Desperate in Bluemont!

[gammillgirl]

Writing for a friend....shipped her pony to Bluemont just this morning for a lease to buy trial (30 days). This pony arrived at the trial barn today at 12:30 and owner just got the phone 1 hour ago. Please, if you want to comment for helpful insight, great, but I am only trying to help an owner and don't need the negative input =) Thanks!

Evidently (per the owner of the farm where pony went on trial) the pony chewed on her brand new metal siding in the stall and she wants it off the property now, the pony has a home ONE MILE down the road but the farm owner will not transport pony. Can anyone pick up this lovely, very well mannered, and tiny pony, ship it ONE MILE down the road tomorrow morning or possibly get it tonight and take it first thing in the morning? I know this is a long shot, but the pony's owner says this woman has done a Dr Jeckel and Mr Hyde on her completely! She is scared for her pony's safety and is 4 hours away.

[Quinn]

Truly, it's a mile. Easily walked that distance I would imagine.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[snbess]

Is there some extraneous circumstance like a major highway to cross? Otherwise, I'd be walking the pony "home", too. Or perhaps there is someone at pony's supposed to be barn that could haul...someone else who board there? Or a neighbor? There's got to be a way...

[Sugarbrook]

One mile is a short walk. WALK IT HOME< This is a no brainer.

[gammillgirl]

One mile is a short walk. WALK IT HOME< This is a no brainer.

Right, the one mile down the road is to a trainer's barn who is willing to take the pony, but the trainer isn't there right now, can't get the pony. The farm where the pony is now, they won't lift a finger to move the pony. Owner of this pony is 4 hours away.

Like I said, just looking for a possible help here, not trying to start any sort of trainwreck. I know the "no brainer" would be to walk it down the road, if I didn't have 2 sleeping kids right now, I would be driving the 4 hours to pick the pony up myself, but thats not possible, so I thought I would just take a chance here. If not, at least I tried to help.

[snbess]

Is the farm owner the person who is trialing the pony? If so, I start to understand. If not, why isn't the trial owner walking it down the road? No trainwreck meant, just trying to understand.

[gammillgirl]

Is the farm owner the person who is trialing the pony? If so, I start to understand. If not, why isn't the trial owner walking it down the road? No trainwreck meant, just trying to understand.

ya, let me explain, farm owner is the one that is wanting to try this pony for her daughter, and called pony owner in a fit, saying that the pony is eating the "custom siding on the stall wall" now this pony is well socialized, shown, been to other barns, and does have her own stall at home, has NEVER, "eaten" a stall.
So pony owner quite perplexed says well, I don't understand, went through the whole list of does the pony have...hay, water, neighbor.....you get the picture. Farm owner says I can't have a pony like this, I want it off my property now, soo long story, made short...
a wonderful trainer down the road had been interested in the pony but the lease to buy had already been in the works, so pony owner says, if the lease to buy doesn't work you will have 1st chance...so he of course said he would take her when the pony owner called and explained the situation (actually he laughed when she told him the details..) but that he wasn't there tonight and wouldn't be back till after 3 tomorrow. so pony owner is scared for her pony till then....

[Snapdragon]

Custom metal siding in a stall?:confused: I've never heard of such a thing. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for any horse in a stall.

Here's a thought: move the pony to another stall or to a paddock. Person who now has the pony sounds like she has a screw loose.

Hope it all works out.

[Chall]

Get a neighbor/friend/relative to babysit the kids and you can walk the pony to the new farm.

[mvp]

If the pony's owner is losing her mind, then she needs to drive 4 hours, get a hotel room or crash in her backseat for the next few hours, show up at the whacky farm and walk her own pony to the new place.

That's what I'd do. Perhaps the pony's owner needs to do more than "depend on the kindness of strangers."

[gammillgirl]

If the pony's owner is losing her mind, then she needs to drive 4 hours, get a hotel room or crash in her backseat for the next few hours, show up at the whacky farm and walk her own pony to the new place.

That's what I'd do. Perhaps the pony's owner needs to do more than "depend on the kindness of strangers."

Wow, thanks

[gammillgirl]

Like I said in the beginning, I was just taking a shot that someone might be in the area and able to help out, yep the kindness of strangers, but that didn't happen, thats fine. It is a very odd situation that happened, and I am trying to help the pony owner in any way that I could. Tough lesson learned for the pony owner, yes, she learned her lesson. Of course if it were that simple for her to jump in her truck (she doesn't own a trailer, that is why both parties agreed to have the pony shipped) and pick the pony up, she would have in a second. But being 4 hours away and not having that option, I decided to jump on the COTH board and just see if maybe I could find someone close by that could help her out..

Thank to all who gave helpful advice, the PMs were most kind.

[PONY751]

Custom metal siding in a stall?:confused: I've never heard of such a thing. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for any horse in a stall.

Here's a thought: move the pony to another stall or to a paddock. Person who now has the pony sounds like she has a screw loose.

Hope it all works out.

I'm curious about this too. I've heard of metal siding on the "side" of a house, but never in a stall? What would be the purpose? Maybe the pony was doing her a favor.

[gammillgirl]

I'm curious about this too. I've heard of metal siding on the "side" of a house, but never in a stall? What would be the purpose? Maybe the pony was doing her a favor.

I thought the same thing too! From what I understand she is talking about the grill work in the stalls, that the pony has scraped the black finish off the grills.

This farm owner obviously has had a very quick change of mind, lots of little alarms now for the pony owner (who did talk to the farm owner at great lengths about this pony prior to the agreement) The pony owner asked the farm owner to put a muzzle on the pony in the stall until the pony owner could figure out what she could do, the farm owner balked calling that mean, after just saying that the pony was to be off her property immediately b/c of the chewing (which I just find a bit odd to begin with)

personally I think that the farm owner may have found a better deal, I don't know, just want to get the poor pony out of there. It is a great pony, with no history of ever being distructive.

[gammillgirl]

Get a neighbor/friend/relative to babysit the kids and you can walk the pony to the new farm.

As I tried to explain before, the pony owner is 4 hours away. I am also 4 hours away, otherwise I would have walked the silly pony down the road and just on a side note... I can not have just anyone babysit my children, as I have a child with special needs who can not be left (at the drop of a hat) with someone untrained in the medical field. so while it all may seem to be a simple solution, there are many factors involved. Please don't think that the pony owner or myself are just too lazy and are hoping that someone else will take care of the mess, not at all. I am just trying to reach for any possible idea of taking care of this, asking on the COTH board is just one of my thoughts....

[horsekpr]

There is such a thing as a Horse Taxi. I believe they are located in Culpeper or Warrenten. Maybe you could check for info on that on the internet. I would try to look it up ,but I am off to work right now.

[cloudyandcallie]

I understand. You were hoping that someone on coth lived close enough to the farm to either get the pony on a trailer or walk the pony to the trainer.
Sounds like no one lives close enough to help you.
When trainer gets back at 3pm I hope he/she goes right over and gets pony from the farm owner.
Good luck. Too bad no one is close enough to help your friend and the pony.

[gammillgirl]

I understand. You were hoping that someone on coth lived close enough to the farm to either get the pony on a trailer or walk the pony to the trainer.
Sounds like no one lives close enough to help you.
When trainer gets back at 3pm I hope he/she goes right over and gets pony from the farm owner.
Good luck. Too bad no one is close enough to help your friend and the pony.

Exactly!

[gammillgirl]

There is such a thing as a Horse Taxi. I believe they are located in Culpeper or Warrenten. Maybe you could check for info on that on the internet. I would try to look it up ,but I am off to work right now.

Thank you so much, I am checking now!

[cloudyandcallie]

Call the sheriff's office in that County as ask them if they would please drop by and check on the pony. A deputy is assigned to each area of a county for routine patrol, so it shouldn't be out of his way. Be nice, polite, and beg if necessary. He can just ride up and check on pony and this will let farm owner know that someone is worried about the pony.

Also, in next contract for trial, make sure that this is covered, if leasee rejects pony before trial period is up, he/she is to pay to return pony.
Will save you and your friend a lot of worrying.

[Liberty]

You could try this guy since he's not too far from Bluemont (I have no idea how good/bad he might be; it was just an ad I found on www.virginiaequestrian.com):

----------
Clay's Horse Taxi Service, Inc.
7122 Dudie Road
Marshall, VA 20115
Contact Person: Clayton Smith
Email Address: csmith1685@earthlink.net
Phone: 540-409-6887

Custom horse transportation. One client at a time.
300 mile radius from Warrenton, VA. Experinece horseman and hauler. Please call for rates.
----------

Good luck!

[gammillgirl]

Call the sheriff's office in that County as ask them if they would please drop by and check on the pony. A deputy is assigned to each area of a county for routine patrol, so it shouldn't be out of his way. Be nice, polite, and beg if necessary. He can just ride up and check on pony and this will let farm owner know that someone is worried about the pony.

Also, in next contract for trial, make sure that this is covered, if leasee rejects pony before trial period is up, he/she is to pay to return pony.
Will save you and your friend a lot of worrying.

funny you say that, my brother is a LCSD, so I did call him, he has taken care of that aspect, the farm owners are aware that a deputy has been called as well.

As for the contract, you are soo right, she is already re-wording it, but I think after this un-pleasant experience, no pony will be leaving the property for a trial with a private farm.

[mvp]

The OP's purpose and reasonable hope in posting here was clear. It may have been solved, or the Clay's taxi info might bail everyone out.

I wasn't intending to be mean when I suggested driving 8 hours round trip to walk a pony one mile, but pointing out that it was an option, though a total PITA one. Really, no judgement against anyone who wouldn't do that.

I do like the other idea of either 1) letting the farm owner just suck it up until 3 pm the next day; or 2) asking her to buy a muzzle (presumably that goes on the pony owner's tab) to solve the problem for the 15 hours or so; or 3) Saying firmly to the irate BO, "Look, I'm sorry this isn't working out. Here's the best I can do and having a guy there by 3 pm Sunday ain't bad. Put a muzzle on to protect your property; I'm sure the pony will be ok."

By the way, the BO can't have it both ways-- not be "mean" to a pony by muzzling it and demanding that its a$$ is outtathere in a matter of hours. But the BO does have a legal obligation to both 1) care for the pony while it is in her possession, however long it's there, and 2) to take steps, even ones she considers "mean" but which are acceptable to the pony owner, in order to protect her grille. I don't think you can make someone else liable for damage that you had a part in creating or making worse.

Sorry this is happening. The OP has done a nice job trying to help out a friend. We should all be so lucky, and perhaps some Bluemont Cother will arrive to day and help.

[gammillgirl]

The OP's purpose and reasonable hope in posting here was clear. It may have been solved, or the Clay's taxi info might bail everyone out.

I wasn't intending to be mean when I suggested driving 8 hours round trip to walk a pony one mile, but pointing out that it was an option, though a total PITA one. Really, no judgement against anyone who wouldn't do that.

I do like the other idea of either 1) letting the farm owner just suck it up until 3 pm the next day; or 2) asking her to buy a muzzle (presumably that goes on the pony owner's tab) to solve the problem for the 15 hours or so; or 3) Saying firmly to the irate BO, "Look, I'm sorry this isn't working out. Here's the best I can do and having a guy there by 3 pm Sunday ain't bad. Put a muzzle on to protect your property; I'm sure the pony will be ok."

By the way, the BO can't have it both ways-- not be "mean" to a pony by muzzling it and demanding that its a$$ is outtathere in a matter of hours. But the BO does have a legal obligation to both 1) care for the pony while it is in her possession, however long it's there, and 2) to take steps, even ones she considers "mean" but which are acceptable to the pony owner, in order to protect her grille. I don't think you can make someone else liable for damage that you had a part in creating or making worse.

Sorry this is happening. The OP has done a nice job trying to help out a friend. We should all be so lucky, and perhaps some Bluemont Cother will arrive to day and help.

Very well said! and exactly the situation, the farm owner is now demanding that the pony owner re-imburse her for the damages done and the initial shipping, this has been a huge eye opener for the pony owner, who of course, never thought something like this would ever happen. The pony is currently still at the farm and awaiting a ride and/or walking partner. =) Thanks again for all the help and information!!!

[sketcher]

Can't help but wonder how long the BO has had horses to think she can install something so vulnerable to chewing in her stalls and never have a horse test it out. Sounds ditzy to me.

[gammillgirl]

Can't help but wonder how long the BO has had horses to think she can install something so vulnerable to chewing in her stalls and never have a horse test it out. Sounds ditzy to me.

LOL, well I know in most barns, things do get beaten, kicked, chewed, slobbered on, and sooo on....

Much more information is becoming clear on just what a two sided this person is, evidently she has pulled this before, I am learning...

[Chall]

Opps, sorry! My apologies. I didn't get that you were 4 hours away! I thought it was just the owner that was 4 hours away. I thought you were near the lessor and the new barn.

[gammillgirl]

Opps, sorry! My apologies. I didn't get that you were 4 hours away! I thought it was just the owner that was 4 hours away. I thought you were near the lessor and the new barn.

no problem, oh, believe me, if I were right down the road, I would have gone in my bedclothes last night and picked up the pony...what a royal mess it has turned into.

[aiken4horses]

This is another perfect example of why I will never let my horses go out on trial.
I've gotten the calls - "he wont eat"; "he's bolting off"; "he wont go"
and then getting the horse returned, at best with his mane roached off, tail cut, or worse, all dinged up - "oh, he fell in the trailer". That one I took pictures of and sent the vet bill to the trial person.

A buyer is welcome to come and ride, visit, vet as many times and as often as they like, I'll bring him to them to ride "at home", meet at a horse show - but, until a bill of sale is signed he does NOT leave my care!!!!
Has that nixed a deal over the years? Sure, but they sold to other people who understood and were willing to accept my terms if they wanted to buy my horse.
I don't care how carefully you write up an agreement, it's a live animal and there's always the chance that something can happen, or "someone" can happen!

So sorry your friend is going thru this stress.

[gammillgirl]

This is another perfect example of why I will never let my horses go out on trial.
I've gotten the calls - "he wont eat"; "he's bolting off"; "he wont go"
and then getting the horse returned, at best with his mane roached off, tail cut, or worse, all dinged up - "oh, he fell in the trailer". That one I took pictures of and sent the vet bill to the trial person.

A buyer is welcome to come and ride, visit, vet as many times and as often as they like, I'll bring him to them to ride "at home", meet at a horse show - but, until a bill of sale is signed he does NOT leave my care!!!!
Has that nixed a deal over the years? Sure, but they sold to other people who understood and were willing to accept my terms if they wanted to buy my horse.
I don't care how carefully you write up an agreement, it's a live animal and there's always the chance that something can happen, or "someone" can happen!

So sorry your friend is going thru this stress.

Well that is now going to be the "new procedure" for my friend, poor woman, I feel bad for her, she is such a trusting person and felt that this farm owner was very "nice" too bad "nice" doesn't get common sense....

[FancyFree]

What do you think the farm owner is going to do to the pony if you don't get it off the property right away? I understand you'd like to get him out ASAP but the pony isn't in any kind of danger is he? Just sounds odd to me.

[mvp]

After the pony is removed, your friend needs to do nothing.

Ideally, the pony is picked up and the person doing that takes a look at the damage (perhaps snapping a cell-phone shot). Also, the pony's owner and the local person who picks it up talk and make sure the pony seems like its in the same condition as when it arrived.

After that, as the pony's owner, I'd be politely apologetic to the BO, but not admit fault. Before that phone call, it would be nice to have seen the pics and to have sense of just how much damage the pony did in one night.

I'm not an attorney, but it seems to me that the BO can't claim unreasonable damages. So normal wear and tear doesn't count-- though it's frustrating to have the first bit done to a spankin' new barn. This is also why you need a pic at least on the day the pony leaves, should the BO's grille get damaged further and she try to pin that on this one pony.

I also don't think the BO can ask to be reimbursed for the initial shipping. If the pony's owner knew her beast was an unusually destructive one and hid that fact from the BO, then you can claim she had misrepresented the pony. If the pony happened to eat metal in this situation and that was unforseen, then that's too bad and the risk the BO took. It will happen the next time she ships in the next trial horse, too.

I think a small-claims court judge will figure out who is reasonable and has acted in good faith and who has not. The pony's owner should have faith and do nothing until it comes to that, if it ever does.

[HighFlyinBey++]

Seems to me, if I were the owner of the "damaged" barn, I'd be walking that "horrid, misrepresented" pony the one mile down the road to my neighbor's place myself. Seems to me, being an adult and all, I would be terribly remiss if I did not put on my big girl panties and take responsibility for my own property, since I'm perfectly capable of moving a pony to a paddock or stall of my neighbor's choice.

[gammillgirl]

Here is where it stands as of now....from what I have been told, the pony was going to be hauled by a "friend of the BO" to the property down the road at 3pm, there of course was drama about who would be "accepting" the responsibility of the pony, I haven't heard since then....still waiting. I know that the Pony owner is extremely upset about this, feeling foolish and frustrated.


Thank you to all who have offered help! I will let you all know once this darling little thing has been settled safe and sound. =) She really is an adorable pony and I assure anyone, she has no vices!!!

[sidepasser]

Poor pony..glad that it's going to a better future lessee, the present one sounds sort of nuts to me. I have expensive grill work on my stall doors..but..

it is a HORSE barn for goodness sakes, every horse that has been in here over the last 15 years has tasted the grills..lol..they lick, they may even scrape their teeth over it, heck I don't know why, but I don't freak. If it gets all scratched and dinged, I haul out the sander, sand the area down, and repaint with rustoleum and we are good to go for another year.

Poor pony owner, I hope the next lessee will be more "sane" than this one. And Gammillgirl, kudos to you for trying to help pony owner. I'd be afraid too if my Bonnie was leased by a nut case who gets so upset about something so minor..never heard of any horse doing more than licking or maybe a tooth scrape over metal..surely that isn't SUPER PONY - capable of ingesting large amounts of METAL and processing same into bullets?

just teasin to make a bad situation better..glad pony is getting hauled outta there. Boy every time I come on here I hear of another, more weird nutso..

No wonder people think we are all nutz..

[Palermo]

OK.

Lets post the truth now shall we.

I had the pony here on trail for my daughter.

The weather is hot and the pony was brought inside for its comfort along with my son's pony (who comes in 1/2 the day/night due to grass restrictions.)

The pony was frantatic in a stall acted like it had not been stalled before and was grinding its teeth on the powder coat of the stall (yes there is such a thing). Also tore off the top surface of the steel stall dutch door that was left open for the pony to see outside to make her more comfortable. Ceiling fans were turned on for her comfort - she was not used to those so of course they did not help so they were turned off immediately - lets see now though we have been accused of not being concerned about the comfort or wellbeing of this pony??

At the suggestion of the owner a muzzle was tried this made the poor girl more frantantic and I was honestly concerned that she would hurt herself trying to get it off - perhaps colic with stress - not a risk I take with any pony. Not mine nor anyone else's.

Since I do not have shelters in my turnout pastures I use the barn to bring horses/ponies in inclement weather, too hot, too cold, thunderstorms (which we get many) its safer inside - full lightining system on the barn. I asked the owner prior to the pony coming her whether the pony was comfortable in a stall for this reason - as that is my farm set up. Simple as that and I was told the pony came in every night. Well this pony sure did not act like that....

I did not feel comfortable taking the pony to another barn where no one was on site to receive the pony for obvious reasons; would you take a pony that does not belong to you and just drop her off somewhere with no one present to accept her or CARE for her. NO I think not.

The owner did not want the pony turned out alone - which I would have had to do since my pony is stall 12 hours a day or night due to grass intake restrictions.

I was actually working on getting a friends horse here today to keep her comfortable so that I could turn her out as she was not comfortable inside so don't accuse me of not having the welfare of the pony in mind.

I don't normally respond to silly acquisations like this but since this is LIES about me and people mention my children in this I am rather compelled to do so.

Don't tell lies about me when all I have done is put the WELFARE of this pony about anything ELSE!

[nightsong]

OK.

The pony was frantatic

Is this like "aghasted"?

[Palermo]

Is this like "aghasted"?

No its a typo ~ I meant frantic!

[cloudyandcallie]

This reminds me of anyplacefarm's "cribber" thread.

Changing farms/barns etc can sometimes stress out a horse or pony. People who buy/lease/board should expect that. And make allowances for it. I am of the group who thinks a horse is more important that a little barn damage. Each horse or pony is different in how he/she takes a move and a new environment. These animals are not machines but living beings.

[jazzrider]

Changing farms/barns etc can sometimes stress out a horse or pony. People who buy/lease/board should expect that. And make allowances for it. I am of the group who thinks a horse is more important that a little barn damage. Each horse or pony is different in how he/she talks a move and a new environment. These animals are not machines but living beings.


Absolutely. Experienced horse folks understand this, and don't overreact in the first days. If I sent back every horse I bought because it was frantic the first few days (or weeks!) with the change, I wouldn't have any horses here. Change is hard, the best we can do is try to help it be easier by making accomodations until the horse settles in. Not shuttle it off to another barn. Poor pony. :no:

[HighFlyinBey++]

The weather is hot and the pony was brought inside for its comfort along with my son's pony (who comes in 1/2 the day/night due to grass restrictions.)

Coming in for diet & pasture management is perfectly reasonable :yes: but it wasn't that hot. I live in a 3rd floor apartment near the 1st hostage situation with 4 small windows & little cross-breeze. I didn't run the AC all weekend.

The pony was frantic in a stall acted like it had not been stalled before and was grinding its teeth on the powder coat of the stall (yes there is such a thing). Also tore off the top surface of the steel stall dutch door that was left open for the pony to see outside to make her more comfortable. Ceiling fans were turned on for her comfort - she was not used to those so of course they did not help so they were turned off immediately - lets see now though we have been accused of not being concerned about the comfort or well-being of this pony??

At the suggestion of the owner a muzzle was tried this made the poor girl more frantic and I was honestly concerned that she would hurt herself trying to get it off - perhaps colic with stress - not a risk I take with any pony. Not mine nor anyone else's.

Very reasonable. I would have thought/done the same thing.

Since I do not have shelters in my turnout pastures I use the barn to bring horses/ponies in inclement weather, too hot, too cold, thunderstorms (which we get many) its safer inside - full lightining system on the barn. I asked the owner prior to the pony coming her whether the pony was comfortable in a stall for this reason - as that is my farm set up. Simple as that and I was told the pony came in every night. Well this pony sure did not act like that....

She obviously didn't like something about your barn.

I did not feel comfortable taking the pony to another barn where no one was on site to receive the pony for obvious reasons; would you take a pony that does not belong to you and just drop her off somewhere with no one present to accept her or CARE for her. NO I think not.

The original story as written is that you demanded the pony leave your property NOW. I'm more inclined to believe that it was more along the lines of "for her safety get her out ASAP." I wrote what I did because I didn't think the situation was as dire as written by the OP third-hand or you would have moved her yourself (re-reading it, the target of the sarcasm isn't clear--sorry about that!)

OK, this is where I have a question. If a COTHer had shown up at your place to move the pony, would you have handed her over without question? Would you have allowed a stranger to walk her down the road to your unoccupied neighbor's place, given your own concerns?

You don't need to answer. There are reasons I didn't offer to come over and move the pony, that unattended/safety factor is only one of them :) I'm assuming most other local posters had the same reservations since no one was willing to get in the middle of this.

The owner did not want the pony turned out alone - which I would have had to do since my pony is stall 12 hours a day or night due to grass intake restrictions.

Again, very reasonable. Personally, after she was tearing apart my barn and endangering herself, I might have tried her outside alone despite the owner's wishes. I'm not saying you didn't or should have, just what I might have done in a similar situation where health & safety is the primary concern.

I was actually working on getting a friends horse here today to keep her comfortable so that I could turn her out as she was not comfortable inside so don't accuse me of not having the welfare of the pony in mind.

I don't normally respond to silly accusations like this but since this is LIES about me and people mention my children in this I am rather compelled to do so.

Don't tell lies about me when all I have done is put the WELFARE of this pony about anything ELSE!

Actually, I got the impression that things were blown out of proportion to this situation given the distance between you, an worried owner and the third-party OP just trying to help a friend. My spidey sense said we weren't hearing the full story & beat down the "giver" side that wanted to rush in and help. Certain COTH trainwrecks have done a good job teaching people to question before blindly jumping in.

I'm sorry things didn't work out and your barn was damaged. I hope the pony is happier in her new situation.

[cloudyandcallie]

For example, my wb came up from Florida, BO took one look and said let's put him in the round pen first so he won't tear up his stall. Cloudy walked around, found his hay, and started eating. No problem. Then went into his stall, found his hay and no problem.

My ottb mare arrived, and BO put her right into her stall. She was fine in her stall at night, but next morning while I was at work, BO decided to leave her in the round pen in front of barn while all the other horses were out back in paddocks. Callie tried to go thru the wooden gate. BO moved her to paddock nearer the other horses (she was supposed to be in isolation) and all was fine. When I got off from work and came to the barn, BO was concerned that MY MARE had a scratch on her face, not that the gate was torn up. (I did offer to pay but BO said no that it was BO's responsibility.)

[gammillgirl]

Well here is the end,

As many stated and as I stated, there are 3 sides to every story, the farm owner has posted her side, I posted what I was told by the pony owner side....Obviously, many things were inadvertantly, misconstrued (spelling) on both sides.

I believe that I was given some hasty information, and trying to be a good friend, reached out as quickly as I could on the COTH board for help.

I want to make clear that I had no intention of lieing, spreading lies, or slandering anyone. Which is why I purposely never mentioned names or exact locations. This was never intended to be liabel or slanderous, legally, I made sure of that.

In the end, I do believe that the pony's best interest was always at the front of line. That being said, the pony is in her new home, safe and content.

I want to thank everyone for their help, thoughts and suggestions. And again I will aplogize to the farm owner for any mis-represented accousations.

[Simple Gifts]

Let me first say a big "thank you" to HighFlyinBey who expressed reserve and grace in posting that not enough was known about the situation to invite comment by uninvolved third parties.

I live in the area and am very familiar with the property that the pony was initially delivered to. One could not ask for a more thoughtfully designed, impeccably constructed facility for equines. The protective metalwork inside the barn is completely safe and appropriate, professionally installed, specifically designed for equine use.

My take is that one could not possibly deliver a pony to this farm and fear for its well-being, no matter what the pony's owner was saying from a distance. That's absolutely ridiculous.

I can understand feeling vulnerable when you cannot see the situation, but Gammillgirl, you were there, weren't you? Your sudden change of heart is lovely, but why didn't your observations on-site count for anything?

This pony was represented as perfectly mannered and completely safe for children to handle, free of vices, comfortable in a stall, and safe in unfamiliar settings? Well, I have no explanation as to how different people can see the same pony in a completely different light. I only know what I saw.

I observed this pony's behavior in the field and would not have offered to help walk that girl a mile down the road in hand. It would not have been safe. It's not about the safety of the road, I ride on that road frequently and the motorists here are pretty kind; it's about the behavior of the particular pony in question. Small does not equal safe when it comes to horses. If you fail to respect the power of a small equine you'll be sorry some time. I learned that the hard way myself.

Gammillgirl, it is still unfair of you to say that things were misconstrued on both sides (if you're referring to the owner and prospective buyer), and I think you know it. Yes, the pony has been delivered to a nearby trainer/dealer, but that doesn't mean that all is well when there are still untruths that have been glossed over but not properly and specifically apologized for. Look back at what you wrote about the potential buyer. Would you want these things said about you in a public forum? This sort of thing hurts not only the parties directly involved, but also indirectly all those who have been dragged into the discussion. I think you can do better than this half-hearted "I didn't know any better" message.

I encourage us all to look at this situation as a reminder that it is easy to be manipulated on the internet when we only hear part of the story from someone we really don't know face-to-face. Be careful out there -- with the ponies and the people!!

[jazzrider]

...And again I will aplogize to the farm owner for any mis-represented accousations.

I think that's enough. As far as I have read -- the identity of the barn owner was protected. I doubt anyone is going to break out the phone book and try to figure out what Bluemont location it is. Unless GG comes and types it in all caps, I'm not sure what more she can say in the way of the apology. She was reacting to a distraught friend, reacting to a barn owner who said her just delivered horse had to leave her property ASAP -- with no means to get there to do that. GG thought maybe a COTH friend could help. I don't think that's out of the realm of rational. An apology has been made, the situation is resolved. That's pretty much it. :)

[M. O'Connor]

We are very close by, but I am assuming that there is no longer 'desperation' in Bluemont?

I have learned to expect the unexpected, and that a horse or pony that is perfectly content in one setting might be completely undone in another.

Also, that it helps to have more horses than fewer on any given property, because 2 is a terrible number to have to manage.

[gammillgirl]

I think that's enough. As far as I have read -- the identity of the barn owner was protected. I doubt anyone is going to break out the phone book and try to figure out what Bluemont location it is. Unless GG comes and types it in all caps, I'm not sure what more she can say in the way of the apology. She was reacting to a distraught friend, reacting to a barn owner who said her just delivered horse had to leave her property ASAP -- with no means to get there to do that. GG thought maybe a COTH friend could help. I don't think that's out of the realm of rational. An apology has been made, the situation is resolved. That's pretty much it. :)

I have said I am truly sorry both to the farm owner personally and here on the COTH board, I did not have any intentions on making a trainwreck, nor do I now. I have done what is necessary to resolve this situation, just as jazzrider says.

[fabuleux]

I haven't read all the posts here, but I just wanted to say good luck. :)

[shea'smom]

well, that's 5 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
What a load of huey over nothing but needing a quick transport for a pony.
Glad pony is in a better place.

[HighFlyinBey++]

This pony was represented as perfectly mannered and completely safe for children to handle, free of vices, comfortable in a stall, and safe in unfamiliar settings? Well, I have no explanation as to how different people can see the same pony in a completely different light. I only know what I saw.

I've never seen this pony, but I understand how it's possible for her to be perfect in one barn and horrid in another.

I've had my pony mare for nearly 11 years. From the time she was 2 until she was 7, she was shown by small 4-H kids. She was used in demonstrations from clipping to showmanship without a second thought. I never worried about her being unsafe to handle. I had people coming up to me out of the blue and giving me their cards for when my son outgrew her (sadly for them she's MY driving pony; kid-safe was a bonus).

About that time we stopped showing & moved from a busy barn to a very quiet one at a friend's place. Paradise, right? I guess not. Both my pony mare and Morab gelding suddenly developed horrid ground manners, dragging my friend on ice and pushing her around. I moved them again for everyone's safety and to preserve the friendship. They returned to their impeccable manners almost immediately.

We never did pinpoint why my horses didn't respect my friend. She was the farthest thing from abusive or heavy handed a person can get. The hay/pasture were excellent, grain was the same...we're clueless.

So yeah, Jekyll and Hyde can happen for reasons we humans can't detect. It doesn't necessarily mean the owner misrepresented the pony and it doesn't necessarily mean Palermo or Simple Gifts overreacted. Both descriptions can be accurate, given the right situation.

[horsegirl123]

Let me first say a big "thank you" to HighFlyinBey who expressed reserve and grace in posting that not enough was known about the situation to invite comment by uninvolved third parties.

I live in the area and am very familiar with the property that the pony was initially delivered to. One could not ask for a more thoughtfully designed, impeccably constructed facility for equines. The protective metalwork inside the barn is completely safe and appropriate, professionally installed, specifically designed for equine use.

My take is that one could not possibly deliver a pony to this farm and fear for its well-being, no matter what the pony's owner was saying from a distance. That's absolutely ridiculous.

I can understand feeling vulnerable when you cannot see the situation, but Gammillgirl, you were there, weren't you? Your sudden change of heart is lovely, but why didn't your observations on-site count for anything?

This pony was represented as perfectly mannered and completely safe for children to handle, free of vices, comfortable in a stall, and safe in unfamiliar settings? Well, I have no explanation as to how different people can see the same pony in a completely different light. I only know what I saw.

I observed this pony's behavior in the field and would not have offered to help walk that girl a mile down the road in hand. It would not have been safe. It's not about the safety of the road, I ride on that road frequently and the motorists here are pretty kind; it's about the behavior of the particular pony in question. Small does not equal safe when it comes to horses. If you fail to respect the power of a small equine you'll be sorry some time. I learned that the hard way myself.

Gammillgirl, it is still unfair of you to say that things were misconstrued on both sides (if you're referring to the owner and prospective buyer), and I think you know it. Yes, the pony has been delivered to a nearby trainer/dealer, but that doesn't mean that all is well when there are still untruths that have been glossed over but not properly and specifically apologized for. Look back at what you wrote about the potential buyer. Would you want these things said about you in a public forum? This sort of thing hurts not only the parties directly involved, but also indirectly all those who have been dragged into the discussion. I think you can do better than this half-hearted "I didn't know any better" message.

I encourage us all to look at this situation as a reminder that it is easy to be manipulated on the internet when we only hear part of the story from someone we really don't know face-to-face. Be careful out there -- with the ponies and the people!!

It sounds like the BO has a lovely barn and does care for her animals. Yes there are three sides to every story and I can't see where the OP misconstrued the facts. I don't think they would have left the pony with the BO if she didn't feel the enviroment was safe. Would you? Why would you misrepresent the pony when the BO was given a 30 day trial? That doesn't make sense. She stated at the beginning she was trying to help the owner of the pony. She didn't mention any names so I can't see where she crossed any lines. She mentioned she did not want a trainwreck just needed some help since she was located 4 hrs away.
I have been in a situation where animals act differently under different situations. I have brought many horses into my barn that needed a goodI am week to settle in. I am glad that I took the time because they are awesome. I can understand if the BO didn't want to give it time that is there choice.

Why I don't understand is the OP gave an appology and that should have been the end of it. So what exactly do you what from them SG? She didn't mention any names only what was told her by a frantic owner who's pony was acting under duress told by the BO. She have may have over re-acted but maybe sides did. Reading the Bo's description of the pony's behanior I may have to. It is not our job to judge. Forgive and forget. No one got hurt here.

[equinelaw]

Both sides told the same story. They just had different view points.

[Simple Gifts]

Yes there are three sides to every story and I can't see where the OP misconstrued the facts.

Why I don't understand is the OP gave an appology and that should have been the end of it. So what exactly do you what from them SG? She didn't mention any names only what was told her by a frantic owner who's pony was acting under duress told by the BO. She have may have over re-acted but maybe sides did. Reading the Bo's description of the pony's behanior I may have to. It is not our job to judge. Forgive and forget. No one got hurt here.

I wasn't planning on contributing further to the discussion after several folks seemed to consider the matter not only closed, but tiresome now that the situation was revealed in more mundane detail. Since I have been specifically addressed by HG I'll respond to that.

The reason that the majority of posters probably 'can't see where GG misconstrued the facts' is because they believed everything she initially said about the situation and had no firsthand knowledge of the circumstances. Yes, the scenario she presented could have been envisioned by any experienced horse person. Perhaps the pony owner did, indeed, say those things. Who knows, since we are not privy to that side of the equation?

I only shared with you the facts about which I have firsthand knowledge so that there could be an end to the ridicule and outrage expressed toward Palermo because I knew that there was no justification for that. I am assuming that most folks would want to know so they could stop wasting their time and energy on a trumped up emergency.

HG and JR ask why I pointed out that GG's so-called apology was not adequate to the situation. I said it before, and I'll say it again -- GG was present on-site to deliver the pony. She has not denied that, or anything else that I said in my earlier post. She had firsthand knowledge in direct contradiction to the scenario she posed here in this forum. She saw the quality of the facility, met Palermo in person, and saw the condition of the pony already living there. Then she came home and said things on line to you all that made Palermo sound like the Pony Ax Murderer of Bluemont.

You call that what you will, but I cannot call it an honest misunderstanding or her apology appropriate. Look back at post #43, the apology. GG apologizes for having passed along misinformation received from the owner, which could be an innocent mistake any of us might make. However, she never apologizes for misconstruing the facts she did know so as to get you all riled up. She never retracts the vicious criticism of Palermo, only says that her attack was carefully designed to cover her own tail.

Now I have no dog in this fight, and GG has not offended me personally. It does disturb me a bit to see someone patted on the back for behaving like this, but oh well. It’s up to GG and you all as to what you make of the whole thing. As HG says, it’s not our job to judge. Our job is to be careful about getting involved in messes like these when we are being given the proverbial mushroom treatment.

[jazzrider]

HG and JR ask why I pointed out that GG's so-called apology was not adequate to the situation. I said it before, and I'll say it again -- GG was present on-site to deliver the pony. She has not denied that, or anything else that I said in my earlier post. She had firsthand knowledge in direct contradiction to the scenario she posed here in this forum. She saw the quality of the facility, met Palermo in person, and saw the condition of the pony already living there. Then she came home and said things on line to you all that made Palermo sound like the Pony Ax Murderer of Bluemont.


:sleepy: This is getting tiresome, but it's a quiet morning. Since you seem to take offense at the implication that it wasn't a quality facility -- I just have to say that I don't recall GG ever implying that. It was more about the apparent request to get the pony out of there NOW and not the quality of the facility. Are you denying that that request was made? And regardless of that there are two, three, four sides to every story, it still strikes me as odd that an experienced horse person would not understand that sometimes even the best behaved horses need time to adjust to a location change, and give this little pony time and a chance to settle in. And if it didn't work out to handle the exchange within a reasonable timeframe. But that's my opinion. :)

It does seem that you're expecting GG to apologize in fifteen different ways, and you don't want to let it go. So GG -- maybe try all caps this time. AND BOLD. IN RED. :winkgrin:

[JoZ]

I did not get the sense from gammillgirl that SHE was the shipper/transporter of the pony. In fact if that is the case it seems like the OP was worded -- dare I say it? -- to conceal that fact. Why?

[gammillgirl]

So as not continue the trainwreck, let's please let this rest, I have made my apology, and to further contine this thread would be irrelevant. To address further comments, is not necessary, I have spoken directly to the farm owner, and this is now a mute point. The pony has been moved, apologies have been made, and that is the end. If others want to continue it, so be it. But I am ending my part of this now.

Again thank you to all who helped.

Now please let's close this thread and let it rest.

[Moderator 1]

We'll help make this official by closing the thread. The immediate situation involving the pony has been resolved and the parties involved can hash out any related issues directly.

Thanks,
Mod 1