Worried about horses up in corner that need homes

[erhrdt3]

Happy New Year fellow horsey friends,

Have you noticed up in the right corner that shows horses for sale ALOT of TB's that are not special colored or trained to jump for sale for next to nothing?
There are SO MANY of them? What's going on?

I wish I could take them all, as I would bet the folks that have them would let them go to good homes for next to nothing. I shudder at the thought of what 'could' happen.

Anybody have room? I know there is a special place on the board for horses in need, but after seeing so many, it seems to be an emergency.

Just have alot of love for them.....winners or not

[Sylvie Hebert]

And that is only tip of the iceberg...many more don't even get an ad...just dropped in desert or else to die of hunger...

[erhrdt3]

There is just too much breeding.

How many winners does a stallion get out of a "crop" (like it is this years field of corn)?! What responsibility do these people take for these innocent animals?

There needs to be more regulation on the amount of breeding each year and yes, that goes for EVERY breed, because I know someone will pop up and say 'what about all the Quarter Horses' I agree with that as well.

[jonservidio]

There needs to be more regulation

responsibility, yes
regulation, no

[Bast]

There needs to be more regulation on the amount of breeding each year

I don't want people regulating my toilet tank or my light bulbs...or my animals. I went through some difficult times in the 1980s, but I always managed to take care of my animals because ethically, I could not do otherwise. People could not understand why I did not "give away" my mares. I promised the mares that I would take care of them all of their lives, and I did so.

Regulation is not a substitute for making good decisions about one's animals.

[skywatcher]

I think the BLM is a prime example of how poorly the government handles equines in its care...I don't think they should be regulating how private individuals care for their horses

But yes, more responsability needs to be taken in regards to care of these animals..for example the race industry..perhaps 1% of purses, auction shares and stud fees could go towards rehoming organizations, euthanasia clinics for unwanted horses, special show classes for off track horses to help create a demand for them, educational programs for people who buy/adopt off track horses so they know what they're getting and how to transition that horse to another career

I think all breed organizations need to be more active in trhis regard

[erhrdt3]

thank you all for the great replies on this topic.

As soon as I got on the forum, there are more mares for a hundred bucks. Prob. had the heck bred out of them and now too old...I don't know, but you all had great ideas, both responsibility (by owners) and I say regulation by the stallions. I mean horses I just watched run a couple months ago are already being touted as the next big stallion and having huge fees. I'd think it would be the other way around; you don't know how that stallion is going to do, why pay so much? Regulate them to a couple mares only.
Stop the overcrowding, the over-breeding and hopefully this will help put a stop or at the very least a major decrease in the horror stories we all hear about.

I guess something just aired up in Canada about the horse meat industry and what they do to those poor animals should NOT be happening. I did not see it, but read the report on it sent to me from a friend up there, and these beloved animals do not deserve that.

Oh, and yes, to the great poster that said have monies taken out towards the retirement of all horses, I would love to see that. Multi-millionaires making more money off their horses can afford it. How much did Zenyatta make? How much is her owner worth? Hmmmm..... How much are they going to breed her? Anyone heard yet?

Thanks to all!

[Bast]

Multi-millionaires making more money off their horses can afford it. How much did Zenyatta make? How much is her owner worth? Hmmmm.....

I wonder how much money the Mosses went through on the way to finding Zenyatta. Most people lose money in this game--that is why the pool of owners keeps shifting. Do you really think the Maktoum brothers, who have spent well in excess of a billion dollars in bloodstock auctions alone, have made a net profit?

Start vacuuming money out of the pockets of people like the Mosses to care for the bad judgment of others, and people like the Mosses will quit the game, and racing will not be the better for it.

The ads for unwanted horses are gut-wrenching. The one for a 1985 Secretariat mare for a $1 is the worst I have seen. If someone does not want to carry a horse over the winter, at least have the decency to euthanize them, not send them off to God knows what.

[erhrdt3]

Understand what you are saying about taking money from them, however if the respective horse associations would have some sort of a fee, for lack of a better word right now, to go towards a fund to help these incredible horses.
Horses helped make this country what it is, they are companion animals, not meant to be on a dinner plate and suffer horribly to get there.

I saw in one of the ads up there, a beautiful 3 year old filly, that was rescued off a MEAT TRUCK and I guess she was on it only for the fact she was so small. Now, WHO is the horrendous person that bred this animal and all other of these animals only to have them end up on a damned meat truck at the age of three?

I agree with the gentle euthanasia of horses if they are old, sick, etc. But the horror stories, esp. from Mexico, makes me cry.

There are alot of folks that are just getting by in the racing world, but there are also alot that will never ever need to count their change, and many are that way from the millions their horses made.

I can't remember the name, but a few years ago, someone actually found a Breeders Cup winner wasted away in a feedlot. Thank God he was rescued. See, he was a gelding, so the "people" and I use that word loosely, took the millions he made and dumped him. Jerks could not make more money on studding him. If I had a horse like that, he'd be living in my house!!!!

Thanks for the input.

[skywatcher]

just a note on Zenyatta and her connections... to answer the questions.

They've said they will announce breeding plans sometime this week. It should be noted that the Mosses have been very generous to worthy causes (in fact there is a Zenyatta "Moneigh" up for grabs now on ebay to support TB rehoming)
Here is a link to a 2009 article about how the Mosses have supported TB's

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... low-horses

And they don't make headline news for thier efforts but Adena Springs has a re-homing program so do many of the TB associations.

http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/Ind ... n-c38.html

There is always more to be done but it is not hopeless..I'm personally a big believer in "leading by example" and trying to solve problems positively. I think by spreading the word and supporting the people that are making a difference you can make a difference too.

[Sylvie Hebert]

I sold that Secretariat mare in early 2000.We rescued her in Florida.The farm where she is at is a good place.I think she should be put down if she cannot be bred anymor...not given away to strangers.If i was close enough,i would pick her up,but the mare is in Texas,i am in Canada,.If anyone has an idea,i will give her a home of have her humanely put down...
This is what i mean about being responsible...don't shovel your shit in someone else backyard,take responsibility...

[NorthStar]

There needs to be more regulation

responsibility, yes
regulation, no

As a "conservative independent" as well as a breeder and owner, who does take responsibility for that which I create (as well as what others create), I have no illusions about people taking responsibility for the horses they create, without regulations. Although, my form of regulation would be tax breaks for the responsible and tax penalties for the irresponsible, who burden society and the rest of us.

Sadly, this business (and the government) tends to reward irresponsible breeders and owners. There are eclipse award winners who have put many a horse on the ground but who couldn't care less for the ones that didn't fill their ego bank accounts.

I guess that is what is the most refreshing to me about the Anne & Jerry Moss--they are very good about being responsible for their horses. Karma and racing rewarded their class and character this evening!