The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: sabrina on February 27, 2014, 08:02:36 pm

Title: Friends
Post by: sabrina on February 27, 2014, 08:02:36 pm
I had a visit from a friend yesterday, well when I say friend she only gets in touch when she is after something. She has been looking at buying a 2 year  old gelding and wanted my advice. Youngster, still not worn a headcoller, had feet done but being sold as future riding club horse. I pointed out a few things to her and she went but its only 2 so you can't expect it to have manners yet. So, to show her what my 2 year old is like we went out, took him in. Picked up his feet, he does not barge, well behaved, runs out, stands up when told. Then I said, why do you want a youngster at your age ( she is 60 ). Well she wants to bring it on. She has no experience, her last horse was in her teens when she bought her. How hard can it be she said. So I explained. A foal is born as a blank canvas. Bad habits are taught. I then said if you are going to pay the sort of money being asked for this horse then you would expect it would have the basic training for its age. The reply was, not every expects the same as you. So she will buy this animal and no doubt get fed up and it will stand in the field until she decides to sell it on. I sometimes wonder why I bother. !
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: little blue on February 27, 2014, 08:16:20 pm
there's no telling some folk!!
I know someone (several!) just like that... what can you do?!
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: hafod on February 27, 2014, 09:06:57 pm
Grrr! I have friends like that too. Recently I was asked my opinion on whether a friend should buy a 5 month old foal. He is a novice horse owner and sees it as a way of making money  ::). As much as I want the best for the foal (who wasn't weaned just put in a trailer and taken to a new field  >:( ) I am trying very very hard  to not get too involved. Last I heard he was trying to buy it a saddle to start it's training   >:(
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: sabrina on February 27, 2014, 10:22:42 pm
OMG poor foal. People get my goat when they think there is money in foals. By the time you have raised it to a 4 year old. If, you do the job right, feed, worming injections and time spent teaching the youngster then you will be lucky to make anything these days.
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: hafod on February 28, 2014, 10:42:45 am
I totally agree Sabrina and there are so many unwanted horses in this world - why won't these people consider giving those a home.......it makes me sad :( :(
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Rosemary on February 28, 2014, 10:48:16 am
Too many horses, too many unscrupulous / thoughtless breeders, too many idiots. But you can't legislate for stupidity.
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Alistair on February 28, 2014, 08:12:09 pm
But you can't legislate for stupidity.

 ???   Thought that was why they sectioned me?, mind a small majority of the panel thought I was sane.

(They didn't really section me, 'nother failing of the system I hear you think)

Couldn't agree more, I'm off to the blue cross place next week to look at a 6 yr old
Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Herdygirl on March 06, 2014, 08:11:54 pm
Too many horses, too many unscrupulous / thoughtless breeders, too many idiots. But you can't legislate for stupidity.

Too right Rosemary