2 y.o Chestnut Mare Needs Home

In a not-so-amazing coincidence, right after my conformation post talking about cheap young chestnut horses, I got an email asking for help finding a home for a cheap young chestnut horse.

Susan Wellman, of ASAP rescue here in Wisconsin, is in contact with an Amish family that owns a neglected mare. You can read her blog post about it here. Trudy Mara, part-time horse rescuer, is willing to pay the $50 the Amish want for her, but doesn't have a place to put her. I am totally willing to give her a free ride to a new home, but I don't think I can take her myself. Saint Francis Horse Rescue is also full.

Do you have space for a young mare with trust issues? Her description:

"2 year old pretty wild 14.1 HH grade QH filly, chestnut with white. She is on an Amish farm near Hillsboro, tied to a corncrib with a metal cable, with rope wounds to legs. She is fearful and would do best in a stall or a little larger space with daily work- life has not been good to her. She is also thin." Sorry, no pictures available.

You can contact Susan of ASAP at 608-689-2399 or asapinc@mwt.net.

America's Huge Ass Problem

Nope, for once this isn't about America's obesity crisis.

Quick, which American equine is the least desireable?

If you answered donkey/ass/burro, you just won the grand prize: 2,000 free donkeys. Can't take 'em? Neither can anyone else.

In the past three years, droughts, wildfires and flooding have devastated many middle/western states. Texas in particularly was hard-hit. Now, Indiana and Illinois farmers are shredding what little corn they have left just to feed their cattle. Hay is non-existant in many places. Colorado, of course, is on fire, Louisiana is in a drought crisis, eastern Iowa looks like a desert... basically, over half of the country looks like burned dog shit. It's officially the largest drought since 1956.

  

America: More brown than the infamous "tanning mom"



The animals suffer, of course-- but some suffer more than others. The underfed cattle at least got sold, once ranchers ran out of feed-- a quick death. Many horses were, and still are, being sold, given away, abandoned or even starved, but there's something about horses that make them slightly more recession-proof. They're more romantic, rideable, pretty, valuable and more recognizeable (so you can't dump them anonymously as easily). Everyone who ever read "Black Beauty" is at least inclined to call the police about any starving horses they see. Plus, there's always the French meat market as a last resort.



For donkeys, however, there are absolutely no options. Nobody, not even a Frenchman, wants to eat a donkey. Auction houses in Texas are now absolutely refusing to even accept donkeys in the ring, because no one bids on them. The few people that are in a position to adopt right now usually want a rideable equine, or at least one without a reputation for stubborness. So what happens? The donkeys get dumped. Literally, on the side of the road, dumped.

The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, based in Texas, took in 686 donkeys last year and are already set to break that record, having taken in 474 donkeys already this year. Many of them were actually rescued from the side of the road. See their press release. One animal control officer in Athens, Louisiana has personally taken on hundreds from his parish alone. This Iowa woman rescued a group of donkeys at an auction for $20 each-- their compatriots dumped along Iowa roadsides are less fortunate. Even Hawaii has had a donkey problem!

It's such a crisis in America that western sherrif departments now say it's common for people to actually sneak onto other ranchers' lands in order to dump donkeys. I can't imagine being so desperate as to try to sneak a pack of donkeys anywhere, but that's how bad things are. And we're just talking about relatively tame, domesticated donkeys here-- can you imagine how badly the wild burros are suffering?

So what can you do to help?

• Adopt a donkey from your local equine rescue, or even from an out-of-state rescue.
• Adopt a Wild Burro from the BLM. They even have online auctions!
• Donate to the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue.
• Become a Satellite Adoption Center for PVDR.
• Spread awareness on your blog, Facebook, website, Twitter, etc.
• Volunteer at a local horse or donkey sanctuary (Holy Land Donkeys is just one in Wisconsin).

Finally, you can educate yourself, and others, about donkeys. Many myths and bad stereotypes prevent donkeys from finding good homes. They are not stubborn, mean or nasty-- they're intelligent, adaptable, wary and independent. The PVDR has a great FAQ here. I had no idea donkeys carried their foals for a full year! Or that the word "donkey" comes from the old English words for "dun" (the grey color) and "ky" (meaning little). Neat stuff. PVDR also has this cute fan-made video. Enjoy:

Find Mylie A Home! + Entitlement Sucks

This is Mylie-- and she needs a home!

Many blogs feature adoptable horses from rescues. It's awesome-- but a little unfair. Horse rescues do work incredibly hard, and they deserve help and respect. But usually, they already have a support network. What about individuals?

I'm not talking about every Joe Shmoe that wants to "rehome" (sell) a horse because their daughter grew out of her pony phase. I'm talking about the honest, hard-working people who have opened their homes to a single animal in need, and don't want to make any profit. These people don't have highly visible, popular websites. They don't have 501(c)(3) status. They're getting no deals from vets or trainers, and they're generally not part of the rescue-involved "scene." They're just people trying to do the right thing. That's today's featured rescue.

This Quarter Horse mare is a gorgeous bay, fully broke, sound, healthy, and young (seven). She's also nice and tall at 15.2 hands. She's had her hooves, vaccinations and worming done. She's located near Markesan, WI. And she's free!

There's one problem: Mylie is a bucker. Not always, and not a bronco-bucker, but not for a beginner.

Her owner Todd says he has ruled out saddle fit problems, back injury or pain, teeth problems, rider error, and in short, everything he can think of. Todd got sold a lemon, but unlike many people, he won't send her to auction, he won't dump her on a dealer or an unknowing newbie, he won't give her away to just anyone, he's going to keep her until she finds a really suitable home. That's awesome.

Here's what Todd has to say about the bucking issue:

"She is a nice girl. She will saddle and take a bit fine. She will at times buck after first mounting or anytime while riding. It is not the aggressive bucking but a back step buck up and you can be thrown. It seems to be a fear or panic response to things. She can be ridden and before us had two young children riders but SHE IS NOT SAFE for a child and I will not market her as such. I want her to go to someone who has desensitizing training or experience with troubled horses and has the time she needs. She can appear perfect and sound and so I fear if in the wrong hands she would be remarketed and sold for profit and someone would end up hurt."

There are those of you that might complain that Todd needs to spend some money on training. That might be true if this was just a simple issue. The way Todd describes it however, it's a dangerous habit that may or may not be fixable-- meaning, even if he had the expertise or money to train her, he may never be able to fully trust Mylie. I can empathize with that. I had an Arabian cross gelding that was a fantastic horse-- except that he was hot, hot, hot. Fast, spooky, pushy and dominant, he scared me to death, and after a year of trying, I was simply not comfortable with, or capable of, doing more with him. Even if I had sent him to a trainer for 365 days, his personality was such that I would never have felt safe riding him. Likewise, Todd just doesn't feel safe riding Mylie...but he's not dumping her either!

Mylie needs a great home with someone who can work on her issue. Is it you? Are you one of those go-get-'em riders with training expertise and a little taste for thrill? Do you have experience working on bad habits? OR, do you need a gorgeous, sound young pasture mate?

See Mylie's Craigslist ad here, or contact Todd at funkltodd@hotmail.com -- but be warned, Mylie is only going to go to a GREAT home!

P.S. Todd says he's been getting a ton of criticism from all sides. Undoubtedly, there are those who are telling him to just shoot or euthanize poor Mylie, and those telling him he should keep her forever and ever and ever regardless of his safety. What really made me angry, however, was one response to his Craigslit ad, also posted on Craigslist:

Is this a scam (markesen)

---

Date: 2012-05-03, 3:04PM CDT

Reply to: see below ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

---

Theres an add for a free horse and I went to see it and I wasn't given it. I think it's a scam!!!!!!!! I wasted my day and so I don't want anyone else to waste theirs. I was told that she was rideable but told I couldn't ride. The guy who showed her got up and rode but when I asked why I couldn't i was told because she is unpredictable. So what she is free and I should have been allowed to get on her. I was told I wasn't a match for her because she needs an experienced handler. Why? I think this guy jusst wants to waste peoples time and has nothing better to do.

Isn't that the most bratty, entitlement-filled thing you've ever read?!  I just had to respond:

To the person complaining about not getting the free horse:

- They rode themselves and didn't want YOU to ride because of the possibility of a lawsuit if the horse injured you.

- They didn't give you the free horse because they obviously thought you were not going to be a good owner

- It's THEIR horse, and they have the right to decide who to give it to-- i.e. a GOOD home

- This whiny, entitlement-filled ad PROVES you are not going to be a good owner

- If you want everything your way, try actually paying for a horse

Okay folks-- spread the word! Find Mylie a home! I have faith in you :)  Don't forget to watch the Kentucky Derby tomorrow, Sat. May 5th! It will be on NBC at 5:24 pm central time-- but if you want a preview of the horses and jockeys, you should of course tune in earlier.

Celebrities & Horses

Hey folks, it's Monday! I'm already exhausted from the weekend, how about you? Today's blog is a bit of a "fluff" post, but it should be amusing anyway. Let's take a look at some of our favorite celebrities, and their connections with the horse world.

Okay, okay, clarification: we're only going to look at celebrities that are A) actually into horses or B) did something good for them. If we list every celebrity that ever mounted a horse and claimed to love it, we're going to have see tons more bimbos like Ms. Spears up there. (Lord, can you imagine any more inappropriate riding clothes? Love the flip-flops, Britney-- now put your heels down.)


Johnny Depp

The-highest paid actor in the world should engage in some philanthropy once in a while! John Christopher Depp II (yep, that's his real name) adopted an Andalusian named "Goldeneye" from the set of Sleepy Hollow. The horse, who played "Gunpowder" in the movie, was scheduled to be euthanized (no idea why). Yay Johnny! You may be close to 50 now, but you're still hot. Let's hope your Lone Ranger movie doesn't get cancelled so you can ride again!



William Shatner

Yep, Captain Kirk the space cowboy really likes horses in real life-- he and his wife Elizabeth breed and show Quarter Horses and Saddlebreds on their 150 acre farm, Belle Reve, in Kentucky. Spend some money on the website, will ya Kirk? It's kind of fugly. The farm helps out with the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope's "Help for Heroes" program. Shatner is also hosting a Hollywood charity event this year centered around horses, the profits going to a ton of great causes. Good for you Captain-- it's clear you're paying attention to the needs of the many!





Sheryl Crow

The world-famous singer looooves horses--  she's given tons of money to various horse-related organizations (mostly of the save-the-mustangs type) and made this video with Viggo Mortensen about stopping the mustang roundups. Well, you know how I feel about that, but her heart's in the right place I guess. She's been criticized for simultaneously advocating horse welfare and performing at rodeos, but I think most reasonable people understand that well-run rodeos aren't cruel.






Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is one of the coolest people ever. He's an advocate for green biofuel, small farmers and animal welfare. He's adopted several neglected horses and constantly advocates against horse cruelty, including horse slaughter.








Viggo Mortensen

The soft-spoken actor, best known for his role as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings movies, is a huge horse fan. He rides, advocates for, and published a photography book of, horses! He even bought a horse for a crew member on a LOTR set who might not have been able to have the horse otherwise. Check out this cool video about Viggo's deep connection with horses. Oh, and did you know he speaks 7 languages? Hottest. Actor. Ever.




...okay folks, there are a TON more horse-obsessed celebrities out there, but I'm going to have to wrap things up for today; real world problems are calling. Stay tuned for more celebrities, horses and Kentucky Derby updates! The Derby is May 5th-- have you got your mint julep ingredients ready yet?!

The Annual Winter Horse Abandonment

Pro Tip: You may want to think about trading your poor horse for a snowmobile.

Every year this happens: irresponsible horse owners suddenly realize it's winter. Yes, this totally regular and predictable season apparently comes as a shock to them. They'd been scraping along, feeding too many horses on some scruffy pasture, and suddenly there's no grass. It's cooold, which means it's no fun to go out and handle horses. Ice and snow block trails and gates. The shoddy fences are breaking down under drifts of snow. They've maxed out their credit cards on Christmas presents and New Years booze, so they have no cash to buy hay. And all of the muddy ponds and five gallon buckets that served as water tanks are frozen over! OH NOES.

The only logical response to this: Is it doing without their own comforts in order to keep the horses fed, then planning better for next year? Finding lower-cost rough board and dealing with winter chores yourself? Trying to sell a few of those extra horses? Hell no! That would be too hard! 

Just dump all the horses on someone else.

What follows is the latest round of winter dump-offs in my area, brought to my attention by various email lists, horse boards, blogs, etc. All are unaltered, original messages. My comments are in green. Note: People do dump horses all year 'round. It just seems especially prevalent, and unfortunate, in the dead of winter.

---------------------------------------------

$300. horses:
A woman dropped off 26 horses at this persons place to board and then never paid anything past the first months board. The lady that currently has the horses went thru legal channels as the horses were abandoned and now has the court's approval to sell them.
They range in all sizes and breeds, mares and geldings. Asking $300 a piece to cover their feed bill.  There is a tall dark brown dressage horse, but not sure what level he is at.
If anyone is interested, please just give Robin a call, she is always available.  Last weekend she rode most of them to see how they are and said they are just nice riding horses. Didn't have any trouble with them.

Robin Schmidt
Eagle, WI
Email:
Cell#
Please pass around and you can call or email if interested


This has got to suck soooo bad. The legal wrangling alone must have taken months. Imagine being in Robin's shoes; you're stuck with 26 horses to try to sell, in mid-winter, when no one wants an extra mouth to feed. To ensure the financial survival of your own farm, you HAVE to sell them SOON-- but your conscience is going to bother you forever if you don't take the time to make sure they find GOOD homes, of which there is a short supply. What an awful position to be in.

UPDATE: Looks like this is a hoax, folks! Sorry. It seems as though Robin may have had a minor problem with a boarder, but certainly not to the point where she had to go to court, and 26 horses were not involved! Thank goodness. I have erased her contact info. I wonder how this stuff happens? Was it simply web-drama, where a situation was blown WAY out of proportion, or was it purposeful harassment by someone who cleverly arranged for Robin's phone to ring off the hook via this sympathy ploy?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

I appologize for such a large mass mailing but I am reaching out to my friends and colleagues who may be interested themselves or may have connections to someone who may be willing to help out my family. I am trying to put the word out to anyone who may be willing and able to add one or more horses to their family. My brother has several horses and is unable to properly care for them. He said if they are not able to find a new home for them asap, they will have to have them put down so they don’t suffer and starve. My brother, Terry, is a fireman and works very hard. He had an unfortunate accident in the Summer of 2010 where he indured a life threatening brain injury. He has made a miracalus recovery and is back to work, but his finances have suffered greatly. I’m sure he is probably feeding his horses before himself, but there is really nothing more he can do. I understand the economic times are hard all around and it is expensive to care for a horse, but if you or anyone you know has room to add one or more of these beautiful creatures you would be saving their life. I told Terry I would do what I can to get the word out. Here is a list of the horses he has.

3 yrs 50/50 Arabian, Checkner Male No Training

2-6yrs Arabian – Black Male Halter Broke

2-6yrs Arabian Male Halter Broke

2-6yrs Arabian Male Halter Broke

2-6yrs Arabian Male Halter Broke

14-15yrs Thouroughbred Female Trained

9m Saddlebred/Arabian Male Halter Broke

3-10yrs Arabian Female Broke

3-10yrs Arabian Female Broke

3-10yrs Arabian Female Broke

3-10yrs Arabian Female Broke

3-10yrs Arabian Female Broke

3-10yrs Arabian Female Broke

(HIS Sibling Not Mine- carol)My brother’s contact info:

His name is Terry Condon, cell phone number is 608-434-7508 and work number is 608-245-4561. He lives in Loganville (that's also in WI).

Okay, I do have some sympathy for anyone who is injured. However, this situation didn't develop overnight. Terry was injured in 2010 and has only now decided he can't care for his animals? Terry himself chose to collect THIRTEEN horses in the first place-- and 13 is about nine too many for one person to handle under the best of circumstances anyway. He chose to wait until his finances were really bad to do something about getting rid of those horses-- in the middle of winter, when no one wants a horse. He has apparently also chosen to keep such poor track of his horses that there aren't even reliable descriptions of them. Also, I'll eat my hat if the mares aren't pregnant by the "males." So he's chosen to create MORE horses to deal with! ARRRrrghhhh!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the Refuge Farms Horse Sanctuary boards:

In the Wausau area, a woman and her husband have been evicted effective 11/29/11. The Sheriff has visited and will seize her horses "sometime next week". She has no options. We have discussed euthanizing rather than shipping.
Her herd is 5 stallions and 5 mares. The mares, she says, are not pregnant as the stallions have been seperated from them. I will follow-up with her next week and offer to support some of the costs to euthanize.
If anyone has any ideas or any space or any names - please reach me. At least for a couple of them . . . .
How sad. How horribly sad.
The mares are 2 and 4 (both of these are halter broke) and three 20 year olds off the track. All are thoroughbreds.

Later, Refuge Farms got some more (worse) information:

I am having tough time with this one.

The owner is now thinking her horses are worth some money rather than just surrendering them. And I am finding it difficult to time my calls to her when she is able to talk with me. There seems to be an addiction involved here. The first call it was 10 horses. The next call it was 12 horses. The last call she couldn't recall how many horses. I'm thinking the mares are pregnant, too. Most likely. This woman is a breeder.
My calls to the sheriff so far have gone unanswered. I'll continue to try. The owner swears she has never received a business card from a deputy and that she has never received an eviction notice, either.  


Again, I have some sympathy for those getting evicted, especially in this rough economy-- but also again, that situation did not happen overnight. You don't get evicted quickly. It takes months to get someone evicted. If this couple had financial problems and couldn't pay their rent for months, they had a responsibility to deal with the horse situation long before it required the intervention of the local sheriff and a horse rescue. They could at least have stopped breeding more horses. The fact that the woman is only now interested in getting some money out of the horses (because the rescue showed interest) is despicable. Lady, if you wanted to sell, you had time. Don't try to bilk the rescue out of money. The whole "eviction" thing could even be made up to try to get the rescue to hand over some cash or free hay.

Back to me again. There are more horses being dumped en mass out there (just browse Craigslist) but if I tried to list all of them, I'd just start punching things in rage. That's not a good idea around a computer. Anyway, if you can fit an extra horse into your life, please contact these folks. Keep the sarcasm and nastiness out of your conversations with them; it's okay to be snarky and commiserate on the internet in general, but it won't help the horses if you provoke their owners in person.

Neglected Horses in Texas: Drought & Famine

The drought in Texas has continued unabated for months and months. Lakes have disappeared, pastures have turned into deserts and hay fields have shriveled into weedy dirt lots. The result is soaring hay prices, abandoned horses and overworked horse rescue organizations.

Here's just one article about the problem: Yahoo News: Texas Drought Leaves Heartbreaking Toll of Abandoned Horses

...and here's one very competent, very well-run Texas horse rescue trying to cope with dozens of unwanted horses, to the point that they can't take in any more: Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
They have dozens upon dozens of really nice horses desperate for homes, and the organization has waived or lowered adoption fees on many of them. I myself am desperately in love with some of their donkeys (but the hubby has vetoed adoption of any pets of the long-eared variety).

"Jack Sparrow," a super cute donkey available for just $200.

The drought is so severe, it's the worst Texas has experienced in its history, at least since records started being kept in 1895. With all the water drying up, weird things are being found all over the state, including previously submerged slave cemeteries, ancient Indian remains, drowning victims and even missing pieces from the doomed space shuttle Columbia, which disintegrated over hundreds of miles of land in 2003. The NYTimes has a great article here.

The most heartbreaking and interesting news piece I've run across is a photoblog on the disaster done by Collective Vision here.

 

The animals in Texas are obviously suffering, and if you have any spare change, I urge you to donated it to Bluebonnet or any other horse rescue organization in Texas.

One question: why aren't there more free horses in Texas Craigslist ads? Admittedly I only browsed briefly, but there are far fewer free horses there than this level of tragedy would seem to create. Sure, there are cheap horses, and a few free companion-only horses, but no more than in Wisconsin. Do Texas people simply not use Craigslist as much? Are ranchers there just sending horses to slaughter instead? Is there a stubborn feeling among ranchers that there's just no way they'll give horses away for free? If you know, please tell us.

Fall Bargain Bin: Cheap Horses

In case you thought I was kidding about the horse over-population problem, or how many cheap horses there are out there (so you DON'T need to breed more) today we're looking at what you can buy for less than $1,000.

First, I'd like to mention Midwest Horse Welfare, the best-run horse rescue operation in Wisconsin. They offer up horses I habitually drool over, for stunningly low prices. I'm currently wiping my chin over two appendix Quarter Horses there, both broke to ride, healthy, young and gorgeous for $400 and $500 respectively. I know that some people are shy about jumping through the hoops that a horse rescue has to put adopters through, but here's the deal: you'll never be lied to. MHW is non-profit and wants to make SURE the horse and adopter are right for each other, so they're not going to exaggerate training level, hide health problems or lie about age or temperament. They also promise to take back any horse that doesn't work out-- and they have. That kind of security is WORTH a few hoops. Anyway, check them and their bargain beauties out here: Midwest Horse Welfare

P.S. They also have this pony up for adoption right now:

OMG he's so cute I want to DIE!! Broke for pony rides, 13 years old, $200.

Secondly, I'd like to mention that the largest horse auction in my state happened today: the Tim Nolan auction in Marion, WI. Every year, twice a year, they sell hundreds of horses-- many of them for less than a couple hundred bucks. If you went this fall, I'm dying to hear how low prices were-- I'm sure they were terrible. The last time I went, it was all I could do to stop myself from bringing home a trailer full. I just can't go to auctions any more-- my hand rises of its own accord.

Now on to my favorite casual reading: Craigslist. I've collected for you a selection of fall bargains. All are under $1,000, all of them have some level of saddle training. None of them are owned by the same person, by the way; these bargains are happening everywhere on Craigslist in Wisconsin:

13 yr old TB/Dutch Warmblood cross, beginning dressage, hunter & jumper, good on trails too-- just $950. And probably less, since the ad screams, "ALL REASONABLE OFFERS CONSIDERED"

Why buy a foal when you can get a well-started youngster for less?

"3 year old sorrel mare for sale. She has been started with about 60 days on her now, going great. Will go through creeks, hills, brush, cattle...very willing. Lots of potential."
$300

 "Sweet, gentle mare. She has been there and done that. Trails, Show ring and a mother. Great for farrier and vet. Coggins, 6way, teeth done about a month ago, feet and worming." She's ugly and 19 years old, but as a kid's beginner show mount and babysitter, she'd be perfect, and perfectly cheap-- they're asking $500 and would take less.

 11 year old registered AQHA red dun mare-- once broke to ride but has been a broodmare for a few years, so she'd need a refresher. Cute mare-- $600 or best offer.

My personal favorite: this grade palomino mare is young (only 4) but is very well broke:

"She stands tied, picks up all four feet, very easy to catch she nickers and comes right up to you. She rides western and bareback. She walks easily into and across water. She is used to both barb, and electric fences. She rides off alone and is used to being on the road with cars, tractors ect. You can use a snaffle bit or just halter and lead to ride. She also neck reins. Fancy has been on overnight camping trips and does well being tied on a picket line. She is open now and has never been bred. She also rides double."

How much? Only $800! Yes, for a COLORED, very broke, super cute, super sweet mare, who, judging by her video, has the patience of a saint. She was broke too early-- but looks sturdy. Bargain!!

11 year old halflinger mare; broke but needs work. Looks a little sassy, but very cute, and just the right height for a kid's horse at 13Hh. If you took this horse on as a project and finished her out as a kid's horse, you could easily re-sell her in spring for $1,200.

"we are asking $300.00 or BEST OFFER for her. she has to go ASAP."

(Not Pictured)         2 yr old very cute buckskin pony. 11 hands high. Four high white socks and a star. Super flashy. Welsh type with a lovely dished face and a kind eye. Very quiet and not easily spooked. I've been told that she has been saddled and had children led around on her. Seems unphased by pretty much anything. Loads well in a trailer. Good with her feet. Gets along well with other horses/ponies. Will make a very nice kids pony. $200 OBO.


Finally, here's a whole herd of free or very cheap horses: