If it has four legs, you'd better keep it in your own yard!

We've discussed before the liability issues that come with loose horses. If a car hits them and someone dies, guess what, you're liable as the livestock owner. But what about loose dogs? There's this perception that when you live in the country, you don't have to keep your dog on a leash and you don't have to fence them in. After all, that's why you live in the country, right? But like the old adage says, my right to swing my fist ends where your face begins, and this story is a perfect example. It's taken from a message board so I redacted the names because I didn't know if the victim wanted the publicity.

"I just wanted to tell all my 'horsey' friends that I has a VERY, VERY BAD AND SCAREY day today!!

I'm now a 'statistic' or rather my horse is..

We were attacked by a Pit Bull while riding around my neighborhood this evening. First, a Chihuahua ran from a house and attacked (name redacted) (my Hackney Horse) back legs, and while my poor horse was trying to figure out what this little monster's problem was, a VERY LARGE Pit Bull rushed and jumped my horse grabbing him by the neck. (dang it happens quick!!) I was then thrown from him and lay on the ground in fear of my life that I was now vulnerable to attack by this same Pit Bull. Life didn't even pass before me! I didn't even feel hitting the ground, as I was in survival mode to not get bit!!! Thank goodness I actually fell where I did, as there were broken concrete blocks in the ditch just feet from where I fell. YES I WAS WEARING A HELMET!

The owners were right there, and did grab the Pit Bull. In the meantime, my poor horse was running back down the street. He ran for 2 blocks before I was able to jog ( I really don't run!!)and catch him and assess the damage. I was so afraid he'd run into traffic on the main boulevards as it was RUSH HOUR! All I can say is THANK GOD he wasn't torn open, but just bitten and torn. I was expecting to see esophagus or spurting blood from torn veins or arteries!

So, I catch him, the owner and her kids are walking down the street to me. She's upset, but not as 'coldly' upset as I was. All I could think of was getting my horse home and to the vet! At least I got her name - her home/ hovel that she's renting doesn't even have an address listed and no fenced yard. So, I walked home the 3 blocks- thank GOD I wasn't out on a long ride. And of course I didn't have my cell phone!

So, then I call 911. They won't respond as it was an animal to animal attack not a human vs. pit bull, and since I wasn't in dire need of an ambulance (god I wish I could lie!), they wouldn't even take a report! Said they'd call Animal control- who did call and never came. I called at 8:30 pm and the dispatch said that they were too busy to respond they'll be here tomorrow AM. Oh Joy! I'm very upset!

I know that some of my 'group chats' won't be able to get the photos, but, here is my poor horse before the vet came. Who, BTW- was off today as were the other 3 vets in town, so she came to me on her day off!!!

So, I guess I won't be showing this next weekend or at the Pleasure Days show."

Now, how unfair is this? This poor girl was minding her own business. She ought to be able to ride down the side of the road without being mauled. I wonder if skank neighbor paid her vet bills? I doubt it. The horse had to have stitches.

Pen up your damn dogs if they chase livestock. Yeah, I know it's legal to shoot 'em but not all of us are packing at all times. They have leashes in the dollar store and if you can't train your dog, or are too lazy to, then tie them up and keep the rest of us safe from them.

And for fuck's sake, stop breeding pit bulls. Most people don't train them or treat them properly and that's why this happens. They are an asshat magnet. My friend the A.C. officer is sick of euthing your mistakes. STOP BREEDING THEM. The world is gonna be fine if we have less pit bulls -- you have a zillion other breeds to choose from. It's not like we're trying to make dogs extinct here. And I'm not saying kill the ones that are already here - if you own one and you're responsible and it isn't next door eating the neighbor's chickens, then fine. Enjoy your pit. I have friends with well trained, nice tempered ones. It can be done. Unfortunately it often isn't.

And stop saying retarded things like "dogs will be dogs" when they do this and calling me a breedist if I think perhaps the nine gazillion news stories about vicious pit bulls are a sign that we should stop making more of them. Sorry, but if we had a horse breed that was responsible for the lion's share of horse accidents, don't you think people would come down on it? I talk all the time about not breeding rank horses and breeding on bad dispositions, and I feel the exact same way about any other animal. If it's nasty, let its DNA die with it!

***end rant. This story just infuriated me. That poor girl! I can only imagine how TERRIFIED she and the poor horse were. ***

The argument for euthing a dangerous horse

I've argued frequently with people who don't think it's right to put a horse to sleep merely because it's dangerous or, shall we say, too hard to ride for 99% of the population. These folks argue that everything somehow has a right to live and be supported by someone (though it's almost never them!) despite having a disposition that makes Rosanne Barr with PMS look like a sweetie pie.

Unless you are going to keep the horse for the rest of it's life, here's why you should do the right thing, suck it up, and euthanize them:

This site details the story of novice riders who made it very clear they were looking for an easy, beginner friendly horse. They already owned one easy, beginner friendly horse. A disreputable breeder,Stella Manburg-Wise, sold them an ex-breeding stallion with a LONG history of rank behavior. As one former owner told the new owner, "I wish I had put that horse in the GROUND here. Never, never in my wildest dreams, did I think that he would end up as a "trail" horse sold to a beginner." And to be fair, this woman would not have sold him that way. But she let him out of her hands to someone who did, and it is really rather a miracle reading the story that no one was hurt or killed.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who will lie to beginner buyers like this. This woman got $3000 from these folks for a totally unsuitable horse. They should have been able to pay half that and find exactly what they were seeking - a deadhead light use trail horse. They got a judgment against the breeder (and good for them!) but what a sad and disappointing experience to have to go through. They also learned some valuable lessons about how to buy a horse and I'd recommend reading their advice page if you're a novice horse buyer. They admit they should have tried out the horse on the trails and not just in the arena, for example. This is a big and important piece of advice. I'd go so far as to say that if you're buying a show horse, try to work it out to try him out at a show, even a schooling show. So many horses are Jekyll-and-Hyde about riding in the safe home arena and riding somewhere else. At least try to watch him at a show. Sad but true, a lot of horses are for sale for a reason and the sellers aren't always honest about what that reason is!

Now, do I think every horse who isn't beginner safe should be euthanized? Of course not. But this horse had a lot of issues both on his back and in hand. He was aggressive toward other horses. If you put everything together, the decision to euth made a lot of sense. Honestly, the people who could have handled his aggression, bucking and bolting weren't interested in a teenaged, swaybacked, green broke, non-show-quality horse, so his odds of getting an appropriate home were nearly nonexistant. These are the kind of factors you have to look at whether you're a rescue or a private party. I don't think it's at all wrong to euth a horse like this.

The story has a happy ending - they found a Paso mare who was perfect for them (and damn cute!) and the unfortunate ex-stallion was laid to rest humanely (a few years after he was nearly shipped to kill by someone else who had no qualms about canning a dangerous horse).

Dumb shit I used to believe about horses...

Spin off of the last post...

Here's what should be an amusing, if scary, topic. Think back to when you were a teenager or young adult. What did you believe about horses and horse care that you now know is wrong, wrong, wrong?

I have mentioned before that I did NOT learn to ride at the most reputable barn. Actually, it was a shithole and the instructors were all clueless teens. Several of the horses were unconscionably skinny. Many were lame or had heaves so badly they coughed with every stride. My mom was clueless, so was I. I grew up at that barn, and so when I was a teenager I believed things like:

1) Horses only need to be wormed every six months if they're living in a stall. They only get worms from living outside and eating off the ground!

2) Old horses are skinny 'cause they're old. *sigh*

3) Only old horses need their teeth floated. (I had never heard of wolf teeth...had no clue!)

4) Good lord, I used to put hunt saddles on WAY too far forward. I have pictures now that I look at and cringe. 'Course, that was how they taught me to do it, based upon the argument that "they will slip back as you ride." *eye roll*

5) If a mare went lame, you should definitely breed her! Never mind why she went lame, you could breed her and make money! (Fortunately by the time I actually owned a mare, I had learned this was not correct. Fate determined that my first couple of horses were geldings, thus preventing me from doing anything stupid, hallelujah!)

6) If they're acting up, you're probably feeding them too much. Cut 'em down to two flakes of hay a day and they'll straighten up and fly right!

Oh, and I believed Arabians were always going to be worth a million zillion dollars. I was going to grow up and breed Arabians and have a farm JUST like the ones I saw in Scottsdale when we went to watch in 1984. Ha, ha, ha...

All right, what did YOU believe (especially things you were specifically taught by someone else who was older and should have known better!) that now makes you just cringe?

I know you can't ride the head, but you can't hide it either!

Good LORD look at this thing. It looks like a spotted anteater! And it's a "tobero."

Awesome! Reg. Pinto gelding 7 mths old, Tobero, 2 blue eyes. Mature 14hh+, Docs Spinifex bloodlines. Make great allround pony. $800. Ph (07) 5544 1228, 0414 797 408, Beaudesert, Qld."

Docs Spinifex (scroll down for article) was a very nice horse. If he were alive, he'd be calling the Maury Povich show right now saying "the bitch lied, she was really knocked up by that fugly spotted mustang next door!" The Spin a Diamond horse is super nice too which makes me think that this is the classic example of someone using one ancestor to try to brag that the horse is well bred.

Yeah, he has Docs Spinifex. He also, apparently, has something resembling this in there!

Maybe you can teach her to dial 911 next!

"Lilly is a super ride. She has a nice pity pat gait and a lovely canter. Will go whatever speed you ask. Very beautiful! You can even shoot cap guns off of her at full speed or at a stand still. This is an amazing little horse with a personality to die for. True partner. Super fun to ride. Sidepasses and squeaks a horn and parks out and bows and now Lays down and REARS while mounted. Learning to count and do the Spanish March! Trained by a woman and currently being ridden by a woman and child. If you are looking for the perfect size horse for your wife here she is! She is super sweet and willing and has lots of trail miles on her. Rides wherever you want her to in the group or rides alone. NOT SPOOKY! She loves to investigate stuff. Come over and try her out!"


It's a two year old. Of course it is. Again, those poor gaited horses. They really DO attract MORE than their share of idiots. I will argue that with anyone. Probably 75% or better of the really stupid ads people send me where someone is overriding and abusing a 2 year old or younger are gaited horses. I think we need to outcross them with Thoroughbreds or something and reduce their tolerance level so they get better quality owners!

You'd almost be better off teaching yourself!

Long time readers know that I am a big fan of riding lessons and believe it is the ONLY way to learn to ride a horse that is non-abusive to the horse. I do not believe in "teaching yourself" and it is rare that a family member can adequately teach you. (Even pro trainers often send their kids to someone else, 'cause let's face it, kids often listen better to someone else!) I am a huge fan of horse-friendly riding lesson tactics like learning to trot on a longe line without your reins and not being given back your reins until you have developed enough balance and skill not to use them improperly. Learning to ride properly is a great way of avoiding injury and keeping your horse from becoming sour and angry.



However, today I just have to feature some riding lesson establishments that make me shake my head and think, damn, you'd almost be better off winging it! First, let's look at Painted Spirit Ranch in Murrieta, California. Parents, EVERY TIME you see someone jumping without a helmet, it's a clue to run, run, run far away with your kid's skull still intact. Here we see kids jumping without helmets (and in western saddles), and the web site shows a kid going over a crossrail on her fourth lesson. This is totally insane and unsafe. Yeah, the lessons are cheap, $30, but this is one area of life where you don't want to economize.





(And they have totally unaccomplished stallions, too! STOP BREEDING MUSTANGS, DAMMIT! We already have like a ZILLION of them that don't have homes!)


Here's another winner. Note the entire page of complaints from various people! And their web site asks if you're going to Heaven? Um, look in the MIRROR, folks, before you worry about others!



Just one review "We came to sun city stables for a family ride. I have owened and riden horses for over 20 years my husband rides and my daughter although only 7 has done the basics. We asked for a lead rope for our daughter as she isn't very able in the open. We were told her horse was so quiet he would just follow behind mine. She had no stirups as she was on an adult saddle. We followed the owner down a narrow track leading off the property. The first thing we saw was a lose horse running back to the barn. At this my horse started to get restless pawing the ground. In the next few mouments lots of riders appeared, many out of control. We got our horses as best we could to one side of the narrow track. As my horse was neared by the other riders he went mad bucking rearing kicking out and spinning round. I fell off, was riden over, kicked in the head and leg and my daughters horse bolted and she fell of in the scrub cutting her back. We were very lucky we wernt killed.The owner refused to refund our money and offered no assistance. There are to many people who cant ride being let lose on unschooled horses here."


Of course, their site is full of helmetless children bombing around on wormy looking horses. Check out the Google album. I particularly like "George the grade stallion." Pass the Advil...


P.S. Your trainer has man boobs.


To Makayla's mother: these are not riding lessons. Please get your child a real instructor and a helmet!


For those of you trying to avoid bad barns/trainers - check it out, Ripoff Report has a whole category for them! Of course, some of these stories may not be true and you will want to do your own investigation, but many of them sound extremely verifiable. Also, if you are being lied about there, you CAN respond. There were so many complaints about a Patricia Wilson of Avinger, Texas that you'd have to figure where there's smoke, there's fire. When I googled the phone number, it came up as Patricia Gumm so maybe she got married. Either way, if you live around Avinger - watch out!


Now, let me give you a good example for comparison. This girl is jumping at a level appropriate to her riding level. The horse is perfect for her - a really solid "packer" type that is predictable, sane and well behaved. The instructor is watching her, and teaching - not on her cell phone, not socializing with others, not asleep at the switch. Everything in this video looks good.

Off topic but I HAD to post it. These hideous feet are on a mini. Dale and Jenna Stieg of Leroy, Michigan, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Maybe if you didn't have nine thousand horses, you could afford hoof trimming!








It is Friday and today's Friday Featured Rescue is this adorable Arab/Andalusian cross mare located at Broken Road Rescue in Bath, Michigan. What a cutie! Her adoption fee is a reasonable $500, so if you're local and have always wanted a beautiful gray mare, check her out. I really like what I see of this rescue - very nice facility and fence, they are keeping their "oldies" because they know how hard it is to find homes that feed them properly, and they're doing things small scale and in a manageable manner. They also do small animal rescue, so even if you don't have room for another horse, please check them out.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Oooh look at the big tough roughing-it dudes running like chickens!

Warning: graphic pic, this has to do with the guys who starved the horses nearly to death on the pack trip.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=12748&source=rss

*snort* Hysteria, my ass. Gee, you mean you two asshats are afraid to show your faces in public? GOOD! You should be! 100 years ago, we'd have tarred and feathered you both. I only hope the judge throws the book at you.

And I hope your attorney is charging A LOT and you two lose your nice homes and nice cars. Maybe living in a trailer somewhere and taking the bus will make you think twice about neglecting and nearly killing animals next time!