Sorry about the lack of images in comments
Aug 07 2007
I did a bit of research. Blogger does not allow them and I do understand why. I know you guys want to be able to post pictures of horses, but given the nature of the Internet and the interesting people inhabiting it, if images were a possibility, you’d click one day and there would be Britney Spears’s hoo-hoo. And none of us want to see that, do we? So I guess for now just post the link to the image and let people cut & paste.
68 comments to “Sorry about the lack of images in comments”
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fuggedaboudit! We got good imaginations.
*runs to create “fugly celebrity hoo-hoo of the day” blog*
“…, if images were a possibility, you’d click one day and there would be Britney Spears’s hoo-”
arghhh – I am going to have nightmares now!
lifelike001, it already exists. tmz.com. Although it is getting old since there really only seem to be 3 main celebrities continually flashing their hoo-hoos. Today is Britney’s day.
Your second horse pictured…I am steaming from your comments. Perhaps if you had researched this mare you would discover that in that picture she had been recently rescued! The folks that have her now have done miracles with her and she is fat and sassy and healthy now and grrrr NOT FUGLY!!! Your “blog” is not amusing. I helped with this horse, her name is Faith and you should be ashamed of assuming all you said without background. I’ll sign my name as I am not ashamed or blog shy, if this were your horse and someone cracked it upside with the word fugly and commented it could use a decent worming and food etc, well I can only hope you will apologize for hurting her owners feelings not to mention the daughters who adore her. Deb Chapman
Deb, can you put a link to the rescue mares “after” pictures? I’d love to see those (she does look pretty sad in her before pic, it’s great that someone helped her out!)
I am baffled at why anyone is upset. I edited the post to put the information in there that the current owner did not put it in that condition.
If you’re upset about the fact that it’s being used to portray an underweight, wormy horse, well it IS a good example of an underweight, wormy horse. One of the best examples I found! I even commented BEFORE you contacted me that the horse had some decent structure and some potential with good care.
Whoever bred that filly and allowed her to get in that condition should be ashamed. I hope someone recognizes where she came from. If you want to do something helpful, why don’t you “out” that person?
I will have to ask her very hurt owner. I do think you need to watch how you present these blogs and pics. This is someone’s beloved horse. I grant you this horse was in need and was saved.
I just really really think that before you open a can of “UH OH” check your facts. You would’ve been better off using the image as an example of how poor a horse’s condition can deteriorate without proper care.
She has excellent care and is so beloved now. Many of us who have watched her from DEc 06 to now have come to care very deeply for her and have great respect for her owners.
All right this is getting ridiculous but her owner just posted the following comment:
“She may never be ridden, either, as we can’t afford a saddle or any of the other necessities to ride.”
That horrifies me. If you cannot afford a saddle, how can you afford hoof care, vet care, and dental care for a horse?
I don’t doubt she loves her but when you say things like that on a public forum, obviously people are going to question whether you are a home that is financially able to care for a horse.
AGAIN-
HOW DO I GET to see the pics from photobucket. I copy and paste and it says page not found.
She password protected the images after she realized someone else was smart enough to use the username to look at all of her images, including her expensive aquarium set up.
QUOTE: So my initial reaction was, yay, she is saved. However, they went on to comment that after buying the filly from the first irresponsible person, they had $20 left in the bank. And that they cannot afford to buy a saddle. And they do not have any plans to break her to ride. So, all in all, it sure looks to me like she went from irresponsible person #1 to irresponsible person #2. But that is okay, I am sure when she is a 10 year old unbroke mare, someone will want to breed her because she is a SABINO! (entire blog’s point…brilliantly illustrated in this simple example)…*sigh*
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Oh that we could all be so perfect as you. Without facts you are doing nothing but gossip and causing harm and hurt. Faith is well cared for, her family makes sure she has all she needs. Shame on your judgements where you know nothing. I can’t afford alot of big things either but I have horses and they are beloved and have what they need also. I hope when you mature and life gets a bit tough, no one takes shots at you or your horses and hurts you. I shan’t be back…to give you this attention is un-needed and not productive at all.
There is absolutely nothing “mature” about deciding to take on another horse when you cannot afford to do so. But feel free to keep babbling, you guys are doing the best job ever of illustrating irresponsible horse ownership.
Is Faith from a rescue?
LMAO yes, now i think about it, it only takes two pence worth of brains to know some freak somewheres is spending roughly 22 hours a day focussed on the contents of britneys frillies O_O
i could create Fugly Horse Hoo-hoos i guess.. but umm.. i dont wanna. theres already a few of those videos on youtube too.
and now i need therapy!
What is the problem with using the horse’s picture? It was said it would be ok if FHD was “using the image as an example of how poor a horse’s condition can deteriorate without proper care”, but that is EXACTLY what she was doing. It’s not like her blog entry ‘outed’ the current owner of the horse as the one responsible for her condition in that image.
Now that the blog has been amended to say the filly has been rescued, there is even LESS of a problem. Seems to me someone’s getting a touch defensive.
I mean, I wouldn’t have a problem if FHD had used my photo of a horribly overweight horse WITHOUT mentioning she had been ‘rescued’.
chrystal – a major veterinary emergency with a horse can set you back an immediate $10,000. tell me what happens to a horse in that situation if the owner cant afford $1,000 for a saddle?
all the love in the world cant pay the vet, and cant ensure a rapid, humane euthanasia in the case of absolute disaster.
if life is tough, the horses should come FIRST and that means selling up what you cant afford. horses are a LUXURY, not a right, not a necessity, no matter what your emotions tell you you ‘must’ have.
i to think it’s an issue if you can’t afford a dinky saddle..i’ve owned horses for the past 5 years..accidently got suprised with one..we had about 5 different horses since then..
do you know how much having feed trimmed/shots/vet/emergencies cost??
horses cost money..and you need the money to take good care of them..
just because she seems to be putting on weight and seems all good doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way..what if she colics? breaks a leg? something serious?..it’ll cost a buttload of money.is she prepared to dish out a few hundred or even thousands of dollars if this happens??..by the way she talks..no..
horses are very prone to accidents..i know..and that isn’t cheap..
it is scary what some people do. A cheap saddle can be acquired for what? $50 – $100?
I have one gelding who decided to be particularly self-destructive last year and hurt himself on EVERY major holiday! so not only did I have extra vet fees, I had emergency call fees on holidays. $300 a visit AT LEAST. Each visit was more than the cost of a saddle.
If someone can’t afford a lousy saddle, how is he/she supposed to handle those surprise vet bills?!
I think the biggest problem is if they can’t afford the saddle, and don’t have one to begin with, where’s the money for the trainer coming from??
it seems to me that someone who can’t drop $100 for a ‘well loved’ saddle is probably not the most experienced horse person, and shouldn’t be throwing their leg over an un-started horse who’s likely getting the feed pounded to her.
Jeebus christmas on a stick! (since we’re invoking deities and all) Why oh why are knickers being twisted tighter and tighter? I do believe the record was set straight concerning the horse and its sad beginnings. Folks were sympathetic to her plight.
But then the offended poster just had to keep going–right off the cliff. This ain’t your grandma’s blog–all frankincense, myrrh and smoke blown up your ass. When you say something absofreakinlutely stupid, watch out for the blow back.
And newsflash–your off button can be your best friend. Use it. Or even more mind boggling–IGNORE THIS BLOG. Hell, one day later and folks move on to the next subject. You fools have just gassed up this truck for the long haul.
So some people were a little hard on you ON THE INTERNET. How in the H E double L does that even remotely affect you in your real life???
Sweet baby Jeebus and all that’s holy, I’ve gone and ruined a perfectly good wine buzz…
I feel like this site should have a bingo card: ZOMG COPYWRITE INFREINGMENT I WILL SUE YOU.
we are good christians & u arent.therefore we r better and you are THE DEVIL.
Etc., etc., etc.
David, thanks for coming because now it finally makes sense why your wife would buy a neglected horse that needs a lot of expensive care, even though that meant leaving the family with only $20 in the bank.
But now I know the answer: God will provide.
Let’s manage our money foolishly, because God will provide.
We won’t worry about the horse needing a veterinarian. God will provide!
We can’t afford tack but never fear! God will provide.
Hey maybe we can have 17 children too! After all, God will provide.
So, I guess God made you hit the lotto this afternoon, because your wife posted this AM that she could not afford a saddle. Her own words, not mine.
As for not riding the horse “because the owners before us tried to ride her in the condition you see in the picture,” that makes no sense at all. The horse is normal weight now, so there is no reason not to train her and ride her unless she has a physical ailment preventing her from carrying a rider.
Your wife also posted something about her possibly having a broken shoulder. Did a veterinarian determine this, or did you just get a revelation from Yahweh?
Wow you just keep on going cool for you. We have not even had her a year and one day we will get her a saddle but hey smart ones like you just want to hurry things oops I showed frustration sorry.
And we just don’t go out and do dumb stuff thinking God will just say ok here you go. And to attack God’s people is not something you just started.
I will not post nothing else no matter what but remember we are protected from any thing including comments from you or anyone else so once again think before you attack oh and we still forgive you and HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED LIFE IN JESUS NAME.
Man oh man, you can’t make this crap up.
oh dear, God’s people are out to get you! Do not criticise them, lest you be struck down in a bolt of lightening or whatever it was Zeus used to rain down on heathens….
I love this blog, sheer brilliance. Keep it up.
Yeah, ok. When the rescue card doesn’t work, pull out the religion card. Uh huh. God will save you because you are stupid. I never read THAT anywhere in the bible.
I had to have a horse put down recently – $300 for his visit, euthanasia and deadstock removal. I’ve bought saddles for less. If you only have $20, how are you buying feed? Oh wait, it’s still summer so there must be grass.
*shakes head*
gosh i can’t stand religious freaks like you..you think stuffing God in everything is going to get people to back off..sorry..nope..
if you don’t have the money..don’t get the horse..plain and simple..
“I will not post nothing else”
Sadly, the Bible does not have a chapter on grammar, and I do not think David has ever read anything else.
And “we will get to a saddle” is a whole different line than your wife was spewing earlier about how she wasn’t ever going to ride her and she was just going to be a pet. You and your wife should communicate more – you can’t get your stories straight.
Thou shalt not lie, y’all.
I must commend fuggly horse… you’ve been doing a better job, hence no criticism. In fact I think this website might accomplish something.
Dear Can’t afford a saddle only have twenty dollars in the bank, but don’t challenge my logic because believe in God
“we forgive you†this assumes that one that challenging you point view because your so special due to your faith requires forgiveness “ but there may be someone who will notâ€. Oh my! That was so passive aggressive. We’re not stupido, we know you haven’t forgiven us, your saying that to make yourself feel superior and at the same your threatening us with God. I wonder what he finds more offensive you bought horse with money you couldn’t afford,( which will undoubtedly receive inadequate care due lack of knowledge) or that fact that your using him for idle threats and to stroke your own ego. If you haven’t figured it out yet, just believing in God isn’t enough. I know you like to feel superior to other who don’t have your “faith.†I’m shaking in my shoes.
“we are protected from any thing including comments from you or anyone else so once again think before you attack.â€
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me, in the mean time I won’t learn anything. God blessed me “right†which doesn’t require reason. I just this imagine when I read this of you with you hands over you ears, going lalalalalalalalalalalal I can’t hear you.
In the mean time we’ve yet see an after photo of your skinny horse. I’m just curious, after you had only twenty dollars in the bank, how did you buy the feed to fatten this horse up? What about wormer, farrier, coggins, shots, etc? Did you have her teeth floated. Let me guess, she hasn’t had shots or any of the above. And this is how the story of the nag who’s life got turned upside down by. You bought some land and your kids always wanted a horse. You decided to buy this creature because it was the only thing in your budget. You disregarded advise on what would be a safe first horse because you didn’t like the price. However you discovered people the “sympathy†people gave you when call it a rescue, but lets remember, intention counts in the eyes of god. So you let spring grass fatten her up and when winter gets tough you’ll throw her the round bale farmer brown from you church gave you (because it wasn’t worth feeding to his own stock). Every year she’ll be thin in the winter and fat in the summer (providing you have enough pasture) her water trough will be green, kids will hand feed her treats over the fence and she’ll learn to bite. One day you’ll be inspired to rider her. So you’ll get farmer brown to help “break†her. She’ll be abused by rough handling, because she doesn’t even the most basic ground skills. But ya’ll expect to ride her. You’ll wonder why it didn’t since you gave all that time. You’ll turn out to pasture for a few more years. Then at some time you’ll decide to sell her. By this time she’ll a bit of age, but will know less than a six month old filly just halter broke. No one will buy her, so you’ll try donating her to a therapeutic riding program “out of the goodness of your heart,†and be surprised when she’s rejected. Eventually she’ll end up in the auction.
Now to step away from the sarcasm. If you take one thing to heart. You need to have her vetted to make sure she’s sound to ride, and then you need invest in at least 90 days of professional training, which will cost between 1500 and 3000. And that will only get her “Green brokeâ€. I know it’s sticker shock, but that only gets her started for you, then to finish her she’ll either need to stay in training for two years or someone competent will need to put the miles on her.(when you think about his 2500 for kid broke, ain’t so bad a price) There are two kinds of love. You live the idea of a horse, you love watching your kids with the horse, you love the way people react to you when you tell them about you “rescueâ€. Then there is real love, the kind that requires you put your ego aside, and do the right thing. You know the value of a pasture ornament without ground manners is? You know Jesus said, give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime. Getting her good broke is the same as teaching to fish. If she’s good broke, she’ll eat for a lifetime. If you find that idea offensive, then not even god can help you.
I just took on an emaciated mare that I bought from a horrid man at the auction for $20. When he was turned away by the auction owner, he said he was going to shoot her.
Of course, I was in the (right or wrong) place at the (right or wrong) time Saturday and even though I certainly had not planned on buying anything, I found myself forking over the $20 and walking the poor emaciated mare to my friend’s trailer. She was there as a paid transporter who was waiting for the man who was buying to get his horses, then take them home. Neither one of us planned on acquiring this poor mare.
Since Saturday, I have provided the money to build the shelter she will need, I’ve bought her feed, her rice bran, her beet pulp and her wormer paste. I also now have the money to have her despicable feet trimmed.
Should I have bought her? I don’t know. I do know that there was no way I was going to stand back and let that horrid man take her to an open field somewhere and shoot her, leaving her for dead. My conscience and my health (sleep deprivation) didn’t just poke me, it hit me over the head and demanded that I get her away from him.
She’s a 10 year old Azteca broodmare and is still dripping milk. He said he just took a weanling off her after starving her…and then trying to dump her at auction.
She’s in horrible condition, a mutt if you will. My friend and I are taking very good care of her and she is already starting to whinney when she sees us coming with food. She already looks a tiny bit better since she has had about 3 days’ worth of food.
We are in the process of trying to find a decent trainer who knows what she is doing and as soon as this poor mare is physically ready, she will start her riding training. In the meantime, we will go slow with the ground work. She’s halter broke, lets us pick up her feet and leads/loads well. Thank God for small favors.
When the time is right, we will actively seek a rescue minded home who will provide her with as permanent a home as they can (barring any tragedies or job loss) and we will include a “first right of refusal” in the bill of sale so that the new owner will know they have to come back to us and offer her for sale before selling her to someone else.
That’s all we can do for this 10 year old broodmare who didn’t ask to be born and certainly didn’t ask to be used as a baby machine by some heartless bastard who thought nothing of throwing her away.
When she has gained her weight back, I would love to have FHD critique her conformation, etc…because I value her opinion when it comes to horses and all of the issues relating to them and would welcome any criticism/guidance on this horse so we can be in a better position to place her in the RIGHT home.
This is the most entertaining comment section yet.
It’s also abysmally sad, but perhaps a bit of old fashioned public shaming will help, if even a bit.
Marilyn, I hope you are going to get before and after pictures to share in a few months. What a great learning tool. Keeping a log of her daily routine and feeding/care would make good reading also. Get pictures of her feet too.
if god would provide, that mare wouldnt have ended up in that state in the first place. her degraded, shameful condition is proof god either doesnt exist, or doesnt give a shit.
thou shalt not be terribly generous and loving for five minutes, and then a selfish, mindless, abusive fuck for the rest of the ‘rescue’s life.
OMG…I did the same thing, Marilyn. Although my purchase is not too fugly, a 4 yr old black quarter horse/tb x (I think) for 475.00. What circumstances led him to the auction? We’ll never really know…Why would someone dump such a nice horse? People really piss me off. But he’s in my barn now,eating all the hay he wants,and was ridden yesterday(he really was green broke-just like the seller said…imagine that!!)
btw…I do have a saddle for him…several in fact…and one should fit him properly.
*best blog ever*
Well, I am not a christian, I have to point out, BUT it might be said that God provided this family to rescue the mare form a really awful situation.
They might not have much but they do have a hell of a lot more to offer than the original owners.
I rescued a mare when I was a kid- so thin I thought she would die on me.
Luckily there was no money involved unless she lived as the kill buyer (yes there are good ones too) dropped her off with me as he thought she deserved a chance.
She had a HUGE foal on her that was weaned – probably too quickly but it was life and death.
I had no money, I was a student so I had LESS than no money but I had pasture, feed and hay and was willing to learn.
The mare made it and made it well.
The foal was fine.
NO VET!!!
(No money, remember??)
And anyway what would the Vet have told me??
Feed her carefully>>
Already being done.
Worm her carefully?
Already being done.
You can do this on a shoestring if you have to, and you can do it well and properly.
Not every situation is a rush to the Vet situation, a horse simply starved actually needs better care than most Vets are capable of providing- it is a specialist job and there are – *gasp* Internet sites that give excellent advice for free.
Just as I do not call my Vet for a foaling mare unless something goes wrong so I would not automatically call a Vet if I “inherited” a starving horse.
I am happy to rip to shreds any pictures of animals that are being offered for sale but any pictures of Faith would have been showing how badly off she was, and how she was slowly getting better.
To have shown her as an example of a starving horse was fair enough, but the comments were not.
Even though you invite people to sue you, and with no intention of doing so, the original comments and some of the beyond cruel comments of the bloggers, were libel of the nastiest sort.
Can we now accept that this was a (hopefully) rare mistake and move on???
“Kirri said…
Well, I am not a christian, I have to point out, BUT it might be said that God provided this family to rescue the mare form a really awful situation.”
it might also be that these people are using the excuse of their imaginary friend to behave however the hell they like and damn the consequences.
the area of life where they think god provides is where other people have to pick up the slack of their bullshit.
hiya all, justabout pissed me pants on this one…’gods’ people???FFS aint we all gods people??? oops, maybe he means ‘chosen’ ones?? aint that the jews???…l heard a saying once….jew by name and jew by nature
shhh my nanna is jewish but even she can laugh at that one ok
wow wee! I am Christen but not an extremist. God provides us with things like a brain so we can think and learn and better our selves but I’ve never seen feed or vaccinations fall from the sky. Mind you that would be great but we must use what we are given. I think in general (call me out if I’m wrong ) but one HUGE pet peeve of horsepeople (e.g. those willing to learn and educate themselve on what the hell they are doing) is ignorance. I personally hate it. I see it all the time e.g. A kid age 12 wants a horse…. family is on limited buget, not smart enough to contact the local 4H or show barn or anything repuatble, decides to buy a young horse so that the child and horse can learn together. Worst than that these ignorat folks have no clue about worming, vaccinations, farrier, dental, training orand of the other responsibilties that come with horse ownership. I don’t know everything, But I listen to people, I read books magazines, I’ve made an effort to educate myself so that I can provide the best care to my horses. Hell, at least enrroll the kid in 4H I think it’s $2 a year, or Pony Club or something. If you will not educate yourself at least give your kid a chance.
Yes I am aware that my spelling sucks…. sue me
wow maybe if I could type a little better I pick up on how bad my spelling is…. oh and Christan might be more correct. Hey at least I can laugh at myself for my mistakes.
I could be wrong, but from what I recall of defamation law, opinion does not equal libel…..
I’d never label this libel. Doesn’t libel have to be a false statement? Or affect someone in some way?
Kirri said:
“Just as I do not call my Vet for a foaling mare unless something goes wrong so I would not automatically call a Vet if I “inherited” a starving horse.”
your whole post is a bit stupid. Just because you saved that mare and foal without a vet’s help doesn’t make you right. It makes you lucky! They didn’t INHERIT a starving horse. They “rescued” (and I use the term loosely) a horse and just about bankrupted themselves doing so. With $20 in the bank, they can’t buy the right feed and hay (especially at today’s prices), get the horse’s feet trimmed (and shod if need be), teeth floated, vaccinated (even if you don’t go through the vet!). She probably needed a Panacur powerpak and those run at least $30 -$40.
And when you save a horse, a starving horse, one of the FIRST calls should be to the vet. Vet should come out and do shots, get a coggins, do a fecal for worms, and do an overall physical exam!! Unless you have extensive experience with starving rescues, a vet can/should help set up the best feeding program to safely and quickly get the weight back on the horse.
>>Just because you saved that mare and foal without a vet’s help doesn’t make you right. It makes you lucky!< <
Bingo. There are things even the most knowledgeable horse professional cannot do themselves. Like teeth. You can pump all the food you want into a horse – if the teeth are bad and the horse can’t chew effectively, you will get nowhere.
Best analogy on this thread – that training a horse is like teaching a man to fish. Can we all get a big AMEN! to that! Without training, an adult horse still has a value – but the last I heard, it was about 40 cents a pound.
I agree with matreiya. While I agree it’s not necessary to call a vet out to every foaling, the condition this horse was in would make me pick up the phone right away – you never know what problems are lurking.
Anyway, the point remains that you cannot expect to look after a horse for even a short period on $20, even if it WAS healthy.
Do you have a website showing your own horses? I’d just love to see what you yourself have managed to put together, given that you are an authority on spotting the short comings in other people’s animals.
Anytime someone is so dedicated to pointing out what’s wrong in other people’s situations, I cannot help but wonder how happy they really are with their own.
jill-o,
If you go through the old blogs, you will see she did post her own FUGLY horses. She is fighting against BREEDING fugly horses, not owning them.
This blog at its essence is pretty much on target, and the message behind the snark is extremely valid. Whether or not an individual likes the snark is, admittedly, the individual’s problem and not yours.
However, I do think you might be received more as a valid authority and less as a sniping gossip if you did provide some sort of credentials. Not necessarily any concrete identity, just any reason why you feel you can not just (rightfully) address irresponsible breeding, but also attack certain modes of training (i.e. natural horsemanship), cultures and dialects (i.e. Southern–we’re not all inbred dumbasses down here), and even religions.
For example, I’ll listen to a professional and widely respected trainer or very experienced rescuer, no matter how embittered they might be. But I’m not going to give a second thought to the trust fund kid in the stable lounge bitching underneath her GPA helmet. You get the idea.
As far as this whole little comment battle with the owners of the filly in question, whom I’m guessing you do not actually know and have not actually seen in person, it’s possible that there is more to it. Saying that you can’t afford a saddle right now doesn’t mean you’re providing sub-par care. Hell, I can’t afford a new saddle right now, BECAUSE I’m providing excellent care for my horses. Feed, supplements, board, farrier care, dental care, vet care, etc. are my priorities. Those who think you can get a $50 saddle easily have obviously never had to deal with an horse whose back necessitates a more expensive, treeless, or custom-fitted saddle. Definitely not saying that’s the case here, but there is often more to a situation than meets the eye.
Also, I will laugh at the lawsuit threats just as easily as anyone else. But the fact is that if you’re not a legitimate educator, you could run into some issues with the definition of fair use. I really doubt it will ever come to that, but if someone gets pissed off enough to lawyer up, you might not be able to just laugh it off.
jill-o if you actually bother to read the blog, she does post and critique some of her own beloved and admittedly *fugly* horses.
Seriously people, can’t you guys let this go? The picture is a GREAT example of a mal-nourished, wormy horse. Someone, with one of those out in their backyard, might read this, and LEARN that not all babies have “hay bellies” and are ribby!
All the current owners had to say, was that they have the horse now, and she’s in much better shape. Instead, they provide cannon fodder, saying how they don’t have money, blah blah blah. If you don’t want to be a shot at, DON’T BE A FREAKING TARGET! Seriously. How hard is it to use our brains that GOD gave us? *sigh*
And now bringing God into this fight? THE BIBLE IS NOT A WEAPON.
Ugh. People amaze me (and today, definately not in a good way!).
I can understand being hurt that you found your horse on this site, but if you weren’t the ones who put her in the condition in the first place, why didn’t you just say that? Why on earth would you provide information, like not having any money after buying the horse? Of course people are going to jump down your throats! If you’re stupid enough to go broke from BUYING the horse, don’t be stupid enough to ADMIT it!
And those saying that you can provide for your horse with minimal money – you’re right. I’ve done it. I worked off all of my board, and had the BO trim my pony’s feet (she was better than the barn farrier, so it worked out better for me that way!). But you know what? I still had to pay for vaccinations, coggins, medications (if/when needed), and having the dentist out to float teeth. I might not have paid a penny in board, but the pony certainly wasn’t free. What if, god forbid, she colicked? Or had an injury that required stitches? Or had a laceration on her eye? Those things happen in an instant, and they COST MONEY. Just because an emergency hasn’t happened, doesn’t mean it can’t! I’m not the type to call the vet over every little thing – and know enough about nutrition and health care to be able to take care of my horse without a vet, most of the time. But I’m certainly not equipped to handle certain emergencies. None of us are, unless we’re vets.
Being stupid and lucky does not equal being smart! Yes, you can certainly have a budget when working with horses, but at the very least, you need the money it will cost to put the horse down, in such an emergency.
Blissful, you’ve said everything that needed to be said.
The whole exchange regarding this “rescued” filly drove home the point of this blog like a sledgehammer on a railroad spike and also proved that ignorance and irresponsibility abounds in the horsey world.
*sigh*
I’ve posted this before, but my general background is 25 years in the horse industry as a professional (although it is not currently my primary source of income), various disciplines, training, teaching lessons, sales, etc. Currently my main focus is rescue but I’m still involved in other areas. I’m not a big name trainer and the Olympics will never be seeing me except perhaps as a spectator if I’m lucky. I am your garden variety person with many years of experience, hundreds of horses under my belt, and some students and horses who have gone on to make me proud. That’s about it. I do not breed; I’m only responsible for 3 horses coming into this world and I can honestly say I’m proud of all of them. I have, however, worked for many breeders and learned from them along the way.
If I were seeking to be seen as a “valid authority,” I certainly would not be using the approach seen in this blog. This blog exists solely to vent my frustration at the irresponsible breeding, stupid training and general bad horsemanship I see everywhere I look. I have found that a lot of longtime horsepeople share my same frustrations; hence the popularity of the blog. But when all is said and done, it’s a blog on the Internet. My bitching about horsey things is no different than someone else bitching about George Bush or celebrity gossip or really bad hair. If you think I’m an idiot who is probably really some stable hand with an attitude, for heaven’s sake, why waste your time reading the words of an idiot?
The back button. It’s your friend!
^^^ — Impatiently awaiting the next blog.
Hey FHOTD, don’t you want to do 2 or 3 posts a day? I’m always bored at work and your blog is quite entertaining as well as informational.
spotted t apps, I agree! It gets old going through the comments, but I love this blog, and wouldn’t mind a few more a day! LOL
I love this blog, even more so now that I’ve found out my mother in law is starting up a breeding program. She has lucked into some wonderful horses, but I’ve just learned that she is one of those people who wants COLOR, and will pass on other good things just for COLOR. *sigh* She just got a WONDERFUL colt, who I think might actually be great stallion material (and it takes a LOT for me to say that!). She wants to trade him, for a colt, WHO WILL PRODUCE MORE/BETTER COLOR. *sigh* The one colt will produce great color, and on top of that, is actually talented and has close to perfect conformation. Why get rid of that, just for more color? *sigh*
Keep posting. I’ll make sure you send you her website, once she starts up her program. LOL
I created a FHOTD message board. I enjoy reading the comments, but I thought it would be easier if they’re in thread form. You can also post pictures and log in using your TMP name, if you have one.
It’s brand new, I just did it this morning. If anyone starts using it, I will fix it up as I go along, and there’s a suggestion forum too.
Here’s the link:
http://p068.ezboard.com/bfhotdmessageboard
Please come on down and start a discussion on today’s FHOTD!
That’s all well and good, I’m just wondering–how many owners of poor-quality stallions and/or broodmares have you stopped from breeding with snark and sarcasm?
Entertaining, yes, but not as effective as open, communicative education. If you emailed each and every one of those owners first and made a logical argument against breeding their animal, humane alternatives for their care, etc., and they emailed you back telling you to go screw yourself, I could certainly understand the snark (and I understand that HAS occasionally been the case, so in those instances, great response).
If you’re not doing anything on a greater level to educate ignorant would-be breeders, you’re funny as hell, but you’re wasting everyone’s time. How about putting all of the snarky energy into a program that might reach out to backyard horseowners who might not be evil, stubborn devil-spawn so much as people in desperate need of more information?
There are multiple ways to address a problem. If pouring negativity into a computer for the sake of entertainment for those who agree with you is your way of doing so, by all means carry on. Just know that by doing so you might not be a part of the solution so much as a part of the problem.
Saying that people can “push the back button” if they don’t like it is not an argument so much as a tired defense. If you are going to put this kind of content up on a public page, be ready to defend it with more than just “if you don’t agree, you can leave.” Otherwise no one will take you seriously except for the people who agreed with you in the first place–and in that case you’re not changing a single thing.
My my the holier than thous are out and about again today. What part of “venting” don’t you people understand? Here’s the tired defense again: if you don’t like it, don’t read it.
*loud thud as head hits desk*
What I would really like people to understand is that adopting a horse isn’t like adopting a kitten. This drives me nuts! To really “rescue” or “save” a horses takes tons of time and money. If you aren’t prepared to do so, then don’t bother! If you only have $20 to your name, you can’t even buy a tube of wormer and a bale of hay. How ON EARTH are you going to rehabilitate a horse?????
A few years back I came across a OTTB that was for sale. Due to a death in the TB owner’s family he was given to a QH ranch, and they didn’t know what to do with him so they put him out to pasture. In January. In Colorado. Have you ever seen what a TB on pasture in the winter looks like? It isn’t pretty.
To get this horse away from these morons I paid $1500, brought him back to my barn, and spent about six months feeding him properly and getting him back to a normal weight. His teeth hadn’t been done in ages, his feet were curling up, he was a pile of bones, and his coat was splotchy due to lack of nutrients. Vet, farrier, and dentist bills abounded. And, his grocery bill! Hay, grain, senior, rice bran, corn oil…. (you know what it takes to keep an older TB at a healthy weight – imagine trying to get one to a healthy weight!)
After getting him to a decent weight, I put him in professional training for about four months so he would be safe to ride, and then I rode him as a pleasure horse for about a year. He was the greatest horse and had a great attitude, but was definitely NOT a beginner’s horse. Shortly thereafter I got pregnant and wouldn’t be able to ride for about a year, and since he wasn’t the easiest mount, I wanted to find him a perfect retirement home. He had done his time, and it was time for him to retire.
I found a couple that had 100 acres of lush pasture and a 10 year old QH that was injured and couldn’t be ridden. They wanted a companion horse for her. It was the perfect home for him – he would be doted on, fed well, have a companion and lots of room to run and play, and he wouldn’t have a care in the world. I gave him to these people, free of charge. I still check on him every once in awhile. I see them taking him for walks down the road, and he is a good weight, sleek, and playful (even at his age of 20). He loves being “Pasture Art”. He had a rough life on the track and then being starved, so he deserves this.
All of this cost me about 18 months time and about $7500. And I didn’t get a penny back for selling him. But he is so happy and healthy now, I don’t regret it for a second.
That is what is means to “rescue” a horse. Try it sometime. It is quite rewarding.
Sara – I disagree! FHD’s blog has enlightened me. I am not, never have been, and don’t expect to be a breeder. That said, I USED to take joy in my horsey-buddies’ BYB programs. Getting all excited about the babies. oww-ing and ahh-ing when they were born. Oh, they are CUTE! But now, I see that so many of their “breeding programs” are a tragic disaster.
I am spreading the word about FHD’s website, telling as many people as I can – especially those people who keep talking about breeding their fugly mares, or another fella here who just bought a stallion – and he knows NOTHING about horses. But he has no intention of gelding him. Because, by golly -that boy has spots and a couple of testicles. Now, I am doing this rather surreptitiously. Telling them about this funny blog. My honest reason to turning them on to this blog, is to get the message to them. DONT BREED YOUR FUGLY HORSES! Pay attention to what you’re doing and BREED RESPONSIBLY.
People are getting the message out. So, whether directly or indirectly, FHD is being proactive. This is the best way to get the word out to as many people as possible.
“This is the best way to get the word out to as many people as possible.”
Right. Except for the actual BYB’s, whom you’re insulting and stonewalling. Do you really expect for someone you’ve just mocked to say “gosh, you’re right, I AM an ignorant hick–I shall henceforth repent!”
lovemyfuglyhorse, have your buddies STOPPED their BYB operations in response to your enlightenment at the hands of this blog?
Sara, at least this blog has a bunch of people agreeing. No, people probably aren’t going to change their ways, but how many of them are actually going to change their ways even if you TALK to them face to face? Most of the BYB’s (the bad kind, not the kind who actually CARE about the quality of their animals!) I know, already know it all anyhow – so sending them to a website is no better than talking to them in person.
I agree, sending people here probably isn’t going to do much more than have half the people laugh, and half the people be ticked off because they realize it’s their horses being criticized. But beating them over the head with a 2×4 isn’t going to knock any sense into them, either (although it might provide some stress relief for you!).
Either way, I love this blog. And if one person (be it a teen, adult, or what have you) looks at this, and says, “I don’t want to have my horses be like that” – and they make it a point in life not to start up a careless breeding program, or unsafe riding program – than great! If nothing else, it’s a good place to come and VENT. Idiotic horse people annoy all of us. At least we have a place to come and vent.
Honestly, how many people do you think would flood this blog if it were a boring lecture on quality and conformation? Not many. The snark, candid photos, and the comments are what brings people here. This blog is the best thing since sliced bread, even if you don’t agree. And it’s not all like-minded people who frequent it and reply. There are hundreds who are afraid to say a thing, and are probably learning a lot. You just don’t know it. If someone GENUINELY wants to learn about poor quality vs. good quality horses, they will learn lots here. If someone DOESN’T want to learn, nothing will get to them anyway, snark or not.
Sara – I tend to doubt that they have stopped, since I have only recently, quietly, enlightened them to this blog. It’s called “education through example.” They may get it. They may not. But if what is posted here ignites one tiny spark of forethought in just one person’s mind, then the mission has been accomplished.
Yeah, I don’t think you can change existing BYB’s so much as you can influence people who were maybe thinking of breeding, and read and realize they are not experienced enough, or just didn’t realize how complicated it is, and choose not to – or choose to learn more before undertaking a breeding program.
It’s just like anything. I grew up at a barn owned by people who were 50+ years old and sincerely believed you only needed to deworm every 6 months – because that was the way they had always done it. (Of course, they lost horses to colic too…DUH!). Did I change them? Was I able to successfully show them the error of their ways? Of course not. They thought I was “spoiling my horses” and “wasting money.” But did I teach my lesson students that every 6-8 weeks is what’s proper? You bet your ass I did.
It doesn’t matter whether people SEE this blog and decide to change their ways. What matters is that people who do see it, and are affected by its message, go on to influence others, or never become entrapped in a horrible breeding program, or helping with one, or don’t encourage BYBs by buying their stock, or realise the importance of getting their horse some training, or a better way of doing things, or about the existance of LWOS….
You’d be surprised how many horse owners are clueless about many things. If this blog educates just one person about one issue, it’s worth it.
You’d be surprised as well by how many people who own horses don’t really know what goes on at the auction houses. They don’t know what the loose or fast lane horses are or the kill pen or killer buyers are. This blog can educate horse owners about the perils of taking your horse to auction for a quick sale.
as BYBs refuse to listen to sense, logic, reason, compassion, empathy and knowledge, it is entirely reasonable to form reality into a brick with which to beat them about their empty skulls.
if you wont hear I CAN SHOUT LOUDER.