Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: sentementality
From: <KROBIN@MIAMIU.BITNET>
Date: Tuesday, 6 Oct 1992 09:37:28 EDT
Organization: Miami University - Academic Computer Service

Thoughts.....if you are lucky enough to be around a good zoo, you might
check with them and see how they handle donations of live animals.
 
I have had to handle this both ways.  I have had horses put down and
I had one shipped.  I personally would not have one shipped again only
because of the serious doubt about what this animal went through in his
final days.  A note of confusion however - this horse had the personality
that guaranteed his last moments would be horrible.  He HATED the vet, went
into a panic if there was one on the property, even if he wasn't the patient.
The only way I could have made sure this horse died peacefully was to do it
myself.  I didn't have the medical skill to administer the shot, or the
guts to put a bullet in his brain.  If I had the same choice today, I would
put him down myself.  It is not, however, a consolation.  I still think
about him and it has been since 1976.
 
I think if I had an unsound animal, I'd have it put down.  If I just wanted
an unsuitable (for my current needs) horse to have a good home, I would
pursue that.  Some thoughts on that tho...I sold a horse once on the condition
that if they did not want him any more, they contact me first and give me
first opportunity to buy him back (so I could guarantee his next home, and
a measure of control of his future).  They didn't and IT WAS MY FAULT.  Notice
the common thread....for a few months I kept real close contact on how they
were doing with him, then I slacked off - sound familiar?  So far each story
has that particular fact in common.  I guess if you care enough to secure
a good home for the horse and put conditions on it, you should at least make
your presence felt on a regular basis.  They hadn't heard from me in a while
and found a family that would take both of the horses I had sold them.  When
I FINALLY found time to check on this horse I had wanted such a good home
for, I couldn't even find them.  But I didn't give up and finally located
them about 6 hours away in another state.  Called them and they gave me
the name of the people who'd bought the horses, but stated that they were
in contact with them often and they loved the horse (in question) and wouldn't
think of giving him up.  When I checked, sure enough, these people were
not interested in giving up their horses, the animals were happy and healthy,
no problem.  I gave them my number and told them if they ever had to get rid
of this particular horse, call me and give me first chance at buying him back.
They said OK - some things never change.  Until today, it didn't occur to me
that I'd not spoken to those people in 2 years.  Wanna bet?
 
This is not intended to be a flame to anyone but myself.  But from my
experience, if you find a good home for your horse, commit yourself to
a regular contact schedule; I think (at least in my case) it might have been
the point that made the difference.  In that case it'd only been three
months since I'd been to see them (I'd still like to have that horse
back:*) - he was a dandy!).
 
 
 
 
 
      ^^     Kathie .       You can classify any behavior using the
   ~    \             .     scheme I call the "Four F's."  These are
 ~   /{  \              .   Feeding, Fleeing, Fighting, and...
~   /   \ }               .                              ...Reproducing.
From: juliec@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Julie Chapman)
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 23:29:51 GMT
Subject: Christmas lessons?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA