaf, the animal can get very sick.<br /><br />I hope they catch the rat bastards, too."<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><center><a href="http://www.soshorses.org/DEF-Horse.asp?hoID=107"><img border="0" src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/rodeo.jpg" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-41848694810520409302009-07-31T15:50:00.000-07:002009-08-01T16:03:20.036-07:00I starved her, but it's the seller's fault!<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiqrMND_5ex18yLp_kCC5oONpmQBwjNyqtkt9z-v9g-BQDolYoB4zPxSRBaIVc7pq4UTlkf1zkY0qhgErReoQJaHosO38ChunPP6d9e7QusicpUu1xwILxJKsw9i1uZstNwvUI-YInooW/s1600-h/1_pally.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364760813651954690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 386px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiqrMND_5ex18yLp_kCC5oONpmQBwjNyqtkt9z-v9g-BQDolYoB4zPxSRBaIVc7pq4UTlkf1zkY0qhgErReoQJaHosO38ChunPP6d9e7QusicpUu1xwILxJKsw9i1uZstNwvUI-YInooW/s400/1_pally.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Someone sent me this ad and I have to say, it's just a classic example of why we all bang out heads against the wall when selling horses. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Great color palomino pony mare. Buttercup is still a little green and does not have any formal training. My youngest daughter of 10, who is an experienced rider has been riding her bareback with only a halter & reins. We do not have any pony tack and there is no reason for us to purchase those items, as we do not need a pony. Buttercup walks, trots, & canters under my daughter. <strong>Buttercup is between 2.5 yrs - 3 yrs. of age. We bought her almost 2 years ago under the pretence that she was a "baby" horse & would be given to the oldest daughter at 16.</strong> <strong>Well.. we have come to the conclusion with her growth & "pony" winter coat, that she is a pony. </strong>I can send pics & video of Buttercup upon request. She does have a few minor flaws. She does have some swelling around the upper jaw. We believe this is due to some new teeth. She has a very small hernia that is about 1/2". The vet has checked both. He said we could wait a little while on both and see how things progress. The swelling will most likely go away once her teeth come in and the hernia is actually doing well on it's own. The vet said, it is only a little bit of fatty tissue and may close up on it's own. This could be operated on but has been getting smaller over time. Buttercup NEEDS GREEN PASTURE & a LOVING home. She is <strong>slightly slim</strong> & could use a little more weight. <strong>However, she has a more sleek slinder build for a pony compared to that of a shetland or others that are short & stocky</strong>. That's one characteristic that I believe makes her a good english prospect. <strong>She also has a slight growth around the vaginal area. The vet has stated this could be a slight growth of a male but it is a minimal issue for a pleasure pony.</strong> This would not be desireable trait for a breeder. <strong>Buttercup doesn't eat much hay. She prefers grass & we don't have much of that right now. </strong>Price is negotiable based on her getting a good home. She is a very pretty pony and very much enjoys attention. "<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSEJrL1qq3Di_bAcYOaFXA5Ai5h2QoZeAgl6IEXj8sDto8yxPSrtqlKTKkZLh75FctzMhbmgZzOTUIX7Ql1tq6sUo2Oo-PbTx3wk7JCtNTL9BveSToflS12-okYsGidYkeB42qNwudLzw/s1600-h/2_pally.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364762889170210066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSEJrL1qq3Di_bAcYOaFXA5Ai5h2QoZeAgl6IEXj8sDto8yxPSrtqlKTKkZLh75FctzMhbmgZzOTUIX7Ql1tq6sUo2Oo-PbTx3wk7JCtNTL9BveSToflS12-okYsGidYkeB42qNwudLzw/s400/2_pally.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*bang* *bang* *bang* *bang*</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Good Lord, where do I even begin? OK, obviously this is not a pony. It is a young Quarter or Quarter cross (maybe Quarab? Doesn't have a great hip but I have certainly seen AQHA horses with hips like this before). It probably <em>should have </em>finished out about 14 hands or 14.2 and my guess is that it still <em>could </em>gain another hand or two with proper care. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lady, nobody "pretended" this was a horse. It IS a horse. It is just nutritionally deficient thanks to you not doing jack shit about its poor appetite for hay (clue: this is not normal. Unless your hay is total dusty, stalky crap, a young horse should wolf it down unless the teeth are hurting - VERY possible from your description! - or it is SO super wormy that it feels sick all the time - VERY possible from your pictures and description of its winter coat!). If your vet thinks this is "slightly slim," he or she got his diploma out of a Cracker Jack box. I'm worried about your vet anyway after that description of the <em>vaginal </em>growth that could be a slight growth of a <em>male</em>? What does that even mean and do I want to know what it looks like? Is pony a hermaphrodite or are you and the vet equally confused? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What kills me the most about this ad is the idea that the poooooor poooooor seller just got scammed by someone who <em>said this was going to grow into a horse</em>. Lady, it's like a packet of <em>seeds</em>. It isn't going to grow into a damn thing unless you put some effort in and give it the care it needs. Now you have a skinny, crooked-legged two or three year old stunted filly and are disgusted and want to get rid of it - did I mention she wants $750 for it? *snort* </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Get it some dental care and get it parasite-free and it might have a future. If anybody wants to go get it (assuming she comes down to a reasonable price), it's in Georgia - <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">e-mail me </a>for the ad.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CzJ_8SZMdqkO_UzLkB4n14XggjswqTHYSg3FR6ap09aPKnbGnOYghs0F3P0ZORLxNRVaG0FO_uHhs3_nfXOobvGFNzTzLuqNR9XHfNL6DyJII_wLEvfPhp16jfvBGWEJMVMTSCD5kW95/s1600-h/1_magnum.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364768028615151266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CzJ_8SZMdqkO_UzLkB4n14XggjswqTHYSg3FR6ap09aPKnbGnOYghs0F3P0ZORLxNRVaG0FO_uHhs3_nfXOobvGFNzTzLuqNR9XHfNL6DyJII_wLEvfPhp16jfvBGWEJMVMTSCD5kW95/s400/1_magnum.jpg" border="0" /></a>Today's Friday Featured Rescue is a bit of a mystery - we have not yet been able to get a good read on his tattoo, so he might be just about anybody! He is a seven year old dark bay Thoroughbred gelding, rescued from slaughter, very quiet and easy to deal with. Magnum was adopted but his adopter has had a lot of unexpected personal drama this year (has it just been the year for that or <em>what</em>?) and she unfortunately cannot take on a horse at this time. So he needs a home! He is out in Kennewick, Washington at <a href="http://www.sosequines.com/DEF-Horse.asp?hoID=184">SOS Equines </a>- get your application in and go take him for a spin. I really liked him when I met him and I suspect he's got a lot of potential for the right person.</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>COMMENTS</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I'm curious, what exactly does this mean?<br /><br />Buttercup is between 2.5 yrs - 3 yrs. of age. We bought her almost 2 years ago (6 months old?) under the pretence that she was a "baby" horse & would be given to the oldest daughter at 16.<br /><br />OK, most of it obviously states: "I am an ignoramus". If they think a 6 month old foal is full grown, they really need to read up on baby horses before they get one. But what does the part about giving the horse to the oldest daughter at 16 mean? Does the oldest daughter get the starved, stunted baby horse when the daughter turns 16? Or does the horse go to the daughter when it gets to be 16 hands tall? (which might have been a possibility, but does not seem likely anymore). I'm also curious what they think a horse is? Or a pony? Do they know what a hand is?<br /><br />Might be worthwhile to email these people and ask them if they know that a horse isn't full grown until it is at least 6 years old, and that it needs to be fed a lot up to and past that age (grass, good quality horse hay, and grain), and should not be ridden at all until it is at least 3 years old if they want it to get big. In a non-confrontive way, of course. ;-)<br /><br />The same applies to ponies, in case they think this is a pony and that would make a difference. They grow at the same rate and have about the same needs, except of course a pony is much more likely to get overweight and founder. Not an immediate danger with this individual.<br /><br />Horses start out about 50 lbs at birth and get to be about 1000 lbs. They grow to be about 20 times bigger than they are when they're born. That takes a lot of good quality groceries plus free exercise in pasture. If it isn't at least 3X bigger now than it was whe they got it, they haven't been giving it what it needs to grow.<br /><br />I would question the quality of their hay, and worming program (probably nonexistent). I also wonder if they know about that stuff in bags at the feed store. You know, that mysterious alchemic substance called "g-r-a-i-n" that, when fed to a young horse in moderation, helps it keep its weight up and grow properly. There are even special formulations for young, growing horses. I know some people who never give their babies any grain, and they usually end up a little weedy, no matter how much good grass and hay they get. Even people who don't grain their full grown horses will usually give some grain to the babies. It almost seems like this person doesn't know about that category of horse feed.<br /><br />Then, one has to wonder about their vet. Although, if this person is such a pushy know-it-all ignoramus in real life, those people around them that have a clue know better than to try to tell them anything.<br /><br />I feel sorry for their kids. If they're really interested in horses, they will read everything they can get their hands on and eventually learn the right way, but it will be a lot harder because they'll be really confused by the disparity between what their parents say is right and what is really right. And then they'll be sad, realizing their parent(s) are idiots and there's nothing they can do about it but get a clue and move on.<br /><br />And those kids will be really sad when they realize they helped starve and cripple an innocent, trusting baby horse. - AME"<br /><br />"Poor pony! I just noticed something, though, about the second picture. It has a date on it that looks like it says "07/04".<br /><br />That would kinda make the "pony" a little more than "2.5-3 years", don't you think?"<br /><br />FHOTD in: Well, assuming they are better with digital cameras than they are with foals...<br /><br />"Poor little dolly! A few groceries and she might make a decent 4H project.When will people learn horses really aren't air ferns?"<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.angelacreshorsehavenrescue.com/truffles.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/truffles.jpg" /></span></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-16966958815783857232009-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:002009-07-31T18:04:37.323-07:00Heat Wave!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, here in the PNW, we are having the kind of weather we <em>never </em>have - namely temps in the 100s, humidity, etc. Since we never get this weather, almost no one has air conditioning at home and in general we're just not prepared for it. My laptop finally breathed its last, probably due in no small part to getting almost too hot to touch, and I had to get another computer which I haven't had time to set up yet and...blah, blah, whine, complain, anyway, back to normal soon. :-)</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since I can't think of anything else but the heat and how much I hate it, this is a good time to blog about how to help the horses deal in these kind of temps. Winter's easy - you can add blankets for warmth and get them out of the wind and wet and stuff hay to them to keep their calories up, but what can you do when it's miserably hot to help your horses come through the weather with flying colors?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The first is obvious: WATER! After all these years, I'm still amazed at how often I walk into someone's barn - nice barns, even - show barns, barns that show on a national level - and on a hot day I can find an empty bucket or a horse turned out in a paddock or arena with no water source at all. It's never okay. It's not okay at <em>all</em>. If you use your arena or round pen for turnout, drag a muck bucket out there and fill it up. If you aren't home to water several times a day, hang two or three buckets in your horse's stall or use a muck bucket. Got a bucket tipper? Find a solution - there are various kinds of braces that will outwit a horse's best efforts to throw his bucket and the water inside to the ground. Making sure there is plentiful, clean water in front of your horse 24/7 is the most important thing you can do to avoid a four-figure vet bill and possibly a dead horse. It is so easy that I'm continually stunned when people fail to do it. What, do you people <em>like </em>having $5,000 colic bills? </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/buffy72709.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 406px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 406px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/buffy72709.jpg" /></a>A cool shower feels as good to your horse on a hot day as it does to you! If you are home to do it, take the 15 minutes to walk outside and give your horse a cool shower with the hose. To scrape or not to scrape? In extreme heat, scrape - otherwise you just wind up with hot water sitting on the horse. Scrape it off for the best cooling. No time for a full bath? A soaked sponge behind the ears, between the front legs and between the butt cheeks will do a lot to cool a hot horse. This can be done to tacked horses mid-ride -- we used to do it all the time to the polo ponies in-between chukkers on hot days.</span> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(Pic is my Crabby Old Bat mare enjoying a shower loose in the pasture! She is the second horse I've owned smart enough to come to the fence for baths on hot days and even turn herself around to make sure I get both sides.)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Electrolytes are a good addition to your horse's water when the temps rise, and making sure that a horse always has a salt block accessible helps encourage drinking. Here is a </span><a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1603"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">good page</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that explains why electrolytes and salt are so important for your horse.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">If your only shade is in the barn, it may be better to keep the horses in during the day and turn out overnight. If you are keeping your horses stalled, fans are a great idea but as with anything electrical in the barn, be absolutely certain cords are in great condition and that there is <em>no way on earth </em>a horse can reach the cord to chew on it. If they can, they will, and barnfulls of horses have been lost to fire in exactly this way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have seen various <a href="http://www.infohorse.com/ShowAd.asp?id=2136">misting systems </a>for sale and they <em>sound </em>like a good idea but I haven't used one myself or been in a barn that had one. Have you? Do they work? Are you happy with a particular kind?</span></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">How can you tell if a horse is dehydrated? The old-fashioned pinch test is a good place to start. Pinch the skin on the horse's neck. If it takes longer than a second to snap back, your horse may need more fluids. If a horse is refusing to drink enough on his own, try feeding a mash like hay pellets with enough water to turn them into an oatmeal-like consistency. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Another test for dehydration is capillary refill - press your finger into the horse's gums above his teeth. The spot will turn white but in a normal, healthy horse, it goes back to pink within about three seconds. If your horse takes a lot longer, he may be suffering from dehydration. </span></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Ever notice a horse who simply does not seem to sweat? This is called <a href="http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=111">anhydrosis</a> and can be a very dangerous condition in a hot climate. Basically - their built in a/c is broken. They can't sweat to cool themselves so they are entirely dependent on you to cool them in extreme temps. Sometimes horses suffer from it temporarily and other times the condition is chronic. In either event, if your horse has this problem, it's even more important to provide shade, regular cool baths and monitor for dehydration. </span></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Horses, like humans, can get heatstroke and the symptoms are similar. Stumbling and breathing hard are two symptoms to watch for. Here's a </span><a href="http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=161"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">good p</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">age that discusses heatstroke and what to do if you suspect it. You really have to know your horse. The nature of the show season is that we're all going to show in some pretty extreme heat. Some horses can hack it - some can't. As the article notes, fitness is very important to help your horse manage competition in high temps, so that will help, but like humans, some horses are simply more heat sensitive. If you start to see signs of distress, it's time to quit for the day, untack and get the cool bath going to cool your horse. I have seen horses go down - that's a sign you <em>weren't</em> paying attention. It should never go that far. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The horse isn't the only one who has to worry in high temps. Back in my childhood days of the ever-wonderful black velvet hunt cap, which soaked up the sun like a sponge, I did pass out off of a horse once in the heat. If you're riding, or teaching a rider, watch for signs that the heat is getting to be too much. Dizziness, nausea, and headache are some signs that it is time to get off and get a drink and a splash of cool water on your face. Set your water bottle where you can get to it and keep on drinking during your rides!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Trailering in high temps - remember, that's an aluminum box your horse is in. Haul if you must but no, it's not ok to park in the sun and go in and have a leisurely lunch with horses loaded. I just saw someone doing that the other day when it was over 100! Find some shade to park in and hang buckets for a drink and open your windows, or eat on the run. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Finally, always remember <em>you</em> are the one with the high IQ here. It's up to you to make good choices for your horse, like riding in the early morning or late evening to avoid the worst temps, doing low-impact stuff like a trail ride with a swim in the river on that 100 degree day, and maybe even having to say, ok, it's just too hot, I'm going to skip some classes and maybe I won't win <em>every </em>year-end but my horse will love me! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Got other good tips for beating the heat? I'd love to hear them. Comments will go up later tonight for today and Tuesday when I can stand to be online at home! Send your <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">comments</a>. Regular comments really should be back by Friday. I am just not getting enough done in the heat. I'm a huge wimp about it...I type for 10 minutes and go, omg, can't stand it, sticky, hot, hate it, want another shower or to go to Starbucks! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">P.S. And thanks for the birthday wishes, those of you who remembered! Can you wish me some cooler weather? That'd be great. ;-)</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">P.P.S. Oh, and a friend of mine adopted Bonnie Weather, it turns out! So I will definitely have updates for those of you in love with her. </span></div><div><br /><br /><center><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">COMMENTS</span></center><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I managed to keep mine cool by putting a box fan in her stall: took the plastic guard off and put some screen over the fan before putting the plastic guard back on because if it's possible for an ear to get in between the plastic she'd be the horse to have it happen. I also chased her around with the hose a few times before she realized it felt good. She spent the next couple of days nickering to me every couple of hours for another shower. She tends to not drink enough water when it's hot and already gets mash twice a day so I put frozen apple juice cubes in her water buckets. It not only had the added benefit of keeping her water cool & tasty, but also provided me with entertainment watching her catch the cubes and play with them in her mouth. She gets really proud of herself when she gets one!"<br /><br />"Since I don't like Gatorade (sugar) and Fake Gatorade recipes (Google them) contain potassium chloride which I am VERY sensitive to, I've found that apple juice (cut with water so it's not so sweet and doesn't make make me thirstier), V-8 or other juice containing potassium will make riding in the heat possible. The body has to replace more than just water; we need electrolytes, too.<br /><br />The "enhanced waters" like Dasani and one of the Sam's Club brands contain KCl. Can't do those.<br /><br />The biggest thing for me is filling up with WATER and then having to go to the bathroom all the time. And WATER isn't the only thing riders need. We need electrolytes, too, hence the "enhanced water" thing.<br /><br />I've found EmergenC, which fizzes in 8 oz. of water and doesn't fill me up. It comes in a bunch of flavors and works even in warm water. There is also a "lite" version. If anyone is diabetic, EmergenC is still do-able--there are only 7 or 8 carbs per packet. I know a gal who is a brittle diabetic and wears an insulin pump. She drinks EmergenC.<br /><br />I find 8 oz. of EmergenC just before I get on for my lesson or my class keeps me hydrated for the 45 minute lesson and certainly for the warmup and 4 minute class ;o)<br /><br />Bananas are also good for potassium, but in the hot weather they have to be BARELY ripe for me to eat them. Any brown dots on the skin (which would not normally be a problem) make them inedible in the heat.<br /><br />When I'm finished riding (or just before I start), especially if it's humid out, I mist myself with a pressurezed bottle I bought at WalMart--you pump it up, then turn the knob and a fine mist comes out the end of the tube. The pressure being released sounds like a mosquito and my horse can't figure out where that "insect" is, but once he gets distracted by the mist--and realizes how NICE it feels--he doesn't care about the "skeeter."<br /><br />We both enjoy that.<br /><br />Wet rags are good, too. I soak a bandanna and put it around my neck or under my helmet (when I'm trail riding).<br /><br />I used to live outside Portland and I can remember when it would reach 90 degrees some summers and just be MISERABLE. I feel for you guys."<br /><br />"Here in (crazy hot) Eastern Oregon we have fine spray pop-up turf irrigation heads mounted on upright pipes that go along the fenceline in our feeding area. It's on a timer to go off during feed times. It makes hay have a little moisture content, cuts down on dust, and forces the one's that would rather not get a shower to cool off cause they won't leave the feed. It works great, and I especialy like the dust control- the heads don't use too much water, and cover everything evenly. -Carrie "<br /><br />"Here in Houston, in the middle of summer (which is mid April to Mid October) we hose and scrape the horses before tacking and sometimes before tacking, after tacking and before getting on, then half way through the lesson.<br />We have big muck buckets of water in the corner of the arena for the horses to drink from.<br />Our barn has automatic waterers, so no worries about no water in the stall, or bucket dumpers. Paddocks have large water troughs, filled at least once a day.<br /><br />Love the blog,<br />Lisa"<br /><br />"When you go to rinse the horse off for the first time, start at the legs and work up. This will allow the horse to get used to the temperature and not be shocked. Also, with the electrolytes I would offer them in another bucket of water so that if they make the water taste funny to the horse he will have another bucket without the electrolytes in them to drink from. "<br /><br />"Great topic! As the self-proclaimed "Water Nazi", I am very graphic in impressing on barn help the importance of making sure the water NEVER runs out. Although it's not a good idea, horses and humans can go for days without food if necessary...in my case would probably be beneficial. On the other hand, lack of water can become deadly in less than 12 hours given depending on the heat stress index, activity, etc. Make sure your barn help knows that the horses could die a horrible death and that you will hold them personally responsible if it happens. Also, if you're away, ask trusted friends or boarders to help keep an eye on things for you. Provide contact numbers to make it easier for them to reach you. Your barn help will be less tempted to skip filling the troughs if they know somebody is watching."<br /><br />"These are mostly for the humans.<br /><br />1. 50% water, 50% gatorade on really hot days. And yes, in a pinch, you can give a horse gatorade, if equine electrolytes are not available. A 50/50 mix is better than either alone.<br />2. For the rider...the Vitamin-C electrolytes packets are also very good.<br />3. If you need to get your core temperature down quickly, an ice pack as close to over your heart as you can can be very effective. Eating ice is also good.<br />4. Wear a hat (when not riding). Ideally a white or straw one.<br />5. For the horse, I have seen a lukewarm bran mash with salt added help a horse recover from a case of heat exhaustion. Sounds strange, but it *did* work...the animal was visibly happier very quickly. He was also moved into the shade.<br /><br />And don't forget your *other* animals. On a hot day, the barn cat and dog will enjoy sucking on ice too (make sure the pieces are appropriately sized for cats and smaller dogs).<br /><br />Oh. Do NOT drink coffee or soda when outside in the heatwave. Just don't. Both of these things can make you *more* dehydrated. - Jennifer"<br /><br />" live in Sunny Palm springs and my entire 12 year horse career has been in this area so I'd like to think I have my fair share of experience when it comes to horses and the heat.<br /><br /><br />The biggest thing I can think of is don't work or ride when its too hot out. During the summer months many people opt for the early AM or evening rides. If you are at a facility that has lights the PM is the most convent however it is never as cool as the early morning. If you must work or your horses must work those are the best time to do so. If you can't manage the AM and there are no lights you can ride/work during the day.<br /><br /><br />Water is your friend in more ways then 1. My old trainer suggest this to me, and I've never had a problem since I made this my day-time riding routine.<br /><br /><br />If you have to do stuff in the middle of the day first make sure you are well hydrated, keep lots and lots of water around and drink frequently. Ice cold water tastes good but simply cool water is better for you and your system. So no ice water, cold tap water or the cool water that comes out of the hose is about perfect. Hose your horse off before you put them to work, a good shower then a quick scrape will keep them cool while you tack up and the saddle pad will help hold some moisture so there is a continued cooling effect. Keep the sessions short but effective, and hose again after you are done. I also like to keep a feed bucket with water handy so I can at least offer water after a work session not all horses will take it but if they do they prob need it.<br /><br /><br />Some horses drop weight in our summer much the way they can drop weight in your area during the winder. People need to be mindful of the fact that sweat and trying to keep cool burns energy much the way trying to keep warm does. Thoroughbreds and other typical "hard keepers" are more prone to this, but it might be a good idea to give a hard keeper the hot months off or up the feed in advance to prepare.<br /><br /><br />If I think of any more I'll send them on as well."<br /><br />"Yes, I have seen a misting system in action and have seen the difference.<br /><br />My stallion is in training at </span><a href="http://www.nelsontrainingcenter.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Nelson Training Center</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and they have one of the HUGE barn aisle fans and a misting system. The fan alone cools it down a bit, but mostly just circulates that hot Texas air.<br />Turn the misting system on, however and the temp in the barn drops about 10 degrees! It’s nice. The horses love it. It does make a difference in the ‘climate’ so to speak of the barn. Theirs was a simple do it your self model. Ran PVC pipe from the faucet to the other end of barn down the middle of the aisle. Every so many feet there is a spray ‘head’ on the pipe. The end opposite the faucet is plugged/capped. It works well enough! :-) Just wanted to Share."<br /><br />"Add water to the feed. Digesting food draws water out of the gut - see if the horse will eat the grain dampened or slushy. We always do this with the endurance horses. You just need remove the food before it goes off by fermenting - this can happen in a few hours in hot weather.<br /><br />Some people add electrolyte to the water but you better be very sure that the horse will drink it. Better to dose with a mouth syringe rather than put salt in the only water and risk the horse deciding not to drink at all. This can also be a problem with the feed so I generally give electrolytes in apple sauce by mouth syringe if I need to be sure that the horse gets the electrolyte and if he needs the feed.<br /><br />If the horse has a salt crust on their back - esp visible with dark horses - they probably could do with some electrolyte. I have seen this even with horses just standing in a field when it is very hot. Salt licks are ok but the horse may not eat enough of them to get what they need.<br /><br />Also carrots and watermelon are good idea anytime of the year but a nice half watermelon seems to be very appreciated when it's really hot out."<br /><br />"I live in Southern Oregon where temps have been well over 100 deg. this week. I have seen those misting systems before, but they are so expensive!<br /><br />So, I just decided to build my own. Cost me less than $15 and took maybe 30 minutes to put up. I used:<br />- 20' of 1/2" drip irrigation tubing<br />- one "L" fitting for the 1/2" tubing<br />- one 1/2" tubing to female hose thread fitting<br />- one package of five 0.4 gph foggers<br />- one package of five 1/2" tubing clamps that come with nails to mount to wood<br />- one 1/2" drip tubing end-clamp.<br /><br />I should clarify that I already had the 1/2" drip tubing, the "L" fitting, and the end-clamp, but I purchased the rest. You could probably buy all of the supplies for under $30. Drip irrigation stuff is available at Lowe's, Home Depot, Coastal, Farmer's Co-op, etc. Personally, I use the .710 OD tubing and fittings which is carried by my local Co-op and Home Depot. Lowe's carries a tad bit smaller OD (outside diameter).<br /><br />First, I measured out a 20' section of drip tubing, then I put the end-clamp on one end. Starting at the clamped end, I mounted the tubing to the eave of my chicken coop using the clamps with nails. This is where the water troughs are and it's also in the shade of an oak tree most of the day. The horses like to stand there a lot. When I got to the other end of the eave (the coop is 10' long), I cut the tubing with scissors and installed the "L" fitting. Then I inserted the end of the remaining piece of tubing into the other end of the "L" fitting to run down to the ground. I used the remaining clamps to fasten this section of tubing to the side of the coop. At the end of the tubing, closest to the ground, I installed the fitting that attaches to the hose.<br /><br />I attach the hose in the morning after filling the water troughs, and turn the faucet on about 1/2 a turn and leave for work.<br /><br />Works like a charm! And ALL the animals benefit from it. The chickens love it, and the dogs enjoy it too. I wish I had a larger eave to mount it on so that the horses could actually get UNDER it if they wanted to, but it's better than nothing and gives me some piece of mind when I'm gone all day.<br /><br />Stay cool!"<br /><br />"We get the problem of heat wave every year here in Arizona. During July and August temperatures get up to 115 with 40% humidity at midday. You can feel the heat as you step outside your door. Car air conditioners work fifty times as hard as they typically do. We do a few things about it, however, most of the horses in our barn have been living in this weather for a while and seem a bit climatized to it. Cold weather bothers them more than other horses when we go up north. This could be just that they've lived here all their lives, or it could be that most of the horses are Arabian or part Arabian.<br /><br />During the summer we turn out at night. This helps a lot, especially since you can't guarentee your horse is going to stand under the shade you provided him. We have fans in the barn that are on whenever the horses are in their stalls (the wiring of the fans is all run through the ceiling). We only ride from 6pm at night to 7am in the morning. Midnight rides are a fun change and also help keep your horse cooler. In the summer we also tend to ride bareback most of the time. This helps keep them a little cooler than having to deal with the weight of a saddle and saddlepad. After every ride the horses are rinsed off and wiped so they stay cool.<br /><br />We have to beat the heat these days, especially in Arizona."<br /><br />"When I lived in the Texoma area (Lawton Oklahoma and Wichita Falls TX). We used to hang box fans in the stalls. Most of the horses emjoyed it so much that they would not leave the stall during the day if given the choice. They got turned out at night on days like that and actually seemed to prefer being out at night. We drove b a farm near Olympia that has a gorgeous friesian stud, he had one shade tree and water, but even with the tree and water - he was blowing really hard in Wednesdays heat. I was tempted to get out and tell them to put him up with a fan in his stall. - Jenny"<br /><br />"My friend installed a misting system in her barn and hated it! The barn was dripping wet all day. Everything was wet."<br /><br />"I irrigated my pastures, so a few times a day, I turn them on, my horses get soaked and roll in the dirt. It makes them happy.<br /><br />love misters. Keep them off of concrete though for obvious reason. They work great with pelleted bedding. I myself do not sweat, so heat is particularly harsh for me. The misters easily drop the temp down 10+ degrees!<br /><br />Horses drink more from running water then from still water, so when we have a heat wave, I leave the hose in the trough and leave it on. They also drink more from cooler water, so that helps. I empty and clean my water trough every morning, normally this is done before 8am, by noon the water is already close to 90 degree, and its in the shade! I should put a pool temp in the trough just to be accurate.<br /><br />Make shade for pastures can be done cheaply if you do not need it to last forever. will not survive a hurricane, and likely wouldn't hold snow. But you take 4 wood post, (12ft long I think) we used 6in thick and I dont think they were more then 20.00 a piece, put them in the ground, we did concrete ours in, and put eye bolts on the top, get a tarp/canopy, and attach with bungee cords (you need the give or a breeze will tear the tarps). Makes quick and easy pasture shelter, the poles are sturdy, so we just replace the tarp when it tears (lasted over a year so far) , and if you do this in a smaller fenced off area (we call them sacrifice areas, because of our sandy soil, and high land prices, its how some of us keep grass pastures), you could easily add irrigation, or just get a hose nozzle, hang on fence, and put it on the mister setting.<br /><br />Big ass (the company or other like manufactures) industrial fans are great too. Exhaust fans are beneficial inside a barn as well, but these are more beneficial for states who need relief from heat for long periods.<br /><br />good luck with the heat wave, I feel for ya really!!!"<br /><br />"I worked in a zoo in SE Texas. One summer we had 20 or so days of 100+ temps. For many of the animals I zip-tied soaker/mister hoses to the top rail of the fences and ran the water several times a day. It made a nice misting area and wallow for the large animals. I’ve also used the timer devices on the faucets but didn’t really like them-they tended to leak at the faucet.<br /><br /><br /><br />Jackie"<br /><br />"We have a few of our own and a few of our friend's for a total of 6 very hot miserable horses in a decidedly non-shady field here in Northwest, WA. We were splashing around in the kiddie pool yesterday and I was feeling guilty watching my poor horses and wondering just what to do to cool them off. So my hubby and I got into the million degree truck and headed to the farm store where we dropped $100 on a big sprinkler and a couple of long hoses. We set the sprinkler (one of those 3 legged farm-type sprinklers) out in the front paddock where it would wet down one of the only areas with shade and the entire area around the water trough.<br /><br /><br />The one little arab out there was the only horse smart enough to actually stand very, very close to the water (but not quite close enough to really get wet ;). I'm sure it was kinda like a misting system for him. Since the others wouldn't go near it (therefore couldn't get to the water) we only left it on long enough to wet the area down pretty well. It made a huge difference in the temperature in that area!<br /><br /><br />Also, we leave the hose in the trough on a very slow drip (secured with zip ties) so even with six horses it never gets low, is always fresh, and stays nice and cool. We have the setting down to a fine science... Just enough to keep it at the top!<br /><br /><br />Stay cool!<br /><br /><br />Val"<br /><br />"My favorite thing is blocks of ice. I make them out of plastic milk jugs by cutting the top off. I then place them in the water troughs and in buckets hung off the fences. I have several horses that like to bob for ice in the troughs and chew on the ones in the buckets. For the ones that don't play with the ice, it at least keeps their water cool.<br />ResuGirl"<br /><br />"we attach the hose and sprinkler to a fence post and the horses can go into it when ever they want. some will stand in it all day"<br /><br />"Since I've moved to FL from CA, my horses have not handled the extreme humidity and swings in barametric pressure well. It's taken me 2 summers, and this the 3rd that I've finally got it figured out and under control. I use a probitotic supplement and strive to keep them cool. For this I have supplied run in shade, high powered fan and misters. I bought them from Target, a long narrow hose with a mister about every 2'. It is 20' long and nailed to the fence where they stand the most. I turn it on in the morning and off at night. They do indeed stand in front of it and I have noticed much less dried sweat on them at the end of the day and no more "liquid poop."<br /><br />-Spotted T Apps"<br /><br />"I hear a good trick for a horse that won't drink for whatever reason is to put a couple of apples in their water bucket. They then "bob for apples" and end up swallowing a fair amount of water at the same time."<br /><br /><br />"Ahhh, summer in Tucson . The armpit of hell. We have a misting system hooked up in our stalls – so our horses and donkey have the choice of coming in out of the heat and into the shade or cruising out in the corral. The mister helps keep the temp down by the stalls (corregated roofs - - great heat conductors). One of our older geldings has Cushing’s and pants when the temp gets above 90 combined with “monsoon” season humidity. For him, we put a muck bucket full of water in the stall, with two fans outside the stall - - one pointed at his face/neck, the other pointed at his chest/body – and when he’s not out cruising the paddock, he’s standing in front of the bucket and fans where he likes to dunk his nose to keep cool. And, of course, like you suggested, we hose him down regularly when we’re home. We’ve been going through this routine with him for almost five years. My main bitch with horse owners, though, is NOT PROVIDING SHADE for their horses. Puh-leeze! Give them a fricking choice, people! If they want to stand in the blazing sun or in the shade, it’s their choice. But they should have that choice. - Stacey"<br /><br />"Automatic stock tank fillers!! I can’t say enough about how great they are- especially if your water trough is small and you have to refill 2 or more times a day. I keep at minimum 2 tanks accessible to my horses with automatic float valves (which cost a whopping $12 each from Jeffers or Tractor Supply). But it’s important to still do a tank check daily to make sure the valve hasn’t malfunctioned- they can stop filling or keep running and pour water all over if something goes wrong. You also have to periodically (around 1x a week works for me in the Georgia heat) empty them and rinse and refill, which the float valve makes easy, too. They can be installed on virtually any style or size bucket, trough, or tank, in about 2 minutes. Just attach a garden hose, clamp them on, and turn on the water.<br /><br /><br /><br />You can use them in stalls too, they don’t have to be hard piped, but even if you do hard pipe them, pvc pipe and parts are CHEAP and it’s easy to do, you don’t have to be a professional plumber to use a hacksaw and some PVC glue. They are cheaper than the buckets with built-in float valves. I run a hose in, install the valve in a flat-back bucket, and hang it as usual, and the bucket stays full.<br /><br /><br /><br />I even use one in a small flat-back bucket for my chickens!<br /><br /><br /><br />Another tip for trailering in the heat- I keep a clean garden sprayer (never used for anything but horses!) full of water, and if I get stuck in traffic I go back and mist the horses periodically to help them stay cool. Sponging from a cooler of ice water can help, too.<br /><br /><br /><br />One last tip- one of the most effective places to cool the horse is along the jugular veins on the underside of the neck- wetting there and then fanning helps with rapid cooling- it’s a technique I and other distance riders who regularly ride in 90+ degree heat use all the time.<br /><br /><br /><br />Those of us who live in the south and ride competitive distance, we learn to cope. I recently (last month) finished a 40 mile ride in 90+ degree heat and high humidity in Alabama, with absolutely normal hydration throughout and at the end according to the vet judge- careful use of electrolytes is key for hot weather competition or even just exercise and schooling."<br /><br />"I’m in Texas – terribly hot and humid summers! The horses love “ice-treats”. Put peppermints, sliced fruit – apples, watermelon, peaches, etc, in a bowl of water and freeze. After it hardens, dump it into feed bucket in the shade and let them lick the ice to get to the treats. That’s a good time to get the hose out and give them a quick squirt, too.<br /><br />Love the blog! - Lee"<br /><br />"I have lived the vast majority of my life in Florida, so I am quite used to dealing with ridiculous heat, and what makes it worse is ridiculous humidity. In the high summers, we always barn our horses during the day, and everyone's stall has a fan in it, as well as the barn aisle. We water them two or three times a day, except for one of my barns that had automatic waterers. We always keep rides, even just hacks, to before 11 or after 4, which is fine because the sun stays up till 9 with enough light to ride by. Our arenas, unfortunately, are not shaded, but the trainer had this wonderful sprinkler system installed. It was originally to keep dust down during the heat since there is little to rain for months at a time and the dust would get out of control. But we riders have found it a wonderful thing to turn on during rides and get splashed by nice cool water throughout the ride, and the horses have learned to aim for the sprinklers. We always have huge water bottles on the fence posts to the arena and we drink copious amounts throughout our lessons. We have a couple horses that have chronic anhydrosis, and we have to watch them very carefully. They are never worked very hard in the summer, maybe only for beginner lessons at walk/trot, and we use the partial bath to cool them before and during the rides, and then hose them off completely after every ride. We also hay at noon in the summer when we don't in the winter.<br /><br />It really is just common sense for what to do in the heat. What feels good to a person (water, cool air, cool showers, etc) would likely feel really good to a horse. If you are too hot to work, your horse is too hot to work."<br /><br />"I haven't used the barn misters but the garden misters hooked along the top of the fence work great and the horses love it. I have also left a lawn sprinkler going that was set outside the pasture but aimed into the pasture. The horses here have a wading pool that is in the shade and they splash in it often.<br />Also, I wet down the barn roof and let the water run off for a couple of minutes and it helps cool the inside of the barn. 2 liter pop bottles or milk jugs filled 3/4 with water, frozen, and put in the water tank will cool the water down enough they will drink it.<br />We always have to deal with the heat and humidity in the summer and just went through a major heat wave here.<br />Best of luck, I know how miserable it is.<br />Mary"<br /><br />"I have 6 horses and they are various breeds including 4 friesians who get very hot in the Tehama cty. Valley of Ca.<br />So, I have a sprinkler going full blast from 11 am until about 5 pm and they take turns standing with their butts into it or laying down near it on the cooler dirt.<br />Even the 09' foals have learned to enjoy the water- a terrific way to introduce them to baths and water.<br />I keep it just outside the fence so my stud does not lay on it or try to steal it.<br />BTW he lives with 4 mares and a gelding burro."<br /><br />"Could you PLEASE say something about horses with no shade? I'm in AZ, it's hit 116 this week and my neighbor, for 3 yrs now has had no shade for his paint horse. I watch this poor thing hang his head next to a feeder to shade his face. Worse, right next to his pen is the shade itself, lying on the ground.<br /><br />We went over and offered to put it up the other day and he said no, his horse never uses it anyway and he's going to build a barn.... uh huh. Take him 3 yrs to put the beers down and get it done.<br /><br />Apparently in AZ it's not against the law to have no shade for your horses. It drives me batshit crazy to see this. Crazy.<br /><br />Also, when I trailer in this heat, I hose each horse before they go in. "<br /><br />"Just want to reiterate the part about SCRAPING a horse after hosing or sponging with water. It needs restating because it is a bit counter-intuitive. I mean, it’s easy to think that it would be kind to leave the horse wet with that nice water you just put on him. Why take it off? Well, it was cool when you put it ON the horse, but very quickly it will become the horse’s body temperature. So now your horse is basically in a bowl of 100 degree water. And any breeze that might feel wonderful on a damp body doesn’t stand a chance against a horse in hot water! Horses have had heatstroke from being bathed without scraping -- it would be better to leave the horse to his own devices, i.e. sweating. - JoZ"<br /><br />"<br />Living in Australia it gets very very hot in Summer, even in winter it can get hot. Our horses cope with the heat very well, my horse sweats quite easily. It is winter now and it has been in the high teens low 20's. Celcius that is.<br /><br />At shows, there is rarely shade. A few sparse gum trees and that's it. So, we make our own shade. We set up a gazebo for us humans and a tarp for the horse, people give us funny looks but hey, it works. Because he's older, I'm very careful. We have competed in very hot weather, I have pulled out once because the heat was getting to him (and me). He looked a bit off and wasn't himself. So I hosed him down, tied him in the shade with his water bucket and gave him a lemonade ice block (he does actually suck on them but drools all over my hand). Four horses collapsed that day, none were fatal.<br /><br />On the issue of water, all of our horses have access to water 24/7."<br /><br />"OMG this is insane. I am in Richmond BC and it's TOO HOT. I refuse to ride my poor old mare but she's been enjoying walks to the river so she can go for a swim and boy does she love it. I also noticed she wasn't drinking a ton so I put cold apple juice in her water and that inspired her to take a nice big drink. - Mia"<br /><br />"I have a old wood barn (30+ years) that can get very hot. I have four stalls but my horses are not kept in their stalls (except to eat their grain) they can come and go into the pasture. I have fans in each stall and the breezeway. I have misters on each end of the barn doors (very top) the fans circulate the mist and it can stay 10-15 degrees cooler. I live in the mountains above Sacramento and we do get in the high 90's and sometimes low 100's. I LOVE my misters and the horses love to stand under them. I also use muck buckets for water inside and troughs outside the barn plus far end of the pasture I have water troughs so they always have plenty of water no matter where they are. I have one that loves to stand with his front legs in the low water trough, it has to be cleaned daily but he sure has clean front hooves. - Lorrie"<br /><br />"There are the collars you can buy that have the crystals you soak in cool water and you wear them around your neck - reduces heat by about 3-6deg.<br /><br />My mum made me a bunch when we deployed to the Arabian Gulf and then made up some that attached from the crownpiece around the throatlatch. By soaking in cool water before tacking up, we found horses were coming back from trailrides (here in Australia where the heat is no joke!!) in far better shape and you don't have the galvanic skin response to being hit with a burst of cold water. - Amanda"<br /><br />"We carry spray bottles of rubbing alcohol and spray our horses regularly in the heat. It feels great on humans too! It doesnt sit on the body and get hotter, like water does, it evaporates in the skin and cools them right down. Happy Belated Birthday! Donna in Va Beach, Va"<br /><br />"Up here in Toronto we have had too much rain ! When it is too hot though, I agree that most forget the essential ingredient to a happy horse . Don't go home with no water in the through ! How would you like to be thirsty and not be able to have a drink ? Try it ! It amazes me that a person loves horses, so they say and forgets the most important thing " Water "."<br /><br />"it's easy to rig up a hose as a mister. we use a cheap sprayer and adjust to a nice mist. tie the hose to a fence post (from the outside so they can't play with it) in the shade. it's amazing the difference in temperature when you walk under it. the horses will stand there for hours on a hot day. and sometimes i join them. my vet loves the idea and is setting up her own this year."<br /><br />"I live in Florida , land of the high heat and humidity. Only we get three to four months of it a year. I would suggest putting out free choice LOOSE white salt for the horses. They don’t have rough tongues and have a hard time getting enough salt off the blocks. Also, make sure it’s white salt and not a mineral salt. They will eat it until their need for sodium is quenched, and may take in too many of the other minerals in the mineral blocks.<br /><br /><br /><br />Personally, we make sure the horses have access to shade and water, and lots of it. We have floats on the water troughs so they don’t get low, and they are checked daily. They can get down into the trees for shade. If you don’t have a shady area, putting them in the barn with fans is a good idea, providing your barn is well ventilated. We hose the sweat off them every afternoon, and we make sure to ride either early in the morning, or after 7 pm.<br /><br /><br /><br />Don’t feed grain in the hot part of the day. If you must feed a grain meal, do it when it starts to cool down a little bit. If you are worried about water intake, you can feed beet pulp well soaked, or if your horse doesn’t like beet pulp, you can soak alfalfa or timothy cubes and feed those all wet and mushy. You can also wet down the hay, but make sure you only wet down enough that they will eat it within an hour or two, or the hay will sour. - Juli"<br /><br />"I "have" some oldies (well, they're my boss's, and I'm the only one out at the barn during the day), and I have found automatic waterers (Nelson) to be a godsend!<br />I have thought about big misting fans for the pasture, but being on well water in the middle of a drought really took care of that decision.<br />Also, the horses spend most of their time in the shady barn during the day (free access to stalls and large pasture during the day), and you really don't want water to be spraying around inside a wooden barn with rubber mats and shavings.<br /><br />A barn I volunteer at has an overhead arena watering system, and if a horse or pony looks to be having a rough day with the heat, I turn on a section of the watering system and walk them around in it. It cools me off, too!<br /><br />~RandomBucknellian"<br /><br />"I have automatic waterers in the barn, but three of my horses use muck tub for water. I buy the party block of ice and put one in each tub. It helps to keep the water cool, but I need one every day. SALT BLOCK is very important, as you stated. For horses that won't drink electrolite water, we barrel racers top dress their grain with it. A sprinkle or two of apple cider vinegar will mask the taste. ALL my horses love the apple cider vinegar, and raw vinegar from the health food store has health benefits.<br /><br />As for the misters, I have an open sided barn. There is enough of a breeze throughout the day that I don't need a fan. You can get the stuff to set one up WAY cheaper at home depot.(We are actually looking into making our own this weekend.<br /><br />The dark horses have access to shade. The white/grey horse has to suffer. I set the timer for the sprinklers to come on in the afternoon for a few minute's relief. I can't be home to squeegie. ALL the horses (except the ditzy two yr old) go out of their way to stand in the spray. A fly sheet, sprayed down with water, is also a great way to cool them. (Sort of like putting on a wet t-shirt) - KarenV"<br /><br />FHOTD in: Bet that works well to motivate the hubby to come help you with the horses... ;-)<br /><br />"We've been going through a heatwave over here recently (Scotland) and our fell pony has struggled in the heat. Due to a situation beyond our control we had to have her out during the day in the sun. We bought her a white fly sheet, the lightweight mesh kind. She seemed to cool off whilst wearing the rug, and was much more comfortable than she was out with just her black coat. The only warm patch was around her shoulders were the anti-rub lining was, and even that was just warm and not sweaty. A lot of the people on our yard with dark coloured horses then tried the same idea with good results.<br /><br />Also braiding up the thick fell mane made a difference to her as well, but thats only a real problem with very thick native pony manes.<br /><br />Hope this is of use to someone."<br /><br />"I am a fair, fair, FAIR girl of Irish descent, and the heat does not agree with me at all. I've been known to pass out when indulging in exercise (like, say, WALKING) when it is very warm out. So riding in the summertime with a nice hot horse, long pants, leather boots and half chaps, a jump vest, and my hunt cap can sometimes be quite a challenge.<br /><br />Here is my NUMBER ONE piece of advice for keeping riders cool: use something like a Coolmedics product. You soak these in water and they really, truly, absolutely keep you cooler. I love the helmet liner:<br /><br />http://www.coolmedics.com/products.php?product=Youth-Cooling-Cap-%252d-1320<br /><br />It really works. My eventing instructor has the vest and he swears by it in hot weather. I don't have the neck one, but I got one of these from REI and it works on a similar (excellent) principle:<br /><br />http://www.rei.com/product/691097<br /><br />They are amazing. I've been taking polo lessons out in Lake View Terrace recently and the Valley is H-O-T at 11am in August. My helmet liner combined with a lightweight high ventilation helmet have saved me.<br /><br />Tara"<br /><br />"If you EVER see a horse not sweating when the temperature says he should be, this is potentially the start of anhydrosis. You can head if off, but you have to be dedicated – hose the horse off. Then hose him off again. Then again. Before he gets all the way dry, hose him off again. This is not a one-time fix, but I have “cured” the condition a few times. Since this is often caused by humidity (high humidity + high heat + no wind means the horse’s natural cooling system – sweat – is not working, and is at risk of shutting down), a fan is important unless there is a breeze. I would suspect a mister would be a big help with this if you can’t be there to hose off every half hour or so all day.<br /><br />On scrape or not to scrape: depends on the wind. If there’s a steady breeze, no need to scrape – the breeze will do the cooling. If there’s no breeze, a fan is really needed.<br /><br />Tch tch – only two horses smart enough to “help” with the shower? You really should get more Arabians … :D"<br /><br />"I was never showed my horse, so when it was hot if I rode it was a short relaxed bareback ride & a bath. If it was just too hot for even a bareback ride, he got a bath.:-) And I went early in the morning if I was going to ride, or later evening hours. I didn't always shampoo him when it was hot. Sometimes it was just a plain old water bath, either way he always liked a bath on a hot day.<br /><br />He always had a shed or barn he could go in for shade, too. A couple places we boarded at had trees for shade that all the horses congregated under during a heat wave. - Littleraven7726"<br /><br />"My horses are turned out 24/7 and have plenty of shade available if they want to go there. They don't, though. They stand in the middle of the field, in the sun, eating, napping, hanging out. Silly creatures. I will give them a shower/bath tonight though, if only because it will feel good to ME!<br /><br />They are drinking almost twice as much water as usual in the heat, though--I've got FOUR muck-bucket-sized water buckets in the pasture right now (for two horses). All four will be down to half-full by the time I get home from work tonight.<br /><br />Stay cool. Maybe the weather will break soon. That'd be good...."<br /><br />"A friend of mine used to feed her horse cold watermelon all day when at shows during the summer. He wouldn't always drink water on his own, but he sure would love to devourer the watermelon!<br /><br />Once when my horse was dehydrated but still eating well I had a vet tell me to throw a hand full of salt on my horse's food to make her thirsty. I have sine used this trick the evening before or morning of long road trips. It seems to work.<br /><br />-paintarab"<br /><br />"I like keeping the horses inside during the day during extreme heat. Without a mister, I would water down the aisle and then put two large box fans out, one at either end, and it helps the cool air rise off the wet aisle floor. I could feel the coolness, so I think at least the horses could too, especially if allowed to put heads out in aisleway. Here in Montana, it's been really nice, sorry, the PNW is just not set up for those kinds of temps. - Janny"<br /><br />"For people: don't drink soda. It's dehydrating. Drink Gatorade or other sports drinks. I personally believe that Gatorade is better than water on hot days - the rule of thumb for bicycling is to drink one 20 oz bottle of Gatorade per hour when cycling. Probably not a bad idea for any sort of outside work with horses when it's hot.<br /><br />At least here in Ohio, hot weather means more aggravation from horse flies and other biting flying things, so always make sure the horses have fly spray - otherwise it's just more misery for them."<br /><br />" I use misters along with fans for my horse and it works WONDERS as long as it's not a stuffy barn with no airflow! Also, lots of fresh fruits and veggies. I have heard that feeding a lot of freshly cut fruit is helpful in replenishing fluids and electolytes (not sure HOW helpful, but he likes it so I do it). My horse's favorite is fresh cut pineapple, and he also likes orange segments and grapes. I ride in the heat every day, but my horse is extremely physically fit. What I absolutely hate to see is weekend riders with unfit pasture ponies who show up once or twice a month and decide to go on a 3 hour long trail ride, or decide their horse needs to be chased around the roundpen for a while, or that it's just the perfect day to find out if their horse has a knack for barrel racing. I've heard the excuse "well he lives outside, I'm sure he is fit from running around the pasture during the week." Yeah, I'm sure your horse gallops in twenty meter circles and runs barrel patterns for his own satisfaction. I hose my horse off daily to get the sweat off, always scrape him to prevent warm water from holding heat in, then cover in fly spray, and ALWAYS change out my own water buckets, whether the barn people are supposed to have done it or not. If I wouldn't drink it, I don't expect him to. - rollkursucks"<br /><br />"I live in Georgia where heat and humidity are almost synonymous. We regularly have temps over 100 with humidity levels near 100% in the summer months usually starting late May and lasting until mid to late September. It can sometimes feel as if you are drowning. It is simple for me – I don’t ride my horse when it is too hot…period. When the humidity is high the sweat doesn’t evaporate as well and doesn’t cool our bodies as efficiently. We hear the weather man talk about something called the heat index. It is similar to wind chill in the winter and factors in the ambient heat and humidity to come up with a “heat index” It is not unusual for an air temperature of 94 but a heat index of 100+ because of the humidity. I hose my horses down regularly in the summer heat. I too have a hose hog that has to be locked up while I hose everyone else because he will bully his way to the hose and he wants me to give HIM a shower. Like your horse he will stand there all day while I hose him on hot days without being tied up. Everyone else needs to be tied. I couldn’t imagine living here without A/C though. My horses are fortunate that their pasture is in a Pecan grove with plenty of shade trees. I have fans in the barn and I know some people who have misters in their loafing sheds outside. We can have such a potential for mold problems here I wouldn’t put misters in my barn though. Sometimes even early mornings are hot and humid and you can easily work up a sweat before 7:00 am just mucking the barn. I don’t ride much July and August. Outdoor horse shows are almost non existent and my trail club posts no rides. You will find horse shows in air conditioned facilities though. I live near the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agri-Center and they have installed Big Ass Fans (for real, the name of the company is Big Ass Fans http://www.bigassfans.com/ ) in all the barns and covered arenas. It can make a HUGE difference if you can just get the air moving about a bit. - PRS"<br /><br />"In the summer I try to feed at 7am and 7 or 8 pm (after the heat of the day). My Vet always says he wishes more of his customers would do this." - JstPam</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://shilohhorserescue.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=1263259"><img border="0" src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/bombay.jpg" /></a></p>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-2006402937067069872009-07-28T04:28:00.000-07:002009-07-28T07:05:00.246-07:00Feed 'em before you breed 'em!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We've talked about too skinny to breed with regard to mares, but I don't think I've ever addressed it with stallions. It's true that it can be challenging to keep the weight up on a stallion, particularly during breeding season. Even if they aren't breeding, they spend the spring months screaming the weight off - flirting with every mare they see, pacing and generally having massive anxiety at the fact they're being deprived of their biological need to mate. I had to literally double the hay on mine to make the ribs go away this year when he had to tolerate the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >shocking</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> fact that another stallion in the barn was breeding mares and he was not. ;-) </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqOitlkkXtwjDgzbOJgwXVUDdltLgDud12bYR_Ly-M-RbV9M5cS5ONUBm6VYzhnZ1tAIBmlv7veXNV7-QtM8Subn9gwiUe-yAvjzeVoS4B6fppZyN4pO9g4Y2IwDQbFPCFbd6kPf7DfgH/s1600-h/imimpressiveflower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqOitlkkXtwjDgzbOJgwXVUDdltLgDud12bYR_Ly-M-RbV9M5cS5ONUBm6VYzhnZ1tAIBmlv7veXNV7-QtM8Subn9gwiUe-yAvjzeVoS4B6fppZyN4pO9g4Y2IwDQbFPCFbd6kPf7DfgH/s320/imimpressiveflower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363495280767785426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But what is too skinny to breed? Well, when your former AQHA halter champion looks like this, it might </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >just </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">be time to get on top of the health/nutritional issues before you stand him at stud and take even more weight off him. Sheesh, people, at least </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >most </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">of you have the common sense to put up the horse's old show pictures and hope nobody actually visits your barn to see how crappy he looks today. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(That's like my little fantasy - take the major breed magazines and sneak around to all the farms and take candids and then compare to the professional pics on the blog - wonder how many people would be </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >really embarrassed</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> if the current weight/hoof care of their stallion was shown to the world? I'm just getting so damn tired of stories like yesterday, where someone has show horses that look great, and horses on the farm that look like crap.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So how </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >do</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> you keep their weight up? It's not very different from </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.horsereunions.com/weight.html">my usual tips about fattening up a senior horse</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. As already mentioned, go ahead and ramp up the forage! Many, many stallions truly do </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >need</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> free choice hay during the season, if not year round. It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive hay. Many do fine stuffing themselves full of grass hay, with just a small portion of alfalfa added in. It depends on the horse. Excellent pasture is always going to help but many people do not have a large grass pasture for their stallion. It's more common for a stallion to get his turnout in a dry lot/smaller paddock, so you have to make up for that by providing plenty of hay. If wasted hay all over drives you insane, you can see if your guy will eat a pelleted hay feed - that's a good way of stuffing him full of calories with pretty much zero waste, unless he's a picky eater who won't finish it. And of course pelleted mush is a great solution for any older stallion whose teeth aren't great even with good dental care. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As with any horse, pain will often prevent them from gaining and maintaining weight. Old racehorses or show horses with arthritis or similar problems may need joint injections and supplements even if you aren't riding them anymore. They may need them just to stay comfortable enough to exist. I rave all the time about </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.horse.com/B-L-Pellets-BWB16.html">BL pellets</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> as an excellent, low cost source of pain management for creaky older horses. Try it, it works!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.ker.com/library/EquineReview/2003/Nutrition/N16.pdf">another good article</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that gives specific feeding recommendations for your breeding stallion. One good point they make is that a stallion who is disinterested in feed may be encouraged by adding molasses or something else tasty to his ration. I've also used carrot shavings (use a potato peeler on carrots and lace the feed with carrot bits). You can also look for the source of the disinterest - if he's too busy flirting to eat, try to find him a place where he will not be distracted - far away from the mares, but not alone because he'll probably be upset about that too. Put him in a stall or paddock where the only scenery is boring geldings, and you may find that he regains his interest in food.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What if you have the opposite problem - an obese stallion? That's not healthy either, and here is a </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-health/2005/December/03/Watch-stallions-waistline.aspx">very good article</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> with recommendations about how to keep your stallion fit and not at risk for laminitis and other problems. I was absolutely </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >delighted </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to read that they actually still ride the stallions at Three Chimneys Farm regularly. Bet that makes them a lot easier to handle, too, doesn't it? It's amazing how much less drama you have when they don't JUST eat and breed. </span><br /><br /><hr style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/sports/26horse.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=ernie%20paragallo&st=cse">Update on Ernie Paragallo</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...yup, still starving horses! I can NOT believe this guy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Paragallo has asked the S.P.C.A. to find homes for another 27, mostly yearlings that have not been broken or trained. “</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I’m out of the racing business, so I don’t need them</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">,” Paragallo said. He indicated that he wanted to continue breeding. He said he bred 15 mares over the past few months at Center Brook."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">WTF!!!!! The SPCA is not a placement service for your culls! And if you're out of the racing business, WHY the FUCK are you still breeding?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This man needs to be BANNED from horse ownership. NOW. ALL HORSE OWNERSHIP!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What a </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >jerk</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. </span><br /><br /><hr style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Update on the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2009/06/tom-morgan-youre-fhotd-idiot-du-jour.html">Mongolian Race</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - the drama continues with both sides arguing their case!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On my side (the "are you f'ing nuts and just use quads or mopeds if you morons want to charge across the desert for kicks" side) is Linda Tellington-Jones. She sent </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://reachouttohorses.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/speak-out-for-the-horses-of-the-mongol-derby-an-appeal-from-linda-tellington-jones/">this letter</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> out to her mailing list yesterday. Follow the link - there are links in it for where you need to e-mail to continue to speak out against this event.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the other side are, of course, the organizers, who sent me </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://theadventurists.com/files/newsreleases/MD09_Mongol_Derby_Veterinary_Update.pdf">this defense</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> of their planned event:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pretty interesting stuff. Really, you think this company would just get half a clue that this wasn't helping their business and change the event. Why are they fighting so hard to do something that is just bringing them a ton of bad publicity and pissing off horsepeople around the globe? What's the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >point</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - other than arrogant twenty-something male "I can do whatever I want and animals are here to entertain ME" attitude?</span><br /><br /><hr style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ah, good old CBER. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/grd/1283455507.html">Grade CBER mare on Craigslist, in foal to draft stud.</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> This mare, CBER name Latte, was "rescued" in 2006. CBER sent her to a foster home in Nowheresville, Oregon where she ran out on barbed wire, got cut up and was wild as a March hare. Foster home got sick of her, so she got picked up - of course, not by CBER but as usual, by someone </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">else</i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> they suckered into making the ridiculous trip to get her - and did not pay! Then CBER passes her along to Wayne the horse dealer and now she's punching out grade foals that no doubt have careers as sandwiches ahead of them. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Awesome. The only good news is that CBER does indeed seem to have </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">finally</i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> lost its 501(c)(3). But we all know we haven't seen the last of $am. Watch for the next scam!</span><br /><br /><hr style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Things I don't want to </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >think</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> about much less pass along, but must...if you're in Florida, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.justnews.com/news/20196651/detail.html">you'd better read this</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Security camera systems are cheap - just saw one for $50 on sale - and so are motion sensor lights. It's not a bad idea to think about how to make your property less appealing to psychos no matter where you live. It's sad that we have to even worry about this stuff but we do.</span><br /><hr style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Good grief, they really did </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://lexington.craigslist.org/grd/1287662003.html">tie a mini stud to a barbed wire fence with twine</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. *sigh*</span><br /><br /><hr face="trebuchet ms"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Want to help with a little market research for a reader? Take this quick </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tlyH58_2foepZp_2fbCW85zdrQ_3d_3d">survey</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> about the perfect feed store!</span><br /><hr style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Major blog revamp is in progress - sandwiching it in with those pesky real jobs, ha ha! Hope to have the new version up by the end of the week. And yes, the comments shall return!</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the meantime, comments to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">e-mail</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> will be posted the next day.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/availablehorses_teddy.html"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/teddy2.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207507689303195972.post-29870238060129154542009-07-27T05:55:00.000-07:002009-07-28T07:03:27.787-07:00Big Names with Big Lawyers Behaving Badly<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuv7HLSQm3JM6Jsozjpo_JNkYLXjHid7YRtRBfbKQErdlx-HQYcMR8-uKcUxEpsohHmCgXFRwzzPlvjkYVfcRcLqvMa4JE9ESg4O99pZ1G72zW57Xt5wgS53zMcCckQ2vwmicoIUaVFn1/s1600-h/pease1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuv7HLSQm3JM6Jsozjpo_JNkYLXjHid7YRtRBfbKQErdlx-HQYcMR8-uKcUxEpsohHmCgXFRwzzPlvjkYVfcRcLqvMa4JE9ESg4O99pZ1G72zW57Xt5wgS53zMcCckQ2vwmicoIUaVFn1/s320/pease1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363137227046311810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not too long ago, the news came out with yet another bust of a horse breeder with show </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">horses winning in the pen but skinny, long-footed stock hiding behind the barn. Not too unusual - we've certainly seen it all before. This time it was a well known Saddlebred breeder named Les Pease. Pease has show horses with trainers Betsy Webb and Don Bridges, very successful trainers with what sounds like quite a fabulous new show facility. It's obvious that training bill isn't a cheap one and Mr. Pease is capable of paying it or he wouldn't be there.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCACEhHOj-7RTzj-h6pJKU2vU38BQ72bYQAf2wn-B3TYtHCJsEcVZxq6IozTdVzVaBE6T0KN_vWiTNxUO171XPCc-nz58c3ZPug772e6eoq_slsXrKgWM-XOzQZvl2bjEfnxmtTHJdncF/s1600-h/pease2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCACEhHOj-7RTzj-h6pJKU2vU38BQ72bYQAf2wn-B3TYtHCJsEcVZxq6IozTdVzVaBE6T0KN_vWiTNxUO171XPCc-nz58c3ZPug772e6eoq_slsXrKgWM-XOzQZvl2bjEfnxmtTHJdncF/s320/pease2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363137442930174610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1875369/starved_horses_confiscated_in_mercer.html?cat=48">News story </a><br /><br />So, not only do we have horses who are 1's and 2's, we have stallions running loose among the mares with no idea who is siring what? I've said it before, <span style="font-style: italic;">you can be a BYB no matter how high quality your horses are</span>, and if this is true, Mr. Pease is the new poster child for that!<br /><br /><br />We have all kinds of interesting factors at play here. First of all, we have a guy with a good lawyer - not the typical person accused of cruelty. The lawyer is doing a bang-up job delaying this case from proceeding. Second, I'm hearing we may have a questionable rescue (<span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>Saddlebred Rescue) rubbing their hands together in glee trying to get these horses, no doubt seeing them as donation magnets due to the publicity factor. Third, everybody else seems to have smothered this story! Other forums "lost" the thread or admit to removing it. My guess is the lawyer is making threats (FYI: Threats received here are typically published to the blog for all to see.)</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The only place anybody is talking about it is on </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.topix.com/forum/city/harrodsburg-ky/TO1EAK92SN0PG96SL">Topix</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, and while some of that seems a little over the top, it's an interesting discussion nevertheless. </span><p></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal">Now here's a point from the flip side:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"The person who was caring for these horses up until a few days ago sounded like a real nut job. Giving out enough information and inuendo to make blood boil. Calling anyone who didn't support or believe him 100% a "supporter of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248701788_0">Pease family</span>". He made many insinuations as to what the county was and more importantly was not doing to help these horses. It became bad enough that he was asked to stop posting on the internet. He claims he asked to have horses taken away because of what someone said on a web site. It is far more plausible that the county was fed up with him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And this may very well be true. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, any time you have a herd of starving horses, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >someone is to blame</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Somewhere, there is a human being whose responsibility it was to feed and trim and vet those horses. In this case, those horses were the property of Mr. Pease and - just like Ernie Paragallo - being out of town or busy or trusting someone else to care for them is not an excuse. Ric Banks is the person who has been caring for the horses and I'm more than happy to post his side if he wants to send it to me. What is undisputed is that <span style="font-style: italic;">they're not his horses</span>. So whatever he has done to help them is a blessing to them regardless of the personalities involved and who is or isn't telling the truth. He doesn't have any obligation here. And hell, I'm sure my postings would be pretty inflammatory too if I were trying to nurse mares like those pictured back to health. I sure wouldn't be feeling any need to whitewash my opinion of the rich real estate developer who let them get that way!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These situations usually do not go bad overnight. I'm interested to hear from anyone who may have seen things going south at the Pease farm in the past. You may of course stay anonymous. Did someone fail to report this because of a fear of legal threats from Mr. Pease? From the looks of things, he is much better about paying his lawyer than paying for feed. I'm not sure any kind of <span style="font-style: italic;">deliberate</span> cover-up is going on here - what I see is fear of legal action, but hey, if that's the case, the Fugly blog is the place to tell the tale! <a href="mailto:resqtb@yahoo.com">E-mail me</a> your comments and I will update this evening. Put JULY 27 BLOG in the subject line, please!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And I REALLY want to know the CURRENT status and location on these horses. Who are they? Does anybody have a list of their registered names? I heard Banks got fed up and gave them back to the County and the County's vet wants to euth them all. First of all, that's bullshit, skinny horses should not be euthed merely because they are skinny. Those are most likely all high quality ASB's that someone would WANT to adopt...give them a chance. Second of all, my question about that is whether the true goal is destroying the evidence. Either way, <span style="font-style: italic;">it is time to talk about this story</span>, not bury it. And we're going to do that here!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While I was researching this story, I came across <a href="http://speakupforhorses.blogspot.com/">this blog</a>. Holy crap, some of those pictures. You could stay busy all day writing to various D.A.'s asking them to throw the book at the parade of horrible horse owners featured here. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">OK I am going to add your comments to the July 25 blog now...sorry for the delay but it was just too hot here yesterday to do anything more constructive than give baths! Sheesh, this is Seattle, not the Midwest - enough with the heat and humidity!</span><br /></p><hr /><br /><p></p><center style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>COMMENTS</b></center><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anon</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> - Southern States donated feed coupons to the equivalent of 22 bags of feed to Ric to feed the Pease horses. Rood & Riddle sent a team of interns to palpate the seized mares, luckily, none were in foal, other than the four mares that had already delivered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Frankie, [one foal that Ric cared for], was so weak, he couldn't stand up on his own and nurse, Ric had to help him up every 3 hours for the first two weeks after he was born, until he got strong enough to get up on his own.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anon</span> - I've been following this story on SBR, trot and topix. I've made a post on all asking if anyone has read the original filed complaint against Pease; it seems no one has. One post said they requested court copies but have never received them. I tried to locate a court website for Mercer County with no luck. As posted many places it seems only one count of abuse/neglect has been filed; if so, that would only be a "slap on the wrist" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anon </span>- I live, ride, and go to school right by the Louisville Equestrian Center (where Betsy Webb Stables, run by Les Pease's trainer Betsy Webb, is now located). It cost 3.4 million dollars to build that facility. Boarding at the new equestrian center is over 600 dollars. It still shocks me that people can afford to pay for boarding at this rate, and then to gather in the training fees, and STILL have horses that look like that. I started my riding career in the Saddlebred industry, and it makes me so mad to see these horses being treated like that. I've had friends get horses from Saddlebred Rescue, and they've all had those similar stories. To see those ponies I'm familiar with, and then think that were like that... It's maddening, to say in the least. Of course, I'm not that suprised that Betsy Webb is involved as I've not heard great things about her from my friends who are in the Saddlebred industry. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anon </span>- Thank you Cathy for showing the two sides of this story. It is so sad that there is so much fighting amongst the the people who care what happens to these horses.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yes we live in America and technically everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but it will be pretty hard to for anyone to believe Mr. Pease is innocent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I hope the laws in KY allow for more than just a slap on the wrist.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anon</span> - There is a MUCH bigger/longer/more controversial Topix forum </span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.topix.com/forum/law/criminal-defense/TL68HANPB13DIDRBQ">here</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The above Topix forum has the posts about horses being shot in their stalls.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">According to SBR the new court date for Pease is tomorrow, July 28, in Mercer County Kentucky unless of course the fancy lawyer gets it continued yet again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Thanks again for being a voice of reason!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anon</span> - Supposedly there were 5 colts shot in their stalls in his barn . </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.sosequines.com/DEF-Horse.asp?hoID=193"><img src="http://www.horsereunions.com/images/kianne.jpg" /></a></center>fuglyhorseofthedayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.com