Oh draft horse fans…
Sep 02 2009
Someone posted this to another board that I am on and it is upsetting me, too. If you are in Tennessee and have a soft spot for drafts and/or some blind horse experience, please consider helping this mare.Â
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/grd/1354286319.html
Right now I figure she has a 50% chance of the kill buyer and a 50% chance of a crappy backyard “sport horse” breeder, and I don’t like either outcome. 
34 comments to “Oh draft horse fans…”
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Y’know, here are just times when it would be better to send the horse over the Bridge than risk it going to someone that would either slaughter it or breed it. I know this sounds harsh, but the Big Picture tells me this is not going to have a good outcome.
Yeah, my feeling is that putting her to sleep is probably the kindest thing.
first of all, should be an experienced horse person probably not best for kids,, jeeze ya think!!!
second, first person to show up with a trailer takes her, good home a must, any idiot with a trailer can tell you about their hundred acre farm with barn and vet on hand ( eye roll) but like you said, as long as they bring a trailer take her home right. how can you say good home a must in the same sentance as first person with a trailer…..
wonder what people are thinking when they post these ads.
maybe the rainbow bridge is going to be the most humane and peaceful option for this girl, sounds harsh, but i am sure there are not that many people who are capable of taking care of a blind draft.
Oh, this ad has been circulating for well over a year in the Knoxville/Nashville area on Craigslist. Not sure what the story REALLY is, but I’ve seen this same ad, same picture – many many times over the last few months.
I’ve also seen a similar ad with a horrible picture that may or may not be the same horse pictured in this ad. It started appearing last year and stopped around the time this picture started being used. Not sure if we’ve seen it swap homes, or if there is some sort of scam involved.
We have our own version of Craigslist here in the Tennessee-Kentucky area, too, it’s at http://www.localsalesnetwork.com – and many people cross post, although I can’t recall if I’ve seen this ad there or not.
LONG time reader – first time poster.
I’m with the others on this one who said that putting her to sleep is the best option. I would rather see her galloping the clouds than in the hands of some dipshit BYB who is hoping to produce their next “sport horse”. Unless they know how to properly accommodate a completely blind horse (helping them learn fence-lines, calm pasture-mates, and other various things to keep them comfortable and not panicky) I don’t see this mare having a good outcome. Which is sad, but inevitably true.
How can someone say they “rescued” a horse and then dump it like that? Rescuing involves making sure, as well as possible, that said animal STAYS rescued!!!
I hope it’s okay to post this here… I just wanted to show my new little rescue that I brought home last Friday. I tried to get his cutey little brother also, who I think has a back injury (something wrong with both hind legs), but the seller wouldn’t budge. She has a third one also. All three are ungelded, unregistered 2 year olds, and are in with about 10 adult full-size horses fighting for food. She is currently advertising these as being “a little fat right now”, “loved and well-taken care of” and “not neglected, forgotten, backyard ponies”! The other two looked at LEAST as bad as this little guy… What do you think? http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/fourhorses44/Miramis%20-%20Welsh%20Pony/
Half Dozen Farm:
If by “fat” she means “worm factory”.
I could’ve sworn I’ve seen this horse before, although who knows seeing as there seem to be no shortage of fugly draft mares just waiting to end up in the nearest auction around.
Anyway, although I can’t really see her picture due to the poor quality (seriously, did they take it on a cellphone, or what?) her back socks go up the same way the one I knew’s did, and the description fits. If it is, that’s a very sweet mare there who’s been through a long history of backyard barns and less than she deserves. Can you believe they’ve tried to breed her before? Anyway, she wasn’t broke the last I checked and she’s too nervous on the ground for an inexperienced handler, she likes to balk out at everything and has an aversion to cross-ties. She also has a soft spot for apples.
…IF it’s the same horse. Again, I’m probably wrong, and even if I am right, I wish I could say more about her quality. But still, it’s a shame that she and others like her are still alive if all they’ve got to look forward to is owners like this who think cellphone snapshots of cruddy, over-crowded dirt yards are a good way to advertise.
Poor thing! I once worked at a TB stud and had care of a blind TB brood mare (she was very well-bred and had produced a number of winners so had the best of care!) It was amazing how quickly her foals realised Mum couldn’t see and actually herded her away from fences etc. But I doubt that poor girl would be lucky enough to get the sort of care that valuable TB mare warranted (own post & rail fenced paddock with shelter shed etc.)
I’ve been a long term reader of the Fugly site but finally came to register with an ulterior motive – to publicise a neglect case in the UK – just two miles from where Burghley Horse Trials are underway. The so-called Royal Society for the Protection of Animals has known about these horses for over a month – and done nothing. It took a non-horsey member of the public to see them – and post about them on the Horse and Hound Forum earlier today – http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4763820/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1/nt/20 – and they have already been visited by horse lovers and WILL get help (if the RSPCA has to be dragged kicking and screaming from it’s fund raising stall at Burghley!) Sadly – as you will see from the photos – two may well be past any help other than euthansia.
But the mega-rich RSPCA – supposedly the flagship of British welfare – will be exposed (again!)
There is a Facebook Group regarding this scandal, for any of you who would like to add support. It’s ‘just’ two dying horses – but two horses that have been TOTALLY let down by our ‘leading’ animal welfare charity!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=151607339174#/group.php?gid=151607339174&ref=mf
I agree that this poor draft mare should be put down. It’s obvious that she is not experiencing, nor is likely to experience, a quality, caring home. Very sad though…poor girl.
I forgot to ask the question I had earlier. Is there some type of guideline that should be used when determining what type of feeding program to put a rescued, underweight horse on?
I had someone chew me out for giving my new little rescued pony all-he-can-eat good grass hay. He’s in a dry lot paddock. They said that I should be feeding him hay pellet mash in many small feedings. I thought that that type of re-feeding program was for horses that were severely starved, and I didn’t think this pony was “that bad”. But I figured I should ask the experts here for advice. Pony seems to be doing very well with just hay, and is putting weight on daily (mostly in a great big hay belly). Is there any complication I should watch for with this approach? I was very careful to make sure he kept pooping the first few days. Today is day 5 with us.
http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/fourhorses44/Miramis%20-%20Welsh%20Pony/
Thanks!
Hi,I’m not a regular poster (more of a lurker) but I wonder if this might interest you? It is a case that doesn’t yet have a conclusion, and shows a real problem with the UK’s most famous animal welfare charity, the RSPCA. I think it also shows though that even someone with no experience of horses can spot a neglect case!Please check it out – it would take me a while to get the whole story down here, but it is worth checking out, although it may leave you desperate for morning (UK time) to see how things pan out with these poor horses):http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4763820/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1/nt/3
Hannah x
Nerved? Hooves sloughing? This is some freaking remarkable surprise to the veterinarians??? Give me a freaking break. There is a mechanism to deal with this type of case kids. It is called rechecks.
Oh gosh, this horse is about 1 1/2 hours from me, but my husband would kill me dead if I mentioned getting another horse…. She is really cute, but we are not equipped for a totally blind horse. I agree with some of the others, putting her down would probably be the best, because if some dumbass ends up with her, the alternative could be much worse for her…sigh…..
Half Dozen Farm – your pony is not too bad at all – and if good grass hay was going to cause colic, I think it would have done so by now! I would keep an eye on intake and not let him go the other way – too fat!! I’d guess you’ve dealt with worming and had his teeth checked. Mash feeds are great for severely emaciated horses and those whose teeth are in a poor state – but I wouldn’t have thought them necessary for your pony.
First person at my door with a trailer gets her? WTH then “good home only”
Some people…..wonder what the other “things” they need space for are….
Thanks Janet George:
The Seller said she had just wormed him last week, she “thinks” with Ivermectin. When is it safe to worm again, just in case she actually DID worm him?
His teeth will be checked when I take him in for gelding. But he seems to be packing away the feed just fine! I have another little pony who definitely tends to sway more towards the obese side. These two will be in together eventually so that I can monitor their intake closely. Hopefully someday soon this little guy won’t know the meaning of “bony pony” either!
DeanaJ don’t feel bad…I found myself doing a quick calculation of how fast I could get a trailer over the mountains for a few seconds before reason kicked in
This poor mare…the odds of her finding an actually SUITABLE, kind home are essentially zero in this case. And the owner has the nerve to wave the “rescue” flag over her? Oh BITE me! I’m not sure which I want more…to save that mare or put a foot in the owner’s behind. As much as I’d love to give her a home (because I’ve always been the sucker for old and special needs) the fact is, there are few (more like none???) craigslist freebie adopters who CAN give her a proper home…I have to agree that euthanasia is probably the best choice. (for the horse…too bad it’s illegal for the owner)
I feel bad for that draft mare. My Appy has moonblindness, that draft might be a good companion for her if I could afford a draft and she was a lot closer to me
Isn’t there a blind horse rescue in Montana, I think they even have a few drafts on their place. I can’t remember the name right now, I’ll have to go look it up and see if they have room for one more and maybe they can take her.
I would start the pony on daily dewormer like Strongid C. It’s so mild that you don’t get that sudden mass die-off of worms that can cause an impaction.
Although this has nothing to do with todays topic persay, this is still interesting.
I was searching through CL ( lord help us ) and found this horrid add.
Containing pictures of a PAINFULLY DEFORMED Dwarf Mini.
Screwed up legs going in every direction, no neck and just a poor creature in general.
And, to add to this he’s a STALLION and they are asking $2,500.
Good lord, someone just needs to take this poor creature away from these people and either put it down or get it the medical help it desperately needs.
Take a look at the add – located in MO.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/1354640304.html
Animal Control anyone?
“Free to a good home?!” Oh, for God sakes’, it’s a fifteen hundred pount animal that’s BLIND not a damn kitten!
UGH. I echo others here, I think she should be put down, poor girl. The picture’s of pretty abysmal quality, so I can’t get a good idea of her conformation…but still. This breaks my heart because I have such a soft spot for the draft breeds.
To the person who says they live close… How much is euthanasia in your area? If we can get donations to cover it, would you be willing to take disposal on?
Half Dozen – I’ve successfully started re-feeding starved horses on grass hay, in combination with bran mashes. The bran mash contains potassium which can help prevent re-feeding syndrome. For more on re-feeding syndrome see here, or google it. http://www.starvinghorses.com/Refeedingsyndrome.html
They recommend alfalfa hay, but when I tried to introduce that as a mix with grass the two I had at the time got gas colic.
If anyone can get their hands on that mare, you can try contacting Rolling Dog Ranch in Montana, they are a blind horse sanctuary. I do not know if they have room right now, but worth a shot.
I have had several Clydes. It’s really sad to hear about this girl. A blind horse is bad enough, but a 2000 pound blind horse crashing into stuff is really tragic. Poor thing.
Ever since I started reading this blog I’ve starting going over my local Craigslist with a fine tooth comb. BTW, this is the MIAMI list, and most of you are aware of the horse slaughter going on. Here’s an ad from last week that was still up this morning. Why bother to steal a horse when you can get a registered 32 YEAR OLD for $50??? Sad thing is, he DOES look like a 15 year old! I’m still trying to figure out why after 32 years it’s time to basically THROW HIM AWAY?? Do they actually think selling him for $50 will keep him safe? DAMN!!!
http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/grd/1350335498.html
“Must go, it is a sad day to see him leave but hes an amazing! 1st horse to get your child. will do anything you ask, goes western or english, no bad habits, stands for blacksmith, great with little and young children. Basically a giant puppy, loves kids and attention. he is 32 but he doesnt look at day over 15 he is $50 OBO
Breed: Quarter Horse
Gender: Gelding
Birth Date: Mar 26, 1979″
He’s on equinenow.com too. Pics are on both sites. I have a headache now.
Oh god.
That mare reminds me of a horse I knew, loved and had to watch go down hill rapidly from liver failure (He wasn’t my horse, and I would have euthanized him about two weeks before his owner did).
I’d take her for that alone…if she wasn’t blind. She looks like a big old vanner type. Not breeding quality, no (Although she’s exactly the build that makes a good embryo transfer host mare…lots of foal room in there).
As it is, who the heck is going to take on a blind mare when mediocre quality draftie mares without special needs are two a penny?
Guess what? If you’ll toss her to whoever shows up with a trailer when she becomes inconvenient, you’re not rescuing her.
Thanks fhotd. I feel like a dork, totally spaced that one! I’ll start him on the daily wormer asap. It’ll probably do wonders for him! His haircoat is just terrible. My other horses are starting to get fuzzy, but basically still look summer slick. His hair is like a dull, matted old rug!
Ok, I know this is off topic, but anyone in BC want a NICE arab or half-arab?!? Fairview is selling out! Holy crap! I wish I was in the market…
http://www.fairviewarabianstud.com/sales.html
Run, do not walk. My bet is even in this market those lil suckers will be gone soon.
JCCOLAW – OMG! That mini is horrible! That’s right off the dearly departed crazy mini people page except it’s still alive, breathing and for sale for $2500.
OK who is close to where THAT is?
Half Dozen – Yep, that’s just one symptom of bad parasite infestation. You should see this foal from the Thurston Cty. seizure – still has long trails of winter hair coming from it. IN SEPTEMBER.
An update on the starved horses at Stamford in the UK. The horses have now been removed to a place of safety thanks to the huge outcry from Horse & Hound forum members and the quick response of the British Horse Society. Hopefully the owners WILL be prosecuted!
Fhotd:
Are there pics up somewhere of the seized horses yet?
Yet another “rescue” that supposedly takes on a horse and only attempts to dump it later. : (
I ache after looking at those mini pictures…OUCH!!! I can only imagine what that poor little guy feels like, it looks like he’s trying to sit down…and of course he’s worth all of $2500 what a deal he’s obviously worth twice as much….duh!!
I don’t think the blindness alone is a reason to euthanize this poor mare. A fellow boarder at one of my old barns had a horse that was 98 percent blind and she was just fine. Blindness and no good home, though… yeah, her chances aren’t good, and euthanization is likely the best thing for her. It’s too bad that she doesn’t have a good home, though, because there’s no reason why she can’t still make someone a good horse.