From last place to first priority!
Oct 06 2009
January 4, 2003 – Ready Say Go is foaled in California, the son of multiple stakes winner Poteen out of a daughter of stakes winner Strike Gold (California’s leading sire of winners).
He won a few races and made over $30,000 for his owners.Â
Like most California breds, he started out racing in California, and as his value dropped, he made his way north, winding up at Emerald Downs near Seattle. Most recently, he was owned by trailer Neil Knapp and Bob Fidler (an early third partner seems to have dropped out).
He ran August 7th in race 8 at Emerald Downs - finished last….
He was on the Vet’s list for EMD on 8/22 as “lame”
He ran September 11th in the 5th race. He broke in the lead, but finished 5th.
He ran September 27th and came in last. The trip notes from 9/27 say “far back throughout” He was not claimed out of that race, so they were his last owners at the track.
On October 4th, he was sent to the Enumclaw Auction. No attempt was made to find him a home. There is no posting for him on Dreamhorse, on Craigslist, or any other equine site that I can find. He was just dumped, without his papers to ensure no one ever raced him again.
Today, October 6th, he was gelded so that he could legally go on the crowded truck to the slaughterhouse. Not that this would change his disposition after 48 hours. He would have been just as likely to fight and flirt in the double-decker on Thursday as an intact horse, but hey, it would have been legal anyway!
Fifteen minutes ago, his bail was paid by Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team. He is going home tomorrow to a safe panel paddock where he can recover from his shocking week, relax and eat his fill of quality hay.Â
If you are too far away to help an auction horse, please consider a donation to CSRDT – their paypal is on the main page of their web site, www.csrdt.org or you can send your tax-deductible donation to Cowgirl Spirit, P.O. Box 83, Fall City, WA 98024. I will post plenty of updates about how RSG does!
MORE INFORMATION:
OK, so now the way the story goes is that someone was dispatched to take the horse to the auction with STRICT instructions not to let him go to kill.
That woman lied to the owners and said he was purchased by “a nice couple.” Yeah, a nice couple of kill buyers, Ron and Oly!
The owners are offering to help with his expenses. I appreciate that but I have to say it again:
STOP TRUSTING PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THEY HAVE A GOOD HOME FOR YOUR FRESH OFF THE TRACK RACEHORSE!
You need to (a) site check (b) reference check and (c) do a legal contract. And I’ll tell you what, the really responsible thing to do would be pay for 3 months layup and 30 days of retraining. I can refer you to good trainers. The auction is never the answer.Â
The good news is that the horse does not have a history of unsoundness except for hoof problems. Cowgirl Spirit has a fabulous farrier so I know those will get resolved. Further good news – he is a quiet, sweet horse just as I thought.  I think his future will be bright from here on out but he VERY narrowly missed being a sandwich. Â
A few more pics of horses on the lot that are noted as being especially sweet and people friendly. The grey roan appy is #420, the bay roan appy is #422 and the Arab with the white stripe is #402. If you are interested in one, let me know at cathy@horsereunions.com.Â
PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE AUCTION HOUSE IF YOU’RE (a) NOT SERIOUS ABOUT BUYING (b) CANNOT BE POLITE AND UNEMOTIONAL! Don’t ruin it for everybody who CAN shut up about their opinions long enough to get horses to safety. You wouldn’t think I’d have to say this, but I do. Just go through me if you can’t keep your emotions in check.
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86 comments to “From last place to first priority!”
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OMG – dare I say it…..FIRST!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, this one made me cry tears of joy. What a beatuful boy, and thank you Cowgirl Spirit for rescuing him.
If I was closer I would have snapped him up in a hearbeat.
What a gorgeous boy.
AWESOME outcome! So glad someone saved him.
Can anyone upgrade this poor arabian? Was shown in Scottsdale in the 90′s and now is skinny. I just think this horse has a sweet, sweet face:
http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/grd/1398495174.html
A handsome boy. I’m so happy he will not be slaughtered. Unfortunately, so many end up that way…:(
Great save!
Found a thin Craigslist 11yr old “kid safe” horse, don’t know what’s so wrong with TACK when you ride? maybe feed your horses too?
http://fayar.craigslist.org/grd/1400810468.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnN_PnCLwVk
Also, advertising with a photo of your ewe-necked, roach-backed horse getting smacked in the chest with what appears like a rolled up rug? riiiight!
http://fayar.craigslist.org/grd/1399017751.html
Off Topic:
Two “free” oldies Washington way:
http://olympic.craigslist.org/grd/1384206621.html
http://olympic.craigslist.org/grd/1384183556.html
Aside from providing educational posts and highly entertaining (and snarky) commentary, this blog does a tremendous job of making people in the horse world (who don’t have their heads in the sand) aware of the larger issues facing the industry. But for Fugs’ (and many others’) hard work, Ready Say Go, Szizzle, and others would be on a double-decker to Canada right now. Thank you, Fugs – you’ve certainly inspired me.
(I just made a donation to Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team. It’s the least I can do.)
Any word on that Box and Won horse?
His breeder is a pretty big name…
he’s gorgeous!!
iv always admired throughbreds & would love owning one someday..warms my heart everytime i hear one that found a great home
I wish I knew on the Box and Won horse. I had him written down as 417, but when 417 was run through, it was a mare. He MAY be sitting in the pen at Enumclaw but I can’t get down there myself to look at lips.
Those oldies in Gig Harbor are CUTE!
He is gorgeous!!!! What a pretty head! Glad he was rescued…THANKS!
Thats awsome that he was rescued:)
Thank GOD … i was getting worried about him because if i could pay his bail didn’t have anyone to take him for me.
what a sigh of relief for him.
now to work on what KB wants for each of the horses he got. anyway that is possible .. what about the pregnant sorrel overo?
That IS the horse that reminds me of my first OTTB schoolteacher horse from decades back! I thought they were different horses after looking at the SAFE photo thread. Ready Say Go might even be a touch handsomer, lacking the slightly mulish ears of my beloved childhood friend.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LITERALLY SAVING HIS LIFE. My pit bull, a breed similarly maligned and completely devalued thanks to ignoramuses and their poor ownership/poorly bred examples of the breed, was similarly spared at the last moments before death. He and I will be making a donation to Cowgirl Spirit. I’m a county ACO though, so it will have to wait ’til payday. Too bad that $30K he earned is likely long gone.
Shame, shame, shame on you Knapp and Fidler; I hope you remember this “disposable living creatures” shortsighted philosophy when you are aged and dependent on others to care for you.
It’s too bad Emerald Downs doesn’t have the policy that nails trainers/owners who send horses to auction from their track/barns. Can’t remember the names of a lot of them, but Suffolk Downs is one and maybe Mountaineer. Someone has to step up and take responsibility for horses like this handsome guy that need to be retired. Most of them are able to retire to second careers. All they need are rest, retraining, groceries, and a place to do all that. Wish I had more room and the time, talent and treasure to make a place for that kind of thing to happen.
Good job, Cowgirl Spirit RDT!!
Cold. So extremely ice cold to dump RSG that way. And without any apparent effort whatsoever to seek a fate for him other than a foreign slaughter plant. Apparently that’s the way business is done in the horse racing world too often these days, but it’s just intolerably irresponsible. And what a waste it would have been in RSG’s case! I’m generally no fan of OTTB, but this guy has some good structure, balance and substance there in his overall frame. He appears to have a goodly amount of bone in his legs, and could even have decent feet based on the one hoof you can see in the photo. But his expression is simply outstanding. The very definition of a kind eye – even more remarkable when you consider his situation when the photo was snapped! This horse looks like he’s got real potential for a wonderful post-racing riding career. Guess his guardian angel was watching over him. Major kudos to all who helped ID him, told his story and got him to safety. Bravo!
Mr. Knapp and Mr. Fidler, I hope your nuts wither to the size of your conscience.
Just heard that Lisa Russell is the person responsible for this horse being dumped and that she may have lied to get him, MeSue-style. I’ll try to find out the whole story.
You know, just a suggestion for everybody in the racing industry who claims innocence:
Try showing up at Enumclaw.
That way, you will KNOW if you have given your horses to a liar.
Just a suggestion!
Give away the horse to somebody you know nothing about or just met = throw away the responsibility. How convenient. These are monied owners and successful business people who presumably have a reasonable level of intelligence. They know where their ex-racers are likely to go without some proactive effort on their parts to prevent it. They just don’t want to know. How sanitary.
How did he get him gelded so fast? Does a killbuyer pay full price for gelding, or is it a cut and go affair? If he’s getting discount for volume, could killbuyers let other people with rescues bring their soon-to-be geldings for volume-price geldings on his vet days, and do some small amount of good will in the horse industry?
I was talking to my trainer this weekend. The killbuyer she knows sees people like us coming a mile away, and the markup on his rescues for bleeding hearts (he occasionally puts the word out and crowds them together a little for a big profit) is just hilarious.
I made a $25 donation at the Cowgirl Spirit site. Thanks for your good work.
Ok now for the IGIVE thing…..
you download the toolbar on your computer and you shop at merchants that use IGIVE you will get money for your cause…..
I just changed my cause to Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill team but at this time they only have 18.42…..lets all help out and do this…..don’t put it off. Every little bit helps. If you buy online you can be helping that way.
everytime you do a legit search they get a penny.
Everyone who says they “want” to help should do this….
or find a rescue who will in fact go to these auctions and bail out these horses.
any questions I would be glad to help .. I started with IGIVE back in the 90s and it works… causes get real checks. No kidding … This toolbar search engine is one that does good for all causes
Download it and start doing searches to start and hey EBAY buyers and others who buy pet supplies and horse supplies there will be a pop up (it will go away) telling you what percentage of your purchase is going to your cause.
Aficat, I’m sure some good old boy gelded him. He’ll get looked at by the vet ASAP, never fear!
And that is why people like us don’t identify ourselves. Trust me, I don’t march up to kill buyers and tell them I am a rescuer. Whenever possible I march up to them in a low cut t-shirt and act as stupid as possible!
What a pretty boy. I hope someone is able to pull a few more. I’m in TN and broke til the truck is fixed and the ginormous vet bill is paid off…and OT but related, this is absolutely killing me. This horse has been a trail horse for them for 5-6, maybe 7 years. Absolutely the best looking horse on the place, and broke enough to double 2 kids on (which they’ve done ad nauseum). Now he’s supposedly going blind, so they’re dumping him for free saying he can no longer be ridden. He’s maybe 13 years old… http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/1408226079.html
So much wrong here…………..
1. Blind horses CAN be ridden – maybe not with the insurance co looking over your shoulder but taking the time to look for the right home would be the least they could do.
2. If it’s uvitis (sp) causing the blindness, have the balls to put the poor boy down instead of throwing him away to let someone else do it.
3. Cookeville sale is Tuesday nights and there are a couple of KB’s buying from there…would be really simple for someone to show up and drive an hour east and offload him
Damn not having the land to put him on or the extra cash to evaluate him and do the right thing for him……
The more I read your blog the more I realize the number of heartless people we have in the horse world! This is ridiculous! This horse is gorgeous, there was no reason for him to end up at a sale that like. I hope the owners of that horse read your blog and rethink their actions for the next poor horse that ends up in their hands.
to fugs, ROFLMAO
low-cut t and act stupid as heck!! That was funny!
I was wondering about that. I want to a couple of auctions here in SoCal and observed the KBs buy then make a profit off the recues. They seem to advertise the situation these horses are in and then the price goes up from what they paid at auction.
Hey Rainbeau, I live in Cookeville, and go to that sale about once a month. Who are the kill buyers, can you describe them to me? When I can talk my husband into it, I would love to rescue some old, starving horse from there~~ so many that go through that sale are in terrible shape, it makes me so mad to go! We bought a nice paint filly from there about 10 years ago, (we have since sold her to some friends of ours, and she is carting their two little girls around) so there are A FEW nice horses that go through there, but not many.
I know Neil Knapp. I see him often. I work at the track here at Turf Paradise, I’m stabled all of 250 yards from him. I’m in awe.
fhotd says:
October 6, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Just heard that Lisa Russell is the person responsible for this horse being dumped and that she may have lied to get him, MeSue-style. I’ll try to find out the whole story.
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I highly doubt Lisa paid anything for this horse and then turned around and sold it for $50. Costs more to haul it and pay the auction fees.
My gut feeling… The names on the registration, which I’m betting haven’t changed, wanted the horse gone. He’s a bleeder and they weren’t going to put another dime in him. Classic OTTB story repeated everywhere.
Does anyone know of OTTB sales in the Milwaukee/Chicago area? There is a track in Des Moines, IA (Prairie Meadows) – anyone know where those horses go?
fhotd says:
October 6, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Trust me, I don’t march up to kill buyers and tell them I am a rescuer. Whenever possible I march up to them in a low cut t-shirt and act as stupid as possible!
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Playing to the crowd?
I’ve got to leave this one alone. I’m sure you’ve seen what strolls through there. A feeding trough for everyone but the horses. Nighty night now.
So glad to hear Ready Say Go is safe — kudos to Cowgirl Spirit for rescuing him. Stories like this make me wish we could open a LOPE in WA state too…
It’s great that he was saved, but realistically we are overwhelmed here. With unemployment near 10% and the value of EVERYTHING going down I worry about what this winter will bring. We have hay and shelter here, but how many other owners do?
He’s awesome, I’d totally adopt him if I didn’t get suckered in by a red headed gelding at an auction yesterday LOL
I wasn’t even at the auction to buy, I was working at this auction. I used to be this horses’ groom at the track, but I didn’t notice he was in the sale catalog until I got there and saw him there. He ended up selling for $700, and I would have bid, but I knew the guy bidding on him and knew he could go higher than me and i didn’t feel like getting in a bidding war with the guy. Turns out he bought the horse for a client, and he was not being very clear as to what this client was planning on doing with the horse, and after a few minutes of interrogating the guy, it sounded like the horse was destined for the chuckwagons. I told the guy that if he ever wanted to sell the horse to make sure he called me. He came to me after the sale, and offered to sell me the horse for $900. I tried to haggle with him, but he wouldn’t budge. I think I got duped paying $900 for that horse considering he’s fractured his coffin bone twice and he now has a chip out of it and will very likely never be sound for anything other than light work. However it was very apparent that both the trainer and the owner trying to buy the horse were trying to cover something up. If the horse had gone to the wagons, his coffin bone would not have held up to it and he would have been completely crippled and beyond repair within a month and straight on a meat truck. Considering I’m not a rescue, I used to groom the horse I really don’t feel bad about paying $900 for him. Other than the coffin bone issue he’s sound, he’s got a really nice build and conformation as well. I’m sure if I take good care of his feet we should have fun learning dressage together and going on some trails (I have the farrier coming to put no vibe bar shoes on him tomorrow, possibly with a sole pad). I’m kind of upset with his owner that brought him to the sale in the first place. The girl that worked for him said that “oh we put a $500 reserve on them just so they don’t go for meat” I was like oh yeah right, that just means there’s one more step between you and the slaughter house so you can tell yourself the blood isn’t on your hands. Oh course I only thought that, not said it. Horse has a decent race record, he’s 5yrs old and in 6 starts he made $17.680, which is not at all bad for only 6 starts in Alberta.
This is the handsome boy here
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l34/angie0067/utf-8BSU1HMDAwMzEuanBn.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l34/angie0067/utf-8BSU1HMDAwMzIuanBn.jpg
both of those photo’s were taken immediately after the auction. Sorry they’re so bad, I had the guy I drove there hold the horse for me before we left, and he was being really difficult about standing him straight and actually turning him another few degrees so I could get a good shot of him, but I will get some better ones if people are interested
If anyone knows where I can get some decent dressage lessons for a reasonable price (I don’t care if the instructor is really good. The little bit of dressage I’ve done I hated, I just feel its the best discipline choice for the horse. I don’t want a super top of the line trainer, (maybe someone younger just starting out that can’t charge the rates of someone more experienced?) but they do need to know what they’re doing.
If anyone could offer advice about feeding a horse with bad feet I would really appreciate it. (he has brittle feet too :S) I’m quite familiar with all sorts of foot paints and I have a very good farrier, but if anyone knows of any good supplements that actually work and they know how to feed it so it works (and won’t founder him, thats the LAST thing he needs) I’d really appreciate it!
I know this pertains to the last post – but FUGLY, did you know about this from the Enumclaw Auction?
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/grd/1410031598.html
Something about a pregnant mare?
Whatever it is – sounds like a happier ending… forgive me if you’d already seen this.
AAAGGGHHHH any word on that sorrel overo preg mare? please tell me she and her unborn foal is safe?
I agree with windingwinds, unfortunately I think it’s going to be a tough ,long winter. As I was stacking hay for my own 2 i couldn’t help thinking and worrying about how hard its going to be this year for some. I am also unemployed but i am in a better postion than most in that i have no problem getting feed where I live.
God help us all.
Can someone in the east grab his boy:
15.2 h chestnut TB gelding, 1994 model, turned out past 3 years becasue rider quit riding. He is already retrained english/pleasure/some jumping; UTD vaccs. and worming. Photo shows he is in good flesh and feet cared for. Exceptionally nice conformatuon and bone; they don’t make them like this anymore! Big gentle eye and calm face. ONLY $300!!!!!!!!!!! You all know where his next stop will be.
Take off the chrome and he is the spitting image of my first horse, also a 15.2 chestnut OTTB gelding,the incomparable Night Session.
Cannot post link but URL is:
http://www.equinenw.com/horse-ad-223867
Please.
I quit my day job 3 years ago to travel the world and ride horses.
I have worked on horseback safaris in South Africa, polo in Argentina, endurance in California, trail guiding in Romania.
I have been in Australia for 3 weeks now working at a Racehorse Pre-Training, breeding and Yearling preparation barn.
I am absolutely horrified by the conditions.
The boss has already told me that the broodmares go to the doggers (Slaughter for pet-food) when they can no longer produce, and this is the fate of most of the horses if they don’t show promise, or even if they do. Once they are used up they are of no use to anyone, and very few are re-homed.
They are started at 18 months, pumped full of grain, hard feed, steroids (to help them bulk up) and Lasix (prevents bleeding in the lungs). They get far too little excercise and bad behaviour is ignored, even expected. They weave, crib-bite, box-walk, kick the shit out of their boxes and anyone who comes near.
AND all of this is NORMAL in the racing industry, so everyone keeps telling me when I question it.
I have ridden lots of ex-racehorses in the UK, and know that they can have happy, healthy lives after racing. The best you can hope for is that they break down soon, and have an owner with an ounce of decency.
I am so disillusioned and will be moving on – I can’t stay and be a part of this industry.
Thanks you so much for your web-site. After the hellish lives they lead the LEAST they deserve is a chance at a ‘normal’ life.
Just re-read the description of the TB in this story — other than the stallion part, this is my horse. He was KY bred and brought to CA by a bloodstock agency at a huge farm that is now several housing developments. He won about $30K and was claimed several times and ended up with a trainer who doesn’t work in CA anymore because — his words — “there are too many rules in CA and too many people looking over your shoulder.”
That left my guy to be found by someone (and I don’t know where or how) who had him for awhile, retrained him and he ended up with me. His downward slide stopped at my front door (in a manner of speaking ;o), and he has a home with me forever. We are ALL overwhelmed by this horrible slide in our economy (and realistically unemployment is well over 10 percent because of those who have given up looking for jobs or those who are underemployed. There are pockets of unemployment all over the country where unemployment is 30 percent or more — Las Vegas and Detroit, to name two), but we do what we can. I am cutting back on EVERYTHING I can. That’s just what we do. I try to help those who need it. That’s what we do, too.
I’m happy to hear that he has been rescued. As an owner of a rescued OTTB I can appreciate how great these horses are. I do want to know, though, how do I get the reports from his racing career? I can look up his name on pedigreequery and it tells me how many starts, and how many wins. But I would like more information. It appears you were able to come up with some notes about your horse from the race, and I would like to see them on mine. We have some leg issues that are plaguing us, and information like that would be helpful for his recovery. Any help would be appreciated.
I’m so glad this beauty got rescued! I also rescued an OTTB, and he’s a great guy. However, he has leg issues that continue to plague us. Can anyone tell me how I can get his race records, along with notes. They may explain some of our problems.
ONLYGUCCI; Check out Dont Knock America at mnhoovedanimalrescue.org he was found starving and injured ,upgraded,castrated,donated.Thanks to his rescuer who is fostering him until we can place him.This horse won over 400,000.00 and still was dumped.We have other OTTB’s available,not up on the site yet due to a webmaster/car accident.Our local track,Canterbury Park is very horse welfare orientated and easy to work with.Dr.Bowman DVM is feeding about 60 head of this years OTTB “throwaways” all are looking for new homes.Dr.Bowman is located in North Dakota,contact him @ 701. 440. 1115 for more info.Dr.Bowman retired from Canterbury’s Vet. staff this year but I don’t think he will ever retire from saving Thoroughbreds ,anyone who has handled Tb’s can understand why.Good job and thanks to all who care enough to help the helpless.
luvmyhorse,
http://www.equineline.com/
You’ll need to set up an account and pay for the report, but they are pretty cheap.
luvmyhorse, have you contacted The Jockey Club? When I figured out the (nearly illegible) tattoo, I called them and (at that time it cost $, but I believe it’s free now) they sent his pedigree, race records, and some other paperwork. I also Googled his name and found his first winning race on the Del Mar Race archives (not available online now) and printed that out. There is no record of his injuries or layups; I wrote his breeders and they gave me information about their farm, my horse’s dam and a foal picture of him at weaning (four and a half months old!). Sure enough, there was my guy (looking worried even then).
He had issues too — changes in his feet, a wonky knee, and he was born with a roach back which has created some issues, but he’s seeing a chiropractor regularly as well as an equine acupuncturist (both are veterinarians). I, on the other hand, am NOT seeing a chiropractor or acupuncturist for MY aches and pains. (What is WRONG with this picture?? ;o)
However, your veterinarian is going to be your greatest resource, as is your shoer. There are several sites that have information on the rescued OTTB — tranquilityfarmtbs.org has a *.pdf for rehabbing/reshoeing the racer. Another site is New Vocations (Google them for their address). Also check the list the right side of this blog for links to rescues that may have additional information. With my horse, the journey was long and sometimes very frustrating — rescuing off the track is NOT for the faint of heart. But at this point — and for the past six or so years, for that matter — it has been SO worth it.
My guy has had injections, shockwave therapy, joint supplements — all at the recommendation or approval of the veterinarian. Be prepared to do whatever the experts say. And good luck!
Thank you to the blogger who took “Alaska Bowtie”. You may be interested in knowing that he has a little sister bred by the same man (John Short)…..let’s hope she doesn’t face the same things he’s been through. http://www.washingtonthoroughbred.com/NWRace/NWRSeligible2009.pdf
Just wanted to say that people really SUCK sometimes, but it is refreshing to read this blog and see all the people making a difference in the world of horses. It has inspired me, caused me to check on an old gelding I sold to someone who started a rescue only to then find him starving (thank God I checked on him). I bought him back and will keep him until he dies in my arms.
Also, I may be taking in a Blazer (no snickering please) stallion for a horse riding program that has too many mouths to feed so I can fatten him up for them. We will see what I have to say about Blazer’s after this experience. So far, I haven’t been impressed with them, but they at least deserve to be well cared for as does any fugly out there.
slaughter FAIL. This one horse at least.
Heartbreaking reading the list. Heartwarming to see the efforts you folks are going to in getting these horses off the truck and into good homes. Thank you.
Those two little Appies break my heart! The little blue roan one looks just like my first horse. I’d take both of them home in a heartbeat, but I’m on the wrong coast *and* can’t afford more than one horse right now. Darn, darn, darn. I did donate money to Cowgirl Rescue this morning, but it doesn’t seem like enough. Gonna go cry now for those 2 fillies…and all of the others.
Everybody only does what they can. I can’t take any. All I can do is network them, so that’s what I’m doing.
You always have to put the mouths you already have to feed first.
Catxx about the black pony… he seems to have a limp in the hind (left?) and seems to have dropped pasterns in the back too. His pasterns nearly touch the ground when he walks. I totally recognize that it could still be a good children’s pony, but depending on how old your kids are and how much they will ride should probably influence the sale of this pony. Just thought I’d let you guys know!
On the other hand… I would take those 3 horses in a heartbeat… but I cannot get them where I live… I already have 3 (2 rescues) and might not be able to afford any more for now…. If I was rich, I would take most of them, I sure have the land to put them on… just need the money to care for them properly. For now 3 is all I can adequatly care for and they are spoiled and happy!
Well, #461 is safe, I pick her up tomorrow, Thank you Cathy for walking me threw this
To add the already known horrors of shipping to slaughter, comes the info about gelding them so they can ship legally. I am sure that someone just does a whack job w/no pain killers or aftercare; why should they? The horse is going to slaughter anyways.
Kudos to all involved in saving any of them.
any information/update on:
301 – $120 – 4yr dark bay OTTB, Sound/Gentle/Calm/Ridden, very tall
The local auction I sometimes attend always mentions they can do a “quick geld” out back if you don’t want to take home a stud and then proceed to laugh. We all know know sanitary and painful that experience will be.
Keep up the great work on saving these poor souls.
OT I have not yet heard anything about Dually the barrel racing horse from SD that was stolen from a rodeo grounds and abused. When I hear something I’ll let everyone know.
You know, it’s interesting how much race horse owners “care” about their horses. When working with the racing standardbreds one owner was soooo worried about what was going to happen to her “baby” now that he couldn’t race anymore. She needed to find him a loving permanent home, someone who would give him carrots and hugs and love him forever. Well, the bleeding heart that I am, took him. Yes, I stupidly brought home a fully intact 16.3h stud.
Well, gelding happened. But working crazy hours at the track and taking care of 3 horses of my own left little time for training. Hmmm….wonder if the owner knows how he’s doing? Well, ends up he was dropping weight FAST. Long story short, $2000 in vet bills later he had to be euthanized due to what we believe was cancer. (SO COULD NOT AFFORD POST MORTEM!) Where were the “loving, caring owners” who he had made $300,000 richer? Totally not available. Thanks asshats!
Oh my god, the TB is GORGEOUS! I wish I could take that arabian, its very cute
*sigh* http://www.horseforum.com/horse-breeding/what-do-you-think-37416/
Trying to breed fugly to fugly and taking no notice, plus insulting those giving sane advice.
Yeah, I’m sure the owners were really concerned about the horse’s fate. So concerned that when they sent him to the Enumclaw auction with a stranger, they made her promise she wouldn’t send him to kill. Aren’t they such a model of concern and ethical behavior?
Right.
Asshats.
Oh, I wish I could take the little bay Arab home. He’s lovely! Unfortunately can only afford one horse at a time right now… I hope he finds a great home!
wild_spot
your totally right
She doesn’t get iit, SHE SHOULD NOT BREED HER MARES! (especially the black one!)
Of course she will anyway and in about a year we’ll see some fugly grade yearling colt at auction that she didnt keep cuz it didnt have spots
OT, saw this ad on dreamhorse…… #1471119
“Daisy is a very sweet young mare that is super friendly. She is very green broke but I lead my grandkids around on her all the time because she loves any attention she can get. She is in foal for a late baby to JMK Coolafella. Daisy is HYPP H/H and symptomatic. I do not keep her on meds but she has required treatment once. She does well on pasture but would rather be inside during the cold weather. Only experience people need to inquire about this horse.”
This is a 3 year old mare that has no reason being bred…afterall she IS HYPP H/H with symptoms and they are asking $1500.
What is wrong with people? *ugh*
The little bay arab is breaking my heart… he looks a lot like mine… if I had the money for another one, I would so look into ahving him transported down here to AZ… but I suppose when my old guy’s time comes, there will be some horse in my area in need of rescue…
wild_spot—I checked out that link you posted.
I confess I am usually blinded by the tobiano spots. But the discussion regarding those two mares couldn’t be more spot-on.
Personally, if either were my mares (are they even registered? Can’t recall, and do recall she had a fugly tobiano stallion that will make an adorable little gaming gelding for some little girl someday), I’d be looking at something a bit more typy for them—that’s a pair of pretty unfeminine mares if I’ve ever seen ‘em.
I’d take ‘em to a Three Bars-bred TB looking QH. They don’t need to be bred to QH Foundation stallions. They don’t need to be bred to krazy kolor stallions. Guess I’m stuck in the 1970s–1980s, but I’d be looking for Three Bars/Leo or Vandy bloodlines for those girls.
I’d even think about a nice Arabian for the pair. At least at that point there will be registration papers, not that papers are a promise of lifetime safety.
Fortunately they are not mine. It’s funny though, she put those photos out there and asked advice, be careful what you ask for on the internet.
My temporary Gravitar image is me in my younger & skinnier days with my Paint Mare from Hell and my Vandy/Leo QH mare. I owned both until they died, both lost from complications from foaling about 10 years apart. Those were two loved mares, and I miss them both terribly.
most trainers/owners don’t really care about the faith of a horse not making $$,they pretend they do but regularly fail to prove it,they only want the horse out of their care and not being responsible for what will happen.they pretend to believe “good home with kids story”and they unrealistically expect that a broken down horse that cannot gallop around the track to save his life will be a jumper/hunter/dressage show horse,in reality buyers in the riding horse industry will quickly pass on a horse that won’t vet and they are picky.Most of the horses off track don’t go to “homes” and anyway lots of those so-called homes(or supposetly “rescues”)are worst than death….Good thing that TB’s auctions are doing so bad…may be they will bred less and it should take a licence to breed horses,we see puppy mills and horsy mills too
does anyone know if the paints got picked up?
If I wasn’t on the other side of the country I would take that bay arab. Heck, if he could get here I would take him.
That bay arab is CUTE!! I hope he and his perfect white stripe get a home fast. He looks like my old pony club pony.
Can you do a post on proper etiquette for writing in forums to fho-tards?
In forums, the mass majority don’t write to pursades a person to stop breeding, etc. etc. I find that snarkily conveyed common sense is difficult for BYBs to get, and it needs to be said in a way that they can grasp. When endevoring to change someone’s mind, it’s important to be tactful and intelligent. There is a way of writing/saying/illustrating things that can be straightforward AND pursuasive, which is the most important part.
It’s so fucking frustrating dealing with fho-tards. And fho-tards think the same about “professionalsâ€. But the idea is to change their minds about breeding, not just belittle them or their horses. (For some reason this just gives them more incentive to breed more horses and humans.)
I think everyone has to realize that you have a talent for not only snarky belittling, but writing. Even if I don’t agree with you, I still appreciate your style. But for copy cats, it’s a huge fucking turn off, for all of us, not just fho-tards.
Centaur-
“most trainers/owners don’t really care about the faith of a horse not making $$,they pretend they do but regularly fail to prove it”.
Most trainers are not like that. Most professional trainers have maybe 3 horses as their personal horses, and the rest are client horses. How is the trainer going to defend the fate of a horse that they don’t even own? By training it? Generally trainers are a different type of people then just regular horse lovers.
If you send your horse to a trainer, and don’t bother to check references, or check on your horse during the training period…. well blantently, that is your own fault. If you buy a horse that you don’t plan to rescue, and it is a broken down horse then how can you blame the dealer for not bringing someone experienced with you?
If you unknowingly or knowingly just breed more fuglies for reasons already stated in this blog, then that is when you really don’t care about the fate of the horse, or the industry for that matter. To generalize trainers and owners as you have is luda!
Is there someone who can give a status update on some of these KB victims? How long do they have before they ship? What’s left in the kill pens/didn’t get bailed? Cathy, I know you are overwhelmed with keeping up with all this and your job too. I’m a very long ways away in another state and can’t get there in person to do an assessment. Thanks if anyone can do a list of some sort?
***
As far as the comments on BYB from other blog posts, I would respectfully disagree with the calm, intelligent, well-reasoned approach because intelligence and reasoning are remarkably absent from the mental composition of most BYBs. Feelings and misguided moneylust are what count. The only thing I’ve found that has any effect is a deluge of adverse opinion delivered ITF (in the face). The operative word here is “deluge.” For some unfathomable reason a lot of these BYBs think you can make money in livestock – from Arabians to alpacas, pet crocs to cattle, potbellied pigs to Paints or pygmy goats, it’s all about a deluded quick way to make a buck with the seller of the “quick” notion knowing perfectly well they have found perfect gullible believer-victims. Unfortunately, the buck to be made is by the person who sells a BYB wannabe a “three-in-one” Paint Package (insert appropriate breed in lieu of Paint, if you so desire – the label was handy because the PPs are legion around this area). IMHO a deluge of adverse critical remarks esp. about how the BYB will be looked upon as a hoarder and be unable to make money and how the IRS will put them in prison for tax evasion if they try to run their BYB operation as a (bogus) business – that I have found works more than anything rational or polite. Remember that in certain segments of this society good manners and polite behavior are seen as weaknesses: they aren’t turnoffs, they are simply ignored.
I agree to a certain extent. There are all different kinds of personalities, just like different types of horse-alities. I am certainly not suggesting sunshine and butterly messages.
However, when telling BYBs of goats, dogs, kittens, horses, etc. that what they are doing is wrong… well frankly they simply might not have the mental capacity to understand what they are doing is wrong. (i.e. Who cares if I breed a grade horse? You can’t ride papers! You and I both know that any professional laughs at that comment.) And when you can’t understand something, why believe in it? Their mama might have told them it was ok to have a massive breeding frenzy operation (whether it was for kids or animals) and they don’t have any other education besides that.
Some people also have and breed animals to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride (a wrong thing! I know!), and to insult this about them would totally close off their capacity to reasoning, since in essence, your insulting their (lame) accomplishments. People’s pride is far more important to them then some comment made over the internet in a forum!
I’m not disagreeing with you that a bitch slap in the fucking face is necessary in some cases (i.e. CLEVE FUCKING WELLS, an embarrassment to all quarter horse trainers and cowboys! And how about that POS Scum Tony who drove over that poor mare with a trailor and then shot her through the nose, and had a halter on her wrapped in barbwire? What the FUCK? *breeaatthheee…center*), but like I said before, some (not all!) people have a gift for snarkiness that makes it understandable and pursuasive, even to the dumbest of human slim. Everybody else should: reference the fug blog, not say anything at all, or say it tactfully. After all, the fug blog has a wide variety and series of educational blog entries that the BYB can refer too and be pursaded by. On the other hand, one statement in a forum will not change a mind; it will only close a mind (which is the worst possible thing for the animal!).
The end target is to help the horses, and inspire good, competent care for horses, and embarrassing people should come secondly. However efficiently that can get done is important. Bouncing around forums, displaying your vast horse savvy by embarrassing BYBs does not always get it done!
One of my theories is that nothing controls human behavior better than public scorn. Most people want to be popular and liked! So, it’s VERY effective if local people in the horse community police their own by having the guts to speak up against BYB’s and those who neglect and hoard.
The internet is less effective since all you have to do is turn off the computer and the negative stuff goes bye-bye. Still, it matters to some people.
The most effective thing is actual criminal charges being filed. Being branded as a criminal and having a record is enough to scare a lot of BYB’s into quitting before they have a 50-starving-horses train wreck. NO ONE wants to be embarrassed that way, especially given that it can affect your employability, your ability to rent, etc.
#402 Bay Arab gelding pictured here is OFF the truck! Now we need a good home for him. Anyone?
As aja says, 402 is off the truck. He’s mine, but I am mostly looking to make sure he ends up in a good home, depending on the leg. (I’m going to have a chat with my neighbor who boards, and a poke around COTH, but if he’s truly only pasture sound that is a LONG way to stand on a trailer.) I’m in touch with a couple rescues about taking him (along with a donation) but if I can’t bring him out here and he doesn’t need to be euthanized, I’d rather he find a home nearby. (If he does turn out to be seriously injured, he WILL recieve a humane end. One way or another, he’s not going on the truck.)
If ANYONE has any tips on identifying Arabs, please let me know. If he has no freeze brand or papers, I assume I’m SOL, but if he’s an Arab, he most likely has an identity.
I have no idea why this one hit me. I read these things all the time. But for some bizarre reason I couldn’t let this one go to Canada. If that means no dance lessons for a few months and no competitions until next year, I can deal with that.
Re Back yard breeders, that would be why I said ITF works. In the face. And whether or not a suggested deluge of negativity works when written in a forum I believe it does eventually have an effect – I am with Fugly that public scorn and ridicule are extremely effective however delivered though ITF is deliciously immediate and arguments can bandy back and forth with more speed than forum posts. There is a really good body of historical evidence that public stocks and dunk tanks were amazingly effective in da olden days. So was a scarlet letter. Here’s to the concept of a scarlet H (for hoarder) tattooed on a convicted animal hoarder’s forehead!
Re: an ID for the little bay Arab gelding, Fugly I haven’t done auction patrol for years but aren’t auctions required to turn over previous owner contact information to the new owner? They were in the past but in recent decades the whole privacy thing seems to go against commonsense more often than not. Perhaps the auction people could be given a letter written by the new owner which they would agree to pass along to the consignor and hope that the consignor would have the gonads and grace to contact the new owner with health and heritage issues. Feeble hope, but I do think there are people who consign to auctions who really truly don’t know what will most likely happen to their horse, who might be thrilled that someone pulled their former horse out of the slimy claws of the kill buyers and be cooperative.
Like I say. Feeble hope.
So barring a freeze mark (and also they tattoo Arabian racing horses just like they do racing TBs – don’t know about running QHs, that’s considered positive ID too) or some way to contact the previous owner there isn’t a lot a new owner can do except try the horse reunions route or go on some of the Arabianbreeders.net forums with photos (the Rescue/Rehoming forum on abn is a good place to start) and ask “does anyone know this horse, I am not here to judge I just want to know about health issues and heritage”. As the Saddlebred Rescue people have found you really do get more cooperation which often translates to a valid ID of the horse if you DO NOT JUDGE. And really you do not always know what the situation was – while 99 percent of auction consignors are evil, idiots or both, there’s still a desperate or uneducated 1% out there who really truly did NOT know or understand the consequences.
Hope this helps. What is the issue with 402′s leg? Does he have a “real” name?
aja has someone picking him up on Saturday, so we’ll know then. I would love it if he has a real name or a freeze brand but so far, no indication. Again, if his leg is really bad, he’ll be given a humane end. If not…well, it’ll depend on how he vets, what he’s like, and what the best place for him is. If it’s not life or death but it’s pasture-sound only I do not want him trailered 2000 miles and we’ll find him a home near where he is (if necessary, he can go to a rescue with a monetary donation.) If sound, sane, and safe to ship…well, I have financial resources (obviously) not in keeping with appearances, and I have a neighbor thirty yards across the road who pasture-boards. Whatever happens, this one isn’t starving to death, shipping to slaughter, or getting abandoned somewhere.
DeannaJ – I haven’t been in awhile – no $$$ to spare and it breaks my heart to not be able to bring something home – but I’m told there have been some really, really nice horses go through in the past 8-10 months. Registered weanlings, yearlings, & 2 year olds for $75 or less – some not halter trained, some are.
Anywho…Both KBs are also dealers/traders – The one supposedly loads up at one sale, goes to the next and resells whatever he thinks he can make more money selling as a broke horse than as a hamburger, picks up a few more, and so on…he hauls a 14 or 16 ft bumper pull stock/cattle trailer that he’ll cram 8 horses on, and you’ll know him because he bids on whatever starts out really low that no one else seems to want. Short heavyset guy, gruff voiced, more times than not looks like he hasn’t washed his clothes in a week. He’ll stay all night and start seriously buying up everything cheap toward the end. I can’t for the life of me remember his name, I just know him when I see him.
The other is about 5’9, slimmer build, sandy hair, may or may not be there with his wife. If I remember right, his name is Jason or something similar. He resells more than he ships, but he has the connections to ship when he sees a buck.
There were a couple more that were regulars back before the market closed, but they don’t bother now that they can’t sell them close by.
I’m picking up the little bay arab and 2 more for aja on Saturday at the auction. Someone said they may donate to a rescue if they took the gelding, e-mail me privately or get a hold of fugs and she’ll hook us up…. I MIGHT know a rescue around here that can take him with donation. They just started so funds are an issue. But its an above board legal 501(c)3 with a safe nice facility and good people. Of course the identity of this rescue will be given and all that info….to the donating person only at this time. I know this rescue wants to wait to be seriously public until they have actual funds available to REALLY help people…they just got status weeks ago! Anyway….just a thought but no promises…
And for the record, the KB for Enemclaw does NOT take them to Canada…they go to Mexico
(worse there if there is such a thing as worse…MUCH worse)
The bay arab (hip 402) is mine. My e-mail is julia_octavia AT earthlink DOT net, if you want to send me the rescue info. I am investigating shipping him, but if a GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY home is available that doesn’t require him to ship 2000 miles to me, I am very much open to signing him over (with a cash donation) to a rescue. I just want a guarantee that he is safe for life from ending up back at the auction. (I have to admit, I am tempted, but if he goes to a rescue there, that’s more money I can use for another horse in need later.)
And I would rather see a horse ship to Canada than go to Mexico and end up spiked to death or even worse ending up in the Mexican rodeo in horse-tripping or baiting or whatever (make sure they suffer as much as possible before they die). At least Canada has oversight and doesn’t have breaking horses’ legs as a “sport”.
Anyone going after the little gray appy? What is the price on her? I have a thing for appies and her face looks like my gelding – so sad she is headed for slaughter.
#461 is home in quartine, and doing well. She trailered like a champ. My husband loaded her in the trailer and he has never done that befor I was so proud of them both. She loves apples, and lots of scaches Husband thinks that he might want her for himself good sign he doesnt usually even bother with the horses much, tells me that is my thing.
She does not like being alone, been calling to the other horses all day. I keep telling her 30 days and you can meet them but not till after the vet and shoer(Her feet look good) I dont think that makes her any happier. Took pictures of her and she is quite the camera bug, had to have her distracted so that I could get pictures from all sides. I will probably worm her on Monday I just want her to relax and I think that if I give her a day or two she will deal with worming a little better. That horse does not have a mean bone in her. I have been under her, behind her touched her every where and picked up all her feet with out lead rope or halter. She is going to be a real easy horse to love.
Updates later and if I can figure out how to get pictures off my memory card and on this computer I will send pics.
You mention this gelding made 30,000.00 for his owners. It costs 30,000.00 a year to maintain/train/race a TB. If he’s five, the owners took a kicking.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it was unforgivable to send him to an auction like that. We own a racing TB yearling filly right now. Our last TB race horse died of colic at 10 (was euthanized on the advice of the vet). The one we had before him wasn’t working out as a race horse (not “into” it) and so we sold him as a riding horse at 5 for $4000.00. We are just “normal people,” not wealthy, and we own the horses because we love them and love the sport — we have not profitted from it at all at this point. Our trainer, my friend, has owned several over the years. Our trainer once had a “riding horse person” agree to buy a very nice mare off the track for $2500.00, came to pick her up and said that she could only afford to pay $800.00 fore her. My friend said, “I’d put a bullet in her head before I’d sell her to you for $800.00. If you can’t afford to pay $2500.00 for a horse, you can’t afford a horse.” Riding horse people seem to want something for nothing at every opportunity. At the end of our filly’s career she will be sold as a riding horse if suitable, go to an excellent rescue nearby if we see promise in re-training her, or if either are not possible, she’ll be retired at our expense for her lifetime.