CALLING ALL HORSE PEOPLE!!!! HELP NEEDED

[cassie]

If you decide to go with a horse rescue I hope you have better luck than I did. When I was moving from California to Missouri I had a 25 year old Percheron mare that I knew would never survive the trip to Missouri. Draft horses do not live as long as saddle horses and 25 is very old for a Percheron. I called several horse rescue places. Not one of them would even call me back even though I made it very clear that I was willing to pay for her feed. I was left with the following options. I had a neighbor that offered to take her, but I knew that even if I bought the feed she would never see any of it. I could try to haul her to Missouri and in all probability have to find out what to do with one ton of dead horse in the trailer. I could shoot her or I could have the vet put her down. The vet didn't want to do that and I couldn't shoot her. Finally the horse solved the problem on her own. One day she didn't come up for grain and we found her dead in the pasture. I was sad that she had died but also relieved. The horse rescue places in California are overwhelmed and I found out later that a lot of them don't take all that good a care of the horses. That may not be the case in other areas of the country.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I do think it can be difficult to re home horses, especially horses that are not saddle trained or don't have ground manners. It is always good to mentally prepare for that, which is why I mentioned working with a trainer. You may even decide after consulting with a trainer that your family would rather keep the horses if they see progress.

Most people don't want unuseable horses, since they still cost a good amount to keep in a field (foot care, vet care, feed, etc.) Anything you can do to make the horses more desireable would be a huge plus!

 

[chicken19]

Actually I've met many people who just want to give a horse a nice pasture pet home.

 

[chicken19]

But I do agree with chickerdoodle13

 

[Bunnylady]

Actually I've met many people who just want to give a horse a nice pasture pet home.

So have I, and lot of them are caught up in the romantic idea of horses and have no idea of the actual costs involved in keeping a horse. They turn them out "to live as a horse was meant to live" in a pasture, and the horse never sees a vet, or a farrier, or a tube of wormer, partly because the owner is actually afraid of the big animals. Or maybe they start out doing care the right way, and find it too expensive, so they start cutting costs any way they can until either animal control gets involved or they give them away/send them to auction because they simply can't afford to keep them . . . .

 

[donrae]

Am I missing some reason these geldings are not trainable? Or is it just the lack of knowledge and skill? I don't see why they can't be worked with and taught to load, or worked with on being buddy sour, at least where they're safe to manage. Teaching most horses to load isn't a huge deal, but it does take some time. Same with breaking them from being buddy sour. You just need to go slow but be consistent.

If you want to fast track loading, use a stock trailer and load momma first. Chances are they'll hop right in after her. Get to where you're going, unload the boys and leave momma in the trailer and round trip her back home.

but I agree there's going to be a huge amount of stress on all parties involved. It may be easier to get help for the short term until momma is gone, then get rid of the boys.

 

[lucy7]

Yes I have taken to my Grandparents and we are just trying to figure out what we want to do I just don't want anyone to get hurt

 

[chicken19]

Yes I have taken to my Grandparents and we are just trying to figure out what we want to do I just don't want anyone to get hurt

I feel so sorry for you! Good luck!

 

[Mini Meat]

I read the opening of this thread and only scanned the rest.

Some may not like what I have to say but I am just being honest.

Most folks won't want to take on these horses and I would be very suspicious of any one who does. You may get lucky and find some one with the time, space and funds to care for three older (and yes they are all older) horses. But most people will want to invest their energy in a younger project horse that has potential to be a good riding horse some day, and not something that is going to require veterinary care as it continues to age. You may find a rescue willing to take them but, but with so many horses of all ages out there in need of help it may not be the best use of their resources either.

I think, if you do find someone to take these horses the odds of them ending up being neglected is high.

That said, there are FAR, FAR, worse things that can happen to an animal than being humanly put down. Your family has had these horses for a very long time and seen to it that they have had a good life. Seeing that through and ensuring that they have a good end to their life is something you could take comfort in.

Animals live in the now and do not worry about tomorrow. They only care if they are vulnerable NOW. A shake up in their situation would be very stressful for them. It will offer you no guaranties as to their fate.

I am not trying to tell you what to do, just trying to offer support and comfort if you do decide that putting them down is the best thing to do. IMHO... it's okay.

 

[chicken19]

I read the opening of this thread and only scanned the rest.

Some may not like what I have to say but I am just being honest.

Most folks won't want to take on these horses and I would be very suspicious of any one who does. You may get lucky and find some one with the time, space and funds to care for three older (and yes they are all older) horses. But most people will want to invest their energy in a younger project horse that has potential to be a good riding horse some day, and not something that is going to require veterinary care as it continues to age. You may find a rescue willing to take them but, but with so many horses of all ages out there in need of help it may not be the best use of their resources either.

I think, if you do find someone to take these horses the odds of them ending up being neglected is high.

That said, there are FAR, FAR, worse things that can happen to an animal than being humanly put down. Your family has had these horses for a very long time and seen to it that they have had a good life. Seeing that through and ensuring that they have a good end to their life is something you could take comfort in.

Animals live in the now and do not worry about tomorrow. They only care if they are vulnerable NOW. A shake up in their situation would be very stressful for them. It will offer you no guaranties as to their fate.

I am not trying to tell you what to do, just trying to offer support and comfort if you do decide that putting them down is the best thing to do. IMHO... it's okay.

I agree. It is so hard to decide though. I hope you find the right thing for your boys