Maybe he doesn’t have the energy to pace anymore–he looks like a walking skeleton.
We’re getting off track here…I deleted my posts that were a bit snarky, I’ve asked the other participant to do the same. Let’s focus on getting Max help…whether it’s to stay at Mill Creek, to be moved, or to be PTS.
I think we all want what’s best for Max.
I know its hard to see but if you look beyond Max his herd mate is peeking out from behind the fence.
If her pendulous belly is any indication she’s not missing any meals hers or Max’s
http://oi40.tinypic.com/qyegzm.jpg
[QUOTE=Lynnwood;7219866]
I know its hard to see but if you look beyond Max his herd mate is peeking out from behind the fence.
If her pendulous belly is any indication she’s not missing any meals hers or Max’s
http://oi40.tinypic.com/qyegzm.jpg[/QUOTE]
You mean she’s not pregnant? :eek:
Lynwood was the former BO actually awarded ownership of the horse by a court? It is possible she signed over something she did not have the right to sign over. Have you spoken with a lawyer at all regarding all of this?
I really do not think you are going to get anywhere by writing letters and trying to reason with unreasonable people.
[QUOTE=Lynnwood;7219866]
I know its hard to see but if you look beyond Max his herd mate is peeking out from behind the fence.
If her pendulous belly is any indication she’s not missing any meals hers or Max’s
http://oi40.tinypic.com/qyegzm.jpg[/QUOTE]
Had to blow it up and zoom in, but yowza - she looks like she’s ready to drop!
[QUOTE=Manahmanah;7219882]
Lynwood was the former BO actually awarded ownership of the horse by a court? It is possible she signed over something she did not have the right to sign over. Have you spoken with a lawyer at all regarding all of this?
I really do not think you are going to get anywhere by writing letters and trying to reason with unreasonable people.[/QUOTE]
No I do not believe so. I think she just assumed the horse via boarders lien. I don’t think any paperwork was filed
[QUOTE=LauraKY;7219448]
Just take a look at Milo at the bottom of the page I posted. He’s been there for 12 years according to their information and gets about by hopping on three legs. And he looks like crap ^2.
http://www.millcreekfarm.org/someofourhorses.html
The easy keepers seem to thrive. But the ones who aren’t…[/QUOTE]
Upsetting. Very upsetting.
I feel like posting a couple pics of some of the 34-36 year old Pasos owned by my friend as a contrast. I looked up Mijo and he had at least 5 registered owners before he was sent to Mill Creek. I wonder if any of those 5 have any idea what he looks like now… Going to go “shake some trees” and see what falls out.
As most of the East Coast knows, this has been a very wet summer. In our area of Florida, there were 2 days in July when it didn’t rain. August wasn’t much better. When it rains and when it gets hot and humid, some horses are just going to get rainrot, and they are going to get mud fever/cellulitis to their legs just because it’s so wet. Doesn’t mean that anybody has been taking inadequate care of them. I would venture to guesstimate that rainrot, cellulitic legs and other problems are not unknown at that time of year at Mill Creek.
Personally, taking inspiration from Rev. Buck, I would sue them for failure to take care of this ONE HORSE that you know the history on. You might not win, but you would generate some (not so nice) publicity about Max really quick.
The weather is changing and it’s going to start getting chilly. I doubt that Max will thrive on coastal hay, and I really wonder if they are equipped to manage blanketing him when he’s going to need it.
I’ll ask around and see if anyone knows who this vet is. Wonder if she’s just a vet student who is volunteering her time and effort.
BTW, is Max getting 10# of feed divided into two feedings, or 2 feedings of 10# of feed each? I guess if the senior is a complete feed one could do that. At any rate, he’s costing them big bucks to keep him going.
I could be totally wrong but I don’t believe they blanket Betonbill.
In my very first conversation with Peter Gregory I mentioned I had one of Max’s turn outs in my garage and I would send it if they wanted. I got no response.
I believe this to be very much a “live like horses” facility at all costs.
You know, his pasture mate could easily be at risk for founder, obviously eating so much of his grain. The sad thing is, when she goes lame, they’ll just lable her a “hopper”.
This level of gross mismanagement is just so depressing…
[QUOTE=Lynnwood;7219905]
No I do not believe so. I think she just assumed the horse via boarders lien. I don’t think any paperwork was filed[/QUOTE]
The time to speak with a lawyer is now. According to my very quick research into Florida stablemans lein law there must be 3 notices of posted before the PUBLIC sale of the horse. If this procedure was not followed, it is possible the horse was not hers to give.
[QUOTE=Lynnwood;7219747]
All I can provide you with is the horses complete history from the last 22 years , my desire to see him thrive and my concerns that his tendency to be a high maintenance horse are not suitable to where he is located .
His condition seems to agree with me in that regard. [/QUOTE]
This is what I will never, ever understand about some horse people. Why on earth the folks at Mill Creek would not wish to look at ANY way to improve the condition of an old horse is absolutely beyond me. As some posters have said before - it’s that darned cookie cutter attitude towards horses that just makes me nuts.
Not all horses will thrive in the environment Mill Creek is providing. It’s time for them to put away pride and admit that and do what’s right for the horse.
[QUOTE=Lynnwood;7200964]
A little pre story. When our family sold our boarding/training facility one of our former students asked to take a particular schooling horse to retire him. We agreed. He was at that time 29 and mostly retired anyway taught a few walk lessons for small kids…went on a few trail rides.
There was some checking for the first 6 months horse was thriving.
Fast forward to two months ago I was informed through a local vet that he had been abandoned by the person who took him at his boarding facility and they had made arrangements to transfer him to a retirement facility in the state that takes in government horses and abandoned horses.
I contacted both the barn owner and the retirement facility. Offering assistance both said the horse was good etc etc. The retirement facility houses the horses in large pastures and I brought up concern that this particular horse both cribs and has anhidrosis and does not thrive in a field environment. Retirement owner got a little huffy and stated that the horse would never be confined when I suggested that he need to be housed under fans during our hot FL summers. I left it that they could contact me for anything any time.
Today I got a phone call that one of the people from the barn where he was boarded/ abandoned went to visit him and he has lost 300 or so lbs since his transfer there 12 weeks ago. He is cribbing non stop (fences are not hot wired) nor are they giving him either supplement that she (the person who went to visit is paying for). As an aside they offer a sponsorship program and on top of buying his supplements shes paying 50 dollars a month to “sponsor” him.
She informed me that after baling her eyes out any attempts to talk to the facility owners were met shut down. They even rebuked the idea of putting a cribbing collar on the horse. Both owners are in their 80’s and the facility is basically run through volunteer support.
I am at a loss as to what to do. As I understand they don’t believe the retirement facility would even consider sending the horse back to where he was abandoned both the barn owner and the women who sponsors him were agreeable to that.
I am broken hearted at the thought that he is basically starving to death because none of his special needs are being met.
I don’t want to rat out the facility. He is a horse that by all means is high maintenance and I would even agree that if hes not thriving there putting him down would be acceptable but it sounds like they are just going to allow him to waste away until he dies of his own. Going there he was robust fit and as healthy as one can be at 31
If anyone has any solutions or suggestions how to handle or mitigate the situation I’m open to anything.[/QUOTE]
First I would like to know a little bit more about this You say for the first 6 months he was fine, then you fast forward to 2 months ago. I am sorry what happened between all that time? Are you saying that you don’t know what happened to him? You did not know that he was abandoned at the boarding facility?
Sorry I need to recap this as I get confused easily.
You gave up your horse. An animal that you said you loved you just gave that animal away. Is that correct? Then you stayed in touch with the person that you gave your beloved animal to for 6months but no longer. Why not? Why did you not check on this beloved animal of yours that you gave away?
So now it turns out the person you gave your beloved animal away to decided to board but not pay. Is this correct? So I am sure when you found out there was money owed to the boarding facility you stepped right in and offered to pay them to keep him there. Oh, you didn’t step right in and offer to help this beloved animal of yours that after 6 months you didn’t check on again?
I see. So now the horse goes to the Retirement Home. How many times have you actually been there? Oh None a Big Zero. So you really don’t know anything about the place. You mean you have been saying all these things about the place and the people and you actually have not gone there? Why Not? So from a picture you have decided to cast a smear campaign on a place you have never been to. Does that really seem fair? Would you like somebody judging you before they met you?
As far as the person providing supplements and paying this as you say a $50.00 “sponsorship” you say she has told you this horse is neglected.
Well let me ask you something. You keep saying how heartbroken you are. How devastated you are. Yet you have not even gone there to see your old horse you gave away. Why not?
You say the people running it are old. Well guess what? They can run circles around me and I am 49. Do you know the history of this place? Obviously not.
These people have spent the last 30 years of their Retirement providing a place for these animals that have been abuse and neglected. In 30 years they have never taken a salary. There is one full time employee and the rest is an incredible, loyal and committed group of volunteers. Every Thursday and Saturday the volunteers groom every horse on the farm. That is over 140 horses that are taken out of their fields, checked over and groomed.
The sponsorship is meant to educate the public and help with the expenses. I find it pretty sad when you say that the person you know is paying $50.00. Do you honestly think a horse can be taken care of for $50.00 . NO it can not. That is where the volunteers, contributors and the owners come in.
Those horse are bucket fed 2 times a day. They can graze on as much pasture as they want, rest under the huge 100 year old oak trees and enjoy their lives.
You are correct when you say they do not stable these horses. These horses get to run free and not be stuck in some hot barn with some fans blowing on them.
I find it pretty sad that you would rather see a horse killed. Especially when it is such a special animal to you.
Saturdays they are open to the public from 1 till 3. The only charge to get in is to bring 2 carrots. I have been there on a Saturday when there were over 500 people there. I just find it so odd that out of everyone that has gone there that you are the only one that has had something bad to say.
I think before you keep making accusations against a group of people that have spent 30+ years helping these animals that maybe you should fly down and actually see your former horse.
The only thing I would ask is if you did do that to take the time that you have spent smearing this group and support this cause.
Have a Great Day.
I just find it very strange that she did not know what happened to her horse that she gave away. Now all of a sudden it is like she has to have him How can you give a pet away.
Sorry no sympathy for that one.
Has anybody actually been there. There is a lot of accusation flying by a bunch of people that have never been to the place.
Have you been there?
How can you say something like that. People that don’t want to care for horses. Their whole have has been devoted to these horses.
I am sorry but to make a blanket statement like that with no facts if not fair.
Has anybody actually been there. There is a lot of accusation flying by a bunch of people that have never been to the place.
Have you been there?
How can you say something like that. People that don’t want to care for horses.? Their whole lives have has been devoted to these horses.
I am sorry but to make a blanket statement like that with no facts if not fair.
What system are you talking about. You mean the one where they spend their whole retirement savings to care for these animals.
I know you have never been there because if you had you would be telling some of these other people off.
What system are you talking about. You mean the one where they spend their whole retirement savings to care for these animals.
I know you have never been there because if you had you would be telling some of these other people off.
[QUOTE=FLAPUALG;7220004]
First I would like to know a little bit more about this You say for the first 6 months he was fine, then you fast forward to 2 months ago. I am sorry what happened between all that time? Are you saying that you don’t know what happened to him? You did not know that he was abandoned at the boarding facility?
Sorry I need to recap this as I get confused easily.
You gave up your horse. An animal that you said you loved you just gave that animal away. Is that correct? Then you stayed in touch with the person that you gave your beloved animal to for 6months but no longer. Why not? Why did you not check on this beloved animal of yours that you gave away?
So now it turns out the person you gave your beloved animal away to decided to board but not pay. Is this correct? So I am sure when you found out there was money owed to the boarding facility you stepped right in and offered to pay them to keep him there. Oh, you didn’t step right in and offer to help this beloved animal of yours that after 6 months you didn’t check on again?
I see. So now the horse goes to the Retirement Home. How many times have you actually been there? Oh None a Big Zero. So you really don’t know anything about the place. You mean you have been saying all these things about the place and the people and you actually have not gone there? Why Not? So from a picture you have decided to cast a smear campaign on a place you have never been to. Does that really seem fair? Would you like somebody judging you before they met you?
As far as the person providing supplements and paying this as you say a $50.00 “sponsorship” you say she has told you this horse is neglected.
Well let me ask you something. You keep saying how heartbroken you are. How devastated you are. Yet you have not even gone there to see your old horse you gave away. Why not?
You say the people running it are old. Well guess what? They can run circles around me and I am 49. Do you know the history of this place? Obviously not.
These people have spent the last 30 years of their Retirement providing a place for these animals that have been abuse and neglected. In 30 years they have never taken a salary. There is one full time employee and the rest is an incredible, loyal and committed group of volunteers. Every Thursday and Saturday the volunteers groom every horse on the farm. That is over 140 horses that are taken out of their fields, checked over and groomed.
The sponsorship is meant to educate the public and help with the expenses. I find it pretty sad when you say that the person you know is paying $50.00. Do you honestly think a horse can be taken care of for $50.00 . NO it can not. That is where the volunteers, contributors and the owners come in.
Those horse are bucket fed 2 times a day. They can graze on as much pasture as they want, rest under the huge 100 year old oak trees and enjoy their lives.
You are correct when you say they do not stable these horses. These horses get to run free and not be stuck in some hot barn with some fans blowing on them.
I find it pretty sad that you would rather see a horse killed. Especially when it is such a special animal to you.
Saturdays they are open to the public from 1 till 3. The only charge to get in is to bring 2 carrots. I have been there on a Saturday when there were over 500 people there. I just find it so odd that out of everyone that has gone there that you are the only one that has had something bad to say.
I think before you keep making accusations against a group of people that have spent 30+ years helping these animals that maybe you should fly down and actually see your former horse.
The only thing I would ask is if you did do that to take the time that you have spent smearing this group and support this cause.
Have a Great Day.[/QUOTE]
Nice of you to join us.
I am so sick of hearing the “they get to live like a horse, free like a horse, be a horse” theory. WE threw that luxury out the window when we decided to domesticate them thousands of years ago. They are no longer wild horses. They are domestic horses and domestic animals like domestic things: food, shelter, warmth - stables, stable blankets, and regular care. This horse is an exact example of an animal that exhibits domestic behavior/traits (cribbing, issues anhidrosis, weaving ) and that NEEDS domestic care (supplements, possible stall time, singular turn out).
When people rally around the outcry “let them be a horse” it really shows how uneducated people are about what domestication truly does to an animal. They are not wild animals any more.
This horse is clearly not thriving. Something besides “just let him be a horse” needs to be done. Who cares about the owner/OP - she isn’t the one suffering, the horse is.
