[Jess!]

I just GAVE a horse away, and the new owner is complaining to me already! You can't even WIN these days by giving a horse away!

I might have done the same in the owner's situation. She could have given the horse away, the horse might have done something or hurt someone, and she could have gotten sued. Because she was "nice" and gave it away.

Sorry, I'm thinking the next time around I might just do the same thing if I cannot afford a horse, and the horse is older. Because I don't know what is going to happen if the horse doesn't work out, and the new owners lie and don't let me know. They could say they love the horse, still have it, and in fact sent it to auction, given it away, or had it put down.

When it comes down to it - it was her horse, her decision.

[WilsonF]

Originally Posted by Jess!

I just GAVE a horse away, and the new owner is complaining to me already! You can't even WIN these days by giving a horse away!

I might have done the same in the owner's situation. She could have given the horse away, the horse might have done something or hurt someone, and she could have gotten sued. Because she was "nice" and gave it away.

Sorry, I'm thinking the next time around I might just do the same thing if I cannot afford a horse, and the horse is older. Because I don't know what is going to happen if the horse doesn't work out, and the new owners lie and don't let me know. They could say they love the horse, still have it, and in fact sent it to auction, given it away, or had it put down.

When it comes down to it - it was her horse, her decision.

I agree. I know someone that gave a gelding away. (under false pretense though, he was not as broke as she told everyone) threw his new owner, guess how much money in doctor bills she is paying.

[KristinJ]

I think its rediculous though when people do it for the WRONG reasons right? Hypothetically, say I had 5 horses. 2 older ones 3 wellbred young horses, doing well in showring. I come on hardtimes and can't afford all. So I euthanize the older ones .... NO I THINK THAT IS SO WRONG! I would sell my soul before euthanizing a COMFORTABLE older horse (with no problems besides some arthritis and may require some joint supps) that I BOUGHT YEARS AGO and has been a great horse for so long. That is not what they deserve, out with the old .. in with the new, it's disgusting. Horses are not disposable .. TO ME.

I would sell my 3 show horses and keep the 2 old hags and show them the life they earned and deserveed. Anyway .. that was just hypothetical, but I think in THOSE situations it is SO wrong. This may or may not be what happened in the OP situation. I would ASSUME not .. but who knows.

I think people need to be responsible for their decisions when they buy a horse. If you don't have a lot of money or people that can help you out when you may hit hard times, don't do it. We all know sh!t happens RIGHT when you are at rock bottom and you get hit with a $1000 vet bill. If I didn't have my parents at my side there is no way I'd own 2 horses and a pony. I really can't keep the pony. Too much time and I only have 2 stalls for 3 horses. However, I TOOK HIM IN, I KNEW WHAT I WAS GETTING MYSELF INTO! He foundered, I paid a ton in vet bills. I want to give him away but like you all I get nervous about people and where he would end up. He is older and such. Would I put him down? NO! Just because I was stupid and took him in and am now in over my head does not mean a life should die. I will struggle and work extra to make ends meet, which I do. So he will have a forever home with me.

[Stormyheart6160]

I have to say, in my own opinion, it hurts my heart everytime I hear of another healthy horse losing it's life, just because ONE person can't afford to keep it. I think that particular horse could of put a genuine smile on some childs face for many years to come still.

BUT, with that being said, people all over the country are putting good horses down. It's sad and heartbreaking. But, if I were in that situation, and I had to make a choice to either put one down, or put it on the market, where I had NO SAY in what becomes of it in the future....I too would probably opt to put it down. I'd much rather put it down, than to risk it ending up on a truck bound for Canada or Mexico, where the end result would be the same.....just a lot more trauma involved.

Then again, there's also a part of me that says I would fight HARD to find a responsible person to take them, so they could continue to live. Death can NEVER be reversed! I don't like playing "God" when it come to who gets to live and who doesn't.

***sighs*** BAD situation to be in.....hope I NEVER am in it.

[CDpursuit4]

I would rather have him put down then slaughtered....Horses are so much more than just a pet what they have done for us through hundreds of years has earned them places in history and a huge place in our hearts. There are so many bad horse owners out there it is good that this one chose not to send him to auction and have him risk being someones dinner. I had a horse stolen and sent to auction i forever wonder what his fate was and hate to think. Yes its sad she didnt try and find a home for him. i tried not to get involved with this post i have to say. i am anti slaughter and i am really glad she did what she did instead of the later.

[nicz2cu]

Selfish... it is selfish to put your horse( s ) off on someone else, making it their problem.

You cannot see the future , what happens if that good home finds themselves in dire straits... people will make the decision that is in their best interest.

Sorry, that is life regardless of who it is or what they promise.

Why do you think we hear all these stories of abuse or find so many rescues full and turning away horses , horses being turned out to fend for themselves or just left in someones' pasture or trailer .They are not made up, sadly it is real life.

Also, you cannot compare them to human children, they can't speak for themselves as a human being can .

I love everyone of my pets , enough to make sure they will never have to suffer if I'm not around to care for them.

Am I selfish in possibly denying them a full life.... not a chance. I am selfish enough to make sure they are taken care of with all the love in my heart up until the end .

Originally Posted by KristinJ

I agree with you.

I believe some of you are just being a little too selfish ... I have horsie friends who I would trust with my horses. If i died today, my horses would go to my parents (who know NOTHING ABOUT HORSES), they would do what they think is best, probably hire a trainer for the yearling and make it work. If that weren't an option I'd probably give them to a few friends that I know would take care of them.

It's like your children. If I died I would not take my 4 yr old 12 yr old CHILD with me just because I am dead ... wow I can't even imagine that. I would still want them to have a life ahead of them. Not everyone is bad. Sure they may not do things 100% like YOU WOULD do if you owned the horse but MOST horse owners (such as the ones on this board) are decent and truly love their pets.

If I couldnt afford all my horses, I would sell my yearling who I could PROBABLY sell or give away and keep my older guy as I know no one would buy him. I am not selfish enough to put him down and keep the younger one. I would sacrifice my own wants and needs to keep my older one as happy as he can until HE tells me it's time for him to go.

ALSO I am not at all referring to the OP and that situation, I am saying if times were rough and I couldn't afford my horses, I would never just decide to put them down. You are all right in WE DONT know the story.

[KristinJ]

Originally Posted by nicz2cu

Selfish... it is selfish to put your horse( s ) off on someone else, making it their problem.

You cannot see the future , what happens if that good home finds themselves in dire straits... people will make the decision that is in their best interest.

Sorry, that is life regardless of who it is or what they promise.

Why do you think we hear all these stories of abuse or find so many rescues full and turning away horses , horses being turned out to fend for themselves or just left in someones' pasture or trailer .They are not made up, sadly it is real life.

Also, you cannot compare them to human children, they can't speak for themselves as a human being can .

I love everyone of my pets , enough to make sure they will never have to suffer if I'm not around to care for them.

Am I selfish in possibly denying them a full life.... not a chance. I am selfish enough to make sure they are taken care of with all the love in my heart up until the end .

I guess we will agree to disagree. If one of my friends came to me and said they couldn't afford their horse and were going to put them down I would offer to take them in for her. If the horse IS MARKETABLE, and young why wouldn't you sell him? I just don't get that. THAT to me is selfish. Because it MAY end up in a bad place? That is silly. We only ever hear of the bad horse owners but there are THOUSANDS of good ones, that take care of their horses aswell. Find a good owner and that be it. Ask if you can keep in touch of them and the horse (yes sometimes you do lose touch).

I have stayed in touch with all the previous owners of horses (except the pony cause the owners couldn't give a sh!t). I tried to keep in touch with my older geldings previous owner, but she stood me up a few times when we were supposed to meet so I just stopped talking to her, but if she got in touch with me I would respond. The breeder I got my yearling from, I send her pictures all the time, and let her know how he is doing.

[5515Shannon]

no actually i do know the story and i DO KNOW that the owner never tried to sell the horse and that the horse WAS COMPLETELY HEALTHY....

[quote=Alliekk;4089282]Putting it into ''general terms'' doesn't hide what you said about her. You already made your mind up, and while you start saying hypothetical things, we can tell you are actually referring to the owner. No one introduced any hypothetical terms into the thread before your ''latte'' jaunt. Just stop for a minute, back up a step and review. OP sees horse leaving stable and last she hears is the horse was euthanized. There really shouldn't have even been an original post without first knowing the facts, that's how people get angry, with people just assuming she was ''completely healthy'' and the owner ''hadn't tried".

[mftx4]

If that is so, that the horse was perfectly healthy and had no issues, then it's pretty much a mute point, as the deed, apparently is already done.
It is a shame, if your information is correct. It may have been an emotional decission, as others have said, including myself. If you haven't faced the owner and asked directly why she did it, it still remains, none of your buisness.

[Luna9]

Originally Posted by imjustjoking22

I can see the other side of this- there are a LOT of older, unwanted horses out there, and if I couldn't afford to keep my horse and he was up there in years then I might consider euthanasia if the alternative was an uncertain future. What is sadder- putting a horse to sleep peacefully while they are healthy and happy and haven't suffered, or finding out your beloved older horse has been abused/neglected/etc in a new home?

You took the words right out of my mouth