[BonnieM]

You might remember my post after Mother's Day last May, a true story about my husband helping a gray mare whose owner could not get her across a stream, and resorted to hitting her... ( A true story -- my gift )

Same little gray mare (Misty) got hurt pretty badly today. We finished the ride, and she was tied to our friend's trailer with a haltar and a collar...Misty pulls back, and she did that today more vigorously than ever, and swung around to the end of the trailer and ended up down, against the gate. She cut her "forearm" on the right, quite badly. Also some cuts on her head, and was bleeding from her mouth. My husband went to her rescue (her owner had gone to the outhouse) She had pulled so tight that there was no releasing her tied ropes..Doug had to cut the ropes to release her. Doug calmly helped her up, and her owner came running -- having heard the commotion.. Doug had already put a new lead rope on her, and our friend promptly grabbed the rope and began to strike her with the rope. Why? He was mad... she does that pull back thing, and he has not done anything to fix the problem except put that collar on her. Well, his daughter stopped him, and Doug and I had already gotten our first aid kit out of the trailer, and we began to clean and wrap the cut...it was bleeding badly, but was not into the muscle, thank goodness. The skin was laid back almost to her knee.

I began writing down vet phone numbers that I knew in the area... they were on my cell phone... At first our friend did not even want to take her to a vet, but Doug kept talking about it needing lots of stitches...and finally our friend called a couple of vets and found one that would meet him at the clinic, about 20 miles away. Poor Misty was trembling, frightened, wide eyed -- Doug helped calm her and load her.

Doug just called our friend and asked how the vet visit went... she got 20 stitches to close the wound, and tetanus and antibiotic injections. The other scrapes were nothing much, and there was a scrape on her gum which caused the bleeding we saw from her mouth. Those were all superficial.

We are worried about her. We talked all the way home about things we can do to help the mare and teach our friend how to deal with her. He does not blow up often, but when he does it breaks our hearts.

Just venting. Thanks for listening.

BonnieM

[Lacys Mom]

That's awful, Bonnie. I'd be worried about her too. Sure hope she heals up OK, and you can find a way to help your friend control his anger before something even worse happens. He should appreciate what good, real friends you and Doug are!

[BonnieM]

Thank you, Lacy'sMom. Those are kind words.

BonnieM

[Haas Horse Farm]

Big hug to you Bonnie... It is sad when owners do not want to learn the right way to do things. Prayers sent for the horse, him and you both. You were awesome, as always!

[wyldterv]

I'm glad the mare was not hurt worse and it was fortunate that your husband is able to keep a cool calm head in the height of a situation which could cause a lessor person to strike out at someone (watching someone strike their animal after the fact for no reason other then the person is frustrated and mad). ALSO good for you guys for being able to get the owner to take the mare to a vet for treatment!

HOPEFULLY the owner can learn by example??? sigh...

[Slowrider]

It's really hard to bite your tongue sometimes when you see things not being handled properly (especially when it's not your horse). Unfortunately some people like to think they know more than they really do when it comes to horses and it's nice that your husband was there to lend a hand. At least when the advice comes from another man, it may be more readily accepted than if it were to come from a woman. You know how some men are. lol

Just glad to hear that the poor horse was okay and at least taken care of by a vet.

[cminor]

Poor horse, I am glad I was not there, I would not have been as nice as you. Of course I would help the horse, and then I think I would commence to whipping the guy with a lead rope. Sorry I know this is your friend. Maybe you can help him get the horse to tie better to save the poor horse from any future whippings.

[Cowgirl1013]

I am glad to hear that you stopped to help. Hopefully after this the owner will learn how to take care of her better.

[BonnieM]

Thank you everyone for your kind support. We are still considering some approaches, and fully intend to visit Misty during her recuperation. I am hoping that we might be able to purchase her, just for her safety and our peace of mind. It is a touchy situation at best.

Thanks, friends!

BonnieM

[Launa]

Gosh Bonnie..... Reading your thread made me feel really sick. You say he doesn't blow up like that often......I really hope you are right. I knew a man once who blew up like that towards his family dog. In secret he blew up like that with his kids and wife.

I really hope you guys can help him with his mare. I feel bad for her. Your hubby sounds like a kind hearted guy.