opinions on us irish as horse owners???

[fitzaud2]

I was just on ERR website and was horrified at the opinion most people on there have of irish people as horse owners. I was on there as I have to re-seed my fields and am in the horrible position of not having grass for the summer this year. I have 2 two year olds, that unless a miracle happens, I will need to re-home. I could stick them up on donedeal for 200 euro and forget about them, but i love my horses, and am looking into finding them a really great home, even if it means giving them away. I was gobsmacked at the attitude that they had of the irish, do people really think that we all just abuse our horses and let them starve. I know there is a minority element that drive foals in harness, and are generally cruel, but do people really think that we are all cruel to our animals. I've spent more on my horses, since i've had them, than i have on my children, and my children are perfectly healthy and well looked after, as are my horses. sorry for going on, but i'm upset over being branded with the same brush!!!

 

[Amaranta]

Personally? I would not give too much attention to the opinions of those on ERR!

I don't believe that all Irish people abuse their horses, I actually think of the Irish as a nation of horse lovers. Anyhoo we have our own share of bad horse people over here, I am sure as many as you have over there!

 

[fitzaud2]

Thanks Amaranta, I dont normally react to stuff like that but thought feck that, everyone I know that has horses, love there horses so much. Any ideas on what to do about grazing. If i could only find a farmer with excess grazing for the summer, i'd be fine!!!!

 

[Rose Folly]

I'm half Irish, and had been brought up to believe the Irish were huge horse lovers. A holiday in SW Ireland some years ago dispelled that myth. The donkey in the field by our rented cottage had toes that curled up like Turkish slippers. When I remonstrated with the farmer, who obviously thought I was a meddling English cow he said "Ah, don't be bothering yourself about that now!" We were surf chasing with the children one day, and somewhere near Dingle a bunch of trekking horses were coming back after what a local told me would have been a two-day ride. They were being turned out into their field, and the saddle sores were unbelievable.

I've had 3 "over on the boat from Ireland" cobs and a pony, including my present mount, and all were nervy and headshy. In my opinion they'd been knocked about.

On the other hand I've a relation who's an Irish steeplechase trainer, and the horses there are cherished and live like kings. But all in all, my perception of Irish horse-loving was not good - and don't get me started on Irish dogs!

It's the old thing of the few getting the many a bad name, and TG for people like you who love your horses. I hope you can find somewhere else to keep them for this year while you re-seed.

 

[Millyard Rejects]

There are bad owners and good owners in all countries!

Ive met the really worst..the numpties who try and drive foals the ones who beat the living daylights out of their horses and those that fall short of wrapping their horses in cotton wool!

fitzaud2-if you werent so far away id offer you a couple of acres for the summer? but how long were you looking for grazing for? and when do you need it?

 

[fitzaud2]

There are bad owners and good owners in all countries!

Ive met the really worst..the numpties who try and drive foals the ones who beat the living daylights out of their horses and those that fall short of wrapping their horses in cotton wool!

fitzaud2-if you werent so far away id offer you a couple of acres for the summer? but how long were you looking for grazing for? and when do you need it?

I have 15 round bales of hay left so it's not urgent, and i normally put them in in september, so probably from may to september, while i'm re-seeding, i'm going to put in an all weather area for next winter with woodchip, which is cheap as chips, so for about 200 euro, i'll have an area for them next winter to keep them off the field. Its like juggleing hot coals, trying to figure it out. Now, I have no intention of keeping them forever, but i want them to be broken, riding, and have experience before i sell them on, that way, they have a fighting chance of getting a good home. As 2 year olds, and given that they are gypsy cobs, they'd have no chance here of not falling into the wrong hands, down the line. thats what annoys me about selling, as even if you have a nice person buy them, god knows what happens after!!