Realizing your rescue is no longer a rescue

[PicturePerfectPonies]

For years I've been "rescuing horses". I'm not a resuce but when I have extra time and money I try to stop by an auction, or buy a horse that really needs help out of someones back yard.

I found Ella in May. She was listed on craigslist as a red paint pony $100. The ad said she needed her feet trimmed. That was all the info they gave. I called the number in the ad and talked to the most clueless horse owner ever. He had no idea how tall she was but told me she wasn't a midget. He had no idea how old she was, or if she was broke, or what was wrong with her feet. Ooookkkkay. I made an appointment for the next morning and headed out to see her.

I got to the farm and found her in the back of a nasty stinky cow barn, standing in a foot of hay covered muck, being chased around the stall by a child. The entire time she was pinning her ears and running away from the kid. Kids mom was just standing there watching all this. I was mortified. If my kid was chasing a horse around he'd be in big trouble. Addtionally if my kid was working with a horse that spun around and pinned its ears I'd yank my kid away from that horse before the horse decided to kick.

I went into the stall and managed to eventually catch her and get a halter on her. At that point i could see she was foundered in all four feet and her feet had been allowed to grow into slippers. Once i had a halter on her she did let me pet her but hated every minute of it.

I handed the lady my $100 and brought her home. She stayed in a stall for the first few days until my farrier could get out there and start work on her feet. It took me on average 5 minutes to put a halter on her each and every time. After the farrier came out i turned her out with my 12.2hh pony and let her just be a horse. I had to catch her a few days later (i forget why now...but there was a reason) and it took 2 people 30 minutes to herd her into a stall and get a halter on her.

Fast forward 4 months and she is the first one in everytime for dinner. She follows me around her stall poking me with her nose if i take too long giving her dinner. She loves scratches head to toe. Best of all she's "sound"! True she'll never pass a pre purchase exam but she is comfortable and her feet issues are not noticable in her gaits. Her eyes have lost the scared, glazed over look, and not only can we catch her now but she's starting to be broke to ride.

It's getting to the point that when i call her my rescue pony i get funny looks. Shes so happy, healthy, and, well, normal now. I couldn't be happier

When i got her, note the defensive stance, long feet and just the look in her eyes
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/100_0472.jpg
Her feet
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/backfeets-1.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/frontfeets-1.jpg

Her today
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/ellalunge.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/ellasiton.jpg

[Eleanor]

You have done a great job with her.

But here is a pony just started under saddle and the rider doesn't have a helmet on. Sorry to say but it turned me off from your lovely story.

[PicturePerfectPonies]

You have done a great job with her.

But here is a pony just started under saddle and the rider doesn't have a helmet on. Sorry to say but it turned me off from your lovely story.

To each their own. I wear one when i ride everytime, that girl chose not to. I fail to see how her lack of headgear changes anything about the mare's story though.

[IdahoRider]

You have done a great job! You have a lot to be proud.
Sheilah

[VCT]

Glad you got her feet in order. Other than the feet I don't see much difference to be honest. Don't much care for the idea of rescuing a pony and sticking it in barbed wire fencing.

My vet said that if there is no rotation of the coffin bone then the laminae will grow back as normal as the hoof grows out and there will be no indication that there was a founder once the bad area has grown completely.

[PicturePerfectPonies]

Glad you got her feet in order. Other than the feet I don't see much difference to be honest. Don't much care for the idea of rescuing a pony and sticking it in barbed wire fencing.

My vet said that if there is no rotation of the coffin bone then the laminae will grow back as normal as the hoof grows out and there will be no indication that there was a founder once the bad area has grown completely.

Where did you see barbed wire? We don't have barbed wire? We have electric wire on the inside fences and no climb with electric on the perimeter fences. Unless someone's been putting up fences without my knowledge theres no barbed wire on the property.

And the pictures don't show the personality changes as well as i'd like.

[Dancing Lawn]

sigh.

everyones a critic. {rolling the eyeballs here}.

congratulations on a job well done.

[Risk-Averse Rider]

Well, *I* think you have done a terrible job with her and need to send her to MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, she's adorable.

Brava!

[zakkandtoto]

You did a great job, PPP. She's a very lucky little girl.

[sunico]

Lucky pony!

[kellidahorsegirl]

How CUTE is that pony!!!! I'm glad you have her and have a happy story with a new beginning to tell. She's adorable!

*and PSH to the people who can't ever just say GOOD JOB but instead have to take their insecurities in life out on others........(besides, even if there WAS barbed wire...the pony isn't loose in either of those 2 photos)....sigh

[Cloverbarley]

Realizing your rescue is no longer a rescue
I never call any horses or animals that I help out "rescues". I actually find it a dreadful term, sorry. A real rescue case, in my opinion, is an animal that will be dead within weeks without intervention but even then, none of my horses that I have taken out of unfortunate situations, some, literally dying on my doorstep, are ever called "rescues". They are simply horses in need of help and I do not encourage any of my people to dwell on this fact as I believe it hinders recovery and progress for the horse.

Anyhow I digress :). The pony's feet look so much better now. Your farrier has done a marvellous job and no doubt you are enjoying being the owner of this super little pony. Hope you have many more joyous years with her. :)

[stryder]

sigh.

everyones a critic. {rolling the eyeballs here}.

congratulations on a job well done.

ditto. Well done.

[cranky]

She is super, super cute!

[bird4416]

Good for you for giving this pony a new chance at life. She was obviously in a bad situation and you helped her out. She is really cute.

[VCT]

Where did you see barbed wire? We don't have barbed wire? We have electric wire on the inside fences and no climb with electric on the perimeter fences. Unless someone's been putting up fences without my knowledge theres no barbed wire on the property.

And the pictures don't show the personality changes as well as i'd like.

In the photo with the girl on the pony in the corner of the fencing, it sure looks like barbed wire. Maybe the sun is reflecting off it weirdly or something, but it sure does look like the little knots that are every foot or so on barbed wire. Regardless, I feel pretty much the same about metal electric wire, high tensile, and barbed wire. None are very safe, seen horrific injuries from all and there are better options out there.

I'm glad you were able to get her feet taken care of... perhaps your vet will be able to assess if there was ever any rotation, there may not have been. It's nice you were able to see such a change in her personality in a few months that really speaks well of her intelligence and default mindset, now that your relationship is blooming I'm sure you have many happy times ahead.

To the people who were so upset by my post, this is a discussion forum. When you post something it's open for discussion. There is no need to get snippy and in some cases make assumptions about peoples character due to it.

[tazz001]

Pony looks great....feet look superb compared to the early pictures.

And sorry to those who only have white painted fences and beautiful high dollar properties...some of us don't have it that easy but we do our best for our animals.

[VCT]

Pony looks great....feet look superb compared to the early pictures.

And sorry to those who only have white painted fences and beautiful high dollar properties...some of us don't have it that easy but we do our best for our animals.

:lol:
:rolleyes:
There we go with those assumptions again.

[JackieBlue]

Aw shoot. My fences are painted black. What does that say about me and my ponies??

She's way cute, PP. You have every right to be proud.

[Susan P]

That's an amazing story, God Bless You for saving that horse.


To each their own. I wear one when i ride everytime, that girl chose not to. I fail to see how her lack of headgear changes anything about the mare's story though.

[Susan P]

...and it never ends...

welcome to COTH :lol:

sigh.

everyones a critic. {rolling the eyeballs here}.

congratulations on a job well done.

[Meredith Clark]

Good for you for taking a chance on this pony :yes:

It's snotty to say but I agree with the poster that said it turned her off to see the photo of the girl riding. For me it doesn't make the story less nice but I just don't like seeing people with out a helmet BUT as you said.. every person has to make their own decision BUT remember you choose who rides your pony :)

Again, cute pony!

[Thomas_1]

OK so it's a pony that's in better condition than it was when you got it.

However I'm one of those who also doesn't like to see the word "Rescue" abused and misused.

What you did was you bought a cheap pony from an owner who was failing to do basic care and management. You bought it. You didn't rescue it.

What you've done now is what the previous owner should have been prosecuted or called to account for not doing. You paid him though. You didn't rescue the pony. You bought it!

[equineartworks]

Aw shoot. My fences are painted black. What does that say about me and my ponies??

She's way cute, PP. You have every right to be proud.

I have yellow wire fence with a strand of white bayco at the top for Paco so he can see it. I am fashion fence disaster :D

Good job with the pony, she's super cute! But I too cringe about the helmet...I am a safetyphobic :lol:

[trubandloki]

Good job on the upgrade.

[Susan P]

Meredith,

I'm always surprised to see photos of top riders and trainers and even clinicians riding and promoting their work with no helmet on.

I recently looked at Lynn Palm's web site, she sent out an email promoting her business and so I looked at her site. All of the photos of her riding are without a helmet. Don't you think that it is a bad example to other riders?

I guess she looks cuter in the baseball cap.




Good for you for taking a chance on this pony :yes:

It's snotty to say but I agree with the poster that said it turned her off to see the photo of the girl riding. For me it doesn't make the story less nice but I just don't like seeing people with out a helmet BUT as you said.. every person has to make their own decision BUT remember you choose who rides your pony :)

Again, cute pony!

[mvp]

I don't care if a pony that came from a foot of shit and slipper feet now lives in barbed wire. It's the lesser of two evils.

I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not.

I *really* don't care if someone else decides to ride helmetless.

The OP did what I can't emotionally and financially afford to do: Look for horses who need help from her, not those who can do a job as a performance animal. Good on you!

[Eleanor]

To each their own. I wear one when i ride everytime, that girl chose not to. I fail to see how her lack of headgear changes anything about the mare's story though.

I am sorry if you missunderstood me. I think you did a great job with the pony. I said "IT TURNED ME OFF" to see the rider with out a helmet.

Everytime I see a rider without a helmet I am turned off, because I know what can heppen first hand. I never let anyone get on any of my horses or ride with me without one. I have had top riders go to get on my horses and have told them they have to have a helemt on. If they don't want to wear a helemt then they don't get on my horse. But that is me, I know what a horse can do and I like my life and everything I own, I don't want to loss it all because someone doesn't want to mess there hair up.

If you don't want comments about the photos then don't post them.(This is said in a nice voice, not a snide comment.:))

[twinkle]

PPP- What you did for that pony is wonderful. He is a cutie. The after pics are cute. I REALLY don't believe that the rider was in any danger.
And yes, you did rescue that pony from a miserable life. Blessings for you.

[Reds-n-Greys]

Bless You!

[Trevelyan96]

PPP, thanks for 'rescuing' the pony and taking excellent care of her!

[Gatorsgirl]

Good for you and the pony - she's a real cutie. Congrats to her for having the fortune of being found and upgraded by you. :):D

(I'd like see a helmet too but if she's 18+ probably is her decision despite my knowing the potential consequences otherwise)

[N2Equus]

Glad you got her feet in order. Other than the feet I don't see much difference to be honest. Don't much care for the idea of rescuing a pony and sticking it in barbed wire fencing.



Who's making assumptions? Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black?

OP - Thanks for sharing your story and giving this pony a better future. I too "rescue" horses by paying for them occasionally when I can afford to. And yes, I sometimes refer to them as my rescues just to make me feel better. :winkgrin:

Oh, and I just put up new fencing. It's wire mesh horse fence. I guess I should have checked with the professionals before I did that. :sadsmile:

Geeze, Some people can really ruin a feel good story.

As for the helmet, I wear one 100% of the time but it is a personal choice. Thank God we live in the good ole' USA! You guys should visit the AQHA website. You would have a field day!

[danceronice]

1. That looks like tape to me in the background of the picture with the girl on the lunge.

2. JSwan said it in another thread: "It's a helmet, not a halo." I don't care if someone wears it or not.

3. CUTE CUTE CUTE! And you, OP, must have a kick@$$ farrier--that's great work on the feet.

[wehrlegirl]

I don't care if a pony that came from a foot of shit and slipper feet now lives in barbed wire. It's the lesser of two evils.

I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not.

I *really* don't care if someone else decides to ride helmetless.

The OP did what I can't emotionally and financially afford to do: Look for horses who need help from her, not those who can do a job as a performance animal. Good on you!

no joke--- great job with the pony-- a real cutie

[Chardavej]

2. JSwan said it in another thread: "It's a helmet, not a halo." I don't care if someone wears it or not.



Aw I knew I loved JSwan for a reason! Now don't get me wrong, I wear a helmet and encourage others to wear one also, but it doens't effect my opinion. Well, maybe a little.

I don't care if a pony that came from a foot of shit and slipper feet now lives in barbed wire. It's the lesser of two evils.

I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not.

I *really* don't care if someone else decides to ride helmetless.

The OP did what I can't emotionally and financially afford to do: Look for horses who need help from her, not those who can do a job as a performance animal. Good on you!

I feel the same way. Founder can kill.

[Meredith Clark]

Meredith,

I'm always surprised to see photos of top riders and trainers and even clinicians riding and promoting their work with no helmet on.

I recently looked at Lynn Palm's web site, she sent out an email promoting her business and so I looked at her site. All of the photos of her riding are without a helmet. Don't you think that it is a bad example to other riders?

I guess she looks cuter in the baseball cap.

:yes:

I'm very "pro choice" with helmets but no one rides any of my horses with out one and it makes me nervous when people ride around me with out one. The other day a girl at my barn was riding her hot Walker bareback with a halter and lead with no helmet on the paved driveway. I seriously had to walk away b/c I didn't want to see her head crack open if she fell.

Back to the OP: How did you farrier go about correcting her feet? How long did it take til she was comfortable to be ridden?

[nightsong]

People riding without helmets are seldom making an informed choice, and it gets EXPENSIVE for the REST of us, when we have to pay for their emergency room visits, hospital care, and the rest of their lives in a nursing home as a vegetable.

[outofthebox]

So far this sweet thread has been ambushed by the helmut patrol and then by the fence patrol and now someone is actually arguing that a paying for an abused pony does not constitute a rescue. What next?

[LauraKY]

Good job on saving that pony!

[pj]

OK so it's a pony that's in better condition than it was when you got it.

However I'm one of those who also doesn't like to see the word "Rescue" abused and misused.

What you did was you bought a cheap pony from an owner who was failing to do basic care and management. You bought it. You didn't rescue it.

What you've done now is what the previous owner should have been prosecuted or called to account for not doing. You paid him though. You didn't rescue the pony. You bought it!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! :D
Sooooooo those who pay to get a horse out of the feed lot aren't rescuing they are buying?
Talk about splitting hairs.

[Cloverbarley]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! :D
Sooooooo those who pay to get a horse out of the feed lot aren't rescuing they are buying?
Talk about splitting hairs.

The OP didn't buy it from a feedlot ... that's the difference. She bought it privately from someone who clearly hasn't figured that horses feet need trimming. The pony had certainly not missed many meals ;).

To me, everyone and his dog seems to own a "rescue" :rolleyes: and this, in my opinion, makes a total mockery, and devalues those who do take horses from near-death situations.

If, by saying she rescued the pony, it gives the OP some form of feeling better about themselves then that's fine by me. :)

[Tazzie]

I don't care if a pony that came from a foot of shit and slipper feet now lives in barbed wire. It's the lesser of two evils.

I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not.

I *really* don't care if someone else decides to ride helmetless.

The OP did what I can't emotionally and financially afford to do: Look for horses who need help from her, not those who can do a job as a performance animal. Good on you!


This post put my thoughts into words. I'm not going to comment on the semantics or politics of the word "rescue" or helmets. I am going to say, congrats to you PPP for giving a pony a better home and better life, b/c regardless of how you label it, that's exactly what you have done, and what I hope to be able to do myself someday.

Thanks for sharing your story and photos.

[hossluva]

I never call any horses or animals that I help out "rescues". I actually find it a dreadful term, sorry. A real rescue case, in my opinion, is an animal that will be dead within weeks without intervention but even then, none of my horses that I have taken out of unfortunate situations, some, literally dying on my doorstep, are ever called "rescues". They are simply horses in need of help and I do not encourage any of my people to dwell on this fact as I believe it hinders recovery and progress for the horse.


My sentiments exactly!! She's a pony... not a rescue... Isn't rescue a verb?

OP - Kudos to you for being there for her!! Well done.

[Whisper]

So, does the kitten my brother and I fished out of the storm drain it was swimming in count as a "rescue"? ;) I had the impression "rescue" was mostly used to mean that the critter was taken out of an abusive or severely neglected situation, especially if you wouldn't otherwise have wanted it.

The pony's feet look much better now! I'm usually very diligent about wearing my helmet, even on the ground. I also do vaulting, though, and don't wear a helmet for it, since they interfere with balance and are not allowed in competitions. However, on a green pony, off the longe, on dirt that looks hard packed, and especially for what looks to be a child, I'd strongly recommend them.

[pj]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mvp
I don't care if a pony that came from a foot of shit and slipper feet now lives in barbed wire. It's the lesser of two evils.

I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not.

I *really* don't care if someone else decides to ride helmetless.

The OP did what I can't emotionally and financially afford to do: Look for horses who need help from her, not those who can do a job as a performance animal. Good on you!


AMEN!! Well said except I would say "I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not"
and I sure don't care if it doesn't count that it's called a rescue anyhow....too silly and in no way takes away from the ones that do "count" as a rescue. :)

[Lady Counselor]

Hooboy...guess we can't have any happy stories without dragging the old drama llamas out, eh?
Rescue, not a rescue, fencing, helmets, seriously, who the hell cares? She's taking care of the pony, rather nicely I might add.
OP, good job taking in a pony who needed it and taking time to train an fix her up. Wish more people could/would do that.

[goeslikestink]

For years I've been "rescuing horses". I'm not a resuce but when I have extra time and money I try to stop by an auction, or buy a horse that really needs help out of someones back yard.

I found Ella in May. She was listed on craigslist as a red paint pony $100. The ad said she needed her feet trimmed. That was all the info they gave. I called the number in the ad and talked to the most clueless horse owner ever. He had no idea how tall she was but told me she wasn't a midget. He had no idea how old she was, or if she was broke, or what was wrong with her feet. Ooookkkkay. I made an appointment for the next morning and headed out to see her.

I got to the farm and found her in the back of a nasty stinky cow barn, standing in a foot of hay covered muck, being chased around the stall by a child. The entire time she was pinning her ears and running away from the kid. Kids mom was just standing there watching all this. I was mortified. If my kid was chasing a horse around he'd be in big trouble. Addtionally if my kid was working with a horse that spun around and pinned its ears I'd yank my kid away from that horse before the horse decided to kick.

I went into the stall and managed to eventually catch her and get a halter on her. At that point i could see she was foundered in all four feet and her feet had been allowed to grow into slippers. Once i had a halter on her she did let me pet her but hated every minute of it.

I handed the lady my $100 and brought her home. She stayed in a stall for the first few days until my farrier could get out there and start work on her feet. It took me on average 5 minutes to put a halter on her each and every time. After the farrier came out i turned her out with my 12.2hh pony and let her just be a horse. I had to catch her a few days later (i forget why now...but there was a reason) and it took 2 people 30 minutes to herd her into a stall and get a halter on her.

Fast forward 4 months and she is the first one in everytime for dinner. She follows me around her stall poking me with her nose if i take too long giving her dinner. She loves scratches head to toe. Best of all she's "sound"! True she'll never pass a pre purchase exam but she is comfortable and her feet issues are not noticable in her gaits. Her eyes have lost the scared, glazed over look, and not only can we catch her now but she's starting to be broke to ride.

It's getting to the point that when i call her my rescue pony i get funny looks. Shes so happy, healthy, and, well, normal now. I couldn't be happier

When i got her, note the defensive stance, long feet and just the look in her eyes
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/100_0472.jpg
Her feet
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/backfeets-1.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/frontfeets-1.jpg

Her today
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/ellalunge.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/ellasiton.jpg



the piccy isnt showing a defensive horse but more of a horse that cant stand properly on her feet and beaware this pony more than likely will suffer from lamintus becuase of that so makesure you feed her correctly to her weight and size and have regualar

check ups with farrier and vet and you worm her properly as in a wormer to cyles of the worm and seasons of the year - you might also think rather than sticking out in a field but to stripe grass this pony so you can control her intake of grass and hay

as shes not underweight -

also op-- hats -- you have one head and without your head you cant function and wont be able to enjoy the things you like to -
but the pony is a cutie and as thomas 1 rightly says you brought her didnt rescue her
i actually do the odd rescue and if the there a pony or horse to be rescued then you need a animal control officer for animal rights and also a police officer for human rights you can rescue horses from naughty people but you need both to be able to do it - and then you offer your home as a home for said horse or pony - then the costs are down to you in the same token as any other owner

[heartbeat warrior]

I think you did a great job
Thanks for going out of your way to take care of her.
Janice ( heartbeat warrior)

[twinkle]

:sigh:
Why can't people just appreciate that PPP did a NICE thing for a neglected pony?????
Geez,I'm sure the pony doesn't care if he is called a "rescue" or not. He just knows that his life is much better now.
PPP--good job!

[maudie]

What a sweet pony! and kudos for saving that poor little pony!

Aw shoot. My fences are painted black. What does that say about me and my ponies??

She's way cute, PP. You have every right to be proud.

it says you don't have any grey horses who like to rub on the fences! :lol

[<3OTTB]

She is adorable!! Nice to see such a lovely pony get a second chance.

[arena run]

....There is no need to get snippy and in some cases make assumptions about peoples character due to it.


You made a few assumptions of your own, no? If you had questions about the pony's welfare you should have ASKED them instead of ASS-U-MING things from one picture.



And goodness knows that we should all use EXACTLY the correct term that folks think we should use, EXACTLY when they think we should use it. Goodness knows.



OP. You done good. It is my belief that your little rescue pony was indeed a rescue... and I know a rescue 'cause I've seen them before (referencing another COTH'er's [questionable] reasoning from a way-previous thread).

[suz]

I don't care if a pony that came from a foot of shit and slipper feet now lives in barbed wire. It's the lesser of two evils.

I also don't care if this counts as a rescue or not.

I *really* don't care if someone else decides to ride helmetless.

The OP did what I can't emotionally and financially afford to do: Look for horses who need help from her, not those who can do a job as a performance animal. Good on you!

i agree 100%. that's one lucky pony!




eta-
OMG!!!! i learned to use the quote function!!!!