Abandonment Epidemic

SaddleTrail · 06-07-2009, 01:33 PM

You know Ive said this before Stormy, there are many people who do their work behind the scenes, ones who don't do interviews, or want to put themselves in front of the limelight to help horses, they do it behind and quietly. You do what you do , we do what we do.

You asked the other person what she did to help horses and then went on to tell her what you do in answer. You seem to do this in these threads, Ive seen you do it several times. Again, folks may not want or need to expound on what they do to help publicly. Doesn't make you any better or them any worse.

I believe there are many people who do what they can for as many horses as they can and bless their hearts for doing it. Not everyone can do this and I refuse to put them down for it.

Times are hard for all of us, taking care of our own horses is enough of a strain or will be. Families will be having it pretty hard here soon due to lack of jobs, loosing a job etc.

The extreme cases come from people who do NOT come on this forum because like us that ones here love their animals and would never mistreat them.

Take your so called passion and put it outside the forum where you may do better at helping a horse that needs help then getting into another silly argument about slaughter.

Stormyheart6160 · 06-07-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaddleTrail

You know Ive said this before Stormy, there are many people who do their work behind the scenes, ones who don't do interviews, or want to put themselves in front of the limelight to help horses, they do it behind and quietly. You do what you do , we do what we do. And, there's nothing wrong with what you do, or anyone else who's trying their best to help at least one horse. I, for myself, prefer to spread the word about the problem with horses, and about slaughter. Getting yourself "out there" for the public to see is a great way of doing that.

You asked the other person what she did to help horses and then went on to tell her what you do in answer. HUH???

Maybe you should go back and reread ALL the posts. AFTER I asked her what she did, she responded in kind. She in turn then, asked me what do I do in my area, and I responded in kind.You seem to do this in these threads, Ive seen you do it several times. Again, folks may not want or need to expound on what they do to help publicly. Doesn't make you any better or them any worse. Please show me where I said it DID make me better, or them worse?

I believe there are many people who do what they can for as many horses as they can and bless their hearts for doing it. Not everyone can do this and I refuse to put them down for it. Same here!

Times are hard for all of us, taking care of our own horses is enough of a strain or will be. Families will be having it pretty hard here soon due to lack of jobs, loosing a job etc. I couldn't agree with you more. That's why putting the "word" out there about myself, and what I do, is important more so now, than it was in the past.

The extreme cases come from people who do NOT come on this forum because like us that ones here love their animals and would never mistreat them. I believe you are right there. This forum has nothing but, horse lovers on it, who take excellent care of their animals and do the absolute best for them that they can afford.

Take your so called passion and put it outside the forum where you may do better at helping a horse that needs help then getting into another silly argument about slaughter.

NOPE! Not gonna limit myself to outside the forum!!! If I did that, there would be four horses already dead. That's right....four horses I currently have here, came from HGS members themselves, or from someone an HGS member knew that didn't come on this forum. Why would you want to take away an option that I offer, from our HGS members?

mftx4 · 06-07-2009, 02:08 PM

Maybe I said that because I admire spirit in people that are passionate about what they do. I believe Saddle Trail, that's exactly what she has been doing.
I also don't think people that abandone horses are worried about making a buck. I believe they feel they have no alternatives. We've all seen ad's for free horses, that no one will take. Ads for someone looking for free horses that are only offered broke down horses with no future.
I have a nice older mare that I would love to find a home for. No one is out there looking for a 'nice older' mare that has a few physical problems that are low maintainence. So she will probably be here, 'babysitting' for the rest of her life. While I have her, then I can't bring in another. I won't 'crowd' horses in, just to save them. I won't make the one's I have go without, to take another.

Stormyheart6160 · 06-07-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mftx4

Maybe I said that because I admire spirit in people that are passionate about what they do. I believe Saddle Trail, that's exactly what she has been doing.
I also don't think people that abandone horses are worried about making a buck. I believe they feel they have no alternatives. We've all seen ad's for free horses, that no one will take. Ads for someone looking for free horses that are only offered broke down horses with no future.
I have a nice older mare that I would love to find a home for. No one is out there looking for a 'nice older' mare that has a few physical problems that are low maintainence. So she will probably be here, 'babysitting' for the rest of her life. While I have her, then I can't bring in another. I won't 'crowd' horses in, just to save them. I won't make the one's I have go without, to take another.

You are right about people abandoning horses not being worried about making a buck. Those kind of people tick me off more than any other form of abuse/neglect could. That goes for ANY animal...not just horses!! Those animals cannot sustain themselves, and remain healthy. They are domesticated and depend on us for what they need.

I understand your dilema concerning your older mare, and wanting another horse. But, bless your heart for keeping her until her time comes, or you do find someone to take her. I'd say let her come here, but my "permanent resident" limit is 20, and I'm there now! Had you of said something a month ago, I would of had an opening, but BettyBootsy alerted me to a TB who was about to go to auction because he's a hard keeper as far as his weight goes. So, I went down to the Oklahoma/Kansas border and picked him up.

I'm expecting another opening tho soon. I have a 40 year old pony here, that I think will probably not make it thru another year. He might surprise me tho. He did great all last winter.

mftx4 · 06-07-2009, 03:04 PM

I'm not looking to move her on until I find what I think would be 'perfect' situation' for her. She's 18, and what I would call used and abused. A 'bottle baby' from birth because her Momma tried to kill her, literally. Very poor foot care. She toes out on all 4 feet. My trimmer has her trimmed for her own way of going. She is barefoot, and likes it. She has arteritis in her knees and is on a glucosamine and mineral suppliment. She has her own box stall and is fed seperate from the rest. She was on the thin side when I got her and she was being bred every year for 5 or 6 years. No more babies for Sasha. She's a MFT and had very irradic gaits, but now with her natural trims, she the best I've got. She's very funny because she just 'poo poo's' the others. She knows she's special.
I had a TWH gelding for several years that I picked up in not great shape a few years back. Got him fixed up and he made a wonderful 'first' horse for Hubby. A friend was looking for a first horse for grandkids. He has moved on to teaching them.
Looking at a web site for a sale barn in the area here and they have 8 'rescue horses' coming from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Guess even they can't find homes for them.

dacowgirl · 06-07-2009, 05:48 PM

Stormy- I realized I'm going to have to agree to disagree with you on this. I personally am pro slaughter because I'd rather see horses be put out their miserey within a few days than suffer for a couple more months until their bodies are so weak and fragile, they die on their own.

I understand you are very deffensive as to people's opinions as to how you feel about this subejct, but I commend your efforts to make a difference.

I just don't think it's at all realistic for all the horses in this country who are neglected, abused, and homeless to be rescued versuses going to slaughter.

This is my opinion, you obviously have your own, but like I said, I commend the effort, money and time you put into helping the horses you're able to help.

4hooves4me2 · 06-07-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormyheart6160

NOPE! Not gonna limit myself to outside the forum!!! If I did that, there would be four horses already dead. That's right....four horses I currently have here, came from HGS members themselves, or from someone an HGS member knew that didn't come on this forum. Why would you want to take away an option that I offer, from our HGS members?

'Raises hand'-lol! Shelly called me about a horse she had been told about over here in bad shape. I went and talked to the owners-they gave me the horse-Shelly came and picked it up.

She also took a mare I had here, Delight-who has 'special' problems. I paid $500 for that little mare-I gave her to Shelly. We hauled her to Kansas, I paid for the gas, bought all the lunches and snacks for me and the gal making the trip-and bought the gal a new brake box for her truck for helping us out. I had a lot of $$ wrapped up in her by the time it was over. But I knew she would have a forever home-and no more trauma.

Shelly can't just 'drop' her passion while she is here on the forum-she is who she is does what she does and I don't think she is going to change. LOLOL! She and I hit heads as well-I am not pro slaughter at all-but lordy-even two anti's can clang metal heads let me tell ya.

I am glad she is here in all her glory-Not only do I KNOW she isn't going to change-I wouldn't want her to either.

maggie08 · 06-08-2009, 04:52 AM

I live in Canada and yes slaughter houses are still in business. I recently went to the horse auction in our area and was devestated by the condition most if not all horses being sold were in. However in saying that you can't save everyone. The amount of money, in vet, feed, boarding would pretty much break an average persons bank account.
It's hard to say but for some if not most of these horses, it was far better off to put an end to there suffering.
To me it's people,not the animals wether it be a horse,dog,cat, that need to repromanded for the suffering that they have inflicted on these animals. I know that in Canada it doesn't seem to matter to much, and that saddens me to no extent. Most rescues around here seem to be lookin for retirement homes for alot of the horses they rescue. Some old, some lame by over racing, but realistically who has the money to just have a horse standing in a field. It's a nice thought but lets be realistic.
The economy here is just as bad, and who can afford to keep a "hay burner" around. Perhaps I don't see the full picture, but lets be realistic.

However I do commend those that are out there to help those few horses that can be re-schooled and go on to be full productive horses.

mftx4 · 06-08-2009, 06:12 AM

I agree, Maggie. I think that's the reason some of us are so torn between on the subject of slaughter. I'm very sure I'm not the only one. Save what's saveable and, realisticly and financially, many of us, have to let the rest go. I believe we all have to decide for ourselves what we feel is best for the individual animal.

maggie08 · 06-08-2009, 07:01 AM

Many people in my area go to rescues thinking how wonderful it is to help a horse, I know cause I got roped into it. There is only so much someone can do. It's up to the public and the humane society or local SPCA or government to truly implement these changes that warrant the owners of these horses.

I believe alot of it is education. Educating people of the real commitment it takes to own a horse, and along with that the finacial responsibility.

Personally I don't own a horse I lease, I looked for awhile and have found nothing suitable, but not only that I wanted a taste of what this responsibility would entale, and I'm learning it's not a cheap endeavour.

06-07-2009, 01:33 PM	#81
SaddleTrail Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Happy Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,393 Images: 5	You know Ive said this before Stormy, there are many people who do their work behind the scenes, ones who don't do interviews, or want to put themselves in front of the limelight to help horses, they do it behind and quietly. You do what you do , we do what we do. You asked the other person what she did to help horses and then went on to tell her what you do in answer. You seem to do this in these threads, Ive seen you do it several times. Again, folks may not want or need to expound on what they do to help publicly. Doesn't make you any better or them any worse. I believe there are many people who do what they can for as many horses as they can and bless their hearts for doing it. Not everyone can do this and I refuse to put them down for it. Times are hard for all of us, taking care of our own horses is enough of a strain or will be. Families will be having it pretty hard here soon due to lack of jobs, loosing a job etc. The extreme cases come from people who do NOT come on this forum because like us that ones here love their animals and would never mistreat them. Take your so called passion and put it outside the forum where you may do better at helping a horse that needs help then getting into another silly argument about slaughter. __________________ "Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong" " In a hard situation try a soft word"

06-07-2009, 05:48 PM	#86
dacowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rainy but beautiful, Oregon! Posts: 481 Images: 21	Stormy- I realized I'm going to have to agree to disagree with you on this. I personally am pro slaughter because I'd rather see horses be put out their miserey within a few days than suffer for a couple more months until their bodies are so weak and fragile, they die on their own. I understand you are very deffensive as to people's opinions as to how you feel about this subejct, but I commend your efforts to make a difference. I just don't think it's at all realistic for all the horses in this country who are neglected, abused, and homeless to be rescued versuses going to slaughter. This is my opinion, you obviously have your own, but like I said, I commend the effort, money and time you put into helping the horses you're able to help. __________________ Oregon Cowgirls Do It In The Rain! Boots, chaps and cowboy hats... nothin' else matters.

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06-07-2009, 02:08 PM	#83
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,091 Images: 48	Maybe I said that because I admire spirit in people that are passionate about what they do. I believe Saddle Trail, that's exactly what she has been doing. I also don't think people that abandone horses are worried about making a buck. I believe they feel they have no alternatives. We've all seen ad's for free horses, that no one will take. Ads for someone looking for free horses that are only offered broke down horses with no future. I have a nice older mare that I would love to find a home for. No one is out there looking for a 'nice older' mare that has a few physical problems that are low maintainence. So she will probably be here, 'babysitting' for the rest of her life. While I have her, then I can't bring in another. I won't 'crowd' horses in, just to save them. I won't make the one's I have go without, to take another.

06-07-2009, 03:04 PM	#85
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,091 Images: 48	I'm not looking to move her on until I find what I think would be 'perfect' situation' for her. She's 18, and what I would call used and abused. A 'bottle baby' from birth because her Momma tried to kill her, literally. Very poor foot care. She toes out on all 4 feet. My trimmer has her trimmed for her own way of going. She is barefoot, and likes it. She has arteritis in her knees and is on a glucosamine and mineral suppliment. She has her own box stall and is fed seperate from the rest. She was on the thin side when I got her and she was being bred every year for 5 or 6 years. No more babies for Sasha. She's a MFT and had very irradic gaits, but now with her natural trims, she the best I've got. She's very funny because she just 'poo poo's' the others. She knows she's special. I had a TWH gelding for several years that I picked up in not great shape a few years back. Got him fixed up and he made a wonderful 'first' horse for Hubby. A friend was looking for a first horse for grandkids. He has moved on to teaching them. Looking at a web site for a sale barn in the area here and they have 8 'rescue horses' coming from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Guess even they can't find homes for them.

06-08-2009, 04:52 AM	#88
maggie08 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 255 Images: 6	I live in Canada and yes slaughter houses are still in business. I recently went to the horse auction in our area and was devestated by the condition most if not all horses being sold were in. However in saying that you can't save everyone. The amount of money, in vet, feed, boarding would pretty much break an average persons bank account. It's hard to say but for some if not most of these horses, it was far better off to put an end to there suffering. To me it's people,not the animals wether it be a horse,dog,cat, that need to repromanded for the suffering that they have inflicted on these animals. I know that in Canada it doesn't seem to matter to much, and that saddens me to no extent. Most rescues around here seem to be lookin for retirement homes for alot of the horses they rescue. Some old, some lame by over racing, but realistically who has the money to just have a horse standing in a field. It's a nice thought but lets be realistic. The economy here is just as bad, and who can afford to keep a "hay burner" around. Perhaps I don't see the full picture, but lets be realistic. However I do commend those that are out there to help those few horses that can be re-schooled and go on to be full productive horses.

06-08-2009, 06:12 AM	#89
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,091 Images: 48	I agree, Maggie. I think that's the reason some of us are so torn between on the subject of slaughter. I'm very sure I'm not the only one. Save what's saveable and, realisticly and financially, many of us, have to let the rest go. I believe we all have to decide for ourselves what we feel is best for the individual animal.

06-08-2009, 07:01 AM	#90
maggie08 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 255 Images: 6	Many people in my area go to rescues thinking how wonderful it is to help a horse, I know cause I got roped into it. There is only so much someone can do. It's up to the public and the humane society or local SPCA or government to truly implement these changes that warrant the owners of these horses. I believe alot of it is education. Educating people of the real commitment it takes to own a horse, and along with that the finacial responsibility. Personally I don't own a horse I lease, I looked for awhile and have found nothing suitable, but not only that I wanted a taste of what this responsibility would entale, and I'm learning it's not a cheap endeavour.