New horse

[mollymckee]

I got a new horse about 6weeks ago. She's a little grey Arab mare about 10.  She's from a kill pen three hours from here. I bought her with out seeing her, just videos. The description they gave her has so far been right on. she is well mannered, curious, friendly, likes people, and easy going. She is a well trained pleasure horse that is fun to ride. It's not where I have ever bought a horse before but does seem to have worked out well.

I was surprised how nice the kill buyers place was. Everything was clean and neat, the horses were feed with big bales so there was plenty for all to eat. I watched the owner walk through several paddocks and the horses were Interested in him but not at all afraid. There was obviously no abuse going on when they were going up to him to be petted. He haltered the mares and lead them to us. They walked right into the trailer and rode well all the way home.. They've been a joy to work with. We quarantined both my horse and a friend's here. She was wasn't sure she wanted the by a mare. I talked to the lot owner about waiting to go and get the mares until she decided. He told me he'd give me a deal on the board for mine and he kept his word, without being reminded. All in all it was a good experience.

[aoconnor]

What a good kill pen owner! I have never had a good experience with the ones here in my area, and have seen HORRIFIC things at their lots, including a horse with a compound fracture of the left hind cannon bone with a whole inch of bone sticking out of the leg. Horrible, horrible. I will never forget that sight.

What a joy to hear about your new girl! Congratulations to you both! Such a great thing to do, and I know my horse that have come from that kind of place are very "thankful" and appreciate their new homes once they settle in.

Have a great time with her! Pics would be awesome, wink wink!

[mollymckee]

I'll try to get some pictures.

I was really surprised when we got to the ranch, it was not what I expected. He's just outside Sunnyside, WA. I think he's more what we used to call a horse trader, he pulls the good horses and tries to sell them rather than ship them. He was at the Lewiston auction a week or two ago when they started selling wild mares from one of the reservations, without their foals. He bought all of the mares but the first few and all the foals, he didn't think what they were doing was right. He also bought the mares he could that had been bought without their foals. He is the proud owner of somewhere between 70-80 mares with late foals. I wasn't there,so I'm not sure what is fact and what isn't but it was on several web sites that do rescues and had people at the auction.

[aoconnor]

Thats a shocker, I tell ya! I have seldom, if ever, hear of someone really trying to take care of the ones who get purchased by kill buyers. I know the buyers here could generally care less if the horse is old, young, rideable, not, sick or healthy. They throw them all on round bales to add weight to the horse at the final market in Mexico, and off they go a few weeks later. Makes me so sick, to see the babies and pregnant mares, oh how mad I get. I bought my first two foals many years ago from a slaughter auction, one was only 3 months old, the other was about 9 months old. Both colts, both scared right to pieces. Both mishandled and starving when I got them. It made me so angry, how inhumane to do something like that to babies. Ijust can't think about it all...

So glad you got a couple out!! Thank you!

[aoconnor]

How’s that new girl doing?!

[mollymckee]

She's great! There hasn't been anything she's done wrong since we brought her home. If you leave the gate un latched because you are going in and out, she will push it open but back up when told. She has done everything we've asked under saddle. I was surprised because there are usually differences in some of the cues you use, but as soon as she understands what you want she willingly does it. She works well on legs and does figure eights and flying changes. She does every thing quietly and willingly. I ride her in a bosel but she opens her mouth for the bit and agin to drop it, obviously she is used to one, however does fine in a bosel and I'm guessing a halter or even a neck rope would be fine. She wants to go do something everyday and waits to make sure you aren't getting a saddle before she goes down in the pasture. She is very respectful of fences, doesn't want to walk over a down wire. The only time she got out (deer or elk hit the fence right wherea spice let go) she stayed next to the hole until I got her and fixed it. She's just a real sweetheart! How she ended up in a kill pen I have no idea. You'd think there would be a list of people who wanted her. She's fun, willing, and loves people. She comes when I call her, ready to do something, but never hot or pushy. I keep thinking she is too good to be true. I'm so happy I got her! I hope my great grands will try riding. At 5&7 they should be riding. Both sides of their family have always ridden. They are determined not to clean barn, even tho they live on a ranch. Our DD has a horse and nice barn but he's a warm blood and on the hotter side. I think they are afraid of him because they have seen him blow up. Maybe if they get to know my mare things will change!

[aoconnor]

That's such a great update!! I'm in the same position right now with a mare I bought for my grand daughter, the mare had been in a kill pen as well but she is a dream. I can't understand why someone would do that to her, but she is safe and now teaching my 10 year old GD how to handle riding English now and she will be doing a little low level dressage and jumping on this mare. Just unbelievable how good of a girl she is, I'm so blessed!!