The ranch next to the barn where I board my horse has been charged with cruelty to animals several times. (Shooting, beating, neglect of horses, cockfighting. Nice neighbor's, huh?) They always get away with it because they have "aquaintences" with the city council, or whatever. Also, they are a rent-a-horse on the beach trails for the day, and hundreds of people who have no clue about horses always back them up. Anyway, so there is one rent a horse in particular that I loved. I called him Strawberry Soldier because he was a strawberry roan and he was so brave. I realized he was a wild mustang, and that is how I got into my love of wild horses. Since he was wild, and nobody had taken the time to tame him, he was not a good rent a horse. He would come back with cuts and bruises after being ridden by careless people. He was there for 1 year. Now, these people buy their horses from meat auctions, and sell them there, too. They would buy 10 horses for $5,000, pick which ones they like, and send the rest to slaughter. Sometimes they even trade in their own horses for ones they like, and theirs would be sent to slaughter. 2 weeks ago last year was the date I first saw him, and 2 weeks ago this year was the last time I saw him. I was riding my own horse on the trails, and I saw the slaughter trailer coming down the road. Feeling very sorry for the horses, I stopped to watch. As the trailer passed, I saw a slender red nose poking out. It was Strawberry. THEY SENT HIM TO DIE IN MEXICO OR CANADA!!!!!! I can't believe it. My heart still hurts. If anyone ever sees a strawberry roan mustang gelding with the BLM freezebrand on his left neck at any meat auction, PLEASE SAVE HIM FOR ME! (we are in CA, but he could be anywhere) He is a really sweet horse. I hate the ranch next door. I'm still crying.
