update on horse auction rescue

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I'm happy to report that we were able to save someone from the kill pen at Shipshewana yesterday. All of you who wrote with advice were a part of this rescue, and I want to thank you again. We saved a perfectly healthy (as far as we can tell at this point) Belgian colt, about 6 months old. He was one of countless other young, healthy Belgians that went through the kill auction and were purchased by the meat buyers. We first tried for a Belgian filly, but the auctioneer didn't see us, and the kill-man got her. The auction went so fast, the horses were literally run through there in groups of 3 or 4 and bidding was finished in about 5 seconds. It took us a few minutes to figure out how it all worked. Finally, I just threw my arm up randomly when a group of colts came through, and next thing I knew they were asking me my number. I didn't know who we bought or how much we paid or what sex it was! After a few minutes, we learned we had paid $150 for a very thin, filthy, scared 6 month old colt. To see him now, it's hard to imagine him weighing 2000 pounds someday. He acts as though he has no training or anything, he probably has just been in a field someplace without much human attention or interaction. Which is a good thing, because he doesn't act like he's been mistreated, just neglected.

The auction itself was, in some ways, not as bad as I had expected...and in other ways, it was worse. I had expected to see decrepit, pitiful animals in the kill pen, and I did. They broke my heart, and I will never forget their faces or their pain. What I did NOT expect to see in the kill pen were young, healthy, beautiful horses that appeared perfectly sound and decent. I know you can't see all the hidden afflictions in circumstances like that, but out of the several dozen good-looking horses that were there, I know that at least some of them WERE as good as they appeared to be. Others were old, or injured. There were many, many draft horses, including several who looked like they should be leading a parade someplace. There were also countless yearlings of assorted breeds.

Another thing that rather surprised me was that the kill buyers were not sleazy, skulking monsters with horns growing out of their skulls. The main buyer was a young, clean-cut guy who seemed decent enough. Shoot, someone is here, will finish up the story later. One last thing: we named our boy "Lio", like the lion, spelled with an "I", in honor of Lisa, my pal & partner in the rescue.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 12, 2002

Answers

Congradulations Shannon! Sounds like you did great! With your horse experience, taming him should be a breeze. He's luck to have a person like you taking him home. Best of luck!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 12, 2002.

Many people take beautiful, young, sound horses to the sale barn because there is something wrong with their MIND, sometimes caused by mistreatment, sometimes not; that makes the animal dangerous to handle or ride. an aquaintance was crushed by a horse rearing up and flipping backward on her and she died. Her greiving husband took the horse to the sale HOPING it would go to the killers. In my opinion, since you never know who will end up, unknowingly, with a dangerous animal, if it is truly untrainable, it should be humanely destroyed.

-- Debbie in Mo (risingwind@socket.net), January 12, 2002.

Shannon, congrats on your save at the auction, I never could forget the faces of those pitiful animals so heartlessly abandoned and neglected and sent to the killer auctions, I am too woosy to even go to an auction!

No, it is not the fault of the killer horse buyers they exist, it is the fault and total lack of personal responsibilty that horse owners have for their horses. It is a very similar situation that exists like other companion animals, owner gets bored with the creature, can't afford to take care of it properly, allows it to breed irresponsibly and continually, etc., etc.

My only wish is that a better law would be specific about the care and shipment of horses heading to the slaughter houses, that they not be packed onto cattle car semi trailers where they are jammed in so tight they can't breathe right, or even stand up straight.

Every one of the Great Creator's creatures deserves humane treament, even on their way to die.

I don't condemn people who eat horse meat anymore than I condemn folks who eat other types of mammals, but I do wonder how they can do it so irrespectful of the pain and suffering that creature endured in it's final days on Earth.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 12, 2002.


Shannon, Some of the breeding farms that raise foster mares for the track people just breed the belgian mares and then take the foals off the moms so they can lease out the mare for $$$$ to nurse orphan foals. This is common practice. The real foals of the mares usually go to the meat guys since it's not a good money maker for them to raise any colts. There are a few places that raise mares to use thier urine in the making of estrogen for women. Those foals are usually sent to the packers also.

It's wonderfull that you were able to help this colt. Maybe you could post a picture of him for us to see?

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), January 12, 2002.


Annie,

I completely agree with you about the trauma of shipping/slaughtering practices today. I just wish that more people cared about how ALL animals are treated during the shipping/slaughtering practice today. To me a horse has no more (or less) right to humane treatment in its final days as does a cow or pig.

One of the reasons we are homesteading (and selling our meat) is that we can make sure that the animal has a decent life and a quick death. When our cow was butchered, I was petting her and gave her a special treat of grain so that when the slaughter guy came he just walked up and shot her- there was no fear. It was as quick and painless as it could be.

I forced myself to watch the whole thing so I would never take for granted this animals death. I think more people should know how much better the process could be if we moved back to small farming.

Off my soapbox for now, Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), January 12, 2002.



I agree with the person who says that crazy horses should be killed. But I believe that it should be done via euthanasia, rather than the auction kill pen/slaughterhouse method. And even if half of the horses who looked good were actually crazy, that still leaves many, many who look good & ARE good and are still going for meat. My point is, just like perfectly good dogs end up in the dog pound through no fault of their own, I have learned that the same thing happens to horses. And the horses' ordeal is much worse in almost every way.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 12, 2002.

If someone can explain to me in very simple language what I have to do to post a picture, I would love to put one up!

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 12, 2002.

Shannon,

I think it is wonderful what you have done! I have bought horses out of kill pens before and they all have worked out. I still remember seeing a big beautiful reg. app. go through, the guy who was selling him even offered to buy anyone who wanted him a saddle, hoping someone whould take him home and train him. Unfortunatly I was 2 hours from home and had no trailer to haul him and no one would haul him for me and he went to slaughter. I still cry when I think of him.

Montana

-- Montana Storm (mtstorm@usa.net), January 12, 2002.


Shannon, I purposely didn't read your previous thread. Call me a coward, but I couldn't do it. Any senseless cruelty to a living thing makes me ill for days. I'm sl glad that you could save Leo. God bless you!

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 12, 2002.

I'm glad you were able to save this one, Shannon. Congratulations.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 12, 2002.



Way to go Shannon. Thanks for the rescue and I just know that Mr. Lio will thank you for many years to come. I am sure he will indeed turn into a gentle giant for you.

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), January 12, 2002.

Hi Shannon, I will first commend you on your rescue attempts. See i have been there done that. You want to save everything, then you realize that even in death there is a purpose. Even the horses that goes to the meat pen are serving a pupose, even if we dont agree. I believe the issue is not just the kill buyers but the humane treatment of transportation to the final destination. You can never save all of them and youn will make yourself sick trying. What you can do is lobby for legislation for humane transport and ethical conditions at the slaughter facilities. Some horses know matter how well they look, are better of being euthinized. A good example is a horse that went through the auction in my area. He was a beautiful morgan, amish horse and had spooked and killed a 4 yo boy. I dont know the circumstances but the owners requested he go to slaughter only and his wishes were honered. I dont know what happened to cause this horse to spook, only that a child was dead. Why take the chance of it happening again? There are way to many great horses out there to take a chance like that. My statements probably sound harsh. I dont mean them that way, it is just sometimes better.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), January 12, 2002.

Congratulations Shannon. You are to be commended for your courage and commitment.

To save even one animal is an honorable thing. To post your experience on this or any forum for us all to share in is a blessing to everyone.

Perhaps someone else will follow and another animal will be spared.

Keep us updated on his progress.

-- HarleyinFL (cruisindog@juno.com), January 12, 2002.


People sure do funny things, if a horse happens to do something and the rider/handler gets hurt or dies, they immediately blame the horse and want to send it to auction to the killers, BUT if a child dies in a bicycle accident or rollerblade accident, it is called an accident, nothing more. No blame, or fingerpointing.

Yes, horses are large, powerful creatures with unpredictable natures, and "stuff" is bound to happen occasionally, especially with children and novices, but as a horse person who has handled horses for 42 years and counting, 95% of the time it is entirely the fault of the rider/handler, and not the horse to blame. And horses spook and shy alot, that is something you can't predict at all and must ALWAYS be prepared for, always.

An approprate old English saying goes, "It is never the fault of the horse, it is always the rider's", and this sure applies here. Like I said, there are less than 5% of truly evil, bad, and dangerous horses out there that cannot be rehabilitated.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 12, 2002.


Shannon, good luck with your new horse. I have bought horses out of the meat pens before. In our area of Penna, the killers sell first at the auction. Many people will sell their horses this way if for some reason the horse didn't work out for them. Then they will know how much money they can spend on another horse that will work for them or they can get their check faster and leave earlier if they don't care about their animals. That is why their are good animals in the meat pens, but be cautious when you are buying them.

-- Scott Masich (msmasich@epix.net), January 12, 2002.


Shannon-------you said, "the kill buyers were not sleazy, skulking monsters with horns growing out of their skulls"------ Well since my Dad was a cattle & horse buyer for MORE than 50 years & I sat with him at a sale barn as I grew up-----& many more years after that---

My one older brother /is a contract buyer of cattle & horses /& so is my adopted brother/ who has his own cattle buying & horse buying company----& these men are princes of gentleman/ I'm glad you finally realized you can't judge everyone-----by what you think they do!!!! These men are of the old school & very respectful!!! They would tip there cowboy hat to you if you walked past them!!

Each are REAl Cowboys /who have made their living doing Ranch work--- they also happen to be "Buyers"

They probably have forgotten more about cattle & horses than most people will ever know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next time you decide one of them /are such terrible people---just remember they are someone's Dad & brothers----& you have a lot to learn about why/ they do what they do!!!!!!!!!! And how they do it!!!! I'm not saying "ALL buyers" are gentlemen----with respect for animals & people ----but about 90% of the ones /I have spent my life with ARE!!!!!!!!

Each treat those animals with as much respect /as they do their own families----next time someone opens the door for you at a sale barn & greets you with /"Hello Madam"/ & helps you if you need help----just remember--he could be "a buyer"--probably more than likely is!!------

Just wanted you to know there is more than "ONE SIDE TO EVERY STORY"-- ---

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 12, 2002.


Shannon, I'm really relieved that you agree with me about my opinion that truly dangerous horses be humanely euthanized. I also agree with Annie in that less than 5% of horses are truly dangerous. I believe that the more one knows about horses, the fewer horses are dangerous. What a novice or intermediate owner would think dangerous, an experienced trainer would think of as a diamond in the rough. Too many people don't have the money or inclination to get a professional to work with their horse and maybe learn a little themselves and work things out together. Some idiots are so narcisstic as to believe that if he can't handle the horse, no one can. So a good horse goes to the killers, or worse, suffers a life of filth, starvation and neglect at the hands of its owner. I had a horse that bolted and threw me because I was stupid enough to take a Wal-mart bag from a neighbor from horseback. I shattered my arm. I did not blame the horse. Then, after I sorta healed up, he bucked me off on the trail. I again blamed myself because maybe his running martingale was to short. We had a few good rides, but then he started rearing for no reason that I could blame myself for. He came to me a spoiled pet who had always walked all over people and did whatever he wanted. I realized he required a better horseman than I am so I found one and sold him to a show home. (That's what he was bred for anyway) Then I rescued a beautiful Morgan mare and nursed her back to health. She was beautiful but she was psychotically herd- bound. I didn't want to risk getting hurt again trying to break her, so I gave her to a lady who has many Morgans who have a life of leisure. Moral of my long-winded story? If the horse is dangerous to you, it doesn't necessarily mean it's crazy. I'm lucky to be a pretty humble person but horses suffer so much at the hands of pridefulness. I'm so glad, Shannon that you were able to help one more little soul, and an unruined soul, at that. God Bless you.

-- Debbie in MO (risingwind@socket.net), January 12, 2002.

Shannon, I will never forget watching the buyer walk a horse with a broken leg out of the pens and into a trailer. He walked on that broken leg, just as he was asked to. I was sick. Thanks for your updates and God Bless you.

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 12, 2002.

Congrats Shannon. Chuck has given us really clear instrustions on how to post a picture. It is listed as "How to put pictures in Forum" Not sure what catagory it is under though, probably computer.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 12, 2002.

I do not know why more of these draft horses are not brought to the Missouri area. they are hard to come by and we see people paying $600 or more for a Belgian colt. I myself would like a filly or mare but they go for $2000 or more. Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), January 13, 2002.

Sonda, I don't know your family. I will assume that your horse-meat dealer kin are all gentle, kind souls who somehow found themselves in this gruesome line of work, but who treat every horse with compassion and patience. I'll assume that your brothers are top of the line kill- buyers, okay? Give me the same benefit of the doubt. I am a pretty accurate judge of people, and will form opinions and change them as I am moved to do so, based on my experiences and observations. What I observed at the auction was that one of the kill buyers was a young, clean-cut, popular guy. He did not look like an evil man in any way, and in fact he was the one who out-bid us on the first horse we tried to get. When that happened, people in the crowd said, "Don't worry, he'll sell her to you!" And they all made sure we knew his name and which guy he was, so that we could connect with him if we wanted. The other main kill-buyer looked scary and mean and had no teeth and greasy hair. Forgive me for passing judgement, but he looked like a scag, and my gut told me he acted like one, too. Regardless of appearances, I know that both of these men loaded injured, sick, frightened horses onto their trailers. I know they chased these animals with whips to the point where the horses were slipping and falling to the ground. I know that they & their helpers slapped and kicked and screamed at the horses throughout the entire auction process. This I saw with my own eyes. They were not shy about acting this way, and no one seemed to even notice or care. I will say that most of the abusive behavior, most of the unnecessary cruelty, was perpetrated by the Amish youths who worked there. But when a horse with a basketball-sized knee is loaded onto a trailer by his owner at the farm where he lives...and then driven to the auction by someone else...and then unloaded by another person...and then moved around from pen to pen (back leg collapsing all the while)... and then loaded into the kill-buyer's trailer...and then forced to stand on a broken leg for several hours on the road to Canada...hell, I pretty much lose track of who's to blame. It certainly all started with the person who chose to ship their horse rather than shoot it or euthanize it. But I'll be hard-pressed to let ANYONE off the hook who has, at any point, asked that horse to walk on his broken leg, and Sonda, I'll eat my hat if you tell me your brothers have never done so.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 13, 2002.

Shannon--- I wish you could know some of these people you are soo quick to judge--- & how they have lived there lives & how many animals they have helped or saved them selves----I personally feel no matter what I say there is no convienceing you-----they probably could give you more information on horses & livestock than you will probably ever know in your life time--!!!!!

But I gurarantee you they are not the ----

sleazy--skulking monsters with horns /you seem to have an idea most are--- as I said /not ALL are the best---but that is human nature---

And I truelly believe my family & the buyers/ I personaly know-- have forgoten more /than you know about horses just from reading your posts!!!

Best wishes with your horse colt---as we have raised draft horses for years---& I feel you didn't know much about draft horses when you bought this one--there will be many important decisions you will have to make that will effect this animal the rest of it's life!!

I just want you to know I took great offense at what & how you labeled people you don't know anything about---

One experience at a sale doesn't make you an expert is my opinion----

There are soooooooooooooo many "do-gooders" out there who flat don't have a clue----& I have given soo much of my time to help these people who never should have bought a horse in the first place as they have flat no clue---

I'm sure you are well informed & know more than many----who have spent their lives with & careing for livestock----& raiseing horses!!

Again what truely bothered me was the names you called or labeled buyers---- As we could have "names" for people who buy horses & don't have a clue---but instead ---WE HELP THEM!!!!!!

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 13, 2002.


Here is a picture of Shannon's rescued horse:



-- Chuck (woah@mission4me.com), January 13, 2002.


Shannon conceded that your family probably were kind hearted souls who cared Sonda. I can appreciate why you would take offesne to the thinking of many indivuals who either by experience or hearsay have concluded that meat buyers are cruel and heartless. In all areas of life and in the animal world as well as human, there are "Good Apples and Bad Apples." Unfortunately sometimes the deeds of some taint the images of those involved in either their professions, breeds, etc.

You mentioned the good qualities of your family and their long standing experiences in their profession. That is refreshing to hear and know. I am sure you and your family have seen the many sad stories of animals headed to the "kill pens." and have been gentle in assisting them in their agony and fears at their final moments. Not many do however, and its an unfortunate reality.

So, where am I going with this, well, I read your first post and then your recent one, I am so tired of the manner in which folks seem to just bicker and cut at each other on this forum. I am not just limiting this to you but to many others as well. It appears that many take glee in really being critical and disrespectful. I am definately not going to get in the midst of this one, but just ask that if you feel so strongly please take it private with Shannon. I just wish the personal attacks would cease and that we could all try to disagree without getting so bitter.

Shannon cares deeply about what she does. She has every right to try to resuce a horse and then provide it some compassion. We all didn't begin as experts on everything, we had to learn. Shannon will learn as she goes and try her best I am sure.

Just my humble thoughts here.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.


As usual, Bernice, you stated your thoughts well and with great dignity!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

Shannon, congrats! I have been following your story and was wishing I could see what your new horse looked like and thanks to Chuck I can see your new horse. He is a beauty.I am one of those people who believes things happen for a reason. I would like to see how this turns out. Good luck, you really do have a nice looking horse there. George

I hear all the time avoid auctions and I know that those words are said for good reason but I do have to add that my Dad has always bought from auctions and I'll tell you he has found some great animals there. I should also state that my father has been a farmer (cows and pigs) all his life and he is not affraid to ask questions if he is interested in an animal. Everyone is right though you really do take your chances. George

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 13, 2002.


Shannon, what a beautiful colt! And Chuck-How did you do that? You are so talented!! Thanks!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

I second what Bernice said, well done Bernice!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 13, 2002.

Shannon,

He's a nice looking colt. How's he settling in at your place? Have you dewormed him yet? He'll definately need it-I'd double dose him with Strongid Paste now, and in 4-5 weeks a single dose (for his weight) of Ivermectin, I also rotate in Quest (after deworming at least twice with another manner of dewormer.) How are his feet? Drafts *usually* have great feet so you shouldn't have to worry about that except for trimmings every 6-8 weeks.

Where's Shipsy auction? If you can get nice looking draft weanlings/yearlings that reasonable, I may have to make a road trip! They cost significantly more around here, when you can find them.

Good luck with him--he's a cutey.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 13, 2002.


Loved the picture! He looks beautiful, I know because I'm pretty good at being able to see through dirt!:-) How did your cleaning efforts come out?

-- Debbie in Mo (risingwind@socket.net), January 15, 2002.

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