I see the posts all of the time, and often, the horse is in lovely shape and in a great environment.
Please, stop.
I don’t even know what to make of these ads. I know the authors are often well meaning, and then I know sometimes it is a cop out to avoid saying, “I don’t want to deal, anymore,” but I am here to tell you. . .Stop. Whether you mean well or whether it is a cop out, just STOP.
If you truly cannot afford your horse, that is another matter. I am talking about those who can afford the care, but they simply don’t want the hassle, anymore, or even those who mean well and believe someone else will “spend more time” than they do. Listen, friends, it isn’t likely anyone else will do better. If you can feed them, keep them.
Horses are being slaughtered, abused and neglected all over the United States each day.
Horses aren’t dreaming of a personal relationship with you. Horses want to meander, have water, food and to be pain-free.
If you can somehow pull together enough to finance these things each month, then please, for all that is good in the world, feed and care for your horse.
That horse isn’t going to write a blog on Facebook about how you are neglecting his emotional needs when you feed him enough and make sure his environment is clean and safe enough, but rant how you failed to ride him or do ground work or bring treats. He doesn’t care.
Feed and water him in that lovely field and just make sure if he needs wormed or needs a farrier, he gets one or the other or both.
There aren’t enough places for them right now, folks.
When you post a photo of a clearly well cared for horse saying you don’t have time to give him all the needs, reconsider. Clearly you’ve done what he needs so far. Can’t you keep on for the sake of his well being?
The chances of a good home beyond yours is bleak for what is usually a green horse or an older horse or a mediocre in training type horse. You’ve managed so far. Stretch and keep on, please.
What comes after you is rarely a happily ever after. So rarely.
