Last straw with a problem horse...

SKB · 11-07-2008, 12:32 PM

I don't understand and maybe I misread something... but if she wanted it to be her project, then why is someone else training the horse? She did a good thing by taking the horse to a trainer if she didn't know what to do to fix the problem... but why take the horse than if you can't fix it. Has she trained problem horses before?

I agree with others.. try a new trainer... sounds like she needs lots of work before anyone gets on her. How long was she with the new owner until she got sent to the trainers?

Has a vet looked her over fully?

There are many equine rescues out there... if there are no local ones that will take her, then try ones far away... I live in Colorado and rescues from California have been out here to get some horses. Post something in the rescue section of HGS asking if anyone knows of rescues in your friends area.

It is unfair to end this horses life because someone is being irresponsible (in my opinion)!

calypsoscarnivl · 11-07-2008, 01:35 PM

She needs to go to a trainer that has experience restarting "broke" horses.

If she has had a few years off, of course she is not going to want to be ridden! In her eyes, she has won the lottery! By making her work, your asking her to give all of her money back

!!!

I speak from personal experience. One of my horses had a a long lay off due to an injury that was supposedly "career ending" Well, he recovered and was sound about 3 years later, but he really didn't want to work. THe first time I got on him (after several weeks of groundwork, which he was good for) he went straight up in the air with me!

After cursing him and calling him every nasty name in the book for trying to kill me, I called a competent trainer that has a lot of experience with "problem" horses. She explained things to me from his point of veiw, told me not to take his actions personally, and let him know that there was a new sheriff in town

He is perfectly fine now, I have never had another problem.

A qualified trainer can make all the difference!

kirsty62 · 11-07-2008, 02:03 PM

'You mentioned that the mare had a worried and frightened look in her eye - if it is an abuse case, good luck! If she was abused she most likely has lost all faith and trust in humans and without that what else can a horse do but fight back?'

You hit the nail on the head here - I think she has lost all faith in humans and just doesn't see the point after being abused letting anyone ride her.
She is very nervous on her own - she has to be in a paddock with other horses not next to them but in there. If she is next to them she will canter the length of the paddock up and down over and over again and while she was at the trainers - even though there were horses all around her she jumped the fence just so she could be in the paddock with them. she is very nappy - doesn't like to be taken away from horses and doesn't like them to be taken away from her.

As for the previous owner - she won't want her back, she was the one who left her and totally lost interest in her. She had a halter on that had been left for so long it had rubbed quite bad on her face.

Don't know if we can find out much of her history - previous owner won't come out to see her or even talk on phone - only ever heard from her via email.

The horse is in New Zealand - there aren't any resue places for horses here apart from the spca but there are so many messed up horses these days they can't take them all. It's so sad.

I really appreciate all these opinions guys - thankyou. Another trainer would be the way to go perhaps. Just watching Bonnie in the stall yesterday she seemed crazy and just not willing to try anymore., It's a difficult situation.

Banat · 11-07-2008, 03:13 PM

I can't believe all the people on here chastising this woman that took a horse to try to improve it's lot in life.

Did you actually read the posts?

This woman tried to help the horse, the former owner wasn't doing a great job taking care of her according to the posts and at least this woman has sent the horse to a trainer (I think she should try another trainer though).

She has tried to give the horse away and guess what? No one wants a horse that bucks. The former owner doesn't want the horse back.

She (Sarah?) has been more responsible than the majority of people I know. Good for her for trying to help Bonnie. Please try to convince her to not sell her as a broodmare. If she can't find a trainer that can help and isn't willing to fork over board, feed and vet care for the next 20+ years I think euthenasia is the kindest option.

Dancers Mom · 11-07-2008, 04:40 PM

I would really look at another trainer. Maybe she does not like men or maybe she needs one with a soft heart and hand. She will probably come around but my guess is it will be a long time and will take alot of patience. Don't give up on her just yet, it really has not been all that long since she has had her.

littlerider · 11-07-2008, 04:53 PM

Maybe Bonnie's old owner had the same problem. Here's a horse that was suppose to be rideable and they find out it's not. They try and get rid of the horse but no one wants it and they now realize it costs alot of money to take care of a horse, so here is a horse sitting in a pasture that has been chewed down and she's not getting any nutrients out of it so she's loosing weight, when all the sudden this girls friend see's her and decided's she want's her to work with.

Well I think alot of us have been taken in buy a horse that is in a bad situation, so we feel the need to "save" it but end up getting burned because the horse is not quite what we were expecting.

I applaude your friend for trying to "fix" this horse but sometime's you have to step back and say "it's just to much for me".
I don't think she should put Bonnie down, but I do think there is someone out there that will be willing to give her a good forever home. There are plenty of rescue's out there that would take a horse instead of it being put down. So please check ALL your options before you decide to put this horse down.

Good luck.

pinevalley · 11-07-2008, 05:55 PM

I applaude everyone suggesting a rescue, but I know first hand around here, rescues have stopped accepting problem horses, they are only taking animals that are placeable.

OP...if the mare is not trustable, euthanasia can be the best option, usually as the last resort. Your friend has gone farther than some others that I know of and given the animal a chance, and if an animal is dangerous, not a good candidate to be bred or passed onto someone else.

Berlunz · 11-07-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirsty62

'You mentioned that the mare had a worried and frightened look in her eye - if it is an abuse case, good luck! If she was abused she most likely has lost all faith and trust in humans and without that what else can a horse do but fight back?'

You hit the nail on the head here - I think she has lost all faith in humans and just doesn't see the point after being abused letting anyone ride her.
She is very nervous on her own - she has to be in a paddock with other horses not next to them but in there. If she is next to them she will canter the length of the paddock up and down over and over again and while she was at the trainers - even though there were horses all around her she jumped the fence just so she could be in the paddock with them. she is very nappy - doesn't like to be taken away from horses and doesn't like them to be taken away from her.

This is a herd instinct that all the horses have and this behavior is what most people call being herd sour. It's not really a sign of abuse but rather a horses instinct becoming so strong and being allowed to get away with it for so long they are willing to bend over backwards and hurt themselves to stay in their habits.

As for the previous owner - she won't want her back, she was the one who left her and totally lost interest in her. She had a halter on that had been left for so long it had rubbed quite bad on her face.

This is understood and I have to say it would be a bad idea to give her back as according to your story the previous owner did not care for her.

Don't know if we can find out much of her history - previous owner won't come out to see her or even talk on phone - only ever heard from her via email.

The horse is in New Zealand - there aren't any resue places for horses here apart from the spca but there are so many messed up horses these days they can't take them all. It's so sad.

I am sure a rescue would be willing to work with you in some method though, it doesnt hurt to start calling and asking for help. If all else fails sign the horse over to the ASPCA saying you can no longer afford to care for her.

I really appreciate all these opinions guys - thankyou. Another trainer would be the way to go perhaps. Just watching Bonnie in the stall yesterday she seemed crazy and just not willing to try anymore., It's a difficult situation.

As many have suggested please find a trainer willing to take their time with her. It may not have been abuse just not being used in so long that she is basically back to square 1. Would you take and unbroke horse with no work except knowing how to saddle and just saddle them up and jump on and expect them to behave? this is a situation much like that. She has a lot of pent up energy and is not used to working. Just jumping into it after a few days has caused this reaction of an explosion and then a refusal.

This is a horse who is going to take time and patience to retrain, but making her a broodmare is not the solution. However I do have to agree that if A. The mare is not able to be fixed. and B. you cannot find a home for her as a pasture buddy (or a rescue willing to take her in) then yes euthanasia if you cannot afford to continue keeping her is not the worst of things to consider as its much better than letting her starve or wind up who knows where.

kirsty62 · 11-07-2008, 09:08 PM

These are some pics of Bonnie

kirsty62 · 11-07-2008, 09:12 PM

Good point about being herd bound - how do you fix that? It's hard because she wouldn't make a very good paddock mate because she stresses out on her own and that wouldn't help the horse she is paddocked with if it's taken away.

Part of me thinks that she needs more work - do you think it is possible she doesn't want to be ridden or do you think that she is just putting up a fight and will get over it? The trainer thought it would be more a case that she could leave her with him for the next month - spend $800 New Zealand Dollars and still have a horse that is 'no fun'. It's just so hard to know.

11-07-2008, 01:35 PM	#32
calypsoscarnivl Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New England Posts: 1,679 Images: 16	She needs to go to a trainer that has experience restarting "broke" horses. If she has had a few years off, of course she is not going to want to be ridden! In her eyes, she has won the lottery! By making her work, your asking her to give all of her money back!!! I speak from personal experience. One of my horses had a a long lay off due to an injury that was supposedly "career ending" Well, he recovered and was sound about 3 years later, but he really didn't want to work. THe first time I got on him (after several weeks of groundwork, which he was good for) he went straight up in the air with me! After cursing him and calling him every nasty name in the book for trying to kill me, I called a competent trainer that has a lot of experience with "problem" horses. She explained things to me from his point of veiw, told me not to take his actions personally, and let him know that there was a new sheriff in town He is perfectly fine now, I have never had another problem. A qualified trainer can make all the difference!

11-07-2008, 04:40 PM	#35
Dancers Mom Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: La Mesa, CA Posts: 4,222 Images: 347	I would really look at another trainer. Maybe she does not like men or maybe she needs one with a soft heart and hand. She will probably come around but my guess is it will be a long time and will take alot of patience. Don't give up on her just yet, it really has not been all that long since she has had her. __________________ *Native Star aka Dancer = 7yo OTTB mare* If you are going to teach a horse something and have a good relationship, you don't make him learn it - you let him learn it. http://blossomvalleyequestrians.webs.com/

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11-07-2008, 12:32 PM	#31
SKB Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 285 Images: 9	I don't understand and maybe I misread something... but if she wanted it to be her project, then why is someone else training the horse? She did a good thing by taking the horse to a trainer if she didn't know what to do to fix the problem... but why take the horse than if you can't fix it. Has she trained problem horses before? I agree with others.. try a new trainer... sounds like she needs lots of work before anyone gets on her. How long was she with the new owner until she got sent to the trainers? Has a vet looked her over fully? There are many equine rescues out there... if there are no local ones that will take her, then try ones far away... I live in Colorado and rescues from California have been out here to get some horses. Post something in the rescue section of HGS asking if anyone knows of rescues in your friends area. It is unfair to end this horses life because someone is being irresponsible (in my opinion)!

11-07-2008, 02:03 PM	#33
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	'You mentioned that the mare had a worried and frightened look in her eye - if it is an abuse case, good luck! If she was abused she most likely has lost all faith and trust in humans and without that what else can a horse do but fight back?' You hit the nail on the head here - I think she has lost all faith in humans and just doesn't see the point after being abused letting anyone ride her. She is very nervous on her own - she has to be in a paddock with other horses not next to them but in there. If she is next to them she will canter the length of the paddock up and down over and over again and while she was at the trainers - even though there were horses all around her she jumped the fence just so she could be in the paddock with them. she is very nappy - doesn't like to be taken away from horses and doesn't like them to be taken away from her. As for the previous owner - she won't want her back, she was the one who left her and totally lost interest in her. She had a halter on that had been left for so long it had rubbed quite bad on her face. Don't know if we can find out much of her history - previous owner won't come out to see her or even talk on phone - only ever heard from her via email. The horse is in New Zealand - there aren't any resue places for horses here apart from the spca but there are so many messed up horses these days they can't take them all. It's so sad. I really appreciate all these opinions guys - thankyou. Another trainer would be the way to go perhaps. Just watching Bonnie in the stall yesterday she seemed crazy and just not willing to try anymore., It's a difficult situation.

11-07-2008, 03:13 PM	#34
Banat Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,673 Images: 48	I can't believe all the people on here chastising this woman that took a horse to try to improve it's lot in life. Did you actually read the posts? This woman tried to help the horse, the former owner wasn't doing a great job taking care of her according to the posts and at least this woman has sent the horse to a trainer (I think she should try another trainer though). She has tried to give the horse away and guess what? No one wants a horse that bucks. The former owner doesn't want the horse back. She (Sarah?) has been more responsible than the majority of people I know. Good for her for trying to help Bonnie. Please try to convince her to not sell her as a broodmare. If she can't find a trainer that can help and isn't willing to fork over board, feed and vet care for the next 20+ years I think euthenasia is the kindest option.

11-07-2008, 04:53 PM	#36
littlerider Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 444 Images: 49	Maybe Bonnie's old owner had the same problem. Here's a horse that was suppose to be rideable and they find out it's not. They try and get rid of the horse but no one wants it and they now realize it costs alot of money to take care of a horse, so here is a horse sitting in a pasture that has been chewed down and she's not getting any nutrients out of it so she's loosing weight, when all the sudden this girls friend see's her and decided's she want's her to work with. Well I think alot of us have been taken in buy a horse that is in a bad situation, so we feel the need to "save" it but end up getting burned because the horse is not quite what we were expecting. I applaude your friend for trying to "fix" this horse but sometime's you have to step back and say "it's just to much for me". I don't think she should put Bonnie down, but I do think there is someone out there that will be willing to give her a good forever home. There are plenty of rescue's out there that would take a horse instead of it being put down. So please check ALL your options before you decide to put this horse down. Good luck.

11-07-2008, 05:55 PM	#37
pinevalley Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Off the beaten path-Wisconsin Posts: 1,397	I applaude everyone suggesting a rescue, but I know first hand around here, rescues have stopped accepting problem horses, they are only taking animals that are placeable. OP...if the mare is not trustable, euthanasia can be the best option, usually as the last resort. Your friend has gone farther than some others that I know of and given the animal a chance, and if an animal is dangerous, not a good candidate to be bred or passed onto someone else.

11-07-2008, 09:08 PM	#39
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	These are some pics of Bonnie

11-07-2008, 09:12 PM	#40
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Good point about being herd bound - how do you fix that? It's hard because she wouldn't make a very good paddock mate because she stresses out on her own and that wouldn't help the horse she is paddocked with if it's taken away. Part of me thinks that she needs more work - do you think it is possible she doesn't want to be ridden or do you think that she is just putting up a fight and will get over it? The trainer thought it would be more a case that she could leave her with him for the next month - spend $800 New Zealand Dollars and still have a horse that is 'no fun'. It's just so hard to know.