Oh dear. Contraversial

[Natch]

Now I know that this could be perfectly fine and genuine but it really does stink to me of "That's not okay"!!

I can't post the link because its a members only site, but there is an ad on crewe and nantwich freecycle that really disturbed me.

Freecycle is a website where people offer unwanted things - usually household items like a toaster or a table - and others can contact them to collect it and make use of it for free.

Occasionally pets are offered - and that is up to the individual area's freecycle to allow or not allow it, and up to the owner's discretion to give their pet to the most knowledgeable home.

I think you can guess what is coming...

somebody has advertised a shetland on there.

One line worth of text - shetland pony offered, must go to a home with children as likes cuddles.

Now, don't get me wrong, for all I know this COULD be a genuine advert because somebody's child has outgrown the pony and they don't need money for it from a sale, and they MIGHT vet the new home thoroughly and make sure it goes to a responsible and knowledgeable home...

But to me, with that little information (there is loads of room for more text, why didn't they say must go to a knowledgeable home? Or tell us a bit more about the pony, no mention even of if it is backed, mare, gelding etc?) I really do fear that it will end up in somebody's back garden, never see a farrier and get fed on leftovers.

Your thoughts? Could I/should I report it, given that my fears are based on speculation only? To whom, bearing in mind the site doesn't show anybody's details, you just send them a message through the website. I suppose the administrators must have that person's registration details.

 

[Ezme]

I think your right to be suspicious and any remotely experienced horse person wouldn't touch it with a barge pole (unless they knew said pony in person i suppose) so with an add like that its only going ot go to an inexperienced (or possibly no experience, its happens) home and I think just about everyone on here has had experience with a shitland, it mean shetland, lol

to know they need propper handling and treating like a real horse if their not to become little horrors!

Don't get me wrong i do love shetlands (looked after 6 and a caspian x shetland on and off for 7 years) but you definatly need to know how to handle them, at least untill you've established good habits into them!

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Ring them and ask about it

 

[josephine]

[ QUOTE ]
Ring them and ask about it

[/ QUOTE ]


Good idea, then take it from there.

 

[Natch]

No phone number. only way of getting in contact is to email through the website.

Isn't that a bit busybody ish? Or should I be sticking my oar in if it means potentially helping the pone out of a sticky situation - if s/he is in one in the first place?!

Agh!

 

[milz88]

I think you should contact them through the website and at least find out a bit more about the pony/its situation, that might help you determine if it is in a bad home/sticky situation and might need your help. If there is no price for it, why not agree to have it and rehome it to somewhere really nice!

 

[Natch]

Nooooo don't put ideas like that into my head!!!

Sadly I don't have the money or facilities to keep another, especially not something small enough to duck under the fence and so at risk of lami.

And I'd be far too soft to part with it, even though I have no use for something so small!!

 

[milz88]

Hmm, well just do the finding out part!

 

[Geraldine]

I saw that and thought the info was a bit sparse!!! I was going to ask a bit more but then I'd get drawn in and end up with a Shettie - wouldn't be very popular!!!

 

[Natch]

Have mailled the poster so will see.

Sharon - I love your siggie!

 

[Enfys]

Perhaps, maybe, possibly, the wording is only to capture interest, the vendors may be perfectly responsible and further details and 'vetting' of potential buyers will occur privately.

When I advertise horses I tend to use wording to get attention. I expect to ask, and to be asked, many questions and make my decision as to who I sell, or don't sell to, based on that.

 

[AmyMay]

Is free cycle a council based site? If so you could draw their attention to it.

Or someone like trading standards??