can I just vent please?

[swissgrl]

So I know I'm not the only one that is struggling, but I'm getting really really sad, frustrated, mad, at all the free horses, and the dumping of old and injured horses I see on CL.

I know people need to make sure they can support their families first, but I'm looking at what I have cut back on, just to be able to keep my house, and support my animals. Has it been easy? Absolutely not, will it get easier? Probably not any time soon. But despite having more horses than I wanted/needed, I'm determined to NOT let them go anywhere where they could be in danger of getting abused, or even worse slaughtered.

So why are people so quickly dumping their horses/dogs/cats when they get a bit in a bind? Why do they give up so easily? Is there anything we can do to educate the public about Hay co-ops? Yes, we have done our research, and gotten awesome bermuda hay for $9.44 a bale, where the feedstore still charges $13.00 or more a bale, probably lighter bales too.

I see so many empty lots, people with some acreage and no animals, why not knock on doors and ask if they're willing to rent out space for a stall for a fraction of the cost of boarding. Yes, you'll have to work on going there 2x a day to feed (maybe you can pay them a bit to feed once a day) and clean, but wouldn't that be an option compared to expensive boarding?

Am I just being naive and stupid for hanging on for dear life? Working my butt off every month just to pay the bills? Should I be more selfish, and just get rid of 2, giving them to a "good" (or not) home, just so I can have a bit of extra money at the end of the month to maybe get a haircut, or buy a new shirt?

Sorry for rambling on, and if this is inappropriate, feel free to delete, I just had to get this off my chest, just been a really tough month last month, and a rough week so far.....

[beckybee]

You are right on, Swissy. I think many people give up too easily. There are always options, but people are often not willing to put in the extra effort.

It's like those people who dump their pets because they have to move and can't take them. Whenever I moved and was renting, I never had a problem finding a place to take my pets. We even moved to Berkeley for grad school and found a place 4 blocks from campus where we could have our dog and cat and even a garage for the Camaro! It was a tiny shack in the landlord's back yard, but being a little cramped was worth it.

I understand that lightening strikes from out of the blue and some people are truly in an emergency situation, but that can't account for the sheer number of abandoned animals we see.

I share your frustration.

[paintedlady]

Swiss i FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My horses are fat and happy.THANK GOD. I need a hair cut *****BAD**** I just wear in a pony tail now. last month I payed half of prev month bills and next payday pay the other half ***so Im a good month or 2 behind on all** I just keep plugging along. Im not complaining but all I basically eat is cereal 3 times a day. But thats ok, my horses and dog and cat are happy and thats what I live for is to ***keep them happy***. Some might say that Im stupid, but they will never say I abandoned my animals***never****I could not live with myself. My husband hasnt workedsince Feb this year. we are getting alittle assistance from SS. even if I had no animals at all, I still couldnt pay all the bills on time My horses are my life and I would be miserable with out them. Hang in there, things will get better. I hope so cause Im starting to look like a box of cereal Hug your horses Susan ;D

[michellep]

I have looked at the Craigslist ads and wondered if any of the people giving away free horses has even bothered to try and check where their horses are going. It makes me sad to have to wonder about that but I guess not everybody cherishes their horses like I do. I am lucky in that I have a home with acreage where my horses can be kept. Its not the best barn situation but it keeps them dry and someday if we continue to own horses I would like a new barn. But thats way in the future. We have placed our horses for sale on Craigslist and I have to say the responses we got made me cringe. None of the callers seemed to have the first clue about horse ownership so needless to say they were not even invited to come and see my boys. We have found a farmer that sells good hay for $9 per bale, so in a couple of weeks we are going over and bringing home as much as our trucks & horse trailer can carry so that we are stocked for winter & spring just in case (heaven forbid) one of us loose our jobs. On the other side of the coin though, horses are a luxury and for many people, its something that can either be sold or given away in hard times with not much thought as to what that next home situation would be like. I would like to think that most people that are giving their horses away are doing so as the very last resort. Its a hard situation to try and find an answer for. My heart goes out to any family/horse owner that is in such a desperate situation that it comes down to giving away an animal that they truly love & cherish. The ones that I wish would burn in hell are those that just are trying to make a quick buck or simply are turning their horses loose at places like Ft. Lewis to fend for themselves. That is the kind of situation that just burns me up to no end.

[icehorse]

It is frustrating. We just moved, and our neighbor moved at the same time(we lived on the same property) and he left All his animals there. He had them for 8 years, and just left them. 2 dogs, a goat, and a stunted little cat. The landlord took the goat and dogs, and we picked up the cat last night. Also picked up a "free" horse from craigslist and it was clear she wanted the best home for her horse, one that would be capable of feeding it and dealing with its issues. Some people care, some people just could care less. I don't understand it.

[Tate]

I agree about people just giving up to easy and using the line "the economy" for every excuse possible, as we all know there are cheaper ways to get thru in hard times, and we all seem to be able to handle it. I just took in a 21 gelding from Craigslist myself, the owner died and the adult kids couldnt wait to dump his beloved gelding, to the first person who showed up. Lucky for the horse, I lived around the corner and he is now fat and happy in my pasture. I also cut back on my hair, lattes, nails, and clothes etc. and finding lowered priced everything, but the pets are are fine. We even made it thru Neils 8 months of unemployment ok. So many people are just plain lazy.....

[piopico]

8 years!!!!!! After that long, my animals are like my children.........even the fish. It's a different sensibility. Thankyou for going back for the cat.

[pnp4kidz]

Yep, agree, the situations are amazing...
they just don't care... that is all I can figure... the horses and animals are my family... I could NEVER abandon them..
these poor old souls have given their lives to haul our fat arses around, and do what we tell them to do... and then when they are old or 'not useful' they are dumped... to whoever shows up with a trailer and a halter...
I'm always amazed at the wicked nature of people.
Beth, who just got a haircut after 3+ months... and is hoping to have a few dollars for a new work outfit from my bonus... but most of it goes to buying hay... I just found a GREAT deal on hay... gotta buy all I can for winter.

[kidznhorses]

Agree with what everyone is saying! Two weeks ago I had random people calling me about an ad on craigslist for 3 horses that were loose out in the sagebrush. The owner had moved from his rental and turned the skinny mares out to fend for themselves. When neighbors complained to our local Sheriff's Animal Control, because the starving horses were getting into their feed, they were told to shoot them!!!! OH, but don't forget to bury them, the AC guy instructed. You can't just shoot them and leave them laying there!! Incredible!! I caught the horses and they have since been re-homed. Frustrating, indeed!

[halfwayhome]

I agree with all of you! It breaks my heart to see the number of all kinds of pets people list on CL! What really kills me are the old ones, the ones they have had since a baby and are now dumping for stupid reasons. I look at those 7-12 year old dogs with grey muzzles who just want to be with their people and relax and wish I could scoop them all up to safety! ( same with old horses!) Having worked at a Humane Society when I got out of college, I saw the pain and bewilderment and confusion in those pets like this that people sent to us because they were "moving" or whatever. Many could not be rehomed and the last place they knew was a cement kennel rather than a home. I tried to be as nice as possible to them in the time I saw them, and placed who I could, but its not the same and they knew it and it broke my heart. I do agree that many people are hurting, but some are definitely using the "economy" as an excuse. I too have not had a haircut for at least 6 mos. ( just hack the bangs off myself)if it gets too annoying and no style, agree, the ponytale thing is convenient when cleaning stalls! I wish there was a solution for all this, and I wish people would stop breeding animals they can't care for, the sheer number of pits and pit puppies listed to be rehomed is overwhelming and many of those end up horribly who do not deserve it. Yes, your vent rings a bell!

[sundancer]

No, Swiss...I feel the same way! I do without a LOT of things just so my horses can be fed and kept safe. But, it's no big deal! I don't need another dress. I don't need another pair of shoes. I don't need a lot of "stuff". I NEED the smell of my horse, Sunni! I NEED to see Scout and Cali run. I NEED to hear the nicker of Gigondas! I need to see Quad walking without pain now. Those are things I need, not material ones!

[Maverick~Zora]

Well, I agree with all of you!

piopico put it in a nut shell, it's a different sensibility.