Post by blueberry on Oct 11, 2007 8:46:07 GMT 1
:)hi all,
I wanted to start a thread that would open a discussion on why we are rescuing and what we expect from our rescue horses.
A rescue is just that a rescue. If a horse you save can have a ridden purpose than that is a wonderful bonus and we have read some fantastic stories of how many rescue horses are turning out but to be good ridden horses.
This though may not always be the case so we have to be a little cautious not to have unreasonable expectations of our 'rescues'.
I know the ideal is that we may be able to ride them but there will sometimes be a degree of uncertainty.
When we rescued Sultan we stated that we would rescue the most needy horse, we then found out that we had bought an 18month percheron colt.
Sultan to a degree has defromed hind hooves due to
1. neglect of not being trimmed.
2. poor foot conformation
This is his only 'fault' and one, if we are not careful with remedial trrimming and building up work will cause him other problems in the future, ie:ligaments etc.
So he may have a 'ridden job'-possibly and that will be a bonus.
At the moment he is a wonderful companion horse due to his lovely nature and if that ends up his purpose in life then so be it, at least he has a life to be valued.
Everyone needs to assess their personal reason choosing to rescue a horse and decide wether it is right for them.
It is undoubtedly a wonderful and charitable thing to do.
For me i have gained the satisfaction of knowing i have made a difference to a horse's life and the reward i get from seeing him in the field 'playing' with his pals is imeasurable.
He will -thankfully- never know of his otherwise intended fate and never feel the pitiful misery of that journey to hell that his fellow equines have suffered before him and that is (personally) enough for me.
I wanted to start a thread that would open a discussion on why we are rescuing and what we expect from our rescue horses.
A rescue is just that a rescue. If a horse you save can have a ridden purpose than that is a wonderful bonus and we have read some fantastic stories of how many rescue horses are turning out but to be good ridden horses.
This though may not always be the case so we have to be a little cautious not to have unreasonable expectations of our 'rescues'.
I know the ideal is that we may be able to ride them but there will sometimes be a degree of uncertainty.
When we rescued Sultan we stated that we would rescue the most needy horse, we then found out that we had bought an 18month percheron colt.
Sultan to a degree has defromed hind hooves due to
1. neglect of not being trimmed.
2. poor foot conformation
This is his only 'fault' and one, if we are not careful with remedial trrimming and building up work will cause him other problems in the future, ie:ligaments etc.
So he may have a 'ridden job'-possibly and that will be a bonus.
At the moment he is a wonderful companion horse due to his lovely nature and if that ends up his purpose in life then so be it, at least he has a life to be valued.
Everyone needs to assess their personal reason choosing to rescue a horse and decide wether it is right for them.
It is undoubtedly a wonderful and charitable thing to do.
For me i have gained the satisfaction of knowing i have made a difference to a horse's life and the reward i get from seeing him in the field 'playing' with his pals is imeasurable.
He will -thankfully- never know of his otherwise intended fate and never feel the pitiful misery of that journey to hell that his fellow equines have suffered before him and that is (personally) enough for me.