I understand that many people may get a free horse and
then neglect it so the price should be raised much higher to prevent
this.
But how many of you are now educated and dedicated horse
lovers because someone gave you a horse you would not have been able to
afford? You made mistakes, but you did your best to take care of an animal
that maybe you got because no one else wanted him. You grew together and you
are both better beings because of it.
**Maggie,
I am right there with you, my first horse being costing
$150 and being the bigggest problem horse in the stable; that my sister and I
struggled with (only one concussion; no broken bones),and turned around into a
great horse. Yes, we really learned a lot from it. I have had more
than my share of cheap, free and bad-actor horses that got reformed and ended
up with a good life. Best horse I ever had, and the one I did some 50;s on
cost $200,; current project horse was free...
However, a huge point here is that they were born in
captivity horses, they were NOT wild animals! They did not have the
reactions of wild animals. I think it is, at times hard enough for rank
beginners to read the language and threats of domesticated horses....let alone
feral horses that have honed survival instincts.
The lady up the road who had never had horses; had
inadequate facilities, and did not want to listen to advice from experienced
horsemen, (who offered to help find her a gentled, older and cheaper horse her
daughter could actually RIDE and have fun on), paid the price by a badly
broken arm. Those horses that were adopted in Feb last year have not had
theie feet trimmed (or room to wear them down themselves), the colt has not
been gelded, and as we speak, they are standing out in a huge rainstorm with
no shelter. I have no doubt that BLM will give her permanent title in Feb.,
and gladly cross three horses off their books.
I just have to wonder, how many folks that might support
this BLM adoption program, have actually been to any holding facilities or
actual adoptions? You can see just how wild and skittish these
guys are. Thats not to say they can't be gentled with a lot of time and
work. But even the process of sorting them in groups of maybe 10 by age
and sex; you would not believe the number that are getting the crap
kicked out of them,by the alpha members of the group, with no ability to get
away...pretty sad.
I guess I don't see how adopting a BLM mustang is
any more noble than taking on an off the track Tb that might be heading
to slaughter, or one of many horses at auction, or breeders rejects, or
ones like the horse down the road I got
free...
