Room for another - who’s most in need?

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rescuearacehorse

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I have plenty of room for another horse or pony in my life (own land, existing herd) and I’m trying to figure out who would be most in need, a horse being rehomed by a charity, or one looking desperate at market. I don’t mind paying for one if it ‘saves’ it but I hate the idea that someone profits after putting a sad case through market.

Whats the most ethical way to provide a home for a soul in need?

We already have two that we’ve rehomed, one saved from the kennels (he is fine, it was due to owner’s situation not him) and one rehomed from a charity.
 
I bought Rigs from someone who didn't have good health. The horse was not in good health himself and needed nursing. Many people would have advised her to PTS so he didn't get taken advantage of, but she advertised him and was stringent as to who could take him on.

Worked out well all round. Horse got someone who would cater to his actual needs. Owner was reassured that he was taken care of. I got a horse whose history I knew, with declared health issues so I could cater to them.

I guess I don't have the kudos of having a 'rescue' but then I do have satisfaction for how it all worked out.

I would simply look at what is advertised. Look for a horse who needs a soft landing, from an owner who has done their best.
 
definitely one you find at market or elsewhere to secure it's future. Those with a charity already have a future. They don't have an immediate problem.

I have taken in quite a few, probably a dozen or so over the years. None have come from charities. There were some that I thought I should refer to a charity but then I thought it is going to cost the charity a lot to sort them so I may as well do so. I don't support horse charities financially (or at least only one) as I have seen far too much money being wasted over the years.

It does put money in someone's pocket and it does reward them for what is often their cruelty either physical or mental. Whilst I don't like doing that I have always paid to get a horse out of trouble.

I remember one I found in a barn, starving and mentally beyond anything after what had happened to him. I gave OH cash to go and pay for him (the owner didn't know I had found him by chance ) That one really rankled having to reward the ba**ard but unfortunately money is often the only way to do it.
 
I'm with paddy on this one, I know buying from a bin end dealer at a auction is supporting their business but it's also saving that individual horse from the merry go round of unsuitable owners / other bin end dealers or being exported for slaughter. The ones in the charities are safe and have time on their side.
 
I agree with what's been said above that taking from a charity gives the next horse a chance but if it were me I'd be buying an oldie at auction with the expectation of a few nice years and a peaceful end then do it again.

You didn't say if you were wanting a horse that'd ultimately be useful? If that's the case charity would give you the best chance of getting one that isn't too far gone.
 
I’d buy something, and at least that way you own it. Some charities are good, others are less so. Five years down the line, if you want to move across country, you might find problems if you’ve got a charity horse and they don’t want it to move. At least if you own it, you can decide everything.
 
My ponies have always found me, they've been offered to me by people I know and I've felt sorry for them. I didn't find any of the charities I contacted very helpful. They seemed to just want me to take something that needed a lot of care first and foremost, without seemingly caring whether it would be happy here or would fit in to my set up.
 
Hopton has a good reputation locally, my heart breaks for this 27yr old mare 💔

www.hoptonrehabhoming.org

Mo

Companion
www.hoptonrehabhoming.org www.hoptonrehabhoming.org
 
Equine market watch sanctuaries just posted the most lovely little pair.

Truthfully - though it's rather sentimental and silly really- I think more often than not horses who need people find their way to them (and vice versa) so you'll know when you've found the one that needs you.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
Equine market watch sanctuaries just posted the most lovely little pair.

Truthfully - though it's rather sentimental and silly really- I think more often than not horses who need people find their way to them (and vice versa) so you'll know when you've found the one that needs you.
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I totally believe this too. They seem to find me for a reason too. I have never regretted providing a soft landing.
 
rescuearacehorse said:
Whats the most ethical way to provide a home for a soul in need?
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From a strict ethical standpoint, you know yourself that paying money to backyard breeders and bin-end dealers is not the way. But it is the starfish parable really, you make a huge difference to one horse in the face of insurmountable, societal abuses.

Having worked directly with equine charities, and knowing the costs, red tape and logistical nightmares they deal with to save any horses "the right way", they will always have my support, including financially. But sometimes they just don't have anything suitable, it happens.

The only thing gives me the biggest ick, is people buying a sad looking horse then touting them all over the place as a "rescue" for social media points 🤢 but I don't get the feeling you're that type 😂
 
smolmaus said:
From a strict ethical standpoint, you know yourself that paying money to backyard breeders and bin-end dealers is not the way. But it is the starfish parable really, you make a huge difference to one horse in the face of insurmountable, societal abuses.
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that is far from the case for many. It is way beyond the breeder or even the dealer but how the horse has been dealt with by people. They are not just sad looking horses although I suppose if you were emaciated/ terrified you may well look sad. :rolleyes:
They are horses who have fallen down on their luck for one reason or another. That can be any horse, be it mongrel or pedigree, regardless of how well bred he is.



There are also plenty of horses who on the face of it are poorly bred, have poor conformation, may not be that easy to ride who go on to be fantastic horses with lovely owners. There are plenty of well bred horses who fail and end up in the sh*t. .

no one likes paying money to people who have ill treated a horse. However by letting that one horse basically die (in some form) or carry on living in it's present state which may well be worse you are not going to make any difference to poor breeding.

smolmaus said:
Having worked directly with equine charities, and knowing the costs, red tape and logistical nightmares they deal with to save any horses "the right way", they will always have my support, including financially. But sometimes they just don't have anything suitable, it happens.
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my view of charities is very different. There is no way I would support them based on my personal experiences. I would (and do) support horses in need to whatever cost is required. I think a lot of money is wasted. When I first had money left over and was able to think of subscribing to a charity, obviously a horse one, I was shattered to see the money being spent unnecessarily.
Another charity I did volunteer work for to save them money. I gave up as they were just wasting money and may as well pay someone rather than me volunteering.
I have found that "people" do pretty well out of charities (not just horse ones)
smolmaus said:
The only thing gives me the biggest ick, is people buying a sad looking horse then touting them all over the place as a "rescue" for social media points 🤢
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for me it is rescue dogs and the phrase "he's a rescue" No you didn't rescue him you paid a charity for him (and it was kind of you to do so)
The person who "rescued" the dog was either the individual who got him out of trouble or the charity who found him. They are the ones who paid his vet bills cleaned him up, fed him and provided some training to get him into a state to be rehomed or to rehome themselves.
 
paddy555 said:
my view of charities is very different. There is no way I would support them based on my personal experiences. I would (and do) support horses in need to whatever cost is required. I think a lot of money is wasted. When I first had money left over and was able to think of subscribing to a charity, obviously a horse one, I was shattered to see the money being spent unnecessarily.
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That's my attitude, and do not me going on the amount of 'rescued' dogs that are bought from overseas.
The pony I took on I only paid for transport, the charity just checked my references and sorted out the collection. I asked them to give me the most difficult to re home. Although it was very thin, once I had it vet checked, jabbed and passport done, he didn't cost very much to come right, just forage and routine worming and the farrier.
I get why charities want to look as if they are doing the best, but as soon as you put a rug on a native pony it start thinking its set dressing.
 
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