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Acorn Arabians
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2052 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Nov 2003 : 12:02:43 PM
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I have two mares here that I had to rehabilitate.
One was stabled all her life from a weanling foal, could only walk in 12 foot squares, poor girl,it was a long hard haul but she is super today -it took about a year to get her used to spaces she would go through stuff rather than around it,(my vets retired young I'm sure),she was a liability!. I loved her to pieces she was soo stunning she took my breath away the day we met and she still does to this day.
The other came from the same place, she had been tormented as a
youngster (so Im told) with food, training took place at mealtimes, I ask you!Also was a rearer,nowadays when shes fed she is happy doesnt think Im going to snatch it away from her, she is trained at training time not at mealtime and she never ever rears now.She is a jewel.Both mares are fantastic mothers(both have produced multi champions for me) ,they share their babies with me, they trust me. They humble me because I know what they went through (theres more) and yet they can still love me unconditionally.I love them totally!!
Helen
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Wendy Allan
Silver Member
United Kingdom
310 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2003 : 12:29:21 PM
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Helen (Honey),
You mention that one of your horses still bites strangers and men. I always try to look on the bright side of Tara's issues and I'd like to share a thought with you - If a horse is difficult/dangerous to approach in the field by strangers, then there is less likelihood of anybody stealing it from the field. This though always gives me a bit of comfort as I know that Tara would maim any stranger who tried to take her or her pals away - she always has a try at intimidating us when we remove any of her pals.
I can't believe the amount of people who have taken on severely messed up horses. i don't know whether I am more angry at the way people mess them up and discard them or awed that there are so many dedicated people out there. Whichever it is, I am just glad that there are people who will pick up the pieces. Wouldn't it be nicer if we didn't have to?
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2003 : 2:14:08 PM
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Yes, I'm awestruck by some of the stories I've heard and it certainly gives me heart to continue with what is only a mild case of apprehension compared to the issues that some of these poor horses have suffered with as the result of mistreatment.
I'd just like to reiterate that this little horse I have, comes from a place where his owners were very concerned for his wellbeing and I truly believe that any "problems" date from further back. Who knows what has happened to a horse that he cannot forget? Who knows what may be triggering, all be it unwittingly, unpleasant memories for him...I continue to watch his reactions and learn...
~Wyllow |
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Kerry
Bronze Member
225 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2003 : 3:19:33 PM
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Short answer would be yes, but to answer your questions
> Who amongst you has taken on a horse who has issues, problems, hang~ups, call them what you will ~ or has, I suppose more accurately, had a horse who has been the victim of a former owner who has had problems with patience and controlling their temper around horses?
That would be me, Joe, who's not an arab but a TB had loads of physical and psychological issues when he came to me. He had 27 back problems, severe phobias, would rear, bite, drag you into the ground, wouldn't load, and would attack you in the stable for starters.
The farrier had put a nail through his seat of corn so had tons of mistrust issues with farriers, it took about a year to get him to be okay with the farrier but he would still have panic attackes, violently shake all over and pull back until he was free and then just bog off and it would then take an age to calm him down to let the farrier finish his work.
He had issues with his head being touched after being beaten about the face, he had issues with tack because the place I got him from had basically left him living in his and the saddle had broken from end to end and was pinching the nerves in his back, he had issues with rugs as the ones he had were a pony sized 5ft 6, not the 6ft 9 he actually takes, he had issues regarding feed, and he had loads of ridden issues. It also once took four people to hold him whilst the equine dentist tried to do his teeth....
> What measure of success have you had in rehabilitating your horse?
I would say I have had a quite a good amount of success :o)
Joe now has three back issues which will never be sorted out but which don't stop him doing things, he will stand for the farrier and no longer has issues in this regard and no longer has panic attacks, he will load happily, he doesn't mind being groomed, he is sound, doesn't mind the dentist anymore, he doesn't have issues with the vet anymore and the biggie.... he enjoys doing endurance rides.
> Do you find that under pressure they revert to "impossible" behaviour, such have been their past experiences?
Sometimes he does yes, ridden he is very sensitive and will only allow certain people to ride him - last person to try riding him only lasted a few minutes before she was wrapped around his ears, you have to know how to react to him and what he's doing otherwise he's orbital and you're on your arse. And you never, ever, ride with a whip or spurs. He just goes absolutely mental otherwise.
We have found people who Joe is comfortable with, the farriers are patient and understand what he requires and if he's leaning it's because he's got problems with his old pelvis injury, not because he's being difficult and needs whacking with the hammer! He likes my vet (as the vet bills show LOL) and is happy for him to do anything with him including his teeth. He will stand to be mounted and no longer has issues with being tacked up so long as you take things slowly. Lots of little things I suppose which add up to a big thing if you look at it as a whole.
> Is trust always an issue?
It can be, we have come to an understanding. I've had him since 1998 and we still have off days where trust can be an issue but mostly the kinks have been worked out and he's happy in himself now.
It's been a long old road to get him to where he is today and we haven't by any means finished, but it's worth it in the end.
Kerry & The Terrible Trio |
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2003 : 7:45:53 PM
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Well done Kerry,
i think you AND your farriers AND your vets all deserve medals!! Maybe H and H should promote some sort of prize for this type of commitment...Hmmmm.
suyen |
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honey
Platinum Member
N. Ireland
2634 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2003 : 10:40:12 PM
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Its lovely knowing that there are plenty of people who are willing to take a less than "perfect" horse on. Its not the horses fault and through time most of the problems can be sorted out. It gives great pleasure just seeing the improvements, and when you acheive something with the animal it is even greater pleasure.
And wendy that horse that don't like strangers, we love it. Their are some cruel people about, and some well known horse theives about are area. I don't think it helps the fact when people are in chasing the horses with sticks. Last year we couldn't put any of are showing horses out, as big welts kept appearing?. Also when she was 1 1/2 someone put a knive down her face, when she was out in the field, about two inches long and just below the eye(very lucky), the vet put 6 stitches in, and luckily the scar is very faint. just over a year later when she was in the stable we went in her stable and thought she looked very dazed, and wasn't walking the best, and she didn't look to good. There was a big nail sticking out of her forhead, The type you put in a nail gun. we still don't know how it got there, but there was no perspex on the wire grills leading to the yard, as it was still too warm. Luckily again it was just out of the danger spot, and she became very head shy for a good 4 months. Their was actually one night some regular walker by the field (a man) stopped to ask the horses name and well she came charging at him with her teeth really agressively, ( she was protecting us) if it weren't for us standing their and chasing her off, that poor man would of had a nice chunk of skin missing. he thought it was funny as he didn't realise what she was doing .
You would wonder where people get the pleasure of seeing animals suffering? Beats me any way
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Wendy Allan
Silver Member
United Kingdom
310 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2003 : 08:45:54 AM
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It is only too believable that there are such cruel b******'s in the world. I know what I would like to have done to the person with the nail gun. Do you think that these people are jealous of your showing, or just jealous of you having horses?
Owning Susie has been such a revelation into how trusting and gentle arabs are. She was initially very shy, but now she comes over to the fence for a cuddle from anybody walking past. It would be so easy for anybody to harm her if Tara wasn't there, on guard so to speak. Luckily, we live rurally on a large estate, and we tend not to get strangers near our horses. We have our share of ramblers, walkers, riders etc., but they seem to be a decent bunch and there are always estate workers about, keeping an eye on what is going on. I think the estate workers are employed according to how huge and intimidating they look - my nearest neighbour is so enormous that when my 13hh pony got cast, he just picked her up in his arms and placed her in the middle of the stable. Not content with the way she was lying, he then lifted her into a better position. This guy eats 8 loaves of bread a day and would make Desperate Dan look like a midget. I guess this explains why we don't see many troublemakers. |
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2003 : 09:47:13 AM
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Back to Beeston theme again. My late friend and I used to go regularly and have a walk round the horses. We found a really nice friendly gelding that was loving the stokes and attention, then he just turned, ears flat back, teeth ready. It was his owner approaching that caused the change. I wonder what stories he could tell?
I know of owners who have had their horses put down when they could not find private buyers rather than risk the market. There really is a need for a half way house for such horses where homes are needed but are not for some reason readily saleable.
Perhaps I should start to play the lottery!
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2003 : 3:46:45 PM
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This business of people getting some sort of kick out of terrifying animals is very disturbing.
Recently in our local newspaper was the story of how a lady with elderly horses had a couple of mindless b******s letting off fireworks directly over her animals' field to make them gallop.
What sort of sadistic people are there around?
When I bought my Shetland colts(as they were then) from Sussex, I commented on the barking of an obviously large dog who had been shut in one empty stable for our visit. The owner said to me that even though we had dogs and were well used to big ones ~ THIS guy was kept as a guard dog and she didn't want strangers saying hello to him in case he learned how to be nice to people he didn't know. Realising that we seemed shocked, she went on to explain the number of horses and ponies who had been either attacked or stolen in hewr area that past year.Apparently, the dog was only ever handled by the couple who owned him and was loose in the yard where the ponies were under lock and key during the night!
I come from a VERY quiet place where the incidence of horse worrying is very low and it turns my stomach to hear tales of animal abuse. Actually, over lunch, I read in one of the horsey monthly mags, a report on horses sales and tears came to my eyes as I remembered crying with outrage at the treatment of New Forest ponies at the Beaulieu Road sales when I was 11 years old...a LONG time ago now,but still as harrowing a thought as it was all those years ago.
How is it that 30 years on, the callous treatment of animals STILL occurs at SOME sales and markets all around the country?
By no means at all the venues but still at some, mares are separated from foals, both screaming for their lost ones, older animals are treated with no patience or regard as long serving "friends" are abandoned to their fate, frightened ones who are immobilised with fear are beaten if they do not move...is it any wonder there are animals with "issues"?
I have this "Native"....I have no idea of his origins....it makes me wonder....
Last night I checked my 12 year old's homework project on ~ you guessed it ~ animal cruelty....and again, I had to take myself off and have a quiet moment to think... I wonder if HER generation will have more clout when it comes to trying to get "humans" ( though some seem barely to deserve the term) to treat other living beings with the respect and kindness they deserve.
I also thought how very lucky some animals are. My little mare, for instance, was born at a reputable stud and raised with patience and kindness. She was well trained and passed into good hands before coming to me....somewhat fat and unfit but kindly treated always. She has never known cruelty or even impatience, it would seem and consequently has a sweet nature and no vices at all.She has been a dearly loved friend and I couldn't part with her when my kids outgrow her for fear of what may eventually happen to her.(Anyway, I'm tiny....and that's the only advantage I've ever had being 5'2"!)
When I think how most foals start out...curious, inquisitive ~ with no qualms about investigating everything ~ even people and how, if at least they are handled, how trusting they can be... it makes my blood boil when I think how callously some young horses and ponies, depending on where they are born, are treated in "traditional weaning and breaking methods" with a roughness and total lack of concern that is enough to splinter anyone's trust PERMANENTLY.
Those of us with well bred and kindly raised horses are lucky ~ and have to thank the caring owners of studs who breed thoughtfully and treat their mares and foals especially as one Arab proverb says, like the richest treasures a person can have.
Would that all horses and ponies had a good start in life.
It doesn't prevent them from falling into less than good hands, however and being damaged at some later point.
I had another "bout" with our little horse today.
After days of being fine, he decided that coming with me to the stable was scary and once inside that every shadow held malicious intent...and I was not even his "comfort zone" after a month of daily handling and trust~building ~ so I thought!
It really is a case of two steps forward and one back.
Eventually, I took my mare out for a ride to take my mind off it and prove to myself that I was not just imagining the relationship we have.
I wonder how my tale will progress. I adored Milly on sight and did the unthinkable and bought her very unfit and still laminitic on the spot...not a vet not a word of advice. That time, gut feeling proved right and once she was fit and well, she has proved the best thing I've known on four hooves!
This other little guy ~ I can't connect with.I spend as much time as I can with him each day, handling, grooming, riding...just hanging around the field and so on...but he's not a "people" horse the way the mare is and virtually all arabs or Part breds are or seem to be.Maybe I've been spoilt? I persist,as it's by comparison to most of the incredible tales here, only been a very short while he's been with me, but I wonder if he needs a person with different/better skills than me?
Also, it's the same with people ~ some you just "click" with on first sight. It happened with Mills and with certain others...and it hasn't happened with him. I'm not writing us off because of that "whim" but how many people, I wonder have recognised "THE" horse for them on first glance....and known all along with others, for a similar but negative response, that it would never work?
GEEEZE! It sounds like picking a husband!!!! But actually, aquiring a horse is VERY SIMILAR in many ways ~ this deserves another thread to itself!
~Wyllow
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bridie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2395 Posts |
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bridie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2395 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2003 : 4:13:10 PM
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MMM so market watch is a banned word too... |
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2003 : 5:48:32 PM
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CALLING EVERYONE ~ go to this website mentioned and look at the reports from the sales, if you have a moment ~ this is EXACTLY the sort of thing I was talking about. I first saw it thirty years ago and the disgrace is that it IS still taking place today up and down the country.
I cried as a child and avoided horse markets like the plague ever since but I cry again to think that little has been learned and NOTHING, it appears, done to improve matters for the Native Ponies ~ ( mainly, although others do end up at such sales ) the supposed heritage of this nation of "animal lovers"!
So many people, as we've all seen on this thread DO take time, trouble and no end of resources to help rehabilitate animals who have had this kind of treatment and worse but the fact of the matter is, as has already been said ~ it's a crying shame that anyone NEEDS to do it at all.
Those of us either tucking our much loved friends up in their cosy stables or checking fences and rugs for those out in the fields are often very preoccupied with our own charges ~ and so we should be ~ but spare a thought tonight for those not so fortunate.
~ very upset at the moment and feeling helpless to make a real difference to all this ~ Wyllow
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