I don’t know what to say
My reasons for doing what I do is for the love of the horses. All of them. None of them are ugly or unworthy in my eyes. They may have issues, usually minor, but for most of them, the future is bright. That is, if they are rehomed and retrained to a particular discipline. They all have value.
they all have value
I know you always have to think of the future, but there is no guarantee any of us will be around next week, next year…or 10 years down the line. The horse needs us NOW. How about everyone springing for his bail money, msj taking him for the winter and then finding him a suitable home in the spring when he’s been let down and people are more serious about horse shopping?
Frankly, I would see this guy put to sleep than to be shipped down to PR.:sigh:
msj, bless you for trying to get this guy into a safe situation.
I can completely understand your concerns and in fact admire your sensibility.
Maybe if you are leery of hanging on to him longterm, you could take him with the intent of buying him a little time to find him a new home? Maybe there’s a pony clubber or a nice ammie in your area that would be suited to him or something.
Regardless of how it turns out, the fact that you’re even considering it is so very kind. You’ve got a big heart lady!!
:DI can say that if this horse ships to puerto rico very soon; HE WILL NOT SURVIVE! The trip to puerto rico is a one way trip and when they are done racing, they are used as fish bait.
I admire everyones struggles to find this guy a home…keep plugging away. Can someone cross post this in H/J. Maybe someone there will jump on him. Hes really well built and been there done that type. Hoping we can establish some funds and a temporary home until he is let down and finds a job.
COME-ON COTH!!!
Does anyone know how much the trainer wants for Patriot?
^^^^^^^
I can tell you, some PR horses end up going other places in the Caribbean, like Jamacia and beyond, and it’s not pretty.
According to this website, it’s like where I was, and it’s not pretty:
http://www.change.org/islanddog/details/about
"Horse abuse is rampant in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Starvation, beating, and poisoning are common killers of horses in the islands. Most locals are uneducated about the cost of caring for horses. Many come to acquire a horse by finding one along the street or beach. Some are stolen out of pastures,etc. "
Not the place for a solid citizen, and old racehorse to retire 
[QUOTE=caryledee;4522728]
Frankly, I would see this guy put to sleep than to be shipped down to PR.:sigh:[/QUOTE]
My exact thoughts. :yes: That’s why I’m more than willing to take him in. He does need to be well mannered above all else though because I live alone and will be handling him alone. I really imagine that at 10 yrs of age, he probably is. I do hope the trainer has had him long enough to know if he even needs to be ‘let down’. I’ve had several from the track that I just hopped on and they were fantastic. Actually more importantly that he doesn’t need to hand walked and walked and walked and gradually allowed turnout. I can use the indoor if need be and may just have to do so for a few days. My boys are currently used to 24/7 turnout with stalls to go into with shelter. I have 2 side-by-side sacrifice paddocks that allow me to gradually introduce a horse to the others. They are ~ 110’ X 110’ so while they aren’t tiny, they do allow a horse to get up a fair amount of steam if he is so inclined. I expect this horse will have his head firmly on and not be an idiot like some of the younger OTTB’s can be. I hope the trainer can tell me some useful info about him. I’m already making up a list of things I want to ask. I also want to see that scrap on his leg even if it means I have to get to the track early.
I know we can’t save them all and so much credit goes to Louise, maunder, foundationmare and anyone else that is out every weekend devoting their time to trainer’s listings and trying to find homes here for them. I wonder just how many horses would NOT have been placed had it not been for them coming here to COTH and extolling the virtues of these horses.
[QUOTE=crazy gray horse;4522910]
Does anyone know how much the trainer wants for Patriot?[/QUOTE]
No price is listed. It says to call for a price, which I’ll do in the morning.
[QUOTE=HoneyB;4509253]
Has Key Strategy found a home? I really like him, too bad I board… :sigh:
http://fltrainerlist.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1072[/QUOTE]
Key Strategy shipped down to me in Georgia and has been placed with a new family in South Carolina. What a great little guy!!! His trainer is a good friend of mine and her horses (and several others) make their way down to me several times a year.
Anyone needing horses shipped south by way of or near to GA, feel free to pm–I have a great shipper and can sometimes add a horse to the load.
MSJ, you remind me a lot of myself…I too, worry about what will happen as I age…I’m 47, and I am already worried about what will happen when I get too old to work around the farm.
I know we can’t save 'em all, but for some reason, this dude strikes a cord with me…and the last OTTB I got from postings here on COTH has turned out to be awesome, so if I can’t bring this one home, I can at least do my best to help him get placed…
Keep us posted, MSJ…
MSJ, when it comes to soundness at least, the track vet who did the PPE on Lucky to Cope (who’s seven) for me said that he’s found as a rule the older horses who’ve been racing for years are generally sounder than the younger ones if they’ve been racing consistently. Karakorum Patriot has 89 starts, ten this year, with 2 wins, 2 places, 3 shows, so he’s not only been running, he’s doing pretty well.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/fc_display.cgi?userfile=P2072411371168217
Here’s Karkorum Patriot’s report–equineline lists him as a black-type winner. His pedigree is lovely and clear of inbreeding through five generations, with relatively old blood up front.
Doesn’t the name indicate he originally belonged to the Karakorum partnership that advertises/used to advertise on TVG for investors?
I will contribute to his purchase price or a vet check if we can find him a place to go. I also know we can’t help everyone, but this guy has had a long, hard career and deserves a break.
If I can catch msj in time, I have asked her to hold off for a bit. I have a couple of other things I’m working on, and I need about 24 hours to see if they come to fruition.
I’m a little afraid that this trainer might get a little ticked off at the $1.00 offer, and that might affect his mood if either of the things I’m working on come to fruition.
msj–your place sounds heavenly!! Any horse would be very lucky to end up there with you! :yes:
The five I have had this year were all quite blase about turnout. A couple of squeals and bucks and a run or two to the end of the fence and that was it. Hopefully Karakorum Patriot will be somewhat the same.
I guess there isn’t much else to do right now but wait and see what transpires today.
That’s great! So nice to hear he found a new home! 
Out of curiousity, was Musketeer ever placed? He’s no longer on the Placed or Available listings…unless I missed it?
He was a beauty!
[QUOTE=Louise;4523507]
If I can catch msj in time, I have asked her to hold off for a bit. I have a couple of other things I’m working on, and I need about 24 hours to see if they come to fruition.
I’m a little afraid that this trainer might get a little ticked off at the $1.00 offer, and that might affect his mood if either of the things I’m working on come to fruition.[/QUOTE]
OK, I’ve gotten an email from Louise so I will be holding off on calling the trainer about this guy until I hear from her. I figure I can come up with more than $1.00 for this horse anyway (probably at least $500.00) so we’ll see what happens with Louise’s people.
danceronice - to be honest I’m not planning on a PPE at all. My biggest concern is the horse’s feet as I don’t want to have to keep shoes on this guy. My boys are all barefoot so if need be, I’ll take my farrier over to see what he thinks.
If this horse does come home with me, he will not have to do anything but hang out. I don’t ride anymore and all I really ask for from a horse is that they have good manners.
SO, everyone, let’s just hope that Louise can find him a home first. She’s dam*ed good at doing this.
Right now I’m crossing my fingers for KP.
[QUOTE=danceronice;4523204]
MSJ, when it comes to soundness at least, the track vet who did the PPE on Lucky to Cope (who’s seven) for me said that he’s found as a rule the older horses who’ve been racing for years are generally sounder than the younger ones if they’ve been racing consistently. Karakorum Patriot has 89 starts, ten this year, with 2 wins, 2 places, 3 shows, so he’s not only been running, he’s doing pretty well.
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/fc_display.cgi?userfile=P2072411371168217
Here’s Karkorum Patriot’s report–equineline lists him as a black-type winner. His pedigree is lovely and clear of inbreeding through five generations, with relatively old blood up front.
Doesn’t the name indicate he originally belonged to the Karakorum partnership that advertises/used to advertise on TVG for investors?
I will contribute to his purchase price or a vet check if we can find him a place to go. I also know we can’t help everyone, but this guy has had a long, hard career and deserves a break.[/QUOTE]
Ok, you just had to show me his pedigree… He goes back to Hyperion and my first OTTB was a son of Hyperion and the most wonderful guy. That horse got me hooked on TB’s. :)
It’s a done deal. IF Louise doesn’t get a home for this guy he’s coming here come hell or high water. My only major concern is that he has decent manners.
I may have to take everyone up on their offers for financial help to get his purchase price and one local person even offered help at the farm but she’s about 40 minutes away. Course I do happen to know that Louise is retiring in January so maybe I can con her into coming down and helping with chores on occasion (especially if I offer breakfast, lunch or dinner)! 
I don’t know if you have tried it MSJ, but Durasole has been a godsend when transitioning my guys to barefoot. Cheap and effective…Love the stuff!
YEAH MSJ!! You rock!!
Update on Rock and Roll Roan:
I just found out this morning that the trainer is trying to race him one last time. So, I just have to sit tight for another week and hope he doesn’t get hurt! I’ll have a vet look him over after the race, and if all looks good, he’ll be coming to MD to begin his life as an eventer!
Everyone cross your fingers that this boy doesn’t hurt himself in his final hurrah as a racehorse! I’m so anxious!
Sara
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