The Black Stallion is Safe! Pictures of Past Abuse

First, a brief note for my regular readers: yes, I will still be doing a 100th post prize giveaway (now the 101st), next post, I promise. I just feel this is more important to wrap up.

So, wonderful news! The black stallion is now safe and sound at Saint Francis Horse Rescue and Retirement in Rosholt, WI. It's a beautiful place, and this guy, newly named "Diego" is already feeling better in his comfy box stall. He'll be gelded this week, and then shortly afterwards, he'll finally be able to run free in a big pasture. A HUGE thank-you to Mary and Bill for taking on this guy. I'd LOVE it if some of you readers donated to them, or adopted one of their equines. Currently, all adoption fees are waived to make room for new arrivals! They have some nice riding horses there.

"I get hay AND water AND a clean place to sleep AND a fan?! Dude, this is paradise!"

 
I'd like to remind everyone to please, please go to the authorities with any information you have about backyard Mexican horse racing in Wisconsin or northern Illinois.If you're not comfortable talking to the cops, you can email me at northhorseblog@gmail.com. Racing may happen on private property, or illegally in county parks and other open spaces. Races usually take place on Sundays, and may involve gambling, illegal drugs and horse abuse. Families do attend these events. I'm also looking for any information on a Hispanic trainer in the Madison area that goes by the name "Salas." He rents property to train horses for these races, using abusive practices.

While knee-deep in this rescue, I didn't have the opportunity to post everything that was going on. Here's a run-down of stuff I learned from the stallion's owner, Amos, and things I saw. I hope these  encourage you to do more to investigate possible abuse in your own neighborhood. It really can happen right down the road-- so don't just drive past that sad-looking horse in the barren pasture. Stop, knock on a door, talk to the owner. It's better to check than to be forever uncertain whether you could have saved an animal.

WARNING: Graphic Images Ahead

This miscarried calf and dead raccoon lay six feet from the farm's water pump, entangled in the hose where the stallion got his water from. When I visited, I frequently found him without water, and had to walk by this every time to fill his bucket.

The stallion's wound, described by Amos as "not too bad." The 3-4 inch gash obviously needed stitches, but Amos said that since his mare had suffered a similar injury "and didn't die or anything," he thought the stallion would be fine too:

Scars across the stallion's shoulders. Amos says, "that's just how you make him go":

Scars and deep halter rubs all over the stallion's head. When we went to load the stallion, Amos had to take off the horse's whole halter, because the rope attached to it was so knotted and tangled, it wouldn't come off. The stallion had been tied to a derelict barn for weeks.

Amos also had these wonderful things to say:

• Bragged about how, while some horses needed "special food," his horses would eat anything-- including straw, straight green alfalfa, etc-- and would do so without getting sick.
• Explained that racehorses, including his, were given "special vitamins" that bulked them up. Steroids?!
• Said he saw horses given "very expensive" shots right before a race that made them act "very crazy" and run very fast.
• Explained that he didn't have much money for winter hay because he was paying child support.
• Said that the stallion was short/smaller because he wasn't fed much as a colt.

In short, it was killing me not to strangle him, but I am determined to stay on good terms with Amos because he still has two horses. He's backed away from selling them to me, but I promise to keep checking in. Amos's mare is the stallion's dam-- and also the mother of the filly he sired. Yeah, Amos allowed the stallion to breed his own mom. Amos says the mare also used to be raced, until an untreated eye injury made her unusable.

By the way, have I mentioned that this is the same farm I rescued the abandoned llama from? Ryan and Jake Skalitzky, the dairy farm owners, need to stop renting out their crappy pastures to assholes. Also, dear Dane County Animal Control: I did your job for you today, since you've been doing nothing about this situation for the past two years, despite numerous phone calls. You're welcome. Also, you suck.

Okay folks, that's enough depressing stuff for now! Here are some nice pictures of Saint Francis horse rescue, so we don't end on such a horrific note. I got the full tour from Mary, and fell in love with the little silver-dapple mini there. Stay tuned for the 101st post prize giveaway!

Urgent: Stallion Needs New Home ASAP

Hey folks, once again I'm calling on you for help. There's a neglect case near my home in Wisconsin, and I'd like to get the horse out of the situation ASAP. Details below.

2nd UPDATE:

The stallion is safe!! For a full description of his awful past, pictures of his new home, etc, please visit my newest blog entry here.

UPDATE

Saint Francis Horse Rescue and Retirement has generously offered to take the stallion, balls and all, if I pay the owner and trailer him up there. He'll be safe by Monday! However, I do just want to double-check that Saint Francis is a good rescue. I'm sure they're saints just like their name, and Mary said all the right things on the phone, but you know...just in case. If you have any experience with them, please email me at northhorseblog@gmail.com or post in the comments below. If you think they're great, please send donations their way! They'll need it, because after seeing him and talking to the owner last night, this horse is more messed-up than I thought. More on that in another blog post.

There are still two horses on the property-- this stallion's dam, and their filly. (Yes, the owner allowed the stallion to breed his own mother.) They're in much better shape than the stallion (they're on pasture) but I've seen them with jutting ribs in the winter. Amos the owner says he might be interested in selling them. I may need help getting them out of there.

It really bugs me to give this abusive asshole any money, but since Animal control can't or won't do anything, I don't see any alternative. I did give Amos the phone number for Dane County Humane Society, and encouraged him to surrender at least one horse, but that's unlikely. Amos says he needs money, he doesn't even want to buy hay for the winter because he's short of money-- he complained about having to pay child support. Oh yeah, there's a ton more crap to tell you that I got from Amos, but I'll leave all that for another post.

DO keep an ear out for any information on backyard Mexican racing here in Wisconsin and just outside Chicago, and a Madison-area Hispanic trainer that goes by "Salas." Illegal drugs may be involved. Certainly horse abuse is! Go to the cops (I'll be doing so on Tuesday) or email me.

A huge thank-you to everyone who helped spread the word-- you are getting this horse out of here! Special thanks to Rae Miller, Midwest Horse Welfare, Becky Kubehl and everyone I called before 9am or too late at night.

5-6 yr old black TB/QH (??) grade stallion needs new home ASAP. He's halter broke, may be somewhat broke to ride-- was used in some sort of underground racing. Appears sound, between 14.1-15Hh, black with a little white on one foot. Almost certainly does not have Coggins or vaccinations. Hooves don't look terrible, teeth unknown.

He's currently being kept with little food, tied to the barn in a calf pen near Columbus (WI). The owner takes him out and ties him to farm machinery in a field in order to get him some grazing, but that's obviously not ideal...and the owner does not have hay. The stallion has minor injuries from escape attempts from his crappy pen. He's been jumping/breaking out to try to get to a mare across the road-- a mare he's related to and already bred once. I nearly ran him over with my car the other day as he ran across the highway. I can help with trailering. The owner is asking $200, I can help with that. Call your vet, your cousin, your trainer, etc, and ask them to email me at northhorseblog.com.

No, Animal Control won't do anything, I've tried for months. They claim that a long as there's some regular food and water, they can't do anything. Ditto horse rescues-- they won't take on stallions and are full up anyway. I want to get this guy out of this bad situation, but can't take on a stallion myself. I do have one friend going to look at him tonight, but she's already got her hands full. Any and all leads on a new home appreciated. Thanks.

Where the Hell Are We Going? Famous Stallions Past and Present

Before I say anything, I'll let you take a look at where western horse breeding has gone in the last few decades. I want you to compare the famous stallions of the early 1800s and 1900s to today's champions.

"Mentor," Grand Champion Morgan stallion born 1945:

"Mastroianni," Morgan stallion, modern 4 time World Champion:

"Mesaoud," Egyptian-born foundation Arabian stallion, foaled 1887:

"Magnum Psyche," modern International Champion Arabian, with Mesaoud ancestry:

"Wimpy," foundation stock-horse stallion, first Quarter Horse registered in AQHA in 1940:

"Mr. Ice Te," 2012 AQHA World Champion Congress & Halter horse:

"Roan Allen," foundation Tennesse Walking Horse stallion, foaled 1906. 100% of TWH carry his blood.

"Walk Time Charlie," 2012 Tennesse Walking Horse World Grand Champion

The stallions of the past are quite different from their modern counterparts, aren't they? That's not necessarily a bad thing. As we continue to breed any group of animals, over time their characteristics should change, their breeds adapting to be better at whatever they are supposed to do. But is that what has happened here? What ideals are being portrayed by the modern stallions?

I would argue that those ideals are shaped almost entirely by fashion. A fancy appearance and certain aesthetic traits are the goals of most breeding programs. While every one of the foundation sires pictured above look ready to work, their modern counterparts look suitable only for strutting down a catwalk.

The Morgan horse used to be a fine, strong-shouldered, heavy-necked horse great for pulling or riding. Today it looks like a modern Arabian. The Arabian used to be a model of speed and endurance. Now many Arabians look as fragile as china teacups, with swan-like necks and pug-like faces. The Quarter Horse used to be a working horse, sturdy and muscled, but quick. Now many are massive, bloated monsters balancing on tiny feet. The Tennesse Walker used to be a horse that could trot all day. Now they are long-backed, light-boned dancers tiptoeing on ridiculous shoes.

The same can be said for many other breeds. While horses of every breed do exist that are wonderful examples of graceful form and practical function, they are less popular. It's the disproportionate ones, the "fashionable" horses that win more shows, produce more offspring and attract the most publicity. This is not good.

When a breed's only purpose is decoration, it leads to suffering; to more genetic disease, deformities and other health problems. It's also hypocritical. How can we claim to celebrate a breed when we've made it into a shadow of its former self? We need to stop doing this:

Do you have a picture of a horse that is good example of its breed? I'd love it if you posted it to the comments below. One of my favorite horses is Bethesda Horus, a Morgan stallion that preserves the sturdiness and strength of his ancestors while showing off a refined physique that is the product of several decades of good breeding. He's not only beautiful and homozygous true black, he's done competitive driving, endurance riding, packing, mounted shooting and civil war reenactments. Now that's form and function!

Auction Fever & Ten Dollar Horses: Nolan Auction Report April 2013

Auction Fever is a curious malady. It often strikes those new to auctions, or those that have not been to one in a long time... but it can attack even the most bowlegged old rustler ever to lean against the ring. The symptoms of Auction Fever are simple, but deadly: spontaneous hand raising and fuzzy thinking. The fever victim bids (or overbids) on something he or she wouldn't normally consider buying (at least for that much money) outside of the heat of the moment. A really good auctioneer can induce Auction Fever, but sometimes it just happens.

Auction Fever is the reason there is now a fuzzy black-brown munchkin in my barn. And no, I didn't succumb to Auction Fever this time. More on that in another post. Have you ever succumbed to the dreaded Fever? What did you buy, and did you really regret it, or did things end up okay?

Let's move on now to the
Tim Nolan April 2013 Auction Report

Conditions at the auction were worse this time around, with many horses having no hay or water. The outside concrete pens were mostly fine, but the inside ones badly needed cleaning. There were more thin horses this time, but no obviously starving or injured ones. I saw plenty of rough treatment, but no outright abuse, and surprisingly, almost zero harsh bits.

Almost 100 head went through the ring, which was quite a drop from last time, when there had been over 200. I recorded just over sixty sales. Of those I recorded, 3 horses were no-saled, and 14 went for $100 or less. Most of the broke horses sold in the $200-$700 range. The top price paid was $2,500, and it was the only horse that sold for over $2,000. The lowest price paid was $10. Actually, there were three horses that went for $10.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to take a moment and really think about that. To put a horse through an auction, you need to pay for a Coggins test ($15 is the lowest cost I've seen) and the gas to truck the horse in. On top of that, from a "$10" horse, you're actually only getting nine dollars, because the auction organizers charge 10% commission.

Therefore, to put such a critter through an auction and make negative money, you have to be a good enough person not to let it simply starve to death in field. Those three ten dollar horses represent a hundred times as many horses that weren't lucky enough to be sold to strangers for peanuts at an auction.

This is why I get pissed off at breeders who continue to pump out crappy grade horses with no future. This is the fate of those poor horses.

I'm not sure I could ever handle going to one of the really big auctions, where there are starving, injured critters. Fucking Hell.

Weeellp, I need a little levity before we continue, and I'm sure you do too, so let's talk about the Amish that frequently come to the Nolan auction, and other Wisconsin horse auctions.

Check this out. A typical buggy... but with some surprising modern conveniences. Do you see the tiny slots below the glass? Those are for for the reins to go through, so the driver can stay warm and snug inside while still being able to steer. This buggy had a cushy bench seat from an old car, and three air fresheners dangling inside.

Caution: Amish Horse Dealers Ahead!

The Amish are an interesting bunch. Plenty of people think of them as stony-faced, pious old men in black. However, the Amish you see around a Wisconsin horse auction are usually young guys out to make a couple of bucks and have a good time. They'll ride anything for a twenty dollar bill, and frequently do. I've seen them jump up on horses that I know for a fact have never been ridden, at the request of sellers that know a ridden-in horse will sell for more in the ring. They're also horse dealers themselves. I trust them exactly as far as I can throw them.

One of the most alarming tactics of Amish horse dealers is that they frequently put tiny young boys on top of full-sized horses, and have the kids ride the horses around the crowded warm-up ring and in the auction ring itself. (No, of course they don't have helmets.) Seeing a five year old boy on a horse does tend to make the crowd bid more enthusiastically. "Ah, that horse must be push-button and bombproof!" Maybe. But a typical five year old Amish boy already has the responsibilities and confidence of a suburban twelve year old. They're practically old hands. Some of them will even give you sales pitches for the horses they're riding. None of that makes me comfortable with the no-helmet-tiny-child-on-huge-horse thing of course.

Okay, it's finally time for the sales list. It's fairly depressing, so this is your last chance to be content with the summary I've already given. No? Here you go then:

List of Horses Sold

5 y/o Reg. AQHA sorrel gelding, rode nice. No saled at $650, seller wanted $1,000.
'99 Reg. Paint mare, small & stocky, meh confo, black bay, teeth & shots just done. Rode fine. $325
Yearling Reg AQHA stallion, cute bay, decent confo, picked up feet & led quiet. No saled at $50.
Yearling Reg AQHA filly, on the thin side, buckskin with poor confo. $100
'99 AQHA mare, nice trot, very quiet, great backup and neck rein. $1,300.
'05 AQHA grey gelding, handsome tho butt-high, rode nice but seemed off in the front. $700

'06 APHA mare, very loud colored and rode ok but not for a beginner. $500
'91 AQHA gelding, led in, sold as "experienced rider needed." Said he'd been camping a lot. Thin. $200 
8 y/o AQHA really nice buckskin gelding. Not broke, but had packed. Slightly pushy when led. $600

1.5/2 y/o AQHA palomino filly. Meh confo. $125
'07 AQHA palomino mare, incredible color, not rode in two years & led in. $230
'08 AQHA buckskin mare. Scrawny, not broke. $100
'09 Fancy AQHA gelding, incredible pale buttermilk buckskin, had done roping, barrels, traffic, sold as guaranteed sound, turned on a dime and worked great off the leg. $2,500, highest priced horse at sale.

Yearling AQHA palomino filly, shaggy & thin, blah confo, but "foundation bred." $50

Yearling AQHA sorrel colt, also "foundation bred." Mile high butt. Tall boy. $90
2 y/o bay, didn't catch gender, AQHA/selling on application, started groundwork, poor confo. $80
'04 APHA gelding, cremello with blue eyes. At first led in, then the girl jumped on him, he bucked twice then settled down but definitely needed work. Gross confo. $225

3 y/o AQHA/on application black colt, small but not bad confo $150
'03 AQHA mare, incentive fund, Poco Bueno breeding, blah confo, rode okay, quick & catty $325
7 y/o Reg. Appy mare with short tail, pretty decent confo, rode okay, no-saled at $425
4 y/o APHA LOUD fancy gelding, groomed till he shone, tall and just barely okay confo. Rode okay but chewed at the bit. Rider did some tricks with him. $1,700.

'99 AQHA gelding, gorgeous palomino, rode good, decent confo, strong and stocky. $725 Personal fav.

'97 Reg Buckskin (but looked plain brown to me) gelding. Small and stocky, at first led in but then rider jumped up and rode him okay with only a halter. Somewhat pushy, blah confo but CUTE. $450
'09 Reg Appendix QH mare, loud paint, had points in something I didn't hear, groomed to a mirror shine, rode fantastic. Supposedly bred by the APHA president, her sire's stud fee had been $2,000. Might have been off on her front right? No saled at $1,900.

Coming 3 y/o APHA tricolor gelding, broke okay but pulled. BIG guy. $800
'06 AQHA mare, unattractive bay. Rode good and stood very quietly. $825
6 y/o AQHA buttermilk buckskin gelding. Sore on front foot. Not broke, but sweet, led quiet. Had reining breeding. Butt high, otherwise good confo. $475

'08 AQHA buckskin gelding, smaller horse, long tail dragged on the ground, rode fine. $550
Yearling AQHA filly... palomino? Sooty something? Post-legged but pretty gal, led quiet. $650

'09 Reg. Appy gelding, classic color, sleek, slow, gentle, rode great. $1,450

11 y/o bay grade QH gelding, handsome, decent confo, broke but not for beginners. $450
4 y/o grade paint gelding, lots of chrome, rode okay, okay confo $425
7 y/o grade pony gelding, dark bay, spunky but did okay, rode by someone far too big. $170

7 y/o small grade leopard-spot  gelding, calm, rode smooth, decent confo. $725
15 or 16 y/o grade buckskin mare with lots of white, gross confo, long in the back, led in. $110
Two Yearling mini stallions AMHR reg, tiny paints. $70 for the blue-eyed one, $50 for the other.
8 y/o grade palomino mare, trail rode and gamed in the past, rode okay tho hesitant, okay confo. $475
5 y/o reg POA, small, petite appy type, decent confo, rode fine tho shy. $525
9 y/o grade gelding, handsome buckskin, had done high school rodeo, great trot, rode with neckstrap only, sturdy and smart. $1,000

11 y/o grade Appendix mare, meh confo and ugly sorrel, said she'd been trail rode a lot, she was scared but yielded to leg nicely. $350
Two 8 y/o AMHR minis, fiesty, did NOT lead well. $60 and $40
7 y/o grade paint gelding, nice looker, rode fine $700
11(??) y/o b&w paint, heavy built, fractious but rode okay $525
3 y/o AQHA incredibly handsome bay gelding, fractious and bucked once but was nicely started & smooth, great backup. $1,725
2 y/o grade colt, meh confo but hard to tell he was run thru so fast. Skittish. Bay. $80

Yearling POA/on application stallion, had small appy blanket, meh confo. $75
5 y/o grade gelding, sm appy type, slow and smooth, poor confo, advertised as kid and traffic safe. $575
4 y/o QH stallion, not registered but had papers. Small but well built. Not broke. $10. Yes, ten dollars.
10 y/o buckskin gelding, handsome and good confo but with nasty flank scar. Rode fine, rider said he would jump 2 feet. $1,900.
2 y/o grullo/grey "foundation bred" QH stallion, not sure if he was registered. GORGEOUS. Great confo. He was hot and prancing, even in the pens before the sale. No saled at $1,900, seller wanted $2,200.

5 y/o grade red sorrel mare, small and poor confo but rode GREAT. $600
24 y/o grade gelding. Seller said he'd been to the Caroline ride but he needed work. What the hell? $250
2 y/o QH stud with Chic O Leena breeding. Not registered but had papers. Had one cloudy eye, owner said it didn't affect his vision (yeah right). $10. Yes, ten dollars.
2 y/o grade palomino filly. Shaggy. Didn't see her confo she was pulled through so fast. $100

'02 AQHA gelding, handsome sturdy sorrel, rode good, decent confo. $575
15 y/o bay small horse / lg pony, fiesty but rode okay. $110
17 y/o Tenn. Walker mare, black and white spotted with sturdy QH build, seller said she trimmed, loaded, rode English or Western. Fast and scared but rode okay. $250

Yearling POA colt selling on application. Palomino. Blah confo. $100
4 y/o registered donkey jill, didn't lead well but cute as hell. $230
10 y/o grade appy mare, small, had only done walk and trot, seller said she did better with front shoes, was fairly green but not too spooky. $350
7 y/o grade Tennesse Walker gelding, scared but rode okay. Fast and flashy. $550
2 y/o grade QH gelding (but had papers). Pissy and pushy but decent confo. $10. Yes, ten dollars.
2 y/o grade cremello draft cross. Led okay, blah confo. $200

15 y/o Tennesse Walker mare. Blue roan paint. Rode okay, crap confo. $325
Fat stocky grade paint mare, missed her age. Poor confo but rode fine. Done parades & trails. $625
15 y/o grade Arab mare. Black, fat, pushy, not broke. Blah confo. $160
Black mini mare, didn't catch her age. May have been bred back, or just fat. $90
3 y/o black grade Arab/paint cross. Small, pretty okay confo. Not broke. $125 I think.

'07 Reg Saddlebred mare, sorrel, tall and very friendly, blah confo, not broke. I had a soft spot for her because while I was walking through the pens, she nickered, walked up to me and started licking me like a dog. Poor girl, she'd obviously been a much-loved pet. $275

If you were able to take two home, which would they have been?