Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Cathy Atkinson — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:03:15 GMT

I would like to invite everybody who has horses they care about to list them on www.horsereunions.com

You can submit individual horse listings now, with pictures, not just add your name to the breeder's list. It will allow someone who comes across your horse in a bad situation or in danger of slaughter to contact you.

The more people use it, the better it will work. It doesn't cost a thing to use so please, come over and show your commitment to keeping your horses safe. If you don't want them winding up in the hands of a home that won't take care of them properly, step up for them yourself - that's the best solution.

See you there!

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

barnyardlady — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:10:12 GMT

In another state-many years ago,I bought horses that were scrawny,sick,blind,toothless,hopelessly lame-and had them euthanized.I have had many of my own euthanized-I cry for days-but they never suffer again.It is the responsibility of a true horse lover.They have a clean stall-a good meal-a good nights sleep-and in the morning,their suffering is over-would that I could have the assurance of the same for myself in this life.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

pd — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:16:38 GMT

First, hats off to Mr. Antony Beck.Thank you .

lobieb; yes.Ultimately the horses well being is and should be the main issue. If after all options are exhausted, the humane thing to do is to kindly put the horse down.Hopefully , in the presence of loving handlers.

thanks

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

JohnF — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:33:35 GMT

I find it unbelievable that someone could criticize the effort of someone trying to do the right thing. My hat is off to you Antony. Well done!!

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

TerriV — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:06:54 GMT

I'd like to tell a story that should give us all some hope and inspiration. On Monday I got an email from the owner/breeder of a farm in Ohio where I worked for 9 years. Our 27 year old teaser stallion, Tommy, died of a stroke in his pasture. Tommy lived his entire life on this one farm. He never raced. His conformation was not quite right. He was deeply loved, well cared for and provided a valuable service for the owners. He had exceptional good sense, was sweet, always manageable and a joy to all who ever knew him. And even better, he is not the only horse that these owners have kept for all their lives with love and exceptional care. All their broodmares live out their lives never neglected and always loved. There are responsible, caring Thoroughbred owners/breeders out there. God bless these wonderful people and, Tommy, we'll all miss you.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Golden Gate — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:04:14 GMT

Here is a list of horse breeders who do take back horses that their farm bred.

www.horsereunions.com/.../list.html

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Cas — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:23:21 GMT

I agree with you Jill, there are not enough responsible owners about. How is it that a farm has 8 broodmares it wants to kill and if they are of no value why are they keeping the foals alive not to mention why on earth were they bred in the first place, although I am the first to say you never know where a good horse will come from, but 8 mares. Cudos to the TB tracks that are trying to help racehorses. If people do their homework it is possible to find homes for ex racehorses and it is very possible to follow up on them. Even a few years of extra life must be worth it to a horse. But if the alternative is the terror of the slaughter house then they absolutely MUST be euthanized on the farms. The veterinarians generally know whether a horse owner is in financial trouble or not, maybe they should step up to the plate with a difficult situation rather than let that horse go to slaughter.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

ROWNER — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:51:38 GMT

I think we should be positive about this no adoption program is perfect. I had my horse for 34 wonderful years the last of those were basically just a pasture buddy. The fact is though not everyone has the means to care for horses that are crippled or unsound and humane euthanasia is a better option. Please don't knock Old Friends they do a great service they just can't help them all.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Jill — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:45:41 GMT

It's a responsible, humane owner who puts down a horse that has no future. It's a responsible, humane owner (and trainer) who tries to find a second career for a horse that can transition to one.

Unfortunately, "responsible" and "humane" are far too uncommon in many animal owners.

For those who think programs like this can't and don't work, what would you suggest? You're either part of the problem or part of the solution....

Frankly, I'm very proud of the way the TB industry is (slowly) beginning to step and face this issue of what happens after the track. Now, if only the American Quarter Horse Assn., Paint Horse Assn. and so many other groups would follow the TB world's lead, ALL our horses would be in a much better spot.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Linda — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:08:11 GMT

Amen Jen. You are so right, any breeder/farm that has these horses, should take responsibility for them, ALWAYS.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

66puppies — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:41:05 GMT

there is NOTHING more frustrating than seeing a horse rescue waste donated funds trying to work miracles on a horse that should've been euthanised in the first place, while that money could go to maybe 5 or 10 other horses who DON'T have special needs - where is the wisdom in that??

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Rggc — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:33:37 GMT

After reading the comments here I want to thank God there are responsible people out there. I have alot of friends in the animal rights groups who mistakenly believe the answer to all the ills of the horse is that the slaughter houses have been closed. We as horse lovers and owners must do the right thing and first stop breeding horses that haven't a chance to be sucessful at the tracks and afterward and two, when they can no longer keep these animals, if they personally cannot place them with good organizations and or private homes, they must end their lives peacefully. It breaks my heart seeing yearlings in the pastures of backyard breeders where I live. I guess if folks can't stop breeding dogs and cats, I can't expect them to do the right thing for the horse either.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

JMEWILL — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:49:12 GMT

THANK YOU ALL! This is one area where being right isn't a happy thing for me.I love horses and racing and there is alot that can be done except it isn't financially lucrative to do the things that need to be done to care for these horses after they can't run anymore. For example, go to the United Pegasus website and you will see a whole lot of horses that are not rideable either because of injury or temperment, and they stuggle sometimes to feed the horses, pay the bills, insurance ect...It would cost an owner around $150 a month to care for the horses he places there, which would be tax deductible, but there are a lot of horses that need sponsors. This is where I differ with the thinking, some of those horses should have been put down, giving them a chance to keep the rescue avenue flowing rather then clogging it with unadoptable horses who require care for fifteen to twenty years, all in all it is a worthwhile cause though and I know mrs. meredith works tirelessly for the horses.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Blackhorse — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:05:38 GMT

If people who breed horses would stop breeding so many low quality animals. Breed ones that are of quality, the horse business may have fewer horses that knows one wants. It starts there.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

66puppies — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:14:43 GMT

as much as we hate to acknowledge it, JMEWILL is absolutely right. I have a terrible feeling that nothing good will happen to most of those horses. Its great that someone is trying to do something for these unwanted horses, but most of the time, on the owners' side, its out of sight out of mind. just because the horse is placed doesnt mean its safe. please euthanize your unwanted/unsound horses - dont leave the door open for someone else to torture & starve them. and if you think only one farm euthed their unwanted mares, you're kidding yourself. This is not a bad thing, by the way - its the most humane thing that can be done. When your weekly local news reports start coming in this winter, regarding whole barns and fields full of dead and dying horses (as happened last year also), I wonder how many of those horses were unwanted giveaways?

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Michelle — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:39:59 GMT

While I am glad that 11 horses found new homes, I still have to say that I agree with lobieb and jmewill. If a horse is not wanted, the humane thing to do in many cases is to euthanize it. There are not enough good homes out there for all the horses who need them. Look at all the perfectly good mares and weanlings at the Keeneland sale who went through the ring with no bid. While yes, some farms do have the money to care for the useless, the lame, the infertile, and the infirm until they die a natural death, most farms do not have that kind of cash laying around or the land, for that matter. I personally would have loved to make several mares that I have met over the years a pasture pet, if I had the pasture to put them in. It is a sad fact that the market has to correct, stop overproduction, and take the cheap mare who hasn't produced anything useful in her broodmare career out of the breeding shed.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

normajean81258 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:40:36 GMT

While I do agree in principle, with most of the comments here,(except fb0252),any good news for the horses is welcome. At least Gainesway among many other farms, owners, rescues and even some tracks (Finger Lakes)are taking some positive action. It is much better than no action at all. At least there is hope that a solution will come to this ongoing and growing problem. If you sign up for the Old Friends newsletter you will see how many Horse owners and stable/farm owners give huge amounts of money. Some pay transportation and donations when a TB is in need as well. When Old Friends reports that "so & so" GENEROUSLY donated a TB, the "generous" means, they cover the horses Transport & care for life. Of course they (OF's) still need to maintain the pastures, sheds etc. so they depend on benefactors, fundraising, donated or discounted Vet services and the public. We need to give credit to those making a difference and an effort. In a perfect world, we would not have this problem. But alas, not so perfect of a world....

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

russell maiers — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:31:49 GMT

I am very glad that some great things are being done with unwanted horses. It makes me very proud though, that after reading many of the comments here, that these people see through much of the false hopes and propaganda and will not be quiet until all those responsible take responsibility for our brave and vulnerable horses.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

ttimsan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:16:14 GMT

Kudos to Gainesway for choosing to find a solution rather than treating the problem with indifference, lamenting how someone else should resolve it, or pretending the problem doesn't exist at all.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Gulchfan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:11:09 GMT

"I am so sick of hearing how 'owners generously donated' their horses to adoption programs. Why can't they take care of their own horses?!"

I agree wholeheartedly, Liz, whenever I read that about a horse being 'donated' to Old Friends or one of the other places like it (while I'm grateful they'll be going to such a nice place), my mind substitutes the word, "dumped." These owners should be required to provide (and I think some do, but not nearly enough) an actual monetary 'donation' to cover the future care of their horse. That way, we'd know they really just truly wanted the horse to be where the public could more easily visit, and not to just get rid of a no-longer-financially-viable animal. If an owner can't/refuses to give money, that should be published, especially the ones refusing, so we can publicly shun them (and maybe others will refuse to sell their horses to them). But I'm guessing this is too much to hope for, as with so much in horse racing and being a fan of, we must take whatever crumbs we can get of all we really want, and be grateful for that.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

lobieb — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:03:28 GMT

PD would you rather see them starve to death, be sent off to the slaughter house or worse. The human thing to do was to put them down if they weren't wanted, peaceful and quiet so they would not have to suffer. There are so many unwanted horses out there and not enough people can afford to adopt one. To make sure they don't suffer this was the way for them to go peacefully.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

pd — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:43:08 GMT

SHAME on the farm that put down the 8 mares not in foal! This type of primitive treatment should be MADE PUBLIC ! Give the horses a chance. Someone may want to adopt them. If the owners can not take responsibility for the horses in retirement , we should not have horse racing.....period.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

jmewill — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:42:20 GMT

As I have experience with both sides of this issue, WHAT should happen is that if the horses are injured beyond being able to go on to another career(show,trail, or whatever)The OWNERS should have the resopnsibility to put the horse down humanely,and bear the cost of this as a final gift to a horse who obviously ran itself into a dire medical condition while being asked to carry someone's silks around the track. There are rescues in the industry full of horses that are too cripplied to DO anything but limp around for twenty years and that IS their quality of life? All the while some poor bugger with a simple healable injury may find his way the the slaughterhouse floor, because the funds needed to rescue him are tied up in feeding some horse who can't go on to do anything. A lot of owners "graciously donate" horses to get out of doing something to take responsibility for their animals. These horses are not bred to stand around and do nothing... If I had a horse injured so badly it would never be ridable, and I didn't want to bear the responsibility to care for it for fifteen to twenty years I would have no problem putting the animal down at least I would know it wasn't being mistreated, starved or worse. And I could sleep knowing I gave the horse a peaceful quiet dignified end rather than getting struck in the head with the bolt, hung by his back legs to bleed out, well you get the idea...I have three OTTBs in my back yard now and it's not the racetrack, but they know I love them and I could never look them in the eyes and send them somewhere when their fate is uncertain.

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Liz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:43:49 GMT

What is wrong with people taking responsibility for the horses they own? You should know before you buy a horse that one day they will be old and require care. If you are not prepared to provide that care into their old age - please don't buy a horse to start with. I am so sick of hearing how 'owners generously donated' their horses to adoption programs. Why can't they take care of their own horses?! Why do caring people have to struggle to give them a decent life?

re: Unwanted Horses Become Wanted

Jen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:51:56 GMT

dont you just love negativity in a report about something good? I have to believe that someone doing this would be taking precautions against Killers getting into this.