I'm in tears as I write this so I hope it makes sense. I finally got in touch with the draft rescue and they don't have room. She said that since he is healthy and safe that they would require an evaluation from a professional trainer before they could take him in (once they have room)... they normally take in neglected horses. I can't afford to send him to one of their trainers because I'm trying to build my house! I haven't even sold my old house yet.... I love Faran, but having a place to live kind of takes priority.
The part that really breaks my heart is she confirmed my worst fear... she said that draft horses that have fear based problems are rarely ever safe due to their sheer size, whereas a "spoiled" draft is easy to rehab... I'm totally butchering her words. Basically what she said is that he will always be a liability and if he ends up hurting someone, due to his size and good health that he will eventually end up in a slaughter house.... she suggested humanely euthanizing him.... it would probably be kinder for him in the long run.
So far I have been blessed that I've never had to have a horse euthanized, especially not a healthy horse..... making the decision to do that is so much harder than I could ever have guessed. It's so hard to give up on a perfectly healthy twelve year old horse..... I just wish I knew someone with a hundred acres that could put him out to pasture and just let him live out his life in peace....
Anyway I don't know what Faran's fate is right now. I have to think about things a while.... and probably cry some more. Thank you all for your kind comments. I really appreciate them. You guys are the best!!
Hang in there! and dont give up!!
ReplyDeleteWhere are you at, maybe if some of us post about your problem, we can find you help!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I don't want to post where I live on a public blog, but if you think you know someone who could help you can email me and we can discuss it in private. Thank you for caring enough to suggest it. You guys have been great.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, but I do understand why you need to find Faran a good home. He is big and I know how scary that can be when you are at risk of being hurt. Misty hurt me once and I was scared of her for awhile; she is big (not as big as Faran), and she is not explosive like you have described Faran. I hope you can find him the right home. I had another draft at one time that unnerved me. I couldn't sell him because he had hurt people in the past very badly. My local rescue didn't want to take him. Euthanasia was an option, but like you, I hated to think of putting down and perfectly healthy horse who wasn't mean, but had issues due to misguided humans. I was fortunate to find a draft trainer who took him and worked with him and found the right owner for him. I had to give him away for free and I lost a lot of money on that horse, but it was best for the both of us. I wish you well in your decision and search for a solution.
ReplyDeleteWow Once Upon! Our situations are so similar! I feel so stuck. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me hope. I'm going to keep looking and see if I can find something. It's not like he has to go immediately. I can safely play with Chrome and that's all the matters. I still give Faran treats too so it's not like he's ignored.... I just don't really handle him. Thanks again for renewing my hope!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you are going through this. If I can advise- try for a little while. If no home comes available then consider other options. I do agree that drafts with behavioral problems are difficult.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth there are worst things than to euthanize.
(((hugs)))
Honestly, I think if the draft rescue can't take him then euthanasia is your best option. You never know if people will try to rehome him, lie about his behavior, etc. and he could very well end up @ auction and/or headed to slaughter. At least with euthanasia he will have a peaceful, painless passing surrounded by his friends.
ReplyDeleteI know it sucks, but there really are much worse things from the horse's point of view. After I watched my last horse literally drop dead from colic after being in a horrific amount of pain, I wished I could have given him a better passing.
Don't know what Draft Rescue you talked about or what state you're located in. Have you contacted Frog Pond Rescue? It's in Ohio and they specialize in rescuing Drafts. Though as you said about the rescue you spoke to, they may only do horses in danger.
ReplyDeleteYou could try contacting crystal peaks youth ranch in Oregon if you are near there. Most of their horses are from much worse situations, but also they usually have to pay for their horses. If it was donated and he could be ridden if worked with properly they might consider taking him
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are going through this. Unless you ge tthe perfect home I agree with you about euthanasia. It is heartbreaking but if he won't be safe you are saving him from being passed from one home to another. Sometimes doing the kindest thing is the hardest thing. If I had found out Dickie's heart condition made him unsafe to ride I would have put him down. You just never know where a young healthy horse might end up in ten years. If you even need someone to talk to email me!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about this really wish that I could help you more!
ReplyDeleteI think the right solution will come to you...things always work how how they're supposed to.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by the rescue...I didn't realize they had such strict entrance policies...you have draft that needs help! You think that'd be enough.
Keep your chin up!
I almost brought up the "E" word yesterday myself. I know if it comes to that it will be incredibly difficult for you but it will save him from being abused again or seriously injuring someone. Hopefully you'll find something else for him but no one will think less of you if that's what you have to do.
ReplyDeleteI second what Frizzle and smazourek says, it may be incredibly difficult to euth Faran but you will save him from being abused, injuring someone or ending up at an auction if you rehome him and the next person(s) aren't as kind. There are worse things than a peaceful passing, if I had any say over the boarded horse last year he would have been euth'd immediately.
ReplyDeleteHi, new to your blog, but found you thanks to Marissa and Redunappy.
ReplyDeleteI will repost your link as they did to help get the word out.
I would suggest listing him on Equinenow and horseclicks and dreamhorse. I would be very honest about why you are trying to rehome him. I do know that there are a lot of people who want draft horses, some are even professional trainers who would take him and work with him, help him get over his fear issues, and then sell him. Of course there will be others with less than nice motives for wanting him as well, so you will have to weed them out.
I would also like to reiterate what the others have said. If you do not feel safe with him, then finding him a home is absolutely the right thing to do. It is no different than having a vicious dog. Your first responsibility is to the well being of you and your family. That is just how it is.
The very hard truth is that if you cannot find a home for him, he may have to be put down. But I think you have many options before it comes to that. Regardless, it is your decision to make and yours alone, and no one has the right to judge you for choosing your safety first.
On a completely different subject, I saw on your sidebar the post about stringhalt or locking stifle.
I am not able to watch your video right now, but if you would like to see some very clear pictures of what stringhalt looks like, you can go to my other blog stringhalt-rehab.blogspot.com I have a horse with double stringhalt. Hopefully it will help you out.
People are certainly giving you options and things to think about. Like you said, you've got time to think about it. I've been in a lot of tight spots over the years with both my husband and I losing jobs, having to settle someone else's debts, moving and other unexpected expenses, and I thought there was no way things could come together and smooth out in my favor, but they did. Keep the faith. The best answer for you will come to you.
ReplyDeleteCindy, thank you. I will definitely check out your blog on the stringhalt. I'm pretty sure it's locking stifle though because it keeps going away. :D
ReplyDeleteEveryone thank you so much for your advice and support. I am definitely reading your comments and I appreciate all of the ideas. I think right now I just need to step back and think about things for a bit. I will continue to send out emails though and I know the right answer will show up if I am patient enough. :)
Another thing to think about is draft show teams. I go to a draft horse festival in Northern California and there are teams there from California, Oregon, Idaho, ect that show their drafts. Seems like they wouldn't mind acquiring a free draft to 'rehab' and retrain and be able to use. That's just another option of people you could possibly contact! They would probably be able to give you ideas of who else you can contact if they can't help you!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea Marissa.... I'm just really scared to rehome him. I wanted him to go through a rescue because they have people sign contracts and have the resources to do home checks. Anyone can lie and say they will give him a great home and then turn around a sell him for meat...... how could I guarantee that he would be safe?
ReplyDeleteThe truth is, you can't guarantee that, especially if the rescues can't take him.
ReplyDeleteBut you can be smart about it. I find that multiple casual conversations will give you way more information about a person than just asking a battery of questions.
God will give you your answer. I know he will. He always does. :)
That is very true, that you can never know for sure. But like Cindy said, have a good sense about it. If you feel uncomfortable with them, there's probably a reason you feel that way! Find out if they would let you stay in contact with them. If they aren't comfortable with that, that's a red light! Also, being honest with them and saying that you want him to be humanely put down if they can also not rehab him is a good idea! If your up front with them, they will probably be more up front with you and you'll be able to get a better read on if they're trustworthy. Honestly though, follow your gut feeling!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I keep looking at his pictures and find myself wishing I was a bad ass trainer, who had room for another horse. He is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI know! He is gorgeous! In fact appearance wise he's exactly my type... I just wish his personality was too. His looks are what drew us in the first place (well that and worrying where he would end up if we didn't take him).... maybe we made a mistake accepting him in the first place. I don't know. He's kind of expensive to keep around as eye candy, but too dangerous to ride or do anything useful with... :(
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that God takes care of his animals, and that the right answer is out there.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me, from reading the things you have written about him in the past, that he is capable of learning, but needs a good strong "leader" to bring him to his full potential.
Luckily with the technology of today we have access to so many more people and resources than we ever have.
Yes, at least you're not in a hurry. I am sure you will find something! Don't panic yet, LOL. You can also try to contact large horse trainers. They like to take in free horse for the challenge and then find them nice homes later. Keep your chin up:)xoxo
ReplyDeleteI've also reposted your link like some of the above comments to help you out :)
ReplyDeleteIf a rescue place won't take him and he is as unpredictable and explosive as you say, and he is 12? ... that's a long time being that way. Even someone who wants a pasture pet still needs to be safe around him and be able to have him see a vet and a ferrier. I don't know, sometimes the answer is staring you right in the face and you don't want to acknowledge it because it is hard...
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry. No horse is worth a human life.
Not to get all spiritual on you but Cindy's right, God does take care of his animals! Have faith for sure!
ReplyDeleteI just want to send some hugs and support. It's not an easy situation and I can imagine how upsetting and stressful it must be for you.
ReplyDeleteI suggest getting in touch with Blue Star Equiculture. They are a draft rescue in Massachusetts and will either find a rehab home for Jim or try to rehab him themselves. They really are amazing and do amazing this with horses. I would trust them more than any other rescue to help Faran.
ReplyDelete