It’s an animal, not the damn trash…
Aug 16 2010
So a horse was literally dumped on a Los Angeles city street. She was too weak to get up and had to be euthanized. She did get some hay and water and an apple before that happened from kind people who were (understandably) horrified.
From the articles:Â “A witness did recall seeing a dark SUV pulling a light-colored horse trailer in the area about 1 a.m.”
Notice they had money for SHOES! All the way around! So somewhere there is a farrier who knows EXACTLY who this horse is, for starters. Even though those shoes have been on there for a very long time.
You know, they’ve been doing a really smart thing in Los Angeles. They’ve been offering cash rewards for people information leading to the arrest of those participating in dog fighting. Guess what? It works great. I think they’ve made sixty or so arrests so far. Because even your best homies will rat your ass out in a heartbeat for MONEY. They are doing the same thing here. $7500 (!) for the person who leads them to the owner of this horse. I think that’s awesome. You better be running scared, you disgusting excuse for a human being, because one of YOUR buddies is going to rat you out and I can’t WAIT to enjoy seeing you in your orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Sorry to blast your eyes with two horses this thin in a row but this story had to be told in the hope that some blog reader will lead to an arrest. If you recognize the horse or have any information about someone who has a dark SUV and a light colored horse trailer in Los Angeles and keeps their horses at home (because no way was she at a public stable looking like this) and should be questioned, call (562) 803-3301, Ext. 229.
On a happier note, Grace, the mare from my last post, continues to Hoover up food and is perky as heck! 
OK, here’s some eye candy – a happy, rescued Thoroughbred at Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue in Maryland. This is Jack and he is available!
239 comments to “It’s an animal, not the damn trash…”
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Just when we thought we had seen just about the worst here is another. That poor, poor thing (horse). No animal deserves that kind of treatment. (or lack of) All i can say it DITTO to all the posts from the previous day. They had plenty of money for an SUV. Ironic, isnt it. The comments from the earlier post apply here also. People who do this are the MOST worthless piles of dog-squeeze on the planet. The best part of these people run down their momma’s leg. All I can say is what goes around comes around in spades. A VERY slow slow agonizing death is not punishment enough for someone who does this.
Absolutely, thoroughly disgusted.
“The best part of these people run down their momma’s leg.”
I haven’t heard that in AGES, and will have to keep it in mind….
It’s true, too.
Cattypex, Let me see if I can come up with another. Those are wads that should have been shot in a coal bucket.
And the best part of them went down the shower drain!!
It seems to me that many people who do this to horses, are not doing it because they cannot afford to feed their horse. Sure, some people hit a financial crisis and make bad decisions, but most of them just willfully ignore their animals’ welfare, for whatever messed up reason.
It’s so very sad, to know that there are people in this world who are heartless enough to do this to a helpless, defenseless animal. Excuse me I’m going to go hug my horses now…
I don’t know what to say, except I am happy to see the high paid sports celebs putting some of that money to good use by offering a reward to find the pond scum that did that to this poor mare.
And their buddies will rat them out.
Yes, I thought exactly the same thing…. For every Michael Vick out there, there’s at least one Jared Allen. Go Jared Allen! Not a big vikings fan, but I might have to become one….
Those shoes look like they may be too thick to be racing plates. I wish they had a better pic of the front feet (or the back for that matter). The shoes also look like they are steel, whereas racing plates are usually aluminum.
I was wondering if anyone could tell by looking. I wonder what her history was…I hope we find out.
Have they been calling area farriers? I hope they pulled the shoes! I’ve had four farriers and all four had different shoe types, etc. Especially my farrier now can tell his work/shoes in a heartbeat.
People SUCK.
Why is it so f’ing hard to admit “golly, this is bad” BEFORE the horse is so sick and weak that dumping her out of a trailer in the middle of the night seems like the only option? In the middle of the road too for crying out loud.
WTF is WRONG with people?! I only believe in hell because I need to believe in an eternity of torture for people who abuse animals and kids. An eternity of being tied up with a full banquet in front of them just out of their reach that they can see but never touch while their soul withers away for the rest of infinity.
I have a lot of pride, I’ll go hungry before I ask for help – but when it’s an animal or child involved – someone DEPENDENT on you for their basic sustenance you can’t be prideful. It doesn’t work and the poor mare above is what happens when you’re too proud to ask for help when you desperately need it.
Jail is too good for them.
Yes, jail is to good for them because in there they will get 3 meals a day which is 3 more then they gave that poor mare! What a cute mare too
If you get a good enough pic, you should be able to tell. Most racing plates are very thin and have a small toe grab in front. As you would expect, they are as light as you can possibly make them (thus the aluminum). Some horses have special shoes, but I’m guessing that, if these people were willing to throw her away like that, they would also not spend any extra money on special shoes. If they are regular irm shoes (like most farriers use) then they will be thicker and (of course) have the big double rims around them like you usually think of when you think of horse shoes.
I was going to say I thought the shoes looked like sliders but it is hard to tell from the pics.
Oh how HORRIBLE!! I can’t imagine waking up to see something like that in the street! Just out of curiosity, is the area the horse was dumped, have other people with horses, since someone had hay to give to the horse? If that’s the case, I assume the ASSHATS that did this, in their twisted minds, assumed someone else would care for the horse??? She sure looks like she had been a gorgeous girl at one time, and someone must have cared for her. Poor thing… Again, there will be no punishment severe enough for the people that did this to her…
Yes. There is a boarding barn in Southgate, actually a pretty nice one – expensive h/j horses.
See my reply above. The area has several backyard stables. I work nearby.
You can afford shoes, you can afford an SUV, you can afford a trailer but you can’t feed your horse? Or at least euthanize her humanely instead of dumping her like a pile of trash?
Okay, I am so angry right now I can barely see.
I could be wrong but here is my prediction:
I have just a weird, weird feeling they were “punishing” her for failing to win at the track or failing to ride like they wanted her to.
That was the first thing that came to my mind as well, especially seeing the shoes on her )obviously overgrown but not otherwise in bad condition) feet. This sickens me. Give the horse away. The person(s) responsible will be outed for this.
Or a case like that poor pony who was in a dark stall at the back of a fancy facility, with an inury…. and who starved to death.
Unless the horse had been stolen, as revenge for something, and the perps weren’t too smart… I dunno….
I really have no problem with traffic cameras all over the place. This case, and many others, would be a long way toward SOLVED, and the evidence would be pretty indisputable in court.
SO true. I would LOVE if someone’s security camera had caught this!
I can’t agree that soaking the world in security cameras is going to cure our problems. We need to allow our law abiding citizens to be armed and stop protecting the perps. The only people intimidated by the cameras are the law abiding people, not the perps, and why should they be? They’re never punished in a manner to cause them to stop breaking the law. We have more crime than ever before and we’re still closing prisons…yeah, that sends a scary message out to criminals.
I spent time this weekend with 2 people who live in Singapore – an American expatriate who’s lived all over the world, and her Singaporan-born colleague.
NO GUNS for their citizens, cameras everywhere, and of course the famous “no chewing gum” law. But the censorship we’ve all heard about? Heh, they get full CNN, FOX, BBC, CNBC, Deutschevelle etc. on their cable, and any international newspaper you want.
Next to NO violent crime. Of course, you can get beaten for spraying graffiti, so there are some MAJOR MAJOR tradeoffs…
Anyway…. an armed society is a violent society. The “polite” part starts at home, and it’s reinforced by your culture.
As for cameras, they’re already all over the place, and I’ve got no problem with that on a public street. I think they’re a GREAT tool for nabbing drunk drivers, hit & run perps, etc., and to help keep citizens a little more honest in their driving. It’s not like the cameras are recording which books or sex toys you purchase (your debit card does that quite nicely) or who you’re cheating on your spouse with (isn’t that what Facebook is for??)
The Constitution doesn’t promise you privacy. That’s what HIPAA, FERPA etc. are for. And your own brain.
I’ll stay in my USA and keep my guns, thanks. That kind of thinking has gotten us nowhere but more Big Brother, big crime and big deficits. The cities can fund cameras but everything else goes to shit.
Does anyone know if she has a tattoo? With something this horrendous, someone is going to get caught. And the reward will help that happen. This needs jail time, SERIOUS jail time.
I have a weird feeling that whoever dumped this poor horse was making a point, as in showing the owners what happens when they don’t pay their board bill. Someone in that area knows and/or owned that horse.
I’d be interested in knowing why the horse needed to be euthanized. She was interested in eating and looks as if she hadn’t given up on life. She might’ve made a full recovery with proper re-feeding. I wonder if there was more than that wrong with her or if it was just more convenient to euthanize her.
I thought that too. My question is, did the vet make too hasty a decision to euth?
I don’t know about convenient, but if she was struggling to get up and couldn’t, it wouldn’t take long at all for her to be pretty beat up. Since her owner so KINDLY dumped her on the concrete, I can imagine how badly she may have filed off her flesh struggling to rise.
I usually have a different approach to that kind of situation– I’d have gotten five or six strong men to drag or carry her into a horse trailer, and hauled her somewhere much more horse-friendly for an evaluation. But a police officer, faced with a horse laying on the concrete road in the middle of the street, mare struggling to rise and unable, onlookers groaning in sympathy and giving suggestions… the officials may have felt the situation wasn’t going to resolve without euthanasia. To be fair, while the mare in the previous blog post was thinner than the mare above, I HAVE seen horses starved to death and dead with more meat on their bones– the mare may have very well been unable to be rehabbed for an obvious reason that no one is discussing.
Yeah, let’s face it, most cops are not exactly trained to deal with an emaciated horse lying in the street. NOT something you encounter every day!
I can’t criticize anything that was done here, even if I think some of us might have gotten her pulled through. I’m pretty sure the best decision was made at the time given the available information and personnel.
And she may have had some dehydration/heat problems.
Yeah, I can’t fault them, either. Heck, a vet was on the scene.
It is beyond belief. There is no accountability. Just starve your horse and dump it in the street to die. I really hope they get this guy/or woman. There are no words for scum like this.
It’s nice to see the officer laying a kind hand on her. You wouldn’t always expect urban law enforcement to know wtf to do when a starved horse is dumped on them. Bedding, apples, hay, water, a kind touch and a call to the vet for a gentle goodbye sounds about right.
I thought the same thing about the police officer. How kind of him to be down close to her.
Poor girl, I am just so shocked at the things that people can do sometimes.
How does a m,are get this bad in the first place without someone giving a damn?? To be dumped in a public manner such as this he/she was trying to make a statement and they did Right back at Ya Go straight to Hell and suffer suffer suffer!
http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Horse+found+dumped+on+South+Gate+street-%20&id=8850583&instance=pierce_left_column
I’m wondering if she really COULD have recovered but the vet called out made the determination and she was euthanized to avoid any more of a traffic delay. I can understand the “cut the losses” approach to animal care, but she isn’t in as bad a shape (at least from looking at the pictures of Grace yesterday) as Grace is. Of course, the “light in the eye” may not be there, though she was interested in eating.
As for the owners (or at least the “dumpers”) being able to afford an SUV, read TBFriends this morning — Monday — and look at the pictures of his latest arrivals. They were from a rescue not far from him that had a brand new white truck in their driveway, something hard to miss when he’s parked on the roadway putting horses in HIS trailer. You HAVE to be careful when you donate money to rescues that ask for funds (was it on Fugly a year or two ago where someone was outside Costco or Sam’s Club soliciting money for a northern California rescue only he wasn’t affiliated with them at all and the owner or manager of the rescue happened by and asked a lot of questions, outing this jerk for running a scam?). You have to check rescues out the same way they say they check YOU out if you want to adopt a horse from them.
I am disgusted now, TWO days in a row. Let ME in charge of the punishment for these rat bastards.
Yeah, she might have been able to be saved but she was lying in traffic and I think, end result, no one REALLY knew what to do.
If she was eating, and it sounds like she was, I bet we could have saved her if she’d gotten to a vet clinic with a sling. Who knows though. Hindsight is 20/20. At least people were kind to her.
She also had shoes all the way around so being weak and that being considered I bet she really did have a hard go trying to get up on the hard surface. Im sure the best decision was made by the people that where there considering she had already suffered plenty in her life I would say it was a fair call.
On another note, most farriers can recognize theirs and other farriers work so I’m sure that if they got a few of the locals together they could get a pretty good lead.
Can we get the Vets to start a rainbow bridge bus tour next along with the gelding bus? I just feel like maybe we could help some of these older ladies and gents go peacefully and less painfully and stop so much dumping…I dont know, Im rambling :-/
Oh my gosh, this one makes me cry. I don’t care what anybody else says, preachers or otherwise there is NO WAY that God is going to let these people just walk away from this with no consequences, whether it be here or in the after life someone is going to pay for that poor horse. Call it karma or whatever you want the kind of callous, mean spirit/soul that can allow or worse intention for that to happen is the same kind of spirit/soul that is going to wind up in hell, and burning for an eternity doesn’t even seem like enough to me right now. God said we should forgive He didn’t say there shouldn’t be consequences to our actions!!! This makes me so ANGRY!!
This is heartbreaking. I bet that horse was beautiful when she was healthy. I think I’m almost as mad at the farrier who did a horse that looked like that, (and even if it was a few months since she had been done, she still would have been SKINNY) and never reported it… Poor girl
Nah, if a person is truly dedicated to starving a horse I imagine these results could be reached in 12 weeks easy. Looks like she was due for a reset several weeks before this picture was taken. Figure 6-8 weeks on a set plus 6-8 weeks overgrowth, gives the owners 12-16 weeks to starve her down to this. She could have looked fabulous 12 weeks ago, or race fit at least.
This is a really depressing way to start off a work week. People suck so much sometimes. However, the football player that chipped in for the reward for information should be commended. Nice to see one in the news for something like this for a change. Well done to him….
Poor little mare….
Cathy, I believe that there ARE security AND police cameras on a lot of the streets in LA (I work as a backing singer and voice over artist and am down there on a regular basis…) I PRAY that one of them caught the piece of trash that did this to this poor mare!!!! There is NO place bad enough for whomever did this….
Did anyone notice this horse had shoes on her over grown feet? The back feet actually look almost tubular. I think that should be a clue there. No Ferrier in their right mind would shoe a horse like that. Why spend money on shoes when you could be buying hay? I just don’t understand the mentality. I believe in Karma and I hope they get what is coming to them.
It’s mentioned in the blog… 2nd line down from the picture: “Notice they had money for SHOES! All the way around! So somewhere there is a farrier who knows EXACTLY who this horse is, for starters. Even though those shoes have been on there for a very long time.”
Yes, there are farriers like that. I met one at a boarding barn who led me to a rear paddock. The sight of this pony made me stagger and lean my forehead on the wall. I’ve attended autopsies, and never seen cancer like this. It was on his penis, and looked like a 10 lb. sack of potatoes tied to his belly.
Poor little man was swaying. I can’t understand how he urinated or lay down.
The SPCA constable admitted he’d never seen anything that bad. The pony was euthed.
I hate that fucking blacksmith, who is a regular at that barn. She also witnessed and ignored a host of other obvious illnesses and injuries. Some of these were on their “therapy horses.” Yeah, they were putting little disabled kids on lame and emaciated horses.
I pursued this like a courteous hellion.
Guess which one of us people are more uncomfortable around? Why do evildoers always find supporters?
The area where this horse was dumped has a whole row of homes on the flood control/river bed that are “horse properties”. Someone in that neighborhood knows this mare and knows where she lived. I am certain this case will be solved within the week. Poor thing…
Yes- I know a lot of the blog readers are unfamiliar with the area. Many MANY horses are kept in backyard type situations, small 1/4 acre (or smaller) lots that contain small 12′x or 24′x pens. You may or may not be able to see in the neighbors yard. The “farrier” could have a been a friend. Many of these horses never receive vet care or professional farrier care. Forget teeth too.
Then again, that’s not a crappy shoe job or they would have come off by now!
I suspect it was a professional farrier. I’m suspicious that those are still her racing plates. I don’t know why, I just have the creepiest feeling she’s recently off the track.
Recently off the race track?!!!! That is the stupidest comment I ever heard.
As in, within the last YEAR. Obviously not within the last MONTH.
I have never accused anyone at the track of not feeding their horses, and I’m not anti-racing, which you ought to know. However, a lot of ex-racehorses fall into bad hands and I suspect this is one, although of course I could be wrong. It is merely a theory. Why are you such a bitch this morning?
Sorry for being a bitch. I feel racing gets a bad rap and many people who read this blog may not know much about it and assume that, hey, some scumbag racehorse owner starved this poor mare because it didn’t run fast enough. This photo and the one the day before just freaked me out. This one especially as she didn’t make it — to think she died in that state is just unbearable. Yes, I know there are children starving every day also… But, someone did this more or less on purpose.
Her shoes wouldn’t have stayed on a year, so yes I was assuming you meant in the last month or so. Also they don’t look like racing plates to me — not like any I’ve ever seen anyway.
I don’t know if anyone found out the story about this because I haven’t been back to reread all the comments. It’s just so weird that someone would dump her on a street like that. Maybe some abusinve man whose wife ran away from him showing her what he did to her horse after she left. I don’t know, just can’t imagine how anyone could do this.
This is weird, but I sometimes have nightmares where I suddenly remember that I have animals in the basement that I have forgotten about. They are small birds and rodents in cages and they are in various stages of starvation. I run around panicked getting them water and food but some of them die anyway….
I do agree that many off-track TB’s end up in bad circumstances. Owners and trainers should take more care in where they send them. Trust is a good thing in principle, but just not realistic in this world.
I agree with you. They look an awful lot like racing plates to me. Lemme guess.. someone got a ‘free horse’ from a third rate trainer, got her home, figured out that OTTB’s are a handful and starved her down to make her more docile, but didn’t take into account how fast TB’s can drop weight, got freaked out and dumped her.
I don’t think traffic had anything to do with it, it looks like a neighborhood street, and if it was busy, they would have found her before 6:30 am. I suspect from the rope, and the photo of the officer pushing on her neck, they tried to get her up and it wasn’t happening. Look at her nose, she is in pain. ! think the vet was being realistic, and kind. If she was so far gone she could no longer stand, or even hold her head up without help to eat and drink, the recovery chances were pretty slim. She was dumped on a street with grass, and she wasn’t eating, just lying in the street unable to move (which must have been agony, when she could smell the grass!). I also see no manure or urine, so the systems may have shut down. Poor girl. But there are far worse things than going over the bridge with the taste of apples in your mouth and a kind hand on your neck.
I agree.
Though it’s amazing sometimes how they can and do come back if they can get exactly the right care. SAFE had one that I certainly DID NOT think was going to make it.
Here she is wearing a sling and with her head padded so she would not hurt herself thrashing:
Here she is now.
Her original owner was found guilty of first degree animal cruelty. Sentence was: Ineligible to Carry Firearms, or Vote. 12 months community supervision, 90 days electronic home monitoring. Do Not Possess, Own or Board ANY domestic or exotic animal. $600 in Court fees. Restitution to be determined. Pretty lame if you ask me. This filly was down doing the death paddle when they found her. However, it is a GOOD example of how you can’t count anything out til the heart stops.
What a beautiful mare!
Holy crap that is amazing! She is beautiful but who would have ever guessed it?
wow that is an incredible recovery!
Oh my God I’d be proud to have had her in my pasture! What an assclown her former “owner” is/was!
I didn’t need to see this today. Is it 2012 yet? Stop the world I want to get off.
Taking my mom’s elderly cat to the vet today, most likely to be helped across the bridge,. 18 yrs old and starting to pee outside the box. If it’s a bladder infection she is not a candidate for treatment, too mean to pop pills down and too picky to hide in food. Even mom says it’s time. But she is very much loved and even though she has never liked me I am very sad. Mom’s frail and this may be too much.
How can people be so cruel? I don’t think I can read the articles. That pic just breaks my heart.
Thank you for taking care of the kitty. You’re a good daughter and 18 is certainly a very good kitty life.
I had to take my cat to the vet for her rainbow bridge journey about 2 months ago. It was so, so hard to take her in knowing that I would not be able to bring her back home with me. 17 with complete kidney failure… I actually probably should have let her go sooner, but I am selfish and didn’t want to part with her. You are doing the right thing, especially if mom can’t handle it herself.
So sorry about your mom’s kitty! I’m sure she had a great life, and I know it will be hard for your mom to lose her.
One word – BASTARDS!!!!
Sorry, between Grace (must be because of the God Grace she is still alive) and now this….it’s the only thing that comes to mind…
Some people just plain suck.
I have to agree with the euthanasia. While the mare was eating, she clearly had to be suffering. Better to let her go kindly than continue in that condition. The vet did determine that she should be euthanized so we’ll have to trust that professional advice.
Last winter we rescued a starving/neglected horse. All the neighbors were aware that he horse was starving and they did complain. Someone does know where this mare came from!
http://www.scequinerescue.org/scare.htm
Will never understand how horses get as skinny as Sheeba and the mares featured yesterday and today get SO skinny in the SUMMER. I’ve got a hard keeping TB mare that was rescued with a body score of 2 last September. When she was rescued everyone thought she was a hard keeper to get so skinny during the summer month.
That is her now. She gets 3lbs (2 quarts) of senior grain a day and keep weight being worked 5 days a week. You could probably cut that in half if she wasn’t being worked. How can people allow horses to get so skinny when its not hard to keep them in good weight. Especially in summer!!
OMG, that before photo is heartbreaking. Huge hugs and much love for saving her.
The horse in the first picture is one rescued just a short time ago by SCARE (link is in the post). We didn’t get any before pictures of the mare in the bottom picture though I’m sure she looked similar.
Hoping Sheeba in the first picture does turn around to look like my now beautiful Abby.
Three pounds of feed is nothing! That is about 2 bags a month! It doesn’t cost that much to keep a healthy horse thriving.
It’s not hard but some people just don’t care or want to take the time or energy to do it.
I heard about this a couple weeks ago- I work in South LA so when any horse topic news comes about my co-workers are quick to tell me. Nothing surprises me anymore.
It’s a depressing Monday, the local horse auction this past weekend was disheartening. The end of summer/fall horse dump has begun. Tis the season to dump the used/abused riding horses, the spent racing stock, the grade foal crop, the elder horses that probably won’t make it through the winter winds and weather, and of course let us not forget the camp/trail horses.
For any Fugly blog readers… please PLEASE take a moment, consider if you can provide a good home for one of these dumped horses. You don’t have to buy from auction, just take a trip to a local rescue and see if you can foster or adopt one.
Or donate to a reputable rescue, they need all the help they can get right now.
Or consider a mercy purchase. I saw 3 on Saturday- pasterns on the ground and the horses barely walking. Get a couple of your horse friends together and everyone contribute to euthanize one with no hope left. It’s a random act of kindness to a horse that will likely spend the next days, week, or months in agony.
This smacks of a drama queen or king who would like people to believe they had “no other choice,” which gives the pro slaughter troglodytes something to masturbate to. They like to turn their cruelty into some kind of touching story about people “forced” to do unpleasant things. The sympathy for these helpless humans usually comes from the party of personal responsibility, BTW. Ironic, much?
Well, these also happen to be indefensible, inhuman acts they’ve committed, deserving of all the pity of, say, torture pr0n. Anyone so fucked up, cruel, and selfish, might think about the burden their heartlessness puts on the rest of society, and go ahead and donate some organs to people more deserving. They sure as hell aren’t going to open their wallet willingly, or enough.
These people aren’t deserving of redemption, and they never make good on what they owe society, let alone the animals they’ve tortured. Hit ‘em with a captive bolt gun (since it’s so humane). Harvest their organs. Render their fat. That’s right – part them out like junk cars, or the so-called junk horses they’re so keen on slaughtering. It’s honestly all they’re worth in this life. It also keeps these sick fucks from reproducing.
You are my idol.
*nods* Mine, too!
Yep, I post on another forum where an individual is already making comments about how this sort of thing happens because slaughter is illegal. No ulterior motive, just a pompous asshat who likes to take the opposite side from everyone else. I’m afraid I’d like to pop him one in the jaw.
How could anyone claiming to be a horse person defend this? Before I let my horse get this bad I would be standing on the street with a SIGN! Anyone want to make bets that when found, the person who starved this horse turns out to be overweight?
Couldn’t say it better myself.
What kind of person does this? What are the odds she was a ‘mexican’ rodeo horse? Or that she was dumped in that area by someone thinking that the horse-people would take care of her? I want to know how that mare got into/out of a trailer looking like that.
Those heels are probably the longest I’ve ever seen! The feet don’t look terribly overgrown to me, not like splayed and cracking, were the shoes racing plates? Can’t really tell much from the photo ‘cept that that poor thing had seen much better days. Are there any follow-up stories? This happened a few weeks ago and it just now really went viral. Anyone know the status?
She may have gone from the track to the Mexican rodeo…it does happen quite a bit. All I know is they haven’t caught the person yet. I can’t BELIEVE I didn’t hear about it here ’til now.
I’m no vet, but I don’t think she HAD to be euthed– I think in the urban setting, it was more convenient to euth her than — heaven forbid– delay some motorists — afterall this happened in L.A. In the photo, she was up on her chest- but with help. She had eaten what was offered. Who knows what “miracle” a couple bags of fluids could have produced, as far as her eventually standing. Once she was off the street, and on the grass, then more time could have been taken to arrange transport to suitable nearby vet clinic.
I think the fact that she was dumped on a street in an area where people own horses or can keep them means she was dumped THERE on purpose. Either as Fugly said – she had been “punished” by starvation for not living up to someone’s expectations and someone in that area might even know who she is– or as another poster noted, she was dumped there as a “message” to someone – who maybe lives in the area– who did not pay board/ training bills.
I noticed the shoes, right off, too. Some farrier sure saw her when she was in poor condition, because she didn’t get how she looked in the end overnight. Byt, if they called someone who wasn’t their regular farrier, they could have said that they had just gotten the horse and she was poor when they got her. The farrier probably would not have any reason not to believe them, if they used that story.
I had to board my horse once at a public barn. There was a couple that had let their paint horse get poor over a period of some months- They had lost interest, and were on partial board- so the horse got grained every morning, but they were responsible for providing and feeding hay and an evening meal. They didn’t keep a regular schedule as far as anyone could see. Sometimes there was plenty of hay in the manger, and sometimes it seemed like that manger was empty for days. When the barn owner told them they would have to “do something” about the horse or move him, they put an ad in the local paper.
All weekend long, they told the people that came to look at him, that they had just gotten him themselves a few weeks earlier– that he had been even thinner then, and they had bought him to “save him.” They said they needed to sell him because the wife had just found out she was pregnant– so she would not be able to ride him and they would not have time to take care of him with a new baby.
We all kept our mouths shut because we where wanting him to get a better owner than he had, and the BO had a strict MYOB policy when it came to other boarders’ horses. This story had a good outcome because he was a very good gentle horse and a couple with a preteen daughter bought him. They decided to keep him at the same barn until they could fence in their property and build a small barn for him It took them several months to get everything biult and ready– I think the dad and soem of his friends did everything themselves on teh weekends. It was amazing how quickly Chief regained his weight and bloom under their care while they were preparing to take him home.
I’m just telling this story to show how a farrier could have been fooled into shoeing a poor horse and not thinking anything was amiss with it. Too bad there was no horse-loving little girl for this horse. Poor thing. But at lease she had kindness from some people at the end.
And you all just walked in and out of that barn and didn’t give him any hay?! You’re just as bad as the owners! The whole situation should have been reported. You may not think so but standing around watching a horse go hungry on nothing but grain because the barn owner tells you to mind your own business is spineless, cruel, wrong and you’re just as bad as the person not feeding the horse.
I boarded my horse at a place that the horses got 2 flakes of hay am and pm, WAY too much grain, and only had water am and pm. I drove there EVERY DAY to make sure my horse had hay, and I shared. When I worked at a dumpy barn I made SURE all the horses had hay, the barn owner could go fuck herself. If she didn’t like it she could go buy some more hay. When I boarded there I was THERE three time a day, once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the middle of the night to make sure he had water.
I am just shaking my head in absolute disgust. I can’t believe you would watch a horse lose weight and slowly starve and be able to sleep at night. You’re sick and there’s no excuse. Even if the BO had put a gun to your head as you were trying to give him hay you could have called the cops and gotten someone involved to make sure he was being cared for.
Here’s the problem:
Again, legally, HORSES ARE PROPERTY. You can get in LEGAL trouble for touching, feeding, etc. someone else’s property.
You bet you can take pics, call animal control, etc. But I don’t run around feeding horses that aren’t my property, either. First of all, counterproductive if you’re trying to get them in trouble with the law. Second of all, illegal and likely to hurt you AND result in the horse still not getting any help.
We snuck hay to a gelding that wasn’t being fed enough. We could tell he was losing weight but didn’t realize just how much until they took the winter blanket off, then someone called him in and the Sheriff came out. I guess the Sheriff wouldn’t leave until they put hay in with him ( I know this because they came to tell me they had used some of my hay) KUDOS to the Sheriff!! After that we fed him in plain sight. Wouldn’t that legal thing work both ways, they would have to prove I was the one feeding their horse?
You obviously don’t know how things work in California when it comes to this situation.
We had a similar situation at the stable I boarded at in Southern California. This family bought a gorgeous Paint gelding that was a retired police horse and basically stuck him in a stall and forgot about him. They maybe came once a month to see if he was still alive, but that was about it. He was one of the sweetest horses I had ever met, and myself and several others attempted to get the owners to let one of us purchase him…but no, they swore up and down that he was their “baby”.
Finally, they stopped showing up except for maybe once every 3-4 months, and even though he was fed hay twice a day, he started to lose weight from lack of his teeth being done. His feet were horrible, he needed grooming in a bad way, and he was craving to be let out of his 12′x24′ stall. Myself and several people had asked the barn manager if we could let him out, groom him, and we even had someone offer to pay for his dental and farrier care, but they told us that the owners had threatened to call the police on anyone who messed with him.
One day, one of the ladies who boarded there had had enough and took him out of his stall, groomed him, trimmed his feet, and turned him out. This would have been great had the owners not picked this day to come out, and they lost their shit when they saw her messing with their horse. Not only did they get the cops involved, they attempted to sue her (I don’t know what happened with that), and she ended up getting kicked out of the stable on top of the shit-ton of legal trouble she got herself in.
The fact is, no matter how badly one may want to help out a horse in need, you are risking everything to do so if you don’t do it the right and legal way. Fugly said it best: Horses ARE property. We may not see our babies as anything less than our children, but according to the law, they are livestock, thus they are property and the consequences of messing with someone else’s property can be dire…especially if they know how to bend the law in their favor. It doesn’t make what happened to that horse right, but she saved herself all sorts of legal trouble by not stepping in. How much good would she have done if she got arrested and the owners decided to dump that horse off somewhere else, like the auction? I’ve been working with horse rescues since I was 16 (I’m 27 now), and there have been plenty of times when I had to remind myself that doing exactly what I wanted to do would have made the situation so much worse for the horse I was trying to help. Jumping through legal loopholes and red tape is a big enough headache on its own without making it worse by breaking procedure and the law. I’m not helping the horse, myself, or the rescue by doing so. Trust me, there have been plenty of times when I would have given anything to punch the teeth out of some asshat’s face for how they treated their horse, and not being able to physically hurts sometimes.
I suggest you really think about the situation and the consequences of acting without following the law before you judge someone for their action or inaction.
Just because a horse is property (all animals are property and pets are property without value even!) does not allow people to just treat the animal however they feel like and get away with it. That’s what animal cruelty laws are about, right? A horse is property, yes, but you still get into trouble for starving, beating, and not caring for them.
Guilt by association – you know about it and you don’t do anything about it and you’re just as guilty. Let’s say that the barn owner wasn’t just being a stubborn bitch and refusing to feed the horse because it wasn’t part of the barn contract, let’s say that the owners refused to ALLOW her to feed the horse. Couldn’t she call animal control and tell them “Hey, I have these idiot boarders here who are refusing to feed their horse and are threatening legal action if I feed him.” If they still refused to feed the horse she could force them to leave if they refused to feed him. I know someone (who is a total scum bag, btw) who kicked someone out of her barn because the idiot kid was giving her horse baths in the evenings when it was 40 out and not bothering to dry him off. She didn’t want the horse to keel over and die, the kid was a moron that refused to listen to her and if a horse dies on her property she’s the one who gets investigated, not the owner of the horse.
There IS a way to take care of things like this and it doesn’t involve standing around going “gee, this sucks” and watching the train wreck happen. My horse is absolutely my property. The manager of my barn cares for said horse in my absence. If a boarder’s horse throws a shoe she calls the farrier, gets the shoe taken care of and leaves you a bill. There was a horse that had a bad reaction to a penicillin shot, ran through four fences and spent four hours racing around town with my trainer chasing him trying to catch him. She had to shoot him with an epi pen to keep him from, you know, dying. I never – at any time – signed any kind of waiver saying that she could have my horse’s shoes put on for me, have teeth floated, or she could give my horse an epinephrine shot to combat a severe allergic reaction. Could I sue her? Probably. Legally? I don’t have a leg to stand on and the cops would laugh at me. There is a huge gap between legal liability and civil liability.
Let’s take my dog for instance. Maine states if you are trespassing (defined as being there univited/without permission) on someone’s property (property is defined as their land, home or vehicle) and my dog tears your arm off, that’s too bad for you. The ACO is not going to take my dog away, the cops aren’t going to do anything, and it’s tough boogers for you, you shouldn’t have been on my property without my permission. That doesn’t mean you can’t take me to court and sue me for damages.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you could have kept that mare from winding up dumped in the road in an emaciated heap by intervening would you have? I’m not saying get yourself into trouble and get sued. I’m saying do EVERYTHING in your power as a human being to take care of an animal when it’s obvious the person actually responsible for that task isn’t doing it – even if it means toeing the line of getting your ass into hot water. It’s amazing how far phone calls and affidavits will go when enough people are concerned enough to get involved. Complacency is bad, not caring is bad. How many people do you think saw that mare and figured it was none of their business? What about that girl who called the cops for the horse with the halter growing in his face? How many people do you think drove past that horse and said it was none of their business? Or Grace? These animals don’t just vanish into thin air while they are being starved – they still exist, people see them and don’t do anything about it.
The horses can’t talk for themselves, when I see cruelty and neglect I raise my hand and open my big blabber mouth. If I didn’t I couldn’t sleep at night. Quite frankly I’m kind of surprised at the “horses are property there wasn’t anything anyone could do so let’s do nothing” attitude.
But there is a difference between complacency and not getting yourself in legal trouble. I don’t fault anyone for the latter.
If there were a case of starvation/death on partial board, wouldn’t the BO be criminally negligent in the case of animal creulty? Or could they point to their contract and claim it wasn’t their responsibility to feed/float teeth etc. I’m sure part of it would be the state’s law but, in general, I would think there would be some responsibility on the part of the BO.
Yeah, at least in some states. Your property, your responsibility.
What if your in a situation where you DO do something and the AC says “tough shit buttercup the horse isn’t in bad enough condition for us to take.â€
Feeding the horse means hey it’s not deteriorating to the point where AC CAN step in and plus society is at that level where people are ready to sue for anything because gawddamn this here be America and it’s my Ah-meer-ican right to sue you for fucking with mah property.
So hold off with your almighty rants Princess because sometimes your hands are tied to legally help the animals to GTFO of a baaad neglect case. I speak out of frustration from my Neighbor’s two paints.
“Just because a horse is property (all animals are property and pets are property without value even!) does not allow people to just treat the animal however they feel like and get away with it. That’s what animal cruelty laws are about, right? A horse is property, yes, but you still get into trouble for starving, beating, and not caring for them.”
-No, and no one said that they should get away with it. Unfortunately, many people DO get away with it. Animal cruelty is a felony in 43 states, but the consequences are hardly enough to deter people from doing it again and again.
“Guilt by association – you know about it and you don’t do anything about it and you’re just as guilty.”
-While I agree with you for the most part, it is not so black and white.
“Couldn’t she call animal control and tell them “Hey, I have these idiot boarders here who are refusing to feed their horse and are threatening legal action if I feed him.†If they still refused to feed the horse she could force them to leave if they refused to feed him.”
-Unfortunately, California is the WORST when it comes to the response for animal cruelty cases, and people get this mentality of “It’s not my concern” even if it’s on their own property as long as they’re getting their monthly board payments. Had I been the one in charge of the boarding facility, I would have been raising absolute hell.
“There IS a way to take care of things like this and it doesn’t involve standing around going “gee, this sucks†and watching the train wreck happen.”
-Sadly, there are cases when this happens. It’s not right nor is it fair, but we HAVE to obey the law no matter how horrible the situation is. I have personally been involved in cases where a judge barred us from interfering until it had reached the point of no return, and it makes you want to tear your hair out because it feels like no one is listening. But if I end up getting myself and my co-rescuers arrested, we won’t be able to save anything.
“Could I sue her? Probably. Legally? I don’t have a leg to stand on and the cops would laugh at me. There is a huge gap between legal liability and civil liability.”
-In terms of doing what’s necessary to prevent an animal from harming itself and others, the trainer would have been doing the right thing to prevent further injury. Could you sue her? Well, that depends on what state you live in.
“Maine states if you are trespassing (defined as being there univited/without permission) on someone’s property (property is defined as their land, home or vehicle) and my dog tears your arm off, that’s too bad for you. The ACO is not going to take my dog away, the cops aren’t going to do anything, and it’s tough boogers for you, you shouldn’t have been on my property without my permission. That doesn’t mean you can’t take me to court and sue me for damages.”
-Maine is not California. In California, if someone breaks into my home and is injured, they can turn around and sue me and WIN even though they broke into MY home in an attempt to steal MY belongings. Even if it’s a case of self defense, I can still lose. Think about that for a second.
“If you could have kept that mare from winding up dumped in the road in an emaciated heap by intervening would you have?”
-Considering all my years not only owning horses, but rescuing them, I would have taken her in myself in an attempt to save her.
“Complacency is bad, not caring is bad. How many people do you think saw that mare and figured it was none of their business? What about that girl who called the cops for the horse with the halter growing in his face? How many people do you think drove past that horse and said it was none of their business? Or Grace? These animals don’t just vanish into thin air while they are being starved – they still exist, people see them and don’t do anything about it.”
-And how many people do you think saw that mare and didn’t know WHAT to do? Probably most of them. Have you ever rescued a horse? It is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but I do it because if I can make a difference in just ONE horse’s life, then I have done more than what most people could have done. You are dancing on a razor’s edge of life and death with a horse in that state, and ANYTHING can happen. I have seen horses that I would have bet my life’s saving on that it would have survived, and it ended up dying in my arms for one reason or another. It’s a monumental task bringing a horse like that from the brink, and not everyone has the money, the knowledge, or the mind to do it.
“The horses can’t talk for themselves, when I see cruelty and neglect I raise my hand and open my big blabber mouth. If I didn’t I couldn’t sleep at night. Quite frankly I’m kind of surprised at the “horses are property there wasn’t anything anyone could do so let’s do nothing†attitude.”
-Which is why people like myself, Fugly, and the rescues that she features on this blog exist. WE speak for the horses. WE put our blood, sweat, and tears into saving these animals. WE put our asses on the line to make sure that the cruelty is stopped. Unfortunately, our hands are tied until the states decide to increase the penalty for animal cruelty and neglect and make it easier for the right thing to be done when the situation calls for it.
Yep, I’m in SoCal and stuck watching someone starve a horse. I have complained to the barn manager about them and then have shown up at the barn to feed my own horses only to find that someone soaked hay pellets for them already and mixed sand and small rocks in it really good. My horses were happily munching their sand mash. That is when I decided to mind my own business. If their young horse (not the starved one) breaks a leg in his pen, I won’t even bother calling for help. Other boarders called the sheriff and animal control but it’s on a military base so they have no jurisdiction.
I just keep taking dated pictures so when it gets bad enough for the base general (or any lay person) to recognize that the horse is starving, then I will shoot off the email along with a scathing letter.
Snazzywildpny -> I went through this same type of situation several months ago, also at military boarding stable (did not have any one mess with my horses). I used ICE to send comments directly to the post commander/CSM, took photos of the condition of the horses, submitted the photos and a written complaint to the stable manager and to their supervisor. It was a slow and frustrating process, but it did work in the end. The horses ended up being fed and cared for on a regular basis. If you need help or have more questions about what I did you can contact me at moody54@earthlink.net
I couldn’t agree more. And the thing to remember is that the laws that prevent us from helping other people’s animals are also the laws that prevent Uncle Bubba down the street from kicking our cats or taking our horses for a midnight ride. Also, feeding someone’s horse for them might mean they NEVER find a better home. After all, they look too good for animal control to seize, don’t they?
When I hear stories like this I always wonder why the barn owner/manager allows this to happen. My barn owner will kick out anyone, after a couple of warnings, whose actions could result in a visit from AC. She doesn’t want the trouble that would result from such a visit, nor a bad reputation.
Or possibly AC didn’t have the resources to take care of her, and didn’t know of any rescues that could take her either. As satisfying as it is to bring a horse back from the brink, it’s expensive and time consuming, and maybe they decided they’d rather use the money to get five more dogs into homes. As sad as it is, I wouldn’t fault anyone for putting a horse in that condition to sleep. Poor girl.
According to several reports on the web, this horse was dumped sometime before 6 am on July 22. Now the USUS and others are offering a substantial reward for info leading to an arrest. One report even said officers are going door to door looking for leads because of the huge public outcry.
In death, the poor little horse may do more to make people aware of how common this kind of thing is that anyone would have thought since the report has gone viral. Let’s hope that her death can be used to help stop horse abouse and neglect. Let’s hope that there will be an arrst and trial in this case.
Unfortunately, the pro-slaughter forces will probably try to subvert her starved state and dumping to continue with their attempts to gather support for horse slaughter. Those of us who oppose slaughter as a suitable end to a horse’ life need to be ready to counter their attack. Lack of slaughter facilities did not cause her to become starved before she was dumped- human indifference and cruelty on the part of her owners caused her fate.
Well, this just supports MY argument that slaughter availability does not keep people from starving and dumping their horses. Slaughter IS available and this stuff still happens. It happened when slaughter houses were open in the U.S. Lots of horses in Southern California go to slaughter. There are cheap auctions; there are horse dealers who actively advertise for cheap horses in ads in the Pennysaver, Craigslist, etc. There are dealers who lie or use subterfuge to get people to give them horses or sell them cheap, after which they send the horses to Mexico or Canada.
This horse could have been sent to slaughter but the owner chose to starve and torture it until it had no value to even the slaughter house. It wouldn’t have survived the trip and the slaughter guys won’t buy them when they are too thin. It’s a meat business, after all.
So I don’t see how anyone could logically use this as an argument for slaughter, although there are those in the industry who would attempt some kind of emotional spin.
Well, my day just got better. Whew! kitty came home after tolerating exam and lab draws. Not cheap but worth every penny. She’s warming up to me so treatment may be doable. I think she’s doing it for my mom.
Now that I am not numb from my own misery, what the Fuck where these people thinking?!! Did they even stop the truck?!
Poor baby looks in a lot of pain
Hey that’s very cool!
Well, I’ll tell you what, if you can give her fluids, you’ll get a few more years out of her. It’s not hard to do, really.
Check out Tanya’s Feline CRF Information Center (http://www.felinecrf.org/). They have a huge wealth of info and support for people going through the same thing you’re dealing with. My old kitty was a diabetic…we kept him stable for 3 years, but he eventually passed away from renal failure. I do know that subQ fluids helped maintain him in comfort before he got too ill and passed away.
MySanity- My daughter had a Siamese cat that she had had since she was 9. After he had several bouts of kidney infections just after he turned 17. The vet said he was old, and had chronic kidney disease. My daughter, now an adult, could not bear to have him PTS if there was a chance that anything could be done for him.
He was cranky old thing who would bite and claw you to pieces if you tried to give him a pill. We used the more expensive shots or liquids because at least that way we could escape his teeth.
Anyway, after a course of antibiotics and an overnight stay for fluids, the vet said that he probably wasn’t drinking enough, so she suggested we could learn to give him lactated ringer subq (under the skin) 10 ml every other day or so to help his kidneys keep functioning and avoid more damage. She said he might gain a few months that way.
Well that cat lived 14 more months! At first he didn’t like the fluid giving process, but soon he would just curl up in my daughter’s lap or on the sofa while I gave him his fluids– my daughter just could not bring herself to stick him with the needle. The vet sold us the fluids and fresh needles and tubing. She would give him treats to take his mind off the needle. I would insert the needle under the skin, open the wheel valve on the tubing and let 10 ML flow out under his skin.
I hope your kitty gets as much help from this as ours did.
Yeah for kitty coming home from the vet!
In 1998 I adopted a kitten from a rescue. When she was 5 months old she got very sick and was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. She had two deformed kidneys, one of which was completely non-functional. All the vets said she wouldn’t make it to one year old. That kitten had a will to live and started drinking water the second we got home. She managed to live to be 9 years old with very few “episodes” inbetween. RIP little kitty. I miss you!
Thank you and also to Cathy for your kind concern. I’ve done the SQ fluids, for my son’s cat, many years ago. If I have to do it again I’ll ask for a smaller needle. I’m a nurse so it wasn’t hard but it kind of creeped me out when she started leaking from the old “punctures”, like in the cartoons.
We didn’t think I’d be bringing the Ninny cat home today, you should have seen the look on my Mom’s face. PRICELESS!
I wish this poor mare had someone who had cared enough. Her expression is just tearing me up.
Also, another thing to consider: do you give her wet food? If not, that’s a great way to get more fluids in them (which is good for bladder health). I switched both of my cats to grain free wet food recently because my 5 year old developed a urinary tract issue. We haven’t had a problem since, and I feel a lot better about the high quality food they’re getting now. I’ve read a lot of people who’ve “fixed” or alleviated bladder issues by changing the diet to wet or raw. Cats aren’t built to drink to get their water – they evolved to get it from their food. A fountain waterer can help some cats, or some really like tuna water (water with a bit of tuna juice mixed in).
Obviously your kitty is very VERY old, so she may be set in her ways if she’s already a dry food eater and she’s also not likely to live 10 more years no matter what you do, but anything you can do to make her more comfortable is good = )
Our kitty had several bouts of UTI a couple of years back. We switched her from dry kibble to a scoop of wet (organic, expensive..) food with a little dry and she hasn’t had any trouble since. She aquired us in 1997 as a mature, pregnant feral so we don’t know how old she is. We joke that she’s immortal since she doesn’t appear to have aged at all since she adopted us. Good luck with your mom’s kitty. keep an eye on her since once they start having trouble with that they are more prone to repeat bouts. I keep the area in front of the box swept and I can tell by how much litter is tracked out how often she’s in there. If there is a ton of litter in a short time I know we have a problem…
I’ve never felt this way before, nor have I ever expressed this as a cogent thought. But were I geographically close to this incident I would be goaded to violence.
I also wonder what I would do if confronted with this type of situation. I’m afraid I might SNAP. Then the story would be about a crazy old lady, not the poor animal being abused.
Goddammit, humanity.
Didn’t you see the pictures? No humanity here…
Fugly I am wondering if this poor mare was stolen,then purposedly starved and dumped on the street as a “revenge” on it’s previous owner.This is very very common in 3rd world countries and who knows it might be done by somebody across the border.Whowever did it deserves to be seriously hung in public.
I had no idea that was common in other places. Interesting. You may be on to something!
It DOES seem like a message was being sent, doesn’t it?
If it comes back that’s a stolen horse…ugh. All the more reason to install security cameras.
OMG I would go berserk if that happened to my horse and me.
Like, literally torturing anyone who refused to cooperate to get names out of them. Though if it was revenge, I would probably know who to go and get…
Before this story was posted here, I read about it on Fla. Horse BB. I said the exact same thing. There is a message here.
There would be tons of other places/ways to rid yourself of a starved horse then to dump it on a city street where you know it will be found quickly.
That’s awful.
I don’t think that’s the case here though. If someone stole my horse, starved it and then dumped his emaciated body in the street, there would be pictures of me out there holding him instead of the cop. Were he stolen we should have had an owner ID by now, surely someone would be screaming “THAT’S MY HORSE!” even if they didn’t live in the neighborhood.
When I was a kid, my dad farmed, and we had irrigators who came to work for the growing season and went home for winter. On their way home they’d go to the local big QH breeder and buy foals/yearlings/two-year olds/whatever. They’d load ‘em into their rickety trailers and head south.
I remember one spring one of the guys coming back looking for another colt. Seems one of the colts he’d bought a year previously ended up doing well in match races in his hometown. Until he found the colt gutted in his pen one morning after yet another race he’d won. As I recall, sweet colt, not a world-class QH nor was he running-bred (more old cow horse bred, Bert and Leo), but in Mexico, an average QH was a cadillac horse. And people were jealous. Hence, dead horse was the solution.
True story. Pretty sorrel colt with a white face and two big white hind socks.
This mare sure could be a victim of culture. Flame away.
Actually, I can see that kind of thing happening in ANY poor, uneducated, patriarchal, machismo-driven culture, whether it’s in Mexico, Kentucky, Afghanistan, Southside Chicago or Cherokee Nation.
The only words I have are to tell every creature on earth that we humans have control of is how sorry I am that they have to meet the worst humans possible. It just breaks a persons heart to see such suffering and to know WE do this to them. I cannot imagine being so heartless. It makes me wonder when you hear the saying “if god brings you to it he will bring you through it” how could he let his creatures suffer so?? How could he create humans that can do this?? That poor poor baby.
There’s just no end to it…
http://netposse.com/stolenmissing/whereisowner/FoundAgedMareINaug2010.html
WTH is WRONG with people!?!?
More brain bleach:
Aquaduck, in the kill pen just a few months ago, saved by Second Chance Ranch and at her first horseshow two weeks ago!
http://horsephoto.smugmug.com/Horses/SAFE-Benefit-Horse-Show-2010/310-Aquaduck/13353707_PUuUK#971374080_EspDo
What a beautiful horse! Thanks for the “brain bleach” — perfect term ;o)
I appreciate the “brain bleach” pictures, but then I made the mistake of clicking on the pictures of Ireman’s First Kiss. While it is not as obvious as starving a horse, I think the yank and spur is abuse too. The look in that poor horse’s eyes is heart breaking.
I agree. Im not sure how that was tolerated there at that show. Seriously she had her hands up so high, they are under her chin. Poor horse.
Id say that collection of pics is a great example of what not to do. I really hope the girl looks at them, and notices how high her hands are, the pressure put on his mouth. (HELLO his mouth is open most of the time) and changes her ways.
As for the poor girl in LA. I cant imagine the terror she had to have felt. I cried after reading the article. I couldnt handle it today.
SOmeone knows something. If there hasnt been any tips yet, then I think the poor mare was a victim of some sort of revenge/payment owed scenario. I see it as a threat to someone. I wanna give the officer with the mare a medal.
I cant understand how someone can justify putting shoes on a horse over feeding it. Hell Im disturbed that someone can dump an animal.
I remember as a little girl, we had a stray cat show up, and my dad scooped up the kitty and me and we went for a ride. We stopped a few ridges over and he proceded to drop the kitty off. I freaked out, screamed and cried and wouldnt get back in the truck until the cat was allowed back in and we went home. We now have 16 happy healthy spayed and nuetered barn cats. My dad accepted that his child was not going to stand for cruelty of any kind and deals with it. If a little kid can see that it wrong to dump a kitty in the middle of the woods, surely an adult can see that dumping a horse in the middle of LA is wrong??
People are soo fucked up now. Im not sure if some people didnt get hugged enough, or smacked enough as little kids.
Im gonna go home and love on my dog and go check the mail (its her favorite thing).
There was lots of that going on, sadly. I know of at least one that was warned that it would not be tolerated and if it was observed again, they would be asked to leave. All western riders with their huge curb bits or twisted wires, martingales, draw reins and rowel spurs. One of the reasons I have little respect for them. Only saw two martingales on all the English horses, both wearing loose snaffles. I can honestly count the number of western riders I know who can actually ride on one hand, without counting my thumb.
*sigh*
I can’t can’t CAN’T deal with mainstream Western (or stock horse “hunt seat”) ANYthing anymore. Adequan sponsors reining events, spur stops are en vogue, and the whole damn “Git Their Heads Down” thing. And it’s ACCEPTED now. None of it looks abnormal or remotely questionable by anyone in their whole industry.
If you question it at a show, they think you’re a newbie and take great pride in explaining to you the “work” and “training” it takes to make a horse move that way. Can you teach it without abuse? To a point. But like rolkur and Big Lick, its very existence as “the norm” is sooooo many levels of wrong!! Because even if you breed a horse for post legs, low tail set, low neck and cramped gaits, THAT is wrong, too!
In every civilized equestrian culture but the US, there are a few universal standards of correctness that people depart from in their particular disciplines, but the basic “good stuff” is there for any educated horseman to appreciate. In the US, in so many breeds we have little niche things like “halter horses,” “pleasure horses” and “park horses,” that have made these horses into caricatures that any horseman from ANY other discipline will say “Good LORD, what is THAT??”
That Zipity Do Run horse, I LOVE how happy and free he looks, like a “real pleasure” to ride!!
(OK, maybe not “every culture but the US” but… there are certain markers of a true equine athlete….)
Zipity Do Run is a friend of mine’s horse. She has had quite a long road with him, both getting his Cushing’s under control and reassembling his brain from some of his earlier Western Pleasure training, and I use the T word lightly.
She deserves major kudos for how he moves and performs today. They were reserve highpoint western horse at the show.
I agree. What a horrible contraption. Why don’t you just wear a sign saying, ” I don’t have this horse properly trained, but I can control him with force”. Learn to ride, not to hide.
Oh, wow. Why did I have to look? Photo #13 showing the spur rowel dug into his side is where I just lost it. And he looks like a saint putting up with it all.
It kind of looks to me like the official photographer did not approve either and was deliberately documenting the inappropriate use of spurs and draw reins.
Looks a hell of a lot like Rollkur to me. That girl has no idea what she is doing. The one pic that is a closeup of his face is just heartbreaking.
OK, in the “Iremans First Kiss” photos I saw a story…
First few photos, she’s just abusing that poor horse with DRAW REINS THRU A CURB BIT!!! WTF!???!?!?!?! And the spur thing.
I suspect that that’s how she was taught, since the majority of WP trainers around here operate that way.
Then… all of a sudden, the draw reins are off, and the first photo w/o them, the girl looks kind of pissed. Like, somebody took her aside and said “Homey don’t PLAY that” and now she’s got no draw reins, and the spurs are WELL AWAY from the horse’s sides. Becasue she doesn’t want to get kicked out.
THe girl looks less pissed, and more absorbed in what she’s supposed to be doing, but… I bet when she goes home, it’ll be back to Headset City, because OMG, THOSE HIGH HEADS ARE SO WROOOONG!!!!!!
BTW, that last few photos, where he’s not overbent and waiting to get punished, that’s how I wish modern Western horses went. Not this level neck stick horse look.
Nah, the bad behaviour is almost always in the warm up arena; and in the case of this show (and this horse) it was in the warm-up. One of the “riders” asked to stop was a “trainer” see-sawing the mouth and backing the horse up all over the arena. She was creating a safety hazard almost backing into people and the horse getting increasingly upset. I saw it all unfold while waiting for my dressage test, hoping the horse would buck her off or flip over so I could applaud; the dressage ring steward and show director told her it was inappropriate and to stop or leave.
All the western riding contraptions were in the warm up ring and removed prior to entering the show ring. Goes to show most of them have no clue how to make a horse soft and round.
That’s SO PATHETIC – at a rescue horse show, especially.
To be fair, there are a lot of kids who grow up watching poor excuses for trainers and really think this is how you are supposed to deal with horses. The girl looks like she could be a decent rider – could have soft hands given proper instruction, has a slightly stiff back but a decent seat – but unfortunately thinks this is how you do western. Eventually you do have to take responsibility for your own learning and behavior, but it can be hard to change if you’ve never learned what’s correct horsemanship – it’s not something most people are born knowing, and if you are surrounded by poor horsemanship, it’s even harder. Look at the way so many people treat/train their dogs…
The horse looks to be in good health, so he’s probably quite happy 95% of his day.
It is interesting that the photographer did a close up shot of the spur in the side… Do you think she thought it was an artistic shot? Or wanted to emphasize to the rider just what her heels were doing? Interesting.
I agree. I have admitted MANY times that I used to yank their faces off too. That is how I was taught when I started riding show horses, which I didn’t do ’til I was about 20. Prior to that I only rode polo ponies and had great hands!
I do have a “good trainer” recommendation for that girl if anyone knows her, and if she sees these comments and wants to learn the right way.
I’m gonna cry. I just watched The Mane Event on some cable station last night. They had a reining competition in Scottsdale.
Reiners, you should BE ASHAMED.
Your horses are loping with their heads behind the vertical, and below the withers (or knees, in some cases). Your horses are NOT balanced that way, as witnessed by the fact that EVERY single one of you had to haul your horses’ heads up in order to slide. ALL horses backed up with heads so sickly low that it was obviously artificially trained. Your chaps do NOT hide how obviously deep some of you were sinking your spurs into your ‘spur broke’ horses.
These are lovely, kind horses that you are abusing in an effort to meet some sick ideal that is NOT what reining was ever intended to be. I hope every single one of you receives Karma for your decision to pursue that style of riding.
For sure! I’ve watched the reining world go down the tubes & it makes me sick. Last night I made the mistake of watching a few minutes of Clinton Anderson on RFD. He was visiting a Big Name reining ranch in AZ. The trainer was riding a 2 yr old & every time that horse put his head up a little or got his nose out from behind vertical, the trainer jerked on the reins. The other thing I am seeing in the reining world is that they constantly are jabbing the horse w/their heels or spurs. If they are moving their legs, the horse is supposed to keep moving. They do not ask the horse to go & then keep legs quiet.
Cathy–this would be a good post for Fugly blog.
OK this is me, pontificating from my eternal soapbox. Sorry……
But it’s 10000000000% true – all, ALL, the young Western kids under … um… 30…. ride like that.
They think that getting all up in their horse’s grill, seesawing and backing and shit is “showing who’s boss,” otherwise known as “training,” because if that horse “won’t” put his head down, then obviously it’s disobedient and MUST be dealt with. End. Of. Story. They think that “soft” means behind the bit, lank neck sticking out straight and down, nose poking into the ether, and reins ridiculously loose.
*sigh*
Even the ones who spoil ‘em otherwise with excellent care and grooming… ride like this. They think it’s correct, necessary, and above all, BADASS. You hear the trainers: “Get after him!!!! Get his head down!!! Bump him in the mouth!!!! Roll your spurs on him!!!!!!”
If you show them a nicely done upper level dressage test, or show a stock horse HUS person a good round over fences, they are unimpressed, because….. THE HORSE HAS A HIGH HEAD. And it moves too fast. These are people who’ve ridden and shown at big AQHA/APHA shows since they were in Leadline. Totally blows my mind.
If we could outlaw the terms “headset” and “frame,” and all that implies….
I have to disagree with the decent seat part. In each photo she is sitting quite far in front of the vertical and rolled forward on to her, ahem, “cookie”. Her body position is telling the horse to go, but those stupid draw reins are cranking the horse’s nose back telling him to stop. No wonder he looks unhappy. The rider is giving him all sorts of mixed signals.
I help run a non-profit horse rescue in Orange County (south of L.A.). We’ve taken in several horses left in backyards to starve to death, or from people who are just too inept to care for a horse. The horses, bless them, are just happy to have food on a regular basis.
There is NO REASON any animal has to get to this point- there ARE people out there who will help, even in the most dire circumstances.
I’m in orange county looking for a rescue to volunteer at…whats the name of the rescue and could you use another horse nut to shlep, fetch, and carry?
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/08/112.shtml
Off topic, but did you see this, Cathy? Someone saved the Oklahoma wreck survivors!! This would make a great followup for a ‘happy’ blog post.
I have a question. There is a woman at my barn who was convicted with neglect and banned from keeping horses for 5 years. Heres a copy of the ban report. http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1163709_animal_lovers_handed_ban_after_horses_ordeal
However she states she has apprealed and the ban was lifted, and she now has 13 horses, ranging from mares with foals at foot, 2year old riding horses and pony stallions. However no matter how much i search there is no mention anywhere of the ban being lifted, she claims it was in the same paper that printed the above article. Surely there would be a record? Is there any way i could find out if this ban has actually been lifted? Her horses are a mess and she just deals them and literally breaks all her youngsters, and now she has threatened me. I dont know what to do, can anybody give me some guidance?
Thankyou
In the States you would call or write a letter to the judge. Better still, include photos of the animals she is mistreating/neglecting. I don’t know how it works in the U.K. but I would imagine it would be similar.
Maybe some of you legal beagles could confirm this, but I think criminal cases and sentences are public information, right?
The legal system in the UK is probably a bit different than her ein the U.S. You should be able to contact the court where the ban was issued. What happened to the gelding? Did he survive?
Based on the fact that the ban is from October 2009 and less than a year later she already has 13 horses, I’d says she is a hoarder. Did she get a job yet? Do criminals in the UK have Parole officers? I’d contact him/her and report it.
She is most definatly a hoarder. Her job is running her own pet store, appropriatly named “Happy pets.” She makes her money breeding dogs and rabbits, and i believe claiming off the goverment. I think the gelding survied, the RSPCA took it into custody, she wasnt at my barn at that point. Im now worried about going back down there, for my safety and for my horses. I know she’s been to jail in the past, she bragged about that, and from the talk of the fights shes had i wouldnt be suprised if it was for assault. Shes not alone either, there are four of them and one of me. I dont know what to do about it!
If I were you, I’d report it to the original investigating officer — they can find out if indeed the ban was lifted, or the person was just feeding you a line. I’m suspecting the latter. If so, the officer can build an additional case against them.
I would contact the RSPCA since they are the ones who prosecuted the case. Explain what you’ve said here and I bet they’d be very interested to check on it because I’d be willing to bet that ban has not been lifted. And good for you for wanting to help.
Regardless of whether or not the ban has been lifted, threatening people is against the law. You should make a report to the police about her threats, so if she does anything you have a record of it. And avoid talking to her without other witnesses if possible.
FUGS PLEASE READ THIS!!!
This mare is missing from NM and looks like what that one might have looked like.
And the date missing is pretty close to what her hooves look like.
Can you please see if it’s her? I don’t know how to contact the owners with such a question.
http://www.netposse.com/stolenmissing/MissyNMstolenApril2010.htm
Bad to the Bone: When I first saw her pic I thought she was a Walker…you might be onto something. The fading is totally normal without nutrition, in some of the photos of the missing mare you can see lighter points. The slight star look very similar. OMG.
I totally think this could be some sick MF’er trying to make some demented statement about slaughter or some anti PETA bullshit. LA has such an active animal rights hub. If it were someone in trouble seems like they would have dropped her off before she got to this state…I think they were waiting til they thought she couldn’t be turned around and it would have more shock value. All I can hope is that at a certain point she became unaware…sweet baby RIP.
If this turns out to be the same horse, I will never again underestimate the power of the internet and people willing to find answers. Can you imagine? Being able to ID a plain brown mare with a star? It seems unreal. But amazingly, what if it’s true. The mare looks very similar. The fading is normal, especially if she’s been in the sun/malnourished.
Oh my god, if that is her… god, it’s just heartbreaking. That fact that she was stolen from a family… oh, it just makes it so much worse.
For the sake of the owners… and especially those kids… I really, really hope this poor creature isn’t her. To not only have what obviously seems to be a loved member of the family stolen… but to find out that the person who stole it (or bought it from the person who stole it) then proceeded to starve her to death… I can’t even imagine how terrible it would be. I can’t think of anything much worse. Good god, I’d rather find out my horse went to slaughter than to see that it died slowly and painfully like this.
Do gaited horses wear shoes like that? Sorry to ask a stupid question but I am unfamiliar with gaited horses, except for what I have read on this thread.
I don’t think they are the same horse. The TWH has 4 black hoofs. The down/dumped mare has white hoofs in the back. Not white on the legs,but white hoofs. Damn,I hope they catch both these sorry “Things”,the thief and the starver. Funny with that ammount of reward noone has come forward.
The back hooves of the downed mare are not white. That’s tan colored dirt on black hooves. I can’t see details of the shoes of the Walker, but the two horses look similar. Has anyone contacted them?
I don’t think they’re the same. The downed mare does not have white hind hooves, it’s just pale dirt. All her feet are that colour. However, check their ears. I figure ear-shape is least likely to change, and the downed mare’s ears are much more deeply notched than the stolen one’s.
Lea County Sherriffs Office is the contact for that horse. Maybe get in contact with them
WTF is wrong with people?
I wonder if they are checking with farriers in the area. This should be forwarded to every horse forum possible, including farrier groups, because someone is going to recognize this horse.
I hate people…
newhorsemommy: ditto. People suck. Do animals work to starve each other like that? Get the “highest primate” involved (Homo sapiens) and there’s a chance of world-class cruelty.
I am going to do what I always do when I see animal abuse: I am going to look for my spoiled-rotten cats and hug the first kitty I catch and give him or her lots of treats. And promise I will always take care of him/her/them.
I think the only word i can say is tragic, this is so tragic. There has to be something very wrong with people who do this!
A little OT, on Sacramento CL today and saw these mares, the gray looks to be slowly starving herself, but screams elegant mare. I can’t tell exactly what her brand is and don’t know warmblood brands, assuming that is what breed she is. She is being sold for 1$ and something to trade? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/grd/1901069192.html I wish i could afford one more. Just been thinking about her today (well with the emaciated horses on here, and seeing she is fairly thin), she was probably pampered in her life before this
.
The gray is a Hanoverian
O/T but extremely important Fugs, Begin Again Farms has had some horses stolen along with a trailer and tack, this is a good 501C rescue and im personally friends with the owners, If i could have your email address I will send a copy of the flyer, it has pics of the horses and a description of the horse trailer.
STOLEN
From Begin Again Farm, 501c3 horse rescue, Ellerslie, Georgia
PRINCE— young miniature horse stallion
BUCK—quarter horse/walking horse buckskin gelding
ALSO—
3 HORSE WHITE SLANT LOAD STOCK TRAILER
17-1/2†Winteck Isabel Dressage Saddle
17†Billy Cook Trail Saddle
Other tack
PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONTACT
BEGIN AGAIN FARM—706-315-6945
Fugly,
Your idea that this was “punishment” of some sort I think is right on. This horse was dumped in the middle of a street in LA this condition?! The people who did this wanted her seen. They flaunted this emaciated animal.
I bet that mare was cute, She has a very kissable face! I hope they do awful awful things to the person who did this.
Somedays you think that the human population just can’t disappoint you more and then something like this happens, and you realize that we haven’t hit the bottom of the barrel yet. This is just further proof the the human gene pool is in a recession.
Good god, this one’s even worse than the last
For fuck’s sake, if you can’t afford to feed a horse, SELL IT TO SOMEONE WHO CAN. Or at the very least, put them in a pasture with fucking GRASS so they don’t starve to death, even if they end up skinny.
For crying out fucking loud, why are people such utter fucking morons?
I just spent all day helping to bathe and braid yearlings that had never been washed before – one of which broke loose of the safety ties when the water touched her, and then just about flipped on her head when her belly was sprayed – for a branding inspection tomorrow. This is not the story I wanted to come home to. Thank you, asshat who “took care of” this mare, for turning a mildly frustrating day into a crappy one.
I swear to god, the laws about animal cruelty, and the punishment that goes along with it, need a serious overhall, because I’ll bet just about anything that at most this guy will get a fine, 6 months in jail, and forbidden to own animals. AT MOST. Because apparently, that’s all an animal’s life is worth. God, if this was a KID what would he get?
And you know what? It’s not that big a step from animals to people. I’m a psych student, and just about every case study we’ve had to look at that involves violence, murders, etc. the person did it to animals first. If for NO other reason, that is why it should be taken way more seriously than it will be.
Fucking. Bastard. I hope you have to experience one day what you put this horse through.
Erg, I need to go watch some cartoons or something happy.
What a week to post these fugly.
I had my own (21 years old) mare PTS last Tuesday. She originally had some breathing problems and was having some problems with her weight. Vet went out did a quick tidy up on her teeth and gave her a months supply of heaves meds. After that there was a 2 week period of where she was gaining weight. Then she crashed again breathing worse despite the meds refused to eat her hay (originally grass then alfalfa then grass hay with lots of clovers in it) and despite getting 2 quart of sr feed and 4 (yes 4) quarts of cracked corn daily she was still losing weight alarmingly fast (within 2 weeks I swear she looked aweful) so we had her PTS. Vet figured her body was just shutting down but he couldn’t find any reason why.
Anyways back ontopic….That is….uncommentable. I have no words pretty much. I can’t imagine someone would spend all that money on SHOES and a SUV but not bother to FEED THEIR HORSE? What a POS. I hope they get everything that mare got then some.
This is disgusting. I dearly hope this isn’t the missing mare from the Netposse report, talk about the worst possible scenario – loving family – stolen horse starving and dumped in the street! My children would have nightmares for years.
We moved to a barn with 24-hour live in security…
Wit all due respects, I don’t believe that those are racing plates, at least not flat racing plates. A racehorse are not shod at that angle with so much heal even taking into account that she was obviously shod a long time ago and her feet are very over grown. But she could be a retired race horse. I feel so sad that she didn’t have a chance to be rescued. By eating and drinking in such condition and situation from strangers, she sure looked like she was willing to live. She knew what apples were so she must have been pampered at one time. I am wondering if she was used for bestiality acts? Then was dumped to get rid of the evidence when things got hot for some bastard(s).
There are many backyard horses around LA, that tend to be neglected by morons and scumbags. Then some decide to ride the sh*t out of them some weekend over rocks. If they ever call the vet, they tend to do it when it is too late. That what an equine vet very familiar with that scene told me.
It would be nice if officiers go from door to door and check on the kids, chained dogs, pit bulls, fighting cocks too… And the horses in the junkyard but without a search warrant, they probably cannot see the backyards. Will officiers be trained to recognize abuse or neglect or will they be compassionate enough? Hispanics officiers visiting hispanic neighborhoods, like up and down the gang infested 605 Fwy, or South Elmonte, etc… Duck farms there too. Will they report their own when fighting cocks, dogs and tripping horses at Mexican rodeos, taking horses to slaughter and eating horse meat is part of their culture? I don’t mean to pick up on the Hispanics because white trash also treat horses that way. One would really have to do fly-overs to spot abuse and starvation cases.
RIP beautiful girl.
Somebody might come forward if the reward gets to $10,000.
This is just horrible and sad and finding appropriate words is difficult and debating endlessly about whether she should have or should not have been PTS is academic now but at least in her last hour or so, she was comforted and did not die a lingering slow death alone. Those who were there did what they thought was right at the time and she is no longer suffering so while it’s not the outcome many of us might have liked, it was better that than she be left to suffer more.
There is no legal punishment worthy of such a crime but let’s pray the scumbags are somehow tracked down and get their comeuppance either via the legal system (unlikely I know) or karma gets them.
Shameful beyond words ……… sickening.
Okay, I didn’t read through every single comment, but here’s my take:
1): A farrier won’t necessarily recognize her if some asshat put the shoes on. Believe it or not, they are out there, especially in circles like the illegal rodeos…people who trip horses and then eat them don’t like to pay for shoes. They would rather an asshole put them on for cheap. We can still hope, but I’m just saying don’t be too hopeful.
2): The idea occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, this horse was dumped in that particular place and way to bring attention to a larger situation like that big deal in Maine. If not enough people were making noise about it before, they sure are now. It strikes me that this was done in so public a place…whoever did this wanted attention, and a lot of it, and possibly wanted to be able to stand back and watch the fallout or have someone else see the public flap. Perhaps someone is trying to scare a negligent owner into shaping up?
Anyway, just my .02 worth.
I’m surprised this hasn’t made the blog yet. Parelli, you are the stupidest man on the planet. At least type it up. The video is annoying. The normla person can read much faster thanyour stupid video goes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzOqBZRjYoY
god damn it …fuc**in shit , sorry , but Tuesday , and already 2 photos to haunt me for the next 10 years. What is wrong with Fuc**ing people . This is why I hate people so much and love animals. I dare you fuck… to spend an hour with me alone in my stall, just the two of us my whip, a bit of rope, ..I can go on but why… you fuc..ing ass…. I hate you animal abusers. I hate you with all of what i have !!!! This is too much for me. Rot in hell for a very long time , when I die I am comming after you.
Grace was bad enough, but I started tearing up when I read about the officer giving this poor horse an apple. Poor, poor thing! Glad there is a reward – I’ll bet they find the perp soon.
Run in green pastures poor horse!
OT but will lighten your mood…check out this sport!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p12dctS0iXI&NR=1
From all the vids on YouTube, this must be awfully popular. Darn good horse, too. But I would like to see a video of the *first* time they try this with a horse!
Oh my dear lord. I can see SOOOOOO many disasters waiting to happen in that video. All I hope is that they have a quick release on the line where it attaches to the stirrup! Cute horse though, and very well behaved!
That is hilarious! When I was a kid we used to harness up our ponies & drag folks around on skis in the winter – skijoring – and it was a laugh riot! We had to be careful with our shaggy outdoor ponies to make sure they didn’t get too sweated up, but they all seemed to think it just as much of a gas as we did.
Haha, we did that with my mom’s Missouri Fox trotter too. He is very calm and knows about ropes and we always made sure that the rope was easily droppable in case of an emergency… but it was always loads of fun.
We used a sled though, instead of skis.
Wow, good researching on the stolen horse! I agree, the similarities are chilling and the timing is right. The feet could be walker feet, that would explain the shape. Hopefully someone who is involved with the case can send the stolen horse report to the proper authorities for id.
I am willing to believe the motives could be malevolent, but I suspect it’s sadder than that – what if people wanted to rescue a horse, and didn’t want to be identified? How many times have folks posted here about how they wished they could save a horse but didn’t want to be persecuted by the owners or the law? What if you just went in the barn in the dead of night, grabbed the horse, and put in in an area known to have horse lovers? No identification, just helping the horse out possibly? It was too late, but I could see the logic here. Maybe they thought the horse would survive with help. Not the brightest idea, but it could have been a good Samaritan kind of move.
OT to the Spokane Area – Advertising on Craigslist:
“We are Rough Start Horse Rescue and we are a new non profit organization here in the spokane area. It is our mission to rescue these beautiful animals and help them live productive lives by giving them a second chance. We have 7 rescue horses right now that have come out of horrific conditions. All donations are tax dedutible and we have many ways you can help these beautiful creatures in need. We encourage sponsorship of a horse where you can come and help work with them and care for them and see how your monitary donations are being put to use sponsorship is 100.00 a month and this goes to the medical care and feed for the horse as well as ferrier care. None of the donations goes to pay salaries ect. we are a fully volunteer organization. For more info on how you can help please email me.
Other thing we are in need of are medical supplies, hay, grain, tack, apples, carrots, supplements, winter blankets, a 4 plus horse trailer, land to lease that has a barn and stalls, any info on available grants.
Also if you know of a horse in need we will try and help as much as we can. We are not fostering out the horses at this time until we know they are physically sound.
Thanks for reading this and for any help available”
Anyone heard of them? Confused by statement “not fostering …until…sound”. What does soundness have to do with fostering?
All the horses at Rough Start Horse Rescue
“….. and feed for the horse as well as ferrier….”
I’d be very suspicious of any rescue that cannot spell ‘farrier’ correctly. Maybe the “physically sound” comment means until they are up-to-weight and healthy? Sounds like a few big-hearted amateurs who will need rescueing themselves in a short amount of time, i.e. winter.
Never heard of them, but I`m always a little suspicious of someone who claims to know their way around horses – yet can`t even spell something as simple as FARRIER.
I mean, isn`t a ferrier a person who takes care of ferrets? *snort* couldn`t resist…..
On a continued note of Spokane rescue – it is in desperate need. Rough Start has some hurtles before they can seriously be a rescue. There are tons of horses given away here and in need of rescue.
Is there anyone in Eastern WA avail to help?
If they drafted the document in Word, it will try to change the farrier to Ferrier. I’ve had it happen to me countless times. Just sayin’.
So I’m leaving work yesterday and my car is parked with the AC truck parked right next to it. No other vehicles around. I see a little 3-4 month old kitten walking around the truck looking all lost not to mention absolutely filthy and emaciated. I am wondering where this thing came from and of all places to be walking around- the AC truck. The same AC who believes in euth-ing everything not wearing a collar. Poor kitty, so I snatch her up (yup, my luck a calico!) I notice that the truck’s back topper window is open so I can put things together a bit and figure that the cat was in the pen in the back, was so skinny and hot (it was 98 yesterday) and just had to get out.And did escape. Once out she didn’t know where to go til I came along. She had a terrible smell to her, like total pig shit and had what looks like burns beneath each eye. I can only imagine. I took her home and gave her 2 baths immediately and then fed her some canned food. She’s a total love-bug. The perfect cat. I cannot imagine the story of this poor thing, and no way asking AC what it is. He will think I took her out of his truck and want to charge me with criminal trespass. So I’ll just leave it at that. Names anyone??? She was my only B-day gift yesterday. I turned 50 ;-D
Good thing I didn’t find that poor mare, she’d be in my car in a heartbeat, or at least I would have tried. Poor thing. Life just drained out of her and left with no one to love her. Kudo’s for the people who came to her aid. I think there are many people with kind hearts, we just don’t notice them until some POS does a heinous move.
Happy Birthday. What a lovely gift. As for names, what about Phoenix?
What about nedj?
It means “to save” in Egyptian… and since cats are revered in ancient egypt thought it might be fitting
Good luck with your new kitty!!
Happy birthday! Sounds like you got a great present. It’s good luck to do good on your birthday! Well, it’s good luck to do good anytime, but especially on your birthday, since it sets the tone for your whole year.
Thanks for taking that little calico baby! I like the name Dottie. Spunky, perky, describes the type of cat that would escape from an AC truck…
I spay and neuter everything I can get my hands on, so I appreciate one less female cat on the streets!
wannabe–Happy belated birthday, and I can’t think of a better present than rescuing a wonderful little calico kitty! Poor kitty has expended a few of her 9 lives already, it would appear. Your story brought a (nice) tear to my eye and I appreciate what you’ve done–it’s nice to hear a good story after reading about this poor horse. I can’t even stand thinking about what happened to her.
What a great birthday gift for the two of you! Lucky kitty!
I had a calico (actually a torbie, she had stripes within her patches) named Hannah. It just fit her somehow… Hannah was a rescue, found underneath a bush in a city park, about 6 weeks of age. I got her on her last day, the tech at the vet’s office was carrying her around in her pocket that day as her “last day on earth, have some fun” kind of thing. She was to be PTS at the end of the business day.
I took her home at 4 p.m.
She lived to be 20+ years old.
The AC truck was parked, abandoned in the heat?
I did a search on the “Find It Street Level” website to see what the neighborhood is like. Interesting … middle class residential on a street that dead ends into a park. I’m going to say that this ass hat definitely knew the neighborhood. What is really sad and really ballsey is that the ASPCA is right around the corner. I’m thinking someone was also making an “in your face” statement. I’m also wondering if someone dropped this horse on an owners doorstep that wasn’t paying bills which is even sadder.
How do you not hear someone unloading a horse that sick (was she even standing in the trailer and able to walk off?) in the middle of the night in a residential neighborhood ????
This is truly one of the meanest things I’ve ever seen done and I hope the neighbors cough up with information that will lead to an arrest and conviction. At least this poor animal is in a better place now. Special thanks to the young cop who made those last moments special.
Awesome. Once the offender is found, we all get to pay for him or her to be kept FED in jail.
I’m still happy with the punishment of death. I don’t want these people to reproduce, I don’t want to pay for their jail time and likely their welfare when they go complaining about how hard their life is. And a warning needs to be made to alert others that there is significant punishment for crap like this.
I’ve already made a personal commitment to help a horse (or more) in need once I have the finances to do it. Every penny I’m spending now on education is to ensure that I will have the means in the future to make a difference in the life of at least one neglected horse. I can’t wait. Volunteering my love will have to do for now
Exactly – a horse in that shape is expensive and time consuming to rehab. Plus, there’s no way of knowing if she would have pulled through – in some cases, it really is more humane to put them to sleep rather than making them suffer through the pain of rehab.
I trust the vet did what he thought was best at the time. I would never fault somebody for putting down a horse in that condition. That money and time can now be spent on other animals who might have a better chance. And it is very possible the vet truly felt the mare could not make a full recovery and that to put her through recovery might very well be even more cruel than just putting her to sleep.
Grr, this was supposed to be in response to a comment above, oh well…
Apparently NOT a good time to be a horse or equestrian in South Gate…
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/south-gate-ca/T80O62O0S0IF0T6R9
If I were just going to speculate wildly I’d start to wonder if there was a slightly more ‘organized’ aspect to this string of crimes.
No, I’m not insinuating that the mob has moved into L.A., but several drug gangs have pushed into the ‘protection’ racket. Could also be beef gone bad (horses are very popular with some criminals since they’re seen as a ‘status symbol’.. more so outside the US but still) with innocent animals and people suffering.
Again, absolutely nothing to back this up, just thinking out loud.
The more I see the treatment that people give their animals AND their family members, the more I wonder how good things ever get accomplished.
Fugly, I just wanted to let you know that Ramsey Farm did change their mind and have stepped forward to offer a 500.00 donation to MountainView Rescue for the rehab of King David’s son, yay! They aren’t so bad after all. I’m sorry to take this off topic but I know that you will see it when you moderate the comments.
EXCELLENT NEWS.
Bulletin: Seriously bad news for the BC racing industry (STB and TB)
The harness racing industry in BC was hit with horrible news on Friday the 13th. The government is cutting race dates and basically trying to kill it off in favor of casino gaming.
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/8-14-10/bc-drop-2011-race-dates.html
the Alberta response:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/8-14-10/asha-responds-bc-announcement.html
Here’s the link to the thread: http://www.themanestreet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61830
I don’t even want to THINK about how many racehorses are going to be dumped because of this. And not all breeders are as responsible as the guy up in Chase, BC who managed to rehome his (unbred) brood mares and stock with the help of everyone in the Internet horse community.
To all that have followed Julie on her “Saving Faith” blog, I am sad to report she had to put Faith down. At least the mare had a wonderful last 18 months to live because of this caring individual. God bless you Julie and God bless you Faith.
Oh, I am sorry to hear that. But I agree, the mare had a GREAT last year and a half!
Sound to me as it might have been a foreclosure home, horse left, owners moved out and who ever got the house found it and dumped it.
I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t realize that curb bits make a head go up. Also, Girlie needs to sit on her butt. That swayback thing she has going on is not good.
ROTFL that is so true. Shoot, I just HAD that debate with someone in polo who thinks they LOWER their heads with a shank bit/curb chain…um, no.
Have they ever looked at horses being ridden? I mean, really?
The REDNECK in me would love to meet the FN idiot that did this. There are so many horrible painful things I woud like to plot for the idiot that did this and none of them would be more painful that what they did to this poor mare. But it sure would be worth while to try and give them payback.
This blog has managed to make me cry twice in less then a week. The people responsible for this are not human.
I agree about crying on the two Fugly blogs and then I also follow Saving Faith and was a MESS yesterday when I read that she had to put Faith down. Cleared my sinuses right up. Sigh.
Yah, no kidding. I’m just SO glad I bothered to put on mascara today… The two emaciated horses made me MAD as hell, too, but Faith… that is hard to take. Can’t believe poor Julie went to a horse show and acted like nothing was wrong in front of the kids. That’s one acting job I couldn’t have pulled off! She is a special person, and it’s folks like her who help wash the taste of the scum bags who starved today’s and yesterday’s horses from my mind. I, for one, will never forget a certain brown mare named Faith who touched many hearts and lives across the globe.
P.S. And speaking of good rescues, Argus better not go anywhere!
Ppl make me sick. Where the eff is god when this shit is happening to his most beloved creatures? Where is he when the innocent are tortured or left to what may come? Isnt he supposed to be “kind, loving, just, righteous, trusting, blah blah blah blah”?????? Just another letter of the law ? God is definatly a politician. All pomp and no action.
If he can strike down the very poor schmuck who reached out and touched the “ark” in an automatic gesture to keep it from falling then why cant he smite the other assholes who do nothing but make the lives of others miserable including all animals and even some human beings?????? No the ppl who do such things live on and forever and continue thier reign of misery while the innocent continue to suffer continue to be left to what may come and so on and so on. He gave us free will my ass. Its no wonder I question the exsistance of a higher power. So much misery and pain and evil.
“Humans are innately a terrible species……Wicked in thier ways, and driven only by thier desires.” I dont remember who said this but it holds so much truth.
Ah, Zanne. You’ve gotta look for the good. If you focus on the bad stuff, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Same holds true if you focus on the good. One or two really nasty people had their hands in this horrible mess, but look at all of the good people who stepped up to try and help the mare, to make her last few moments on earth be as good as they could be. Look at all of the good people who are outraged that this happened. All of us who are running out to love on our own horses and cats and dogs and birds and whatever, with a renewed commitment to do the best for them, because we are all upset by the evil that happened here. God knows what happened to this mare. Unfortunately, He’s one of the few who knows right at the moment, but hopefully the humans will figure it out soon. Don’t be mad at God… just renew your commitment to be one of the good ones and refuse to be dragged down by those who aren’t.
That reminds me of a story that goes something like this. A man was traveling into a new town and happened to pass by one of the residents. He asked the resident what kind of people are in the town and the resident asked him what kind of people were in the town he came from. He told the resident the people were mostly bad and the resident told him that is what he would find in the town. Another man was walking through and happened upon the same resident and asked the resident what kind of people lived in the town and the resident asked him what kind of people were in the town he came from. The man told the resident mostly good people lived in the town where he came from and the resident told him that is what he would find in the new town.
It’s all in your perspective-that’s the moral of the story. When I see evil things happen to the innocent, I see it as evil and something completely contrary to God’s nature.
I’m not preaching, promise, just wanted to throw out there to not forget the devil is alive and well and he LOVES to meet pieces of shit who have simple enough minds along with free will to do this to a horse. I’d bet God was there with her. Maybe God’s intervention was the simple fact that she was dumped where she’d be found and her suffering ended. We’ll never know, but that’s what gets me thru the day.
WOW! I just read about the man who lived parttime at the park near where the poor mare was dumped being shot by following Fenfox 1′s link.
Makes you think- what a coincidence. With the reward for info getting higher, could someone have panicked and thought this guy saw something he shouldn’t ,and would come forward for the money? Maybe they solved their potential problem by getting rid of him too- this time with a bullet?
This whole thing is getting just too weird– but then all of this is happening in L.A., which friends who have moved there tell me is a “whole different world.”
I love to hear happy kitty stories! I had to have a 17 yr old pts last fall and decided that 2 kitties weren’t enough so off to the cat rescue I went. There were 2 litters, 6 or 8 weeks old. I fell for the littlest guy, tuxedo kitty, who was still pretty sickly but very active.
After nearly a month I realized something was wrong. I’d lift his toy (dressage whip) over his head and he wouldn’t follow it and his pupils seemed overly dilated. He’s nearly blind! Vet confirmed that his retinas are detached, probably due to a high fever. It was almost impossible to tell. His senses are so acute that he ‘hunted’ toys by sound and can catch flies in mid air. Yet he’ll run head first into alpha kitty (or sometimes the couch, laundry basket…) on a regular basis and get himself in trouble.
He has a home for life and I may get him a little football helmet for his birthday. He’s the biggest love, full belly exposure with every cuddle and he touches my face with his paws to feel where I am. I melt!
Hey fugly, check out this website i found, i wonder if this is where the krayzee kolor breeders get their info. I mean where else can you get a Palomino Dun Tobiano? http://www.hajinc.com/index.php?affid=1
If we could only get the krayzee kolor breeders to stick to this web site and quit breeding there will be far less horses headed to Mexico.
I saw that site when I was looking for coat color information for some story stuff. ><
Umm…you get one by having chestnut + single dose of cream + dun + tobiano. It’s a real color.
(Actually, some of the best dun factor I’ve seen was on a little palomino dun pony…he had a yellow body, a white mane and tail and beige dorsal and zebra stripes…real pretty.)
I don’t see anything wrong with color breeding until quality and workability is sacrificed. Then its a problem.
Same here. As long as it’s still a quality horse, nothing wrong with liking a pretty color.
An update to this story: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/08/128.shtml
Plus the outrage of readers ….: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/08/130.shtml
Update is here: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/08/128.shtml
Blows my mind that this hasn’t been picked up by mainstream media. News stations in Seattle follow police-chases in LA so why hasn’t this gotten national attention? I am baffled!
I am with FHOTD on this one. There are not enough cuss words in the world to say about the FUCK WADS that did this. Rot in HELL you slimy bastards. I hope you die a painful, suffering death you piece of SHIT. And when I die, I am going to ride the beautiful mare you destroyed to HELL and together we will kick your ass, you douche bag.
Now excuse me,,,I am going to go give my two horses apples, carrots and a bunch of kisses.
Have you heard this story yet?
Here’s a Facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=14240258&id=716565611&ref=fbx_album#!/photo.php?pid=4886485&id=156850604680&comments
Ppl who use animals as source of revenge are more nastier than those who just neglect thier animals. The revengers are doing this to spite another person and deliberatly causing suffering to an innocent being for the act of “getting back”. They, themselves need to be treated as such.That poor animal or child didnt do anything to warrent such atrocities.
“Will took us all for a ride (Welcome to Wills Forum.)
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Kansas man convicted locally on animal abuse charges
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Daily Dunklin Democrat
Caruthersville, MO.,– A Kansas man was convicted of animal neglect in Pemiscot County Circuit Court on Monday and surrendered custody of two draft horses and one dog to the Caruthersville Humane Society in front of Judge Byron Luber. Wilbur “Webe” Frost was charged with two counts of animal abuse earlier this month when Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Deputies notified the Caruthersville Humane Society about the condition of two horses that camped all night at the Stubtown overpass. The horses were wandering out on the highway and Deputies were concerned about their condition.
Caruthersville Humane Society representatives and Deputy Gary Hilburn went to check on their well being. The horses were malnourished and had not received water for over 18 hours. Both horses sported open wounds and cracked hooves. One horse was limping and Frost told the deputy that the horse had thrown a shoe “several days prior.” A puppy that had facial injuries was also discovered. Frost stated that he puppy had fallen from the wagon and was injured.
Frost temporarily surrendered custody of the horses to the Caruthersville Humane Society for care and evaluation by a veterinarian. After the horses were evaluated, Pemiscot County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wynes charged Frost with two counts of animal abuse. When the warrant was served, Frost implied that he had a bomb in his room at the Economy Inn.
Frost was represented by Public Defender Lesley Lynn. He was scheduled for a bench trial Monday but just prior the trial, he entered his plea of guilty to one count of animal neglect. Part of his plea agreement included surrendering custody of all three animals to the Caruthersville Humane Society.
This is a good day for those animals,” Humane Society Manager Erma Page said, “They have needed a lot of care and we are happy that they will continue to be rehabilitated and get the care that they need.”
We are also very happy with the work of the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Department and Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wynes on this case,” Page said, “We are glad that Judge Luber and everyone involved looked out for the animals. We are lucky to have that cooperation.” Page also thanked many residents who donated feed and hay for the horses’ care.”
http://www.webefrost.com/forum/board_entry.php?id=21
Now he’s on his forum calling for money for a lawyer and that he was robbed AGAIN… this man needs to be stopped! How many animals does he need to abuse before someone will put him away!
http://osagejaguar.com/forum/index.php?as=tll4id2zhsofppxus6itrw6ynufjcfrn&tid=41
That’s supposed to be a draft horse???
No, that’s Roxxie a fox trotter, his third? horse to have been removed from his possession. She was so lame, she was dragging her hind hoof and wouldn’t put any weight on it.
It’s hard to follow, he had a gray mare that apparently was in foal!? that he traded for a buggy. He’s trading horses and getting them taken away so fast it makes your head spin. This guy does NOT CARE about his horses at all.
I’m a little surprised that this story hasn’t hit the TV news in LA. I mean, there’s a cash reward involved and everything! But no. Snooki’s tan lines are more important.
It just boggles the mind. I don’t care what the belief system of the slime is that thought this was ok to do to an animal or what their “reasons” are. I don’t want to pay for their upkeep at all, or share the same country, (or planet for that matter).
My feeling is that if you are found guilty of this kind of abuse you will get your citizenship revoked. You would then be striped of all belongings and shipped to a suitable country, (like Sudan or Ethiopia). Your work would be to feed and care for the residents and their animals with no food for you until everyone in your area was fed. You would never be able to return to the USA to live. Of course your family would have the option of going or staying if they were not actively involved.
My mother-in-law was given a TWH mare that was pretty close to this condition. We got her in winter, so she spent 4 months confined to a stall in the barn for fear of her freezing to death until she gained some kind of fat on her body. Her feet looked about the same also. She is happily bare foot and looks just as great as any show horse around. The best thing of all, she has a heart and temperment of gold. These 2 just remind me of what she looked like almost 2 years ago.
Good lord! REALLY?!?! The person(s) who did this should be left like trash the way this poor mare was…. poor girl… I’m glad someone offered her some love and compassion at the end… too bad she was so far gone that nothing could be done.. I REALLY hope they catch the asshats who did this! Thank you for posting!
This isn’t an isolated incident. In my area (Riverside, CA) they dump them in the riverbed.
TIER brought in two that had been dumped:
Dancin Shecky – TB http://www.tierrescue.org/DancinShecky.htm
Spin Around – TB http://www.tierrescue.org/SpinAround.htm
We also brought in one older gentleman that had been dumped in the desert: Tsan Tsant: http://www.tierrescue.org/TsanTsan.htm
These were horses dropped off in an unpopulated area without access to food. Horses dumped at the riverbed have access to water, but there is mostly bamboo down there. When horses are not eating, they are not drinking. Horses that have been fed by people all their lives don’t really have the know how to fend for themselves.
What was done to this mare and what was not done for this mare is horrendous. Can you imagine her “last ride” in her weakened state and then being dumped in a concrete neighborhood? As weak as she was, I would not doubt that her shoes slipped on the asphalt/concrete and she went down. The only good thing about her being dropped off in that area is that it was populated and she was able to be euthanized without having to stand in the bamboo or desert sand suffering minute by minute.
It is my sincere hope that these asshats are caught. If they have other horses I wonder where they will dump those?
We haven’t heard anything from AC on the two dumped in the riverbed and the one dumped in the desert. Since they are older, it is tough to track ownership as they most likely have changed hands many times through the years. Identification of the 2 TBs was done by tattoos.
We have heard from AC on another horse we brought in that they are finally in court. They requested recent pictures. Hopefully they will notify us of the outcome.
One of the recent articles put her age in her 20′s (give or take a few years). Being that she was “older” I think it’s fair to say that she put in several years of being a good horse or she would not have made it that far. All those years of being the best she could be and then to be rewarded by starving her and dumping her in the streets.
There are days I am ashamed to be a member of the human race.
“An officer took an apple from her lunch and fed it to the horse, and she was so excited to receive this treat.” OMG this just breaks my heart. To anyone who has ever had to put an old or suffering horse down – giving them their last treats is just heartbreaking. To think that this poor animal took such pleasure in receiving that apple as her last gift makes me want to just cry.
We have a sheriff impound mare that was dumped off on hwy 82 near Wichita Falls, Tx. She is very thin and teeth in bad condition. Hooves looked in good condition. She is an arab mare, seems to have been handled alot. She is not timid or scared. She may have been run thru a sale as she had some sticky stuff on her right side, may have been tag area. She loves being stalled and loves a fan on. She has a habit of sticking her tongue out and flipping it up and down.
Have pictures and would love to get them on this site, incase someone recognizes her.
She has been with us 10 days, but is still in allowable time for owner to reclaim. With her condition, we don’t think that will happen. She is bay.
If you email me the pics I’ll post them: resqtb@yahoo.com
Cathy, do you have an email where I can send you a flyer for two horses stolen from Begin Again Farms in Ellerslie,Georgia? I have tried to attach the flyer with no luck. Thanks to quick email distribution, they were seen at a farm in Athens, ALabama. Someone tried to board them there last night and the barn owner did not know they were stolen until he recieved the flyer via an emial. One horse is a large buckskin and the other a mini buckskin paint. They also stole a white stock trailer and some tack. They are not on netposse yet. What scum! Stealing from a rescue!!
Thanks
i really hope that’s not her COFFIN BONE thats pink and sticking out from underneath her. poor girl. =(
Does anyone have an update on the outcome of the investigation? I don’t think I heard anything more, and whether the people who did this were caught.