I just had to leave!

[FionaM12]

I joined a Facebook group called "Horses free to good home or under £200" but it's driven me mad!

It's just so sad, seeing those poor unwanted animals which come onto the wall constantly, it's a very busy group. Many of the adverts don't even say essential info, like height and where in the country they are. :rolleyes3: The owners clearly just need the poor things gone.

Sad enough to see how many horses and ponies (mostly the latter I think) are unwanted and with all sorts of problems (a recent ad said "impossible to catch, you'll need to dart" ) but even more worrying is where they'll end up next.

There was a little mare a day or two ago, and a girl came on asking for details and inquired whether the mare had been gelded! :eek3: :eek3:

I have left the group. I can stand it no more.

 

[AmyMay]

Yep, had to leave it too - some time ago. Some of the posts were just

 

[FairyLights]

I joined too. Its heartbreaking as is the one giving away old polo ponies. so sad,

 

[JoBo]

I'm in that group too, and I totally know what you mean. Quite often I send my friend the ads and say how sad they are.

 

[Polos Mum]

but even more worrying is where they'll end up next.

I have seen it, some crazy comments I agree. I wonder if it's the backlash from the horsemeat scandle and closure of abattoirs. It's sad but many of these would be better off out of circulation because they have no £ value and hence people don't seem to want to spend the basic money on them that is necessary to keep them well and happy.

There's a comment on a recent loan thread that it's crazy people are suggesting PTS for a mud fever type condition - BUT if that condition means nobody wants the poor thing then PTS is much kinder than other options, similar for the cost of gelding colts, fixing napping/ behaviour issues. I know they are all treatable given time and money but there aren't enough sensible homes for all those that need them.

 

[Shantara]

I can't stand the amount of lame horses that people are trying to offload!! I went on there to try and find a friend for Ned.
There's a mare who's lame and its obvious they just can't be bothered with her. I could never do that to Ned, even if it meant I didn't ride again until he was gone!

 

[Spottyappy]

Am on it too, but what amazes me the most is the quantity of stallions offered. Usually Shetland types, or small ponies. Obviously they are much harder to rehome, even if perfect, as not many people have a set up that could take a stallion, even if intention would be to geld ASAP.
A friend has taken one of these on, for her child, and he is a lovely pony, but she too is refusing to geld, because he is 7 as "there is no need to"
Sadly, this also means the child is unable to show the pony, as shows will not allow children to handle stallions.

 

[HaffiesRock]

It is so sad. I also hate when people put something along the lines of "if not gone by Friday will be selling to the meat man/market etc I bought my pony in a similar way, dirt cheap as uncatchable, unmountable etc. Woman didn't have a nice word to say about him other than if I didn't buy him he'd be off to market. I had no doubt that would have happened so bought him. He is the most genuine, sweetest pony around and my pony of a life time. So, so sad

 

[FionaM12]

Am on it too, but what amazes me the most is the quantity of stallions offered. Usually Shetland types, or small ponies. Obviously they are much harder to rehome, even if perfect, as not many people have a set up that could take a stallion, even if intention would be to geld ASAP.
A friend has taken one of these on, for her child, and he is a lovely pony, but she too is refusing to geld, because he is 7 as "there is no need to"
Sadly, this also means the child is unable to show the pony, as shows will not allow children to handle stallions.

I think the issue is that the cost of gelding is often greater than the value of the pony, so they'll sell for peanuts or give away expecting the new owner to geld if they want to. The new owner probably can't really afford a pony either, so doesn't geld, and passes it on ungelded again.

 

[LauraWheeler]

I can't look at groups like that or I'd end up with hundreds of Herbies
On a local website they have a project horses section and I was hoprrified to see someone selling a horse for £200 as it had injured it's leg and needed boxrest!!!!!!!!!! Poor horse doesn't stand much of a chance. They did say vet said it would come right so why don't they find a way to rest it themselfes? instead they want to pass the buck to someone else :'(

Editied. Sorry just checked her ad and she's £250.

 

[WelshD]

The ones that annoy me are the bargain basement ponies being sold that are in foal

Why put it in foal if you are planning to sell it?!

I know people's circumstances change but many of the sellers have other ponies they are keeping

 

[WelshD]

I think the issue is that the cost of gelding is often greater than the value of the pony, so they'll sell for peanuts or give away expecting the new owner to geld if the want to. The new owner probably can't really afford a pony either, so doesn't geld, and passes it on ungelded again.

One of mine was ungelded, I felt so relieved when he had the op as it opened up a whole different world for him and probably doubled his (very low) value

 

[windand rain]

And people say I am cruel when I say I will PTS my ponies rather than let them suffer if I cant afford them one is older and I have had since a baby, one has difficult challenging behaviour that precludes him from an open market. OH has been made redundant and we have very little to live on so the minute their welfare become compromised I will say goodbye to at least the young challenged one if not both. Cant bear the thought yet and so far we are coping just but will have a problem if expensive vet bill comes along it will not be a choice then to treat even if possible as no funds so PTS fund will be used sad but nothing I can do about it without worrying myself to death if they go anywhere else

 

[dianchi]

Most of them seem to have un-investigated lameness
V sad but I stay on there incase something comes up local that I can help!

 

[Carrots&Mints]

People are too selfish to put the lame ones to sleep and other people think owning a littly pony for their kids is like owning a cat or a dog... completly different ball game!!

I remember a comment on here saying that people should have to have a qualification or do the BHS Horse Owner course before being allowed to purchase a horse. This would be brilliant if we had the time or the resorce to do this.

Such a big shame to those ponies who have ended up in the wrong hands and now being thrown out like some sort of old toy!!

If anything was to happen to me I would have my boy put to sleep rather than passed from piller to post

 

[hnmisty]

It's one of the many horsey fb groups I've had to leave. Grr.

No, everyone else is entirely right. That severely laminitic pony doesn't need the vet, of course not!

 

[FionaM12]

There seems to be an assumption on many of the Facebook pony rehoming pages that any life at all is better than being put to sleep.

The phrase I hate most is "will go to the lions at the zoo" or "go for zoo meat". Honestly, as long as the death is painless what does it matter where the meat goes afterwards? It's a phrase designed to emotionally blackmail people, implying as it does a grizzly end in the lion cage. :rolleyes3:

The people who rehome the Dartmoor Hill Ponies use such phrases a lot, and it does them and the ponies no credit at all. Emotionally blackmailing people is NOT likely to help find good homes IMO but will encourage impulse buying for sentimental reasons.

 

[Mariposa]

I joined too. Its heartbreaking as is the one giving away old polo ponies. so sad,

I'm afraid I don't agree. I think The Retired and Ex Polo Ponies page is wonderful - full of lovely stories of ponies finding their forever homes and going onto new careers. I have huge respect for the lady who started the page, 46 polo ponies have been rehomed, the photos of ponies in their new homes is really heartwarming. Not everyone can afford to retire their ponies, so I think finding them companion or happy hacker homes is ideal.

 

[Billabongchick]

I joined too. Its heartbreaking as is the one giving away old polo ponies. so sad,

I have to say although I agree with many of these comments especially re ungelded colts and indiscriminate breeding in defense of the ex polo pony group I don't think people are necessarily looking to dump their horses. Many of these horses are totally fine in a quieter life and make lovely hacks or low level RC ponies but are just not up to the rigours of a full on polo season maybe due to flare up recurring injuries that are perfectly managed when pootling about. It sounds as though they have had quite a lot of success teaming horses retired from polo with genuine people specifically looking for ex polo ponies (they are usually very easy/mannerly to have around and if not 'cooked' then make great hacks). A lady I know rehomed a mare through a similar site as she was too full on for polo hence 'retired' but she enjoys hacking and jumping now.

 

[FionaM12]

I'm afraid I don't agree. I think The Retired and Ex Polo Ponies page is wonderful - full of lovely stories of ponies finding their forever homes and going onto new careers. I have huge respect for the lady who started the page, 46 polo ponies have been rehomed, the photos of ponies in their new homes is really heartwarming. Not everyone can afford to retire their ponies, so I think finding them companion or happy hacker homes is ideal.

Yes, I had a look at the ex polo pony page and the ads seem perfectly reasonable to me too. Quite unlike the page I'm talking about.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I cant look on those sites its to sad seeing so many oler horses on the sales pages is bad enough, hate the saying "21 years old but acts like a 4 year old" I would rather have an elderly horse pts rather than give it away with an uncertain future.

 

[madlady]

Sadly the people who are taking on these 'free' ponies because otherwise they will be fed to the lions are people who, a lot of the time, don't have the first clue about keeping a horse.

TBF it would probably be the best thing for the majority of these, given the current economic climate, to be PTS or go for meat. Better than a lifetime of suffering IMO.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Sadly the people who are taking on these 'free' ponies because otherwise they will be fed to the lions are people who, a lot of the time, don't have the first clue about keeping a horse.

TBF it would probably be the best thing for the majority of these, given the current economic climate, to be PTS or go for meat. Better than a lifetime of suffering IMO.

Agreed!!

 

[suestowford]

Yes, passed around like an illness. PTS is better than that, even if the carcass goes to the zoo it's still better than being owned by the clueless.

When I wanted a 2nd pony as companion to my riding pony, I rehomed one from a rescue centre (a reputable one) for the main reason that, should my circumstances change and I can no longer afford to keep him, they will take him back and find him a good home.

 

[Shantara]

Am i the only one who likes the idea of the zoo? If a horse does indeed need putting down, I'd rather help my favourite species (lion) than let it rot! If I can figure it out, thats where Ned is going, when he dies.

 

[MagicMelon]

People are too selfish to put the lame ones to sleep

If anything was to happen to me I would have my boy put to sleep rather than passed from piller to post

I don't get it. Why does everyone on here assume that a cheap horse will end up in a dreadful home? Or be passed about? I'm sure some do and that's obviously extremely sad, but some decent people out there will give some of these horses good homes! I used to buy project ponies for less than £500. With regard to the lame ones, to be honest it depends how lame they are as to if they should be PTS. I am currently trying to loan out one of mine who is lame (vet/farrier/physio all cannot find a cause) but its not pain related and he's perfectly happy as a gentle hack still for someone. So why on earth in his case should he be PTS? I'll wait for the right home to come along, if it doesn't then he stays with me. So don't assume all lame horses should be given the bullet so quickly. I also don't get why so many people hate the thought of selling their own horses and say they'd rather PTS. Find a decent home in the first place and there is no reason why the horse should be passed about! Just because you have a quirky horse or whatever, doesn't mean you're the only one who can look after it well. Rant over.

 

[Goldenstar]

I don't get it. Why does everyone on here assume that a cheap horse will end up in a dreadful home? Or be passed about? I'm sure some do and that's obviously extremely sad, but some decent people out there will give some of these horses good homes! I used to buy project ponies for less than £500. With regard to the lame ones, to be honest it depends how lame they are as to if they should be PTS. I am currently trying to loan out one of mine who is lame (vet/farrier/physio all cannot find a cause) but its not pain related and he's perfectly happy as a gentle hack still for someone. So why on earth in his case should he be PTS? I'll wait for the right home to come along, if it doesn't then he stays with me. So don't assume all lame horses should be given the bullet so quickly. I also don't get why so many people hate the thought of selling their own horses and say they'd rather PTS. Find a decent home in the first place and there is no reason why the horse should be passed about! Just because you have a quirky horse or whatever, doesn't mean you're the only one who can look after it well. Rant over.

Well in my case it comes from being a welfare officer and seeing the lame old and unwanted.
From seeing horses stockpiled waiting to go for slaughter when the meat price is right and seeing the ones whose eyes brightened and nickered when they see a blonde girl in musto type stuff.
I promise all of mine then when they die I will hold them and apart from a couple who went on to long term homes when young I have stuck to that.

 

[dunkley]

So many have been purchased at 'pocket money prices' by idiots without a clue, back in the spring. of course now they realise the winter is upon us, don't have the money to feed, or the inclination to get cold, wet and muddy, so want rid of them asap Then of course the scrappy little colts, or young stallions who are 'happily living with mares and geldings' - yes, that is why there are so many 'surprise' foals, and the cycle continues. Someone posted a photograph of their 'fabulous £32 bargain'. Everyone was saying how beautiful it was, but I could see the bowed tendons just in the photograph, clear as mud - so obvious. A man locally to me has bought a £1 horse, had it a month and paid out over £500 in vets' fees already. Half of the lameness is undiagnosed/un noticed because the owners wouldn't recognise lameness even if the poor bloody thing was on three legs If you think the 'under £200' page is frustrating, try Chit Chat and Tack - it will put holes in your desk from the head banging it ie "I have had to clip my coloured cob, 'cos he is getting hot under his heavyweight rug, lol!"

 

[FinnishLapphund]

There seems to be an assumption on many of the Facebook pony rehoming pages that any life at all is better than being put to sleep.

The phrase I hate most is "will go to the lions at the zoo" or "go for zoo meat". Honestly, as long as the death is painless what does it matter where the meat goes afterwards? It's a phrase designed to emotionally blackmail people, implying as it does a grizzly end in the lion cage. :rolleyes3:

The people who rehome the Dartmoor Hill Ponies use such phrases a lot, and it does them and the ponies no credit at all. Emotionally blackmailing people is NOT likely to help find good homes IMO but will encourage impulse buying for sentimental reasons.

I'm not one of those persons who believes that any life is better than being dead. I suppose I'm quite the opposite, I see euthanasia as a responsible option for responsible owners who are unable, or doesn't want to, take care of their animal. I know that there is many temporarily unwanted animals, that gets new loving homes, and that is absolutely lovely, but I still view euthanasia as a responsible option.


About some persons using phrases such as "will go to the lions at the zoo" or "go for zoo meat", as something negative, I don't get it. When I've came across such persons, they usually like to say that it has to do with that they love animals. But lions, wolves etc., are also animals, which needs to eat meat to stay alive, and that meat has to come from somewhere.

I could understand their argument, if it was a matter of taking the horse and just letting it loose with e.g. the lions, still alive!

To kill prey isn't always swift and without struggle in nature, but to my knowledge, that is not what would happen here. In these cases, the horse would already be dead, and instead of that their body just going to waste, it instead becomes a benefit to another living being. Which, to me, sounds like something positive.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Am i the only one who likes the idea of the zoo? If a horse does indeed need putting down, I'd rather help my favourite species (lion) than let it rot! If I can figure it out, thats where Ned is going, when he dies.

No, you're not the only one Chan. I've read that there is one zoo in Sweden, Kolmården Wildlife Park, who some years ago made it possible for horse owners to have their horse euthanised at their zoo, by their veterinarians. As I recall it, they do it free of charge, and in exchange, the zoo gets food to their carnivores. But they only want to euthanise about 2 horses per week, because they're not equipped to handle larger amounts of meat than that.