[QUOTE=Addison;3815456]
There are a number of people who owned him in the past that are quite upset about what happened to him. Some are downright angry while some are mostly embarrassed. [/QUOTE]
Well, I would hope that it crosses some or all of their minds that a nice donation towards his vet bills might go a good long way to assuage any feelings of guilt or embarrassment that they may feel…
I have a horse that “fell through the cracks.” I got her as an 8 year old and she had been through 7 homes. Part of me wants to know why former owners weren’t contacted and why she didn’t have that stability. I want to think that someone at some time loved her. When she came to me, so was so distrustful and it showed. It took a month to really have her calm down and settle into the routine. She was “on edge” for those first 30 days. She doesn’t take to new people well and needs an assertive, confident handler. That said, could I sit and point fingers at the 7 people that might have failed her in the past? Sure. Would it be productive to having her and I move forward as a team? No. If any one of those people stepped up and done “right” by her, would her life be better off for it? Maybe, maybe not. They had their reasons for rehoming her before, and therefore, she may be at greater risk for rehoming in the future one would think. I know that if her past were any different, she wouldn’t have graced my today and my future, and she wouldn’t be the same horse I adore. We all have our stories, and I think that Tazer can agree, that we’re lucky to be blessed with our “throwaways.” There are plenty of happy endings, some just go untold. And I agree, instead of pointing fingers at failures, let’s all do something to make our horses lives better today. Dwelling on the past isn’t going to improve the future.
good on tazer.
that said, to all the “i would never do that to my horse” comments. You Never Know. the ONLY way to for sure know what your beloved animal is going to endure or enjoy in their lives is to keep them 'til they die, or put them down rather than sell them.
the old lady that belonged to the restaurant magnate and my old lesson horse were put down when i had to choose between the best university for our son or the $800 per month board i paid for three years after i sold our farm. they lived a long life, probably would have hung in there for anther couple of years. i would not abdicate my responsibility by giving away either of them. someone would have taken my 17 hand packing old guy and tried to ride him with his swiss cheese coffin bones. not an option.
do you actually think that horses who are taken “in trade” by some sellers don’t get this treatment?
lets try not to judge. everyone just take care of your own consciences and know that once you sell a horse … it isn’t your horse anymore.
Then I take it you are not the responsible type! Call it karma.
You need to stop. A lot of people sell horses, for different reasons, with the best of intentions. Given the opportunity, many of us would take them back in a heartbeat if we knew they were in a bad way, or even potentially on their way to a bad way. However, you can’t guarantee what’s going to happen three owners from now. And sometimes, even if you wish you could take the horse back, your life circumstances dictate that you can’t. That’s just the way the world works.
The person responsible for letting a horse get into that condition is the person that let that horse get into that condition. Lucky for the horse, he’ll be taken care of.
Did I miss something? Did Veronica (VXF111) post her follow up story?
Lets not get into a judging contest on who shares the blame. You never know what left turn your life will take. I volunteered for a Catholic charity food pantry for 3 years, the nuns’ favorite saying was, “It’s not our place to judge, someone already has that job”.
A big pat on the back for those involved!
I agree that all horse people can learn from November Rain’s story. And we all need to think hard on solutions.
Somehow there needs to be a chain of responsibility (apologies to those who disagree).
I had several national champions, and all lived and died on the farm. That’s the way I was brought up. Admittedly, we were lucky to have a farm.
That was 30 years ago, and times have changed. I didn’t plan to have horses in my later years. But a friend gave me a racehorse 10 years ago. When he finished racing, I didn’t want anything bad to happen. So I built him a barn, got him a donkey and brought him home. He turned out to be a wonderful jumper, and we just have fun. I’ve seen him thru a colon resection and Lyme Disease so far. I count my blessings every morning that he’s there.
Three years ago, I did a friend a favor and took on three TBs that were to be sold. I would have kept them but couldn’t afford it. Unfortunately, none of their stories have ended happily, despite huge efforts on my part. Partly I blame myself, but more I blame others.
I’ll only summarize one story because it’s pertinent. Through an old friend and an intermediary trainer, one horse was sold to the Chicago area. I cut the price in half when I was told he was going to a young girl at a lovely farm. From day one, everyone involved knew I was sending a letter with him asking to be kept informed of how he was doing and if he was sold. I wrote that I would always bring him home if no one wanted him/he was injured. I sent complete vet records and care tips and was available for any questions. Never a call/email. Dummy me never checked the USEF directory. About two weeks later, I discovered the “young girl” is actually a trainer. In a brief conversation, I learned she probably intended to resell him. But no communication since, and I don’t expect any. Thanks to COTH, I may be able to keep track of him.
So I’ve thought a lot about how owners/sellers who care can keep track of horses thru their lives.
Maybe sellers could file with USEF or other show/breed associations if we want to keep track of our horses. Then USEF could require a document from a new owner that the original owner has been notified before USEF ownership transfers.
Microchipping may help if a horse ends up at a slaughter house/auction.
Of course, many horse owners don’t have farms anymore. So there has to be a network of affordable retirement homes for these horses. Something like the terrific UC Davis proposal.
Any other thoughts?
I have been looking for photos of November Rain is there anymore out there than what has been posted here?
Any from the WEG? How about video of him in the grand prix’s that he was in?
Donald Cheska rode him a lot in grand prixs along with cara cheska.
It just makes me sick to see a horse go from showing in july 2008 to that in just a little bit of time. No excuse from anyone for his treatment. Shame on them.
I simply can not wait to see photos of him once Tazer gets him home and all set up. I am sure he will be very happy with his new life.
[QUOTE=medhorse;3815362]
People who show at a high power level should be financially able to purchase a retirement farm for their retirees[/QUOTE]
I totally disagree with this statement: People who show in the JR/AM division or GP’s do not necessarily have an abundance of money. Sometimes people make the horses they are showing, or are unbelievably lucky and get a great deal ie: the horse is difficult to ride, etc. Just because you can jump a certain height at a show means you have the funds to keep x amount of retired show horses!? I am sorry, but that is absurd. Sure, my dad has kept a handful of my old ponies and his first two GP horses, but honestly, to say that one “should be financially able” to keep their horses forever is a bit far reached in my opinion.
I think we do need to learn from Dux’s story- how lucky he is to now have Tazer in his life forever- I didn’t mean for that to come across as what happened to him and where he was before life with Tazer was okay. Its not. For any horse. But the thing is, as much as you try and keep up with a horse that you have sold, it is not easy and they get sold to new owner after new owner sometimes, and you cannot stop that-you dont own the horse anymore.
Thats being said, let us all learn from Dux’s story and do the best we can to keep up with our ‘old’ horses, whether they are across state or across country. 
It all comes down to point of views…
Maybe you guys should start a new thread on opinions regarding what to do with your retired or non usable horses rather than going on and on about it… This thread was about a horse that found a great home… Do I think what is happened to him is fair or normal?? HELL NO… :no:
But I just think everyone should tell Tazer what a wonderfull person she is for being able to take this guy in and that’s it…
Otherwise, their is no right or wrong answer… I have my opinion just like every one else but we all have different motives when it comes to horses…
I ride and I horse show… but I do it for the love of the horses and the relationship that comes with it. If my mare could no longer do the high levels, well I’d have to turn her into a trail horse (or whatever she could be suited for) and keep her until she crosses the rainbow bridge. Some people see horses as money, some as pets and some as whatever the hell they may be thinking… :eek::eek::eek:
My point is… don’t argue on this thread! This is way too good of a thread with a great ending to point fingers and criticize… Tazer is probably the only one that has the right to do this… and she’s not even doing it…:eek:
So grow up people :yes:
I am responding to the quote from medhorse, posting in the post above. I don’t think there is any correlation between the division a person shows at and a desire to own/run a farm and keep horses. Why would you ever make that assumption? Unfortunately, I think there are probably more people, riding and showing at that level who get tapped out, whose horses have hefty price tags and they can’t justify NOT selling, who need the horse for a specific reason and have to part with them when that reason is fulfilled. There are probably more folks, everyday folks, who have property and enjoy the company of their horses and hence, have a farm for them to live out life. Again, blaming people or deciding what they should or should NOT have done with their animal is moot. You are never going to really know anyone’s situation but your own, so focus on you. Still, I think through the history of the world the horse has probably taken much of the brunt of the human race. What is that saying, the horse does all the work and the coachman gets the tip. Literally. Most people, including my husband, think I am NUTS because I won’t sell my horses. I am very, very, very particular about the ones I buy and even when I am offered 4 and 5 TIMES what I paid, I graciously decline. That’s MY choice, that’s what I decide and again, I hope I can but who knows, if I have a child with needs will the horses go, probably. I mean everyone makes choices. What I think is more important is the disposable mentality, the fact that so many are just seen as a tool, like a motorize cart, when the wheel breaks, get a new one. I can’t. This boy - November Rain - is a lucky guy. I also have to say that I agree with another poster who said, put them down. Sounds harsh, however, a simple shot in the vein vs. years of abuse and mistreatment to end up in a slaughter pen (just God awful) is HUMANE, BUT you would be surprised at folks who don’t want to spend the money for that kind of an end, too cheap to put the animal down with peace and respect. Again, you can’t get hung up on it, humans are known for their brutal nature, not just with animals, so if it seems so horrendous to you, make sure you don’t act in such a way and the rest, is out of your control…
WAR ADMiRAL—Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that it is enough for these people to be embarrased or angry about where this horse wound up. I am saying that plenty of people who had this horse know about his situation and some of them are actually sweating in their boots, so to speak, because they have been exposed as less than honest.
I do think that those who show at Lexington, Vermont, Saugerties, WEF etc…should be able to come up with a retirement plan for their aging equine partners. It costs at least $1000.00/week to show at those places and you can get about 3 months retirement for that.
MLP It is not easy to find a vet that will put a horse down if they are pasture sound and not in pain.
Addison, I agree with you, but again, it is what is the priority. Many folks in the “business” can’t just keep them forever, they have to have a business mentality and let’s face it, right now… tough times for business. I am not justifying AT ALL, I think that they should feel a littly shi**y about what they did and how they let that horse go, especially since he was showing in 2008. Still, the perspective isn’t the same when your paycheck is MADE with the horses vs. SPENT on the horses.
Seeing as they have FREE euthanization clinics right now in some states, no questions asked… I would beg to argue with that statement. I know plenty a vet that would put a horse down and we are talking about horses at the end of their careers here.
Well, I stand corrected. I had not heard of the free euthanasia clinics.
I am happy to say I do not personally know a vet that would put a horse down for any reason other than to mitigate its suffering.
Please don’t think that is MY decision, I am just saying they are out there. I have a pasture puff that I love and you know what, when I kicked he left and that is worth pasture board. In California and Nevada they have them FOR SURE, there was actually a thread on it. I am not advocating being lax on it, but also I think when the horses are older, harder to keep weight on and expected to earn their keep, let them just go peacefully… In a perfect world we would have nursing homes for our horses 
[QUOTE=vxf111;3814724]
As long as everyone involved is okay with it, I will give you a little of the backstory. Just checking that it’s okay. Please know that no one ever intended from this horse to end up in a bad situation and the parties thought they had taken steps to ensure he would be cared for.
Tazer, what a handsome man he is! He already looks brighter eyed.[/QUOTE]
I for one would like to hear what you know…
Addison don’t feel bad
[QUOTE=Addison;3816400]
Well, I stand corrected. I had not heard of the free euthanasia clinics.
I am happy to say I do not personally know a vet that would put a horse down for any reason other than to mitigate its suffering.[/QUOTE]
I believe the free euthanasia clinic is in CA, and offered via a horse rescue there. I really don’t know of any on the east coast.
Tazer, this has been an awesome thread to follow and your generosity has really been amazing. I’m glad this Stately Old Man has a forever home, he has most certainly earned it! I told my fiance this story and showed him the pictures and he also thought this was an incredible story. I’m not a COTH subscriber, but if they run the story please post when they do so I can pick up a copy! Looking forward to seeing more pictures too
[QUOTE=Mayaty02;3816484]
I for one would like to hear what you know… :)[/QUOTE]
I second that. I would like to know as well.
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