Out of curiosity, what would be better for a horse? Update! Post# 28

[Sir Birdaholic]

Hey farmboy!

Don't you keep your horse in the house?

 

[gritsar]

Okay, here's the deal. Down the road from us there is these white trash folks. I'm not being judgmental. If you saw their house and them, you'd call em white trash too. They live in two singlewide trailers that they cut apart to make one house; but apparently the guy tires of the arrangement because every once in awhile he takes em apart, does some more cutting and puts them back together. Very few intact windows in the place. They put cardboard up in places during the winter to keep out the cold. Trash and junk cars all over the place. Their lot is about an acre +/-.

For some ungodly reason they have a horse. He's fenced in their yard, with the fence being made of various materials. He has a lean-to, made of old tin pieces. He sometimes has a bale of hay to eat, most times he has nothing. The yard is down to the dirt. We are in a drought and nothing is growing. We watch this horse look good for awhile when they apparently can afford some hay and grain for him (or con someone into giving them a round bale); then go bony skinny again when they don't feed him. I have never seen anyone out caring for him.

We don't have a humane society or any such organization in the county. When people call the sheriff's office to complain about the horse's care the SO sends a deputy out to talk to the people. After that they feed the horse good for awhile, but then stop again.

I told DH that I bet if I went up to their door and offered them $500 cash for the horse they would take it in a heartbeat. Five hundred dollars is an outrageous amount around here because I can go to the auction and get a horse for under $50. Everyone is selling off because of the scarcity and cost of hay. I couldn't ride the horse (doctor's orders) but DSD might want to ride him every once in awhile (if he's broken). He would basically be a big pet.

We have 80 acres total. About ten acres of it immediately surrounding the house could easily have the fence repairs made to keep the cows out. The horse would have good grazing, hay and grain, vet and farrier care and daily human attention.

Problem is, if I offer these people $500 out of my savings I wouldn't have enough left to build a lean-to for awhile. The money would have to come out of my savings, not the house savings. I say the horse would be fine being able to go into the woods directly behind the chicken coop to get out of the weather. Like y'all have mentioned, I could buy him blankets and fly masks if necessary. I have done my research and know of the high costs involved in keeping a horse. DH says he would have to have a lean-to.

This is just something we are in the early stages of talking about.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Ahhh, I see. So yes, you must try to buy this poor horse!

He'll be much happier at your house! Once he's carrying proper weight he'll do fine outside and you can easily blanket him if the need arises until he has a shed available. Even with a shed available my horses stood out in the rain, butt's to the wind. Unless it rains for days on end they usually stay fairly dry under a thick winter coat.

Good luck, hope he comes home soon!

 

[miss_thenorth]

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x2

Especially in winter and very hard downpours, a shelter is pretty much a must. As for blankets and fly masks, ummm no. flies bother humans more than they do horses, and blankets could do more harm than good. Out in the wild, horses did not need anything like this, and as far as shelters are concerned, they sought out their own when inclement weather found them.

Just as an aside, if that horse has foundered, pasture is a no no for him. It amazes me how some people treat other living creatures. Good for you for wanting to help him.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Tell ya what Gritty, horses don't need much shelter in our part of the country. I bet if you get the horse I can get some volunteers to come help me throw a quick shelter up for ya in one afternoon.


I've got the 12' tin for a roof..... anyone else wanta be crazy?





But offer 200 first. Horses are FREE here......

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Grit, I think he would be in a much better situation if you took him, even if he didn't have shelter for a little while. I'm glad you are thinking about giving him a good home and I hope if you do decide to go over and offer money for the horse, that they accept your offer.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

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Steve?

Have you been into that white lightnin' again?

I barely allow the KIDS in the house most days....

 

[gritsar]

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Actually we probably have most of the materials already on the farm in one outbuilding or another. Just Keith can't do that kind of physical labor anymore, at least without help. He's still dealing with the blood clots from his accident at work last year. He's just trying to make it through until he can retire next April.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
Sorry, I ididn't see where you were from. yeah, if you had to deal with snow and sleet and - 30 winds, yeah shelter is pretty much needed. Good luck and keep us posted. God bless you for doing this.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:

Actually we probably have most of the materials already on the farm in one outbuilding or another. Just Keith can't do that kind of physical labor anymore, at least without help. He's still dealing with the blood clots from his accident at work last year. He's just trying to make it through until he can retire next April.

k, it's settled then.....


Name the day, I'll be there. Keith can supervise. Seriously, a 3 sided shelter with a tin top would be fine at least for now. That's all our horses had when I was growing up.


Anybody else wanta help? hint hint?