In my job, I meet a lot of horses coming off the racetrack that are injured. Most of the ones I take are recoverable, and I do everything in my power to ensure they benefit from a successful rehabilitation plan. Some horses I take have injuries that they may not recover from, but they have a fair chance and that’s enough to justify the time. Others I agree to take one as an act of mercy, as they face a more uncertain or inhumane fate otherwise. Continue reading Blindsided
Category Archives: Reality in Rescue
Why I require deposits for pre-purchase exams
I have a really nice gelding in our barn right now. Actually, I have several, but this horse in particular has had probably 20+ applications filled out for him in a very short amount of time. Part of it is his look, part of it is his pedigree, and part of it is his movement which excites people.
Inevitably when we have a nice horse we also have several disappointed people. People who filled out their applications late, people who didn’t act when they had the chance, ultimately, people who didn’t get the horse. My fear with horses like this is that the longer the horse is held “off the market” for someone to do a pre-purchase exam (“PPE”) or make a final decision, the more people who walk away that may have otherwise been interested. Worse, the more people assume there was a problem with the horse if someone else backed out of a commitment to him. Continue reading Why I require deposits for pre-purchase exams
Winter is coming
It is easy to get disheartened this time of year, so I am attempting to look at the positives. One aspect of the business I run is that I will always take a horse back that I’ve rehomed, even if it has been in its new home for many years. It’s my way of looking out for those horses who have been entrusted into my care, of making sure they don’t end up in a hard place or bad hands.
Throughout the year the returns are sporadic. With over 250 horses out there, you can expect a small trickle to come in throughout the year. Usually one every few months. That is, until the winter begins to loom. This is when the trickle turns to a downpour.
Sympathy for Smarty
Several years ago I was fortunate enough to be double-barrel kicked in the chest by a horse and not only live to tell about it, but suffer only minor injuries. After a brief scare that I’d fractured my skull hitting the concrete as I fell backward out of the horse’s stall, it came to light that I in fact just had a decent concussion and some minor trauma to my back.
I’d had concussions before, but none with symptoms that lingered as long as this one. Muscle relaxers weren’t far from reach for a couple weeks after, as my back was prone to seizing, and I didn’t ride for 2-3 weeks (“not until the headaches stop,” the doctor had told me). However, in the grand scheme of things, I was very lucky.
An imperfect process
I just got out of the shower and quickly dressed, running late to a rare outing with friends because, surprise, work at the barn took longer than expected. I’m as off the clock as I can be as I jump into my truck, and the phone rings. Taking a quick glance at the caller ID as I start the engine, I note that it’s someone who got a horse from me several months ago. Already running late, I decide to silence the call and barrel down the road, letting the caller go to voicemail.
Halfway to my destination I flip on the voicemail and put it on speaker, curious as to what’s going on. This lady had gotten one horse from me, returned it a week later for a valid reason, and tried a second. Initial reports with the second included that she was in love and when a few months pass without contact, I assume no-news is good news.