I just had to leave!

OP did you see the post yesterday about the pregnant mare due next month and the idiots commenting on it, that was the final straw and I too have left the group.
 
I find the idea of them being eaten by another animal ( in our case foxhounds ) much more comforting than thinking of the body in a truck or skip with others being hauled to a animal crem and burnt .
 
MagicMelon said:
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.
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I don't assume that all cheap horses will either end up in dreadful homes, or be passed about. I know that there it is a lot of previously unwanted animals, that gets new good homes, but as I've already said, I still view euthanasia as a responsible option.

When it comes to "rescuing" cheap horses from ending up with the "meat man", I believe that there is too many persons who thinks with their heart, and not with their brain, out there in the world. I also think that there is a lot of people who doesn't know enough about horses, to take reasonably good care of a horse. A "girl came on asking for details and inquired whether the mare had been gelded!" If she doesn't even know such a basic thing about horses, what else does she not know?
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I hate the feeding frenzy with these groups offering cheap/free animals from wildly unsuitable homes and people! (Not all of course as many of us have this annoying habit of wanting to rescue everything)
 
Worse part is the amount of owners 'that love this horse millions, breaking my heart' give them away to the first person with £ in their hands!
 
I just had a nosey at that page and it's just rammed with completely inexperienced idiots looking for a cheap pony to Chuck in the garden so they can tell everyone they have a horse! I hope at least some of the sellers are careful in the people they sell too :(
 
MagicMelon said:
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.
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I think it's because an owner like you - knowledgeable and prepared to keep it need be - is really one in a million.

For the great majority of these poor animals, their chance of finding a lifelong home is slim to nil especially in the last few years mainly because they are expensive, bloody expensive to keep even when they are sound and healthy. Now add in that they need vet treatment, farrier/teeth work and/or a special diet and most people who know horses are realistic enough to know that they can't afford them. So it's left to people who either don't know enough about what they're getting into or those who see a quick buck to be made.

Like a lot of people I will spend as much as I need to on my animals - I owe them that. I also owe them and any other animal I take on in the future to not overstretch my time or finances so that their care starts to suffer. The days when I had my own grazing, hay and vets were cheap(er) are 20 years in the past so I know now I can't give a chance to a hard luck pony now. The other huge difference is then the hunt PTS for free in a worse case scenario or at best, the rescue was worth enough to provide funds to do it over again. There are just to many horses now, total oversupply that lowers their value I'm afraid.

I personally am more than aware that there are many people who could handle my 'quirky' horse. I also know that why would they want to? There are so many cheap (or good value if you prefer) horses that are going to be much easier than him that I'm not prepared to play the numbers game with his welfare, realistically the chance of him ending up in a bad place are too high for me to pass him on. Where do you find the someone who will take these difficult/unsound/moneypit horses? Since I wouldn't - because I'm experienced enough to know my limitations - I'm extremely reluctant to ask anybody else to do so!
 
cbmcts said:
I think it's because an owner like you - knowledgeable and prepared to keep it need be - is really one in a million.

For the great majority of these poor animals, their chance of finding a lifelong home is slim to nil especially in the last few years mainly because they are expensive, bloody expensive to keep even when they are sound and healthy. Now add in that they need vet treatment, farrier/teeth work and/or a special diet and most people who know horses are realistic enough to know that they can't afford them. So it's left to people who either don't know enough about what they're getting into or those who see a quick buck to be made.

Like a lot of people I will spend as much as I need to on my animals - I owe them that. I also owe them and any other animal I take on in the future to not overstretch my time or finances so that their care starts to suffer. The days when I had my own grazing, hay and vets were cheap(er) are 20 years in the past so I know now I can't give a chance to a hard luck pony now. The other huge difference is then the hunt PTS for free in a worse case scenario or at best, the rescue was worth enough to provide funds to do it over again. There are just to many horses now, total oversupply that lowers their value I'm afraid.

I personally am more than aware that there are many people who could handle my 'quirky' horse. I also know that why would they want to? There are so many cheap (or good value if you prefer) horses that are going to be much easier than him that I'm not prepared to play the numbers game with his welfare, realistically the chance of him ending up in a bad place are too high for me to pass him on. Where do you find the someone who will take these difficult/unsound/moneypit horses? Since I wouldn't - because I'm experienced enough to know my limitations - I'm extremely reluctant to ask anybody else to do so!
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What a superb post my thoughts exactly I have a PTS fund incase I cant afford them. The quirky pony is evil, small and hates kids so who would want him yes he is young 8 years old, He is extremely beautiful to look at is a smashing driving pony but he would severely injure and perhaps kill a child that wandered into his field how could I in all conscience let him leave his protected environment where everyone knows not to go near him where he is away from kids and where he is fed and cared for.
I have been advised to beat it out of him, sell him through a market and to knock the stuffing out of him to prove I am boss. I have protected him from these people because he is mine I make sure he as everything he needs including the love and fuss he craves he is happy and safe only way to make sure he stays that way is to either keep him or shoot him
 
I certainly don't think that all cheap horses and ponies end up in bad inexperienced homes as I myself brought my yearling ID for £150!

The reason I get so annoyed with these pages is because I read the comments and some are from quite frankly bloody low lifes who obviously don't know the first thing about equine management/riding/driving common horse sense, welfare means nothing and livery means flygrazing on an industrial estate. It maddens me when they say they want a horse that they can let all the family and their mates ride on and assume that because its a horse that must mean you can chuck a saddle on it and throw the toddler on regardless of the fact that the poor bloody horse is only 18months old.

Most of the comments on that page just seem to be 'can you deliver to .....' no questions, no point they don't know what they are asking anyway.


I wouldn't personally advertise on those pages, I'd get too mad at the response I think.
 
Goldenstar said:
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.
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Oh dear oh dear. Actual tears in my eyes.
 
Moobucket said:
Oh dear oh dear. Actual tears in my eyes.
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Me too :( my yearling runs and hides behind me when he's scared so I would walk a million miles to hold his hoof when the time comes (in a few decades I hope) love him so much I could cry!

Ohh sorry getting too soppy now..
 
If I was looking to get a new horse, I wouldn't rule out checking such Fb groups and pages. You never know, one of those unwanted souls might be someone's horse of a lifetime. :)

However I couldn't bare to sell or rehome through one. Somehow just seeing the level of ignorance and attitudes in the comments would make me fear for the sort of home it would get. :( Of course, maybe the sellers are really discriminating and disregard the numpties (ie, most of the folk who comment). But when they themselves can't even be bothered to read the group info ("please state area") or compose an ad which gives essential details, I rather doubt it. :(
 
FionaM12 said:
If I was looking to get a new horse, I wouldn't rule out checking such Fb groups and pages. You never know, one of those unwanted souls might be someone's horse of a lifetime. :)

However I couldn't bare to sell or rehome through one. Somehow just seeing the level of ignorance and attitudes in the comments would make me fear for the sort of home it would get. :( Of course, maybe the sellers are really discriminating and disregard the numpties (ie, most of the folk who comment). But when they themselves can't even be bothered to read the group info ("please state area") or compose an ad which gives essential details, I rather doubt it. :(
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Yep :D
Who would have thought a scruffy, meat-destined, nappy, rearing nightmare of a horse would turn out to be my horse of a lifetime!
He wasn't bought on facebook, but he was an unwanted soul. My friend got her veteran horse of a lifetime too on facebook :)

I agree on your 2nd point too! I know someone was looking for a horse, described herself as "confident and experienced" even though she was 14, with 3 years riding experience and I know for a fact she ruined at least 3 horses. She just didn't have the strength to hold them into jump and was really really heavy with her hands. They all ended up bucking and refusing every jump. I have suggested a lesson or two, but of course, I was labelled a bully and a "stupid grown-up" by her mother :O
 
Goldenstar said:
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.
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Another person in tears at reading that. I could never be a welfare officer and have great admiration for people who go out and do that job. I will have to stick to supporting charities by means of donations. I also have a pony from a horse welfare charity; he is much loved, and with me for life. Would love to have more than one, but livery and feed and farrier and vet bills have all rocketed so much since I first had a horse in 1989, I can only afford one now, as my income hasn't gone up as much as the costs. That's why I never go to horse sales or look at sites like the one under discussion!
 
There's a thread on the group wall right now where someone's trying to sell a mare with no passport and people are discussing transport. When it's been brought up that this is illegal, the answer is "im pretty sure if u was to get pulled up and asked where the passport was I am surevthey will let u off if u explain the dear mares story"

:rolleyes3: :rolleyes3:
 
FionaM12 said:
There's a thread on the group wall right now where someone's trying to sell a mare with no passport and people are discussing transport. When it's been brought up that this is illegal, the answer is "im pretty sure if u was to get pulled up and asked where the passport was I am surevthey will let u off if u explain the dear mares story"

:rolleyes3: :rolleyes3:
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There is a dealer selling on FB, selling cobs for pennies, clearly stating some of them don't have passports. The law obv doesn't apply to some people. Le sigh.
 
I left the group, but still keep getting notifications from it. :( I keep being drawn back in...
Now we have someone who claims to "work in horse transport" advising everyone they're okay to transport horses without a passport as long as the journey's less than eight hours. :rolleyes3:
 
FionaM12 said:
I left the group so now I can't get back in to ask this "professional" to show us where the law says that. :mad3:
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I just posted the BHS FAQ on horse passports for them.

I think on the DEFRA guidlines it makes mention of "unregistered" horses having leaway to travel but if you scroll down it defines unregisterd and it only refers to stud books and organisations which hold certain compeitions not bog standard passporting. I feel you would be talking to a brick wall. Im sure if the fining was enforced more readily more people would take notice of the law.
 
FionaM12 said:
There's a thread on the group wall right now where someone's trying to sell a mare with no passport and people are discussing transport. When it's been brought up that this is illegal, the answer is "im pretty sure if u was to get pulled up and asked where the passport was I am surevthey will let u off if u explain the dear mares story"

:rolleyes3: :rolleyes3:
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Passports are pointless. Why would anyone worry about them when taking on a rescue horse?
I bought an unbroken 6yo for less than meat money last year, allegedly a kicker but actually a wussy gentle sweetheart. I was promised the passport in the post, and not a bit surprised when it didn't arrive. Should I have left him where he was because he didn't have the right paperwork?
 
The goverment seriously need to do a crackdown on people like this!! Something seriously needs to be done about this overbreeding!! Perhaps the goverment should have in place stricter animal autorities and place stricter rules on having stallions??? Say if the horse doesnt have a valid passport / stallion licence then it should be taken away and in 7 days times if the owners have not come up with a passport then the equine will be destroyed?? I knows its abit cruel but having all these unwanted ponies is cruel aswell! Just a thought?
 
pennyturner said:
Passports are pointless. Why would anyone worry about them when taking on a rescue horse?
I bought an unbroken 6yo for less than meat money last year, allegedly a kicker but actually a wussy gentle sweetheart. I was promised the passport in the post, and not a bit surprised when it didn't arrive. Should I have left him where he was because he didn't have the right paperwork?
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Technically yes you should have just left him, but these people pray on other emotions... so you took him not bothered if he had a passport or not, and the breeder just thinks...oh brill ive made another £50
 
I have just been having a rant on another forum. An English couple are returning to the UK and can only take 3 horses, so are looking to re-home a 25 year old French Trotter.

FT half this age go for slaughter in their dozens. How will these folk make sure their horse is cared for when they are back in the UK? I would pts. The best thing for an old friend.
 
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