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Post by aoconnor on Jul 27, 2015 12:32:34 GMT
Now I know the word "rescue" stirs controversy as to whether or not something really is a "rescue" or is just an "intake" Sigh. But these two were in a kill buyers pen when I went to look at hay, and I was caught by the bag on the pregnant mare and the almost dead heat stroke colt in another section of the pen. After jumping in and getting the approximately 2 year old colt stabilized with cool water and some electrolytes, the colt was coming to my home no matter what. The next day I ran down with my trailer and picked them up. Sadly, Bella was in bad shape from a uterine infection. She foaled a beautiful filly Saturday morning that died shortly after birth from the infection. I am sad about the filly, she was lovely, but thankfully Bella is still with us. She refused to leave her filly, even after I walked her to the barn Saturday evening she ate, tore down a stall, then ran back to where she had left her now buried filly. She wouldn't leave all day Sunday, I had to go get her again. It took 2.5 hours to get her back up to our top pasture, stopping at my daughters house to cool her off and give her some water, then continuing on to our pasture. It was almost a half mile walk...seemed like a ten mile hike. It took some effort to keep her alive Saturday and especially yesterday, but this morning, after a 104.7 temp last night, she is doing very well. Temp this morning is 99.6:-) She is eating and drinking well. The colt is emaciated, has double pneumonia, and goopy eyes, but he is a love and so danged pretty under all that starvation. He will be a big boy if I can get him well soon. He is very tall, at 2 he is 14 hands, which isn't bad for the shape he is in. I think he will come on up to at least 15h or better. Her they are...Bella the beautiful mare, Banner the cute colt.
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Post by oldmania on Jul 27, 2015 12:45:17 GMT
Poor babies!
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 27, 2015 14:36:40 GMT
Thank you for taking them!
There are so many really nice horses in the kill pens near here. They will sell them to the public until they ship. There are several groups that coordinate finding buyers but they are getting overwhelmed. There were 92 nice horses in the pens the end of last week, I think they have found buyers for most of them. The thing that really makes me madest is the horses in their 20's that people try to sell on Craigslist or take to the auction, just because they don't want to bother with them. The least you can do for your faithful friend is to put them down, if you can't or won't retire them.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 27, 2015 14:37:53 GMT
Oh my word... Having a bit of a hard time trying to type this with tears in my eyes! Thank goodness you were able to take them in! So sad... I don't have horses but as a typical little girl I always dreamt of having them, not so much now, but I love checking out this board. Just curious, if they are in a kill buyers pen do you have to pay for them? Sorry if that is a dumb question, but I know nothing in regards to situations such as this... Bless you, Mari
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 27, 2015 14:48:14 GMT
Mari, yes, I paid for them. The kill buyer has already purchased them from auctions around the country, and when they ship to Mexico he will charge the meat buyer for the horses, per pound. The kill buyer usually asks a couple hundred over what he got them from the auction for, but this particular guy is making a danged good profit on the horses he is "being charitable about" and selling.
I love them both, they are sweet, deserving horses.
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 27, 2015 14:55:50 GMT
Yes here you pay the kill price. Occasionally they will sell a horse very cheaply, but that's when they probably won't let them into Canada, although the the owners wife is active in saving the horses that don't have problems.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 27, 2015 14:58:09 GMT
Mari, yes, I paid for them. The kill buyer has already purchased them from auctions around the country, and when they ship to Mexico he will charge the meat buyer for the horses, per pound. The kill buyer usually asks a couple hundred over what he got them from the auction for, but this particular guy is making a danged good profit on the horses he is "being charitable about" and selling. I love them both, they are sweet, deserving horses. This is just crazy! I had no idea such things like this went on... Meat? What end product does that end up in-do you know? Just so sad...
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 27, 2015 16:17:16 GMT
The meat is sold to Europe generally. The slaughter houses are no longer sanctioned by the European Union, who used to purchase the meat in huge amounts. When the EU backed out due to issues with slaughtering sick, blind, maimed horses, Mexico opened two other plants that sell the meat to other European and Asian buyers.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 27, 2015 16:23:28 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, aoconnor... Learn something new everyday... ETA: How many horses do you have?
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 27, 2015 17:10:46 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, aoconnor... Learn something new everyday... ETA: How many horses do you have? I hate to even say the number now, but I have 25 full sized horses (from a year old and up to 30 years old), and two minis. And I love every single one to pieces.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 27, 2015 17:19:58 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, aoconnor... Learn something new everyday... ETA: How many horses do you have? I hate to even say the number now, but I have 25 full sized horses (from a year old and up to 30 years old), and two minis. And I love every single one to pieces. WOW! Sounds like you have a lot on your plate! I know that you have guineas and chickens as well... Bet you stay busy! Sounds like you are very blessed to be able to do what you do... Take Care, Mari
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Post by WindyRidge on Jul 27, 2015 18:37:05 GMT
Good on you for taking these 2 on. Rehabbing isn't easy! Sorry about the foal, but it's good news the mare is doing better.
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Jul 27, 2015 19:17:52 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, aoconnor... Learn something new everyday... ETA: How many horses do you have? I hate to even say the number now, but I have 25 full sized horses (from a year old and up to 30 years old), and two minis. And I love every single one to pieces. Aw, you guys are just beginners...we were up to 60 at one point, LOL. You need to buy more!
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 29, 2015 4:34:10 GMT
How are the new rescues doing? They both look like they will be nice animals when they are taken care of.
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 29, 2015 4:34:37 GMT
Duplicate post, I can't do two things at one time!
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 29, 2015 12:14:46 GMT
mollymckee, they are both doing well, thanks for asking! Bella and Banner are eating well, grazing off and on during the day and night, and starting to settle down some. They both come when I call them, they know I come with feed! They let me give them their meds well, and hopefully I will see/hear some improvement in their upper respiratory issues soon.
Bella is as gentle as they come. She has a very soft eye, let's me handle her really well. She was kind with my 7 year old grand daughter that helped me with chores yesterday, and I appreciate a horse that is kid friendly. So far, she tolerates Banner, but as he grows stronger that may become an issue since he is still intact. We are just waiting for a little strength and health to geld him, hopefully that will come soon. He doesn't even know he's a stud, but he will figure it out when he is feeling better!
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 29, 2015 14:59:31 GMT
So glad they are improving!
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