[ibsammy]

I went out to an old sanctuary I used to volunteer at and I am NOT impressed AT ALL!!!! First of all, nobody seemed to know what was going on, the fence wasn't safe, nobody made any sort of identification of the dangerous horses, it was horrible. I've been around horses for a long time and I got treated like an idiot. She was trying to be nice and I can understand not wanting someone she didn't know working with horses, but sheesh, the people who did know me didn't help either.

The fencing was crappy....the gates were almost impossible to open. I understand that this is a horse rescue and they can't afford much...but still. If I had a rescue I would build the facilities BEFORE the horses came. They don't have enough help to give the horses what they deserve. I wasn't happy when I came home.

The tie posts were horrible, they had no way to keep the rope from sliding, no safety release things, and the poles were BELOW where they should be so if a horse did pull back they would hurt themselves!


I got out a little buckskin mare (whom NOBODY would tell me anything about except one of the lesson kids who told me she was a sweetie, I was still careful though)...she was COVERED in rain rot. I have pictures I'll attach.



The trainer told me not to ride her..I wouldn't of if they payed me. She was extremly tender to the touch on her back, I wouldn't get on her until her rainrot is gone. Nobody even made an attempt to sperate the brushes or disinfect them or try to heal her rainrot.

Then, I rode a sweet little mustang mare I've been in love with forever and everyone made her out to be a devil. They're all "she bucked off her last rider and was totally uncontrollable so I wouldn't ride her"



I did stuff on the ground with her and then hopped on and she was a little angel! She was a little bit stiff in her mouth which probably means she was in a curb bit without the proper training. She didn't even TRY to buck with me. I was in a small saddle so I didn't have the best form, and she was still great.

All of the lesson horses were in curb bits. I won't use a curb bit on anything less than my well finished retired mare, and I prefer the snaffle. I went in their tack barn and the ONLY bridle I could find with a browband and a snaffle was an english one with mold on it. They had really nice snaffle bits, rubber ones and wide ringed ones yet they still used curbs. They were going double reined with curbs and I just sat there wincing. It was horrible. Most of the horses behaved nicely, but the one they had my friend riding was a little pain and I'm sure the inexperienced rider and the bit were the prime reasons for that. If I had the time and money I would try to turn that place a hundred percent around, but I don't.

I am so sad for these horses. I watched the mare of my life turn horrible. She was in a snaffle when I rode as an inexperienced rider and I could control her and we did great at gymkhana...now her spirit is gone.

Another thing...they used just any old saddle on the horses, not one's that fit. Their policy "grab a saddle that fits you". I'm sorry, but I would rather use a saddle that fits the horses back and kind fits me then vice versa....

Edited to add some more pictures:
Pics:

[Heavenly Jumper]

my heart breaks for the horses at this place...I'm sorry that this is happening.

[Solly Jumper]

Wow, I don't think I've seen rain rot that terrible! Portia had rain rot, but only a few scabs here and there... Poor thing. I wouldn't call that a rescue, but at least it keeps them from the slaughter houses.

[3WishesDun]

So they ride the rescue horses? Are they allowed to rehabilitate before being used? Do you think it's a case of just not knowing any better...or not caring? Do they rescue only horses that will be used in their riding program (rideable) ...do they have any rescues that are pasture ornaments only? Sorry for all the questions..just trying to understand.

[Equine_Harmony]

This sounds and the pictures speak for themselves... Where I work at all horses are treated. They are neglecting this horse, by not treating her, the bits they are using is a nightmare, I can see in the back ground the broken down fencing. Is it possiable to call them and ask for the owner of this resuce? you might want to call this way if you decided to check on things you won't be turned away. sounds like the place is too care free...In my out look this place needs a wake up call, this might motivate them in doing good by the horses there, about how many are there? I went to the place that I was trained at to see on a horse this place was selling, the celiing was leaking the stalls were a mess, some horses were sick, I went to the office and had a chat with what I seen and was showed the door and I wished I could of left with all the horses...To this day I can't go on the grounds.

Sorry about your day, I know the feeling.

Tammy

[freedom32]

Thats such a shame

[Friesiangirl]

that reaks, i'm really sorry

[Jess!]

That poor mare! I bet that hurts! My gelding had rainrot on his legs at one point, and everytime I'd scrub it, he'd try to kick me.

[Shannon]

My non-horsey mom always told me that horse rescues are scams. I've adopted before, from legit rescues of course, but obviously they ARE out there.

If you don't mind me asking, but as I have a lot of knowledge of CA rescues (at least what ones are out there), could you name this rescue?

[AnnaBelle02]

Thats no rescue. There is a place near where I live, and its the same deal - he buys a lot of horses at auction - but the truth is he is a horse dealer. The horses are in the same condition (as well as the facility) and its open to the public to come ride these poor animals... I suppose he could also call the place a rescue if he really wanted to.

I was ready to spit nails when you said they ride with a curb bit. They should be ridden with the fattest egg butt snaffel you can buy - well unless they are uncontrolable, then you just have to move to a thinner snaffel.

That rain rot is totally unacceptable, as well as the fact that some of the horses being ridden appear lame. And in that first picture is that horse tied to the post by its rein (coming from the bit)??

The whole idea of a rescue is to provide a safe and happy home for these horses while they recover from their injustices. I think something needs to change there BIG time - have you been able to contact the owner? Why has the placed changed so much since you were there last?