I tried, but I can’t figure out a way to buy more minutes!
Jul 05 2011
I’m going to do something on the blog today that I never do…I’m going to put a smile on the face of all the pro-slaughter asshats, faux rescues and abusive, money-grubbing trainers in America, with one single statement: I have gotten too busy to maintain this blog. This probably won’t come as a big shock to my regular readers; you’ve been patiently waiting longer and longer for blog entries and comments to be approved. I kept trying to scramble my schedule and find time to write, but it just isn’t happening, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. So the blog is for sale. It sells with the domain and the rights to all content written to date, which I suspect could be quite lucrative for someone who knows what they are doing (I don’t, and I’m too busy to find out). It is selling to the public with no restrictions; it may or may not go to someone who wishes to continue doing a blog about this subject matter. If you have any desire to bid on it yourself and have your opportunity for a whole lot of horse people to read your two cents worth, here is the listing.
Will I ever do another blog? Maybe, if my schedule changed a lot. I don’t see that in the foreseeable future. Right now I am at the “can I get in a 45 minute nap before I have to do X” point.
Will I still write elsewhere? Maybe. I just did a piece in the July 2011 Horse Illustrated about planning for your horse’s future if something unexpected happened to you. I do enjoy writing the educational, snark-free stuff…truly I do…and I do welcome offers to do so.
I’ll still Tweet. I seem to do a lot of that from horseback, or while waiting in line, no problem, so I’ll do my best to keep spreading the word about the kind of topics I’ve covered here on FHOTD.
Are there stories I wish I could have gotten to? YES. Oh my God…I have so much piled up in my e-mail. But it just isn’t going to happen. I sincerely apologize for all the unread e-mails in my account and the stories I just didn’t have time to deal with. I know some of them are big stories that should have been covered. Again, one of the reasons I’m quitting is because I know I’m not really doing my job here anymore and I am missing things that should be publicized. That said, there are many other blogs and Facebook pages now that share news to the horse community — many more than existed in 2007 when I started the blog. You guys know how to spread the word when the word needs to be spread — you don’t need a particular blog or particular forum to do it.
Am I retiring in response to some threat? LOL, of course not. You all know my response to threats: I have always said, please feel free to sue me if you believe you have cause. So far, haven’t seen a single complaint. And so far, none of the people who were going to shoot me have found me. Well, either that, or they are not very good shots, because I am sitting here typing this.
Hoover is doing great and will be looking for a home soon, if anyone has the desire to have a VERY snuggly older warmblood who has had a rough life reside with them. I would like to get him out of SoCal…he hates the heat and doesn’t do well in it. He does have some fetlock lameness and he’s not quite fat enough that I’d sit on him yet but my best guess is that he’d be fine for light riding but that is all. Honestly, I’d love for him to have a pet home…he’s been through Hell and he’s so happy to be safe now. Big galoot just lays his big old head in my arms for snuggles…E-mail Katie at Second Chance Ranch if you’re interested in giving Hoover a safe spot for the rest of his life.
The best part about doing the blog, bar none, has been the e-mails from readers thanking me for advice that helped them overcome a training problem or resolve a horse health issue, like a senior horse who needed to gain weight. I absolutely love those. I’m glad I could help. Right up there are the happy endings that I know took place for horses posted here for adoption. Some are in the most fabulous homes!
Here are some of the things I hope you have learned (if you didn’t already know them):
- Old horses are never skinny because they are old. Old horses that are skinny have a problem that can be fixed 99% of the time.- Slaughter is never the right answer. Slaughter provides a paycheck for irresponsible ownership and irresponsible breeding. Are there more horses than homes right now? You bet. The solution is the same sort of anti-breeding campaign that has worked VERY successfully in dogs and cats. I want to see this chart for horses, don’t you?
- There is no miracle about birth. Mosquitos breed. A thirty year old horse that is still in a great home and receiving excellent care…THAT is a miracle and something to be heartily applauded.
- That sick feeling in your stomach is NEVER wrong. If you feel it about a trainer, barn, etc. – RUN and take your horse(s) with you.
- Breeding animals responsibly isn’t easy. It actually takes a lot of research, knowledge and money. Most people should never breed an animal.
- Horses appreciate having a kind, fair, consistent leader — not a best friend that they can plow over and push around.
- That said, temper tantrums are counterproductive in everything from horse training to the job world. Learn to have self control. Not every impulse needs to convert itself into an action. Walking away is always better than losing it.
- Every time you think “oh, I should fix that, but it’ll be fine for tonight” — it won’t be. This is like a law of nature. Fix it tonight.
- Every time you think that something might be a bad idea, it is probably a bad idea. Remember the gal who tied the lead rope to her waist…
- The reason you have to report abuse or neglect is because horses and other animals can’t type or use the telephone. You are the only chance they have. Take pictures FROM THE ROAD…NEVER trespass. Go down to animal control or the sheriff’s and file a report. Call in a few weeks and follow up. If you fear you are being ignored, and that the situation is urgent, call your local media. Post to horsey message boards and blogs with the numbers to call to demand action. Getting a prosecution is a long, difficult but very rewarding road, especially when you see the horses safe in new homes that do take care of them.
- You cannot tell a rescue is good from their web site or Facebook page. Please support GFAS Accredited Rescues or rescues that you can visit in person (ideally, on a regular basis) and verify are taking proper care of their animals. Also look for a lot of before/after pictures proving the horse improved, as well as the ability to account for the whereabouts of horses adopted out years ago.
- You will not enjoy riding and your horse more from attending clinics or watching videos. You will enjoy riding and your horse more from riding a lot and taking lessons from a good trainer so that riding becomes easier and your ability to communicate with your horse improves. The better you ride, the less equine misbehavior you will experience. If you have fear issues, the #1 most valuable thing you can do to combat them is improve your riding, because that makes scary things happen less often.
- Also, on fear issues, allow me to quote something I read on Facebook and loved: “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes. ~ William Gibson” Stop thinking you’re a shitty rider because your trainer is an insecure asshat who has to yell at and belittle students to make him/herself feel better. GET A NEW TRAINER.
- Turn-out is NOT optional. How well would you perform if you were locked in a shower stall whenever you weren’t at work? All horses need regular turn-out.
- Colic is 99% avoidable with daily turnout, regular rotational deworming (or fecals to determine what is needed), fresh and clean water available 24/7, a low stress environment, sand treatment if you’re in the sandy part of the country, and a consistent diet. If you are having colics frequently, figure out why.
- Proper conditioning is the #1 thing you can do to lower your vet bills and extend your horse’s useful life. When you do not ride all week and then go out on hilly trails for six hours on Saturday, do not come crying to me when your horse pulls a suspensory. That is like you trying to run 20 miles once a week after sitting in your recliner eating Ding Dongs the rest of the time … let’s see you do it. And folks, when your trainer is telling you in a lesson to push your horse past what YOU know your horse’s fitness level is, you have to say no. Ask yourself who will be paying the vet bill…will it be your trainer? Uh, no. So you have to have the guts to say, he’s tired, I want to quit now and cool him out. Even if he’s being bad, do something easy that he can get right, and then quit. There’s no value to making a training “point” that results in a horse that is out of commission for six months!
- It really is true…the vast majority of equine misbehavior results from pain. Before you punish, check for a sore back or neck, lameness, or dental problems. Check saddle fit, make sure the horse hasn’t been crammed into too-small shoes.
- Parents, put a helmet on your child every time they are on a horse. It is a long way down and all it takes is landing wrong to be a quadriplegic. When you are an adult, you can do as you see fit, and assume the risks you see fit, but a 5 year old cannot make those kind of adult choices. While we’re on the topic, stop overmounting your kid…the rest of us are all tired of watching in horror to see if the child will survive the parade on the jiggy horse who looks about to explode, or the hunter round on the horse who is clearly running off, or the barrel run on the horse who is bouncing off the arena walls like the meth head stripper on “Intervention” was bouncing off her room walls.
- No one person has all the answers when it comes to horses. Any of you might come up with an amazing solution to a training or health issue (or diagnose a pesky health issue that the vet couldn’t figure out). Read, read, read, and watch the trainers in your discipline whose horses are both performing well and seem happy (i.e. bright expression, happy ears, fluid movement, a general aura of enthusiasm while performing). I highly recommend The Horse for learning more about horse health. I also highly recommend the Chronicle of the Horse message board as a resource…you’ll find excellent information there.
- Finally, when you are between that proverbial rock and a hard place, and I know those situations happen, euthanasia is (100% of the time) a better solution than the auction. Yes, it will cost a few hundred dollars, so make the call while you still can, after you have made a true good faith effort to place the horse in a checked-out, proper home, but before you are down to your last $50 and your unemployment has run out. The only one who suffers when a horse is euthanized is his owner…he just goes to sleep. I never think of euthanasia as a tragedy. I always think of a horse being shoved onto a double-decker as a tragedy. Now I have three questions for you guys: 1) What was your favorite blog entry or topic here? For sheer entertainment, I do not think you can beat some of the Parelli stuff I had to comment on. I mean, how can you beat the Parellis telling someone to feed carrots to their biting horse? The only thing that isn’t funny about it is that, for example, a horse showed up in the Enumclaw kill pen a month or two ago that was required to go to slaughter because of how aggressive he was. Well, how do you think he got that way? 2) I also want to know what you think was THE fugliest horse ever posted here. I still say this is the winner:
To whoever bred this horse: You need a new hobby
3) And finally, if you have a horse that you adopted because you saw him/her on this blog, can you give us an update? Extra credit for before/after pictures!All right – let’s see if we can find a home for one more! This cutie pie is Cricket, at Shiloh Horse Rescue outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. I know someone is out there who would absolutely love this little mare.
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Well…crappy.
I am sorry that you won’t be writing this blog anymore and hope that someone will buy the rights to it and carry on in your tradition. You certainly deserve something out of the time and effort you have put in here. (Or more to the point, your horses will enjoy the benefit.) I have been reading faithfully since I stumbled on a link to the pictures from the slaughter truck accident from some other site. I rode for half of my life, then was away for the next half, and finally am back. I have learned so much from your blog and the comments, I wouldn’t even know where to start. A few years ago, I started my daughter in riding. Took her to the barn owned by a woman I used to take the odd lesson from long ago and she was friends with my instructor (who moved out of Canada the last I heard 
). She was never taught by the same woman I knew and one comment from the instructor really raised red flags for me. I had been reminding my daughter that when you work around a horse, always let them know where you are and to NEVER just approach quietly from behind. Her instructor said something along the lines of the horse knows where you are, even when you are behind him – just walk up. Great thought…until you startle the horse and get a kick to remind you not to sneak up on him. I moved her to another barn the next week, a place I used to ride eons ago, now under a new owner who is so much like my old trainer I call her the old ones name half the time. Her philosophies are sound and the horses are well looked after. School horses are retired and live out their days being well looked after. The mare I put so much work in long ago is there and no longer able to work other than lead line lessons with little kids – at 28 she looks great and ponied my 4 year old around with great care. On cross ties, she stands perfectly still, moving only when he asks or when she suddenly has to lick him.
I spent many years wanting a horse. I have never had one, not because of lack of offers, but because I could never make the financial commitment to one. Now, I am ready to make the commitment to one for the rest of his/her life. Full support of family. So I’m looking. The rescue I had been in contact with about one I liked is no longer returning my calls. I think she either wants to keep him herself or keep him closer to her, either way fine…but you could have said something. Told this to someone I know who has horses, she is putting me in touch with a boarder at her barn. They retired their gelding from the track, refused to sell him. Insisted that he have a year off and go to a good home. *Fingers crossed* and if not him there is an OTTB rescue nearby that I can work with. I have talked to my riding instructor and she has space. I know that he will be well cared for there, lots of turnout and close attention paid to all of the horses. I feel comfortable asking questions and getting straight answers. Only 10 minutes from home, come over anytime – works for me. We are looking for something to ride but if something happens and this horse becomes a pasture puff, then that is what happens. I was very clear with hubby and kids. I have waited my entire life to make this kind of commitment. It is for the rest of this horse’s life. In a perfect world, our horse will stay safe and sound and we’ll have years of riding, but on the chance something does happen, we’ve made a decision to look after him…NO MATTER WHAT. B/O knows it too.
So through your blog I can really now more than ever see when people are doing things right and wrong. Hopefully when I see wrong, I will have the strength to speak out against it.
Whatever happens, I hope that we can still go through and read old comments and blogs, there is so much helpful information there. Maybe when you have time there can be a whole series of books in your future??
OH!!! I just remembered. I think at one point you had as a subject the cost of putting kids in riding vs what it does for building confidence and keeping them out of trouble. Have I lost my mind or was that really in here? Do you have a link? I’d love to print that because I know the day will come when I need to have it handy. lol
I think that sounds like I wrote it but THAT one I’m not sure how to find…let me work on it
Thank you! Wow! That was the quickest you have ever approved a comment of mine. You’re right, you have way more free time to blog now that you have quit the blog. Just made an appointment to go meet the cute chestnut gelding that has had his year off. Friday afternoon should be interesting.
I can appreciate your situation. I lost my job and so stated a blog, and then another, and then another (just for fun), but it’s VERY time consuming. Now that I have another job, it’s really hard to keep up with ANY posts at all, let alone on a daily or even weekly basis. There are a lot of well-spoken people on here, that are very knowledgeable too. Let’s hope one of them takes this blog over, and not some nutcase who’s paying for it with their 501-3c, just to “right your wrongs,” (read that as “clear their names”) as they may have read them!
Good luck!
Thank you Cathy, for a great body of work that is this blog. My favorite blogs were of course the two time FUGLY award winner, Amber Hyder. No matter how much crap I took for that, you were the only one in the end that really had my back. Your advise about retaining council (with all the regular lawsuit threats)….hava Margarita and wait for the subpoena….was priceless!
All the cliches apply…you’ll be a tough act to follow; no one can fill your shoes; say it ain’t so; it was a great run while it lasted; and so it goes…..
All the luck, good fortune and best wishes to you, Cathy! You’ve always gone above and beyond to help horses and as many people. End of an era and so it goes…..
You still haven’t seen a complaint, have you?
Yep.
Sorry folks but when you are working at the 7-11 and have 3 kids and 8 horses and four judgments against you in the past 2 years, I KNOW you are not hiring counsel to sue me or anyone else. This is a fact.
No ma’am! I have never gotten served….except for a margarita!
I might bite.
Curious about whether the concept is copyrighted and if so did you copyright?
I would need more than the brief time opportunity offered by the listing, however. For two reasons: one, I need to ensure that my co-investor isn’t in the least squeamish and would need to have on speed dial a new not-squeamish attorney whose cast-iron stomach is exceeded only by an even harder “fist”; two, a brief market study/business analysis needs to be considered (as you know, it’s not the initial investment it’s the upkeep – just as with horses).
And not sure my technical skills approach yours and any transaction would need to include a bit of coaching – on your turf, of course.
Like you I have been in the lawbiz for many years. Probably like you, I have been speaking my mind since I learned to talk and am not about to shut up any time soon. I share the philosophy of the blog and have enough depth of knowledge of all things equine to match. The only thing I would be interested in changing might be to begin to try to rally support for MUCH stiffer laws and regulations to prevent/punish animal abuse in general and horse abuse in particular. You, yourself, even if you didn’t realize it, actually laid the groundwork for a more appropriate (and modern) body of laws by developing the following that you have. I might be interested in taking that to the next level. In that regard, you may recall I thought of starting a similar project with the focus being dogs but there are already some significant contributions in that field. For horses, though, not so much. (And I’m not convinced that COTH could take your place in any way because they get too bogged down with internecine warfare over there.)
Assume I can reach you at the resq tb e-mail?
I never formally copyrighted anything. You know how it goes – the farrier’s horses are the last to be done, and in my case I never got off my dead butt to apply any of my I.P. law knowledge to my own work!
I really appreciate what you have to say and I know people are DYING for a doggie version of FHOTD…you really might want to think about that.
I’ve been seeing this “well it’s not copyrighted” sort of thing a lot lately, and it’s perplexing to me. If you’re really in the lawbiz, you should be aware that copyright is an automatic process which occurs at the time of creation. You don’t have to “formally copyright” something. When you wrote it on a physical medium, it was copyrighted at that moment.
If I’m “really in the lawbiz”? Oh, please.
And internet blogs are not a physical medium.
All the best to you, your horses, and particularly the VLC, who I will miss hearing from. I have learned so much here, thank you. No one can match you level of pure righteous snarkiness- sigh. But hope someone can take up the task of speaking for the horses. (And maybe pay you handsomely as well!)
Words from me will never adequately express my deepest thanks to you for all that you have done for the love of horses.
You have been a shining beacon of sanity for me in this “mess” that we call the “horse world”.
Your absolute dead-on morals and character, and the courage to act upon them is so much more admirable than mere words can express.
Your words, via this blog no more, will leave a deafening silence.
All I can do is thank you so much for the Herculean effort over the past several years, despite all of the hatred and “IEDs” thrown down on your path, and I will miss you greatly.
Much good luck to you in your future endeavors.
I get the feeling she kind of enjoys watching the “IEDs” blowing up. Truth and a lawyer’s knowledge of libel law makes you pretty much invulnerable to those.
I’ll miss reading the blog. Cathy – good job raising consciousness and being true to yourself. You set a wonderful example of courage too – not backing down when you are in the right, not being afraid to fight. Best Wishes!
If I was running things, I would take time from people who are wasting their lives playing video games or lawnmower racing and give it to you. You will be sorely missed. And if you are in the Redding area and need a rest stop, look me up.
Parting brag shot: this is Baba Louie. He was on his way to becoming muleburgers last December. He’s wild as a March hare but really trying, bless his little heart. But what do you do with a muddy mule that needs a brushing? Get out the broom. Anyone who knows equines will love the expression on his cute little face:
https://picasaweb.google.com/102130427841765921190/Critters?pli=1&gsessionid=hnvfQM8tkIW1_ErYPtms8Q#5626341836486889986
Cathy, I wish you all the best! Your blog has been the highlight of my day many times in the past 4 years, and it’s the only blog bookmarked to my Firefox tool bar. In fact, it’s currently right between the link to meebo (MSN/AIM/etc. hub) and facebook. I’ve learned a lot from you and from my fellow readers, and I often find myself paraphrasing your advice in conversation with others in my day to day life.
Because of you and your blog, I look at the auction house in my town a lot differently. If I had the money, I’d probably be there every chance I got trying to save a few. Sine I don’t have the resources, I’ve had the be satisfied passing the word along to those who do.
I really hope that whoever buys this blog will continue to publish like-minded topics. In the mean time, I guess I need to hunt for another blog to read!
Did someone say extra credit? Here is the best Thoroughbred in the world when found on Fugly – May 2008 In case you don’t remember him, he was dumped at the Enumclaw auction and ended up in the kill pen.
This horse is the best ever! We’ve had our challenges with hoof problems along with a few training issues. He is very strong willed and does most things because he decides to be cooperative – and there is usually a treat or a bowl of food when he’s finished. He knows there are worse places to live (since he’s lived in about 3 or 4 of them). Now he can be ridden in a halter. He has never bucked or reared. Kids and beginners ride him and he’s perfect. When an experienced rider gets on, he will test them and play his little games. There is never a dull moment with him on the farm. He is mostly used for trail riding, but is also a mentor for new horses on the farm. He is a good leader and ponies newbies, too.
Here he is in a parade we did earlier this year. (The get-up definitely not my idea)
And a pic from yesterday, July 5th 2011, doing what he does best.
He has a home with me forever – I can’t imagine not having him in my life.
Petersburg Knight also has a silly youtube video.
http://youtu.be/2AYiJUIpl-0
I will never forget him, or you – you’re one of my favorite adopters, lifetime! I know this guy is SO happy with you. And he deserves it!
Oh man. Oh man. This is one of the first blogs I ever started reading, and one of the few I’ve stuck with over the years. I have been so grateful for the signal-boosting you and the blog have done, how it can create awareness in people who otherwise might not even realize there’s a problem. I adore your special brand of snark and can’t imagine how any other blog might compare. I really hope someone fantastic buys the blog, but no matter what, you’ll be badly, badly missed.
Thanks, Fugs. Even though I completely understand, I’m terribly bummed to see your Fugly Blog go!
Wow, just, wow. This is a sad day. Dont’ have time to write much, and I haven’t read any of the replies. Hope someone else can take the blog and run with it. It’s been great and extremely informative. I haven’t even had a horse for the last 2 yrs and I still check in everyday, sometimes more than once.
Best Wishes.
I have learned a lot on this blog, not only about horses but about speaking up for what’s right and not letting the bad stuff slide. And not being a bystander, it’s a bit late in the game to learn that but better late then never. I am going to miss reading your wonderfully informative, snarky stories and hope someone else takes on the blog. Good luck in all your endeavors.
*Thank you* for your efforts with the Nebraska 200 – Piglet (and we) will always be grateful!
Oh my gosh…THANK YOU for the update!
I will never forget her repeatedly falling down trying to get loaded…and there was one particular asshat who didn’t want to listen to me that she had to go separately or she’d get killed (not a HSUS person)…so I have to applaud Scotland Haisley from HSUS who DID listen to me and put her on her own trailer. I think that is the reason she is alive today and with you.
Attack the HSUS all you want, folks, but this mare being alive and happy is definitely thanks to them. I’ll continue my support.
I loved, loved, loved reading this blog for the past four years. You have made a profound change, for the good, in many people’s thoughts and actions regarding the welfare of horses. I thank you, and my beloved horses thank you. I ask my God to watch over you, Fugs. You will be sorely missed.
I sure will miss reading your blog and the comment circus, but I do understand you’re incredibly busy and all good things must come to an end. That said, I’ll still watch ya’ on twitter and tweet at you occasionally. I’ve learned a lot from reading your entries and the comments that go with them. Thanks for all the good times haha!
Good luck with the sale!
Wow, this sucks :/
But seeing as heaps of people will be seeing this post I thought I’d put up another asshat for the world to admire: Morgan Performancehorses
This is his facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/WPHUSMPH
This is what bothers me:
There was a shot of the horse without saddle but I didn’t save it in time before it was deleted, sorry guys.
This is the guy’s website:
http://morganperformancehorses.com/index.html
And if he takes down those photos I shall upload them to tinypic or something.
He wants $8,500 USD for that rack of bones btw. Can you believe he rides him? Apparently there are videos of it you can see when you are his friend on FB.
Can’t believe anybody would post that sort of stuff online for the world to look at.
Here’ another under saddle:
OMG the feet!
Wow! This caught my attention because I was just at this ranch a few days ago. I saw this horse for myself as I’m thinking of getting him for my daughters. Trust me, the photos don’t do him justice. He’s gorgeous, healthy, and he’s been handled very well. Check your facts man.
What a long, strange trip it’s been for me. Thanks for many things, fugs. I really appreciated your balanced and fair reporting of the horse in the garage story. It kinda helped me “forgive” you, as if you needed that;)
Animal welfare laws suck most everywhere, and good old Ontario Canada is no different. The OSPCA prouldy proclaims how tough the “new” laws are, but at the same time, you can lock any horse up in a cage, and never take it out. You can negelect it to the point of insanity and constant pain. Totally legal. TWO vets said so, therefore it must be true.
Totally wrong.
All the best.
Thanks for being there.
To All Your Fine Horses, people. Love them well.
Thank you Cathy. For many many things. I just have one request before you leave us though:
Please, please, puh-LEEEZ consider printing everything that you have posted and send it to a publishing company when you have more time. Lots of non-horse people would buy those books, and I know I’d buy like 10 dozen and pass them out to all the riders I know. Please think about it!
The only upside I can see to this is that I’m going to be starting my freshman year at college next month and will actually be studying instead of reading the blog. I guess that means I get to be a vet sooner rather than later, but that’s the only plus. We’ll miss you.
I’m selling the blog WITH all the old content. So if someone wants to publish it, they need to buy the blog. About an hour and half left
I can’t believe you’re ditching us for a real life. You were most appreciated, and will be greatly missed. Hands down the biggest horse hero there ever was .
Enjoy the next chapters in life i’m sure they will be amazing!
The 3000 post still my favorite I go back and read it on occasion and laugh until my stomach hurts.
This officially marks this day as utterly crappy.
I just learned that the owner I sold my first and only horse (that I trained and she’s had now for 3 years) to is now considering selling him and I am scared to death that the next owner won’t keep in touch with me, and I’ll lose track of him and won’t know where he ends up or how or in what condition – and I have very very little opportunity to take him right now. Let me just say that you took me through many trials and tribulations with that horse, and we are both better off because of you
I’ve been loving your posts since 2008 or 2009. I have read ALL OF THEM. After I read one, I went back through the archives to catch up. Took a few days
First post read – the very loooooong one about the Arab horse world and some specific breeders and horses mentioned.
I have no idea how I found out about this blog.
Fugliest horses:
http://fuglyblog.com/?p=20 – First horse. Could definitely compete against the one you mentioned.
http://fuglyblog.com/?p=316 – Then there is that poor little thing.
http://fuglyblog.com/?p=371 – The mare (last horse). They of course bred the poor thing.
http://fuglyblog.com/?p=398 – Seemingly impossible. Two legs growing out of one spot.
Favorite posts: All of the speshul-colored fuglies and BYB posts, especially the tirade on the cremellos. Lol.
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You had a GREAT and successful run. I am assuming that you not spending time on here means your horses (and others that need you) can get more attention from you, and I know they will be better off for it.
Godspeed, Cathy.
Damn i wish I could remember how to get my old avator of the horse with the penis marking to work on this format.
Ah well , I will draw one on my computer screen in crayon of course.
The horses are going to miss you. I hope someone is able to carry on in your shoes because the horses need this blog. Good luck in all you do.
NoooooooooooooooNoooooooooNoooooo. I seriously will DIE without my FUGLY fix! Drama aside, reading the fugly blog has made me become a better horse person. The stories I have read here have been a kick in the butt I needed to do MORE than I had before, to try another way to get some weight on an older horse, to call AC again about the horse with untrimmed feet next door (which worked), etc. This blog has done some truly awesome work!
I am going to miss the updates on some of your repeat offenders….I think Dean of the Photoshopped Ass is probably my favorite………That was classic!
To make you laugh here’s some things I DID NOT know before I stumbled across this blog:
1. Breeding for super special coloured horses should NOT be the primary goal of a breeding program! You nipped that at the bud! Not one funny looking baby was created by the krazy kolor breeder I would have become!
2. Barbed wire is dangerous… Though you’d think I would have eventually looked at all the snags in my clothes and said “Hey… what would happen if…”
3. You can NOT replace an instructor with books and videos.
4. If you are in the presence of someone who knows more than you… keep your mouth shut and listen, chances are they will teach you something. If you happen to know one little detail that they don’t… nobody likes a boasting blabber mouth so either be polite or be quiet!
5. Beginers cannot train horses !Period!
6. Helmets are cheap, easy to use and way, WAY better than a smashed skull. They also provide a confidence boost if you’re in need of one. A helmet and a set of lessons is the fastest way to over come fear.
7. Sometimes the rainbow bridge is the best option and there is no shame in that.
8. Stand up for what you believe is right, I knew that, but now I have the guts to actually do it.
There really is sooooo much more but those are probably the biggest ones. Thanks for everything, this hillbilly is Edumkated naw
……….. at least well started. Fugs, you do deserve a break. I can’t imagine the time and effort it took to keep this blog going. I hope you spend your new free time enjoying the company of your horses and… put the darn gadgets away!!! No tweeting, texting, facebooking, ect. while riding!!! 
That time is precious!!! SHESH!!
Thank you, to everyone that has ever offered up advice and knowledge on this blog. I will miss attempting to absorb as much information as I possibly can from all of you.
OH!!! and THANKS to who ever it was who recomended the sports bra! I CAN sit a trot now, sans le black eye!!!!! hahaha
Good bye all, from Stacy and Annie out in “the sticks!”
Cathy, I met you at the SAFE (Save A Forgotten Equine) horse show in August 2009. I talked to you and told you that BECAUSE OF THIS BLOG, I had purchased a rescue horse from Sunny Acres Farm in Grandview, WA. We rescued a BIG, dark-bay Thoroughbred gelding and my little 10 year old daughter had just started riding him. You mentioned us in the blog here http://fuglyblog.com/?p=923.
Anyway, Bubba has turned out to be the best horse I have ever owned! He is starting his jumping career and was one of the horses used at the most recent Susie Hutchinson clinic in Issaquah, WA. I couldn’t be happier and I OWE IT ALL TO YOU! I read this blog for about a year and decided that when I did get a horse, I would ONLY get a rescue–not only did I rescue Bubba, but I made room at the rescue facility for another horse to be rescued. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I remember you and your daughter and your beautiful horse, and was so thrilled that you’d adopted from Shelly. She is a wonderful person and he is a wonderful horse (and a lucky one to have a little girl of his very own and a loving mom to pay the bills!)
I’ll definitely miss the fugly blog! Its given me hours of amusement reading back over old posts.. I’ve laughed, cried, been shocked and done quite a few facepalms over the topics posted on this blog. I’ve learnt so much of a large range of topics and am passing them on to my new-to-horses fiance (Who is thankfully quite quick to agree on them
) I know that when I (hopefully) return to owning horses again they will be much better off. I’m also very glad that my mum never gave into my pleading when I was 9 for our 18 year old pony mare to have a foal cause i thought it would be cuuutee.
Thanks for the good times and best of luck with your future adventures Cathy!
I really do hope whoever buys the blog can continue in your footsteps.. it would be a real shame to see it lost forever.
glad to see you go. made my day, year, life , to read that you are going. may you rot in hell along with all your scum followers …
I had to approve this comment just so that we could giggle about it.
The fact that Cathy selling the fhotd blog made your whole life only proves that you lead a sad little life and while your comment did make me giggle, it also made me feel a little sorry for you. As for the part about Fugly’s followers going away you are wrong. There are too many of us for anyone to shut us down, shut us up or shut us out and we will speak up when the voice in our head and heart asks us “What would Fugly do?”
As a little salute to you Cathy I actually stood up and told the people at the end of my road that their horses look skinny and had the beet pulp mush recipe in hand to show them when they said they are old. I heard from the woman who runs the feed store that they purchased the beet pulp and some supplements so YAY for the horses! Really gonna miss you!
KUDOS TO YOU! See, sometimes that is all it takes to help a horse. Lots of people really do just need to be educated. Thank you for having the guts to say something.
Cathy – I’m so sad that the Fugly Blog will be no more. Could I suggest one thing for all those who will miss your unique, telling and truthful style? Format all your past entries into an ebook/PDF and sell copies for £10 a piece… or whatever price you see fit. (Sorry, or $, but I’m from the uk!)
I’m sure I speak for a lot of people when I say that the thought of all your posts disappearing into nothingness is too great a loss to bear thinking about. That way all your dedicated readers will have something highly entertaining and educational to remember you by, and Hoover can have some money towards his retirement fund!
So much love to you, your VLC, Hoover, and current collection of crabby old bats.
I will miss you. x
That was suggested to me but again, I really don’t have time. I think it’s a GREAT idea for whoever buys the blog to do that (the ebook thing).
Just hope one of the featured folks don’t buy this and rewrite everything. I can see this blog being a bad thing in the wrong hands.
Oh, Fugs. Your wit and determination won’t be matched, I know it. The most unique thing about this blog is its freedom from that squishy “nurturer” attitude, the one that compels people to say that forgiveness is the most important social action when the hell it is. I learned so much from you.
I found out about Second Chance Ranch because of this blog, and I know it is the first place I will find my new jumper after grad school. On reeeeally long days, that thought alone can get me through! Thank you, and I wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I have learned so much here. I have laughed so much here. I have cried so much here.
I’m soooo bummed. I really hope the content on the site is archived as a resource. If the site doesn’t hit your reserve maybe you could publish???? I know that takes time too but I sure hope the content isn’t wasted. You’ve achieved a lot and helped so many. What a great job you’ve done to educate.
A book. make a book!!!!!!! Too much info to go to waste. Thanks for starting something really special that touched a lot of people. We’ll all be missing you.
Well, it may not hit the reserve, so if it doesn’t, then I may try to find out how to do the ebook thing. I just don’t have any TIME to do this stuff. I want to hand it to someone and say, YOU do it and take a cut. But I don’t know who can do that for me.
Perhaps there’s a reader out there who is qualified and has the time available to take on the job of editing and compiling your content into a book. Do a shout out. I come across so many people in my work that have so many different skills I’ve learned to really utilize barter as a way to get things done that I don’t have the time or skill to do myself. Hell I’m trading right now with a customer who is a gifted (but unemployed) writer to post stuff on my blog right now
hahaha. If no luck in this bad economy getting the $$ you want maybe you could find someone that could give the info a good home with the potential for $$ down the road.
Um, I totally know how to do this. I work in an Advertising Agency and am a full time web designer, developer. If you’re interested in doing this, we could probably make you a lot more than $10,000 from selling the blog. I’d work for a cut. Feel free to contact me at katie@gofreshdesign.com
I have worked with authors and other web-publishers with monetizing the site. Hit me up. If you’re making $1000 a month on your own, I could easily help you make a bunch more. Then you could just write from time to time and I could manage the rest.
Fugs,
This is the only blog I read!
You know what they say, when the gardener goes, the garden goes. Individuals are truly not replaceable.
Am I bummed? Yes. But it’s a selfish kind of a bummed.
On the other hand….
Good for you.
I’ve never been able to figure out how you’re able to juggle the posts, answering emails, posting comments, etc, etc, etc, along with a full time job and horses…. Maybe you type on a laptop in the passenger seat while creeping down the 405 during rushhour? 
So while I’ll miss your writing, in my mind I’ve decided that all the extra time that you spent on the blog is now going to be spent on horses. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not— I just like the idea of it. How in the world can we begrudge you that? I’d say you’ve more than earned it!
So, yeah. We’ll miss your voice, but I like the mental picture I’ve got of you spending more time horseback, scratching beneath itchy manes, and planting kisses on that little soft spot between their nostrils.
PS: Mugwump over at MugwumpChronicles did a great piece about your adieu, and in it she mentioned thatshe credits you with inspiring her to blog. Well, Mugs was the one I credit with me starting to take my writing a little more seriously, so I guess in a roundabout way I have you to thank. So, thank you
Ha ha, no I have never posted from the 405 but I admit I have Tweeted when traffic was at a total standstill.
Best of luck, Cathy, and thank you so much for all of your hard work writing this blog! To echo everyone else, I have certainly learned a lot. Here’s hoping that the next owner of this blog will continue in your fine legacy.
Fugly! I’m singing out loud and clear in the chorus of hundreds (thousands?) who are wailing, “Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!” at the news of your leaving the blog, which has been an indispensable part of my day for the past four years. There is little I can add to all the praise and heart-felt thanks expressed by other commenters, but for me a powerful learning from this blog is that tears and hand-wringing are not enough – you have to DO something when you see a horse at risk.
And so I did – last year, in the comments to a post, there was a link to a Craigslist ad showing a pathetic half-starved little fugly apparently being ridden as a weanling. A closer look at the ad copy made it almost worse – the horse was already two years old but so stunted it *looked* like a weanling! And, of course, the ad went on to say, “Must sell quick” (translation: otherwise it’s off to the auction and the double decker to Mexico).
First I gasped. Then I bought him, from hundreds of miles away and sight unseen except for the photos in the ad. A year and a half later, he has grown 4 or 5 inches, filled out, been brought along slowly in his ground work and is ready to go under saddle, the right way this time. And is a real sweetheart too.
Here he is in his Craigslist ad:
http://dsc00375.jpg
And today:
http://dsc01443.jpg
(Hope these show up!) (FHOTD in: You have to upload them somewhere like photobucket and then post the direct link. I’d LOVE to see them!)
Sincerest thanks, Cathy, and the best of everything in all you do.
Jen
I second all that’s been said here. I’ve never followed a blog before and started this one when a friend forwarded me an exerpt in 2007. I’ve owned horses for 40 years but this has opened my eyes to aspects of the industry that frankly appalled me – and the determination of people to correct it and to inform ‘the world’ of the abuses is what really drew me in.
Thank you Cathy for all you’ve accomplished – education is the greatest gift you can give because it ‘keeps on giving’ and it’s the horses who will ultimatly benefit. This blog will never be the same but that dosen’t mean it can never be as good – there are some wonderful people out there and with luck one of them will step in. BTW I am owned by the old arab Harry who was the Happy Thanksgiving horse in 2008 (I think) and he has just turned 35, is still sound, happy (fat) and in light work.
All the best and I know you will be sucessful in whichever direction you take. I too will miss your wit and no-nonsence advice. Slainte!
Hooray for Harry! I love it that he’s 35 and still trucking along…that’s awesome!
I know how you feel- life changes and sometimes you have to make tough decisions about what to sacrifice, in order to have enough time to get everything else in your life done. It sucks when that happens and you have to give up something you enjoy.
I see the blog did not make it to your reserve price.
I was thinking about you and this blog and I had a thought- instead of selling the blog, why not do something like, switch to posting blog topics from contributors, instead of writing them yourself- and contribute some or all of the advertising revenue to deserving rescues? Maybe even get someone to maintain the blog for you, pay them a set % of advertising revenue, and that way you’d have control over it but not have to actually write it.
I know there are several good rescues you regularly promote- I’d be shocked if one of them wouldn’t have someone who’d step up and take over most or all of the work in exchange for a bit of pay and donations to their rescue.
It’s your blog, to do with as you see fit- but I will be very sad to see it disappear if that is what happens to it. I’ve enjoyed (and been often horrified by) the Fugly blog for years now- it’s such a habit to pull it up daily to see what’s new. You’ve been doing a great service to horses and horse people. I hope the blog lives on.
I have tried guest writers before and it never works out because people don’t read and think it’s me writing. I’m not interested in doing that. And really, there is no option other than selling it that creates zero work. I have a couple of interested buyers…just would like to get them up to my price.
Oh, man. This just ruined my whole week! I skip reading the blog for a couple of days (shocking, I know!) only to return to this!! WTH?!?! I feel like crying…which is so weird to have that kind of emotional attachment to a BLOG! LOL!
Cathy, you have made me a better animal person. Instead of fretting, wondering “should I do/say something?” Now, I just DO something. Last week, I called animal control about a skinny horse and wasn’t the least bit worried about “what will people think”. Recently, I was the whistle blower that rallied a group of people to save a couple of ponies at an auction from who-knows-what kind of fate, and I was instrumental in getting one of the pony’s breeders to step up and do the right thing. Three years ago, I rescued a pony (before and after pics here – we still have him and love him to pieces) because of this blog, because I felt I had to DO something.
I want to make it crystal clear (to the haters, mostly) that I never would have done ANY of these things if I hadn’t been empowered by this blog. I am so grateful to you, Cathy. I know the animals I’ve helped are grateful. And I know that I am just a drop in the bucket compared to all of your other readers who have also helped other animals. You, my friend, have had a huge ripple effect and I hope it doesn’t end any time soon! What a legacy to have!
To all my fellow faithful Fugly readers (FFFR’s?): KEEP THE FAITH and Keep On Keepin’ On!
Before:
After:
He is BEAUTIFUL!
Shame. I need to get a picture of my trainer’s pony…I want one last pony day, dang it.
This thing…first of all, when they were handing out mane, she sneaked to the back of the queue and got herself seconds. I was riding her and I tried to pat her shoulder and couldn’t find it!
Second…she has the most awesome dun factor ever. It looks like she’s been splashed with darker red…to the point where one of the girls at the barn on seeing her for the first time went in and *tried to brush it off*. Hee!
Wow. I will admit to a few minutes of sadness when I read this; this blog has always been the place I come to start my mornings and it will be sorely missed! The no bull**** attitude has always been a breath of fresh air.
However, thank you so much for the four years you have blogged! You truly have made an enormous difference and I cannot express how much I appreciate all the time and work you’ve put in. So while I am sad that FHotD won’t be the same anymore, I am thrilled for you that you will have more time for yourself and your animals!
I’m crossing my fingers that you get a great price for the blog! Hopefully your successor will choose to continue on and try to live up to the high standard you’ve set.
Congratulations Cathy! Margaritas for you, carrots and scritches for your horses and catnip mice for your kitties.
I hope that you will occassionally keep us updated about the VLC and his continued training.
Good luck!
Say it aint so! I have never owned a horse, never intend to, and don’t ride, but I have learned so much from your blog. About human nature, about the good people in the world and about the really bad bottom feeders. About how one person can make a difference – and you’ve made a world of difference to so many lives, equine and human.
Like so many others, I have stuck with this blog longer than any other blog/website/journal I’ve read. You are simply irreplaceable and we will miss you.
Like everyone else here, I’m VERY sad to see this era end. Like a lot of the other commenters have mentioned, I was not only entertained by this blog but I also learned a LOT. I found myself forming strong opinions on issues that I had either not previously been aware of or had never really considered before (HYPP, horse slaughter, irresponsible breeding, just to name a few). At the time I discovered this blog, I was working at a farm that was not taking care of the horses in a way I found acceptable. While I knew this, it was at least partially this blog that helped me realize that irresponsible breeding and ‘backyard breeder’ behavior is not always confined to rednecks and ‘Appyfresianwalkaloosa’s (did I get that right?) but sometimes happens in what is supposed to be a high-end barn with purebred, registered horses too. I quit that job and while I probably could make a pretty nice blog entry here about some of the stuff that happened there, at least I made it clear to the owner that I knew what he was doing was wrong and wasn’t going to be a part of it anymore.
So basically what I am trying to say is thanks
Aw Cathy, I’m sorry to see you go.
I realize that “real life” has to take precedence, but over these past few years I’ve enjoyed reading what you’ve had to say. I’ll be sorry to not have FHOTD as part of my daily routine anymore.
Wishing you the best.
I’m sad to see my favorite blog go! But I understand. Life gets in the way!
But please, when you blog on other sites, let us know you’re there!
Definitely my favorites were the original conformational fuglies! Where is that poster, the one with the horse breeds and conformation anomalies when you need it?
This blog will go down in history, for your fearless confrontation of the truth.
Hopefully it will inspire people to break out of that dysfunctional horse society that exists in all disciplines and breeds.
Well shit. That truly sucks.
I haven’t read the other 200+ comments, but I have to say that I wish you would just let the original fuglyblog die rather than sell it only because I fear the purchaser will have completely different motives than you and your good and awesome message will get lost in the new posts. Let someone else start a blog and carry on your tradition.
But, if you get your reserve, good on you. Can’t blame you for capitalizing on your success.
I stumbled on this blog about three years ago, I guess and like most of the other readers, it has changed my life. Cathy, you have altered the way I look at all my animals that I own, not just my horses! Because of this blog, I will never “sell” not even one of my current herd of 5 horses, which includes an adopted Thoroughbred mare named “Westabout” from the LOPE Rescue in Texas. In fact, I only heard about LOPE on your blog, and because of your blog, I adopted Westabout, and bought Lynn Reardon’s book on saving ex-racehorses. Your blog has also changed my mind about my other pets. In facts, every animal I now own has been adopted from a shelter. This includes my 12 yr old hound mix from the local humane society and three cats from three different animal shelters in my area. Last week, a tiny kitten charged out of the woods near my home (which is out in the country). She was either tossed from a car, or rode under the engine until she fell out. She was so sweet and desperate for my attention, I didn’t have the heart to turn her away, so we now have “another” cat. My house is full, but she’ll be vaccinated, spayed, fed and kept in the barn as a mouser. Because of you and your articles about being a responsible owner for the life of your pet. You have forever changed my thinking on that, and influenced how I am raising my children to be advocates for all animals. Thank you.
How VERY cool that you have a LOPE horse! LOPE is one rescue I absolutely, 100% support…Lynn does a great job and her horses are so happy. Thanks for giving a wonderful OTTB a home (and your other animals!)
No time to read all of the comments right now, but I must say that I am completely heartbroken by this news. This blog is part of my day to day life, as well as a very important part of keeping the horse industry informed and educated.
I’m sorry to see this blog go. It won’t be the same without Cathy. I am also taking from this a sort of common sense that she has instilled in most who have been loyal readers. I haven’t been on here in ages, mostly due to unforseen circumstances of being married to the Navy. My husband is stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI and the kids, horses and I lived in Virginia. After an unexpected extention for him there, and a long debate between us and our financial situation, the choice…a very hard choice…was made to rehome the horses, sell the house and move to be with him in Hawaii. Our marraige and family situation has been rocky for some time, and so we decided that it was worth trying to save but unfortunately something had to be sacrificed and it ment giving up mine and the kid’s lifestyle with horses ….for just a while anyway until he retires and we get permanently settled somewhere. We have always moved our horses with us to his duty stations and this time it was impossible to take them with us. Breaks our hearts but we were really struggling to make ends meet due to the upkeep on the horses. So the house went up for sale, sold what I could, put the rest in storage or sent to Hawaii, and tearfully gave/sold my horses to close friends whom I KNOW would give them excellent homes. My eldest daughter moved out and took her horse and the 2 dogs with her, I euthanized and buried my elderly gelding whom I refused to try to rehome due to his expensive health issues (yes my beloved NASCAR QH is gone….) and I packed the car with 2 kids (a tween and a teen), 2 indoor kitties (they could fly with us to Hawaii), and whatever we could fit in 3 suitcases and drove from Virginia to Washington State (I’m orgiginally from Bremerton) to spend a few weeks with family before flying to Hawaii. The car was placed in the hands of the shipping company last Thursday, and hopefully we will be flying out of Seattle this week. I’ve been condemed by folks who swear they’d divorce before giving up their horses, but for me the choice was either divorce and lose them in time because I couldn’t afford to keep them, or get rid of them now and keep my family together and get more horses later down the road. I chose to do the latter and it isn’t as bad as I imagined. So, when we get to Hawaii, the girls will be starting lessons at a great farm I checked into (they also do polo and are interested in my gymkhana riding teen) so they get experience on horses that aren’t ours, and I’m planning on volunteering at a local horse rescue on the island (Oahu) grooming and helping to care for their horses. I’m not going to be out of horses completely, just taking a break from ownership for a while until the family situation is settled and the financial situation stablizes.
So, THANK YOU Cathy for having this great blog and I hope whomever gets it isn’t a jerk and destroys it. No matter what it will never be the same without you……Goodbye and good luck to everyone here….
4HMom
It has been a long time since I’ve left a comment, but after finding this blog when it was only a couple of months old, rarely has a day gone by that I have not at least checked it, if not read everything I had time to read.
Thank you Fugs for opening my eyes to so many things in the horse world that I as a non-horse owner would never have the occasion to be exposed to, from Big Lick, to soring, to silly and abusive training techniques, to all the conformational train wrecks out there and their long term consequences.
I will miss your wit and fiery attitude, and even those late night snark fests that used to rage on here so often so long ago.
The best of luck to you and your furry family members.
Everyone has already said everything that needs to be said. I am a better and more knowledgable horse owner because of you. Owning minis and biggies, my absolute favorite blog was close to one of your first, I think. I can’t even remember the topic, but you were speaking from the point of view of a big horse seeing a mini pulling a cart at a show. I laughed so hard I literally cried. I can’t even remember, but paraphrasing, I think there was a line like, “The hell you say! That’s a little demon with wheels!” Best line ever!!!
Good luck to you and enjoy your time!
Oh yeah! The mini horse post. But hey, which Big Horse owner hasn’t been there, seeing a mini with a cart for the very first time at an open show?
I boarded for a while at a mini farm…end of issue. Although the VLC would go stand in the corner of the arena and he and the mini stud would SCREEEEEEAM at each other…it was too funny.
[I realize that if I had gotten the PCC logo with the horse parked out front I likely would have had an "epic" photo, but I was so disturbed by the owner's lack of concern for the safety of his horse or the people around it that I wouldn't justify the situation with that photo. There were plenty of other people who did.]
I waited for the owner to come out and I realized why he risked his horse’s safety – for attention. He quickly called me “willfully ignorant” and an “ass” for questioning his judgment and practices. My horses are safely kept on a gated property because I realize that accidents happen and horses will spook regardless of training or desensitization. I would never risk their safety to prove a point or in a desperate plea for attention.
I was pretty much in shock by his arrogance or I would have unloaded on him about what I really think about his actions. He came out of PCC with a bag of carrots for his speshul horsey to feed in front of the crowd that gathered around as well as to discuss his training practices and beliefs. He could state the horse’s age to the date (e.g. years, months, days) and speshul horsey’s name in Spanish, because you know, “he is a Spanish breed” – hence all the fancy [read: unnecessary] tack to ride across a busy road and left alone tied to a twig in a busy parking lot with a nylon halter and lead rope.
Speshul Horsey’s owner is in the blue shirt feeding carrots to the horse. That lady accidentally stepped in front as I took the photo. Mr. Speshul Horsey nipped at a kid as I drove up. He is also known by a friend of mine (who has seen the pair in action) to nearly dump Mr. Speshul Horsey’s owner in the dirt. Based on the nipping incident, I would not be surprised.
Hopefully this guy knows the risks and liabilities he assumes by taking a flight animal into a busy area. Regardless of how well it is trained, if the horse gets loose and someone gets hurt – even if it is the result of hitting and killing the horse with a car and the driver is injured or killed – this guy will be legally responsible, and out a supa speshul horsey.
Also, before anyone says, “When I was a kid we used to….” I will add that many of us (myself included) did risky things when we were young. The point is that we hopefully grow out of it and realize the risks and liabilities of our actions.
Link fail. You have to find the direct link in photobucket to that specific picture
Try again and I’ll approve it!
D’oh! I thought I did use the direct link. What can I say, I’m kinda tired. I resized them so hopefully they won’t take up too much space.
The secured horsey in question:
The owner is the one in the blue shirt:
In other shocking news, he had never heard of the Fugly blog…
Ok, I have no idea why that photo isn’t rotated or resized. I did both before posting. Grr.
OMG I used to go to that mall all the time, I know exactly where that is. And yes, he is an idiot…
arabtrainer said it perfect.
I like many others on here, started out with this being my first blog i read. I have learned so much from you/the blog over the years. Thank you for all your years of service bring horsey “asshats” to light. Although, the blog will never be the same, i do hope that you can sell it to someone who will keep up with what the fuglyblog is about. Thanks again for everything you have taught me!
Well, poop.
I don’t agree with Cathy 100% of the time (which would be a creepy stalkery thing to do anyway), but this has been such a valuable clearinghouse of information on horse welfare & all factors contributing to equine suffering – from thoughtless breeding practices to owner-trainer-rider stupidity to slaughter issues to out-and-out starvation – and effective means to combat that suffering.
The Weekend of 3000 Posts!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA We were all flying our freak flags.
I hope whoever takes this over doesn’t overcommercialize it, and keeps it all real.
I confess to having been lurking this site for a long time without commenting. Your impending departure has motivated me to comment. Just because I want to add my thanks to the mix. While I already came with a very similar viewpoint to your own I have found the information you have provided fantastic and your commentary very entertaining. You are my first appointment every morning. I wish I had pictures to show you how well our three “salvage” horses we took on, in part because of your influence, are doing. I’ve always done “upgrades” as you call them but the two very sad TB mares we took and the bonus very fugly (wild) 2 y.o. quarter horse TB cross were a step up challenge. On the way to the works, both lame in a number of ways (one had feet that made me actually feel ill, like puddles of hoof on the ground), frighteningly thin, covered in rainscald and barely broken in. Brought them home on the condition that they’d be shot for the hunting dogs if we couldn’t get them sound/healthy/happy enough. A number of challenges (including my partner losing his job the week after we picked them up) later we adore both mares so much we sold our own well trained horses to keep them and the fugly squirt leads, ties up and can have feet done (he’s not going anywhere till he’s broken in and has some value added for his own safety). So that’s three more you horses you have helped into a better situation. If you ever come to NZ you should come get a cuddle from my grey snuggle bunny TB mare. She comes over for those now instead of hobbling/limping as fast as she can away from humans.
Thank you for sharing…what a great story!
I love watching their personalities turn around like that.
I will definitely miss this blog as it is written by you. I will get back on twitter just to follow you. Kudos, purveyor of awesomeness! You will be sorely missed.
I’ve been reading for years now, and for years this is the only blog I follow on a weekly, if not daily basis. I learned some things and giggled a little when I saw something and the first thought was “that would win an terrible parent award on FUGLY”. I appreciate all the hard work you’ve done over the years exposing ASSHATS and educating us about bad breeding and unsafe habits. We’ll truly miss you!!!
Fugly, I found a couple quotes for you!
“The best color on a horse is fat.”
“Show me your horse and I will tell you who you are.”