Last straw with a problem horse...

kirsty62 · 11-06-2008, 09:10 PM

Hi guys, my friend (Sarah) adopted a 10 year old, 16.2 thoroughbred mare (Bonnie) about 4 months ago . She went to have a look at her - Bonnie was advertised as have developed a 'buck'. Sarah was keen to take on a horse she could work on and then find a home for. When she went to the paddock she discovered Bonnie was in a small paddock with barely any grass and manure everywhere! She clearly hadn't had much attention for a while, although thin she wasn't sickly looking or anything. My friend (Sarah) took her because she didn't want to leave her in that environment. She never met the owner (and still never has) but the owner said via email that she had rescued the horse (Bonnie) 4 years prior starved and she had fattened her up,ridden her but then had a baby and no longer had time for her. When she went to get on her after 1year and a half out she started to buck.

Since having Bonnie, Sarah has had her feet sorted, had a massage/chiropractor to her, had her teeth done. She has also had a couple of lessons in natural horsemanship with her that she responded to well. Her saddle fits well.We have sat on her back and walked her with a lead rope on but as we didn't know how bad or what she did when she bucked we didn't do anymore on her. Sarah has tried to sell her as a broodmare but no takers at the moment.

She has recently had her sent to a training. He has had her for the last 5 days and was prepared to get on her. The first day, after he tacked her up and brought her out of the stall she randomly jumped in the air and stood on his toe. He then mounted her, she was fine to begin with and then when they got out of the stables she exploded. Second day he rode her she was what he termed 'grand', she trotted, cantered etc although was a bit green. Third day he tried to ride her she just wouldn't move despite kicking and eventually a smack on the bum and with a person trying to get her to move from behind.

Now...my question to you guys is...and what I would appreciate advice on is...where to now?

It seems she doesn't like being ridden, we think she has been abused by former owners? She isn't nasty on the ground, never kicked or bitten just bulshy and won't stand still - however better after groundwork.

Sarah's only option is if she doesn't find a home for her as a broodmare is to shoot her (she is distraught about doing this) but as she has not go a lot of money and is looking after her older (20yrs) gelding she can't afford to keep her just sitting in the paddock.

Do you guys think there is any hope for this mare? Any any any advice/opinions etc would be most appreciated as it helps to hear.

Thanks guys, any questions just ask, hope I have covered it all. lol

*BaRrEL_BaBE* · 11-06-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirsty62

Sarah's only option is if she doesn't find a home for her as a broodmare is to shoot her (she is distraught about doing this)

That should NOT be an option. She took on this horse in good faith and it is her responsibility to care for her.
As for her under saddle, is your friend able to keep her in training?

kirsty62 · 11-06-2008, 09:18 PM

Well, she could keep her in training but the trainer doesn't think Bonnie wants to be ridden and he said even if she's fine for a bit Sarah could take her home and then have trouble again the next day etc. I know, she doesn't want to put her down but do you think Bonnie will get better?

*BaRrEL_BaBE* · 11-06-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirsty62

Well, she could keep her in training but the trainer doesn't think Bonnie wants to be ridden and he said even if she's fine for a bit Sarah could take her home and then have trouble again the next day etc. I know, she doesn't want to put her down but do you think Bonnie will get better?

Here is the thing: your friend adopted this mare, she did not have to take her. She should not be considering putting her down less than half a year after she took her in. She knew that she had a problem to begin with and just because she is having troubles handling that problem is not a good reason to take away this mare's life.
She is still of prime age. Does she had have her advertised for free? Is she papered?

kirsty62 · 11-06-2008, 09:30 PM

Yeah, she is advertised for free, she has advertised her everywhere. Hmm yeah I know.

VelveteenPony · 11-06-2008, 09:31 PM

I completely agree with Barrel Babe's post. She took on a problem horse and was fully aware of it. It seems ridiculous and selfish to consider shooting the horse because she doesn't want to deal with the problem that she knew about before getting the horse. She shouldn't have got her in the first place if she was going to give up so easily. Just my two cents.
I think with consistent, competent training, almost any issue can be overcome.

Banat · 11-06-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *BaRrEL_BaBE*

That should NOT be an option. She took on this horse in good faith and it is her responsibility to care for her.
As for her under saddle, is your friend able to keep her in training?

Sorry Barrel Babe, but I've got to disagree with you.
If a person can't afford to keep a horse and take care of it they should find a suitable home, if a suitable home can't be found the most humane and ethical thing to do is end her life. If you disagree with this option I'd be willing to bet the owner would let you take her. Sad situation isn't it.

To kristy, a few of the things you wrote make me question the trainer's level of expertise (getting stepped on, having someone get behind the horse to get it to move). How much faith does the owner have in this trainer? Would the owner be interested in trying another trainer? Would this trainer be willing to market Bonnie for your friend?

VelveteenPony · 11-06-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banat

Sorry Barrel Babe, but I've got to disagree with you.
If a person can't afford to keep a horse and take care of it they should find a suitable home, if a suitable home can't be found the most humane and ethical thing to do is end her life. If you disagree with this option I'd be willing to bet the owner would let you take her. Sad situation isn't it.

Not to but in, but unfortunately I guess that is the only option at this point. Which makes me wonder, why on earth would this women take in this horse if she couldn't afford to care for it? Did she really think she was going to "fix" this horse instantly, sell it and make a quick buck?

The poor thing was probably better off where it was before.
Ick this whole situation is just bad, bad, bad.

*BaRrEL_BaBE* · 11-06-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banat

Sorry Barrel Babe, but I've got to disagree with you.
If a person can't afford to keep a horse and take care of it they should find a suitable home, if a suitable home can't be found the most humane and ethical thing to do is end her life. If you disagree with this option I'd be willing to bet the owner would let you take her. Sad situation isn't it.

I agree with you. However, she said that she "can't afford to keep her just sitting in the paddock." She took her on knowing that she was not a perfect riding horse.

Does your friend have her marketed on Dreamhorse.com? Equine.com? Craigslist.org? Horsetopia.com? The newspaper? Word of mouth to friends? If she has good ground manners, is sound, of breeding age, and has papers, hopefully she can find her a good home.

While that trainer may not think "she wants to be ridden," another trainer may have the ability to work with her. If your friend has the money to put her in further training, then I would not give up hope without looking further.

kirsty62 · 11-06-2008, 09:44 PM

Thanks guys for your opinions so far...

Yeah, Sarah took on the horse thinking she had a 'buck', not a serious problem. Bonnie is really nervous - has a worried eye and is constantly worried/concerned about everything going on around her.

The trainer seems really good - he has about ten horses he is working with and seems real good with them. He was willing to keep going with her but doesn't think it will get any better. Sarah is paying him $200 nz to keep Bonnie there. She has spent a lot of money on her already trying to 'fix' her. It's a case of waying the pro's and cons up. Sarah is trying her best and if she owned her own land she would keep her but she has to pay grazing etc.

11-06-2008, 09:10 PM	#1
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Last straw with a problem horse... Hi guys, my friend (Sarah) adopted a 10 year old, 16.2 thoroughbred mare (Bonnie) about 4 months ago . She went to have a look at her - Bonnie was advertised as have developed a 'buck'. Sarah was keen to take on a horse she could work on and then find a home for. When she went to the paddock she discovered Bonnie was in a small paddock with barely any grass and manure everywhere! She clearly hadn't had much attention for a while, although thin she wasn't sickly looking or anything. My friend (Sarah) took her because she didn't want to leave her in that environment. She never met the owner (and still never has) but the owner said via email that she had rescued the horse (Bonnie) 4 years prior starved and she had fattened her up,ridden her but then had a baby and no longer had time for her. When she went to get on her after 1year and a half out she started to buck. Since having Bonnie, Sarah has had her feet sorted, had a massage/chiropractor to her, had her teeth done. She has also had a couple of lessons in natural horsemanship with her that she responded to well. Her saddle fits well.We have sat on her back and walked her with a lead rope on but as we didn't know how bad or what she did when she bucked we didn't do anymore on her. Sarah has tried to sell her as a broodmare but no takers at the moment. She has recently had her sent to a training. He has had her for the last 5 days and was prepared to get on her. The first day, after he tacked her up and brought her out of the stall she randomly jumped in the air and stood on his toe. He then mounted her, she was fine to begin with and then when they got out of the stables she exploded. Second day he rode her she was what he termed 'grand', she trotted, cantered etc although was a bit green. Third day he tried to ride her she just wouldn't move despite kicking and eventually a smack on the bum and with a person trying to get her to move from behind. Now...my question to you guys is...and what I would appreciate advice on is...where to now? It seems she doesn't like being ridden, we think she has been abused by former owners? She isn't nasty on the ground, never kicked or bitten just bulshy and won't stand still - however better after groundwork. Sarah's only option is if she doesn't find a home for her as a broodmare is to shoot her (she is distraught about doing this) but as she has not go a lot of money and is looking after her older (20yrs) gelding she can't afford to keep her just sitting in the paddock. Do you guys think there is any hope for this mare? Any any any advice/opinions etc would be most appreciated as it helps to hear. Thanks guys, any questions just ask, hope I have covered it all. lol

11-06-2008, 09:31 PM	#6
VelveteenPony Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 343	I completely agree with Barrel Babe's post. She took on a problem horse and was fully aware of it. It seems ridiculous and selfish to consider shooting the horse because she doesn't want to deal with the problem that she knew about before getting the horse. She shouldn't have got her in the first place if she was going to give up so easily. Just my two cents. I think with consistent, competent training, almost any issue can be overcome. __________________ "Wait just a minute- I've never shot drugs with Rosalyn Carter, and I don't even own any horses, let alone little Arabians the size of cats." ~Anne Lamott

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11-06-2008, 09:18 PM	#3
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Well, she could keep her in training but the trainer doesn't think Bonnie wants to be ridden and he said even if she's fine for a bit Sarah could take her home and then have trouble again the next day etc. I know, she doesn't want to put her down but do you think Bonnie will get better?

11-06-2008, 09:30 PM	#5
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah, she is advertised for free, she has advertised her everywhere. Hmm yeah I know.

11-06-2008, 09:44 PM	#10
kirsty62 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks guys for your opinions so far... Yeah, Sarah took on the horse thinking she had a 'buck', not a serious problem. Bonnie is really nervous - has a worried eye and is constantly worried/concerned about everything going on around her. The trainer seems really good - he has about ten horses he is working with and seems real good with them. He was willing to keep going with her but doesn't think it will get any better. Sarah is paying him $200 nz to keep Bonnie there. She has spent a lot of money on her already trying to 'fix' her. It's a case of waying the pro's and cons up. Sarah is trying her best and if she owned her own land she would keep her but she has to pay grazing etc.