A tentative 'should I buy'?

J

JinglebellJessi & MistletoeMagic

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by buy I mean acquire for free.

In December 2011 my friend bought a 6 month old cob colt from a bloke in a car park for £50. Yes I know, she's foolish but she went to the pub for a drink and ended up with a pony. I said she could keep it on my yard with Magic and there it lived until it was 1. He was then sold to a man down the road, well known by all, he was looking for a cob to pull his magnificent old carts and drays so he purchased Bilbo (ha) for £360 at 1 year old in June 2012. He was right down the road from my work so we would regularly check on him and give him cuddles, he's adored by the clients at my work and comes to their call.
Over the last weeks Bilbo has been escaping, the fencing is quite shoddy and whenever the man repair it, it is broken by children or the other horses he lives with. On Sunday the police stopped me on my way to the yard and asked if i had lost my horse because there was one in the road up ahead, i explained he wasn't mine but i would call his owner. owner arrives, takes him back but it's clear he's at his wits end with him. He calls me monday to offer him back and i don't know what to say so i'm going to write it down to see if it clear my head.

Now 2 years and 7 months old. Still a colt, hadn't been gelding as his testicle hadn't dropped yet, don't know if it has yet. If i took him back he would have to be stabled with limited (20x10) turnout as the field contains my mare and she's a dirty mare. He's got worms and it looks like he may have lice on his face.

Now do I take him back, clean him up, geld, lightly work with tack and longrein then sell on for the cost of gelding with no rush and find a good home.
or leave the owner to find him a home in a rush for free.

Ahh I wish people didn't call me with their poorly unloved ponies! I'm still reeling from Prince's sad end.
 
Oh Jess :(
I would say no, but maybe try find him someone who can help. Just sounds like a headache with your mare as well
 
at that age if his testicles have not dropped then castration is not going to be straight forward, it will be general GA and fairly major surgery with a slightly higher risk than normal of him becoming a rig.

treat for worms and lice, turn out in such a small area is hardly fair and keeping him alone is not either

I don't think you will make your money back in the current market
 
twiggy2 said:
at that age if his testicles have not dropped then castration is not going to be straight forward, it will be general GA and fairly major surgery with a slightly higher risk than normal of him becoming a rig.

treat for worms and lice, turn out in such a small area is hardly fair and keeping him alone is not either

I don't think you will make your money back in the current market
Click to expand...

castella said:
One thing to consider can you geld if he hasn't dropped both yet ? And if you can isn't it more expensive ?
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, what would happen if they operated and still couldn't find it?

sobqdw.jpg

at 6 months
 
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My friend recently paid £700 to geld her 2yr old who hadn't dropped 1 ball. I wouldn't risk it if he has to come in the might hurt himself trying to get out to your mare?
 
Oh he's a cutie.
I think if you can afford and are happy splashing out to have him gelded then go for it. If not, perhaps offer to help find him a suitable home so he isn't palmed off to just anyone? Also, if you have the time to bring on a youngster that is a bonus. Although, there's always a risk that you'll end up falling in love and not being able to let him go ;)

Good luck whatever you decide xx
 
I wouldn't. You did an admirable job with Prince but it was at a huge cost financially, emotionally, to your horse and your ability to get out there and actually ride and enjoy things

I would let someone else take this one on
 
If your finances can cope with a potentially expensive operation then go ahead, or perhaps get a vet to examine him, they may be able to tell if testicle is about to drop or not. I know how you feel, I'm always being told of horses needing homes, wish I could save them all
 
Ahh I know its not viable. He could end up costing me far too much money and as a 13hh unpassported, unchipped and unvacced he'll never make enough to cover the costs. I think i'll just keep asking around to see if anyone would be interested. It's such a shame he hasn't been gelding as that's where everyone says no. My friend is heartbroken, she can't take him back but feels the guilt deeply of selling him to a man who let Bilbo down.
 
No. You can't keep a colt who is already breaking out of fields near your mare. Will end in tears.

Agree with others you've had more than enough drama and heartache with prince.

I hate to say this but Sadly your friend is at fault for buying an un microchipped and un passported foal and then selling him on without making sure these were done. I'm sorry if you think that's harsh but I don't think it should be left to you to pick up the pieces now. Poor colt has had three people who should of done this, not a fourtune to get done.

Old woman rant over.
 
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