The Lucky Ones
- Posted by Alexandra Beckstett
I will be the first to admit that, as a horse person living in the Bluegrass, I’m a bit spoiled. Evening drives to the barn take me past one multimillion dollar Thoroughbred breeding farm after another. I get to admire herds of broodmares as they grow increasingly round, and delight in fields full of leggy foals and rowdy weanlings. I can’t help but wonder, however, where all these horses end up. Will that handsome chestnut go on to be a stakes-winning racehorse? Will that flashy filly rise up the sport horse ranks? Truth is, after their performance and breeding careers are over, or if an owner falls on hard times, many of these animals will be in need of new homes. Some might find respite in an equine rescue or adoption facility, and the lucky ones will land in a forever home.
With today’s surplus of so-called “unwanted” horses, The Horse is a big proponent of equine adoption and is proud to have united more than 650 horses with new owners through TheHorse.com’s Free Horse Listings. However, there’s more to adopting a horse than simply picking one out of a field, loading him in the trailer, and voila, meet your new trail horse! The adoption process is just that–a process.
If you read Part 1 of our Adoption Series, you learned that prospective adopters should do their homework to find a reputable facility, become familiar with policies, and work with personnel to find the horse best suited for their needs. Part 2 helps guide you through that critical transition phase after you adopt a horse. As it turns out, adoptions necessitate patience, ground lessons, working with a veterinarian, and tuning into your horse’s emotional and physical needs, among others. Owners who go into adoption ill-prepared aren’t doing these animals any favors; in fact, they might end up doing more harm than good.
Our own intrepid news editor, Erica Larson, adopted her now 15-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, Dorado, in March 2009. The gelding had been donated previously to a Girl Scout riding facility where Erica worked, but his future became uncertain after he proved a poor match for the novice riders. For a reasonable fee (“The best $350 I’ve ever spent,” says Erica), she adopted the spunky dark bay, took the time to put weight on him, and now events happily with “Baby D.” Erica and Dorado’s tale is one of countless adoption success stories I’ve heard over years in the horse industry. It’s also a testament to what a little love, patience, and proper care can do
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Written by:
Alexandra Beckstett
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15 Responses
re: The Lucky Ones
I am not really concerned about breeding but more concerned about temperment, over all health of my horse, age and becoming a good partner with a horse. I have met people who have horses and they breed, I find it sad for the horse. That isnt my thing.
re: The Lucky Ones
I own four quarter horse and have 25 acres of land for them. Even so there cost is astronomical in this economy. when your article/blog was good it does nothing for the 10,000 or so other horses that don’t make it to the rescues or adoption centers (th
re: The Lucky Ones
When I grow up, all of my animals will be from a rescue.
re: The Lucky Ones
I also agree 100%. Adoption is the way to go be it horses, dogs, or cats. These animals know you saved them and give their total self to their owners if well treated. We have several adopted horses, including 2 blind ones. They are the best friends one
re: The Lucky Ones
I can’t agree more. I know many people who buy and sell horses for thousands of dollars each but,in the barn I board, 3/4 of the horses are OTTB’s, most bought for hnudreds or dollars or less. They are all great horses, forward movers, gentle and well
re: The Lucky Ones
I have taken in many over the years- various situations, some from rescues, and several as babies from neglect situations or auction lots. One grade QH mare from an Iowa loose (slaughter) pen we took in as a baby is going to the State 4-H competi
re: The Lucky Ones
TEX, I am j57 and two years ago, I started working with a 5-year-old wild mustang form the Wyoming Salt Well heard. At the time, I started working to gentle him you could not get close to him with a saddle pad, spray bottle, or trim his feet. &nb
re: The Lucky Ones
Yey Laura, I love stories/remedies like that. Did you know why some horses have twisty manes in the morning? It’s because the witches were riding them at night!
re: The Lucky Ones
Lea, What you are describing in your Quarter horse is very common and not a result of abuse. My QH has it, my friends QH has it and here is what it is.
PROPHET’S THUMBPRINT
A dent in the horse’s body, often occuring on the neck or chest.
re: The Lucky Ones
Long before it was "the thing to do ",or should we say .". try and do" we bought a mustang gelding $2,500. "JER BEAR", he’s wonderful, kind, smart but extremely HARD on fences! We raise cutting horses and Jer is 16 hands,
re: The Lucky Ones
I bought a horse from an ‘horse rescue farm’and paid one thousand dollars plus fuel for delivery to the tune of fifty dollars. I only had three twenties, he took ’em all. Horse traders…..Five years later, I still am unable to put a saddle on her. Ya
re: The Lucky Ones
While there are a bunch of happily ever after tales of adoption, the person adopting must take the time to gain knowledge in the horse they are adopting. I have seen families adopt mustangs so the children involved can grow up with the mustang adopted.
re: The Lucky Ones
10 years ago,I adopted a one-eyed quarter pony from the humane society.He was the perfect size for my then 4 yr old daughter.That little gelding quickly proved that he was worth his weight in gold.Not only was he a great teacher for my little girl,he a
re: The Lucky Ones
Every day I’m thankful for my Belgian cross PMU filly who is now 7 years old. She has the most gentle soul and I’m grateful for the people who rescued her from the slaughter pipeline and brought her to VA. I personally will probably only tr
re: The Lucky Ones
Please address the over breeding and trips to slaughter for most of these horses…