thatwindow:

love

The US has a population of 300 million people and 9.5 (10.2?) million equines.  I read somewhere that the average is 2.3 horses per horse owner.  So to take care of the throw aways, what we need is more people learning to love horses.

Our backyard breeder friend is certainly trying to do her part.  We're trying too with our time share plan.  So far, most of our clients have an inate desire to want to relate/ride a horse.  It almost makes one think that a horse person is born, not made.

If someone knows how to convert newbies to equitation, please let us know!

By the way, while my wife was reading a sustainable farming article yesterday, I noticed that the picture on the article showed a farmer from Asia horse plowing.  So, I thought that if our "throw aways" were adopted by farmers overseas, they'd be loved and have useful lives.  I realize there are issues, but it's a thought.  For example, I'm told horses in the Philippines contend with a slew of infections.  Supposedly lots of imports don't survive the infections very well.  Nevetheless, if it were made possible, I'd send horses to third world countries to help produce food, provide transport, etc.

Lucky mare, lucky owner!

What a wonderful story!! Best of luck to your friend and her "diamond in the rough"...

 Pics???

That is an awesome turn out. If more people would just ask if anyone knew someone who wanted a horse they didn't want people would be amazed. There are people who need or want horses for random reasons. This case being a very good reason. Some people love horses but can't buy one cause they can't pay that kind of money up front. Doesn't mean they can't afford to feed, care for or love one. 

The problem with importing horses is like the slaughter factories. The meat being processed wasn't for the US. So it kind of goes back to the well-being of the horse. If it was a promised thing that the horses wouldn't be abused or eaten then go for it.

I don't know how horses came about for me but I can't remember a time of not having one. I did turn my cousin into a very good rider. She loves riding but is in college and can't actually own one right now. She knows that she can call me at anytime to go ride mine. She likes my mule though. Is that still equitation? LOL! No to me as an owner they are aggravation. Too smart for their own good. The more people you help to get interested the better off.

Great story!! Give me a dozen horses an i'd take the ugliest and saddest looking one home.My family and friends tease me about it,I can't help it those are the ones I want.

Cowgirl_Chic:

that the horses wouldn't be abused or eaten

Makes me think of a third world overloaded produce cart pulled to market by a very small horse or donkey. 

I totally understand your sentiment.  We do think differently, being a wealthy country, but that's life in the third world.  There is a lot of suffering there and a horse, a force multiplier, would be valued, treasured, worked, and probably eaten by the neighbor.  In exchange, the family gets to eat the neighbor's (when the time comes).  Although few cultures have developed a taste for cheval meat.

Consider that it might take three generations for the kids to have better health and opportunites.  The grandkids could then finish school and become doctors and engineers.  They are then brain drained to the U.S.A. to pay us back.

It's all for a better world.

I wouldn't mind our horses being shipped to another country if they were going to be cared for and used properly. It would help us out majorly to share what we have. But if more people would copy this story and rescue horses it would be great. Me personally I don't have the money to feed any more than I have. If I had 100acres I would gladly take a lot of them and just let them go eat the grass so I didn't have a feed bill. The coggins and shots wouldn't be so bad and the horses would be fat and healthy. I had 5 of my horses turned out on 60 acres for 2 years and never fed them once. They looked better then they have ever looked. I see a lot of people with land and nothing on it. What would it hurt to put some horses on it and leave them? Even if you didn't give them shots I think they would be ok. Better off then starving at least. Most people don't realize what horses did for us. Cowboys in the old days never starved or beat their horses. The horse was treated like a million dollars. Then if they couldn't feed them they would let them go so they could graze the land and stay healthy. People actually thought of the horse first. That is also the way I was raised. Feed your animals first then you eat. You took on the responsibility of the horse so its your job to keep up with needs. Maybe if people used horses for transportation, plowing fields, etc. Then they would realize what they are worth. With gas prices it might not be a bad idea. LOL! Move to amish country so there are hitching post every where. Not only that but high quality horse tack for reasonable prices.

The biggest thing with this subject is if you have land for horses get them. If you have money to feed them get some. Its not just owning a horse but saving its life. If you don't have a horse and get one you will learn a whole new look on life. They teach us so much and some people don't even appreciate it.

Cowgirl_Chic:

They teach us so much and some people don't even appreciate it.

Bravo!!  Now how do we sell it?

The bad part is that it doesn't have to be bought. Horses give it and people don't accept it or choose to grow from it. In case ya'll haven't noticed this subject really bothers me. I hate to see helpless animals treated so bad. That guy that she got that mare from should have been turned in to animal control for neglect if the horse was abused. People see animals all the time that are not taken care of and they do nothing to help the animal.

It's amazing the horses ability to forgive isn't it? Sometimes I don't know how they put up with us as the cruelty of humans has no bounds.. Bless your friend for taking her in and providing a good life.

Lovely story, Thatwindow.  Thanks for sharing.

Sorry to hear the mare got a nail in her foot! Bravo to your friend for taking her in the first place. I love to hear stories like this! My 3 y/o paint filly was a throw away foal from the Premarin industry.  The first 3 months of her life were not good ones, and it took me a long time to earn her trust. Love and patience is the key   I think this former broodmare is lucky to have ended up in a home where she will get both.