[lord flynn]

Ok, so I might be a bit grumpy as I am fed up of people asking for something for nothing. Especially animals. To do animals correctly costs time and money-why shouldn't that be reflected in the asking price? I realise that there'a a recession on but as rightly pointed out by another poster, if you can't afford to buy-how can you afford to get the vet out?

As I was told off for being against T&Cs. I removed this post from the 'Wanted Shetland Pony' ad in Marketplace.

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=36497.msg362199;boardseen#new

I dunno-not sure you can produce say a 4yo youngster and do it properly (chipped,worming, trimming, well handled, teeth and castration which is anything from £100-200 etc etc) for £300/400 and have it deemed over priced. I keep Native ponies (Exmoors) and buy them as weanlings for £125 chipped but completely feral and not castrated. Ponies done correctly, shouldn't be thought of as worthless merely because they are ponies.

I've also heard people moan about prices of more than £15 for POL chickens-if you breed chickens then you know how much feed you shovel into them to get them to that stage-especially purebreds that are POL later than hybrids. Not to mention the years put into breeding a line of anything and all the pitfalls along the way. I actually think Dobbies has a good case for selling them for what they do.

I've had a load of stuff for sale of late and ended up keeping half of it-just not worth my while selling it at the prices I've been offered (less than 50% in some cases, which is just rude-and I expect to haggle a bit!).

[Castle Farm]

Thats the problem with selling horses your Lordship. We know how much they cost to rear and have the value of that animal (or chicken) in our mind when we want to sell it.

With both these animals it's a buyers market and to be perfectly honest we took 5 months to find a good riding horse and tried 30 different ones, most were crap and not worth the time and petrol going to view them. The owners all had ideas of what the animal they were selling was worth and most of them were totally out of touch with prices today.

Sheltlands have had thier day I'm afraid. What you could expect 10 years ago for a well bred young pony is a very long way from what you will get today.

A neighbour who used to sell his filly foals at arond £1000 back then has stopped breeding as the money on them now is about £250 if your lucky and thats top quality animals

At one of the Brightwell sales a few months ago a nice little 4 year mare and colt foal made £50 and the auctioneer struggled to get that.

[leesey]

, if you can't afford to buy-how can you afford to get the vet out?

As I was told off for being against T&Cs. I removed this post from the 'Wanted Shetland Pony' ad in Marketplace.

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=36497.msg362199;boardseen#new

Once again your lordship, I will reiterate that, if you read my posts correctly, money is not an issue. I have given valid reasons for looking to rehome a shetland rather than buy one. This week I've had the vet and the farrier out to my miniature shetland. Somehow managed to afford that. I put an offer down on grazing land, somehow managed to afford that.

Get off your high horse and stop being so judgemental, Castle Farm is right, it takes a hell of a lot to find the right pony, I've just paid £90 for a vet's visit to a pony that's not even mine because it turns out it's a strangles carrier so I can't get it!!

It is unreasonable to expect to sell a shetland pony these days (particularly an unbroken one) for anything over £150. Add to that the petrol costs going to visit it, the vetting fees to get it checked, and then any tack or extras you need to get to suit that particular pony, you're looking at easily over £400 before you even begin.

I just cannot get over how unsupportive and cynical some people can be.

[bigchicken]

Well this subject is jumping about a bit hay it takes all kinds of vegetables to make a pot is soup. Thainestone mart have a sale of horses etc and you will get a shetland pony there pretty cheep but God knows what it will be like, never mind about his lordship I sure he means no harm and is only concerned for the welfare of an animal wanted for free. You obviously are a responsible person and know what you are doing so I for one will pass on any information if I hear of a wee shetland free to a good home. We have a shetland was my daughter's first pony how many folks started the same way a complete gentleman and character she called him Bobby bingo!  and our first venture into the eguine world.

[doganjo]

Leesey, this is generally a very supportive forum.  I'm sorry to read these posts, we aren't really like that on here mostly.  I can see Dan or Bloomer locking this thread next.

I hope you find a sheltie.  My one regret is not getting myself a pony when I had the opportunity - plenty of land, two barns, a good job - unfortunately also a new husband who was frightened of horses, so I couldn't go to my dog shows and leave him to look after it.  If I ever move from here for more land, or manage to buy some locally, guess what I'll be doing - same as you - offering a good home to a retired pony.  Dan's idea of the £1 exchange is a good one though!

[HappyHippy]

I think it's very easy for people to jump in and condemn someone without having all the facts and information at hand (especially in the world of internet anonymity) heck, I've done it myself in the past, though hopefully not in such a personal or patronising way.

A little bit of tolerance goes a long way folks   

Leesy,  for you, from all us nicer TASers 

[Rosemary]

TBH I'd be happier gifting my pony to someone I knew would look after it than sell it to just anyone.

As Dan said on the other thread, we paid £1 for our Shetland to make a contract that included a clause that the person who sold him to us has first refusal if we ever can't keep him. We can afford to look after him but wouldn't have paid "real" money for him (although he is a wee sweetie).

I do read lots of scarey stories on FB about dogs especially but cats too FTGH ending up as dog fighting bait so I suppose it's a judgement call.

But let's try a bit of tolerance folks please.

Leesy,  from me too.

[smithycraft]

 I am a great fan of Freecycle and Freegle where people give away  items they no longer want, or request items that they need.  All for free.  I have furnished most of my house for nothing but the cost of diesel and I have also given away many things.  The idea being to keep it all out of landfill.  A lot of the items I now own, I really treasure, they are not new and shiny but have a history.  Many people have things sitting around at home that they don't want, use or value and to have someone take it away, is reward enough.
I realise that livestock is slightly different but even so there must be people out there that have animals that they can no longer afford, or are not getting the time and attention they deserve, who would do better in a new and loving home.
Where is the harm in asking?  It could be a happy solution for both parties.

[plumseverywhere]

I will be totally honest that 'free to a good home' ads make me worried, but only because i know that locally there is a lot of illegal dog and cockerel fighting that takes place and as a result I would worry about where that free cockerel or free puppy/kitten might end up.

However, I offered 2 shetlands a home here on free loan and as with everything, the merits of the individual circumstances always need to be taken into account.

I hope you continue to post here Leesy, pretty much everyone is friendly, helpful and tolerant and it would be a shame to think that one post has put you off   

[lord flynn]

 Add to that the petrol costs going to visit it, the vetting fees to get it checked, and then any tack or extras you need to get to suit that particular pony, you're looking at easily over £400 before you even begin.

I just cannot get over how unsupportive and cynical some people can be.



not cynical, practical and not sure why I should be supportive. still, I am in a tiny minority apparently and my perspective is obviously out of whack. Apologies for not understanding.

[leesey]

Thank you to everyone that has posted.

Lord Flynn you might find that the very purpose of a forum is for people to chat and get advice and support from like-minded people. Thankfully I do feel my faith is restored by the responses given tonight.

[doganjo]

Thankfully I do feel my faith is restored by the responses given tonight.

*changing-my-name-to-Queen-Anne* - got the legs for it 

[Bodger]

A number of the horses advertised as companion horses free to good home go direct to the meat man.

[Herdygirl]

*changing-my-name-to-Queen-Anne* - got the legs for it 
[/quote
 
surely not doganjo!!!!

[lord flynn]

my user name is our dog's nickname. he's a setter, very aristocratic.


I believe animals have a worth-or should do. free cycle is great for old sofas but not for ponies. Having a value gives them a better chance long term.  Of course paying for something is no guarantee that someone will look after it but generally speaking, an animal of value would be worth more consideration to most that something they picked up for free in the local rag. A generalisation? maybe on a board like this, not so much elsewhere.


The horse market is dire atm, the welfare implications are massive with many people taking home ponies and no money to care for them.  If people refuse to pay a reasonable price from good breeders, and god knows, noone expects the 'make' money on horses unless they are totally irresponsible in how they do it, then this market and bad breeding is self perpetuating.


the OP says this isn't the case and maybe its not, only have her word for it. I didn't state my POV well and I was out of order in starting this thread for that I apologise. However, not everyone on a forum exists to blow smoke up the backside of strangers when they disagree. I see many small native ponies used, abused and not have their needs met through lack of money and/or ignorance-have rescued one of them, its something I feel very strongly about because they are our heritage. That I don't apologise for.