TDN Article:
A nightmare. I can’t even imagine.
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I’d be getting my horses out of that country asap.
But there are probably many obstacles to doing that. With the human evacuation going on now, I’m sure horses are not a priority.
I am happy to see the dogs and cats that evacuating so many Ukrainians are taking with them. The animals probably don’t have much a future if they are not with their owners.
These must be agonizing decisions for so many people.
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The dog sport world (that I’m a part of) is relatively small & close knit.
There are so many people (friends & acquaintances) having to pack their families up (2 & 4 legged) & flee for their lives.
One is traveling with days old puppies & mama dog in their backseat.
With so many of us having personal connections to those over there.
With so much of it being live streamed from civilians, rather than the sanitized versions the media would show.
It’s hitting home harder & feels so much more personal.
My heart hearts for those directly involved/affected.
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there is video of people turning horses’ lose in nearby forests and open tracts of land because the bombs and gunfire are too close and cause too much risk of injury to the horses. So the owners make the difficult decision to walk them as far as they can and then turn them lose.
I can’t even imagine. Luckily the farther west in Ukraine you get, the more “normal” things remain. I have coworkers there and they are still full functioning and running a huge plant and have yet to shut down. It’s rather incredible, really. But moving 400 horses west with no place to go isn’t really an option for these poor people. Hopefully someone will start delivering some truckloads of feed. That country right now a compiled of many various heroes getting the unthinkable done amidst horrible odds. Lets pray they can get feed to them.
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Where to go with hundreds of horses is definitely a giant puzzle.
I am remembering the stories from WWII of the Lipizzaners and other herds fleeing on foot. I wonder if today’s roads and fields would be conducive - but they still need a place to go.
I’m guessing that most of the country’s horses are in areas not yet involved in the occupation or the fighting. That could be changing very soon.
I hope the horse people of Europe will step up to help. But if land is at a premium and they don’t have much space for them, that could be tough.
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Even if the rest of Europe opens their doors to the horses, how do you move hundreds of horses during warfare? They are having enough trouble getting people out safely!
Elizabeth Letts “The Perfect Horse” describes the journey of the horses in WWll.
Apparently two very important Show Jumping sires are in Ukraine. Cornet Obolensky and Comme Il Faut. They are being evacuated but aren’t out yet.
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Very unfortunate that Sheik Mohammed al Maktoum (Godolphin- Darley) ruler of Dubai, has so far sided with Russia, is still welcoming Russian Oligarchs, and refusing to join in sanctions against Russia as it is currently committing atrocities against civilians in Ukraine.
Not surprising, but unfortunate.
Behind the NYT paywall
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/us/russian-oligarchs-sanctions-dubai.html?searchResultPosition=5
There are also some 400 horses in Kyiy proper in an equestrian center.
Ihope they won’t end up as stew.
Kyiv?
The capitol.
The Ukrainian name for their main city. Pronounced ‘keef’
I think you mean Kyiv not Kyiy.
this is what you worry about?
good bye
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I’m not “worried”. Just trying to understand what city you are referring to.
not at all surprising. Middle East/Dubai is guilty of the same atrocities as Putin/Russia. There is some scary sh*t that goes on in those nations of immense wealth backed on energy that the rest of the world relies on, corrupt elections, family hierarchy to a throne, and shady movement of money to benefit a select few. Look what the Sheik did to his own daughter when she tried to escape that regime. And people still support that guy.
You should read up on Russia’s wealth, where it is kept, who manages it, and how it flows while their entire country is censored and lives like those under the Chinese rule. On the flip side of the coin the US has imposed a lot of sanctions but we have yet to address the Oligarchs on our soil, their real estate, planes, yachts and children still in our schools.
I understand and acknowledge that the Ukrainian government had it’s own faults but I can’t fault their leadership in these times and their people fighting for their nation. and unfortunately stuck in the midst of this disaster amongst nations is millions of innocent people and animals.
The video clips of the strays on the streets in Kyiv. No one around to feed them. Animals left behind by those fleeing and those who are still there and being cared for but resources are running thin. Desperation from starving people is coming. It’s honestly beyond heartbreaking and overwhelming at times. How fortunate are we to live on our land . That is all
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Surprisingly enough, I don’t need to “read up” on “Russia’s wealth” etc… I am well informed. 
reading how horse owners are turning their horses out in the forest, considering it the best option.
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It’s horrible. I suppose it’s the right thing to do when you know you may not be alive to help them for much longer.
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