Thoroughbreds, trailers, etc. - Washington State

Forwarded by a friend - this farm owner was severely kicked by a colicking mare he was trying to help and has incurred major medical bills. He must disperse. Prices are right on the horses, and there are several terrific-sounding horse trailers as well. There are a few AQHA horses also. These horses are in Eastern Washington.

Sales List

SJP, I love you but...

I snorked my diet coke at this:

http://www.sarahjessicaparkerlookslikeahorse.com/

Disclaimer: Love SJP. Love SATC. Still haven't seen the damn movie as I'm too busy. Think it's great that she hasn't fixed her nose. But it's still funny!

Updates, updates, updates!

Although the Fugly blog is not exactly a formal rescue (and I am not looking to make it one), we have managed to upgrade some horses in the past year through our readership. Today I want to give some updates on how those horses are doing! I am sure I am missing some, so please post to the comments if you rescued/upgraded a horse featured on the blog and have new pics and stories to share. I did not deliberately forget you, but it is early and the coffee is still kicking in.

First of all, who can forget poor Scarlet, registered name Hanks QD Too? She was ridden through the ring at the Pony Express Auction in horrible condition and sold for $35. The auctioneer gave her to Julie, who offered to rehab her for 4-H. (And unlike our friend MeSue the low-life horse dealer, Julie was telling the truth!) After her rescue, she was found to be a daughter of AQHA Champion Impressive Bar Leo out of a daughter of AQHA Champion Blondy's Dude who'd had many foals for her former owners (by incredibly poorly chosen stallions. My god. If you're gonna buy a nice mare, breed her to a nice stallion. How hard is it?) These days, Scarlet has her own blog and is packing around a beginner kid. Julie, her rescuer, has done a fabulous job rehabbing her and she is shiny, happy, and will never have to pop out a baby or wonder where her next meal is coming from ever again. I love this story. I cannot wait to see the show pictures - I know they are coming!

See folks, it is NOT that damn hard to get these old broodies riding again. It is a hell of a lot easier than breaking out some wild ass young thing. Some of you re-riders could do it. Why don't you give it a try? These mares are free all over. If you're in Seattle, I can get you a free Thoroughbred any day of the week. I am not kidding. Contact me if you want one.

Then I posted a $200 pony stud that seemed to have both legs coming out of the same spot, he was so thin. Our reader NCCatnip, with the help of some others, took in Prince and another mare Cricket. That was in April and, just a few months later, both are up to weight and looking great! (Can you BELIEVE that is Prince on the left? How cute is he? He still has some filling out to do but now he looks like a normal baby in an awkward stage, not a starving Ethiopian!) Prince will still have some growing to do before he is old enough to break, but the plan is to get Cricket going this year and find her a 4-H kid of her very on. She has turned out wonderfully and I am sure someone will be very lucky to have her. Another great rehab job!

Of course, no one will ever forget the drama of Colin, aka Petersburg Knight, who was given to a lady promising a good home in 4-H and immediately taken to the Enumclaw Auction where he was sold to kill. It was only some very good luck that saved him. I got an e-mail on Monday morning and the rest is history. He was quickly adopted by blog reader La Mexicana, who knew him back when he was at faux rescue Pacific Equestrian Center. He has his own web site too, so you can see how he's coming along. (Note the pictures of him happily and calmly grazing with others - this horse has NEVER shown any aggression, MeSue, you are SO full of shit.) The hoof rehab is particularly interesting to read. I am thrilled he got such a great home!

Off Colin went and from Enumclaw came Lucy. Lucy was a little black Thoroughbred mare with four white socks and a blaze, 14 years old, who had been in the kill pen and was fortunately rescued by Shannon Hendrickson of Signature West Farm. Thanks to Shannon for saving her (and I believe nine others). She needed a place to go so I took her in for a month of R&R after her traumatic experience. When I started working with her, it was apparent she needed more ground work because she had a lot of fear issues. Stephanie Korhel stepped up and she went over to the barn she trains out of a week ago. As you can see, Lucy is getting over her fear issues nicely.

Look, she got over being afraid of having her butt touched! The first time I did this, she took off like a shot, thereby intimidating my 40 year old chickenshit re-rider self into not getting on her. She will probably always be a little headshy - someone was not nice to this mare - but with a kind and patient person, we think she is going to be great. She is available for adoption - let me know if you'd like to meet her.

More things you've asked about: Dean Solomon's animal cruelty trial will be in September. You can bet I'll be posting updates! Let's hope that justice prevails and Dean gets the punishment she deserves.

I updated on Footloose, last year's auction rescue, a few days ago. She will be moving to a new barn with a great arena, jump course, etc. on August 1st and starting her new career. We'll see how sound she is and what her talents are, but are hoping some low level eventing is in her future. She is the sweetest mare ever and I'm so glad that a friend owns her and that I'll continue to hear how she is doing.

Remember Sunny, the cute, old, and scrawny Quarab? He is now with Save a Forgotten Equine and is not so scrawny anymore and doing much better. He is still seeking his forever home, so if you have room an old guy with a lot of personality, contact SAFE!

Another one of those weekends where I just can't get organized...

So you're getting a little bit of this and a little bit of that!

First off - seriously, people, I am not being a meanie when I suggest that you need to be able to walk, trot and canter without your stirrups before you start jumping. I truly DO NOT want to see you get hurt. This woman IS going to get hurt. She is extremely loose and precariously perched up there. She does not even know how to hold English reins. I am glad she is wearing a helmet and boots but all the safety equipment in the world cannot protect you when this is how you ride. You are just not ready to jump. Please, please, please, for the love of God, back to flatwork! Now!

Big FHOTD kudos to auctioneer Allen Murphy, who runs the Pony Express Auction. I hear Mr. Murphy has been snarking the asshats big time, right to their slimy little faces. Observe:

"March 22nd 2008 - The auctioneer saves the day again. Also, for those who do not know, the auctioneer is none other than Allen Murphy, owner of the sale barn. He bought almost ten skinny horses for $25-$400 and shook his head in disgust. He said something to the people who brought them to. One of the things he said went along the lines of "I would kick you out of here, but I'm gonna let you sell your horse in hopes that it gets a better home." After commenting on the shape of a 16 month old BROKE TO RIDE dun colt, he also said: "Where are the PETA people when you actually need them" He also paid for a couple other horses for other people, like he did with the bay mare. A guy came in with a 6 year old stallion that really needed to be a gelding, and when someone asked if the horse was broke, the guy said he didn't know but would find out... he proceeded to tie the leadrope around, and jump on the horse bareback. When the horse got nervous and moved around, the guy kicked him in the stomach. Allen quickly put an end to that. At the end of the sale, Allen made the comment "My luck I'll be on the internet again!" I had to laugh, wandering if he meant your blog, when he was mentioned about the other skinny horse."

Mr. Murphy, if you are single, you ought to send me your e-mail address, because I think I can get about 320 women in your area fighting over you with a single post. :-) What a NICE change from the usual (cough, cough, WOODBURN) auction where you cannot even take pictures because they're afraid you will turn someone in to animal control!

For those of you in Maryland who might want a new rescue project, I'm informed that Days End Rescue still has a bunch of the horses seized from hoarder wacko Barbara Reinken last year that could really use homes of their own. Of course all rehab has been done at this point so they are ready to go. If you need a project, check them out! (Days End also has a couple Standardbreds that were being kept in a chicken coop, holy shit, terrible pics...those people need to be publicly flogged. I really think public flogging for animal abusers would be a great idea. I'm thinking we put it on Pay-per-view.) Days End has a lot of rideable, fully evaluated adoptables. Check them out!

I expected better from you Welsh pony people. Why do you have a barefoot child hugging on a foal on your magazine cover? And why is it that we can look down her shirt? Really, did anybody look at this picture before you decided to feature it? I can't believe that even though you are writing about a breed where you can find tons of pics of adorable hunter ponies and smiling ribbon-waving kids, you made such a poor choice.

Speaking of Welshies, I hear from several people that this chick is dumping her culls at the Hermiston auction. Really, I think there is a special place in hell for high-end breeders who do that. What, like you can't get off your dead ass and sell them to a 4-H or OHSET kid? Oh wait, then someone would know the Less Than Perfect Pony came from YOUR farm...

And here's another asshat breeding grade spotted things. Lots of them. The locals tell me these folks are pretty good for horse-beating masquerading as horse training, too. Greaaaat. 'Cause the only thing better than grade, spotted shit is headshy, traumatized, grade spotted shit.

Can't you just take one look at this guy and believe that he's a horse-beater? I sure can. He's just got that look to him. You aren't trainer of the year if you can make a horse lie down because you weigh more than it does.

Remember, if you're going to send me Craigslist posts, screen cap them. They won't still be there by the time I am likely to get to your e-mail. That way I can tell everybody to click on it (like at left) and they can see it in all its glory or lack thereof.

This was a few months ago so I do hope poor Addy got a home with someone who has some !$&*$!&$ hay. Grrrrrrrrr.

Yet more ignorant yearling-riding asshats.

"Ed is a two year old dirty palomino gelding that we started when he was a year and seven months old. He will roll back on his hocks, has a great stop, and a pleasure lope. Not only that, but he will look at a cow and has even been used as a turnback horse during his training. Swing a rope off of him, log, even carry a tarp or a blanket flapping in the wind. Rode outside in the hills and nothing bothers him. See Ed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNOKOD0DoSs. We have had Ed since he was a baby and have enjoyed seeing him mature. We are thrilled about his new home and future. CONGRATS MICHELLE AND EMILY!"

Michelle and Emily, you might want to think about buying stock in Luitpold and Pfizer, 'cause girls, you're gonna be buying A LOT of Adequan and Legend trying to keep Ed sound past age six.

Look kids, the circus is in town!

Nope, it's just an Andalusian show. But WTF is this? It looks like he is a lion tamer.

http://www.andalusiannews.com/

The video is way longer than it needs to be, and it does kind of smack of personal vendetta, but it's worth watching. You gotta see this rank piece of spotted shit that got named National Champion because this Gareth Selwood dude, who looks remarkably like an extra from a Lord of the Rings movie, is hot shit in the Andalusian world. The horse looks like it wants to kill him and I'm guessing he's given it damn good reason.

I'm so sick of people saying their horse is showing the wonderful "spirit" of its breed when it acts like this. No, your horse is showing that it's a rank piece of shit. I don't care if it's an Arab, a Saddlebred, an Andalusian, or a fire-breathing dragon, it ought to be able to trot next to you in a controlled fashion and, for the most part, stand where you set it up in a halter class. It can trot next to you with its neck arched and its tail in the air, truly it can. Of course I guess it would help if some of you guys didn't train them at home by chasing them with fire extinguishers...

Anyway, any Andalusian people here? What do you think? Are the shows that crooked? Why is this strange, troll like man such a big shot? Why hasn't he been kicked in the head by one of these pissed off horses yet? What about a horse striking at your head is supposed to be appealing?

And do you think if we mailed him a chair so that his show ring equipment would be complete, that he would get the hint?

Stop listening to your trainers like a bunch of sheep!

WTF?

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=12310

All of you who show horses need to start educating yourselves and not just accepting it blindly when your trainer says something is okay. It is your responsibility. This is really sad.

Everybody does not do this crap. Vote with your dollars and take your horse and your money to barns that don't.

That sunshine and butterflies post you've been asking for!

OK, I really do have something happy to report!

Remember Footloose, the auction rescue from last year? Here she is. Her whole plan has changed since I last talked about her because (a) we found out she was not breeding sound (probably why she got ditched) and (b) nine months off sitting in the pasture and she's completely sound to ride (she looked off at the sale). So she has a new future now - my friend who posts here as Princess Jess has just purchased her and is going to start retraining her. If all goes well, she may even be an eventer!

Thanks to our friend Laurie who is providing some interim boarding for her until Jess moves to her new barn. Laurie has just rescued a nine million year old Arabian mare and she and Footy are keeping each other company! (That is her big ol' tail in the pic) Yay Laurie! The nine million year old Arabian mare is looking for a forever home, so if you're in the Portland, Oregon area, e-mail Laurie for info.

Miss Lucy, the recent auction rescue, is over with Stephanie Korhel now and she is working with her. She reports that Lucy is very sweet (yes, she is!) and she is doing ground work with her. I'm sure Lucy is broke but at this point we're going to try to get over some of the headshyness and the fear of things touching her butt before we move to under-saddle work. She is also available for adoption. Lucy is in Enumclaw, Washington.

If you're in the Seattle or Portland area and interested in a companion horse, I know of quite a few Quarter Horses that are available for a year lease. This is kind of a nice scenario, as you're not stuck with them forever - if you need a short-term, returnable companion, e-mail me. A few are broke/rideable, two have good open show potential and one of those has been successfully shown by a youth. Purchase possible on some of them if you fall in love, terms possible. Site check/contract/no barbed wire, the usual conditions apply.

Now something for the AUSTRALIANS: I have had an inquiry from someone trying to fatten up an old TB mare in Australia. Problem is, she is talking about feeds I have never heard of, so I feel clueless! Can you Aussie senior horse pros give her some advice as to what to feed an old girl? She is currently getting 4 kg. of Mitavite Gumnuts senior feed and 2 biscuits of lucerne hay daily. (Gumnuts? Biscuits? WTF? I'm an American, I'm lost!) They've done the teeth, deworming, etc. What would you recommend, that is available in Australia?

Here is a Friday Featured Rescue for you East Coast folks. This is a Re-Run mare in New York. I really like this mare and just from looking at her, I will bet she is very smooth gaited and great to ride. They say she is an alpha mare under saddle, so you need to be confident enough to be the boss, but has great ground manners and can be handled by anyone. She looks like a wonderful prospect to me and has a great name...Hoochie Mama. LOL! She's just $500 - go and get her. I see a $5000+ mare here with just a bit of training effort on your part.

Have a GREAT weekend everybody and good luck on your shows/trail rides/training!