I must have followed her years ago when looking for a horse. I know she’s a sales/breeding barn but I can’t help but wonder why she is constantly having horses die in her care. It feels extremely often that she’s posting about losing one. A lot of mares or foals but everything in between. Is her operation just that large? Is this normal of a large program and she’s just more open about it?
What are you implying exactly? If she’s so open, doesn’t she give any explanation for how the horses die?
How often is she posting about losing a horse? Once a week? Once a month?
I found and scrolled back through her page and don’t see anything that raises any red flags to me. A young horse lost to colic, a mare in foal who had been to the vet a month or so previously for what seems like a freak case of infected joints, and a 25 year old. All this year, but I went back to last summer and before that nothing seemed to happen for months. The horses pictured all look well cared for, in good weight, shiny coats, and there is evidence that they receive vet care.
It happens. When you get down to it horses are pretty fragile and prone to weird illnesses and injuries. And when you own or buy/sell a lot of horses it happens more often. When you breed you will also have occasional tragedy. Every barn I’ve ever been at has had multiple horses die over the course of years. Sometimes they seem to come close together in runs of bad luck. I know someone who takes great care of her horses but lost two this week. When you have a large barn it’s part of life.
If I were you I’d edit this person’s name out of the topic - I can’t see anything wrong with what she’s doing. I’d be really upset if I happened to lose several of my horses and then somebody was out there suggesting I did something wrong.
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She’s very well known locally for some not so great things. That’s all I’ll say about that. I haven’t seen the post but it could be a freak thing.
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I blocked her when I was horse hunting. A friend tried a horse from her and her sales terms were too sketchy for me to ever consider buying from her.
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there were discussions here on COTH previously that support the opinion of the previous 2 posters
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Yes
I won’t go look at a horse she has. Too many bad reviews/stories.
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Same. I have some personal experience too.
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As do I
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Crysta Awtry here-
I am happy to field any and all questions you might ever have about my operation. First of all it is always an extremely heartbreaking day to lose an equine friend. We are a family run operation and it shakes us down to our very soul. Our in barn and online clients all mourn our the loses of the horses that pass on from our place.
2nd, yes my operation is just that big. I vowed to always show people the good, the bad and the ugly running a breeding operation. Anyone who has been in the industry long enough will lose both mares and foals. Any reproductive specialist will tell you all about the risks and horror stories surrounding breeding horses. Any time you breed your mare it is risky. Pregnancy is risky. Being born is risky.
Most do not know that I dedicate my life to my mares during foaling season. I spend 24 hours a day 7 days a week in my barn. I do not trust foal alarms or anyone else to foal my mares out. I am their midwife. I take their health and well being as a heavy burden and responsibility.
I sit with them and check them all night long. This allows me to be able to jump into action if my mare or foal is under any sort of distress. I have a very good relationship with my vet and can call them anytime day or night. We also live 24 minutes away from OSU. In the event of extreme emergencies I can have my horses there in no time.
I have taken in and supported many older rescues over the years as well. I have taken these older friends in knowing that one day soon I would be giving them an honorable death. I am not afraid to do what is right by these older equines. I am willing to step in where others have failed them.
I do not hide behind the camera and false happiness of social media. I want people to be able to do the right thing by their horses.
It is our job as their guardians not only to give them a good life, but to give them an honorable death.
It is an uncomfortable subject, but a necessary one that people should talk about.
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Since I have so many happy buyers that are thrilled to buy from me and leave me glowing reviews. Many buyers that still own their horses 4-5 years, some even 10 years later. I do not think you refusing to buy from me affects my business much.
I hope someone some day shows you the same kindness, compassion and grace that you showed me by your post.
If you find it so disturbing, why do you wish it on someone else?
