Got a problem here!

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

I have a problem here.  I sold three horses to someone last year - an
inexperienced but willing person.  I started one of them under saddle
for the guy at his request.  He is most happy with that horse, has made
much progress.  The other two were sold unstarted.  One is a mare that
is now with the guy's girlfriend in OK, in foal.  The other, a gelding,
is still with the guy - but we now have a major problem.  His email to
me is below.  I am tempted to tell him to bring the horse back to me,
but Paul & I are trying to get out of the horse business - the guy wants
to get rid of this horse, but is so angry he doesn't want to put any
more effort into  him - I know not want to pay more board or training
or...  There was more to the email than I have included, and some of it
was about taking the gelding to the killers.

I told him to calm down & wait a few days till I solve the problem.
This is a very nicely bred gelding - purebred Arabian by BA Bey Elation
out of Suletta HCC.  He was a sensitive but not whacko horse when he
left us.  No offense to the guy, but he is not the most sensitive of
horse handlers.  Sully is about 7 or 8 I believe, and is a tall horse.
He is also beautiful.  Help!


> Sully has tried my patience for the last time. I've been working with him constantly for the
> last 6 months. He calms down to the saddle and I take him riding for a while. Then, I
> show up and he thinks I'm going to kill him with the saddle blanket. I have reviewed
> each incident, and there doesn't seem to be a pattern to his misbehaving. The hat I'm
> wearing, the way I approach him, what he was doing when I showed up, relationship to
> feeding time......nothing stands out as a possible cause for his behavior. All leads for
> sale have disappeared pretty much. Now, I wouldn't sell him to anyone that didn't know
> they have a long and possibly futile effort to calm him down to something he sometimes
> obviously enjoys.  Today, he has broken two lead ropes and a halter when tied where I
> normally tie him to the trailer for saddling.  Amazing that he would run  from me as I
> approached maybe fifteen times. Then, stand quietly while I take the lead rope and lead
> like a dream all the way back to the corral.  Fifteen minutes of nothing but stroking and
> a carrot or two to calm him down. Then when the blanket comes out, he's scared
> shitless.  Afraid to have me anywhere except right in front of him.
>
> Bottom line is, I've had it. My patience with him is gone. If you know of anyone looking
> for a horse, let them know how and who he is.I am going on a trip the end of this month.
> When people ask me about my horses, I am going to tell them "I only have one now.
> The other one........." If you wish to help me finish this sentence, fine. If I don't find
> someone to buy him knowing full well how he is, then he is going to Willcox to be sold to
> killers ONLY. I will not sell him blindly to anyone.
>
> I just got him registered last month and I'm sick about it. Chuckie could have had two
> new saddles and an air conditioned barn for what I've spent on this mental case. [more followed, but I have deleted it here]
>
--
                                     ____________
Lif & Paul Strand   STRAND ENTERPRISES   http://www.fasterhorses.com
           Arabian Horses for Distance Riding
         Internet Research * WebArt * Fine Art
    Nutrition and alternatives for self-reliant people
                     Quemado, NM  USA



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