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OK… I’m faced with a bit of an issue involving a horse. I have always wanted to get a horse, and moving around as a kid we took lessons when we could but we were never in a position to own one (AF brat). Now we have the room, and I was going to get one when the kids were old enough to ask for a horse and mean it (now I have a 3 yr old & a 9 mo old). I don’t really have an abundance of time, the 2 kids stay at home w/me, I have a job (which I love and won’t quit… I work at home, and the kids come with me to the field, class & meetings). HOWEVER, there is a horse (21 year old gelding) that is up for sale… he was a rodeo horse for 6 years, he doesn’t spook, he’s so gentle with kids but was a bit more independent w/me riding (but he tripped/faltered twice and I’m not sure but his eyesight may be starting to go)… I don’t really want a horse right now, but this poor guy was put in a back lot and forgotten. He had no shade and was just skin & bones. After a month + of care he has put on 150 lbs (still has to put on more), but the lady who took him from the lot can’t afford to keep him and if nobody buys him he’ll go back to the empty lot to starve. (Why the owner is getting away with this I don’t know, and the fact that I’d have to pay the negligent owner pisses me off. He wants $900 for him but I’ve been told he’ll take $600.) I’d have to put up a gate and solidify the fence in 2 spots… buy a ton of feed & hay & get basic tack…
The timing is bad, he’s an older horse, but I also feel like someone broke their end of the deal with him. He needs to be loved again and I’m feeling like it’s my job to take him in. My husband doesn’t know ANYTHING about horses, and I’ve never owned one… I need to get over my indecision and take him home, but am I being stupid? At least here he’d have shade, grass, goats & even if we didn’t ride during the week at least when my husband was home on the weekends I’d get some riding in… and he was really slow and gentle when my daughter was on.????
I think it is wonderful you are thinking of taking him. I would try to negotiate some more with the neighbor. Maybe casually mention what would happen if the SPCA got involved?
Getting horses is like having kids – there is no “perfect” time. IF you have the land and can financially afford it ask yourself how you will feel if you don’t take him. My experience has been that more people regret NOT doing things than doing them. And if you do take him and it doesn’t work out you can always find him another home.
Go for it! 😀
I think it’s wonderful for you to do something like that and like whats been previously mentioned you might hint at the SPCA. Keep us informed
I would definitely mention the horse to the SPCA or at least mention what would happen if the SPCA were to know/get involved to the owner. Doesn’t seem right that you’d be paying a negligent owner, but legally (unless the horse were turned over, which, if he is more fed now thanks to someone else caring), it might be harder to get the SPCA to take him. They have to prove a case too and have enough proof to take him.
If you can financially afford and have the space/time to devote to him, (you seem to really want to) I say go for it. Even if you end up finding a home for him later. I know the last two dogs my family has taken in were very unexpected, but one was either take him home or he’d go the shelter and be euthanized and the other just needed a home where he would be loved and given attention (was taken well care of physically, but no attention by the owner – the dog is a love bug!) Haven’t regretted it! I’m sure anything you need to know about horsecare can be learned, and I’m sure the horse will be forgiving. You’d be giving him a better home than he currently has, and perhaps better than he ever has had, depending on his history. Sounds like he’s a real sweetheart!
If you have the time to take of him and the money to feed him, I’d say give the poor old guy a nice retirement home with you. The stumbling might be helped with some shoe trimming. If you can, maybe have a vet check him out first.
Even if you don’t get to ride him much, having him around and letting the kids get used to a gentle horse now, may help later when you get a younger and more spirited horse when the kids are older.
To make a long story short, an old boyfriend went to jail, and the bail bondsman and I got to talking about horses and he said his wife had a rescue horse and they just wanted to find her a good home. Needless to say she came home with me. She was 32 years old and a sweetheart! If you can do it, I say go for it, even if you don’t ride her. 😀
Tintaglia wrote:If you can, maybe have a vet check him out first.
I agree. If it does turn out that he has health problems, then you can make an informed decision up front, rather than being surprised later by a lot of vet bills that you might not be prepared to cope with.
Tintaglia wrote:If you have the time to take of him and the money to feed him, I’d say give the poor old guy a nice retirement home with you. The stumbling might be helped with some shoe trimming. If you can, maybe have a vet check him out first.
Even if you don’t get to ride him much, having him around and letting the kids get used to a gentle horse now, may help later when you get a younger and more spirited horse when the kids are older.
I’m with you on that. It’s a great opportunity to do good and to enjoy the company of a gentle animal. I love horses.
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http://www.sarahjestin.com/feedbacklists.htmDang it. I cant read responses right now, so sorry if this is a repeat. Horses dont usually live much longer than 20. I would pass. When the horse dies, the kids will be very sad… if he lives long enough for them to get attached.
Some horses can live longer but it is a valid point about the kids. On the other hand it could also be a valuable lesson for the kids about taking care of older animals and responsibility to them. If they know up front that he may only be with them for a short time but that they can love him lots and give him a good last few years it might be a great lesson for kids. I obviously don’t want to inflict pain on kids but death is a part of life. One of my friends made it to her 20s before she had to deal with death. She never had pets and no one in her family died until then. She completely went to pieces – she hadn’t developed any coping mechanisms.
But the point made about taking him to a vet to be checked out is excellent.
Wolflodge, that is what I am secretly worried about, that we wouldn’t ride that much, but you made me feel better as you’re right, he’d be better off here even if we didn’t ride at all.
Husband says no more windstones, books or trips if we do this (and he’s right). Although, there are 2 trips I had said we would make this year and would like to somehow still attempt (and I’m allowed a coiled mother dragon, but she’ll be the last for awhile unless I start asking family to get me them as gifts).
I’m going to call a vet, but really, what do I say if he’s totally not healthy? I mean, I’m already feeling invested emotionally in this poor guy. Should I not take him if he’s sick? (Also have to consider the way the law works here now, if a horse dies you have to have the vet visit to state why the horse died, then we have to have the carcass hauled to the next county to have it officially dumped. It cost a friend $375 to do this last year.) If the vet says he’s good, then we’ll definitely take him.
Thanks for all the responses!
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