Anyone know this mare?

[mosmom]

16 year old Registered, Imported Dutch Warmblood mare named Kashmir. Flea bitten grey approx. 16.2 hands. This mare was sent to New Holland by the owner. Was told that she was a Dressage horse. We don't know anything else about her and was curious. Any info would be appreciated.

[DownYonder]

It is really sad that registered WBs are ending up at end-of-the-line auction houses like New Holland. I suspect that we are going to see it happen more and more, though, given today's costs for feed/hay/fuel, etc.

Did you rescue the mare? If so, kudos to you. Try contacting the KWPN office here in the U.S. and see if they can help you figure out who the mare is. Good luck to you and her - I hope she has a good end of life.

[Equibrit]

Is this her? http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/kashmir6

[Ambrey]

She's only 16? :( :(

I do hope she finds a good home!

[mosmom]

Is this her? http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/kashmir6


Yes, that is her :).

[FEIwannabe]

I found a small clip of a gray mare named Kashmir posted last year for sale. Could it be the same mare? It is a common name.
I'll post the link with the disclaimer: I have no idea if this is the same mare and I don't know who the people are on the clip. I'll remove the clip if need be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZTPgHvgwPY

[mosmom]

It's possible. Do you still have it?

[FEIwannabe]

Oops,
edited my post at the same time you were posting.

[mosmom]

Thanks for the clip. I'm at work right now and I can't view videos on Youtube. When I get home I'll take a look. Thanks again.

[Ambrey]

Thanks for the clip. I'm at work right now and I can't view videos on Youtube. When I get home I'll take a look. Thanks again.

If that's her... wow, what an amazing fall from grace :(

Someone's going to be a lucky adopter!

[ise@ssl]

As a breeder this just makes me sick to think the owner sent this horse to New Holland - what a lousy thing to do. I can't take any mares in but MosMom I'm happy to send you a donation for the care of this mare until you find a place for her. PM - me.

[AnotherRound]

Do you know what happened to the horse at the sale? Did you pick her up, or did you just see her go through...

[mosmom]

I teach at a local lesson barn and the owner picked her up. At the time she didn't realize how nice of a horse this mare is. This mare really knows her stuff :). I started riding her and will more than likely be taking her to a local Dressage show this weekend.

[ESG]

I'd be willing to bet that's her. She definitely has the Gelderlander look to her head and neck.

What a great find. I'm so glad y'all rescued her! Well done!

[mjhco]

If this is indeed that mare listed on allpedigree, she sure does look like her sire and her relatives.

Moves like them too.

[facinated]

Just out of curiosity. What did the mare sell for at New Holland??

[cloudyandcallie]

oh wow lucky mare to be saved. all you people who pull horses out of new holland will have a special place in heaven for saving so many.
sad that they all cannot be saved, or at least put down with no pain instead of going to slaughter.

[mosmom]

Just out of curiosity. What did the mare sell for at New Holland??


Are you ready for this????......$450.00

[lalahartma1]

Argggh, thats crazy!!!

[Equibrit]

She probably would have been cheaper if she had been lighter!

[facinated]

This is one of my soap boxes. It would be nice if more people realized that you can go to a sale and buy usefull horses, potential resale horses in that price range. The actual killer horses were going closer to $200 not long ago, so Mosmom probably out bid someone who was thinking of Kashmir as a riding horse. It is nice to rescue actual end of the line horses, but then you have them forever. People could get horses like this one, and sell them on to nice homes, and go get another one every few months. Lots of horses would benifit. I have been champion at Upperville, and gotten other good ribbons at good shows with Marshall sale horses. I wish more people would do the same thing

[DownYonder]

Are you ready for this????......$450.00

Mosmom, this would make a very good story for a national publication such as Dressage Today, Hunter and Sport Horse, maybe even the Chronicle. I would be happy to work with you on writing it up. I will PM you.

[dsgshowmom]

This poor mare was a half sister to Metallic, Robert Dovers (Anne Gribbons owned) mount at the Olympics in 1996. Also other famous offspring (by Uniform) are Junior STV, and Gregor. What a shame. Another famous grandson (of Uniform) is Pacific Star STV.

That is horrible. :( Thank god she was saved.

Edited to add: There was another well known mare from this line, Grey stone, grey stall, grey something from ISF.

[mosmom]

I found a small clip of a gray mare named Kashmir posted last year for sale. Could it be the same mare? It is a common name.
I'll post the link with the disclaimer: I have no idea if this is the same mare and I don't know who the people are on the clip. I'll remove the clip if need be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZTPgHvgwPY


I watched the video when I got home and yes that is her. I showed it to the BO that bought her at new Holland and she agreed that it was her too.

[mosmom]

Mosmom, this would make a very good story for a national publication such as Dressage Today, Hunter and Sport Horse, maybe even the Chronicle. I would be happy to work with you on writing it up. I will PM you.


Sent you a PM.

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

What a find! Shame on the asshat who put her into that sale.

[EqTrainer]

This poor mare was a half sister to Metallic, Robert Dovers (Anne Gribbons owned) mount at the Olympics in 1996. Also other famous offspring (by Uniform) are Junior STV, and Gregor. What a shame. Another famous grandson (of Uniform) is Pacific Star STV.

That is horrible. :( Thank god she was saved.

Edited to add: There was another well known mare from this line, Grey stone, grey stall, grey something from ISF.

Thank goodness she was saved.

I hope this motivates people to give to the rescues and individuals who go there and buy. Whether each horse has got WB papers or not, they still are *equally* scared and undeserving. She doesn't "deserve" to have been pulled out of there any more than any other horse - they all deserve it.

"Nice" horses feel pain and terror just the same as "not nice horses" read: "not warmbloods"

Not sure how else to say this, sorry if it has come out awkward.

[ise@ssl]

All in all - it would be nice to know who the owner was that sent this mare to New Holland - certainly not someone to whom we would want to sell horses or ponies. This mare was lucky - many many others are not. I CANNOT believe there wasn't another way for the owner to find another owner for this mare - even if they had to give the mare away.

If someone knows the owner's name - please email me or PM

[egontoast]

EqTrainer, I know what you are trying to say. I had a similar reaction reading this. Whether the horse is related to some famous other horse (of any breed-I wouldn't limit it to wbs) is somewhat irrelevant but it is strange that an (apparently) nice horse like the one in the video ended up at auction being sold for $450 a year later.

I wonder if the person who posted the youtube ad is aware of what has happened to the horse. Maybe, maybe not. It might be interesting to follow up that angle if doing a story about this horse.

[Maude]

I too cannot believe that this horse was sent to New Holland by it's owner. I think we should know who it is so no one sells or gives her another horse. If there were extenuating circumstances, then let her defend herself. Thank God someone saved this sweet mare. As an owner of a dutch mare with gelders bloodlines, I can attest to their kind and generous nature. I hope this mare ends up with an owner who will appreciate and cherish her. The other Uniform horse you were thinking of is Greyhorse that Mary Alice Malone Jr. showed in the Young Riders (I believe).

[hluing]

What a happy ending. Unbelievable a mare like that being put in a sale like that. Does that happen very often? Ughh. Well lucky mare and lucky you it sounds like. Well done!

[facinated]

I will say something else here because this stuff realy does matter to me. There are lots of nice horses sold at auctions all over the world. If more people would actualy attend these sales for the purpose of buying these usefull horses, it would realy help the animals. The cost of feed, and the economy in general has forced lots of people to make tough choices for their horses. If you owe the feed man money, and the vet, and the hay guy, maybe you need the $450.00 or whatever to pay them. The initial auction experience is not much different for a horse like Kashmir, than a horse show. Lots of noise, and activity. The regular buyers at the sales are in business to make money. They will always re-sell what they purchase for a profit. Only the horses that no-one wants end up on those horrible journeys to Canada , or Mexico. Thus far the closing down of horse slaughter in this country has made things much worse for the animals who do go. If every one who reads this would go to a sale, and buy a nice usefull $450.00 horse to rehab, and sell to a good home it would do far more good than making trouble for the connections of Kashmir, whoever they are.

[EqTrainer]

It is true - nice horses are sold at low end auctions every single day.

My guess is that the biggest factor in her ending up at this sale was her age. People in general are becoming more and more reluctant to buy older horses because they do not want to maintain them. I might be stretching things but I think this is a symptom of where the horse industry is heading - newbies want a young(er) horse with the same training and rideability a 16 year old has - because they 1) don't want to pay for maintenance 2) don't want to pay for a retirement. The new trainers go right along with it, instead of putting down their foot like trainers did in the past. The emphasis is on getting that commission now and the training money instead of giving sound advice to buy an older, well trained, been there done that horse *and sticking by that advice* even if it means losing a client.

It's a vicious cycle and everyone loses, particularly the horses, both young and old.

[ESG]

Very well said, EqTrainer. And sadly, all too true.

I think this should be a wake up call for trainers, too. If more would insist on suitable mounts on which their students can learn, instead of pandering to what the newbies think they need, I think we'd see a lot less of this. Sixteen is not old. Rembrandt won his second (?) Olympic gold at seventeen, IIRC. Most internationally competitive FEI horses compete well into their teens. I fail to see why a Training/First level rider would scoff at something in that age range, if it's good enough for an FEI rider. But maybe that's just me. :p

[MyReality]

A gelding I can imagine... if he has soundness and serious behavioral issues. A mare with pretty good bloodline, I just keep scratching my head.

[EqTrainer]

A gelding I can imagine... if he has soundness and serious behavioral issues. A mare with pretty good bloodline, I just keep scratching my head.

She may not be breeding sound. Or maybe she's a behotch when she cycles. Maybe she's hard to get pregnant. Maybe she's unproven and at 16 not everyone will take the chance. Maybe she kills her babies. Maybe, maybe, maybe..

being a mare and well-bred does not mean anything other than that she's a mare and well bred.

[Dune]

She may not be breeding sound. Or maybe she's a behotch when she cycles. Maybe she's hard to get pregnant. Maybe she's unproven and at 16 not everyone will take the chance. Maybe she kills her babies. Maybe, maybe, maybe..

being a mare and well-bred does not mean anything other than that she's a mare and well bred.

Good points, also it does not mean that every well-bred mare should be bred...and this case is the perfect example. How about we slow down on the breeding, folks, and take care of the ones we already have...for the length of their lifetime. :yes:

[atr]

Back when I used to buy horses at low-end auctions in England--about 20 years ago--if you came across a horse that was obviously well cared for, recently shod, trimmed, mane pulled, etc., you approached it with considerable caution--if you were lucky, a barn owner had dropped it off because it's board wasn't being paid. If you were unlucky, you could get seriously hurt.

Nowadays in the current economic climate I'd probably be more inclined to give the poor animal the benefit of the doubt, as long as I didn't have to be the first person to ride it.

We got some really good horses, and some really scarey, dangerous, screw-loose horses. A reasonable owner would have put the animal down rather than sending it to auction--but we all know that there are apparently more asshats than reasonable people out there.

I'm really very glad your BO did the decent thing, Mosmom, and rescued this horse, and that it's turned out so well.

I'd just like to point out the the unwary that they shouldn't assume that every nice-looking horse dropped off at auction is going to be a happy ending diamond in the rough.

[Calhoun]

To the OP, please keep us updated on this horse. What a interesting story.

[Carol Ames]

ally Posted by DownYonder
Mosmom, this would make a very good story for a national publication such as Dressage Today, Hunter and Sport Horse, maybe even the Chronicle. I would be happy to work with you on writing it up. I will PM you.How about hrohorses for life?

[SisterToSoreFoot]

I investigated and at one point she was offered for sale by this farm:


http://www.aaross.ca/


The post is down but googel Kashmir 1992 uniform Dutch Warmblood and you'll see she was on there.

[mosmom]

Thanks for the heads up. I just emailed them in hopes of getting any kind of information.

[vanillabean]

Using the way back machine, here is her info!!
http://web.archive.org/web/20020806014344/aaross.ca/kashmir.html
Very pretty, what a find!

[vanillabean]

http://web.archive.org/web/20020819055538/aaross.ca/kash_full_body.html
Above: Kashmir's first show in Canada, May 26, 2002. London Dressage Association Open Division Medium 1 B Philip Parkes on Kashmir placing first out of 14 with a score of 64.12 %

A link to a very nice picture, and her description, in case the way back machine is giving you problems:
Kashmir
This very dark grey mare is ready to compete at 3rd level. A well schooled horse who is very easy to ride, responds well to aids. Kashmir has a great disposition and is an excellent mover.This is an uncomplicated mare that you can take to the show, have fun with and win

[wildREDhorse]

Wow, she's cute. Glad you guys found her! and hope everything works out!!

So as far as the auctions, do meat buyers go to all of them? Just curious as a while back I heard someone talking about considering sending some horses to auction if they did not sell :confused:

[Ibex]

Based on the age of the video vs the Aaross ad, I suspect they were two sellers ago. Maybe contact them so see who they sold to? They'd probably want to know where she ended up...

[Equibrit]

You could contact the person who put the video on utube last year here; http://www.youtube.com/MOUZIE151

[Ajierene]

It is true - nice horses are sold at low end auctions every single day.

My guess is that the biggest factor in her ending up at this sale was her age. People in general are becoming more and more reluctant to buy older horses because they do not want to maintain them. I might be stretching things but I think this is a symptom of where the horse industry is heading - newbies want a young(er) horse with the same training and rideability a 16 year old has - because they 1) don't want to pay for maintenance 2) don't want to pay for a retirement. The new trainers go right along with it, instead of putting down their foot like trainers did in the past. The emphasis is on getting that commission now and the training money instead of giving sound advice to buy an older, well trained, been there done that horse *and sticking by that advice* even if it means losing a client.

It's a vicious cycle and everyone loses, particularly the horses, both young and old.

I completely agree. I bought my first horse when he was 19. You could tell that he was a been there done that kind of guy. He was missing two front top teeth, and skinny, but by the way he rode and from what the lady said - he was a fairly big show horse. I went with a horse dealer friend to buy a horse-went with him so that I didn't get a drugged up horse or something. In high school he used to buy horses from New Holland all the time and turn them into really nice schooling or show horses. I was annoyed that whoever had my guy before me just wanted to get rid of him when he wasn't good enough for the big shows anymore. I had him for ten years and rode him for eight of those years, before he died. I bought him outside the ring for $625

The gelding I have now that I am trying to find a home for was 9 and already broken down. He had rode shoes on (because a 17.2 thoroughbred can pull a cart...) and was very skinny. The only other bidder was a kill buyer. My ex-fiance bought him for $325. He has some trust issues with people, though he is tons better than he was. On the one hand, I am a bit annoyed that my ex abandoned him when we split and stuck me with board for a horse. On the other hand - he was literally saved from the slaughter and he will make a lovely companion for someone. At 12, he is still young and while he is only lightly ridable, if I can find him a good home, I will feel like I have done something good.


Wow, she's cute. Glad you guys found her! and hope everything works out!!

So as far as the auctions, do meat buyers go to all of them? Just curious as a while back I heard someone talking about considering sending some horses to auction if they did not sell :confused:

Yes, Meat buyers (we used to call them killers or kill buyers) go to auctions. Generally the ones that go to New Holland buy the horses that no one wants and if you offer $20 or so more than they bought the horse for, they will give it to you gladly. To me, they aren't mean or vicious - just kind of cleaning up the unwanted horses. I know that sounds mean, but it isn't that they are snapping up horses that other people would buy. Like the guy that bid on my gelding. My ex wasn't going to go much higher than $325 and the killer could have bought him if he really wanted to - it only went four bids, killer, my ex, killer, my ex.

But yeah, if no one wants the horse, a killer may bid on it and it is up to the owners. They have the option to no sale it if they don't want it to go to whoever was the last bidder or they think they didn't get enough for it. My gelding went at the end of the day - no owner in sight (Amish kid that works at the auction walked him in) - not ridden, hardly anyone left there....obviously these people didn't care what happened to the horse.

At some places, you can state that you don't want it to go to killers and then the killers cannot bid on the horse.

[WBLover]

OMG, I remember drooling over that mare when I saw her for sale ad. She reminds me SO much of a wonderful grey mare of a friend of mine's that I rode and showed last year. Gawd I wish I could have snatched her up, I'd have given her an excellent home! She could have been a nice horse for me to keep in riding shape with while I bring up my young horse, and then she could have retired on my farm. Enjoy her!!!

[CapitolDesign]

I encourage your attempts to contact the owner(s), especially since I (and many people I have bought horses from) have a clause in the sale contract that states you may never sell the horse on to a situation like this.

I also suggest everyone consider putting that into their sale contracts.


Curious to know why the owner couldn't find a home for this cute little mare at a school/therapeutic program/lawn without an ornament. :(

Am I pathetic for getting emotional about this? I was scared to open the link, in fear that I knew the horse from somewhere.

[Well_Worn_Bridle]

Hi guys- I'm waiting to hear from her previous owner, but here's what a fellow boarder had to say....



Hi Angelina: No problem, I will forward your e-mail to Laurraine, I'm sure she will be glad to provide them with any information they want. Also, just curious, how in gods name did you happen to find me & associate me with this horse? Anyway, I can tell you that she's healthy as an ox, never had an off day in her life, but she can be hell on wheels.....best regards, Linda

[dsgshowmom]

Well...... Uniform offspring are known to be hell on wheels as youngsters, that is true. However, as they get older, that piss and vinegar can be turned into stamina and heart when it really matters, which of course is the GP.

They are also known to be exceptionally intelligent horses, far more intellegent than most. That is shown by that sires offsprings ability to be able to learn piaffe and passage and changes faster than the norm.

Thats what I was told anyway.

Hey FreestyletoMusic (aka Theo) didn't your sister have two offspring by Junior STV and realize the same thing about this line?

[ESG]

Coincidently, I mentioned this thread and this mare to someone who should know. That person told me that Uniform offspring have a reputation for being more than difficult. Perhaps there is a reason that this mare ended up where she did. The person consulted, suggested that the horse's new owner proceed with caution. :winkgrin:

[mosmom]

I contacted the people at the farm in Canada. They said they imported her from Holland as a young mare and sold her to someone in Long Island, NY shortly after. She said they mainly did Dressage with her and took her to a few shows in which she placed very well in.

[egontoast]

I would take the'hell on wheels' comment with a grain of salt. A really sensitive horse can be 'hell on wheels' with the wrong (for that horse)handling.

Judge the horse for what she is today . No need to take on extra DRAMA.

They are also known to be exceptionally intelligent horses, far more intellegent than most. That is shown by that sires offsprings ability to be able to learn piaffe and passage and changes faster than the norm.


That suggests natural ability and willing temperament, rather than exceptional intelligence, to me.

[Marieke]

When I saw she was by Uniform my first thought was that is why she was at that auction. I'd be very cautious. It might all work out just wondeful for you, but I'd stay careful.

[kkj]

I am glad she got a home but I worry about the home too. If this horse is difficult and that is why she ended up at New Holland, then she is likely not suited for a school horse. Many of the school horses end up at auction when they are no longer useful. It is a business after all. Colleges, Police Stations dump them too. Don't think you are being all noble donating a horse. Find out what they do with the horses when they no longer have use for them. They are often auctioned or sent to auction.

Also, this horse looks pretty stiff and in need of some maintenance in the video. Is she going to get this maintenance or be ridden stiff and uncomfortable by people who don't know better or don't care? This is the life I see for 90% plus of the school horses out there. They are honestly usually a lot better off going to an amateur with no great aspirations who will pamper them and spring for the Adequan, HA, glucosamine, chiro etc. Unfortunately these homes are very hard to find and these buyers are not lining up at the auction. (as well they shouldn't because they are likely to buy something dangerous and get badly hurt)

I know people who have sent the most dangerous horses to the auction and well, "screw you potential buyer who may get killed". Horses that have something seriously wrong with them but the owner would not cough up for a good vet check up. Horses that routinely flip over etc. A lot of people are really uncool about this stuff and the horses are not talking.

Also wanted to point out that a "right of first refusal" or a clause in the sales contract not to sell the horse into an auction or whatever really won't hold up. First of all in reality very few people are going to go through the trouble of suing someone who took a horse they once owned to auction. Horses are considered a good or property and laws are in place to prevent the limitation and restrictions on the resale of such. If you don't look at your horse that way, find a way to provide for it for life. That is the only way you can insure it does not meet a bad fate. Once you sell it, pray that with the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th owner down the line it does not end up at New Holland or hobbling around a lesson barn with someone banging around on it's back.

This looks like a nice mare and she like all horses do not deserve to end up a New Holland. I don't know that the problem is so much her age but perhaps that she is too difficult to ride for her age and talent. If she was a difficult mare but uber talented she would have likely found a home. If she was old but super easy, she would have likely found a home. Breeders bring these horses into the world that have amateur talent but need a much better than the average amateur ride and these horses often have a hard time making it. On a side note, I am surprised she did not find herself as a broodmare somewhere along the line. Seems to me in the US, the difficult or lame ones often end up being moms. We have to keep creating horses that aren't really suitable after all.

[slc2]

On the other hand, by the time a horse gets a little age on him and a little work, alot of times the 'hell on wheels' is in the past.

It's also entirely possible that the people who had the horse before, couldn't handle her, and she got spoiled and naughty. That can happen with almost any horse.

It's also possible the horse had a nasty streak and wound up going down the road because of that.

But the bad behavior may not be there any more after time has gone by. I've bought several horses that were supposed to be 'bad' and with regular work, not such an overdose of grain and rich hay, they behaved pretty well.

[Ambrey]

It's also possible that the riding school knew they were buying a horse from auction and will proceed with caution, and aren't going to push her :)

[SisterToSoreFoot]

Mosmom--Has the mare been ridden yet? Does she seem sound and reasonable?
I understand everyone's concern about this horse because she ended up at New Holland, but don't forget that the last owner of the horse could have been going through some major personal issues that caused him or her to dump the horse.

Perhaps the owner was deliquent on board or skipped town and the horse was dropped by a boarding stable unfamiliar with dressage horses. Who knows? I agree riders should proceed with caution, but I would also give her a fair shake--none of this could be her fault. As many posters have said, perfectly wonderful horses end up in bad situations. And I think most horse people will agree there are more wonderful horses than owners...a truly bad, irredemable horse is rare.

[mosmom]

Mosmom--Has the mare been ridden yet? Does she seem sound and reasonable?
I understand everyone's concern about this horse because she ended up at New Holland, but don't forget that the last owner of the horse could have been going through some major personal issues that caused him or her to dump the horse.

Perhaps the owner was deliquent on board or skipped town and the horse was dropped by a boarding stable unfamiliar with dressage horses. Who knows? I agree riders should proceed with caution, but I would also give her a fair shake--none of this could be her fault. As many posters have said, perfectly wonderful horses end up in bad situations. And I think most horse people will agree there are more wonderful horses than owners...a truly bad, irredemable horse is rare.

Yes, I have been riding her. So far she is sound and has great manners. She does need someone with experience to ride her though. She loves to be ridden. This Saturday I will be taking her to a local Dressage show to see how she does.

[ise@ssl]

Dangerous horses should be put down.

The fact that older mares are often just passed off is a shame. If people really can't do anything with them or even give them to a good home - then they should call the Vet have the mare put down and not subject the animal to a future that may be an overloaded truck to Canada and slaughter.

And just because a mare has a uterus doesn't mean she should be bred. If she has riding potential but cycles affect her temperment - spend the money and have her ovaries removed.

[Ajierene]

Sportinghorsepolo - that is the case with a lot of schools and universities. Schools and universities make up something like 5% of the riding establishments in the New Holland area. The vast majority are schooling barns, racing barns, show barns and backyard barns. I have seen horses go to New Holland and barn owners not caring where they end up. I have left barns because of this. Some barns care for where their horses end up and some do not - that is just the way it is.

[vestito]

The poor owner in the you tube video may not have a clue where she ended up.

I know of three women who talk the talk, and are so sweet and say all the right things and walk off with free horses all the time.

They all go straight to the auction with them, never looking back.They make me so sick. One guy gave his horse to one of the women and when I found out I told him and his wife made him go back, call someone down at the auction house and get her back. It cost him 750 to give his free horse away.

There are a lot of rotten people out there who are very good actors.

The former owner might just think she is in the best home out there.

[Ambrey]

There was a post in Off Course about a retirement scam, where someone advertised for fabulous retirement homes for a fixed price, took the money, ditched the horses. I wonder if something like that could have happened?

[Medicine Wheel (Ogilvie)]

Updates on how the show went? :)

[mosmom]

She did great. I only took her in Intro A and B. Since I've only ridden her a couple times and plus I didn't know how she would be - I didn't want to stress her out. In warm-up she was great. Out first test (Intro B) we scored a 67.5 and then our second test (Intro A) we scored a 64. Not bad - I think most of it was rider error. When I get a chance I will post a couple pictures.

[Watermark Farm]

I just found this thread and read through the whole thing. What a story!

I had a similar experience. I have a 22 year old grey TB gelding who was purchased for $230 at the Eugene, OR livestock auction in 2006. A friend bid on him to save him from the meat buyer. She was given his JC papers, and stapled to them was his USDF lifetime registration card.

We found out the horse had an extensive show record thru 2nd level. He had been ODS reserve HOY at training level.

I did a lot of sleuthing and wound up tracking down all the former owners (four in all), down to the breeder, who had raced him. This horse had been carefully and lovingly passed along. His last owner of 8 years had a baby and became overwhelmed. She sadly gave him to a woman who turned out to be a shady dealer. The owner sadly did not check out this woman, nor follow up, and that was the near fatal mistake for the horse. This dealer in turn sold him to another dealer, who took him to the Eugene auction.

I am now in contact with all the former owners, including the last, who was heartsick when she learned what happened to him (she flew to CA to see the horse and give me his dressage saddle). Seeing him with her was heartwrenching as he was very excited to see her.

I now ride and show this horse, who is by far the nicest horse I have ever owned. He will be with me for life. Great mover, super sound, tons of suspension, scores consistently in the 70s at training level in schooling shows. Great on trails, hops in the trailer, a super nice horse.

I have since rescued another slaughter bound auction horse, also 22, and he's obviously a former UL dressage horse. He's now fit and showing with an adoptor. I agree you have to be very careful, but there are a lot of sad stories out there ---- wonderful horses like this mare who simply ended up in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong people.

Congratulations on your new horse!

[Calhoun]

Watermark, you're a saint! Do you have pictures?

[Watermark Farm]

Here you go.

Early life --- racehorse:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/watermarkfarm/Tizza_Ridge_RunnerWeb.jpg

Start of dressage career with second owner, 1993:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/watermarkfarm/Ridge_Bend_93web.jpg

With me last summer:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/watermarkfarm/RidgeShow5.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/watermarkfarm/RidgeShow4.jpg

[Kathy Johnson]

I love this "White Beauty" thread.

[merry mayhem]

Watermark, loved your story....Lucky horse and Luckier YOU :-)

[eurofoal]

I'd just like to point out the the unwary that they shouldn't assume that every nice-looking horse dropped off at auction is going to be a happy ending diamond in the rough.

This is the truth... if nice, ridable horses were the norm, then more people would brave the auction environment. I've bought lots of horses at auction... all kind of auctions-- from Germany's select auctions to the weekly killer sales. The old adage that "it's easier to buy a horse than it is to sell one" rings so true at these auctions.

The Friday night specials are a heartbreak, but good horses do go through. If a horse is nice and quiet, it's such a shame to see them go through the sale. The plight of these animals just breaks my heart.

My kid's horse is a 28 year old paint... he hit hard times and was starved when I got him. It turns out he's a just a gem. Anyone can safely ride him, he's an old hat at shows, walks over ANYTHING< ANYTIME, ANYWHERE without a spook. I got him for $500. A few years ago, I bought another paint horse, and causually mentioned the old guys name... the lady was floored... turns out she owned him years ago and sold him with the "I'll take him back anytime" caveat. She was thrilled to see him again and showed me photos of him training nearly every child in the county to ride. A happy ending for J. R. Goldbar!!!

Like someone said, too, earlier on in the thread... now these poor horses have to go to Mexico and be brutally, horrifically killed. Im not pro-slaughter, but man, this whole anti slaughter movement had a terrible real world effect on the horses that are at the end of the line.

[Ajierene]

I concur that not every horse at the auction is a gem.

My first horse, bought him from the auction when he was 19 (Watermark's post makes me want to see if I can research his tattoo). He was great and stayed with me until the end - at 28.

My ex-fiance bought a gelding that I now own. Went at the end of the day, only bidders were my ex and a killer buyer. My ex got him for $325. At 10 years old he was arthritic enough to be stiff and unable to bend on a 30M circle, let alone a 20M circle. He freaks out at large shows, is better at smaller ones, but I still couldn't in good conscious place him in a home with someone who wants to show. Two years later, I am still looking for a home for a 17.2 HH, 12 year old, arthritic gelding that can only really do walk/trot. Has a dropped pastern that is probably going to greatly shorten his riding life.....I would never give him to a home that did not want the best for him, but he certainly is not a diamond in the rough.

[LostCreekFrm]

Does anybody know of a website where these kinds of sales are listed? I would really like to rescue horses that are at auction but have a hard time finding where the auctions are located. I have tried going through google.com, but don't have much luck. Thanks!!

[Evalee Hunter]

Does anybody know of a website where these kinds of sales are listed? I would really like to rescue horses that are at auction but have a hard time finding where the auctions are located. I have tried going through google.com, but don't have much luck. Thanks!!

So where are you located? No one can help if you are in California & all the auctions we know about are in Pennsylvania!

[ASB Stars]

I agree with you kkj. But I must chime in that at least in the case of MY alma-mater's program (CSU), our donated horses go to pre-approved homes only. We also brand our donations (polo ponies, hunters, western horses and broodmares) with a University brand. If a horse ever arrives at any auction the University is notified.

I'm sorry, but this is simply not rue. AC4H pulled a mare with a CSU bran from the kill pen at New Holland several years ago- she had been in the recip program, I believe, and was dumped.

There have been some horrific stories of horses in the Veterinary program at CSU who wound up with kill buyers, and then were slaughtered. A mare named Freeway was one who was publicized some years ago.

If you are referrng to the riding program ONLY, that's fine, but when you generalize about all of CSUs programs, you are not correct.

[Devon]

I have to say, you guys have inspired me. In the next year or two I plan to get another horse...and I will be looking at the local auctions. Thank you.

[RHdobes563]

Congratulations on saving such a great horse! :)

I wonder, however, if this mare was called a 3/4 Thoroughbred (which she is by her pedigree) if we would have the same outraged reaction.

Just kinda like calling a Quarab that is 3/4 Arabian, a Quarter Horse. :winkgrin:

[mosmom]

I finally got around to downloading some pics from the show I took Kashmir to. My 13 year old son took them so they're not the best but atleast you get to see her ;).

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/ksox/Miscellaneous/?action=view&current=BlueGoosePics6-7-08005.jpg

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/ksox/Miscellaneous/?action=view&current=BlueGoosePics6-7-08003.jpg

[FlashGordon]

I finally got around to downloading some pics from the show I took Kashmir to. My 13 year old son took them so they're not the best but atleast you get to see her ;).

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/ksox/Miscellaneous/?action=view&current=BlueGoosePics6-7-08005.jpg

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/ksox/Miscellaneous/?action=view&current=BlueGoosePics6-7-08003.jpg

Good stuff!!

We used to get a lot of horses in from low end sales and dealers at barn I worked at in college. One in particular was a big fleabitten gray gelding, about 15. That horse had some serious dressage training on him. He was a saint from the day he stepped off the trailer and never put a foot wrong, though for awhile you could tell he was thinking "how did I end up HERE?!?"

7 years later he's more than adjusted to his life of packing kids over crossrails, though with the right rider he still busts out his moves every once in awhile.

This thread made me think of him, we always wondered how he ended up at the sale and wished we'd known his "backstory." Someone loved him and put some training on him at some point.

Kudos to you for taking on this neat mare, hope she has a long and happy existence with you. :)