Tell me about your AC4H horses! [Archive]

Miss Aria

Sep. 5, 2008, 03:11 PM

It's nice to hear so many good things about them. I see several on their website that I'd like to bring home, but they're all older. The average age on my farm is already 26 and 1/3 years old. I'm a retirement home!

:) Oldies are goodies. But seriously, AC4H is a class act and has saved many horses. If you look at their webpage under 'available horses' you'll see ALL ages there that are ready to be adopted out. They constantly work with their horses with handling and riding so they are well evaluated. I had a rescue mare sent there who was worn out and skin and bones and with special care and feeding she looks so much younger and is in wonderful condition now.

WendellsGirl

Sep. 5, 2008, 06:30 PM

I have a few diamonds in the rough I found through the Broker Horse pages thru AC4H....does that count? :winkgrin: I have all saddlebreds, so these /will/ be all saddlebred success stories! I share these because they are horses who have beaten the odds and gone on to be successful riding horses with myself or close friends. AC4H is a wonderful group with great, down-to-earth people.

Miss Emily, the first night home....Sad little mare, sick and lonely.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/EmilySad.jpg

Now, a few months later....dearly loved mount for her junior rider. Happy and healthy little mare with a heart of gold.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/ErinEmilyBigTrot8-08-1.jpg

Nathan, bought off the Broker page as a 3 y.o.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/NewGeldinginStall.jpg

He battled strangles and barely lived through it. A year and a half later, started under saddle...
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/Nathan4U-S5-25-08.jpg

The lovely Alice, a royally bred mare that spent some time on the road. Then...
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/DSC02973.jpg

Last summer...
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/AliceAwesomeTrot5-07.jpg
She's officially retired now after a particularly bad bout with cellulitus.

The adorable Eileen, a nice little mare...Bought from this photo...
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/8-8-06Eileenatbrokers2.jpg

I started her under saddle and re-homed her with a friend who trail rides her, and the mare surprised us with this one morning....
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh265/lillyhalv/EileenDevon601.jpg
A slaughter-pen miracle pregnancy!

If I was alittle better at the re-homing part, I would take more from the Broker pages, but I am not... Once they get here, I have a hard time letting them go. The AC4H horses I have are wonderful horses who just needed someone to find their place to shine and thankfully, it was here!

Deuce

Sep. 5, 2008, 06:38 PM

WendellsGirl, you have some lovelies there! They look great! Of course, I am a little partial to ASB's...

meaty ogre

Sep. 6, 2008, 09:50 AM

WendellsGirl, thanks for sharing your pics/stories. I have specifically been looking at the broker owned pages and I just don't know what to think. Are these people that just buy horses from various auctions and are trying to get them marketed somewhere other than the dead-end auctions? Do you contact the broker directly and haggle with them? I'm very interested in the whole process.

Some of the broker-owned hroses are pretty aged and I know that is a major turn-off for a lot of people. As geriatric horse owner/lover, I think the older the better a lot of times, though you have to worry about heartbreaks like ringbone/sidebone etc. and other results of years of use and sometimes overuse.

For some reason I can't get on their website today. I wonder if all the traffic from the large horse seizure thread has crashed them? Maybe they took it down to add more horses.

Cherry

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:02 AM

Meaty ogre, how about a Standardbred from New Vocations: http://horseadoption.com/standardbreds/ ???

I see the horses listed there at the moment are in their teens, but they often have much younger horses listed--like two between two and ten years old--these horses are in need of a good home too.... ;)

Dot Morgan also shares a great reputation on this board and at large.... She'll find you a horse if you just tell her what you're looking for. Comes from generations of horse people and is married to a horse trainer if I'm not mistaken.... :)

Floridarider

Sep. 6, 2008, 12:20 PM

I have purchased quite a few with my friends and rehabbed as well as rehomed some of the broker horses so they did not go to other auctions or even slaughter. Among my favorites were a few paso finos who after the required weight gains and just a little refresher courses have found great new homes. I have also adopted a pony from AC4H who now drives and follows my 10 year old daughter without even a halter. They are great folks and have devoted most of their lives to helping horses.

aspenlucas

Sep. 6, 2008, 02:42 PM

In light of the recent horse seizure threads I'm sure a lot of us have been perusing the ac4h.com website. I'd love to hear from some people who have gotten horses through them. They seem to have quite a variety and some pretty neat looking equines!

So, who here has gotten a horse there?

About two years ago, my friend and I started getting some of the broker owned horses. We would put weight on them, work with them and then turn them around, sometimes for a little more money, many times breaking even, sometimes we lost, but..I can honestly say the ones I've rescued. I know where each of them are right now. Sure that may change. But these horses were headed to auction. I gave them two more years of knowing where they were! Right now I have a 4 year old paint gelding I got from her as a yearling (broker though), it was my first set from there. Five yearlings that were left over from a huge farm. I took what was left. Well I took two and my friends took three. :) It was neat to see them mature. If you look on the broker owned page there is a picture of a bay mare in western tack then jumping. That is Contessa. Christy called me when another horse I picked fell through (already sold) and told me this mare was available. Tessa came to us in very good shape. But did this half rear when you first got on her and walked her up the long side, plus she was always parked out (sore back). This went away after a few months of easy work. I think she was sore from being tied, and stressed (broker farm), at any rate. I sent her to NJ through a reputable trainer. I didn't make much on her, but the mare ended up at a huge facility and I'm told sold for 9K. Mare had auto changes. She'd jump 3'6" from anywhere. She was the real deal. I was sad to see her go! We got a perch gelding too that was beat up, collar marks. I wish I could share the pictures of him with his girlfriend. The lady we found for him is perfect. He does competitions in carriage and logging. He I SWEAR is smiling in his pictures. Oh....and how can I forget my sweet Sophie! I got a foundered 2 year old donkey last year. Brought her home. Christy talked me through weeks with this donkey. She went down and refused to get up. She was so sore and the life was gone from her eyes. We worked with the farrier and got her up every day and walked her twice a day. She recovered. :) We still have to do frequent trims and she wears a muzzle when the grass is existent but she LOVES us. She smiles and talks when we go to the barn. She is my biggest accomplishment through there and I am so thankful Christy let me make an offer. I think the broker took it but Christy offered to pay the difference if I'd take her! :) What a rescue. I just LOVE them!

aspenlucas

Sep. 6, 2008, 02:43 PM

:) They constantly work with their horses with handling and riding so they are well evaluated.

Even the broker horses, Christy is SO honest!

meaty ogre

Sep. 6, 2008, 03:15 PM

Meaty ogre, how about a Standardbred from New Vocations: http://horseadoption.com/standardbreds/ ???

You know, being in a big standardbred-racing area, I did consider it briefly, but I'm just not a racehorse kind of girl. I'd consider myself a mediocre (hence the moniker!) rider at best. I have to be honest and admit my limitations and my specialty is not retraining a reactive horse (I know they're all capable of being reactive, but you get what I'm saying). I am so glad that CANTER and other organizations are out there to rescue these guys, but it would take an exceptional TB or STB to be a match for me. I had (still have and always will) a sensitive TB who was poorly matched to me as a first horse by an unscrupulous trainer. Over the years we've pretty much scared each other to death, though he has taught me everything I know (just had to learn it all the hard way!). I've sworn off white-knuckle riding for a while. ;)

I do like the idea of my next horse being a fixer-upper though, but in a different sense. I think my "specialty" if I have one is taking an older horse whose been a little run down and getting them as restored as possible. Kind of like why should I go and get myself a corvette when what all I really need is a minivan, if you know what I'm sayin'.

MistyBlue

Sep. 6, 2008, 03:20 PM

I am right now in the middle of *trying* to get one of the broker ac4h horses. I've e-mailed the agreement, e-mailed a couple other times, called 3 times and haven't heard a thing back yet. :no: A couple others I know from another BB just picked up the little mule, the appy mare and foal and one other horse to come to New England so I hooked up with the same shipper since he has room for more. Now I have to confirm my shipping spot by 4-4:30 pm or I lose it and can't seem to buy the horse for the spot, LOL! :eek: :o *sigh* Buying horses *really* sucks for me for some reason. This hopefully will not be horse #4 in a 10 day period to fall through for me.
Anyone have any suggestions how to get in touch with Christy other than the number and e-mail listed on the web page?

ETA...just heard from one of the others who bought a horse from there today. Apparently Christy is just out on an errand bringing another horse to a new home. :D Phew...hoping to hear back soon so I can confirm shipping with the shipper. If so then later tonight I'll be able to add my name to the list of folks who have an ac4h horse. ;)

Laytian

Sep. 6, 2008, 04:07 PM

MistyBlue -- I just sent you a PM.

Christy is wonderful to work with, but obviously, she's busy with all the work she does in placing horses and isn't always reachable by the office phone. :cool:

Best wishes with your new horse!!!!! :D Which one is it? There are several really lovely prospects posted this week.

In case anyone else is interested in having a look-see on what's available (*evil grin*):
http://www.ac4h.com/brokerownedhorses.htm ;P

ThirdCharm

Sep. 6, 2008, 04:13 PM

I bought a TB mare, Queen, through AC4H--she was in a broker's lot two weeks after her last race. She was posted on COTH and I liked her pix, so I bought her over the phone and had her delivered to a farm near the show where I was going to be the next week! (from PA to VA and then I took her home to NC). I had her about a year and a half, took her to a few events, she was very nice, sold her recently to a student who loves her to death.

Pix:
http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/3803124_aX2Mc#P-2-15

Jennifer

DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"

Sep. 6, 2008, 09:17 PM

Another ditto that AC4H is a class act. We have some wonderful, wonderful rescues who post on COTH and AC4H is definitely one of them!

MistyBlue

Sep. 6, 2008, 09:20 PM

Floridarider

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:17 PM

So sorry to hear that, but don't give up.

aspenlucas

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:18 PM

So sorry to hear that, but don't give up.
Yeah tell Christy what you want and she can keep feelers out for you! :)

Laytian

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:23 PM

Laytian...got the PM and thank you!
But the bad ju-ju karma just kicked me in my arse, again, and the deal fell through for me. :no: I may give up on finding a second horse.

ETA...deal fell through on *my* end, not due to ac4h at all. Complete screw up.

MistyBlue -- Hold on a minute. Maybe there's something that can be done? If it's a matter of quarantine or transportation, I *may* possibly have a couple of ideas for you. I can't promise anything, but PM me.

:cool:

MistyBlue

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:30 PM

No, it was a personal issue on my end. I had lined up transportation (A few of us had a shipped bringing a load from there to nearby MA, we'd pick up individually from there, the mule buyer arranged that wonderfully) and I have a decent enough quarantine area. Not ideal IMO (but then I'm excessively fussy) but good safe protection for the new horse.
But thanks so much for the kind offer of help. I will definitely keep ac4h in mind when the problems pass and I can shop again. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Laytian

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:46 PM

Awwww, too bad. That's a real shame (both for you and for the horse). But maybe better to figure out the limitations now than in a couple of months when you've already got the horse, gotten attached, and then realize it won't work. :(

But keep your eye on the AC4H broker page. The horses available change every week (:sigh:), but so many true gems get posted there it's not funny. :eek: Hopefully, you'll be able to offer a home to a horse at some point. :yes:

WendellsGirl

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:47 PM

Concerning the Broker Horses....

You must be comfortable/confident with your decision to work through whatever quirks or old baggage might pop up once the horse is home. Despite their best efforts to evaluate everything, they are limited on time and resources when they do their evaluating. Most of the time, the horse is everything and more. Once in a while, theres something quirkly there. But, that can happen with almost any newly-purchased horse. :lol:

Misty Blue, if you decide to go the auction rehab route, I'm happy to help you also with transport or keep you company at a sale!

MistyBlue

Sep. 6, 2008, 10:55 PM

Thanks again Laytian...it's not a long term issue and won't have lasting effects. An unexpected dilemna...will mess things up for a short time and then back to normal. Had nothing to do with equines in general but definitely impacted the addition of a new horse at this moment.
Wendell's...will probably go the auction/rehab route. I'll also be fine-tuning my quaratine quarters now that I have more time on my hands being single-horsed. I haven;'t been auction shopping in years although it used to be a main hobby/income of mine. Looking forward to it...and now have some time to start toughening the heart back up.

meaty ogre

Sep. 7, 2008, 08:51 AM

Once in a while, theres something quirkly there. But, that can happen with almost any newly-purchased horse. :lol:

Amen to that. However I'm thinking it's easier to deal with a quirk that popped up on a $775 horse than it is on a $9500 horse. Ask me how I know. ;)

I'm looking through the pages now. So you mean if I call Christy and tell her I'm looking for something specific, like a small draft cross, she would look for one for me? For real?

GoForAGallop

Sep. 7, 2008, 09:13 AM

Hi all,

I just bought my first ac4h horse..or mule, rather! He's the little 13 hand guy on the second page....isn't he cute? My dad told me "No more horses!" so I was a good girl and listened. :lol::lol:

I've always wanted a mule, and this little guy tugged at my heartstrings. When I emailed about buying him they said they were very afraid that he might go to slaughter, as he's a good boy but nervous and needs some polishing and patience. Fine by me!

I'll post pictures when he gets here on Tuesday!

ptownevt

Sep. 7, 2008, 10:11 AM

It's great to read this thread. I look at the horses available at AC4H all the time and worry since I am full up at the moment. I was especially happy to hear about the Saddlebreds. There seem to be a lot of them that end up in need of a home. I have always been a TB person myself but have gotten to know one or two a bit and they seem like such sweet, loving horses.
Pam

WendellsGirl

Sep. 7, 2008, 11:31 AM

I just bought my first ac4h horse..or mule, rather! He's the little 13 hand guy on the second page....isn't he cute? My dad told me "No more horses!" so I was a good girl and listened. :lol::lol:

HAHA! You're a smart girl!

Meaty, are you looking for a project? I was just at a large monthly Amish sale yesterday and there are always crosses there - a particularly homely Standardbred/draftie 2 y.o. dun filly even tugged at my ever-lovin' saddlebred heart, but she was already sold by the time I got there. That, and I promised I would not bring anything home. :no: There were morgan-drafts, haflinger crosses and full breds, and some heavier built full Morgans. But, Christy will certainly look for you, too, and then you might be able to coordinate quarantine thru them if you haven't facilities.

Laytian

Sep. 7, 2008, 11:38 AM

So you mean if I call Christy and tell her I'm looking for something specific, like a small draft cross, she would look for one for me? For real?

Yep, definitely. Christy will keep her eyes open for a horse that meets your needs if you tell her that you need a small draft cross that is trained to drive, for instance, if that's what you're looking for. Christy is really pretty good at evaluating horses, given that she has a limited amount of time to evaluate each horse.

Lots of drafts and draft crosses go through, almost every week. Also, lots of TBs, ponies (including many that are kid-safe), Morgans, Standardbreds, Appy's, QHs, Arabs, quite a few Saddlebreds, and occasionally, other gaited breeds such as Walkers, Pasos, and MFTs. Every once in a while, an unusual breed comes through, such as a Mangalarga Marchador, American Cream Draft, or the Andalusian/Iberian/QH (eligible for Azteca or Iberian registration) sporthorse posted this week. Many of these horses are sound, sane, well-trained and ready to ride.

You can look at the horses on the broker pages as well as the horses available through AC4H (horses that have been taken in by AC4H). If you have questions, you can check out the Yahoo group and ask questions there or contact Christy directly.

Broker pages:
http://www.ac4h.com/brokerownedhorses.htm

Main page (link to AC4H Available Horses):
http://www.ac4h.com/

Discussion group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnotherChance4Horses/

If you see a horse you're interested in on the Broker pages, the quicker you reach Christy or someone at AC4H, the better, as those horses generally don't have much time.

Laytian

Sep. 7, 2008, 12:23 PM

Forgot to say, AC4H can help usually with arranging transport and quarantine. :winkgrin:

meaty ogre

Sep. 7, 2008, 10:25 PM

lolalola

Sep. 7, 2008, 11:18 PM

There's no shortage of what you are willing to take! Join the AC4H group and get the e-mails - it's an amazing group who have saved an awful lot of horses.

Miss Aria

Sep. 8, 2008, 08:47 AM

While the broker horses are an integral part of AC4H in terms of helping horses [and they always need help faster than others because of time constraints], please don't forget that there are some wonderful horses residing AT AC4H waiting for that perfect home! Christy pulls from kill pens, takes in needy horses and always has a wide variety of breeds, sizes and ages in various stages of need and training available for adoption. Just visit the site and click on 'available horses' and you'll see who is available, read stories about them and maybe find your perfect horse.

meaty ogre

Sep. 8, 2008, 09:59 AM

Does anyone know if AC4H is looking for foster homes? I keep reading threads about how the price of feed is going up and more and more horses are getting left behind in this economc disaster and I do have the room for one and plenty of feed/hay. More and more that is what I am feeling like I want to do.

I keep looking at a skinny gelding on the quarantine page - Spencer/Dollar. He's old too. I wouldn't want to bring down the average age of geriatric horse farm too much! ;)

Marli

Sep. 8, 2008, 10:49 AM

Meaty Ogre

As the others have said, AC4H has a wide variety of horses available, both through the program (rescue) as well as broker horses (at risk).

I'm part of the TB Division- and provide assistance to any of the TB's saved and taken into the rescue program as well as the broker TB's.

Think about what you'd like to do, foster/adopt/purchase outright. If you'd like to speak to Christy, perhaps to help decide/discuss what route you'd like to take, send me an email with your phone number and I'll have her call you. She receives hundreds of emails daily and horses at risk are always at the top of the priority ladder. She's always on a tight schedule and Monday's are extremely hectic but I'll pass along your interests. Sound good?

marlifarm@aol.com

meaty ogre

Sep. 8, 2008, 12:29 PM

Perfect. Thanks Marli, I'll be e-mailing!

Laytian

Sep. 8, 2008, 02:42 PM

Have trailer, have isolated paddock and run-in. Just need a small, already-started-under-saddle draft. Do I just e-mail that to Christy? I feel like such a dork asking all these questions but it just seems crazy to me that I can e-mail her what I want and she'll go digging through the auctions to find it for as best she can? Is there some sort of brokerage or finder's fee?

I don't want an unstarted project, I'm not good enough to do all that. I would be more inclined to take something older that maybe needed some weight or maintenance done that might be a candidate to carry my hubby and daughter and neices (something that's been around the block a bit). I know that increases the odds of getting something with arthritis, ringbone, etc, but I've developed an affinity for old horses, plus I also worry more about them falling through the cracks since a lot of people are put off by age.

Yes, you can email your details to Christy and she'll watch for a suitable horse. If you are really set that you want a horse with very specific criteria (i.e., no more than X hands), then Christy may need to look a bit. If you're more flexible on criteria (or if your choice of size is not uncommon in a draft), then she'll likely have a horse to suggest for you fairly quickly.

But actually, there are drafts on the broker pages every single week and many that could fit your description, so if I were you, I'd keep an eye on the website too. Christy generally goes to New Holland on Mondays and often posts a list of what's available on the discussion group. (Subscribe to the Yahoo group for the most up-to-date info on each week's horses.) She generally goes to the broker's place to take pictures, then writes it up and posts all the info on the broker-owned pages a day or so later. Horses available typically change every week, although on occasion a horse may be given a few extra days by the broker. If you see a horse on the website that sounds interesting, give AC4H a call promptly and Christy (or Rick, or Lee...) can give you more detail on that particular horse.

The broker sets the price. The price posted is what you pay, as I recall, although I think the coggin's test fee is additional. Since you can pick up the horse and quarantine, you won't need to add in those expenses.

Fostering is always a need for rescue groups. It's always a such a heartbreaker when there happen to be funds for a particular horse but no where to put him or to quarantine and the horse can't be saved. Sometimes even an adoptive home is lined up but can't take the horse immediately because they have no place to quarantine or maybe because they're too far away to travel to PA in time.

And good news -- Dollar/Spencer did get a home. ;)

Lori B

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:47 AM

I have a secret addiction to the AC4H pages, and this week, I wish I was a little kid in the market for a pony. That POA mare w/ the appy colt is a total doll, and is saintly for her tiny rider in the video.

There are people on COTH every week looking for kid suitable ponies, and this mare (13.2, 15 yrs. old) looks perfect for that. And her appy colt is very cute.

Pony shoppers!!! She's on the third page of the broker-owned horses and can be yours, w/ the colt, for less than $1k.

(sorry, mods, if this is a too-salesy post. I swear I don't own the pony or have any association w/ AC4H other than planning to donate soon.)

MistyBlue

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:50 AM

Actually I think I read on another BB that the app pony mare and foal were spoken for. Darned cute pair though!

Lori B

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:53 AM

That's good news. She was soo good for the little girl they videotaped her with. The rider's heels barely reached past the saddle pad, and still the mare walked, trotted, and stopped as asked, as her colt dodged around her.

twinlights

Sep. 9, 2008, 11:02 AM

Here is a link to our mare who is with us now because of ac4h. Just thought I would share her story.
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=37981d96a834176b941b27&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

Marli

Sep. 9, 2008, 11:33 AM

OMG! THALLENE MIST!!! :yes: :yes: :yes:

Twinlights- now you've gone and got me all teared and cryin'! Yep- I remember her well! Was frettin' over the possibility of her shipping to slaughter- she came CLOSE! [I'm part of the TB Division of AC4H]

What an beautiful video, just beautiful!!! And I am crying... their mixed this morning, had to stumble across this story combined with knowing how many shipped to slaughter last night.... and nothing we could do....

Thank goodness you found out about Thallene!!!!! And just in time!!!!!

Lori B

Sep. 9, 2008, 11:46 AM

The Misty video made me cry at my desk too. So glad she is ok. She is a lovely lovely horse. How old is she? She's a nice mover too.

twinlights

Sep. 9, 2008, 12:58 PM

Oh Marli, I am glad you saw her video, so you know she is doing well. And thank you so much for your help and for all you do to help the horses.
Misty is now a very nice trail horse and good in the ring as well, just a bit green still. She is 19 years young, no health issues, no soundness issues, and she doesn't know she is 19. But, very good manners. Anyone interested in adopting her need to go through NEER, www.newenglandequinerescues.com but I can give all info on Misty. She is really a lovely horse, how she could have ended up where she did still baffles me. Its scarey.

RHdobes563

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:07 PM

The broker has some nice (new) Thoroughbreds (etc.) on their page today.

www.ac4h.com

MistyBlue

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:21 PM

Just noticed those.:yes: Very nice.

Thankfully we've gotten our issue straightened out in record time and back on track with getting a horse from there. They're hopefully giving me a couple good leads on shipping from PA to CT in the next week or so. Maybe a few others from this area will be tempted by those fancy looking new TBs and we can do a load of horses. The one I liked is still available thank goodness..if he remains so until I get funds there tomorrow/Thursday we'll be thrilled. He's had some interest to so if not we've got a second picked out. We'll be thrilled with either one.

Maple Shade

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:28 PM

I have purchased 3 broker horses. Christy was positively awesome to deal with. All 3 horses were exactly what she thought they were. All 3 were sold into sporthorse homes where they had to pass a pre-purchase first. One was sold to a woman who posts on here occasionally! I HIGHLY recommend working with ac4h.

RHdobes563- DANG! you shouldn't tempt me like that! :winkgrin: Now see...you made me go look and Picture Marker looks nice. WHAAA! SIGH.....I'm not looking. ARG! :lol: So someone needs to go buy him to save me from myself .

MistyBlue

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:35 PM

whoa...new ones are popping up left and right on there now. I was on there an hour ago and just now there are some more new ones. Picture Maker is a nice looking boy! So are a few other nice young TBs. And that new listing of the pregnant Belgian mare is sweet. Can't beat those prices.
And kudos to Lee...that guy will hop on anything.

Marli

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:40 PM

Glad to see the new bunch of ottbs is getting some exposure! They're all in desperate need of homes! :yes: They're also part of what I've been frettin' about! Lots of ottbs getting dumped, and of these- all lightly raced horses (I've got the race records on this group). The lovely grey mare only had three lifetime starts in 95', no produce record- belonged to a kid that lost interest :no:

Christy said the stallion (Wish and Try/20 lifetime starts) is awesome! (would make a nice gelding too!) Lucky Lion the three y/o (a total of 6 lifetime starts) was a like a pocket pony with Christy today. Sovereign Man had 19 lifetimes starts, and Picture Maker only 9 lifetimes starts. Just a nice group of ottbs.

Marli

Sep. 9, 2008, 10:43 PM

And kudos to Lee...that guy will hop on anything.

A big Kudos to Lee! I was bustin' Christy's tush tonight when I looked a the pictures and video of Lee on Picture Maker! That gelding was feelin' fresh and frisky but Lee rode em' anyways! Great young fella!

RHdobes563

Sep. 9, 2008, 11:41 PM

A big Kudos to Lee! I was bustin' Christy's tush tonight when I looked a the pictures and video of Lee on Picture Maker! That gelding was feelin' fresh and frisky but Lee rode em' anyways! Great young fella!

Marli, who is Lee? I've been wondering about this guy who is brave enough to ride ANYTHING (apparently) bareback! Including friskly Thoroughbreds :eek: and barely broke others. :D

And what about that grey, 16 year old granddaughter of Seattle Slew (Seattle Love Sign)? They even have pictures of her being evented.

luvmypets

Sep. 10, 2008, 04:14 AM

MistyBlue

Sep. 10, 2008, 06:39 AM

LoriB...looks like I posted the wrong information. I had assumed the mare and foal purchase someone had on another BB was the little POA mare and foal but that pair is still on the available page and there's a different mare and foal on the purchased page. So if anyone was interested in that POA mare it looks like she's still available.

MistyBlue

Sep. 10, 2008, 09:46 AM

Okay, I just bought Fireball Illusion and if anyone knows of any shippers going between PA and CT in the next week or so please let me know!
Or hopefully a few New England residents will be purchasing some of those cute newly listed and inexpensive TBs and we can ship en masse...hint, hint.

Lori B

Sep. 10, 2008, 10:35 AM

That's right, MistyBlue, --

Calling all moms looking for kid safe ponies -- go to the AC4H site!!!
Help me live out my pony jones vicariously and adopt that adorable POA mare w/ colt. And post pics of your child smiling and cruising along.

Fireball Illusion is a cutie, and he likes to move out. Keep us posted.

MistyBlue

Sep. 10, 2008, 10:45 AM

*Almost* added the little chestnut and white pinto pony gelding too. 2 years old, decent built, probably mature to a large medium or large for $250. Flashy enough to be noticed if anyone is looking for a cute local show pony.

MistyBlue

Sep. 10, 2008, 11:03 AM

Got shipping...good price too. If anyone else is looking there's a truck going from PA to CT this coming Monday.

meaty ogre

Sep. 10, 2008, 11:09 AM

Dang it people, are you crashing their site? It won't load for me today.

I can't believe that pony with the foal is still available. I thought of snatching her up for my 2yo daughter but she doesn't need a pony yet. And I don't need a foal. and I don't need that appy/draft cross. But I WANT them all!

I watched the video of that guy (Lee?) riding the crowhopping TB and was seriously impressed. It is awesome that they have someone who will get on the horses and give them any type of eval. Hope his guardian angel is working overtime for the service he's providing!

aspenlucas

Sep. 10, 2008, 11:35 AM

Glad to see the new bunch of ottbs is getting some exposure! They're all in desperate need of homes!

Bubbles on there came to my farm three years ago to be bred, impeccable ground manners. She is quiet under saddle. Has evented, done dressage. :)

Maple Shade

Sep. 10, 2008, 12:55 PM

Picture Maker is coming to my house!!!!!!!! :winkgrin::lol:

RHdobes563

Sep. 10, 2008, 01:13 PM

Picture Maker is coming to my house!!!!!!!! :winkgrin::lol:

He's a gorgeous boy, isn't he, Maple Shade?! :D

Marli

Sep. 10, 2008, 01:43 PM

Picture Maker is coming to my house!!!!!!!! :winkgrin::lol:

Ou la la!!!! The 'frisky' one eh? He's got some nice movement going on- and it should only get better! Great news!!!!! :D :D

Marli

Sep. 10, 2008, 01:44 PM

Bubbles on there came to my farm three years ago to be bred, impeccable ground manners. She is quiet under saddle. Has evented, done dressage. :)

Amazing! You know Bubbles!!!
Christy said she is a well behaved lady- someone has spent some time and training with her! Always so sad when you see those notes that get sent along with the horse, and unfortunately many still are just not aware of where they can end up. She is lovely!!!

4cornersfarm

Sep. 10, 2008, 01:50 PM

We are very interested in Bubbles. We're a Pony Club family looking for a mileage horse. Aspenlucas - when you saw her, was she sound? If she is sound, I'll take her, but I can't afford to take one I can't use. We don't use them hard, we don't even go to recognized events, just Pony Club stuff. Anybody have more info on Bubbles?

Marli

Sep. 10, 2008, 01:55 PM

Besides any info Aspenlucas can give from when she was familiar with Bubbles- get ahold of Christy. She spent time with the horses yesterday evaluating them. Did you view her video?

christy@ac4h.com [put Bubbles in the subject]

OR 484-324-4904 [cell]
OR 610-621-5290

She's always either on the phone, out on the farm, or online. Very busy but I'll make sure to let her know you're interested in more info! :yes:

MistyBlue

Sep. 10, 2008, 02:14 PM

A few minutes ago I think Christy was out with the farrier.
And I'm not surprised at all to see someone had spoken for Picture Maker, congrats Maple Shade! That's one fancy looking boy for one heluuva price! As soon as I saw his photos and then video last night I thought, "He's not going to last 24 hours!"
4Corners...hope you get Bubbles!

aspenlucas

Sep. 10, 2008, 03:58 PM

Amazing! You know Bubbles!!!
Christy said she is a well behaved lady- someone has spent some time and training with her! Always so sad when you see those notes that get sent along with the horse, and unfortunately many still are just not aware of where they can end up. She is lovely!!!

I called her owner and she is taking her back, well the owner that gave her to a girl to learn eventing and they must have dumped her at auction, but she is going home! :)

Marli

Sep. 10, 2008, 05:44 PM

aspenlucas

Sep. 10, 2008, 05:50 PM

I just got the same update from Christy! :confused:

Geesh! Can you imagine, if Christy wouldn't have gone to the brokers lot she'd have been lost... :no:

Just amazing- so glad you saw this discussion, recognized the mare and knew the old owner! Freakin' unbelievable!

And she gave the mare to the girl! Just awful!

Actually friend emailed me and said look at this picture of the Belgian and the guy standing on it. She likes drafts and I did and saw "Bubbles" and thought oh my gosh. I contacted a friend and got the original owner's email and phone, hesitated about calling her. Started out with "when did you sell Bubbles". I didn't want to be nasty if she had fallen on hard times! that was not my intent. But she ended up getting her back. :) Well will on Friday!

RHdobes563

Sep. 10, 2008, 07:28 PM

Actually friend emailed me and said look at this picture of the Belgian and the guy standing on it. She likes drafts and I did and saw "Bubbles" and thought oh my gosh. I contacted a friend and got the original owner's email and phone, hesitated about calling her. Started out with "when did you sell Bubbles". I didn't want to be nasty if she had fallen on hard times! that was not my intent. But she ended up getting her back. :) Well will on Friday!

Way to go, Aspenlucas! Thank you enough for making a (successful) effort to help this mare!

farriergodmother

Sep. 10, 2008, 09:22 PM

Bubbles is coming home on Friday. Thankfully, Maria saw her on-line and gave me a call. I had given her to what I thought was a decent family a little less than a year ago for their daughter to start her eventing career on.

Needless to say, I'm really furious to see her end up needing a rescue. I'll bring her home, and get some groceries in her, poor girl. I guess she's in for a cushy retirement since I really have no job for her, which is how this all started to begin with. Lesson learned.

4cornersfarm

Sep. 10, 2008, 09:32 PM

We've all got tears in our eyes here. :sadsmile: I told my girls when I was picking them up at school that I was hoping to rescue a horse from auction who had evented. They didn't even want to see her picture because they were so afraid we might not be in time to save her. I'm so glad Bubbles is safe! Farriergodmother, if you think Bubbles would like a job, I've got three Pony Club kids looking for a mileage horse to learn on. :yes:

Give her a hug for us!

shawneeAcres

Sep. 10, 2008, 09:38 PM

Very interested in visiting this site but have tried two days in a row and it won't load, is there a problem with their site??

RHdobes563

Sep. 10, 2008, 09:48 PM

Very interested in visiting this site but have tried two days in a row and it won't load, is there a problem with their site??

I've had no problems at all. Try from my link:

http://www.ac4h.com

shawneeAcres

Sep. 10, 2008, 10:27 PM

I've had no problems at all. Try from my link:

http://www.ac4h.com

I don't get it, it won't work at all, says "version not implemented"

Maple Shade

Sep. 10, 2008, 10:43 PM

Here are the 3 I bought with Christy's help, hard work and patience.
4th ride - this one turned out to have one heck of a jump
http://mapleshadefarm.net/graham21.JPG
http://mapleshadefarm.net/graham38.JPG

This one was just lovely and sweet
http://mapleshadefarm.net/myweb/Ben1.JPG

6th ride. This one was equisite and a total rockstar. This was only his 6th ride. 17h, balanced as can be, fat and shiney.
http://mapleshadefarm.net/masonknees.jpg
http://mapleshadefarm.net/masonjump2.JPG
http://mapleshadefarm.net/mason22.JPG

See, when Christy says they are nice she REALLLY knows what she's taking about! :winkgrin:

Marli

Sep. 11, 2008, 08:00 AM

Aspenlucas- THANK YOU for contacting Farriergodmom!

Farriergodmother- THANK YOU for ensuring Bubbles is safely returned to you!!!!

Marli

Sep. 11, 2008, 08:03 AM

And I'm thrilled that this old fella won't be shipping!!!!

http://www.ac4h.com/DSC08991.JPG

He'll be going to a foster for some TLC!! What a sweet ole' boy!!!

Lori B

Sep. 11, 2008, 08:09 AM

For those who are having trouble accessing the site --

It doesn't look right on FireFox, so don't try that.

Are you using IE? I view the site with IE 7 and it works fine.

meaty ogre

Sep. 11, 2008, 09:33 AM

The site loads intermittently for me. I think the issue is either heavy traffic, or that the site is being taken offline to update/add horses photos etc. Keep trying, and remember to hit the refresh button so it's not just giving you the cached error page.

Marli, I'm also glad that skinny old man is headed for some TLC. Those are the ones that I love. Skinny and old and probably a treasure lurking underneath.

I'm still shaking my head at Bubbles' story. How irresponsible for someone to do that with such a gift. I am glad she found her way home. I wonder how many of those other oldsters have similar stories.

Lori B

Sep. 11, 2008, 09:56 AM

meaty ogre:

There is usually no such thing as 'taking a site offline' for updates. Really.

Websites are simply computers, like your own only beefier, with directories full of files and a piece of software called a 'web server'. The web server software handles requests from anywhere on the web by serving pages to requesting users.

The vast majority of websites are hosted by companies who have banks of such machines and the site owners just change the files that are served, and don't manage the web server software or hardware themselves.

Just an FYI. In the case of AC4H, they might not be using a very good hosting company, or might need to buy more bandwidth, i.e., the right to have more site traffic. But they have hungry ponies to feed, and a fancy web hosting company is probably not high on their list, appropriately.

meaty ogre

Sep. 11, 2008, 10:01 AM

Thanks Lori B. I learned something new today.

Catalina

Sep. 12, 2008, 11:40 AM

Laytian

Sep. 12, 2008, 12:21 PM

Out of curosity and not to be snarky, but $15,000 for D.A.?!?!?!? He is a good looking horse, but his video doesn't do him justice. Maybe he is better in person, but why so much $$$$. He is the majic 16.2 h number.... I just think that is way pricey for an unproven OTTB.

What website are you talking about? There's no horse on the AC4H website over $2000 (and that price is both high and fairly rare for AC4H, the vast majority posted are under $1000).

Or did you mistype and add in a zero or two? :cool: Which number is he?

I'm surprised no one's picked up Straightaway (#2), Sovereign Man (#3), Wish And Try, the #22a TB gelding, or the Standardbred mare (#30) who rides and drives. And #6a TB gelding -- the pushbutton, been there-done that guy sounds exactly like what so many people are looking for. The black POA pony (#29a) with white spots (a reverse Dalmatian! :lol:) is soooo cute. Anyone interested? :winkgrin::cool:

Lots of reeeeally nice horses this week! :sigh::sigh:

Catalina

Sep. 12, 2008, 01:20 PM

Whoops, posted in the wrong thread :o :lol:.

AppJumpr08

Sep. 12, 2008, 03:57 PM

Aww what happy news about Bubbles!!
And Maple Shade, I'm thrilled you ended up with that hunk! :)

Marli

Sep. 12, 2008, 04:02 PM

AC4H would greatly appreciate your vote!! Petfinders contest to win 5K. Thank you!!!!

http://www.ac4h.com/InitialPage.html [info provided, just click on the link and cast your vote!]

caffeinated

Sep. 12, 2008, 04:24 PM

I try not to look at the pages there too much, for the same reason looking at CANTER sites should be off limits for me... heh.

"Lucky Lion" looks really, really nice (broker owned horse). Someone should grab him. (and so does Luna Laura, the mare that After the Finish Line is sponsoring).

Marli

Sep. 12, 2008, 05:50 PM

:winkgrin: Luna Laura is pending as she already has an adoption application!

Lucky Lion could really use a home!!! :yes: Lightly raced fella, only 6 lifetime starts, last raced on April 19th at Penn. He turned three in April and he's a big boy for his age (approx. 16 hds. already)- Christy said he was super quiet and willing. Should be an easy retrain prospect! :yes:

DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"

Sep. 12, 2008, 06:43 PM

I voted - 249 and counting!

Chief2

Sep. 12, 2008, 09:28 PM

I voted. Also donated a small amount to help get #27 out. Hope it worked.

AiryFairy

Sep. 17, 2008, 01:09 AM

Maple Shade, I compliment you on getting your horses FORWARD, nice movers - they are beautiful, all of them, but that Mason is an absolute knockout! I'm jealous....

Here are the 3 I bought with Christy's help, hard work and patience.
4th ride - this one turned out to have one heck of a jump
http://mapleshadefarm.net/graham21.JPG
http://mapleshadefarm.net/graham38.JPG

This one was just lovely and sweet
http://mapleshadefarm.net/myweb/Ben1.JPG

6th ride. This one was equisite and a total rockstar. This was only his 6th ride. 17h, balanced as can be, fat and shiney.
http://mapleshadefarm.net/masonknees.jpg
http://mapleshadefarm.net/masonjump2.JPG
http://mapleshadefarm.net/mason22.JPG

See, when Christy says they are nice she REALLLY knows what she's taking about! :winkgrin:

Marli

Sep. 28, 2008, 08:55 AM

Followup:

The COTH community can be proud- MeatyOgre expressed a genuine interest to foster and this horse

http://www.ac4h.com/DSC00735.JPG

was chosen to be the fortunate candidate to fill that spot! :yes:

MeatyOgre contacted AC4H and through followup was successfully approved to foster this lucky fella!

At appox. 10 years old- this is one horse I'd love to be able to speak! He's got harness rubs on him (appears to have been worked hard) yet he's the kindest fella.

My personal thanks to MeatyOgre for offering a wonderful opportunity of life for this horse! :winkgrin:

THANK YOU!!!!

DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"

Sep. 28, 2008, 10:07 AM

I ditto the thanks!

KatieMayhem

Sep. 28, 2008, 06:55 PM

I just was google'ing my horses name to look for race records and it sent me to a chronicle forum...I guess shes made it:D. I am the lucky owner of Ms. Luna and thanks to all who had lovely things to say about her. I actually met her when she was at New Holland before AC4H had her. I was there to meet Christy & Rick and pick up my broker owned gelding (SixGunSaint). He was #20A on the broker owned page the same week that the pushbutton older TB guy was listed. When I was in the back waiting to get his paperwork I saw Luna standing tied in the back of NH right near all the AC4H broker horses. I fell instantly in love and wanted to scoop her up and take her home with me. We were having truck issues on the way from CT to PA and couldn't risk overloading the trailer since "Chuck" (my gelding) was bigger then we expected. A good thing!:winkgrin: I told Christy that if they could get her I would apply to adopt her bc I loved her. Sure enough, I saw the next day that she was saved and fired an app. right out via e-mail. Luna is home in CT now and joins my 2 other TB's and my QH gelding. I adore her! She's the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful mare that I've seen in awhile. Can you believe she could have been on someones plate????

MistyBlue

Sep. 28, 2008, 07:00 PM

Hey, congrats on your two new horses. I just got an ac4h broker horse here in CT too a couple weeks ago. :D
Meatyogre...congrats on the new foster, he's adorable!

KatieMayhem

Sep. 29, 2008, 08:59 AM

Thats great that theres a fellow Connecticut horse person who has an AC4H/Broker horse!! I thought that I was the only one crazy enough to buy a horse sight unseen via a rescue website:lol:. Did you p/u @ New Holland too? I wished I had an 18 wheeler to bring home more horses when I went. I have to stay away from that place, my heart & purse cant take it!! Where in CT are you? I'm in New Milford.

-Kate

MistyBlue

Sep. 29, 2008, 09:18 AM

I'm in Killingworth...not far from shore or from where they have the Durham Fair.
I didn;t go to PA...I have a strong aversion to long car rides. After about 2 hours I start to become homicidal, LOL! AC4H gave me the name and number of a shipper who comes there often, he's from New England. Called him and he could deliver door to door for a really decent price...so we used him. We got our guy delivered in the 15th of this month...I'm pretty sure he was the only CT delivery on that trailer..there was one in RI and one went to the Cape and I think a couple went to VT, not sure though. The delivery from PA to New England from there the week before didn;t have any coming to CT that I know of, but a few to MA. We lucked out so far...2 or 3 of the younger horses on the trailer came down with strangles...including the sweet young filly our gelding was sharing a box with. Ours hasn't had one symptom yet, but he's still in quarantine. One youngster ended up pretty sick, but from what I hear she's doing better now.
This is the first time I bought a horse sight unseen off the internet too. Not the first from an auction yard though...in the past I've gotten more horses from auctions and feed lots than I can probably count. So I was comfy with buying one from an auction yard and I was comfy buying one from AC4H due to the large amounts of very positive things I've heard and read about them online too. Christy and Kristi were easy to work with and definitely got a really good reading on the guy we bought, despite probably seeing dozens of horses per week there. He's a great little guy, manners up the wazoo and sweet as the day is long. Coming out of his "shell" now a bit...he was a little withdrawn when he first got here. He may have been bounced around a lot. Funny part is...my gelding Pete is really excited to have another horse at home again...and Sonny seems he couldn't care less so far, LOL! I'm sure Sonny has met enough new horses to have the excitement wear off. :yes:
Here's our AC4H boy, hard to get photos of him with his face out of the food:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/MistyBlue5105/September1708004.jpg

Marli

Sep. 29, 2008, 09:17 PM

AC4H today at New Holland-

http://www.ac4h.com/snow.htm

And if you get to 12th set of pics down you'll see Meatyogre and her friend picking up the work horse! And another huge kudos to Stephani for offering safe haven to 'Dan'- an older QH in need of TLC. Great Day for the horses!!! :yes:

Thank you!!!!

LarissaL

Sep. 29, 2008, 09:47 PM

Stephani, you are wonderful!! Do you ever stop being generous and helpful and just plain great?? I think your new guy is going to be GORGEOUS when he fills out. He actually still looks a little shiny in his pictures, despite his condition?

WendellsGirl

Sep. 29, 2008, 09:48 PM

'Dan's photos make me so sad. Poor old fellow. I'm glad he found someone to go home with - thanks, Stephanie!

Marli

Sep. 30, 2008, 05:19 AM

I think your new guy is going to be GORGEOUS when he fills out. He actually still looks a little shiny in his pictures, despite his condition?

I totally agree! His condition is down now but I think he's going to blossom and be a beauty!! :yes:

meaty ogre

Sep. 30, 2008, 04:25 PM

Well, so much for anonymity! Yes, Allison and I had quite a day. Everything is still sinking in.

My ultimate goal is not only to get these guys fixed up, but to get them to a point where they are appealingly adoptable so they can get good permanent homes and they I can start again with a new horse. So, in order to get them some publicity I started a blog for them (thanks Allison for the tip!). It's www.danandbill.wordpress.com, and just bear with me as I've never done this before - it's very much a work in progress.

I'm certainly not a trainer, and I consider myself a mediocre rider (hence the moniker!) so I'm sure there's going to be some good laughs along the way.

WendellsGirl

Sep. 30, 2008, 07:38 PM

hehe, I hope you are better at the 're-homing' part than I am....I started with the same noble goal as you. We have had many a AC4H broker horse move in and grow into lovely healthy happy horses. Know how many I've successfully re-homed? 2. :winkgrin: Its hard to not get attached - my hat is off to those of you who can adopt out, I cannot seem to get that part right. Good luck with those 2, they look like they need every ounce of love you can give 'em!

meaty ogre

Oct. 1, 2008, 10:12 AM

WendellsGirl, did you call my husband already? ;) He told me last night to not even think about keeping both of them forever. So I said ok, how about if I just keep one. :) He didn't say no!

Bill has an interested party, and though his feet are in deplorable shape and he does need some TLC, he'll definitely be ready for adoption sooner than Dan. Dan's going to be probably 6 months before his weight is where it needs to be, and that's a long time to get attached...

I keep telling myself, the goal is to restore them and find them homes, not for me to become the crazy horse collecting lady.

Justjumpit21

Oct. 7, 2008, 05:41 PM

I feel I need to respond to this because I do not think it is fair that everyone is making it seem like they know the situation with Bubbles and her previous owner. I was friends with the girl who took Bubble's from her previous owner.

Let it be known that there was NO contract, and according to the family, the previous owner said NOTHING about wanting her back and seemed pleased to give her to the first person who came along. If she was not in such a hurry to get rid of her she could have gotten references, made a contract that specifically said that she must be returned if they no longer wanted her. Bubble was well cared for while in the possession of the family and was being ridden in weekly lessons under the supervision of a trainer. They are good people who take good care of their horses.

Her mother and father have adopted several children, many with disabilities. The father is a pastor and does his best to provide for everyone. They encountered several monetary and family issues and it was everyone's misfortune to find that they had no choice but to take them to auction immediately. It was not that she lost interest. She truly cared for Bubbles.

I think people need to look a bit closer at a situation before they point fingers. They did what they had to do in order to survive and take some stress off of their family. In all honesty, it is the previous owner's fault and she pointed fingers back at them when she was contacted by someone through AC4H to make it seem like she was the poor, sad, previous owner who had no idea this could happen. Instead of dumping your old event horse who cannot keep up with what YOU wanted to do anymore, why don't suck it up and pay board and let the mare retire at your barn so you never have to worry about her again.

So who's fault is it really? I am not condoning what the family did but, they did what they had to for their family. They said the previous owner had no interested in recieving the mare back and did not contact her, nor were they obligated to. Bubble's is a lovely mare, I have ridden her. But she needs to be retired and not pawned off on somebody else just because she can no longer event.

Look into something before you start blaiming people I all I ask.

MistyBlue

Oct. 7, 2008, 05:50 PM

They encountered several monetary and family issues and it was everyone's misfortune to find that they had no choice but to take them to auction immediately. It was not that she lost interest. She truly cared for Bubbles.

http://www.ac4h.com/DSC09666.JPG :confused: :confused: :confused:

Amanda was horrified and explained she had retired Bubbles from eventing and had given her to a family with a child. They seemed like a nice family and were supposed to call if they didn't want the mare any longer but that didn't happen and instead wrote on the bottom of the eventing pictures that "daughter lost interest" and Bubbles found herself in a lifethreatening situation.

Seems she did retire the mare to a family with a girl who wanted to ride. So previous owner actually did retire the horse with a new family that wanted her for their daughter...new family didn't want to take the time to sell so dumped her at auction...writing on the sheet pf paper they included with the mare that "daughter lost intrest." Seems pretty black and white to me. :confused: