Tough economic times have meant that many people can no longer afford their horses.
Sadly, you see many of these horses being sold on Craig’s list. Recently, the ads for two horses were highlighted on the equestrian forums. Here’s the good news: both of them were purchased by people who are committed to helping these horses recover. The bad news? No horse should look like these two.
The good/bad news is that these two are the lucky ones. They were purchased by people who are committed to nursing them back to health and who have the knowledge and skills to succeed. Many of the horses being sold for just $50 are not going to have happy endings.
What are people to do? Sometimes circumstances are beyond our control. I know several people who have lost their jobs and have had no success finding new ones. When money is tight, there are hard decisions to make. Rescues are full and even the kill buyers don’t want horses that are skin and bones. Some times, however, people buy horses without understanding the care and commitment that is required, or the money it takes to keep a horse healthy and fit. There needs to be more education and more, well, choices. I’m not a fan of euthanasia for healthy horses but I also don’t believe in starving them.
I’d love to hear some of your suggestions on how we can prevent horses (and their owners) from ending up in a sad and horrible ad on Craig’s list.
Here’s how just a few weeks of care and feeding can help:
I am commenting here without looking at the pictures, and only skimming the text. I confess to cowardice.
I certainly hope that jme of Glenshee Equestrian Center does not see this post. It will not help her.
I am so ashamed of people sometimes.
I can’t tell you how many beautiful, healthy, fit horses I’ve turned down, who were offered to me for free. Some were aging, some people were downsizing, etc. I know how expensive horses are, and what it takes to keep them in condition in terms of time and money.
But if I can’t honestly say to the owner (and myself) he’ll be safe for life, I won’t do it. There’s too much flux in my life right now. Luckily, the owners were committed, experienced horse women, and all have found quality places for their horses, or a way to make it work.
What I want to do, is go through Craig’s list, and snatch all these horses and take care of them!
Some day I’d like to have my own barn and a bit of land. Then I’ll be able to help some of these poor horses. The problem is that there are always more that need help.
That’s why I’ve stopped reading Craig’s list. I still do browse the CANTER website but since I only have one stall, I’m kinda stuck with just one horse for now.
The rescue outfits are always taking donations.
Also, my cousin and I have been learning about healing with Essential Oils from a vet in Minnesota, Melissa Shelton, DVM of Crow River Animal Hospital, who is working on putting together the Essential Oils For Animals Desk Reference.
There are some amazing (and generally less expensive/damaging) treatments she is discovering. Cured 120 cases of strangles at a single ranch simply through performing rain drop therapy on the horses and diffusing the oils.
It doesn’t magically give people more money, or those with too much heart more sense… but sometimes it can still help care for your horse… more than a giant vet bill.