Horse Talk

[abigalerose]

Just think - when you get her back, it'll be a lot easier to ride her!
When we get Armira we're probably going to have to "get rid" of Ginger Dad wants to sell her, but I've sold enough horses to people who I don't trust that I just want to surrender her to a rescue. And that way I'll be able to go visit her sometimes too.
Gosh I'm gonna miss that stubborn old cow

I don't know about your area, but the rescues around here are groups of people with soft hearts but limited resources. Their main goal is to find homes for the rescue horses they have, so they are available to help other horses in need of care, not to be a retirement home for horses that people don't want any more. Once a horse leaves your hands, you lose all control over its future; are you sure you'd be able to see Ginger if you give her to a rescue?

That's sad! How many do you have total?
And agree, giving one to a rescue would make me nervous. Just screen, get references, visit their home, and do a buy back contract so they can't sell her unless they offer her back to you first. And find someone who's nice enough to agree to let you see her if you want, or send you updates. It's possible, just gotta be picky and patient, don't sell to the first person who shows up with money.
I'd take her if I didn't just sell two horses for the reason of being overwhelmed

 

[ChickenLover200]

 

Thank goodness it's only a month! We talked about only training her and doing it longer but I don't think I could do it

Just think - when you get her back, it'll be a lot easier to ride her!

When we get Armira we're probably going to have to "get rid" of Ginger Dad wants to sell her, but I've sold enough horses to people who I don't trust that I just want to surrender her to a rescue. And that way I'll be able to go visit her sometimes too.

Gosh I'm gonna miss that stubborn old cow

I don't know about your area, but the rescues around here are groups of people with soft hearts but limited resources. Their main goal is to find homes for the rescue horses they have, so they are available to help other horses in need of care, not to be a retirement home for horses that people don't want any more. Once a horse leaves your hands, you lose all control over its future; are you sure you'd be able to see Ginger if you give her to a rescue?

Same with rescues around here. Plus, most drug green broke and dangerous horses to sell them as calm and well broke. Rescues around here do more harm than good it seems

 

[ShrekDawg]

I've never heard of a rescue drugging horses but then again I'm not really involved in rescue and it might be different per area. But I would think that those aren't really rescues, reputable ones at least. The reputable or bigger ones wouldn't because they'd probably get in trouble. And rescues shouldn't sell, they should have a small rehoming fee. Sounds more like flippers

 

[abigalerose]

I've never heard of a rescue drugging horses but then again I'm not really involved in rescue and it might be different per area. But I would think that those aren't really rescues, reputable ones at least. The reputable or bigger ones wouldn't because they'd probably get in trouble. And rescues shouldn't sell, they should have a small rehoming fee. Sounds more like flippers

There's a really good rescue in my area who takes good care of the horses and their main goal is to find good homes for them and they make buyers fill out contracts, the lady and her husband both work full time to keep it running and travel to different states to rescue horses and rehome them for a small rehoming fee, usually around $400 which is cheap considering they outbid meat buyers, etc. travel to get them, vaccinate them, treat sick ones, get their feet done, and feed them. They do keep a few of the more challenged horses (a lot of blind or injured ones) but even this rescue I wouldn't surrender a horse to, simply because they have too many horses and a lot of them don't get enough feed, I see horses there all the time who have been there more than long enough to reach a healthy weight but are still underweight, and don't gain much until they get adopted.
You should post a picture of Ginger and what state you're in, maybe someone on this thread would be willing to help!

 

[The Moonshiner]

There's a really good rescue in my area who takes good care of the horses and their main goal is to find good homes for them and they make buyers fill out contracts, the lady and her husband both work full time to keep it running and travel to different states to rescue horses and rehome them for a small rehoming fee, usually around $400 which is cheap considering they outbid meat buyers, etc. travel to get them, vaccinate them, treat sick ones, get their feet done, and feed them. They do keep a few of the more challenged horses (a lot of blind or injured ones) but even this rescue I wouldn't surrender a horse to, simply because they have too many horses and a lot of them don't get enough feed, I see horses there all the time who have been there more than long enough to reach a healthy weight but are still underweight, and don't gain much until they get adopted.
You should post a picture of Ginger and what state you're in, maybe someone on this thread would be willing to help!

Doesnt sound like a really good rescue that takes good care of their horses if theyre not getting the most basic aspect of care right.

 

[abigalerose]

Doesnt sound like a really good rescue that takes good care of their horses if theyre not getting the most basic aspect of care right.

I disagree, the horses DO get fed, but with as many as there is it's a very slow process for them to make progress, from my personal experience, they've gotten the horses, quarantined them, fixed any feet problems, vaccinated them, and started on grain and hay as well as turn out, and the two horses I've gotten have been underweight despite being there for a while and gained a lot and quickly once in my care, BUT they got them to where they're enjoying life again and not so malnourished that they're dull and listless. I think the problems may be that they're probably (I don't know for certain) using cheap grain so they can feed more horses, and that they're also training all of the horses, which can be good and bad, because on one hand, if the horse is trained its more likely to be adopted, but on the other, the really underweight horses aren't going to gain like they should because they're working.
When I say they're a good rescue, I mean that they're nice, honest people, who arent thinking about money, don't drug horses to make them seem calmer, and screen potential adopters. But that doesn't mean that they aren't in a little over their heads. They're just trying to help as many horses as possible, and it seems like here recently that the more word spreads about them (and it does because they ARE good people), the more donations they get and the better they're doing with the horses, I know they've recently made some pretty big purchases that are going a long ways for them and the horses, with the help of some of the donations (and what they've saved).
But I would rather screen buyers and find my own, secure home for a horse than surrender it, no matter how good the rescue, because it's not going to get the one on one attention it deserves in a rescue situation

 

[ShrekDawg]

It's great they're good people and everything and they do seem like they're good people and all but to me it seems like it would be better to just take in less horses and take really good of those rather than trying to save every horse, because you can't save them all. It also seems like they might be trying to save money and give less feed or maybe the same amount to every horse? Maybe not intentional, idk, but they should adjust the feed for each horse and give the underweight ones more feed or work them less or both. Also are they fed in stalls or out in the field together? They should be fed individually and not have to fight but maybe they are, just saying if they aren't. Also seems like they need more volunteers or something. I'm not trying to hate them or say they're bad people or anything, it's nice they're trying and take care of health etc. But proper weight/feed is important too. Sounds like they're burning out :/

Have they thought about hiring volunteers? And hopefully they get some more donations

 

[Kusanar]

It's great they're good people and everything and they do seem like they're good people and all but to me it seems like it would be better to just take in less horses and take really good of those rather than trying to save every horse, because you can't save them all. It also seems like they might be trying to save money and give less feed or maybe the same amount to every horse? Maybe not intentional, idk, but they should adjust the feed for each horse and give the underweight ones more feed or work them less or both. Also are they fed in stalls or out in the field together? They should be fed individually and not have to fight but maybe they are, just saying if they aren't. Also seems like they need more volunteers or something. I'm not trying to hate them or say they're bad people or anything, it's nice they're trying and take care of health etc. But proper weight/feed is important too. Sounds like they're burning out :/

Have they thought about hiring volunteers? And hopefully they get some more donations

Exactly, I have 1 horse that is thin, but, he is older and will colic if he gets too much grain, so he gets about 5 pounds or so, but that's it. He loses in the winter and gains it back in spring. But there is NO way I would work him in winter and make him burn off any calories he gets. The other 5 horses haven't gotten grain in about 3 years other than a handfull here and there when I bring them in for something and they all are either a good weight or fat on the same free choice hay the skinny guy has access too.
If you can't afford to feed up the horse you have, you have no business getting another one, and that goes for rescues too.

 

[PeepersMama]

That's sad! How many do you have total?
And agree, giving one to a rescue would make me nervous. Just screen, get references, visit their home, and do a buy back contract so they can't sell her unless they offer her back to you first. And find someone who's nice enough to agree to let you see her if you want, or send you updates. It's possible, just gotta be picky and patient, don't sell to the first person who shows up with money.
I'd take her if I didn't just sell two horses for the reason of being overwhelmed

Well three, come next sunday - HOLY COW ILL HAVE MA NEW PONY NEXT WEEK!!!! e e

Oh if dad caught me posting an add like that..... He'd die laughing :/ people around here usually take really good care of their horses, but I know for me just looking at an add full of contracts and stuff lime that doesn't make me want to buy the horse :/
Now, I will be picky for sure. And I'm gonna tell dad that before he even thinks about an add. I love that sweet ol gal, stubborn and rude as she is, she's my buddy

crap now I'm so close to crying - scratch that I'm crying

Shed need a boat load of work before we sold her. Like.... Everything she's pretty much bomb proof though, so yay!.... I guess.

I really hate Craigslist after we sold Rusty... Okay Im really just annoyed at mom for being all like, "SURE! PLEASE, TAKE THE HORSE!!!"

I'm half sure the dude we sold him to was a kill buyer... Even though Rusty had no brand Inspection papers :/.... Hmmmm....

Now I almost don't want Armira....... I love Ginger to death...

 

[ShrekDawg]

Just curious, why would you have to get rid of Ginger? Can't you have two horses? They do like buddies after all!