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Re: RC: Re: RE: Arab Slaughter Horses




----- Original Message -----
From: <RhndLev@cs.com>
>
> And even these very thin horses might be getting a lot of care.  I have a
31
> year old who is VERY thin, but has no teeth and gets fed a high calorie
gruel
> twice a day.  She stays thin, but has managed to very happy for the last
> three years.  I think
> you'll find some of us are kind of sensitive to the comments you made.  I
am
> working my butt off for this mare that I didn't even get until she was 28
and
> I don't think she's better off dead even though she does not look as good
as
> she once did and I'm sure my neighbors think I'm neglecting her because
she's
> so thin.  When she's not happy and becomes uncomfortable, the vet will
visit
> and we'll bury her on the place.
>
> Anyway, that's why some people are a little defensive on this subject.
>
> Rhonda

Rhonda,

I did not mean to critisize those who put time and care into older horses,
and am certainly aware that despite
all the best food, the elderly  horses may just be thin.  In my
neighborhood, it runs the gamut from very old and thin horses that are well
cared for and have shelter in the winter-to some that are just left out in
the cold and rain.  Then again, I have a
neighbor who took a lovely Morab mare, and turned her into a total
blimp....fattest thing I have ever seen, put on irrigated pasture, and taken
out several times a year and ridden on long pack trips.....thats just as
abusive as the thin ones......

We also have a neighbor with three horses and a mini donkey all
together.....one extremely old, thin horse, and the younger one looks like
he is on the verge of founder.  Tons of hay is thrown out, but not enough
nutrition for the old one, and too much hay for the  younger one.....and
none are ever ridden.

Do those horses have a better life than mine?  Mine all get out at least
several times a week on the trail.  Who is to say which horses are happier,
the ones that get ridden and used, or the ones that just get to hang out wth
their buddies?  I won't make that call.  All I can judge are the
basics....do they have room, social interaction clean hay and water, shade
in the summer, shelter in the winter, fed regularly, wormed and good
fencing.   Are they ridden with tack that fits and not abused? Beyond that,
who knows?

If you want to "work your butt off" for an old horse that you got at age 28,
that is just great.  It's just something I would not do, right now. I have 4
riding horses and one youngster, that all need work.  I do not have the time
or resources to care for an elderly horse.  A neighbor of mine got a 29 year
old horse, and took exquisite care of her, until about age 36 or so.  I
can't begin to imagine the amount of money sunk into an unridable horse, but
that was her choice and obviously made her feel good..   But,I can't see how
anyone could fault a person for humanely putting down a 28 or 29 year old
horse.

The issue here is NOT those who will care for these old horse, but those
that want to rescue everything, but not care for it property, right?

Karen




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