A warning, south and midlands especially

[the watcher]

I am told that there are a number of small ads currently asking for broodmares (age and type immaterial) in local papers/Farmers weekly type of publications.

I also know that these people will ask you to sign over your mare as a gift in exchange for the promise of a loving semi retirement home. I am trying to do something about the ads but in the meantime warn all your friends - I think we all know what happens to these horses - one they have taken as a potential broodmare is well into her 20's and never had a foal, and she has been moved on already.

 

[Rollin]

I have an awful feeling more poor old horses will go this route when owners can no longer afford to keep them. What can the equestrian community do to help?

 

[the watcher]

I think the only thing we can do, apart from drawing this kind of scam to everybody's attention, is to encourage and support owners of older horses to have them humanely put to sleep as an alternative to giving them away to an uncertain future